'Desperate' Boks to make a statement
The 20-26 loss at Newlands saw South Africa drop down to fourth place in the standings and according to centre Damian de Allende they want to "make a statement" in the second Test at Ellis Park this coming Saturday.
Speaking after a gruelling defence-focussed session in Johannesburg De Allende said some of the key aspects of their game that need "fixing" are their execution, especially in the outside channels, and their ball retention.
"We are desperate to make a statement, after last week's performance," De Allende told a media scrum.
"While we want to put that [20-26 loss to the Irish at Newlands] behind us, we can also use it as motivation."
He said they are trying to improve their defence as a collective, as much as individuals.
And they also need to improve their decision-making.
"Yes, we need to improve that – especially about when to keep the ball and when not to keep the ball," the burly midfielder said.
"We need to play the game in the right areas of the field.
"I feel last week, despite Ireland having been a man up [when Ireland flank Christiaan Stander was red-carded in the 22nd minute], we still played too much rugby in our own half.
"We need to put the ball behind them, in their half, put them under pressure and make turnovers in their half.
"We need to play in the right areas of the field. Yes, when it is on to go, we must go, but we just need to make better decisions."
He admitted the four-month injury-enforced lay-off – an ankle injury he suffered in his fourth match for the Kintetsu Liners in Japan – meant his was not at the same level that made him such a midfield sensation in 2015.
"I am still struggling with a bit of confidence," De Allende told he media scrum, adding: "I am getting better week-in-and-week-out.
I am working as hard as I did last year.
"Hopefully in the next few weeks I can start getting back to doing as well as I did last year."
He said new Springbok coach Alister Coetzee did not introduce any major changes to the Boks' approach.
"We are still trying to play with our South African mentality, where we are physical, but also look for space on the outside.
"However, instead of going through people, we must work on going between two defenders."
By Jan de Koning, in Johannesburg
@King365ed
@rugby365com
