Boks wary of backlash
WHITELEY: WE KNOW THE FRENCH ARE GOING TO BE MORE OF A CHALLENGE
Fullback Spedding poses a threat to his country of birth.
Being wary of a much stronger French team awaiting them, the Springboks are on the verge of clinching a morale-boosting series win in Durban today.
The French, who have made eight changes, have brought in more muscle since last weekend’s 37-14 defeat to the Boks at Loftus Versfeld and captain Warren Whiteley said yesterday they are bracing themselves accordingly.
“We expect them to be much-improved. They are guys who played in the Top-14 final, experienced players, it’s going to be a good challenge for us,” said Whiteley.
While five players made their debuts for the Boks last weekend, most of the butterflies have disappeared, but the team won’t be that much of an unknown factor as was the case last week.
“We are not focusing too much on them. For us it’s about continuity, we are not expecting anything different from them, maybe more physicality,” he said.
“They are extremely direct. They found some space behind us last week and we know it’s going to be more of a challenge this time around.”
Much has been said about drafting centre Lionel Mapoe straight into the starting line-up ahead of the experienced Frans Steyn, but with just the one change, the Boks can bank on continuity.
“A series win will mean a lot but we haven’t even mentioned that,” said Whiteley. “We are really just focusing on this game as an individual match, so it’s exactly the same as the way we approached the previous game and trying to better our performance.”
On the wings Courtnall Skosan and Raymond Rhule will have to increase their awareness and Whiteley said he knows returning SA-born French fullback Scott Spedding very well.
“I’ve played with him as a junior at the Sharks, and he’s an excellent player. They won’t simply kick back or run back, they can make very good decisions,” he said.
Whiteley returns to the field where it all started happening for him a few years ago but he said there’s no place for nostalgia.
“Not at all, I played here many times before. Just another opportunity for us more than anything, posing a different challenge,” he said. “The team have prepared really well and are really focused on themselves this weekend, trying to improve on those little things.
“We feel we can definitely improve in certain areas and that’s what we’ll be chasing every single week.” Kick-off: 5.05pm.
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Lock delighted with how his partnership with Etzebeth went.
It’s going to be crucial to build on last weekend’s Loftus Versfeld performance if they want to prevail in today’s second French Test in Durban, according to Springbok lock Franco Mostert.
Mostert, known to everyone as “Sous”, impressed with a high workrate in his first Test start after playing his previous seven from the bench.
“They have a big pack and they like the physical stuff, so hopefully we can arrive up front and play a good game,” said Mostert.
“We’ve heard they have made eight changes to their team, but we have worked on one or two things specifically and we just need to stick to our guns and hopefully it will go well.”
Mostert believed his new partnership with Eben Etzebeth went well the first time out.
“We partnered well and our roles are different. He does the hard work so I can play my own game and take the shine,” he chuckled.
“But I learn every day from Pieter-Steph (du Toit), Lood (de Jager) and Eben and we are really blessed in this country with the quality of locks, they are great guys who play awesome rugby.”
Mostert said he was glad he never ended up going to France otherwise he never would have been given this opportunity.
“So I’m just glad coach Allister (Coetzee) backed me so I can play with the boys.
“It was awesome to start my first Test, I’m very grateful about that. It was a good run for us and hopefully we can just build on that.
“Before my first start I wasn’t stressed. Maybe a bit of nerves but those were good nerves.”
Mostert believes the French are good at “man-watching” and contesting the lineouts, so they’ll have to come with their own plans and try to outwork them.
“I’ve known (hooker) Malcolm (Marx) for close to four years. It helps, I know what type of throws he does and the good ones, and what kind of jump he likes.
“But in general we have put last year behind us and turned a new page and everyone has bought in all the way, from the new coaches to coach Allister.”