Boks are striving for consistency
Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk says this is the key as the Boks seek their first win over Australia since 2016.
Vibe in the camp excellent ahead of Wallabies clash.
Seeking their first win over the Wallabies since 2016, the Springboks’ aim will only be realised if they can find consistency without relying on previous, isolated performances, Bok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk believes.
After two draws last season and a 23-18 loss to Australia in Brisbane earlier this year, the national team last got one over the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld two years ago.
“We don’t want to be known as a team who can produce a onceoff performance to beat the All Blacks and then the next week put in another mediocre performance,” De Klerk said ahead of this weekend’s clash.
“Obviously we enjoyed the win but the focus has moved completely to Australia.
“We spoke a few weeks back about consistency and backing up our performances. It’s not just about getting better and winning, but improving our performance in general.”
While they could not lean on the result, De Klerk felt the confidence in the team had been given a massive boost by the recent victory over the All Blacks in Wellington.
“The vibe in the camp has always been good but the word ‘belief’ is probably a good word to use,” he said.
“I think it was good for the guys to actually realise what our potential as a team is, and what it can be.”
De Klerk said they had set the bar at a new height, and now the challenge was to improve on their performance against New Zealand.
“It just gives the country in general the same kind of belief, but passion should never be a problem when you are playing for the Boks and representing your country,” he said.
Playing at a venue where they had not previously lost did not offer additional pressure, according to De Klerk, with Saturday’s match being held at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.
“It’s rather a case of the boys wanting to improve from the previous match, but I have always enjoyed coming back here and playing at this stadium.”