Zimpapers Logo

LONDON. — Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has admitted his team were “on the wrong track” and need to go back to South Africa’s basic strengths. While there has been a push for a more expansive game over the past few years, the Springboks have found themselves on the wrong end of scorelines more often than not, ignoring their own strengths in order to try and play a new game. But no more.

This weekend will see the Boks adopt a much more pragmatic approach, returning to the basics that gave them a good winning record under him in his first few years in charge and away from the expansive mantra that has been preached across Super Rugby.

It is understandable.

Teams that have won Rugby World Cups in the past have often not been the most expansive, but done the basics right, had good defensive records and played to their strengths.

Meyer and his troops have been preaching about “finals rugby” for so long now, that it is strange they have only woken up to the concept that their performance against Japan was the furthest from it.

It has taken this shock for them to realise — the players especially – that keeping ball in hand isn’t always the best thing but rather a balanced approach that brings results. Against Japan the team ran from their own goalline at will, placed themselves under pressure and scorned kickable points. They established no scoreboard pressure and then struggled as the Japanese grew in confidence. One thing is certain, that message cannot be clearer this weekend. Return to basics and play percentage rugby. Finals rugby, knockout rugby.

An alternative will see the Boks head into their third match in tatters, and while other nations have embraced a more conservative nature, Meyer said his team needed to remember what they are good at. — SuperSport