VIDEO: Stormers 'chaos' won't win this Test
The Stormers’ fabled ‘chaos game’ is unlikely to succeed in a Test against the All Blacks, which is why the Springboks are likely to adopt a more pragmatic approach to their return match in Wellington on Saturday.
While a number of the key aspects of the Stormers’ expansive approach are present in the South African backline, it is the pressure cooker nature of the international arena that makes that approach more challenging.
The Bok backline will feature the Stormers axis of Damian Willemse (inside centre), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf) and Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf.
Outside of that, you have Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie, Cheslin Kolbe and Aphelele Fassi.
The talent and ability to test defences are obvious.
However, in a must-win Test at the Wellington Regional Stadium, elaborate moves are likely to make way for a more modest approach.
Willemse, in his first start in the No.12 jersey in 40-odd Tests, spoke of the need for a calculated attack.
This comes despite remarks by Bok coach Rassie Erasmus that they will be allowed to ‘express’ themselves in the New Zealand capital.
“We have a Test match that we want to win,” Willemse told a media briefing from the team hotel in Wellington.
“Expressing yourself is not always playing flashy rugby,” the 27-year-old added.
He spoke of the “very physical” nature of a Test against the All Blacks that at times can border on brutal.
In that environment, there is very little margin for error and making mistakes as the Boks in Auckland last week will have dire consequences.
(WATCH as two-time World Cup winner Damian Willemse talks about the tactics for the Springboks’ rematch against the All Blacks…..)
“If there’s an opportunity and it presents itself, we must take it.
“That is expressing yourself.
“We are really focused on those small moments and making sure that we are dialled in for when opportunity presents itself.”
Speaking about his first start in the No.12 jersey, after having been most often at fullback or flyhalf, he was also looking forward to starting alongside Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
However, he admitted that stepping into the shoes of Damian de Allende is going to be a huge challenge.
“It is a new position for me,” he said of the No.12 jersey, adding: “I haven’t started there yet, but I have played a couple of Test matches at the inside centre later in the game.
“It is a new role for me, having to step up into the shoes of @Doogz [De Allende], something that he’s been doing for us many years, is something that I’m really excited about.
“I’m also excited about linking with Sasha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] and with [Canan] Moody [at outside centre] and having the back three [Hooker, Kolbe and Fassi] outside me.
“It’s an opportunity for all of us to go out, play our game and hopefully get a victory.”
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