Boks in UK
Meyer not using Div's strategy
2012-11-19 22:26
Cape Town - Springbok coach
Heyneke Meyer has opted against using the same strategy used by former coach Peter de Villiers before the England Test in 2008.
Back then the Springboks looked tired in a narrow 14-10 win over Scotland which prompted De Villiers to give his players most of the week off leading up to the England game, which they then went on to win in comprehensive fashion, 42-6.
According to the
Beeld website, De Villiers later attributed the victory to his ploy of hardly practicing that week.
But current coach Meyer has made it clear he won't be copying his predecessor as he prepares his overplayed team for one last push after a gruelling season.
"No, no, I strongly believe in practice," said Meyer.
"If you give inexperienced players time off you run the risk of them thinking the battle is already won. I made that mistake earlier this year before our third Test against England. We were lucky not to lose. (The game ended level at 14-all in Port Elizabeth).
"Our training sessions will be shorter than normal, but with a higher intensity. There are a lot of things that we have to improve on."
England last beat the Springboks in 2006, with the South Africans winning nine matches on the trot before the draw in PE this year.
The clash on Saturday kicks off at 16:30 (SA time).