Cape Town - Allister Coetzee says that he is not “really worried and nervous” about taking on England on Saturday following the Springboks’ 31-31 result against the Barbarians.
But the Bok coach does admit that the lack of preparation time for the big showdown at Twickenham is a concern, especially as up to 12 new players will join the team for three Tests against England, Italy and Wales.
In contrast, England coach Eddie Jones had his entire squad together in a training camp in Portugal last week to prepare for the autumn internationals against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia, and they are on a 10-match winning streak - nine of which are on Jones’ watch.
What complicates matters further for Coetzee and the Boks is that the South Africans are trying to implement a new style of play, where there is greater emphasis on attacking play and being more creative with using possession, whether it’s through ball-in-hand or kicking well tactically.
“What will be a challenge for us is to get the team to gel (this) week. I’ve had two weeks with this group (for the Barbarians game) - albeit youngsters, I was very pleased with the progress shown.
“I’ve seen them in the Currie Cup and I know that they have the ability and quality, and they showed it out there. But it is just to build a team and get the cohesion going, that will be our main challenge,” the coach said at Wembley Stadium.
“We will have five days (to prepare for England). And the last Test we played was four weeks ago, for that matter. It’s quite a challenge, to be honest. It’s not an easy thing, and we also have a different mindset, with the way we want to play.
“So, it doesn’t just happen like that - new mindset, chat about it. It’s got to be week-in and week-out, and you’ve got to play and try to execute that.
“It’s really a tough balancing act that we need to get right, but I’m positive about the experience that we will gain back, in terms of a player like Warren Whiteley, who is also a leader at No 8, although Nizaam Carr played really well tonight with ball-in-hand.
“But against England, it’s a very experienced side, and that’s what we will be looking for as well - to get experience, although the two young centres played really well tonight.
“It was great for Patrick (Lambie) also to have a full 80 at flyhalf. Remember Pat last played for five minutes against the Irish in the first Test. Jamba Ulengo also impressed tonight with ball-in-hand, so it’s about getting the selection right against England. But to say that we are really worried and nervous, not at all.”
The Boks did well to come back and draw the Barbarians game in the last 11 minutes after being 31-19 down - scoring five tries in the process - and a number of the newcomers put their hands up for Test selection.
Centres Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Francois Venter, wing Ulengo and No 8 Carr were the leading lights of those who haven’t been in the Test mix this year, while Lourens Adriaanse also put in a serious claim for the tighthead berth at Twickenham.
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Cape Times