While rugby is a team sport, there are individuals that can shape the outcome and
Handre Pollard of South Africa will want to make a statement against the mercurial Finn Russell. Picture: Gavin Barker, BackpagePix
The World Cup rematch between the Springboks and the Scots is bound to be a tasty affair at Murrayfield this evening. While rugby is a team sport, there are individuals that can shape the outcome and Mike Greenaway looks at five key match-ups.
Handre Pollard vs Finn Russell
Pollard will want to make a statement against the mercurial Russell. The Scot is back in the team after missing the Fiji game last week and expect the unexpected from him. This match-up will be one for the ages between two elder statesmen of the game.
Andre Esterhuizen vs Sione Tuipolatau: This one is not for the faint of heart. The inside centres are big men and the collisions will be epic. Tuipolatau is an Australian of Samoan ancestry and they don’t hold back in that part of the world, while Esterhuizen is 115kg of prime Klerksdorp beef.
Ox Nche vs Pierre Schoeman: The roly-poly Shark is the best loosehead prop in the world and he will attack Pretoria product Schoeman. The latter is highly experienced and will have a few tricks of his own but it would be a surprise if he gets on top of Nche.
Canan Moodie vs Duhan van der Merwe: The young Bok has talent to burn while the Scotland wing has scored some scorching tries for his adopted country. The best way to neutralise Van Der Merwe is to ensure he gets few opportunities while Moodie can expect front-foot ball from the very solid Bok pack.
Malcolm Marx vs Dylan Richardson: The young Shark has a great opportunity to state his case against one of the best hookers in the world. Richardson has been reinvented in the No.2 jersey after a career on the flank and there is no one better for him to test himself against than Marx.
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