Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says nothing but victory will do for the Springboks in Saturday’s third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.
With the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series locked at 1-1, Stick explained the thinking behind the Boks’ approach to selection and continuity.
“From the start, we said we’d treat this series like a World Cup knockout campaign,” he said.
“The changes we made after the first Test were mostly enforced, one or two were down to injuries.
“When it comes to continuity, the players understand that’s the plan for the series, because if you’re in this position at a World Cup you always want your best available side out there.
AFRICA PICKS: Springboks vs All Blacks betting odds
“It was unlucky for some of the younger players who’d had a chance to show what they can do, but we also had a couple of senior players return from injury and go straight back into their positions. As a coach I always enjoy seeing younger players push the more experienced ones, that’s exactly the kind of competition we need in the squad.
“New Zealand have made a few changes too, but you probably know their best 23, and the spine of their team hasn’t changed much. They’ve got combinations that are working.
ALSO: Springboks vs All Blacks – NZ media view
“This rivalry is living up to its name, arguably one of the best in the world historically, and people are getting value for their ticket money because you never know who’ll win.”
Stick did not shy away from the psychological weight of a New Zealand victory on South African soil.
“If they win tomorrow, they’ll claim they’ve beaten South Africa [2-1] in our own backyard, so we understand exactly what’s motivating them. We also want to protect what we stand for as South Africans.”
EXPLAINED: Why Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry ends in USA
He was equally sharp on the mathematics of the contest.
“Whoever wins has a genuine shot at winning the wider series when we travel on [to Baltimore in the USA for the fourth Test]; whoever loses can still only draw the series. Both teams will be desperate for a result.”
On where the game will be won and lost, Stick pointed to the collision zones.
“We still want to get better at the breakdown, because we know they’ll target it with the players they’ve selected. If we want to create opportunities, we have to be clinical there.”
MORE: Siya eyes history, honours Soweto’s sacrifice
He was firm that the Springboks won’t abandon their identity to chase New Zealand’s ball-in-hand approach.
“Set-piece is one of our biggest attacking platforms, we want to go forward, we’ve never been a team that goes around the contact, so if we get scrum or lineout opportunities we’ll look to dominate.
“New Zealand will want to keep the ball in play and avoid the breakdown and set-piece as much as they can – that suits their game plan.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Stokke: Boks want home series win appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says nothing but victory will do for the Springboks in Saturday’s third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium.
The post Stokke: Boks want home series win appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
