The forecast is rain for the 2nd test in Durban. At first, this might seem like a God-send for the beleaguered Kiwis: at sea-level in the rain, just like home. But I am going to disagree.
The Boks, while inexperienced in wet weather conditions, are far better equipped for the kick and grind of a soggy test match. In Morne Steyn, Fourie Du Preez and Franscois Steyn they possess a long and lethal kicking game that far outguns Donald and Muliaina. In their forward pack, as highlighted by their epic mauls last week and against the Lions, they have the bulk and strength to crush the All Blacks.
In Bloem, South Africa looked best while keeping it close, while New Zealand only became an attacking force when they sent it out wide, recycled it quickly and kept hitting it up through the backs. With a wet ball and slippery grass underfoot, and a penchant for handling errors, this strategy will become even less viable for them, and they will be forced to take on the Boks in the forwards -- a recipe for disaster.
It's going to be an ugly, bloody and brutal street-fight, something the Boks relish. Lots of mauling, lots of penalties - perfect conditions for Morne to slowly sink the Kiwis to their first back-to-back defeat against SA since apartheid days.
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