The Springboks are working hard to add a different set of skills to the strength and physicality that South African rugby is known and feared for. This in the run-up to the first of two test matches against Ireland in Pretoria on Saturday.
Flyhalf Handre Pollard says the team will not deviate from their aggressive style but creating more scoring opportunities, using different routes, is something the team is working on.
South African rugby has always been blessed with big, physical players and players who have the ability to run rings around their opponents.
There seems to be an approach from the Bok coaching staff to develop a strategy that will see the best of both worlds, with the inclusion of exciting backline players such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. But Pollard says the Irish defence can’t be underestimated.
“We relied on our strength and physicality, he sees it differently and sees space, as a group we are also at a stage where we can use a bit more of our skill sets and not just a direct approach. We still have those skills but the way he sees space is different, but Ireland is a good defensive team, so it won’t be easy,”
Pollard says whatever the game plan or strategy is, every Springbok player on the field will know exactly what his role is.
“My responsibility is to drive the team and make sure we play in the right areas and control the game. Everyone has their thing they have to do and these days it’s not a 10-man game anymore and we all contribute to the team goal.”
The Boks have not fared well against Ireland in recent times but Pollard says revenge is not spoken about by this team, not yet anyway.
“We are not driven by that, we might speak about it on Friday but for now this week we are only focusing on the technical stuff to make sure that we have all the basics in place to deliver our best performance.”
The last time the Boks beat Ireland in a test match was just more than eight years ago.
