Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen believes the Springboks will remain true to their traditional strengths despite the attacking evolution under Rassie Erasmus and Tony Brown.
Hansen says the Boks’ strengths remain a world-class kicking game and relentless physicality.
The world champions have adopted a more expansive approach since Brown joined the coaching staff after the 2023 World Cup, but Hansen is not convinced they want to play at a consistently high tempo.
“They talk about wanting to play fast, but they don’t really want to play fast. I don’t think,” Hansen said on the Rugby Unity podcast.
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Reviewing the Springboks’ victory over England, the World Cup-winning coach said they remain predictable in their approach, although that does not make them any easier to stop.
“You know that they’re going to kick the ball. So your aerial game has to be good, and you have to put pressure on the source, which is the kicker, for a start.
“The other side is, they do what they do really, really well, and it’s not flashy, but it’s done with intent, and it’s done with purpose, and it’s done with a high amount of skill for whatever that particular thing is they’re doing.”
Hansen said the key to challenging the Springboks is refusing to play the physical contest they thrive on.
“The one thing about the South Africans is they love physicality. So how do you take that physicality away from them when you’ve got the ball? That’s the challenge for teams.
“England came out and started poorly, and they fed South Africa what they wanted.”
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Drawing on his experience against the Springboks, Hansen said clever footwork and quick ball movement are more effective than trying to match their power.
“To beat South Africa, you have to take away what they want. Take away the ability to be physical. So, when you ball carry, use your footwork into contact and don’t just try and T-bone them because they just love it.
“I always found that if we could use great footwork and have them feeling like they can’t get a decent tackle on here, they start to get frustrated.
“You’re going to have to play at pace against them because they’ve got depth.
“Their bench is strong, but challenge them to have to play fast.”
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Photo: @Springboks/X
The post Hansen not convinced by Bok attacking revolution appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen believes the Springboks will remain true to their traditional strengths despite the attacking evolution under Rassie Erasmus and Tony Brown.
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