How an Irishman helps Boks stay ahead of the curve
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok defence coach Jerry Flannery knows his department must reach another level if the world champions are to stay ahead of the pack over the next year.
The Irishman took over the defensive reins following the departure of former Springbok coach Jacque Nienaber at the beginning of 2024 and has since been working to evolve and refine South Africa’s defensive systems.
Flannery acknowledged that the Springboks’ World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023 were built on the formidable defensive foundation laid by Nienaber, despite the criticism the former Bok boss has faced at Leinster recently.
“Jacques has laid the massive foundation for the two World Cup wins with the work that he did around the defence,” Flannery told reporters in Cape Town.
“I think that was probably something overarching around the South African game – embracing the stuff that South Africans do better than anyone else, which is being so physical and being so fit as well, and I think that’s given a great framework.”
However, Flannery admits that standing still is not an option if the Springboks want to defend their crown at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia and remain the benchmark in world rugby.
“I don’t think you can ever say you can consolidate and sit on something and say it’s okay because, as we’ve seen just looking at the Six Nations, the game is constantly evolving,” the former Harlequins defence coach said.
“You’ve got to be on it every single week, looking to see where there’s a small gain that you can make.”
The increasing focus on aerial contests has tilted certain aspects of the game in favour of attacking teams, stretching defensive structures. But Flannery stated it is a challenge he welcomes.
He explained that defence cannot be built by looking at individual elements in isolation, but rather through a holistic approach to the game.
“There’s the pressure you can exert on the actual quality of the opposition’s kick, and then there’s, I suppose, how you organise or align your players around it – first of all, the stuff they do in the air, the way they contest,” he stated
“The way Mzandile Stick and Felix Jones get the boys contesting in the air gives you the best chance of winning the ball back, and then how you organise your players in the zones around there – how loaded they are towards winning the breaking ball if you don’t field it in the air.
“All of those little parts are pretty important because it has blown the game open now. Before, teams would try to catch you with a quick throw and create unstructured play, or take a quick tap.
“Now, potentially every second or third kick can be something that just blows the game open, so it is a challenge for defence, but it’s been good for the game.”
