Springboks target win over tricks in Georgian Test
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says they are focusing on the win over tricks in their match against Georgia. Picture: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
The Springboks will be focusing on the win before unveiling any new tricks, according to assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, when they take on Georgia in their final incoming series match of the season at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday night (kick-off 5:10pm).
The Boks have enjoyed a solid start to the season, with a 54-7 win over the invitational Barbarians in Cape Town and a 42-24 win over Italy at Loftus, before they unveiled a full bag of tricks in their entertaining 45-0 thrashing of the Italians in the second Test in Gqeberha over the past weekend.
The match has become a major talking point in World Rugby, after the Boks unleashed two new trick plays, the short kick-off and the midfield 'fake lineout' maul, which has garnered much attention, mostly positive from in South Africa and mostly negative from outside.
With the Boks having a final chance to try out some new moves against Tier 2 Georgia this weekend, Stick admitted that if the chance arises they could do something, but that their full focus was on securing the result first.
'We always try to build our game. We don't want to become a team that is predictable in the way we play. I think creativity in our team is something that we try when we get an opportunity. You can see some of the tricks we used (against Italy),' explained Stick.
Springbok DNA
'But we don't want to lose our DNA and what makes us Springboks. We still want to improve our set pieces. We still want to improve how we play the game defence wise when it comes to momentum, and we still want to improve at the breakdown. Against Italy we had a big challenge there.
'So tricks wise we will keep on evolving and trying things. As long as they are by the letter of the law. The nice thing is we have a very experienced (former) ref in Jaco Peyper in our management team. So we always bounce ideas and get approval from him.
'If there is an opportunity for us to try something different we will. But we are also well aware that the Georgians also might try somethings. So we can't get too comfortable and our main focus is to win the game.'
Although the Boks are heavy favourites, despite them again rotating their match day squad extensively, Stick said that Georgia would bring a unique physical challenge, especially in the scrums, which they are relishing.
'We are playing against Georgia. This is one of the toughest teams that you will play when it comes to the physical side of the game. Set piece wise, especially when it comes to the scrums, and we know how they take pride in making big contact in the game,' said Stick.
'I also like how passionate they are. I have been to Georgia before and those people are very tough human beings. So it is going to be a tough one, but the more we execute our plan the better it will be.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ackermann talks up star quality of Junior Bok players included in Rassie's training group
Junior Springbok loose forward Bathobele Hlekani, winger Cheswill Jooste, and scrumhalf Haashim Pead will join the senior side for a two-week training camp. Johan Ackermann has sung the praises of three U20 players who have been included in the upcoming Springbok training group. Loose forward Bathobele Hlekani, winger Cheswill Jooste, and scrumhalf Haashim Pead join 37 Test-capped Springboks for the two-week camp in Johannesburg starting on Sunday. It follows the side's triumphant World Rugby U20 Championship campaign, where Pead (six tries) and Jooste were two of the most dangerous backline players in the tournament. Hlekani was also solid in his carries to help lift the trophy. Ackermann served as a consultant for the Junior Springboks from January to July, finishing his stint on a high with their title win. Now appointed head coach of the Bulls, he leaves with fond memories from his time with the Junior Boks. 'I hope the future will have the same' 'It was a privilege working with them,' Ackermann said. 'The outstanding thing was the hunger they had. Even the players who didn't make the 30 [championship squad], the players we had to release, they were so hungry to do well. They were so eager to learn. I hope the future will have the same.' He said there was not one argument or incident of grumbling among the group, adding that coach Kevin Foote, assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa and captain Riley Norton were special in how they turned a talented group into one that could achieve greatness. Ackermann discussed the strengths of each player included in the Bok group at length. He said Jooste had 'tremendous feet'. 'He's extremely fast, and he's tough. If he needs to run through a guy, he will do it. Even if he doesn't have the size, he will take him on. He is not afraid in defence. If you give him space, he's gone.' The coach commended Pead, who broke France star Antoine Dupont's U20 record for running metres by a scrumhalf in the pool stages of the tournament. Pead ran 232 metres from 15 carries, surpassing Dupont's 227 set in 2016. Ackermann described Pead as an outstanding nine and one of the team's leaders. 'He brings a lot of calmness. He doesn't get fazed. His demeanour is relaxed and he takes that over to the game.' He said the youngster could see space like few could, and was good in his box kicking. Ackermann sees potential in powerhouse Hlekani 'Batho is a big man, strong. Good ball carrier, physical. I used him a lot for the mauls and we got him jumping, because when I got there he wasn't jumping in the lineouts. 'In a one-on-one tackle he can hit you. Probably his biggest work-on is that he sometimes tends to think he can keep everybody up because he is so strong, and then he loses metres.' He said the big man also needed to ensure his work rate didn't drop during the course of a full match, like it did in the semi-final against Argentina. 'So if he can keep his work rate up, he's got all the physical attributes to be a very good flanker.'
