The Springboks earned most of their plaudits, during the two match whitewash of England, for their “new found” instinctive counter attacking abilities. But they will be looking for a more balanced approach heading into the Tri-Nations writes Jan de Koning for Rugby365.
Number eight Pierre Spies, Man-of-the-match in the 55-22 victory in the second test in Pretoria at the weekend, feels there remains a need for “some structure” to the Boks play as they start looking ahead to the more demanding internationals against Australia and New Zealand later this month.
The Tri-Nations get underway at Newlands, Cape Town, on 16 June — when the Boks host Australia — before South Africa face New Zealand in Durban the following week.
The action then shifts to Australasia — Australia v New Zealand in Melbourne, Australia v South Africa in Sydney, New Zealand v South Africa in Christchurch and New Zealand v Australia in Auckland.
While the Boks still have the Samoans to contend with at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, this week, it is obvious the focus will now begin to shift to the opening leg of the Tri-Nations.
And that is when the Boks will have to lift their game and also get their tactics right.
While the under strength English provided the South Africans with plenty of opportunities to display their instinctive, individual brilliance — as most of their 15 tries in the two matches can attest to — they will require a more balanced approach against their Australasian rivals.
“There are times in a game when you have to be structured and there are times when you have to use your natural instinct,” Spies said.
“We have a very talented group of players together that can do that.
“We do need some structure and mustn’t become too willy nilly, but the more we play together the better it will get.
“It is nice when the guys take their opportunities, that is a very good characteristic of this team, but as long as the structures are also in place we can get the balance right,” he added.
Spies was hesitant to say where he would rank the current Springbok pack — which looked comfortable in the line-outs against the English, but very unsettled in the scrums.
“It is difficult to say if there are packs that can beat us, because any team can do the job on the day.
“However, what we do know is that we are a very well balanced side and we have a strong set of forwards.
“We’ll be our own worst enemies if we underestimate other teams — but obviously we are aiming to continue dominating,” Spies added.
Spies, who turns just 22 on Friday, said he was “delighted” with his two-try effort last week, more so because it happened on his home ground — Loftus Versfeld.
But he admits that his game can still do with a lot of “tweaking”.
While he obviously enjoys playing an expansive game, he is confident he can also play a “tighter” game.
“It is something that you grow into,” he said, when asked if he enjoys playing when the game gets tight.
“Anybody can play well when the pack is dominant and you have to get used to playing a tighter game when the pack is not dominant. However, you have to judge each situation, know when to rush in and when to stay out — sometimes it is better not to rush in.
“The only way to learn is to play more regularly, that is why I say there’s a lot of young guys, like myself, in this team and we are learning as we go along.”
Spies, who played a lot of his junior rugby on the wing, said he is looking to settle into the number eight position.
“I’m comfortable at eight, but don’t mind playing any loose forward position — I even played wing at one stage. It does help to settle down in one position, the more game time you get the better. However, it will be good for me to keep playing at number eight and get as much game time as I can.”
Asked which aspects of his game he would still like to improve on, Spies said his work on the ground.
“You can always improve and I think I can be better on the ground, get fitter and stronger. I always say I want to improve my allround game.
“Yes, I enjoy running with the ball, but there are always little things you can tweak all the time.
“However, different loose forwards have different roles to play and those are the things that you learn.”
After making an inauspicious debut against the Wallabies in Brisbane last year, where the Boks lost 49-0, Spies was dropped and only recalled following injuries to Juan Smith and Joe van Niekerk.
The young loose forward then delivered three outstanding performances during the home leg of the Tri-Nations, winning the Man of the Match award when the Boks beat the All Blacks in Rustenburg.