The breakdown was one area where the Springboks didn’t have it all their own way in their Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies.
The Springboks conceded a plethora of penalties in the second half against Australia in Brisbane. They were caught on the wrong side of ruck too often and were blown up for not rolling away fast enough.
They even conceded a yellow card for this repeated infringement, which kept the score down against the hapless Wallabies, who otherwise had a rather long afternoon against the world’s number one rugby team.
Springbok fetcher Marco van Staden, otherwise known as “Eskom” — for tacking the opposition’s lights out — is going to be a key man in this area for the Springboks. Van Staden is one of 10 changes to the Bok team for the second Test against the Wallabies in Perth, and is confident they can rectify the situation on Saturday.
“The breakdowns are a big part of the game. This week we focussed on the things that we can control,” Van Staden said.
“We know the threat they have and we want to try and right those wrongs. When they come with that threat, we will be ready for it.”
Van Staden says the so-called “fringe” players want to show their worth against the Wallabies after coach Rassie Erasmus decided to give some of the team’s big guns a break for this weekend.
Rassie 𝘰![CDATA[]]>𝘯 𝘈![CDATA[]]>𝘭![CDATA[]]>𝘭![CDATA[]]>𝘦![CDATA[]]>𝘴
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 14, 2024
Episode 7: Rassie on the perfect player.
Enjoy!🍿![CDATA[]]>🔊#ForeverGreenForeverGold #Springboks pic.twitter.com/4xhVapuAbt
Van Staden, though, will feature in a pack with many of his Bulls teammates, who narrowly lost the United Rugby Championship final. According to the flank, cohesion shouldn’t be a problem.
“I don’t think there will be any motivation needed for the game. Everyone wants to use this opportunity,” Van Staden said.
“The confidence in each other comes from training together in the week. We really trained with a high intensity.
“It will help a lot [the Bulls connection], we practice together and we play together at the Bulls. We know each other well.
“The training is very intense and we are feeling good. The forwards can really take a of confidence into this weekend’s game.”
IOL Sport