Springboks must set a brave tone
When the Springboks took on England at the home of rugby, it was all about a chess battle between two giants with a referee deciding the outcome. Against the French, heavyweight players tried to outmuscle each other and win the game through attrition. However, against Scotland, at Murrayfield on Saturday it was a totally different story.
The Scots have inherited a Kiwi DNA thanks to their previous coach, Vern Cotter, and that has been helped with Scotsman Gregor Townsend being happy to build upon that plan. So, while that New Zealand-style of play can catch out a number of teams, including England, the Boks were ready for it. The Boks managed to claim a win in New Zealand against the mighty All Blacks playing a game of patient attack with perfect timing, and against the Scots, it was nothing different. Jesse Kriel’s opening try on Saturday was perfect proof of what the South Africans are capable of in perfect conditions.
Handre Pollard was on song when he spotted a gap in the rush defence, stepping inside, then out, to spark one of the best Bok tries seen under coach Rassie Erasmus. As soon as Pollard made the break, suddenly the Boks were on. Embrose Papier was on his shoulder for a no-look offload, and then even loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff was ready to take the next pass, and offload in the tackle to keep the move alive. The lead up to Kriel’s try was pure evidence of what the Boks can do, and are certainly trying to do. There is no doubting that Erasmus’ Boks have been told to make sure they finish off the chances that come their way, and when Pollard made that break, every one on hand was certain that they would do everything they could to score the try.
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