RWC 2003 debutants Georgia will be looking to build on their encouraging performances to date when they take on the might of South Africa at Aussie Stadium on Friday 24 October.
Form guide:
After a solid 72-6 opening win over Uruguay, South Africa went down 25-6 to England in a bruising encounter in Perth. The match lived up to all expectations with England only establishing its superiority in the 63rd minute with a try to centre Will Greenwood against the run of play.
It will be interesting to see just how much wind, if any, the loss has taken out of South Africa’s sail.
Coach Rudolf Straeuli will be hoping for a big confidence-boosting victory to erase the loss from memory.
For Georgia, Claude Saurel’s men will be keen to build on their encouraging first-up performances. Though comprehensively beaten 84-6 by Tournament heavyweights England on debut, the Lelos proved that they earned their place in the Tournament, backing up with a spirited performance against Samoa.
Although eventually losing the match 46-9, Georgia competed gamely up front and kept the bulk of Samoa’s scoring to the final quarter.
However, Saurel will be looking for a more disciplined performance by his players who conceded 19 penalties in the match.
Previous meetings:
This will be the first meeting between South Africa and Georgia in a Test match.
In and Out:
Hooker John Smit will captain his country for the first time as South Africa make 13 changes to its side to face Georgia.
Smit becomes the 51st player to captain the Springboks at Test level. Before his appearance off the bench in the Springboks loss to England on Saturday, Smit was last capped at the end of 2001.
Lock Bakkies Botha and flanker Joe van Niekerk, who moves to No.8, are the only two players remaining from the run on side that faced England.
Making their Tournament debuts are wingers Breyton Paulse and Stefan Terblanche. Front rower Dale Santon and uncapped flanker Schalk Burger were named on the bench and if used on Friday night will also make their Tournament debut.
Georgia has also rung in the changes with eight new faces from the starting line up against Samoa.
Blind side flanker Gia Labodze is a casualty from the physical encounter against the Samoans and is out for an expected two weeks with an arm injury.
His place has been taken by David Bolgashvili.
Vasil Katsadze retains his spot on the left wing and will take over as captain from number 8 Ilia Zedginidze who makes way for George Chkhaidze.
There will be a fresh front row with Avtandil Kopaliani, David Dadunashvili and Alexandre Margvelashvili taking over from Goderdzi Shvelidze, Akvsenti Giorgadze and Soso Nikolaenko.
Key players:
Rising star Joe van Niekerk gets a chance to continue the outstanding form he displayed in match against England.
As does Bakkies Botha who is joined in the second row by Selborne Boome. The duo should pose a formidable ball winning combination for the Georgians to contest against.
Loosehead prop Lawrence Sephaka will look to take his chance with both hands.
Experienced Test scrum half Neil de Kock will provide the spark for a backline that contains plenty of firepower with wings Breyton Paulse, Stefan Terblanche and inside centre Werner Greeff all able to make the most of any scoring chance.
For Georgia much will be expected of their experienced fly half Paliko Jimsheladze.
The pivot is the most capped Georgian player in history with 40 Tests and has scored the most points in Internationals with 236.
He will need to be a calming influence on scrum half Merab Kvirikashvili, at 19, the youngest player in the Tournament.
What it means:
Georgia know they can’t match it with the Tournament heavyweights but they will be looking to give their opponents another bruising encounter, Their pack, led by flanker Gregoire Yachvili just never gives in.
The Springboks on the other hand will be looking for a return to the winners list and a confidence boost with the quarter finals just around the corner.
Match details:
South Africa play Georgia on October 24 at Sydney’s Aussie Stadium. Kick off is 20:00. Australian Stuart Dickinson is the man with the whistle. Touch Judges are Paul Honiss and Joel Dume while Alan Lewis is the TV Match Official.
Stay tuned to rugbyworldcup.com for up to the minute match coverage as well as live audio and video highlights of the game.