Allister urges killer instinct

The Springboks need to develop a killer instinct on their tour of Europe starting with next weekend’s opening Test against Ireland, stressed national coach Allister Coetzee.

Having won five from nine this year, the Boks drew twice with Australia and lost 25-24 against New Zealand at Newlands.

“The big thing is to win close matches, we have been in three close matches in this Championship, we didn’t get the result,” he said.

“We lost by a point to the All Blacks and drew twice with Australia, so we have to get the right result when it’s tight.

“This tour will be an enjoyable one, I’m sure about it, the players must use this as another opportunity to grow and become better as a team.”

It’s no secret Coetzee holds new cap at centre, Lukhanyo Am ( below), in high regard and it will come as no surprise if he wins the nod ahead of Damian de Allende or Francois Venter. That could be the only change from the Newlands Test with Jan Serfontein not available.

“If I look at the number of players who are not here anymore from last year I count about 18. So this year has been about continuity, since the French internationals,” Coetzee added. “The big thing about the tour is that you have to win Test matches for South Africa even though we focus more on the process than the outcome and the players understand that.”

With the first batch of players departing tomorrow night, Coetzee said the big thing is to kick off on a positive note and the important thing is to keep at what has been working for them.

“The team environment has been really special, it’s a work in progress. So whoever comes in new must fall in line, keep working hard and at the intensity at which we train.

“Those are the small battles that we have to keep winning,” he said.