SA Rugby has confirmed the date and time for the key announcement of the Springbok team to face the British & Irish Lions in the third and final Test at the Cape Town Stadium.
Springboks (OPINION) | 3 Titanic battles to look out for
The Springboks and British & Irish Lions clash sees mouth-watering and tantalizing clashes across the park.
SA Rugby has confirmed the date and time for the key announcement of the Springbok team to face the British & Irish Lions in the third and final Test at the Cape Town Stadium.
The Springboks and British & Irish Lions clash sees mouth-watering and tantalizing clashes across the park.
These three titanic battles are set to thrill the world. The intriguing head-to-head matchups pit players that are the best in the world in their positions carrying the passion and weight of the entire series.
READ | SPRINGBOKS VS BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SET FOR WAR OF ATTRITION
1) CHESLIN KOLBE VS DUHAN VAN DER MERWE
Scintillating speed takes on raw power as two of the most exciting and skillful players in the world go head-to-head.
Kolbe has left the rugby world in awe with his lethal fleet-footed stepping and exhilarating runs. Van der Merwe has done exact same for the Lions all series, proving an extremely tough man to bring down.
The Springbok winger is one of, if not, the best at beating defenders with his magical stepping similar to the legendary Bryan Habana. While van der Merwe bounces and fends off tacklers much like the late Jonah Lomu.
The battle out wide will be enthralling and both men will have their hands full with the other leading attacks and a chance to inspire a famous series victory. Two of the best finishers in the game and the most exciting men in world rugby clash for the first time after van der Merwe was rested in the game against SA ‘A’.
2) POLLARD VS BIGGAR
Handre Pollard will run out for his 50th game and achieve a childhood dream at the same time. Every young aspiring South African rugby player dreams of running out at flyhalf against the British & Irish Lions.
Whether it is imagining kicking the winning drop goal or a last-minute conversion from the touchline to decide the series.
This is very possible in a Test series that is poised to be a classic. The Rugby World Cup-winning flyhalf will be aiming to add a series triumph to book himself in history. The battle at 10 sees a repeat of the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final.
Both men will be at the heart of their side’s success. The respective kickers will know the value of every point in a series that is generational – you are likely to only get one shot at it. Therefore, every shot at goal matters. One miss could be the difference or even a dramatic late drop goal.
These men will look to dictate play as they lead the kicking game for two side’s that pride themselves in a tactical kicking game. Expect the drama of the series to be epitomized in the famous number 10 jersey. World-class flyhalves represent two of the most passionate sides in the world in this prestigious series.
EBEN ETZEBETH VS MARO ITOJE
This is a true clash of titans, Etzebeth and Itoje are amongst the strongest, most physical men in world rugby. It will be brutal, bruising and ferocious.
Etzebeth and Itoje love a fight, they thrive on a battle of attrition such as this. These men regularly dominate the collision on attack and defense. They will both look to get their sides over the advantage line with ball in hand and to make big hits on defense.
Expect both men to be at the front of any heated ‘handbags’, shoves and pushes. They will also receive a lot of lineout ball and be at a clash of heads at the front of the mall for their teams. The man that asserts himself physically will secure momentum for their side and go a long way in deciding this battle.
READ | SPRINGBOKS FEATURE | REDEMPTION ON THE CARDS FOR NYAKANE AND SMITH
The Springboks will look to Kolbe, Pollard and Etzebeth as well as every single one of the 23 men that Siya Kolisi is set to take on the British & Irish Lions.
Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 (SAT TIME).
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