SPRINGBOK scrumhalf Francois Hougaard has been in the periphery of the squad for a year but tomorrow, at Newlands, he will be a central match-winning figure against the Wallabies.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said his charges would look to play a more expansive style, weather permitting, and that means Hougaard will have to ensure the tempo and rhythm remains constant and upbeat.
The Bulls man appeared rusty after he took to the field against the All Blacks in Wellington two weeks ago, but will be better for the hit-out following the Boks' 14-10 loss.
Injuries, loss of form due to constant positional switching and low confidence have plagued the 26-year-old for the past 18 months, but tomorrow's match represents a chance for Hougaard to remind everyone of his capabilities.
His kicking game is not as assured as that of the injured Fourie du Preez, but his speed to the breakdown and decision-making, when fully in tune with his game, can be excellent.
Unlike Du Preez, who operates as the team's brain, Hougaard simply has to feed flyhalf Handre Pollard, who is expected to make the big decisions.
The Boks - in wings Cornal Hendricks and Bryan Habana and fullback Willie le Roux - have the weapons to cause problems if given enough space, which was a fact acknowledged by Wallaby wing Joe Tomane.
"Their back three has serious speed," he said when quizzed about the Boks' strength in that area.
But Tomane also issued a warning of his own: "We have Israel [in reference to Australia fullback Israel Folau]."
The giant No15 is a potential match-winner on his own and the Boks are aware that denying him space in attacking positions is important. Conversely, the Wallabies will work to put him in space wherever and whenever they can.
Teboho Mohoje's selection as a ball-carrying flank will work as long as he has enough ball to carry, but if the Boks are embroiled in a battle for supremacy on the deck, they might fall short.
Game-winner in Hugaard
SPRINGBOK scrumhalf Francois Hougaard has been in the periphery of the squad for a year but tomorrow, at Newlands, he will be a central match-winning figure against the Wallabies.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said his charges would look to play a more expansive style, weather permitting, and that means Hougaard will have to ensure the tempo and rhythm remains constant and upbeat.
The Bulls man appeared rusty after he took to the field against the All Blacks in Wellington two weeks ago, but will be better for the hit-out following the Boks' 14-10 loss.
Injuries, loss of form due to constant positional switching and low confidence have plagued the 26-year-old for the past 18 months, but tomorrow's match represents a chance for Hougaard to remind everyone of his capabilities.
His kicking game is not as assured as that of the injured Fourie du Preez, but his speed to the breakdown and decision-making, when fully in tune with his game, can be excellent.
Unlike Du Preez, who operates as the team's brain, Hougaard simply has to feed flyhalf Handre Pollard, who is expected to make the big decisions.
The Boks - in wings Cornal Hendricks and Bryan Habana and fullback Willie le Roux - have the weapons to cause problems if given enough space, which was a fact acknowledged by Wallaby wing Joe Tomane.
"Their back three has serious speed," he said when quizzed about the Boks' strength in that area.
But Tomane also issued a warning of his own: "We have Israel [in reference to Australia fullback Israel Folau]."
The giant No15 is a potential match-winner on his own and the Boks are aware that denying him space in attacking positions is important. Conversely, the Wallabies will work to put him in space wherever and whenever they can.
Teboho Mohoje's selection as a ball-carrying flank will work as long as he has enough ball to carry, but if the Boks are embroiled in a battle for supremacy on the deck, they might fall short.
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