30 Jul 2011

All legends start with just a first cap - de Villiers

6:25 pm on 30 July 2011

No one's giving South Africa a chance in tonight's Tri-Nations rugby Test in Wellington, but the Springboks coach believes his second stringers have the ability to cause a huge upset.

The TAB has the second string South Africans at nine to one outsiders in the capital clash next to a mere $1.05 for the New Zealanders, though Boks coach Peter de Villiers is still putting up a brave front.

He realises they're up against it, facing an experienced All Blacks side with 640 caps, while 10 of his starting side having played seven or less Tests and boast a mere 270, with those numbers boosted by captain John Smit's 103 internationals along with Dannie Roussow's 55 and Ruan Pienaar's 48.

But de Villiers says all rugby greats began with just one cap and it's not about how many a player has but how well they play.

The Test may be more notable for the efforts of the fringe players pushing for All Blacks places for the upcoming World Cup than the result.

Winger Cory Jane is one All Black who needs to impress - and Jane's hoping to excel on the counter-attack, when the Springboks decide to kick for position.

Kickoff's at 8.35pm.

The weather in Wellington is currently fine, but showers are forecast.