It is a long time since a wet weather test has been played in the city, and if the Bok/All Black Tri-Nations clash is played in the wet, it will be the first time since the infamous World Cup final between the Springboks and France here in 1995. The All Black are more used to wet weather, but Bok assistant coach Dick Muir doesn’t reckon that will mean they have an advantage.

“It would be very disappointing if it is wet on Saturday as obviously that would prevent opportunities to play expansive rugby and impact on the game as a spectacle,” said Muir.

“But I don’t think wet weather will give an advantage to the All Blacks. If you watched last week’s game you will have noticed that where they got reward for their play was when they ran it at us and spun the ball down the back. So I don’t think they will be particularly keen on it being wet, because those conditions would negate their strength.

“The bottom line for us is that we do have the ability to play different styles, we are very versatile, and we are quite capable of playing the style that suits the occasion. We definitely have the kicking game for the wet.”

Vice-captain Victor Matfield agreed with Muir, but was more adamant that wet weather would suit the Boks. He pointed to the quality of the three premier field kickers in the team as a big bonus for the Boks should the forecasts prove correct.

“Wet weather calls for a strong kicking game and we have great kickers in our side,” said Matfield.

“One of the big strengths is the combination of Fourie du Preez and Morne, because both of them are outstanding kickers, and the opposition struggle to figure out which one of them is going to kick in each situation. We also have Frans (Steyn) who can kick the ball a long way. But let’s see what the weather is like first. It may be dry.”

Even if it is dry, the boot of flyhalf Steyn is going to play a big role, for it has become clear that the Boks have a preference for a more direct, tactical game and it has been responsible for their most noteworthy wins of the past year.

But Muir reckons that although he may be a different player to the man he replaces, Ruan Pienaar, Steyn has more to him than just a seige-gun kicking boot. He refuted the theory that Steyn stands in the wrong position when operating as first receiver, though he did acknowledge that his positioning was something that had been worked on during the week.

“I think Morne has great positioning as he varies where he stands and that makes him difficult for opponents to read,” said Muir.

Source:  supersport.co.za