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Boks will have less space in Durban says Smith

The Springboks outscored the French by four tries to two on their way to a 37-14 victory in the first Test at Loftus Versfeld last weekend. 

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Smith was pleased with the attacking opportunities the team created in that match, but he knows it will be a lot harder at Kings Park as the French will be bolstered by the return of several key players from Clermont and Toulon this week.

"The good news is that we are creating space," Smith told reporters at the team hotel in Umhlanga Ridge on Tuesday.

"We probably could have scored four more tries, though. We made some line breaks and then we just didn't finish, and that is something that we are working on very hard this week.

 

"This week, there will be changes to the French team and I’m sure their defence will be better prepared for us. 

"I believe that defence will be a lot tighter now that the two teams have played one game against each other and would have had time to study each in video sessions."

Smith added that much more work is needed on attack because the team slipped a few scoring opportunities at Loftus.

 

"We are busy with a process, we still have a long way to go but the team environment is very good and the guys gave a great effort in the first Test," explained Smith.

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Meanwhile, Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies said the players are working hard and that he was enjoying the responsibility of directing the play, but he praised the forwards for laying a solid platform for the backs.

 

"The forwards worked incredibly hard to give us good positions from where we could attack. Like Coach Franco said, we know the French are going to come with a huge onslaught and we have to be ready for it," said Jantjies.

Boks will have less space in Durban says Smith

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