Boks are not an 'outcome-based' team
SPOTLIGHT: The need to capitalise on the opportunities they create has been the focal point for the Springboks ahead of the Rugby Championship Round Four match against the Wallabies on Saturday.
Heading to Sydney, South Africa find itself at the bottom of the Rugby Championship table with one win from three games.
The World Champions suffered consecutive defeats against New Zealand and Australia in rounds Two and Three.
The Boks started as favourites in those matches.
However, they failed to turn their dominance into victory.
Despite dominating the set pieces, the Boks lacked the finishing ability.
Seasoned prop Trevor Nyakane expected the Springboks to again dominate the scrums.
Only, this time they will hopefully capitalise on their superiority.
“As a group, we created a lot of opportunities last weekend,” the prop said.
“Unfortunately, we could not capitalize on it. That is an aspect of our game we were not happy with,” Nyakane added.
“We have reviewed the game and went through our processes.
“We are a process-driven team, not an outcome-based team.
“We looked at what went wrong.
“It is easier to see what went wrong when you are a process-driven team.
“Hopefully this week we can replicate that scrum performance and create as many chances and perhaps be even better.”
He added: “Any backline player enjoys playing behind a pack that goes forward, so the pack’s goal is to give them the go-forward ball and hopefully the guys will do what they do.
“Players like Jesse [Kriel] know where the try line is and this weekend they will do just that.”
Springbok utility back Jesse Kriel admitted that given last weekend’s failure it was all bout executions for the backline.
“We have really high standards when it comes to executing and finishing off opportunities.
“We created a lot of chances in the past game and this week we would want to execute better and that is the big focus point for us.”
#SPOTLIGHT: Some big shoes to fill 👇
🗣️ “I don’t feel any pressure.” says @Springboks utility back Jesse Kriel! #rugby #news #SouthAfrica #AUSvRSA #RugbyChampionship https://t.co/59N4WXICLI— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 31, 2022
Wallabies’ sportsmanship?
In the wake of the defeat to the Wallabies, there was a lot of criticism directed towards the referee Paul Williams.
While questions surrounding Australian players’ sportsmanship also grabbed the headlines.
“We all try to do what we can to come out victorious, whether people outside say there was foul play or not that’s for them to worry about,” Nyakane said.
“We have to focus on ourselves and whatever decisions are made.
“Coach [Jacques Nienaber] always tells us to go into the next battle.
“We just try to put it behind us and get into the play as much as possible.
“You can’t change anyone’s mind.”
@rugby365com
#InjuryUpdate: Bad news on the injury front for @Springboks #rugby #news #AUSvRSA #RugbyChampionship https://t.co/WxoaRqV1b1
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 31, 2022
