That maul try stung us, admit the Boks

If Italy wanted to motivate the Springboks for Saturday’s second test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, it appears the maul try they scored after halftime in Pretoria last week might have been the perfect way to do it.

Both the Bok skipper Salmaan Moerat and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick were in agreement that if there was any particular part of the Loftus game that disturbed them more than any other, it was that moment in the game. And they also admit that although they had prepared thoroughly for the game, the Italian ferocity at the breakdown, where they threw in numbers, shocked them.

“For any team, it is tough to concede a maul try like that, but for a team like the Springboks, it is particularly shocking when that happens,” said Moerat.

“You expect the Boks to dominate in that area, both in attacking with the maul and in stopping the maul. You expect the Boks to dominate instead of conceding a try like that, where the maul moved so many metres and we have looked hard at ourselves after that. That is the only thing you can do, look hard at yourself and come up with a plan that ensures it doesn’t happen again.”

While Stick did acknowledge that the Boks shouldn’t be conceding 22-metre mauls, he did bring a bit of perspective.

“Last week was our second game but our first test match. In the first half, the intensity was good and that was one of our main focuses, but we were disappointed in the second half, we didn’t follow up nicely,” said Stick.

“In the second half, the Italians played well and I think a lot of people have now seen how much they have grown under their new coaching staff. In the Six Nations, they are now pushing teams like Ireland for the full 80 minutes and they are a very physical team with a well-organized kicking game.”

That physicality is now well known to the Boks, who may well have been a bit complacent last week, with coach Rassie Erasmus saying during the week that his team relaxed when they went up 28-3 at halftime. There appears to be little chance of that happening this week, with Moerat admitting that there were aspects of the game that shocked the Boks, even though he was part of a team that effectively assumed the Italy identity in training during the buildup to the first game.

BREAKDOWN WILL BE A MASSIVE BATTLE

“Their play at the breakdown definitely shocked us a bit and it was why we just couldn’t get going, particularly when we were in their 22,” said the Bok lock.

“But being the non-players last week and preparing as Italy does, you have a bit of a leg up when it comes to what to expect and what is coming this week. We are expecting the breakdowns to be massive in this game. We won’t be underestimating them. They are a quality makeup, and feature players from Zebre and Benetton who know each other well. So they are in sync with each other and they have quality players and several game-breakers. Their set pieces and kicking game are big aspects of their approach, and of course, the breakdown.

“All teams have an identity and they pride themselves on their physicality. They were really good at the breakdown last week, so we have worked really hard on that. Their kicking game is also really good, but we have an experienced back three playing for us.”

The Boks dominated the set scrums last week, but their lineout has required a bit of work this week.

“The lineouts we lost were mainly down to our own standards. We are not going to change much, we just weren’t happy with our standards last week and have worked on lifting that,” said the captain.

“It is one area that we have really looked at as it is something the Bok pack pride ourselves on.”

For several players, this is a special game as it is rare for the Boks to visit the Eastern Cape, where so many players were born and raised, and management members too. Stick was visibly emotional when he discussed what it meant to be with the Boks in his home city.

“It is very special for me. I am who I am because of the opportunities I was given here,” said Stick. “There have been many tough times for rugby in this region and they have no franchise representing them, but the people are hungry for rugby. I know just how passionate about rugby the people of the Eastern Cape are, so it is very special for us to be playing here.”

Moerat hasn’t played at Nelson Mandela Bay often, but he enjoyed the experience of playing there for the Stormers a few seasons ago.

“We played against the Dragons here and it was amazing. You could see then that there are not many rugby matches played in Gqeberha and the people get really excited about and are very fond of rugby. There was a great vibe in that game and I am sure there will be again on Saturday.”