The Springboks will unleash their world-class substitutes against the All Blacks in London on Friday, for an epic clash that is anything but “meaningless”, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The likes of star playmakers Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga, along with veterans Sam Whitelock and Dane Coles, will front the Boks after the All Blacks named a formidable lineup for the World Cup warm-up in the English capital.
New Zealand have mirrored the world champions in opting for a six-two split on the bench between forwards and backs, but writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane argues that 22-year-old Kiwi lock Josh Lord is no match for Bomb Squad alum, RG Snyman.
Keohane writes that the sold-out match at Twickenham between the two most successful teams in World Cup history will be intense, and a capacity crowd will ensure a Test-match atmosphere to rival anything produced in their previous 104 meetings.
“Both teams have selected close to their strongest lineups for what some are calling a meaningless Test. Those who know the history of these two rivals, also know there can never be a contest between the two without meaning or relevance,” he writes.
“Both camps have promised to give it a rip and the common thread is that no-one would be wrapped in cotton wool for this match.
“It is the last hit out for both before their testing World Cup openers when the Boks play Scotland and the All Blacks play hosts France.
“The point of difference would be the eight substitutes. I wouldn’t pick one of the All Blacks reserves over the Bok eight.
“I am going to back against history and call a Springboks win, by more than five … because of the collective strength and potential impact of the substitutes bench.”
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