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Cape Town - Springbok flanker Heinrich Brüssow has hit back at Wales coach Warren Gatland's remarks about the Boks playing boring rugby.
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Gatland last week accused the South Africans of "not playing any rugby" at his side's first press conference in Wellington ahead of their Rugby World Cup opener against South Africa on Sunday.
"They're very good at what they do in terms of set piece and they put the ball up in the air, use the power runners effectively and they're a strong defensive side.
"We pretty much know what they're going to do.
"(Morné) Steyn kicks penalties and drop goals and they will play to their strengths because that's what they're good at doing," Gatland was reported as saying.
Brüssow - who has thrilled Bok fans since his return from injury - says he is surprised at the Welsh coach's remarks.
"What are we doing then (if we're not playing rugby)? I don't know any of that and also don't read the newspapers," Brüssow told Die Burger newspaper when asked about Gatland's remarks.
"Every team has a plan with which it wants to win the World Cup. In the end it's about who wins the matches.
"If you win a match and you scored fewer tries, but kicked better at the posts, it doesn't matter. That's especially the case in a World Cup tournament. We will also win matches with kicks," said Brüssow.
Brüssow's good recent form has left doubt as to where Schalk Burger should be picked in the Bok loose trio, but the the Free State fetcher believes the No 7 position would suit Burger just fine.
"Schalk is very adaptable and could play openside or blindside. It just depends where you pick him. We will be assured with him as a No 7 flank as ball-carrier and distributor," said Brüssow.
* Can the Springboks retain the RWC title? Click HERE for the latest RWC odds from BET.CO.ZA
Click to BUY the Rugby World Cup 2011 Game for Xbox
Click to BUY the SA Rugby Annual 2011
Gatland last week accused the South Africans of "not playing any rugby" at his side's first press conference in Wellington ahead of their Rugby World Cup opener against South Africa on Sunday.
"They're very good at what they do in terms of set piece and they put the ball up in the air, use the power runners effectively and they're a strong defensive side.
"We pretty much know what they're going to do.
"(Morné) Steyn kicks penalties and drop goals and they will play to their strengths because that's what they're good at doing," Gatland was reported as saying.
Brüssow - who has thrilled Bok fans since his return from injury - says he is surprised at the Welsh coach's remarks.
"What are we doing then (if we're not playing rugby)? I don't know any of that and also don't read the newspapers," Brüssow told Die Burger newspaper when asked about Gatland's remarks.
"Every team has a plan with which it wants to win the World Cup. In the end it's about who wins the matches.
"If you win a match and you scored fewer tries, but kicked better at the posts, it doesn't matter. That's especially the case in a World Cup tournament. We will also win matches with kicks," said Brüssow.
Brüssow's good recent form has left doubt as to where Schalk Burger should be picked in the Bok loose trio, but the the Free State fetcher believes the No 7 position would suit Burger just fine.
"Schalk is very adaptable and could play openside or blindside. It just depends where you pick him. We will be assured with him as a No 7 flank as ball-carrier and distributor," said Brüssow.
* Can the Springboks retain the RWC title? Click HERE for the latest RWC odds from BET.CO.ZA
