Tighthead prop Thomas du Toit insists the Springboks scrum legally after All Blacks coach Dave Rennie questioned their tactics. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.
Earlier on Thursday, Rennie revealed that New Zealand had raised scrum concerns with World Rugby following the first Test at Ellis Park, in which the Bok pack dominated up front for large periods.
“Scrum-wise, we’ve spoken with World Rugby about a couple of issues from our point of view, and so we think scrum-wise we’ll be a lot better,” he said.
“We think if they’re forced to scrum square and not be able to step sideways and walk around us …”
MORE: Kiwis chat to World Rugby about Bok walkabouts
Bok replacement loosehead Gerhard Steenekamp was penalised for that offence at a crucial scrum in the 55th minute of the first Test, which the All Blacks went on to win 33-16.
“I can’t really make any comments on what Dave Rennie has spoken to World Rugby about, but we try and stay within the laws of the game as much as we can and as much as we perceive it,” Du Toit told the media.
“There are always two sides to the coin. One person sees one thing, one person sees another thing. So one person’s walking around as the other person’s straight. Something happens on the other side of the scrum as well.
EX-BOKS: Ref got scrum penalty call wrong
“The ref can only blow what he sees in front of him. So much credit has to go to the referees and the way that they see these things. They try and see everything and it must be so difficult to get that part right.
“In hindsight, everything is easier to look at. Yes, you could probably make a case both ways.
“As far as what New Zealand are speaking to the refs about, we just try and focus on what we do well and hopefully get reward for it.”
ALSO: All Blacks ‘bar up’ for Bok backlash
Du Toit has been named on the Bok bench for Saturday’s second Test at Cape Town Stadium after missing out on the match 23 at Ellis Park.
The 31-year-old is set to come up against All Blacks looseheads George Bower, who has replaced the concussed Ethan de Groot after impressing off the bench at Ellis Park, and replacement Xavier Numia.
“The scrum battle, like every other week, is going to be something interesting,” said Du Toit. “We’ve trained hard this week. I’m sure they’ve trained as hard as they could this week. Everyone’s trying to bring their A game to Saturday.
“It’s something that we pride ourselves on and they obviously pride themselves on.
ALSO: New ref for Cape Town Test
“The important thing is staying within the rules, trying to scrum forward on both sides of the pack, loosehead and tighthead side.
“The reality of it is you need to show the referee a good picture – a good picture in your bind and your setup, scrumming forward on both sides, staying within the rules and trying to show dominance.”
Saturday will also be a milestone occasion for Bok loosehead Ox Nché, who is set to earn his 50th Test cap.
“I’m very happy for Ox and hopefully we can do the job to make it a memorable one for him,” said Du Toit, “and obviously for Pieter-Steph [du Toit] and his 100th [cap].”
POLL: How should Bok fans respond to haka?
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Thomas the Tank: Boks stick to scrum laws appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Tighthead prop Thomas du Toit insists the Springboks scrum legally after All Blacks coach Dave Rennie questioned their tactics.
The post Thomas the Tank: Boks stick to scrum laws appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
