Springboks are a team of leaders
COETZEE: WHITELEY HAS GREAT SUPPORT STRUCTURES
Coach insists the unpredictable French have his side’s respect.
Astrong Springbok leadership core is just one of the reasons why coach Allister Coetzee is happy about the possible improvement of the national team this year.
Opening their season against France this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld, captain Warren Whiteley will be surrounded by leaders all around him. Whiteley was absent at yesterday’s media exercise as his wife Felicity was in labour with their second child.
“We have five leaders in the side who support Warren tremendously, they work well together and complement one another,” said Coetzee.
“A player like Siya Kolisi took over the leadership at the Stormers and Eben Etzebeth is part of it.
“Elton Jantjies has been the leader at the back for the Lions and then there is Beast Mtawarira. Together with Warren there are great support structures for the captain.
“I’m very happy with how Elton exploits the width on the field in Super Rugby, he sees the space before him, behind him and in the wider channels and that’s a good sign.”
The Bok coach said they have to respect the French, despite talks off a weakened or rookie side to take to the field this weekend.
“They are higher than us in the world rankings and if there’s one thing about the French, you’ll get punished if you don’t respect them,” he said.
“If you look at the history of Tests between us and them you’ll see why they deserve respect, even on home soil. They have performed well out here in the past.”
Coetzee, describing his job as ‘’a poisoned chalice’’, said longer preparation time, a sound coaching staff and an excellent team environment makes him excited to bury the ghosts of last season.
“The Bok DNA is about our physicality because we have those kind of players in the country but add intensity to that and finding a great balance between our kicking and our attack using the width of the field,’’ he said.
“But I’m happy the Super Rugby teams have shown the attacking intent which is great, all we need to do now is to get that balance right, knowing what’s coming and what we are facing.
“Our contact skills must be up there, players playing towards the ball and winning those one-onone battles.”