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Boks to rely on 'old heads'

Wellington - South Africa will rely on their experience and proven ability to make the right decision at the right time to defend the Rugby World Cup, according to assistant coach Dick Muir.

The formidable, 30-strong Springbok squad features 10 players over the age of 30 and just 10 making their World Cup debuts.

"We have an experienced squad, the guys are tried and tested, they've been under pressure situations before and their decision-making is key," backs coach Muir said ahead of South Africa's opening game against Wales on Sunday.

South Africa endured a woeful Tri-Nations in the run-up to the World Cup, finishing a poor third to Australia and New Zealand.

But Muir said the results gave little away because the Boks were not at full strength due to the need to properly rest players.

"We've been over there with an under-strength side at times," he acknowledged.

"We've left a few players behind. End-of-season tours are one of those areas where you've had players left behind because of fatigue or injury, and we haven't always had the best side out on the field.

"Sunday will be what it's all about."

Muir highlighted the emerging talent in Wales' young backs as one of the dangers come Sunday.

"They've got some nice talent coming through in the centres," he said. "They seem to be chopping and changing between 10 and 15, there's quite a mix there, and on the wings we don't know what their team will be.

"They have a lot of talent coming through, so there's quite a number of threats in the backline."

He added: "Wales have played a lot of rugby, they're certainly a team that keep the ball in hand a lot and look to exploit opportunities. They're a well-balanced side that has really progressed with time.

"You can see with results, they've been getting better and better.

"With the northern hemisphere sides, you tend to play them only once a year, and you play them as a national side and not a provincial side so you don't see as much as what different players have to offer.

"But we've had a lot of time to evaluate the Welsh and have a look at all players individually.

Muir played down any expectations of the Springboks bowing to any notion of romanticism when it come to game time.

"You always want to score more tries, but it's more about winning games than scoring tries," the former Bok centre said.

"The higher level you get, the lesser the opportunities that are available to you.

"You'd love to be scoring more tries and playing at more flamboyant style but it's about winning at the end of the day. Nobody remembers the tries, it's all about the winning."

Muir also gave his backing to wing Bryan Habana, who has endured a barren try-scoring patch dating back to the second Test against Italy in June 2010.

"I don't think it affects Bryan. He's played a lot of rugby. He's a mature player, he's set his standards. He just wants to get on the field," Muir said.

"He's had up-and-down years, where you've seen this outstanding player and that's where he wants to get back to.

"He's really driven, but for him it's not just about scoring tries but the collective team effort," Muir said. Habana scored eight tries at the 2007 World Cup, equalling Jonah Lomu's record at a single tournament.


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