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JJ Harmse
Brisbane – The joke that there are only two things visible from space – Kimberley’s big hole and the hole in the Springbok defence – is definitely not something to go round telling in this Australian city.
The chances are slim that you will bump into anyone from Kimberley, but there are a few grumpy Springboks around.
And after Monday’s video session brought across some home truths about the Boks’ tackling against the All Blacks, that joke would not have gone down well in spite of being uncomfortably close to the truth.
The team is using satellite technology this year to measure players’ work rate on the field.
However, you don’t require a transmitter to realise that conceding eight tries in two Tests hurts, especially if you’re a Springbok.
Better defensive lines and tackling was therefore the team’s conclusion following the video analysis of the performance in Wellington.
The general feeling was that the team sometimes played outstanding rugby, but did not do well chasing kicks. The result was too many holes and too few hands.
On the one hand the Boks feel they can kick better (read Fourie du Preez), but on the other hand there is an admission that they are not working hard enough in this facet of the game.
“We have to get better on defence. Currently we are a metre too slow,” Springbok coach Peter de Villiers admitted.
De Villiers decided to let the players rest on Monday.
“We analysed the satellite data and concluded that the players had run themselves into the ground in Wellington. Sometimes the first reaction after a defeat is to train harder and then you do more damage to the players’ bodies,” said De Villiers.
“That is why we decided the players should rather rest, with the instruction that they report for duty on Tuesday with a clear vision about how we will win (against the Wallabies) on Saturday.
“We are here to work. The fact that the Springboks will play their third Test in so many weeks and the Aussies only their first should not impact on the result. I think it’s six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. We may have sore bodies, but they are rusty.”
He lauded the Wallabies for their technical abilities.
“I think Australian sport in general is among the best in the world when it comes to the technical aspects. They pick up little things and work at it.”
De Villiers wants to reward his players that do the same.
“I saw in Wellington that some of the substitutes were analysing the game while sitting on the sidelines and then applied it when they got on the field. I’m delighted about that and it’s what you expect from your bench,” he said.
De Villiers also had a message for the Boks’ opponents.
“We are still the champions and won’t just give up the Tri-Nations trophy.”
Brisbane – The joke that there are only two things visible from space – Kimberley’s big hole and the hole in the Springbok defence – is definitely not something to go round telling in this Australian city.
The chances are slim that you will bump into anyone from Kimberley, but there are a few grumpy Springboks around.
And after Monday’s video session brought across some home truths about the Boks’ tackling against the All Blacks, that joke would not have gone down well in spite of being uncomfortably close to the truth.
The team is using satellite technology this year to measure players’ work rate on the field.
However, you don’t require a transmitter to realise that conceding eight tries in two Tests hurts, especially if you’re a Springbok.
Better defensive lines and tackling was therefore the team’s conclusion following the video analysis of the performance in Wellington.
The general feeling was that the team sometimes played outstanding rugby, but did not do well chasing kicks. The result was too many holes and too few hands.
On the one hand the Boks feel they can kick better (read Fourie du Preez), but on the other hand there is an admission that they are not working hard enough in this facet of the game.
“We have to get better on defence. Currently we are a metre too slow,” Springbok coach Peter de Villiers admitted.
De Villiers decided to let the players rest on Monday.
“We analysed the satellite data and concluded that the players had run themselves into the ground in Wellington. Sometimes the first reaction after a defeat is to train harder and then you do more damage to the players’ bodies,” said De Villiers.
“That is why we decided the players should rather rest, with the instruction that they report for duty on Tuesday with a clear vision about how we will win (against the Wallabies) on Saturday.
“We are here to work. The fact that the Springboks will play their third Test in so many weeks and the Aussies only their first should not impact on the result. I think it’s six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. We may have sore bodies, but they are rusty.”
He lauded the Wallabies for their technical abilities.
“I think Australian sport in general is among the best in the world when it comes to the technical aspects. They pick up little things and work at it.”
De Villiers wants to reward his players that do the same.
“I saw in Wellington that some of the substitutes were analysing the game while sitting on the sidelines and then applied it when they got on the field. I’m delighted about that and it’s what you expect from your bench,” he said.
De Villiers also had a message for the Boks’ opponents.
“We are still the champions and won’t just give up the Tri-Nations trophy.”
