The chilling warning coming out of Bok camp
BALTIMORE BUILD-UP: New Zealand’s challenges with set pieces are set to continue.
The All Blacks are preparing to encounter a formidable South African pack that is still finding its full potential.
Ahead of the fourth and final Test in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, Springbok forwards coach Deon Davids issued a stern warning about the upcoming clash against the All Blacks on Saturday in Baltimore.
While South Africa’s forward pack has shown dominance, they acknowledge there is still room for progress.
The Springboks have effectively weaponised their scrum, added to a noticeable disparity in the quality of the line-outs between the two teams, and further exacerbated the pressure on their opponents with their impressive maul strength.
“Our performance is driven by hard work,” Davids told @rugby365com during a video call from the team’s training facility.
He emphasised that the season began with a focus on providing ample playing time to a wide pool of players to foster depth within the squad.
“Entering the [Greatest Rivalry] series, we recognised the importance of having a robust set piece,” he explained.
“The efforts we’ve invested in our scrums, line-outs, and mauls are beginning to yield results.”
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In their ‘weaponised’ scrums, the Springboks have transformed this aspect of play into an offensive strategy, not just aiming to secure possession but actively seeking to gain territory and score points.
The strain on the New Zealand pack was evident during the third Test, culminating in a penalty try just before half-time, a direct result of relentless scrum pressure.
The disparity in line-out performance was stark, with the Springboks achieving an impressive 93.9 percent success rate, significantly overshadowing New Zealand’s 82.1 percent success in the aerial game.
The peak of South Africa’s dominance was evident during the third Test at Soccer City this past weekend, where Malcolm Marx and the Bok jumpers achieved an impressive record, converting all 12 of their throws despite adverse swirling winds.
In the second half of the match, South Africa exerted complete control over the tempo, executing substantial rolling mauls that showcased their power.
Throughout the series, the All Blacks struggled to counter the Boks’ mauling prowess, which culminated in a formidable 25-metre rolling drive that directly set up an essential try.
“We are pleased that our pack has come together to create a solid foundation,” said Davids, who also offered a note of caution regarding their performance.
“We are not yet the final product,” he noted, emphasising, “There are areas we still need to address.
“We are constantly assessing our systems, our individual contributions, and how well we function as a pack of forwards.
“There remains room for improvement, particularly from a set-piece perspective. We will persist in our efforts to enhance our cohesion and overall play.”
Thanks to the coaching staff’s strategy of rotating the squad during the early part of the season, the depth within the team has significantly improved.
The various forward combinations are now working together seamlessly, establishing a reliable framework for both attack and defence.
@JanDKrugby
@rugby365com
