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Boks early team announcement sends a strong confident message

rugby21 July 2021 05:18| © SuperSport
By:Brenden Nel
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Siya Kolisi © Gallo Images

While we haven’t really seen the phony war of coaches' mind games just yet in this British and Irish Lions tour, the Springboks’ statement of naming their side early sends out a strong message to the tourists this week.


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It is loud and it is clear. It is a clarion call, a proclamation that despite Covid setbacks, despite a lack of game time and despite several doubts on players, they are confidently heading into Saturday’s first test backing themselves and backing their systems.

It is the same clarion call that went out in the week of the World Cup final, naming their side early and not concerning themselves about the fact the opposition will have more time to study them.

Of course, the Boks need to back this up on the field on Saturday and the proof is in the proverbial pudding.

But with all the doubt and angst over Covid tests and players who may or may not have recovered in time, it is a strong message that this team is still - as their slogan says Stronger Together.

In a way it isn’t surprising. The Lions feel they’ve learnt all they can learn from the SA A game a week ago, and feel they know what to expect.

And while this Springbok side has been largely predictable, it still takes something to stop them when they get to full tilt.

So the message sent out is important. It is a clear one.

Siya Kolisi, the man who led the team to the World Cup, is fit. Makazole Mapimpi, the World Cup final try scorer is also fit and raring to go. Mapimpi has scored in every test he has played. That’s a signal worth repeating.

PACKING A SCRUM LUNCHBOX

And the biggest doubts from that SA A game - the Boks’ scrumming that came under pressure?

The clearest signal in backing Trevor Nyakane sends out a good message. A relatively test inexperienced prop like Ox Nche to front for the big time? Bongi Mbonambi who just recovered from Covid and hasn’t had much game time?

Jacques Nienaber was solid and forthright in his assessment. “I’m sure (scrum coach) Daan Human has sorted it out.”

Human of course, was the man who changed course in Nyakane’s career, just before the World Cup when his influence saw a new Nyakane emerge. “It’s not how you eat your lunch,” he laughed when asked about what the difference was, “It’s how you pack it before going to work. If it's done properly you head in with confidence, knowing what is waiting.”

It may be a tad philosophical, but Human has a knack with players, and certainly if there were things to work on, the last week has probably been spent on all of this.

While the Lions may be planning for the age-old Bok strengths of physicality, an aerial game and all the normal cliches opposition teams like to put out - and their expected starting line-up should mirror this, the Boks will have a few surprises up their sleeves.

SMALL PACKAGE, BIG DYNAMITE

And as often is the case, while the opposition concentrates on the big guys up front, Springbok tales are littered under this management team of the little guys - the Faf de Klerks and Cheslin Kolbes dealing the devastating blow.

While Kolbe could dance his way through the smallest of spaces, he remains a massive threat for the tourists. But De Klerk’s slingshot defence often catches opposition behind the gain line and when he gets it right, the rush defence of the backline causes panic and often devastation.

"He is a super talented player," Lions defensive coach Steve Tandy admitted this week.

"There is that uniqueness [to him] and also the off the cuff stuff [he does so well]".

"He has an incredible kicking game, he can run and his distribution is amazing.

"He can literally kick from anywhere. So you have to trust your own systems and know you can't cater for everything in specific detail.

"However, you have to believe that what you set out will work and we have world-class players and players who have played against him [de klerk] in England.

"He is a super talented player, but we believe we can cater for that,"

GAME INTENSITY A THREAT

If the Boks have anything to fear, it is the fear that they may not be as physically primed for the match as they could be. But knowing the way the management thinks, they will have shrugged their shoulders and accepted the cards they are dealt.

Things could have gone differently and every coach would always want more preparation time. But the beauty of test match rugby is innovation, finding ways to cover up the cracks and turn the opposition cracks into game issues to exploit.

Often in test rugby it may not be the strongest side that comes out on top, but the one who absorbs the pressure, limits the mistakes and has enough heart to win.

The Boks have that heart, and will know the challenge they face. They have everything to lose as hosts facing a team who have played several games together already and built up momentum.

They face them without their die-hard fans and they face them without the preparation they would have wanted.

But this management also knows that this is nowhere near a test week that could be considered normal.

When the circumstances are out of your control, you need to hold onto the things that define you.

That is why the early team announcement sends out such a strong message.

And a confident one from the World Champions.

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