By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Suresh Rajcoomar/Fullview.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says their encounter against Wales in Durban on Saturday, is another chance for the world champions to strengthen their trophy ambitions.
The Boks sit top of the southern hemisphere standings on 10 points after wins over England and Scotland. The tournament’s finals weekend is scheduled for 27-29 November at Twickenham.
The Springboks may have a good track record against Wales in recent years, but Stick said previous results were insignificant going into this encounter.
“I was there in 2016, 2017, and 2018 when there was a transition in our own system, said Stick. We’ve had challenges. In 2018, we had only a 50% winning ratio, but people look at us now and see a world-class team, and Wales are in that same space.
“One or two good results might change everything for them. Back in 2018, our focus was just to beat New Zealand in New Zealand, and then things turned around, and the belief grew.”
Stick added: “I don’t think we were at our best when it came to our kicking game and defence last week. So there’s a lot of room for improvement in how we’re operating as a team, and one of the biggest focus areas this week was the kicking game and how we defend together. “
“Wales will probably look at that game and think that if they keep the ball in hand, they’ll pose challenges for us. That said, as long as we keep improving and making our people at home happy, that’s our biggest focus.”
Stick said the team wished to continue building momentum, while planning to build squad depth, with four debutantes in the team – Carlu Sadie (prop), Ruben van Heerden (lock), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf) and Jaco Williams (winger).
“If you look at the team we’ve selected, it tells you how we’re approaching this game, “said Stick.
“A lot of people focus on the debutantes getting their chance, but if you look at the players around them, they are all world-class, and some of them are double Rugby World Cup winners.”
“Looking at Wales, they are a world-class team, and people sometimes forget that and focus on results. But we know them very well.
“If you don’t prepare well, they’ll punish you because they also have world-class players, and in my experience from the early days when I started coaching, we used to struggle and lose against them a lot.”
“So on a good day for them, if you’re not at your best, it will be tough. We’ve prepared for this game with 100% respect, and that’s the same way we prepare for matches against teams like Ireland or New Zealand.”