VIDEO: Nick Mallett talks about Boks' plan
WATCH as former Springboks coach Nick Mallett sheds light on South Africa’s 31-29 win over New Zealand in the final round of the Rugby Championship.
Just a week prior to the showdown on the Gold Coast, the Springboks suffered a narrow 17-19 defeat to the All Blacks in Townsville.
The Springboks were heavily criticized for their performance with pundits around the world labelling their game-plan one-dimensional.
New Zealand star John Kirwan stated the heavy pack and set-piece strategy ‘bores him to tears”.
While former Springboks captain Jean De Villiers admitted the Springboks lacked ambition on attack.
However, seven days later, South Africa turned the tables and delivered a much better performance.
It was a perfect mix of hard running, powerful drive and high kicks – a complete contrast from Round Five’s display.
Speaking on New Zealand’s The Breakdown show, Mallet revealed that the Springboks showed they are a side that can switch it up and show more intent with the ball in hand.
“We lost the 100th Test against the All Blacks because it seems like we’re playing robotically to a game plan that just didn’t make sense,” Mallett said.
“It appears that kicking was our only option during that 17-19 defeat and it was not.
“South Africa proved in the World Cup Final against England that we do play well off turnovers.
“But generally we are not as skilful as New Zealand and Australia. They have a better attack but we have a better set-piece, driving maul, so if we can win penalties from that and get territory through our kicking game and pressurise with a very solid defence we can win turnovers and use that to attack.”
