Springboks need a ‘disrupt mindset’ for next stage
THE Springboks clearly showed by the tempo at which they began the Canadian game that they aimed to get a bonus point win. The final score of 66-7 should ensure a quarter-final spot.
What was essential was that there is no repeat of the “Battle of Boet Erasmus” which almost derailed the 1995 campaign as it really began to gain momentum. There were wonderful sleight of hand moments.
At times too loose, but the intent to play at an unmatchable intensity was clear. Another game affected by a red card at the World Cup continues to mar the tournament.
It effectively ends the even contest. Playing with a man short is exhausting as individuals have to cover that player’s role as well as their own for the rest of the game.
In the team context, the pressure bubble continues to gather momentum with off-field pressure, specifically with the Etzebeth-Langebaan and Mapimpi-Bomb squad sagas continuing to grow legs.
The Springbok management team need to be especially aware of the media interest and address all these emotive issues in a decisive manner.
Moving forward what is required by the Boks in Rassie Eramus’s own words is a continuous knockout mindset.
South Africa cannot afford to slip up against any team should we wish to lift the William Webb Ellis Cup and join the pantheon of rugby’s immortals.
Should Japan continue to perform as they are, they will be the quarter-final opponents. Riding the euphoric nationalistic wave that hosting a World Cup brings, they are an incredibly tough and well-prepared team.
Jamie Joseph, the Japanese Kiwi coach, coaches as he played. Uncompromising, tough and in your face. His team selections and how they have played to date are typical of why he has proved a success to date.
Emotion takes anyone only so far. Japan have some very talented individuals, with Sharks Academy alumni and star winger, Kotara Matsushima, among the best. South Africa should have their measure if we do not try to stray from our traditional game.
Should it be the Irish, a similar mindset will be brought to the contest.
They are driven by the coaching of Joe Schmidt, very detailed and very low error count. For South Africa the approach must be a disrupt mindset, to throw them off their detail. Without detail they will flounder as their on-field drivers like flyhalf, Johnny Sexton, are very capable of being rattled.
Teams have had success by specifically targeting him due to the Irish over-reliance on his game management.
Keeping our own game drivers physically well recovered and mentally sharp is now key. If a Vermeulen, a Kolbe or a Pieter Stef are lost we become brittle.
The team mindset balance is now critical. Loved ones will be joining the team at this juncture of the tournament. Being forcefully removed from the fishbowl environment brings perspective to all. Winning team PlayStation games is exchanged for nappy changes. Normality returns and balance is restored. We are set to do very well in Japan. Carpe Diem, “Seize the Day!”
■ Fynn is the chief executive of the Sharks Academy and a former Springbok.