Boks trumpet warning won't go unheeded

The Springboks record-breaking win at Twickenham over the All Blacks was a massive momentum boost for them ahead of the Rugby World Cup, but it also has killed off any chance they will go into the tournament under the radar.

The Boks inflicted the worst defeat in the All Blacks’ history with the 35-7 win and while they will go into the showpiece tournament as either the No 1 or two ranked side in the world - depending on Ireland’s match against Samoa - they will have raised many eyebrows with their demolition of the New Zealand juggernaut, which until Friday night was considered the favourites for France 2023.

But with that victory, coupled with another record-breaking win over Wales a week earlier, the Boks have put all their Rugby World Cup rivals on notice ahead of the start of the tournament, and shown their intent that they intend on defending the title they won in 2019.

While the scoreline isn’t really the point, it will be no surprise to their opposition that the Boks rush defence was exceptional on the night and the pressure they suffocated the All Blacks with was precisely the type of rugby that wins you World Cups.

HARD WORK AHEAD

But they were also the first to acknowledge that there is a lot of hard work ahead.

The Boks missed 40 tackles on the night, although their scramble defence worked to a tee, while they left points on the board - especially in the opening 20 minutes that could be costly in a closely fought World Cup game.

It’s hard to be critical after such a performance, but the Boks themselves admitted they will need to still be better if they want to defend their title.

“This is the type of test we wanted before the World Cup. As we mentioned, Wales are one style of play to play against and the All Blacks are a different style more continuity and a physical setpiece battle. We got exactly what we wanted,” coach Jacques Nienaber said.

“We’re very happy with the result, and with the fact that so many South Africans turned up to the stadium. We need to say thank you to them for all the effort to turn up at the stadium. We know there is still a lot of hard work ahead for us before we go into the World Cup - especially in the first 20 minutes, we didn’t use seven opportunities. We were tackled into touch twice and we were over the tryline twice and held up.

“In a World Cup where the pressure is intense, you’re going to get four chances in the whole game and you need to use it. There is a lot for us to work on. Luckily we go to Corsica now and we can have a good training camp and try and sort those things out there.”

CORSICA CAMP

The Corsica camp will be very intent on honing the final touches ahead of their opening game against Scotland on September 10.

And while there has been a lot of applause and plaudits for the Boks because of their performance, they know this result means nothing in the bigger scheme of things.

“No we don’t look at World Rankings. In 2019 we were not in the top five going into the World Cup and we ended winning the World Cup. That’s what is good about tonight. It is good to build momentum. After the test match against New Zealand we had to adjust a few things, we made plans and the players came with some good suggestions.

“The management and coaches came with suggestions and we found some solutions. Some of it worked and some didn’t work. We didn’t get one point in the World Cup for tonight. That’s the thing,” Nienaber explained.

“New Zealand will feel the same. It was what it was. It was an opportunity to prepare us for the World Cup and that is it.”

Still the Boks will be happy with their run into the World Cup. Since Auckland they have had some high pressure games and have come through unscathed.

They now have confidence and a load of players who are in form and exceptional competition for positions.

The only thing left is the toughest. To retain their World Cup.