VIDEO: Why Boks 'are not comfortable'
WATCH as Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick talks about the team’s evolution and what Felix Jones’ return means to the coaching group.
The former BlitzBok World Series-winning captain spoke at the Springboks’ first press conference of 2025 on Wednesday and stated that the world champions cannot become complacent after a successful 2024 season.
The Springboks won the Rugby Championship, Freedom Cup and Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate trophies in 2024.
They also shared a Two-Test series with Ireland following their 2023 World Cup-winning campaign.
“It would be stupid of us to be comfortable where we are.
“We should always keep reviewing our game and how we do things.
“Remember, it was [our] first year with Tony [Brown] and Jerry [Flannery] in our team.
“Winning the number of games we’ve won [11 out of 13] and losing two matches by one point.
“We still have to go back to the drawing board to see what we can do better to ensure we stay on top.
“I know one thing for sure, many teams will work hard to catch up to us.
“So we can’t be comfortable where we are.
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Stick highlighted the importance of having Felix Jones back and how he will impart his knowledge to the rest of the coaching staff alongside attack coach Tony Brown.
“Tony [Brown] is currently working hard to ensure we keep evolving and get better as a team.
“Having a guy like Felix [Jones], we know that he’s got a better understanding of the Northern Hemisphere [teams] and how they do things.
“Tony [Brown] brings something different to what we want to do with Felix.
“Having both those brains in our coaching staff will boost how we do things.
“We are not comfortable where we are, but we’ll keep working hard to make sure we get better as a team.”
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The double World Cup-winning assistant coach said that despite the Springboks’ focus on evolving their game, they would not deviate from their DNA.
“We will never move away from our DNA,
“When it comes to set-piece, it does give us a good foundation.
“I also have to compliment the guys that look after those departments.
He added: “At the end of the day, it’s about the team, not about us as coaches.
“If a guy like Felix [Jones] can come and assist me in my department, that will help.
“As long as we ensure we keep evolving and the players are in a good space.”
