SPRINGBOK defence coach John McFarland has called for an 80-minute effort from the team after two soft moments cost them the match against Australia in Perth earlier this month.
The Boks went down 24-23 after dominating most of the match. They conceded tries at critical times to suffer a painful defeat that has virtually taken them out of the running for the Rugby Championship title.
A week later against the All Blacks the Boks came up just short of victory in Wellington when they failed to convert immense pressure on New Zealand’s line into points in the dying minutes of the game. They lost 14-10.
“In Perth for 78 minutes we were really, really good, but Australia scored in the first and last minute, so we weren’t good enough,” said McFarland.
“In between we were in control of the game. At this level you can’t relax at all. In both Tests we were within a minute of winning.”
Although the Boks lost both matches they did enough to win them and McFarland agreed that they had taken some belief from their tour, especially the way they pushed the All Blacks to the wire.
“The way we ended against the All Blacks was good for us mentally, but we didn’t win the game,” said McFarland.
“No matter what you say you have to be hardnosed enough to win those games. We put ourselves in with a chance to do that but we didn’t finish it.
“This week we’ve got a massive challenge because Australia have won eight out of their last 10 Tests. They’re on a good roll and we must be at our best to beat them.”
As always with the Springboks, defence will be vital to their success. They use it as weapon as much as a way of repelling opponents and one of the key players is centre Jan Serfontein.
The Bulls midfielder was superb in Australasia, making an astonishing 45 tackles in two matches, while also carrying strongly even though his attacking opportunities were limited. “What’s really been good is the quality of Jan’s tackling,” said McFarland.
“If you look all the way through, he’s not just making tackles, he’s driven guys backwards, which has been really impressive.
“With Jan we’ve got a physical presence in terms of counter-rucking and also when we move it out to those channels having him there is really good.
“We have a prize for best tackles, and in his first three Tests Jan has won it every time. Last week he made 24 tackles against the All Blacks and in Perth 21 tackles against the Wallabies. He’s been a real stalwart.
“We made 100 tackles in the first half at Perth and we made 110 in New Zealand. We only really got control to play in the last 15 minutes in Wellington.
“The game shape changes at home, so hopefully now we will be taking the ball to them on the front foot.”
No surrender for the Boks
The Boks went down 24-23 after dominating most of the match. They conceded tries at critical times to suffer a painful defeat that has virtually taken them out of the running for the Rugby Championship title.
A week later against the All Blacks the Boks came up just short of victory in Wellington when they failed to convert immense pressure on New Zealand’s line into points in the dying minutes of the game. They lost 14-10.
“In Perth for 78 minutes we were really, really good, but Australia scored in the first and last minute, so we weren’t good enough,” said McFarland.
“In between we were in control of the game. At this level you can’t relax at all. In both Tests we were within a minute of winning.”
Although the Boks lost both matches they did enough to win them and McFarland agreed that they had taken some belief from their tour, especially the way they pushed the All Blacks to the wire.
“The way we ended against the All Blacks was good for us mentally, but we didn’t win the game,” said McFarland.
“No matter what you say you have to be hardnosed enough to win those games. We put ourselves in with a chance to do that but we didn’t finish it.
“This week we’ve got a massive challenge because Australia have won eight out of their last 10 Tests. They’re on a good roll and we must be at our best to beat them.”
As always with the Springboks, defence will be vital to their success. They use it as weapon as much as a way of repelling opponents and one of the key players is centre Jan Serfontein.
The Bulls midfielder was superb in Australasia, making an astonishing 45 tackles in two matches, while also carrying strongly even though his attacking opportunities were limited. “What’s really been good is the quality of Jan’s tackling,” said McFarland.
“If you look all the way through, he’s not just making tackles, he’s driven guys backwards, which has been really impressive.
“With Jan we’ve got a physical presence in terms of counter-rucking and also when we move it out to those channels having him there is really good.
“We have a prize for best tackles, and in his first three Tests Jan has won it every time. Last week he made 24 tackles against the All Blacks and in Perth 21 tackles against the Wallabies. He’s been a real stalwart.
“We made 100 tackles in the first half at Perth and we made 110 in New Zealand. We only really got control to play in the last 15 minutes in Wellington.
“The game shape changes at home, so hopefully now we will be taking the ball to them on the front foot.”
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