Springboks Get Ready to Face All Blacks

August 11 - A stunning victory over Argentina recently has given the South African rugby team, the Springboks, a boost of confidence as it prepares to take on New Zealand's All Blacks in Cape Town over the weekend.

The Springboks coach, Peter de Villiers, said that the Boks 63-9 rout of Argentina contributed greatly to the team's morale, but he had no illusions about the fact that there was still hard work ahead for the Springboks if they wanted to beat the All Blacks.

"The win helps to build our confidence," said de Villiers, "which is a great thing and we will enjoy the win, there are no buts about it. But we know what a step up next week against the All Blacks will be and we have the ability to make that step."

In a news conference, de Villiers referred to the game played against Argentina, and acknowledged that the first half of the game was not good enough. Until the 39th minute, the Springboks were trailing a dismal 9-0.

"We know the first half was not good," said de Villiers, "but it is always good to see a team go out again, do it right and use their opportunities."

Two Springbok players were injured during the Argentinean game, and both will undergo scans this week to determine the extent of their injuries - Bakkies Botha for his knee and Jacqu Fourie for his cheekbone.

The Captain of the Springboks, Victor Matfield, described a few highlights of the game and showed where he thought victory was determined. "Argentina were very physical at the breakdown points," he said, "but we were happy in the way we went in the lineouts and scrums. Argentina uses a lot of lineout drives but with the sacking rule coming in with the ELV's (experimental law variations), it made it very difficult for them."

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