Du Toit challenges Bok teammates

Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit has challenged his teammates to improve their individual performances when they take on Australia in the Rugby Championship at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

The Boks arrived in Brisbane with bruised egos this week after the disappointing 32-19 defeat to Argentina in their last outing in Mendoza last month.

Du Toit admitted that they had shot themselves in the foot in South America. “We made a few mistakes in Mendoza and we have to get things right here,” he said as the Boks continued their preparations.

“When we played against England a few months ago, we managed to find each other and got all the calls right with the new coaches. But we just have to improve our own individual games.

“Most of the games since then we have put ourselves in good positions, but only to shoot ourselves in the foot.”

For the Springboks to prevail in what is going to be a hostile environment, Du Toit said they had to dominate the line-outs and start the game with intensity.

“In terms of line-outs, it is something both teams must be properly prepared for,” he said.

‘‘I saw that they lost a few [line-outs] against New Zealand, but they were up against a team that is very good in that department.

‘‘We have lost a few as well, but we have tried to work on how we are going to win our own balls. I am sure they have worked on something themselves.

“With regard to bad starts, the coach spoke about the frustrations and we are working hard to correct those mistakes.

‘‘Everyone wants a good start and we have said that we must start with intensity because it is something we can control.

‘‘In previous games, I think it was more about players letting themselves and the team down,” he said.

“Hopefully we can find each other quickly on Saturday and play as a team.”

Coach Rassie Erasmus rates the Springboks as one of the fittest teams in the world and Du Toit said he had been fit all his life.

“I have been fit my whole life. Fitness has never been a problem for me,” he said.

‘‘It helps here at the national team because the way we are coached at the moment has a lot to do with fitness.

“Most of the guys must work a little bit better with their fitness.”