Now to tame the dragon, Springboks

With wet weather on the cards for tomorrow’s Rugby World Cup semifinal between South Africa and Wales in Tokyo, Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard predicts that it could come down to a “game of chess’’.

The Boks are attempting to reach their first final in 12 years and their third in total, while the Welsh will be out to make history after losing both their last-four appearances in 1987 and 2011.

South Africa have won two of their four semifinals, first against France in 1995 and then against Argentina in 2007, and have lost two nail-biters against the Wallabies in 1999 and against the All Blacks in 2015.

“[Coach] Rassie [Erasmus] has picked six forwards on the bench, so I don’t think it’s a secret that it’s going to be a massive set-piece battle and we certainly aren’t going to fix what isn’t broken,” said Pollard, who yesterday had to be content with practising his goal-kicking in overcast and wet conditions.

“The weather shouldn’t affect the tactics of either side. I suppose if we wake up on Sunday morning and things are really bad, we may have to adjust,” added Pollard, who has scored 421 points in 46 Tests with 126 coming in two World Cup tournaments.

“It’s going to be an interesting chess match and the two teams will feel each other out tactically in the first 20 minutes, From there it will be about applying the pressure and converting it into points.’’

The last time the Boks beat Warren Gatland’s side was in a tight 23-19 win in the quarterfinals in 2015.

The Boks were made to sweat for that win at Twickenham where a moment of magic from scrumhalf Fourie du Preez right at the death was required to drag the Boks over the line and book a semifinal meeting against the All Blacks.

Another win against Wales this time around could earn the Boks another match-up against the old enemy in the final, providing New Zealand beat England in the first semifinal today.

Pollard is looking to resume his duel with opposite number Dan Biggar with whom he was involved in a huge tussle four years ago.

“Dan is a world-class player who has a wide range of skills. He likes the physical side of the game, but I think that we both do, so I’m looking forward to that battle.

“I don’t think that Wales are known for their flair. They can be relentless in terms of implementing their game plan.”

Pollard says the Springboks are cautious of a Welsh side that can suffocate their opposition when they start controlling the set pieces and enforcing their kicking game.

“We have to be careful about falling into that trap. You’ve got to try your best to take all of those opportunities as a kicker,’’ he said.

– rudolphj@citizen.co.za

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