×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Eden Park set for epic contest

IN OR OUT: Vernon Philander may or may not play tomorrow
IN OR OUT: Vernon Philander may or may not play tomorrow

Pakistan and SA clash tomorrow in a match that has important implications for what happens for both teams' future in the tournament.

Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali versus Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, both of them hot off hundreds. Now that's a contest.

SA will want to put their best XI on the field to meet the challenge. Who might comprise that team has become a significant debate, what with Rilee Rossouw and Kyle Abbott making fine use of the opportunities created for them by injuries to JP Duminy and Vernon Philander.

"JP (who has a side strain) will definitely get back in the mix if he is fit," coach Russell Domingo said. "He has been one of our best players over a period of time.

"We need to make sure Vernon is 100% ready to go because we need to be careful with a hamstring strain with the important stage of the competition still to come."

Of course, South Africans will be pleased to know that the first team from their country who played at Eden Park, the venue for tomorrow's game, came away victorious - the 1921 Springboks beat the All Blacks 9-5 in the inaugural rugby test at the ground.

Yesterday, when Domingo was asked what it meant to his men to play at one of rugby's most storied citadels, the gentleman's game engaged in by hooligans was indeed on the SA coach's mind.

"Play rugby? Not against the All Blacks," Domingo joked. "We would like to play Pakistan in rugby."

In Irfan, Riaz and Ali, Pakistan have fast bowlers capable of derailing the Proteas' train.

Whether the Proteas can repeat the Boks' inaugural win at Eden Park remains to be seen.

 

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.