Constant pressure the key to beating England, says Baby Bok coach Roux
SOLID DEFENCE, a solid set-piece and sustained pressure. Those aspects are key to overcoming England in the semi-final of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship today (kick-off 7pm, SS1), according to Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux.
The Junior Boks will head into the play-off clash after suffering a 46-29 defeat to hosts France in their third and final pool match, while the English have secured bonus-point victories in all three of their group-stage games.
And now Roux just wants his team to apply pressure for 80 minutes – something they haven’t been able to get right until now.
“The important thing is not to get ahead of ourselves, but rather to approach it one minute at a time,” said Roux.
“If we can do that, we should be there at the end.”
Roux also said he’s expecting a massive onslaught from England, who finished the pool stages as the top team, and said: “England are a very physical and well-coached side. Their set pieces are very good and they have two brilliant wingers, so we need to counter that.”
The Junior Bok coach has made six changes to the side that faced France.
Springbok flyhalf David Coetzer and flanker Phendulani Buthelezi – who joined the team last week as injury replacements – as well as hooker Tiaan van der Merwe and prop Alulutho Tshakweni will get their first tournament starts. Van der Merwe and Tshakweni will start in a newlook front row with tighthead prop Sazi Sandi.
The other change is at inside centre where Rikus Pretorius returns after an ankle injury.
One the bench, tournament debutantes prop Leon Lyons and scrumhalf Jack Hart will provide cover.
Roux added that while some of the changes were injury-enforced, he also felt the need to bring in fresh legs for the fixture.
“We think this is a very good side, and we are looking forward to the game,” said Roux.