Loss to Ireland was a jab Boks needed — Stick

The Boks, as this piece was penned, were on the cusp of a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal qualification, with three wins and a defeat from Pool B.

That defeat to Ireland stung but it could also serve as the prick, if not vaccine, that might steel them for battles ahead.

Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, asked to appraise the team’s performances in the pool stages, kept coming back to the defeat against Ireland, the team they may end up facing in the final if the dice keeps rolling their way over the next two weeks.

“What we learnt from the Ireland game is that, if we want to win the World Cup we have to capitalise when you get your opportunities. That is where they were better than us on the day. There are a lot of positive things we can take from that game. It is really going to be about who grabs their opportunities.”

Stick described Ireland as one of the best attacking teams in the tournament. He admires their capacity to attack, and says their phase play is something to behold.

They move the ball at speed primarily through short, deliberate passes aimed at limiting risk while providing instant support for the new ball carrier. That way too cleaners arrive early at the scene to ensure the quick ruck ball that is the lifeblood of their attack.

It is a supply line few teams have been able to disrupt over the last few years. The Boks partially succeeded in that in Paris. “They keep their discipline in how they do things. I know we lost the game and the result is not what we wanted but, on the positive, to contain a team like Ireland and only concede 13 points is a positive thing for us. That is exactly what we are going to need in order to win the competition,” insisted Stick.

Ireland are perhaps the best drilled team in the competition. Even when a star player like Johnny Sexton is removed, the system self-regulates. Player losses are rarely keenly felt. But as much as Ireland occupies the front of the Boks’ mind, their likely quarterfinal opponents France and New Zealand will demand all their attention this week.

However, old foes the All Blacks have caught Stick’s eye. Again, he points out, it is about the team that better seizes upon opportunity. “A team like the All Blacks have picked up their form and they are gelling as a team,” Stick noted.

“The All Blacks have X-factor players in their team. You can’t underestimate them and they know how to play a World Cup.”

Stick says like the Boks, the All Blacks also have key players back. “Jordi Barrett brings impact at 12. Brodie Retallick at lock, all of a sudden it is a different team.”

As for France, the team the Boks were mostly likely to meet once they beat Tonga last week, the perils are clear. France have built their game on pragmatism, as they strike the delicate balance between when to attack and when to seek field position.

They will probe for three or so phases before happily applying the boot and accompanying pressure in the chase.

Unlike Ireland, who are all out frenzy as they meticulously shift through the gears, France are patient before using raw power, speed and an outrageous skill set to put their opponents to the sword. “France are playing at home and they have crazy, crazy supporters who are loud and vibey,” said Stick.

“When it comes to that they will probably be the toughest in the competition. The next few weeks, whoever is paying for their tickets it is going to be worth it. Now it starts to feel like a World Cup.”

What we learnt from the Ireland game is that if we want to win the World Cup, we have to capitalise when you get your opportunities Mzwandile Stick

Boks assistant coach