SOUTH AFRICA

News | Profile | Anthem | Fixtures | Results

Matfield cautious of Wallaby scrum

Wednesday 16th July 2008

Not to be underestimated: The Wallabies practice their scrummaging

South African captain Victor Matfield has warned his fellow Springbok forwards not to be fooled into believing the perceived weaknesses in the Australian scrum and to stay focused ahead of the Saturday's Tri-Nations Test at Subiaco Oval in Perth.

South Africa's stand-in captain and stand-out lock said the Springbok pack should not be lured into a false sense of security before facing the much-criticised Australian scrum, saying that Saturday's hosts have the firepower to rival the world champions.

"Those are only perceptions," Matfield told IOL when asked to comment on the alleged brittleness of the Wallaby pack.

"We've come here before and been troubled at scrum-time. Good scrumming is like good defence - it's all about focus and what you do on the day."

"We're going to have to be aggressive in that department."

The Springboks came under severe criticism themselves for their scrumming performance in the first Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks in Wellington, only to show a vast improvement when the teams met again a week later in Dunedin.

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers believes last weekend's even contest at scrum time provided vindication for his team after he and captain John Smit accused the All Blacks of illegal scrummaging.

"We got an even contest in Dunedin. The referee (Matt Goddard) patrolled the area well and that's all we're after," said De Villiers on Tuesday.

"Look at what we did in Dunedin in the scrums and compare it with what happened in Wellington. Does one team improve so much in a week and the other get so much worse?"

"We're an experienced bunch up front and know how to scrum. All we want is the contest to be fair."

Referee Bryce Lawrence will be in charge this weekend, and if the New Zealander ensures that neither team is able to manipulate the scrums, one would expect the Springboks, who have spent a lot of time working on their scrum this week, to come out on top.

Australia's scrummaging of late has shown a marked improvement on the dismal display of last year's World Cup, which some have attributed to the arrival of former Crusaders boss Robbie Deans.

However, the Wallabies were far from dominant against a below-strength French pack in the June Test and will have to turn it up a notch against their South Africa visitors.

The Springboks will have some new personnel in their back with Schalk Brits, himself a much-improved scrummager, replacing suspended Bismarck du Plessis at hooker. Pierre Spies has also been touted to start at number eight but the rest of the pack is expected to remain unchanged.

Newcomer Adriaan Strauss will be eager to show what he is capable of if given the chance use his energy and aggression off the bench.