Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers believe the high-risk rush defence system still works for the Springboks.
The former Boks were responding to ex-Sharks coach and former All Blacks assistant John Plumtree, who questioned whether the Boks’ aggressive defensive system needed adjusting after their 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park.
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Speaking on the PlayZN TMO podcast earlier this week, Plumtree highlighted the space New Zealand were able to find outside the hosts’ defensive line.
“I think defensively, the Springboks will be getting more width on defence,” Plumtree said, looking ahead to Saturday’s second Test in Cape Town.
“We knew that the All Blacks would find space, whether it was over the top with a bridge pass or kicking in behind and exposing that Springbok defence. And that’s exactly what they did, when they could.
“It’s going to be interesting to see if the Springboks adjust their defensive strategy because I think this up-and-in linespeed they’ve got against the modern attacks is now becoming a little bit risky.”
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But Burger, speaking on The Boks Unpacked podcast, backed the system that has been a cornerstone of the Boks’ success under Rassie Erasmus, while acknowledging the risks involved.
“I think it works for the Springbok DNA, our culture, but it is high risk,” he said.
“Other sides can’t really implement it. We know the Stormers do, but we all know the risk associated with a big rush is width. If you don’t set the rucks properly, if teams get continuous quick ball, you get caught short.
“But no one has been better at putting sides under pressure than this Bok side.
“What you’ve got in your favour is we’re the only nation in the world that implements it. You don’t play against the rush often. You come up against the rush and it’s a bit of a shock-and-awe experience.
“It’s that old Mike Tyson theory: you’ve got a game plan until I punch you in the face.
“Those opening couple of sets from the Boks on the weekend – that was proper.”
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De Villiers also questioned whether the defensive system could be blamed for the five All Blacks tries at Ellis Park.
“Which of the tries that we conceded on the weekend was down to the rush defence? None of them,” he said.
“It’s easy to make a statement like that, but in terms of the way we started, when we had our starting team for the first 15, 12 minutes, we were looking really good on defence.
“We were putting them under pressure, making double hits, getting the turnovers, and that’s what we want to see on the weekend.
“Even more so in a game where your ruck speed will probably be a little bit slower, where you can set the defence and get a little bit more width.
“Hopefully it works for us.”
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Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images
The post Ex-Boks back ‘shock-and-awe’ defence appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers believe the high-risk rush defence system still works for the Springboks.
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