Meyer: We want to be the best
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer has outlined the road ahead to become the best team in the world with Saturday's second Test the next step.
After a victory in your first Test many coaches would have given themselves a pat on the back, but Meyer is not one for resting on his laurels. The Bok mentor believes the team must improve every time they run out in an effort to be ready to win the World Cup in 2015.
"We really want to be the best team in the world and we need to improve every single game," Meyer said.
"There aren't many games left before the World Cup so we must improve in every game and it is a must-win for us."
While Meyer's statement might sound odd the truth is that the Springboks have 37 matches before the next World Cup, which is roughly just less than two Super Rugby seasons.
Meyer expects there to be a backlash from England following their defeat, but South Africa will be prepared.
"It is important to keep our feet on the ground and be humble.
"I thought England were awesome at times and just by great defence and great discipline we kept them out.
"I don't want to get into a comfort zone where we feel now the job has been done.
"They [England] will definitely come back stronger and we need to make a step up.
"They are a quality side and they are guys that don't give up.
"A lot of other teams would probably have let go at the end. They came right back until after the hooter."
Meyer is calling for an improvement from his players in the second Test with a more complete performance from start to finish to secure a victory.
"There are a few things I am happy with, but mostly [we did not play to] our standards," said Meyer.
"We want to really improve and they will improve, so it is going to be a tough battle.
"At one stage in the second half, we really played great rugby but we didn't put the points on the board, which is unacceptable.
“They [the Boks] need to lift themselves again and we can build on that second half.
"We want to play like that for 80 minutes and that is the challenge."
