Coetzee bills Boks underdogs
DESPITE little‚ other than blind optimism‚ pointing to a Springbok victory against England at Twickenham in Saturday‚ coach Allister Coetzee remained positive with the tour’s most important match just days away.
But he was status.
The Boks have not lost to England since November 2006 while the current England side have won all nine of their 2016 Tests.
That included an away series whitewash of Australia in June.
“We are definitely underdogs this week‚” said Coetzee.
“We are playing against the second best team in the world on a long winning streak.
“They did extremely well in Australia and reading the reports they are looking forward to facing us. They are a strong team.”
Injuries have cut a swathe through both camps‚ which makes it a Test of the unknown in some ways.
Coetzee‚ who is scratching his head over openside flank and his centre combination‚ appears to have retained a sunny outlook even quick to claim underdog though the weather is wet and cold‚ and prospects of victory are slim.
The Boks have enjoyed two days of hard training as overseas-based players were integrated into the squad after missing last week’s 31-31 draw against the Barbarians.
Coetzee admitted he was sorry to see some of the youngsters‚ who did duty against the Barbarians‚ leave the camp.
But he told them all to stay ready because their fortunes could change quickly and in the case of flank Uzair Cassiem‚ they did when he was retained after Roelof Smit tore a pectoral muscle at training.
“It was sad to see seven of them leave on Sunday but I told them a week in rugby is a long time‚ and that some might be back in the course of the tour‚” said Coetzee.
“You get the feeling this is a big week. It’s the start of the official tour.
“There is a sense of urgency and the positive chat about starting at base zero.
“We have put the Rugby Championship behind us and are only looking forward to the next three Tests. We are ready to go.”
The Boks won only two of six matches in the Rugby Championships and have only managed four wins in nine Tests in 2016.
But Coetzee indicated a line had been drawn under what has gone before this year.
Coetzee said there was no problem with the returning overseas-based players fitting into their roles at training. — TMG Digital