THERE are two ways to look at the Springboks’ battle readiness for today’s Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
You could reasonably argue that the scoreline in last weekend’s 28-10 victory in Cape Town flattered them and that their blunt attack led them up too many blind alleys in the first 70 minutes.
Similar misadventure will be punished by the All Blacks who are on a 22-match unbeaten run.
You could on the other hand subscribe to the optimistic view that the Wallabies manfully kept their fingers in the dike before relentless Bok pressure saw the dam wall crack after 70 minutes.
Captain Jean de Villiers leans towards the latter view, suggesting the last 10 minutes were part of this season’s progression.
“We played much better in the last game compared to the way we started .”
It still begs the question. Have the Springboks improved sufficiently to arrest the sequence of five consecutive defeats against the All Blacks?
“I truly believe we are good enough to beat them,” said De Villiers.
“For us going forward we need to get over that barrier. It is much easier said than done but we do believe we can do it. In the past things have happened and we came close. At some stage that will change.”
Although the Boks have home ground advantage, the All Blacks have the winning momentum including an epic win at Ellis Park last year.
For once they probably aren’t the favourites at home but it matters little to De Villiers.
“Does it really matter? New Zealand hasn’t lost a game in how many games. It is more than two years since they lost a game. Yes, we’ve done well at Ellis Park in the past. Does any of that count . I don’t think so.’’ lSee page 24 and 25
Boks fired up for NZ
You could reasonably argue that the scoreline in last weekend’s 28-10 victory in Cape Town flattered them and that their blunt attack led them up too many blind alleys in the first 70 minutes.
Similar misadventure will be punished by the All Blacks who are on a 22-match unbeaten run.
You could on the other hand subscribe to the optimistic view that the Wallabies manfully kept their fingers in the dike before relentless Bok pressure saw the dam wall crack after 70 minutes.
Captain Jean de Villiers leans towards the latter view, suggesting the last 10 minutes were part of this season’s progression.
“We played much better in the last game compared to the way we started .”
It still begs the question. Have the Springboks improved sufficiently to arrest the sequence of five consecutive defeats against the All Blacks?
“I truly believe we are good enough to beat them,” said De Villiers.
“For us going forward we need to get over that barrier. It is much easier said than done but we do believe we can do it. In the past things have happened and we came close. At some stage that will change.”
Although the Boks have home ground advantage, the All Blacks have the winning momentum including an epic win at Ellis Park last year.
For once they probably aren’t the favourites at home but it matters little to De Villiers.
“Does it really matter? New Zealand hasn’t lost a game in how many games. It is more than two years since they lost a game. Yes, we’ve done well at Ellis Park in the past. Does any of that count . I don’t think so.’’ lSee page 24 and 25
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