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
Former Junior Bok ineligible for England despite residency
Jacques Vermeulen has been ruled ineligible to play for England despite meeting World Rugby's five-year residency requirement. The 30-year-old flank, who recently signed for Sale Sharks after several standout seasons at Exeter Chiefs, was reportedly on the radar of England coach Steve Borthwick. But Vermeulen's involvement in the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship has shut the door on his Test ambitions. Back then, the Junior Springboks were South Africa's designated second team. That means Vermeulen's single appearance at the tournament officially capped him for South Africa, even though he never played Test rugby. World Rugby's eligibility rules allow players to switch nations only if they were born in the new country, or have a parent or grandparent who was. Vermeulen doesn't qualify under those terms. 'It's very frustrating,' Vermeulen told BBC Radio Devon. 'I don't know why they're stopping it. How can they say that because you played for the U20s when you were 19 or 20, you're capped for a country?' Also read: Japanese club snaps up Saffa trio Vermeulen, who played a key role in Exeter's 2019-20 Premiership and Champions Cup double, said he felt bitterly disappointed, especially after completing his five-year residency and beginning the process of acquiring British citizenship. Adding to his frustration is the perceived inconsistency in how the rules are applied. 'Look how many guys are playing for Scotland who played for the Junior Boks – guys like Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman [both in 2014 when the SA U20s were not SA Rugby's designated second team],' he said. 'I get really angry about it because I'm like, how can you stop a guy after they played 10 years ago for a country?' The post England can't pick ex-Junior Bok appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
Four rookie Boks who could be surprise picks against the Wallabies
A few inexperienced Springboks will be hoping for a chance against the Wallabies to push their claim for a spot in the team to face the All Blacks. Springbok utility forward Cobus Wiese could get a run against the Wallabies after making two appearances in the mid-year Tests against Italy and Georgia. Picture: Johann Meintjes/Gallo Images The Springbok squad for the first two games of the Rugby Championship at home against Australia was announced earlier this week, with very few surprises for the start of their title defence. A number of inexperienced players have, however, retained their places in the group and could be given a run against the Wallabies to strengthen their chances of being involved in the two Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand. Here are four inexperienced Boks that could get a chance to impress at the start of the Rugby Champs: Edwill van der Merwe Unfortunately for the former Lions, and now Sharks flyer, he finds himself behind two of the best wings in world rugby, in Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse. Despite that he has been absolutely incredible with the chances he has been given. His debut against Wales last year ended with him being named man of the match, but an injury then scuppered any chance of him featuring for the Boks over the rest of 2024. Having recovered and put in another top season for the Lions, Van der Merwe was given another go, and his second appearance in the green and gold ended with another man of the match award, after he scored two tries in the second Italian Test against Italy in Gqeberha. His third cap didn't see a hattrick of man of the match awards, but he did add another two tries to his tally against Georgia in Mbombela. Due to Arendse playing the most minutes for the Boks in the incoming series, the door could open for Van der Merwe to feature against Australia. Edwill van der Merwe has made a huge impression at Test level. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images Cobus Wiese The Bulls utility forward has a golden opportunity to get a run during the Boks' opening two Rugby Champs games against the Wallabies, considering his older brother, Jasper, is out with a suspension, and his being preferred in the group to Salmaan Moerat and Even Roos. The Boks don't have a first choice number eight in the squad, especially since Kwagga Smith's impact off the bench is so highly valued. That means Wiese could get another shot at eight, despite an average first outing in the position against Georgia, or he could play off the bench due to him covering four positions. Where he could find some stiff opposition is in Jean-Luc du Preez who holds a similar utility value, however he is more of a loose forward that can cover lock. Du Preez has more experience in terms of the overall Bok setup, but only has 14 caps since making his debut in 2016. So it could be a shootout between the two to see who could feature in the match 23 as the utility cover. Morne van den Berg The Lions scrumhalf can now consider himself as one of the Boks; top number nines, after he was picked in the squad at the expense of the experienced Faf de Klerk. Coach Rassie Erasmus hasn't been afraid to pick a host of scrumhalves in his squads of late, with even five picked at a stage, while four have been backed in most of the groups recently. However, for the two Aussie Tests he has gone with just three in Van den Berg, Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach. Reinach at 35 is heading into the twilight of his career, and his experience is highly valued, but it seems that Van den Berg and Williams will be the two battling it out to become the Boks' first choice scrumhalf. De Klerk, who turns 34 in October, could force his way back into the mix though, and Sharks scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse is also on the fringes and could fight his way back if he improves his form. But it will be interesting to see who gets the nod to start in the two Aussie Tests. Morne van den Berg is now one of the Boks' preferred number nines. Picture: Gallo Images Boan Venter The Edinburgh-based loosehead prop has a stunning opportunity to establish himself in the Springbok squad, thanks to a surprising recent turn of events. Venter looked destined to become a Scottish international, after impressing for his franchise over the past four years, and with him set to be given residency in 2026, which would have made him eligible. However, an injury crisis in the Bok setup led to him being a late call-up to the squad for their first four games of the year. With Steven Kitshoff having been forced into an early retirement, and Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu ruled out through injury, Venter was parachuted in to the squad and made his debut against Georgia over the past weekend. Thomas du Toit, who can play tighthead and loosehead, has been left out of the squad due to resting protocols, which means Venter and another inexperienced player in Jan-Hendrik Wessels are likely the two players who will be battling it out for the second loosehead spot behind Ox Nche.
