Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has warned his team against the threat posed by Wallaby flank George Smith when the two sides meet at Newlands in Cape Town in a Vodacom Tri-Nations Test on Saturday.

Writing in his latest online column on www.sarugby.co.za, the Bok coach made it clear that his team will not go into Saturday’s game resting on their laurels after their recent great victories over the All Blacks.

De Villiers sees the breakdown, where Smith has excelled in his 100 Wallaby Tests to date, as one of the crucial areas on Saturday.

“In George Smith they have one of the world’s best exponents of breakdown play and they are sure to test us in this particular area of the game, which has become so vital in recent seasons,” said De Villiers.

“Our last meeting with the Wallabies – at Coca-Cola Park last year – was a memorable one but that will have no bearing on Saturday’s clash. We start with a clean slate against a tough and resilient opponent and we have to build a performance as we did against the All Blacks.”

For Peter de Villiers’ full column, please visit www.sarugby.co.za.

Issued by SA Rugby