Bismarck is doing his homework
Springbok vice-captain Bismarck du Plessis has admitted learning to do things the Heyneke Meyer way has meant some late-night homework.
After four years under Peter de Villiers many senior Boks such as Du Plessis have had to brush up on the books and learn all the changes to the gameplan with new calls and moves.
"Absolutely everything has changed and it is a new management team," Du Plessis told SAPA.
"Everything is different to how Heyneke Meyer and Peter de Villiers wanted us to play. They are two different people.
"The one is an apple and the other a pear and you can't compare the two," he stressed.
"Johan van Graan's (Bok forwards coach) detail and video sessions are really well organised, and the difficult thing is you have to go and study in the evenings,” Du Plessis said in an interview on Wednesday.
"You have to learn new calls and new moves."
The 28-year-old is enjoying some added responsibility as the vice-captain and plans to make the No.2 jersey his own.
"It is a different challenge for us. I was always standing at the back of the row [in the team photo], now there are new guys standing at the back of the row," he said when asked about his new leadership role.
"It is a little bit more responsibility on the guys who have played a few Tests.
"Looking at Marcell Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Juandre Kruger and Coenie Oosthuizen, who played their first game [on Saturday against England]… we were very happy to give them their first win in their first game."
One of the major positives for South Africa was the dominance at scrum time, which Du Plessis attributes to the front row's knowledge of each other.
“I think the more you play together, especially in the front-row, the better you get to know each other," he explained.
"Take Beast [Mtawarira] for instance. I know when his wife is giving him problems and when he is not sleeping well… his baby was a bit ill last week."
The experienced Sharks hooker is preparing for a tough battle in the second Test and loves a physical contest, concluding: "We know they will come back harder and stronger and we are looking forward to that challenge.
"I just want to play rugby… it is a physical sport, you can't hide away from that and I won't shy away from that.
"I always say rugby is like war with a little bit of rules."
