Breyton Paulse won’t be shocked if Rassie Erasmus recruits Jacques Nienaber ahead of next year’s World Cup to fix the Springbok defence being exposed by the All Blacks.
Since helping South Africa retain the World Cup in 2023, Nienaber has served as Leinster’s senior coach, helping the Irish club win two Vodacom URC titles and reach two Investec Champions Cup finals.
The Bok defence and back three face a tough task in Saturday’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry clash in Joburg, after conceding nine tries to the All Blacks’ four through two Tests, with Paulse warning the Kiwis know exactly where their foes’ weakness lies.
Writing for Stuff.nz, he says Erasmus’ men have been most exposed in midfield, where Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel have repeatedly hesitated on split-second decisions, leaving Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Ethan Hooker isolated out wide.
The former Bok winger says the New Zealand back three of Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan and Leroy Carter will again target the wide channels and look to exploit smaller men like Arendse and Kolbe in the air, even though the All Blacks’ first instinct is to run.
Paulse rates Hooker as a strong, physical presence still adjusting to the Boks’ defensive structure, and says Kolbe’s rugby IQ and boot have repeatedly bailed South Africa out, though he cannot carry that burden alone.
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“I’ve got to applaud the All Blacks for exposing the Springbok defence, and they know there is a weakness to exploit at the moment,” Paulse writes.
“There were numerous occasions when the Springbok defence was exposed [in Cape Town last week], and New Zealand were unlucky not to score more tries.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Rassie makes a bold move and gets Jacques Nienaber back as defence coach ahead of the 2027 World Cup because the Boks have been exposed on defence.
“It’s a concern when one pass beats four or five defenders and we can’t have that. Our defence is normally a strength, but at the moment the All Blacks are toying with us.”
Photo: Craig Mercer/Getty Images
The post Breytie: Rassie will get Jacques back soon appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Breyton Paulse won’t be shocked if Rassie Erasmus recruits Jacques Nienaber ahead of next year’s World Cup to fix the Springbok defence being exposed by the All Blacks.
The post Breytie: Rassie will get Jacques back soon appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
