THE need to make a forceful first impression on Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer might have hamstrung some of his teammates a year ago, but captain Jean de Villiers believes the team has shed that shackling baggage.
“We feel that we are in a much better space,” he said with a beaming smile yesterday.
A year ago the Boks had to negotiate England, who were very much amid a resurgence under Stuart Lancaster, as a maiden assignment but this year Italy and Samoa provided a little more breathing space. Also, those who have travelled the journey with Meyer over the past year may have reason to draw comfort.
“Our preparations are so much better,” De Villiers continued. “Last year we were under pressure from the word go. The guys are much more comfortable in their environment at the moment. The bulk of this squad is more settled. For the new guys it is an environment they can come in to and feel comfortable.
“With the incoming tours I thought we progressively got better. We got good results. We want to take that momentum into the Rugby Championships.”
That said, the ante will be upped considerably against their all-too-familiar rivals and Argentina. De Villiers recognises across-the-board improvement is non-negotiable.
“There will be more pressure. To get to number one you need to progress every year and in every competition. From an attacking point of view we did well but we can improve. Defensively we let in a few and that we need to rectify.”
There is also the vexed and eminently grey area of the breakdown, for which the Springboks have roped in outside help in the form of an appropriately named Scotsman, Richie Gray. “The breakdown has become a massive issue for us,” said the Bok captain. “We must make sure that we are more clinical in that area.”
The Boks – who will only next week have their full squad available when their overseas-based players jet in – should make a seamless transition.
Springbok squad:
Forwards: Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Juandre Kruger, Francois Louw, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Gurthro Steenkamp, Adriaan Strauss, Flip van der Merwe, Franco van der Merwe, Duane Vermeulen.
Backs: Bjorn Basson, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (capt), Fourie du Preez, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Zane Kirchner, Pat Lambie, Willie le Roux, Ruan Pienaar, Jan Serfontein, Morné Steyn, Jano Vermaak.
De Villiers upbeat as Boks look to step up to plate
“We feel that we are in a much better space,” he said with a beaming smile yesterday.
A year ago the Boks had to negotiate England, who were very much amid a resurgence under Stuart Lancaster, as a maiden assignment but this year Italy and Samoa provided a little more breathing space. Also, those who have travelled the journey with Meyer over the past year may have reason to draw comfort.
“Our preparations are so much better,” De Villiers continued. “Last year we were under pressure from the word go. The guys are much more comfortable in their environment at the moment. The bulk of this squad is more settled. For the new guys it is an environment they can come in to and feel comfortable.
“With the incoming tours I thought we progressively got better. We got good results. We want to take that momentum into the Rugby Championships.”
That said, the ante will be upped considerably against their all-too-familiar rivals and Argentina. De Villiers recognises across-the-board improvement is non-negotiable.
“There will be more pressure. To get to number one you need to progress every year and in every competition. From an attacking point of view we did well but we can improve. Defensively we let in a few and that we need to rectify.”
There is also the vexed and eminently grey area of the breakdown, for which the Springboks have roped in outside help in the form of an appropriately named Scotsman, Richie Gray. “The breakdown has become a massive issue for us,” said the Bok captain. “We must make sure that we are more clinical in that area.”
The Boks – who will only next week have their full squad available when their overseas-based players jet in – should make a seamless transition.
Springbok squad:
Forwards: Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Juandre Kruger, Francois Louw, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Gurthro Steenkamp, Adriaan Strauss, Flip van der Merwe, Franco van der Merwe, Duane Vermeulen.
Backs: Bjorn Basson, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (capt), Fourie du Preez, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Zane Kirchner, Pat Lambie, Willie le Roux, Ruan Pienaar, Jan Serfontein, Morné Steyn, Jano Vermaak.
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