FRANCE: RUGBY UNION: South Africa prepare for Rugby World Cup semi-final against outsiders Argentina

Record ID: 455839

  • Title: FRANCE: RUGBY UNION: South Africa prepare for Rugby World Cup semi-final against outsiders Argentina
  • Date: 11th October 2007
  • Summary: WIDE OF REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) FOURIE DU PREEZ SPEAKING: "It's actually a little bit more pressure but that's pressure I'm used to. I now have to be one hundred percent (fit) but I wasn't at my best. There are still, we got 21 other guys in the squad who are brilliant. They can do the job as well."
  • Embargoed: 26th October 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA78E9A5A6OO0YAPP2GJ1LRZ1NK
  • Story Text: South Africa held a training session on Wednesday (October 10) to prepare for Sunday's match against surprise Rugby World Cup semi-finalists Argentina.
    The Springboks showed what they are capable of when they whipped defending champions England 36-0 in the pool stage then were hurriedly promoted to favourites after New Zealand and Australia were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
    Their semi-final opponents are Argentina, with the winner to play either France or England in the final.
    Speaking after Wednesday's training session, Juan Smith said that he and his team mates would not be taking Argentina lightly.
    "I can remember it was tough against Argentina. We couldn't get any second phase quick ball," he said.
    "We struggled against them in Argentina. I think that's the main thing we're are going to get this weekend again. We must go back and get good, quick first phase balls and then go back to our own structure."
    The Pumas have never beaten South Africa and have already exceeded their own expectations by reaching the semi-finals for the first time.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register