Springboks happy, but aim to iron out errors
THE Springboks’ think tank has spent a considerable amount of time reviewing video footage of the win at Loftus at the weekend and will use the next few days to address weaknesses ahead of the second test against France on Saturday.
Springbok assistant coach Franco Smith said yesterday the Boks could have scored at least four more tries in Pretoria had the players converted some of their chances.
“If you think about the line break from Siya Kolisi; that Oupa Mahoje was within two metres of the try-line right at the beginning; the ball bounced over the head of Courtnall Skhosan. There were one or two incidents where the ball just didn’t stick after we created space.
“There is a lot of work being done with the video this week and we know that there were a lot of opportunities created last weekend. Those issues can now be addressed because we have footage.”
Smith said despite the missed chances, they were happy to see the final product.
“After two weeks’ preparations going into last week’s game, we were all excited to see the final product out there.
“The boys played well, even though there is room for improvement.”
The French will be boosted by the availability of some of their experienced players who missed the Loftus opener, and Smith said they expect a backlash from Les Bleus.
“The main aim will obviously be to play with a little bit more depth, keep on working hard at our set pieces because we expect a big challenge from the French in the wider channel.
“They are going to try and put the ball behind us and there is a lot of work still to be done.
“It was important for us to get the first win under our belt in Pretoria for confidence purposes.
“My experience from the Heineken Cup, where you play French teams back to back, is that there is always a backlash in the new week.”
Bulls flyhalf Handre Pollard has been drafted into the SA “A” squad for their second and final match against the French Barbarians at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on June 23.
The SA “A” side take on the French Barbarians in the first match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday and coach Johann Ackermann will announce the squad this morning.
Friday’s clash will be the first rugby match hosted at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Pollard‚ who returned to action last weekend for the Blue Bulls in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge after a seven week lay-off‚ joins the SA “A” side as replacement for Francois Venter.
Venter was included in the Springbok squad to face France at Kings Park following the withdrawal of Damian de Allende.
Pollard missed the entire season last year because of injury.
“We have been together now for a week and it would not have made sense to bring Handre in for only a couple of days before the first match‚ so he will join us in Johannesburg‚” Ackermann said.
Bok coach lavishes praise on Elton
SPRINGBOKS coach Allister Coetzee has hailed Lions pivot Elton Jantjies as a maturing player who is beginning to take responsibility as a leader in the senior national side.
With Handre Pollard, of the Bulls, and Pat Lambie, of the Sharks, unavailable for the three test matches against France due to injuries‚ and Frans Steyn relegated to the bench‚ Jantjies has been given the opportunity at flyhalf and he has not disappointed.
He grabbed his opportunity in the opening test at Loftus last weekend, where he gave a near flawless performance with his kicking and general play to help the Springboks to a deserved and morale-boosting 37-14 win.
“Elton is maturing in many ways‚ in terms of his leadership and managing the game‚” Coetzee said.
“He has a great understanding of how we want to play and managing that balance between kicking‚ running and spotting space. There are crucial guys among the backs who must assist in those options and I think it makes it easier with Elton to choose the right option.
“The big thing for me is that there is a difference with pressure between international rugby and Super Rugby and it seems that he is enjoying this kind of pressure in international rugby.”
Cheetahs centre Francois Venter has linked up with the Springboks as a replacement for the injured Damien de Allende and was at training at the Northwood High School on Monday afternoon.
Venter was already in Durban with the team as part of the SA “A” squad that is going to take on the French Barbarians in a two-match series starting on Friday afternoon at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Venter will be available for the SA “A” team if he is not selected for the Boks’ match-23 for this weekend’s second test at Kings Park.
“When we selected both squads‚ the SA “A” side was always an extension of the Springboks and we will definitely not select players from outside the SA ‘A’ team‚” Coetzee said.