VIDEO: The South African mentality that most concerns All Blacks
Resilience. Tenacity. Doggedness. These are just three words that describe South Africa’s ability to withstand or adjust to challenges.
That doggedness (the word I prefer) has been seen in bucketloads at the 2023 World Cup – especially in the quarterfinals and semifinals – as the Springboks scored back-to-back one-point wins over France (29-28) and England (16-15).
It is an obstinacy that has not escaped the All Blacks or their coaching staff, as they prepare to face their arch-rivals in the World Cup Final at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.
Scott McLeod, the Kiwi defence coach, is well-versed in the South African culture – both as a player and coach.
That ‘never-say-die’ attitude was on full display in the semifinal against England – when the Boks came back from being down by nine points (6-15) to break English hearts with a brutal late rally.
“They are never out of it,” he said of what he has learnt from both the England and France encounters.
“That is always their mentality,” he added.
“They come from a country where they are very hardened and they know how to stay in the fight and win the fight.
“They have shown that for many years at they showed that at the last World Cup as well.
“Not much of their DNA has changed.”
There is a long and storied history between the two countries – a century’s worth of history, both in terms of years and matches.
Both teams now stare down the barrel of a seventh and final match in France, tagged on to a series of warm-up matches.
“It’s massive,” McLeod said of a history dating back to 1921.
“I remember touring there many years ago and I was blown away by the passion of the people.
“They were very competitive and they were in your face, but as soon as the whistle went they were some of the best to socialise with and have a barbecue, a braai and a beer.
“That respect has never gone away and I doubt it ever will between the All Blacks and the South Africans and it is something we treasure.
“That fierce competitiveness on the field, but afterwards you can have a good Yak with some good men.”
He also touched on the possible impact of the fickle Paris weather – with rain predicted for most of the week and a good chance of precipitation on Saturday.
(WATCH as All Black defence coach Scott McLeod explains some of the biggest challenges his team will face against the Springboks in the World Cup Final on Saturday…)
“No, I don’t think so,” he said – adding that the All Blacks have an ‘all-weather’ game plan.
“We know the way we want to play and we have trained the skillset to function in the wet.
“Most grounds that we have come have had some dew or dampness on the ground.
“We’ll be able to handle the wet [conditions].”
McLeod added that the record 35-7 win by South Africa against New Zealand in a pre-tournament warm-up match at Twickenham in August had retained some relevance.
But it was “not so much on a motivational aspect, but more in scenarios: How do we respond? So we took a lot of learning out of that particularly when we went down to 13 men”.
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