The Springboks got over the line against arch-rivals Ireland in Pretoria but the visitors arguably finished the stronger team. Coach Rassie Erasmus knows his team must improve to win in Durban on Saturday. looks at five areas where the Boks can get better.
Reduce the unforced errors
We understand that the Boks are trying to evolve their playing style but they need greater accuracy in handling and decision-making. Too many passes were forced. Attack coach Tony Brown will say that this will diminish the more the team plays, and it needs to because charity from the South Africans allowed the Irish to get back into the game. At times, the Boks were also clumsy at the restarts and to fail to secure a kick-off after you have scored is criminal.
A better balance between the old and the new
Following on from the above, we saw too much of the new approach of getting the ball wide for big loose forwards in Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit to make inroads against smaller defenders. It was good to see but the Boks must not forget their DNA. Taking the ball up via route one, with massive physicality, won the Boks the World Cup. The All Black style of play is perfect for the All Blacks and while the Boks should pinch some of that approach, it must not become their bread and butter.
