VIDEO: Boks have a beef to settle with plucky Azzurri
WATCH as Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick speak about what they’re expecting from Italy in the second of two Tests this weekend.
Moerat and Stick addressed the media on Friday ahead of their series-decider against the Azzurri after coming off a hard-fought 42-24 against them last week at Loftus Versfeld.
The scoreline may suggest a comfortable win for the world champions.
However, the Italians delivered a strong second-half display, challenging the Boks in some areas, particularly at the breakdown.
Captain Moerat said that despite not being involved in the matchday squad, the non-playing members picked up traits of the Azzurri and are ready to match them.
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“It does help if you played them the previous week,” Moerat said.
“You get a bit of a feel of what they do and what their plans are.
“That can change this weekend. All teams have an identity.
“They pride themselves on their physicality, and their breakdown is really good.
“They disrupted us there, and that is one area we worked hard on this week. We’re looking to counter that.
“And their kicking game is excellent.
“But I’m fairly confident that our back three is experienced and has been there before, so they can match that.”
Assistant coach Stick echoed captain Moerat’s sentiments and praised the growth of the Italian side.
He said it’s important that the Boks keep improving while giving new players an opportunity.
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“It was our first official Test match of the year.
“If I look at how we started our first half [last week], in terms of intensity and how we started the game, that is our main focus.
“But in the second half, we didn’t follow up nicely on that 28-3 half-time scoreline and in the second half, they came out to play.
“A lot of people don’t see how much the Italian team is growing under the new coaching staff.
“We’ve seen and analysed them and what they’re doing during the Six Nations, and they’re getting good results.
“Even against Ireland [during the Six Nations], they were close until the 80th minute.
“So we know they’re a quality side. Moon [Salmaan Moerat] touched on it as well.
“They have a very well-organised kicking game, and we saw how dangerous their outside backs can be when they get an opportunity, and they’re very quick.
“Again, we’re on our second Test of the season, and Italy is playing their last of the season.
“It’s important for us that we keep improving on how we play the game.
“And while we are doing that, and we try and keep winning, we also want to make sure that we give other guys opportunities as well.”
