Boks won't be 'hitting sixes' at Ellis Park
Bok coach Allister Coetzee admitted there is an expectation – with Elton Jantjies starting at flyhalf in the place of Patrick Lambie – that South Africa will play an expansive game.
However, he reiterated his statement from earlier in the week that there should be a more pragmatic approach to the game.
"I know there will be huge expectation for Elton [Jantjies] to fire and that's the least I am expecting," Coetzee told a media briefing at the team hotel.
However, Coetzee said he wants to see the flyhalf "take control" of the game and "manage it well".
"Test match rugby is not hitting sixes," the coach said, adding: "I expect Elton to get us to play in the right areas of the field, I expect Elton to beat the rush, be clever, make good decisions.
"When the space is on at the back, get us there and put the ball there.
"I know a lot of people expect a bit of running rugby.
"However, my philosophy about it is: When it is on it is on – that is something we have worked on throughout this week.
"It could be on in minute one, then players must be able to make those calls.
"However, we are not going to play unnecessary [take risks].
"I know the expectation is, because Elton is playing, we must have this attacking flair at all times.
"Making good decisions is what I expect of Elton and I know he can run and he can manage a game well."
Coetzee said he also wants better tactical awareness and execution from his players, whom he described as having been a "bit naive" tactically last week.
"We were thinking, because we had an extra player, the space would necessary be out wide.
"We chased and forced it a bit and made a lot of errors in the wide channels.
"Elton has grown a lot since he started playing abroad [in Japan]. There's now a real calmness and he works very hard.
"That is what gives confidence to a big pack of forwards, knowing they have a No.10 that can take them forward."
By Jan de Koning, in Johannesburg
@King365ed
@rugby365com
