Jerry Flannery was disappointed with the Springboks’ defence last time out, and the priority is for South Africa to pitch up and deliver against Italy on Saturday.
Rassie Erasmus’ men resume their Nations Championship campaign in Turin, having last played in a 42-38 defeat by the Wallabies at Perth’s Optus Stadium on 27 September.
Australia held off a fightback from the Boks, who conceded five tries – a trend Flannery said reflects the increase in scoring across the international game each year.
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Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the assistant coach acknowledged that his charges are conceding more tries this year, roughly three per match compared with two last year.
“It’s the way the game is going. I think if you went back to even the previous year, my first year with the Boks, we conceded less points,” he explained.
“I think for every single team in the world, they’ve all been conceding more points. So defence coaches are all under the pump, but we’re trying to fix that as we go along.”
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Flannery noted that only 10 players from the loss in Australia have been selected this week, but the challenge off the ball won’t be any easier.
“We were disappointed to concede the five tries,” the Irishman said. “We’ve had a limited amount of time, so it’s about really pitching up on the day.”
Azzurri coach Gonzalo Quesada will be without centre Tommaso Menoncello, scrumhalf Martin Page-Relo, loose forward Sebastian Negri and fullback Lorenzo Pani.
Yet, Flannery recalled the Italians ran the Boks close in a 42-24 win at Loftus Versfeld last year. He praised their set-piece while highlighting Italy’s resources and attacking threat.
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“We respect them massively. When they came to Pretoria, the year before last, they were missing some key players as well.
“Their scrum is probably up there with one of the best in the Six Nations. That gives them a big advantage going into the game.
“And they still have guys like Ange Capuozzo who can break a game open if you give them half a chance,” Flannery added.
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“If they’re missing Menoncello, he’s one of the best centres in the world and incredibly powerful. But they’ve shown that they’re building depth in their squad.
“We’re looking at defending them as a team rather than just defending the individuals.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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Jerry Flannery was disappointed with the Springboks’ defence last time out, and the priority is for South Africa to pitch up and deliver against Italy on Saturday.
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