Nick Mallett says the Springboks can’t afford to relax against an All Blacks side that never stops attacking.
Speaking on the Talking Boks podcast, Mallett stressed the psychological stakes riding on the fourth and final Test in Baltimore, with coach Rassie Erasmus eyeing a statement 3-1 series victory.
“He wants it to be 3-1 and the All Blacks will be absolutely delighted with 2-2. There is a helluva lot riding on this Test, there are bragging rights,” Mallett said.
“There’s also mental pressure which coaches want to put on the opposition. Get doubt in their minds, make them think how are they going to beat South Africa. ‘We’ve had opportunities in the four Test matches. We won the first one but lost the next three.’
“That World Cup quarter-final [next year] springs to mind straight away. They’ll go in there feeling less confident if we win on Saturday in Baltimore.”
MORE: Mallett slams ‘scandalous’ World Cup draw
Mallett also cautioned that South Africa’s route to tries remains far less fluent than New Zealand’s, even if the results have favoured the Boks.
“We don’t score tries with the ease, grace and skill that they do … not even close. We do score tries utilising our strengths like the scrums, driving mauls, direct,” he said.
“Look at [André] Esterhuizen running over [Josh] Moorby and [Jesse] Kriel and [Damian] de Allende running over [Leroy] Carter. It’s not Kolbe-esque with a beautiful step or a lovely pass – the All Blacks do that all the time.”
MORE: Doogz hails ‘incredible’ Jordie as toughest yet
The former Bok coach’s biggest concern, however, is New Zealand’s refusal to buckle under pressure.
“There’s not a moment where you can say they’re out of the game. They never give up,” Mallett said.
POLL: Who will win Baltimore battle?
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Mallett warns Boks: All Blacks never give up appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Nick Mallett says the Springboks can’t afford to relax against an All Blacks side that never stops attacking.
The post Mallett warns Boks: All Blacks never give up appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
