A more clinical approach at the breakdowns, rather than sheer aggression, is what Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer will drill into his players ahead of next Saturday’s Rugby Championship match against Australia in Brisbane.
And to achieve this, Meyer could well tinker with his back row, bringing in an additional fetcher rather than having a big, ball-carrying forward.
The Boks found the going tough against Argentina in Mendoza last weekend, losing the battle at the breakdowns, where Los Pumas somewhat surprisingly bullied the Boks. And with no quick, front-foot ball, Meyer’s team looked very ordinary.
“You can talk the guys up and motivate them and tell them to get stuck in, but it’s not only about being physical,” said Meyer yesterday.
“You need to be clinical in that area and that’s what we’re trying to achieve.”
Meyer hinted he may make two changes to his pack for the showdown with Australia.
“I’m going to rotate (certain players) in the forwards, so there might be two changes there,” he said.
“Bjorn (Basson) is also struggling with injury (wrist) but there won’t be many changes.”
Up front, Flip van der Merwe could replace Juandré Kruger at No5 lock to give the Boks a greater physical presence, while Willem Alberts could make way for either Siya Kolisi or Marcel Coetzee in the loose forwards.
And with winger Basson nursing a swollen wrist – an injury he picked up last weekend – Willie le Roux could move to the wing, with either Zane Kirchner or Pat Lambie coming in at fullback.
While last weekend’s 22-17 win in Mendoza was far from the standard set by the Boks, Meyer was pleased with many aspects of his side’s performance.
“I was worried about our scrumming going into the competition because of the new laws, but we’ve been brilliant in the scrums and we’ve also got a 100 percent record in the kick-offs,” he said.
“I think what happened in Mendoza definitely made the players mentally stronger.
“Every win away from home is a great win and the guys would have taken a lot of confidence out of it.
“Last year in November we were under huge pressure against Ireland and Scotland but came back to win both games.
“Last week there was also pressure, but we didn’t concede a point in the second half and won by five.
“These away games are not always won by playing the best rugby; it will always be an arm-wrestle.
“To win, you need 100 percent return in the set-pieces, your defence has got to be good and you’ve got to be able to absorb the pressure.
“Also, you need a goal-kicker with a 90 percent success rate. We didn’t get that last year and it cost us.
“I know we haven’t won in Brisbane and Auckland (venue for the New Zealand Test a week later) for a long time, so it’s about having the right mindset. But I believe we’re going over there with a team that is mentally stronger than 12 months ago.”
The Boks got their preparations under way in earnest yesterday and will again train this morning before departing to Australia tonight.
Hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle yesterday passed a fitness test and will tour with the Boks, but Meyer said the fact that five France-based players will only be available from next week has made planning and training quite tricky.
“It’s been a learning curve for us, but it’s a once-off. It’s been disruptive (not having the guys here) and it’s a situation we’ll handle better going forward,” he said.
Morné Steyn, Bryan Habana, Jano Vermaak, Gurthrö Steenkamp and Kruger will only meet up with the Boks next week after the SA Rugby Union released them to play for their French clubs this weekend.
“These guys will have travelled a lot by the time they get to us and I just hope and pray they get through these games this weekend,” said Meyer.
“We don’t want injuries now, especially to Bryan and Morné, who’ve been playing great rugby.
“Fortunately, we’ll have everyone available from next week for the rest of the competition.” - Saturday Star