Sir Ian McGeechan
The Springboks’ recent evolution from a kicking strategy to a more ball-in-hand approach has been noted in the Northern Hemisphere.
Heyneke Meyer’s Springboks are set to play four Tests there next month, starting with a clash against Ireland in Dublin on 8 November. After that, they will face England (London 15 November), Italy (Padova 22 November) and Wales (Cardiff 29 November) in consecutive weeks.
The Boks have shown more attacking intent in recent times after been criticised for playing a one-dimensional, kicking game.
The change in strategy has caught the eye for former British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan.
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Ian McGeechan, via a column analysed the three Southern Hemisphere giants – New Zealand, South Africa and Australia – ahead of their of their respective year-end European tours.
In his analyses, McGeechan said the emergence of Handré Pollard at flyhalf has had a lot to do with the Boks’ new style of play.
He wrote: “South Africa are changing. They now move the ball a lot more. They still have the power up front but it is a more fluid game that they are trying to play, with a lot more off-loading. Once they are on the front foot, this allows them to move their target areas rather than just power down one channel.
“That is due in no small part to the emergence of young flyhalf Handré Pollard, who looks a fine player to me. They are definitely looking to play at a higher tempo. But it is a question of whether they can maintain that over 80 minutes. And I think they will try to keep doing that over here this autumn, keep trying to extend the limits of their game. They proved against New Zealand that it is a game of real menace and has looked very impressive in the first 50 minutes of games.
“Heyneke Meyer is a good coach and he is trying to get a consistency and accuracy into what they do. In the past if a South African could not get across the gain line, they made errors and looked impotent, because they tried to force the plays. Now they are more relaxed on the ball, and more patient.
“But having said all that, the reality remains that playing South Africa is still the most physical match of rugby you will ever play.
“You simply have to ensure that you are managing that physicality first before you think of doing anything else against them.”
McGeechan said England, Ireland and Wales “will have to play mightily well” to beat the Springboks and said set-piece and defensive work would be key proponents if the home nations want to stand any chance of claiming a Springbok scalp.