The Springboks are targeting a much-improved all-round set piece performance, according to lock Franco Mostert, as they look to clinch a two-nil series win against Ireland in the second Test of the Incoming Series at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday evening (kick-off 5pm).
Speaking at a Bok press conference in Umhlanga this week, Mostert admitted that the Bok forwards were found a bit wanting in the mauls, lineouts and at the breakdown, during the first Test win at Loftus last weekend and that they are aiming to improve in all aspects this time round.
Protecting the scrumhalves at the breakdown so that they can give their backs snappy service is also high on their priority list.
I think they (Ireland) did a very good job of stopping the mauls last weekend. We know they are a side that doesnt concede a lot of maul tries or maul penalties. For us, its about doing what works but trying to do it better. Hopefully, this week we can catch them out with one or two surprises, said Mostert.
In the first half we had a good plan and when RG (Snyman) came on (in the second half), we had another plan and I think it worked out well. We know they are one of the best teams in the world when it comes to contesting in the line-outs, so you need to have good plans against them.
