The wish list for the Boks from our writers

OUR Independent Media rugby writers list the three things they would like to see from Rassie Erasmus’s Boks tomorrow ...

Jacques van der Westhuyzen

1 A WHOLE LOT OF GRUNT England will come out all guns blazing and the Boks need to match it. There’s no Eben Etzebeth, Malcolm Marx, Lood de Jager ... but the pack as a whole must stand up and be counted.

2 FAF BEING A LEADER For too long the Boks have struggled for a No 9 who can dictate play and lead the back division. Faf de Klerk, back on his old home ground, has a chance to show SA he is the man to back going forward.

3 THE BACK THREE GOING BIG Both Nkosi and Dyantyi and fullback Le Roux have X-factor about them; so let’s see it come to the fore. They’re strong and skilful men who have a great chance to shine in good conditions.

Mike Greenaway

1 PLAY WITH IMAGINATION Rassie says the tactics against Wales were a one-off because of the conditions. Let’s hope so. While there inevitably will be an element of “safety first” for the new coach, his players are used to playing an attacking game in Super Rugby and this must be replicated.

2 PLAY WITH PRIDE IN THE JERSEY You would think that this is a given but who can forget the bewildered Boks of the last two years. The Boks must make us proud again.

3 WIN AT ALL COSTS Forget Washington, Ellis Park is where this new Bok era will dawn. It is vital that the Boks establish a winning culture as quickly as possible. And that does not mean going into their shells and relying on Handre Pollard to kick the points.

Vata Ngobeni

1 THE SPRINGBOKS NEED TO SHOW SOME RUTHLESSNESS IN THEIR PLAY For far too long they have easily wilted under pressure leading to embarrassing and record defeats. This unrelenting spirit not to lose should not only be when their backs are against the wall but should come as instinct.

2 TRIES NEED TO BE THE ORDER OF THE DAY The past two seasons have shown us the ugly and archaic side of Springbok rugby where the team looked rudderless. Scoring tries calls for a more attack-minded approach which will not only secure bums on seats but victories as well.

3 MAY THE X-FACTOR of Aphiwe Dyantyi, Sbu Nkosi, Warrick Gelant, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk be allowed to thrive and propel the Springboks to victory. All these players have shown good form and this must continue at Test level.

Wynona Louw

1 USE THAT BACKLINE The Springbok backline equals fire. But they need to be used. And as exciting as we all know those guys can be, they need to be given the space and ball to show that they can bring it in the Test arena as well.

2 HOLD ONTO THE BALL A tactical kick can create many opportunities. But do it as predictably and recklessly as the Boks did against Wales and it loses those benefits, especially those box kicks. Mix things up. Alternate that with sniping play around the fringes or a blindside move. Anything.

3 GO THE DISTANCE There’s many things I’d like to see from Rassie’s Boks. And I’d like to see them for 80 minutes.