Bosch wants to emulate the likes of De Villiers, Habana
wide men, namely Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan and Raymond Rhule, have copped the most criticism after slipping several tackles and faltering under the high ball.
Smith though said the Boks would welcome the Australians kicking ball onto the wing positions.
“We now see it as an opportunity ... it’s not a negative anymore. If we field the high ball it creates an opportunity for us to play from when previously all we wanted to do was make sure they (the opposition) didn’t get the ball,” said Smith.
“Now if we get it, we can play with it. We hope they give us a lot of high ball ... because if we manage it properly we’ll score more tries. That is how we’re approaching things from now.”
Smith continued to speak about the Boks’ desire to get the ball into their hands, to carry it through the phases and take it wide so they could try score tries, something they failed to do in New Zealand last time out.
“The main thing that stands out from the New Zealand game is that while we dominated territory (63 percent in the first half) and had a good go in the first 20 minutes, we weren’t able to convert it into points.
“And then, because our setpiece wasn’t functioning, especially in the second half, we didn’t have any ball to play with.
“We’re a real factor with ball in hand, we’ve shown that over the course of the season ... so we simply have to get our hands on the ball and look after it better. We’re already playing in the right side of the field, and dominating territory, even against the best side in the world ... but it’s important for us to now convert that into points.”
Smith added hanging onto the ball for long periods and asking questions of the opposition would be key in the Boks “getting back onto their feet” in the coming two matches.
Asked how the team planned to do this he said, “I’ve been pretty blessed to have been involved with a few teams who’ve been in this situation before. To hit back from 50-points is actually much easier than people think ... you can only improve on it.”
And how the Boks will want to do that against the Wallabies this weekend. Smith said there was a massive desire by the players to set the record straight this Saturday.
“Just from one training session you can see the determination and hunger in the players. We had to rein them in ... so it’s easy for us as the coaches (because we don’t have to motivate them). The guys can’t wait to get out there and play.”
Head coach Allister Coetzee will name his lineup for Saturday’s match on Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Boks have released three players to their unions for Currie Cup duty this weekend. S’bu Nkosi, Raymond Rhule and Dan du Preez will turn out for their respective unions this weekend and won’t be considered for the Boks’ match against the Wallabies. DURBAN: Curwin Bosch is not overly perturbed at being omitted from the Springbok squad because he has bigger plans in the future.
Bosch made his debut for the Boks off the bench against Argentina in August but has played Currie Cup rugby since, and has been in sensational form, constantly reminding the national selectors that they have a good thing waiting in the wings.
“When I came to (the) Sharks I had goals in mind,” the 20-year-old said. “I expect things of myself, so having achieved what I have so far is minimal compared to what I want to achieve in my career. This year has been about stepping stones to becoming a better player so that I can achieve my goals.”
At the beginning of the year Bosch in fact said: “My dream is not to just make the Boks, but to play a 100 Tests for South Africa. I want to make a serious mark and grow over my career into a Jean de Villiers or a Bryan Habana. Those guys have left a legacy. I want to be like that. That is my aspiration.”
It is a desire that was born in Alexandria near Port Elizabeth where he grew up with his grandparents. Later, as his rugby talent became evident, he was spotted by Grey High and attended the historic school.
“Outside my hostel was the rugby field, so any spare time I had I spent practising my kicking. I am a perfectionist and would not leave the field until I was satisfied,” he recalls. “It actually became a bit of an obsession and I ended up giving myself knee strains and had to give it a break.”
It also made him an immaculate kicker, both out of hand and at posts, not to mention an ability to drop goals from just about anywhere and whatever the conditions – his drop goal last week against the Blue Bulls in driving rain was brilliant. At the start of this season, Bosch was uncertain whether to make No 10 or 15 his preferred position but he now has the answer.
“It is still early days for me, but I am feeling increasingly comfortable in the No 10 jersey. I think the decision is naturally being made for me as the season unfolds,” Bosch said.
Bosch says his experience at the Bok training camp during Super Rugby was an eyeopener and he returned to Durban with a better understanding of what it takes to play with the best, as well as having clear instructions from the Bok coaching staff as to their plan for him.
“The coaches told me I had to work on my defence and game management but that they are happy with where I am at the moment,” he says. “My cover tackling has not been a problem but when you are in the flyhalf position and have 110 kilogram forwards running at you, you have to make a different type of tackle. Every day I work with the Shark coaches on front-on hits, making sure I get into the right position to launch into the tackle.”
Bosch is currently spearheading a Sharks Currie Cup juggernaut that has won nine games in a row and is not planning on stopping until the famous trophy is won.
“The Sharks have not been in (the) final for a few years and it would mean a lot to the union, this young group of players, and for South African rugby in general because this is a talented squad that can go on to be something special with the positive way we want to play the game.”