SARugby.com 

World Cup winning coach Jake White has added his voice to those praising Springbok coach Peter de Villiers in the wake of his outstanding home record over the the past two-and-a-half months where his team defeated the British & Irish Lions and went through the home leg of the Tri-Nations unbeaten. 

Speaking to Jacques van der Westhuyzen of the Mercury the former Bok coach lavished praise on how de Villiers has continued to improve the Bok team since taking over as coach at the beginning of last year.

“By and large this Bok group has remained the same for the past six years. It’s taken that long for them to gel into the formidable unit that they now are, but it is very pleasing to see that they have achieved what I always knew they could become, that is the best team in the world,” White told the Mercury.

“Congratulations to Peter de Villiers, I am really happy for him. He has a wonderful record now that reads, played 19 won 14. It is a record any coach would want.”

White did not hold back on his praise for the Boks as he spoke of their achievements in recent times.

“The side have kicked on from the World Cup win in 2007 and are now in a space where everyone wanted them to be after that victory in France. In 2004 when I took over I said we weren’t big enough and strong enough, but now we are. We have all the skills, the power, the defence, the athletic ability and the kicking game to be the dominant force in world rugby.

“It is truly great that we have maintained – and built on – the respect we gained in 2007.”

White – who was in charge the last time the Boks won the Tri-Nations back in 2004 – also tipped the Boks for Tri-Nations glory this year after their unbeaten start to the competition on home soil.

“The Boks have three tough matches ahead of them. Australia twice and New Zealand once. Australia will be much improved on home soil, but I don’t think we’ll lose all three.

“But even if we do, I don’t think we’ll lose all three matches abroad by more than seven points to be denied bonus points.”

White did, however, use the opportunity to urge the Boks to score more tries on their travels.

“We did a lot of kicking in the last three matches, but that is understandable. You can’t afford to take risks at home, so the conservative approach is justified. We played to our strengths, won the penalties and kicked the penalties.

“Overseas, however, we may need to be a little more daring to get the results going our way. What I mean is the following: we’re not going to be awarded as many penalties overseas as we were in the last three matches… it’s just the way it is.

“The home team usually wins the penalty count, so the Boks are going to have to do a bit more than rely on Morne Steyn’s kicking boot.

“If the Boks can score two converted tries in each match and kick at least two penalties, that gives them 20 points. Now even if that’s not enough to win the game, I doubt New Zealand and Australia have it in them to score 28 points against our defence. That means even if the Boks lose, they’ll be good enough to collect bonus points.” White told the Mercury.