Rugby: Forwards share a magic alliance

Bakkies Botha (pictured) and Victor Matfield have a symbiotic relationship on the field. Photo / Getty Images

Bacon and eggs, Lennon and McCartney, Matfield and Botha - on their own they're fine, together they go to a different level.

Despite spending much of 2010 recovering from an operation, it was no surprise to see Peter de Villiers draft warhorse Bakkies Botha into his side for tonight's opening Tri-Nations clash.

In a straight line-up of locks, Botha might come in only fourth in South Africa. Victor Matfield is still considered peerless, but Andries Bekker and Danie Rossouw could both lay claims to being the second-best lock in a country that seems to spit them out like sausages.

What they don't have is a combination with Matfield that is symbiotic. The pair have accumulated 162 caps between them and although Graham Henry has named an experienced side, the 47 caps collected between Brad Thorn, who has 40 of those, and Tom Donnelly is a pittance by comparison.

While Matfield is universally admired in this part of the world for his athleticism and aerial skills, it is fair to say Botha has earned a grudging respect rather than admiration. He plays the game hard and not always fair, but every coach likes to have an enforcer to call upon.

"Bakkies is an old stalwart," de Villiers said. "With Victor they form a formidable combination. They understand each other. Bakkies will always bring that something extra to rugby. It's a plus to have him available."

Matfield was here in 2001, the last time the Boks played a test on Eden Park, and has been stealing All Black lineout ball ever since.

Matfield targets All Black ball for fun and he will be doing so again tonight.

"That's something we really work hard on. It's something we're very proud of, our lineout," Matfield said. "We'll try to put them under pressure there, try to get one or two balls early in the test match. That can put them under pressure and [make them] think back to the past few games.

"It's going to be important for us, the first few lineouts, to try and get them under pressure and hopefully make them make a mistake."

The All Blacks have been criticised for not challenging the Springbok ball, the Matfield said it was an understandable tactic.

"If they attack or lineout and they miss we have an opportunity to have a good drive," he said. "Do they want to stop our drive? Do they want to go for the contest and they might miss out on stopping our drive? We need to play clever, they need to play clever."