Robbie Deans backs the Boks

Canterbury Crusaders coach Robbie Deans believes that the Springboks have made huge improvements and are good enough to win the Rugby World Cup.

“They are in year twelve of professionalism and were pretty strong initially through Natal, who were a freak group of players,” Deans told Peter Bills of the Independent Group.

“But if you look at the 12 years in totality, their big weakness was their conditioning. But they are starting to address that. They have had the physical capability, but now have much better tactical awareness. They are now capable of playing many different games, whereas they used to bring their Currie Cup game to Super Rugby and straight on to Test rugby. They had only one approach.

“Now they have a team that is capable of using whatever approach they choose. They are physically able, but could win it using any approach. That is what will be interesting. They have the ability to be blatant and blunt, but if need be, go to a high-risk approach.

“Hopefully, this will be the first World Cup where an attacking side wins because historically, it has been that defence has been the difference. Jake is right about that – it has been the side that has been able to deny the opposition best that has prevailed.

“From all accounts, the All Blacks have an intention of continuing to attack. And as the excitement levels come up at the World Cup and energy levels rise, too, whether the likes of South Africa – who possibly are not as well conditioned – are able to last the eighty minutes remains to be seen,” concluded Deans.