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J.J. Harmse
Pretoria - The lack of cohesion on defence and apparent haphazard manner in which the scrums are handled by referees these days are the biggest problems likely to confront the Springboks on their Tri-Nations tour.
That is the view of the team's technical advisor, Rassie Erasmus, on the eve of their departure for Sydney where they play the Wallabies next Saturday in the first of South Africa's four Tri-Nations Tests this year.
Erasmus has been working behind the scenes for the last month or so to ensure that the Boks are tactically sharp by the time the World Cup arrives. He is excited about the potential of the team that will be without at least 23 Springboks who have played for Peter de Villiers since 2008.
"The problem with the first few Tests is always that there is very little time in which to prepare. It's also something that is important for a good defensive pattern and something that the team won't necessarily have in its favour," said Erasmus.
"I don't have a problem with any of the players' individual abilities on defence, but one has to understand that they come from four different franchises and each one of those teams' patterns are different.
"The only way in which those guys can gel is with time together on the training field and the team has not had many sessions together."
Erasmus nevertheless believes that Jacques Nienaber, who has helped the Boks in that department for the past week, could work wonders and that they will be up to the challenge in Sydney.
The former Springbok captain believes that the application of the scrum laws is another problem that the Boks will need to handle.
It is expected that South Africa will utilise three props with no Test experience - Dean Greyling, Werner Kruger and Coenie Oosthuizen.
On top of that the match is being refereed by Chris Pollock and the Kiwi referee did not make many friends during this year's Super Rugby tournament.
"Oosthuizen and Greyling both indicated in recent interviews that they are at a loss as to why some penalties are awarded against them. Erasmus had some advice for the two.
"I told them to react positively even if they are penalised. It won't help to walk away with drooped shoulders when you have perhaps been penalised unnecessarily.
"Stay positive and speak to the referee about how the problem can be solved."
He indicated that the Springboks would experiment a little in the Tri-Nations with a view to the World Cup in New Zealand in September.
"There are a few things we will try and if it works it will definitely become a part of the World Cup package. Rugby is a dynamic game and you always have to look at where you could bring in something new."
South Africa will also approach the Test against the All Blacks differently to the one against the Wallabies.
"The Aussies definitely give one more of a chance to run with the ball and launch counter-attacks. When you play the All Blacks you want to build pressure and make sure they are pinned down in their area," said Erasmus.
Meanwhile, South Africa will decide during Friday's final training session whether injured players Heinrich Brüssow, CJ van der Linde and Johann Muller will be able to tour.
Pretoria - The lack of cohesion on defence and apparent haphazard manner in which the scrums are handled by referees these days are the biggest problems likely to confront the Springboks on their Tri-Nations tour.
That is the view of the team's technical advisor, Rassie Erasmus, on the eve of their departure for Sydney where they play the Wallabies next Saturday in the first of South Africa's four Tri-Nations Tests this year.
Erasmus has been working behind the scenes for the last month or so to ensure that the Boks are tactically sharp by the time the World Cup arrives. He is excited about the potential of the team that will be without at least 23 Springboks who have played for Peter de Villiers since 2008.
"The problem with the first few Tests is always that there is very little time in which to prepare. It's also something that is important for a good defensive pattern and something that the team won't necessarily have in its favour," said Erasmus.
"I don't have a problem with any of the players' individual abilities on defence, but one has to understand that they come from four different franchises and each one of those teams' patterns are different.
"The only way in which those guys can gel is with time together on the training field and the team has not had many sessions together."
Erasmus nevertheless believes that Jacques Nienaber, who has helped the Boks in that department for the past week, could work wonders and that they will be up to the challenge in Sydney.
The former Springbok captain believes that the application of the scrum laws is another problem that the Boks will need to handle.
It is expected that South Africa will utilise three props with no Test experience - Dean Greyling, Werner Kruger and Coenie Oosthuizen.
On top of that the match is being refereed by Chris Pollock and the Kiwi referee did not make many friends during this year's Super Rugby tournament.
"Oosthuizen and Greyling both indicated in recent interviews that they are at a loss as to why some penalties are awarded against them. Erasmus had some advice for the two.
"I told them to react positively even if they are penalised. It won't help to walk away with drooped shoulders when you have perhaps been penalised unnecessarily.
"Stay positive and speak to the referee about how the problem can be solved."
He indicated that the Springboks would experiment a little in the Tri-Nations with a view to the World Cup in New Zealand in September.
"There are a few things we will try and if it works it will definitely become a part of the World Cup package. Rugby is a dynamic game and you always have to look at where you could bring in something new."
South Africa will also approach the Test against the All Blacks differently to the one against the Wallabies.
"The Aussies definitely give one more of a chance to run with the ball and launch counter-attacks. When you play the All Blacks you want to build pressure and make sure they are pinned down in their area," said Erasmus.
Meanwhile, South Africa will decide during Friday's final training session whether injured players Heinrich Brüssow, CJ van der Linde and Johann Muller will be able to tour.
