The Springboks are determined to reward their home supporters with a strong performance when they take on the All Blacks at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Springbok assistant coach Daan Human said the team was looking forward to playing in front of what could be a massive crowd, with between 80,000 and 90,000 supporters expected at the 90,000-capacity venue.
The Boks arrived in Gauteng on Sunday and stepped up their preparations with training and gym sessions on Monday and Tuesday ahead of their third Test in the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
It will also be South Africa’s final Test on home soil this year.
“It will be an amazing experience,” Human said.
“There were over 56,000 people at last week’s Test in Cape Town and we could have close to 80,000 to 90,000 at the stadium this week, so we can only imagine how awesome it’s going to be.
“Having that many people supporting you is something to feed off because you get energy from the crowd and enjoy the moment.”
Human said the team was fully aware of the backing they receive from supporters across the country and wanted to repay that loyalty with a positive display.
“South Africa has incredible support and we don’t want to disappoint our supporters. They stand behind us, and we’d like to give back to them.”
Human backs Bok scrum approach
The Springbok scrum has been a major talking point following last weekend’s Test in Cape Town, but Human dismissed suggestions that the team was unhappy with the way the set pieces were refereed.
He also rejected claims that the Boks deliberately walk around during scrums.
“I can assure you, I have never coached that. We want to go forward, not walk around,” said Human, a former Springbok prop.
“Walking around is not ideal for us because it doesn’t give us forward momentum, which is what we want.”
Human said he believed referee Angus Gardner had been consistent in his handling of the scrum during the previous Test.
“I actually thought Angus Gardner was very consistent in his decisions last Saturday. What he called for us, he called for them. It was the same story.”
He added that the Boks would now focus on adapting to the referee appointed for Saturday’s match.
“That’s in the past now. This weekend we need to adapt to how the new referee sees it, and if he tells us to fix something we’ll fix it.”
Human acknowledged that the scrum was not always straightforward to interpret from the outside.
“We’re not perfect and things can happen, but if we see something that can be done better, we try to fix it at the very next scrum.
“The scrum is a very important part of our team. It’s part of our culture and this country.”
Boks focused on improvement
Human said the team’s attention was firmly on its own performance rather than becoming distracted by the All Blacks.
“Honestly, 80% to 90% of our concentration and work is focused on ourselves, and getting better,” he said.
While acknowledging New Zealand’s strengths in both the backline and forward pack, Human said the Boks were concentrating on continued improvement.
“We need to acknowledge that they have very good backs and a strong pack of forwards. But for us, it’s about improving, not just for this game but going forward.”
Springbok lock Ruan Nortje, who will again partner Eben Etzebeth in the second row, said the mood within the camp remained positive.
“The vibe has been really good – I wouldn’t say it’s very different to last week,” Nortje said.
“Every week is a Test week. In our camp, it’s all about sticking to our processes and working hard during the week.”
Nortje also highlighted the importance of continuing to improve the lineout despite a solid performance in Cape Town.
“The set pieces were good last week, but we’ll never be satisfied with just good. We always want to be better.”
He said the team had spent the week preparing for different scenarios and would need to make adjustments once the match was underway.
“Once one gets into the game it’s about adapting, and if we’re under pressure, to look at what to do differently and adjust.”
The Springboks face the All Blacks at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 17:10. The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Springbok assistant coach Daan Human said the team was looking forward to playing in front of what could be a massive crowd, with between 80,000 and 90,000 supporters expected at the 90,000-capacity venue.
The Boks arrived in Gauteng on Sunday and stepped up their preparations with training and gym sessions on Monday and Tuesday ahead of their third Test in the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
It will also be South Africa’s final Test on home soil this year.
“It will be an amazing experience,” Human said.
“There were over 56,000 people at last week’s Test in Cape Town and we could have close to 80,000 to 90,000 at the stadium this week, so we can only imagine how awesome it’s going to be.
“Having that many people supporting you is something to feed off because you get energy from the crowd and enjoy the moment.”
Human said the team was fully aware of the backing they receive from supporters across the country and wanted to repay that loyalty with a positive display.
“South Africa has incredible support and we don’t want to disappoint our supporters. They stand behind us, and we’d like to give back to them.”
Human backs Bok scrum approach
The Springbok scrum has been a major talking point following last weekend’s Test in Cape Town, but Human dismissed suggestions that the team was unhappy with the way the set pieces were refereed.
He also rejected claims that the Boks deliberately walk around during scrums.
“I can assure you, I have never coached that. We want to go forward, not walk around,” said Human, a former Springbok prop.
“Walking around is not ideal for us because it doesn’t give us forward momentum, which is what we want.”
Human said he believed referee Angus Gardner had been consistent in his handling of the scrum during the previous Test.
“I actually thought Angus Gardner was very consistent in his decisions last Saturday. What he called for us, he called for them. It was the same story.”
He added that the Boks would now focus on adapting to the referee appointed for Saturday’s match.
“That’s in the past now. This weekend we need to adapt to how the new referee sees it, and if he tells us to fix something we’ll fix it.”
Human acknowledged that the scrum was not always straightforward to interpret from the outside.
“We’re not perfect and things can happen, but if we see something that can be done better, we try to fix it at the very next scrum.
“The scrum is a very important part of our team. It’s part of our culture and this country.”
Boks focused on improvement
Human said the team’s attention was firmly on its own performance rather than becoming distracted by the All Blacks.
“Honestly, 80% to 90% of our concentration and work is focused on ourselves, and getting better,” he said.
While acknowledging New Zealand’s strengths in both the backline and forward pack, Human said the Boks were concentrating on continued improvement.
“We need to acknowledge that they have very good backs and a strong pack of forwards. But for us, it’s about improving, not just for this game but going forward.”
Springbok lock Ruan Nortje, who will again partner Eben Etzebeth in the second row, said the mood within the camp remained positive.
“The vibe has been really good – I wouldn’t say it’s very different to last week,” Nortje said.
“Every week is a Test week. In our camp, it’s all about sticking to our processes and working hard during the week.”
Nortje also highlighted the importance of continuing to improve the lineout despite a solid performance in Cape Town.
“The set pieces were good last week, but we’ll never be satisfied with just good. We always want to be better.”
He said the team had spent the week preparing for different scenarios and would need to make adjustments once the match was underway.
“Once one gets into the game it’s about adapting, and if we’re under pressure, to look at what to do differently and adjust.”
The Springboks face the All Blacks at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 17:10. The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
