Mike Greenaway
THE evidence is before the rugby world but it was reassuring for Springbok fans to hear Jesse Kriel declare the current team a better version than the one that won last year’s World Cup.
The powerfully-built outside centre was talking to the media yesterday ahead of Saturday’s rematch of the 2023 final against New Zealand.
“Are we a better side this year? Definitely,” Kriel said.
“If you don’t get better from year to year then you have got a bit of a problem. You obviously want to stay ahead of the curve and keep working on your game, as a collective but also as individuals so that each year you have more to offer.”
The visiting Kiwi media wanted to know about the impact of their countryman Tony Brown as the Bok attack coach and while Brown’s innovations are well known, Kriel added a nice touch.
“The thing I love is how Tony is awakening skills in the guys who have never had to use them before (notably the forwards). It is amazing to see the skills these guys possess.
“For example, Eben (Etzebeth) has great hands and passing skills and now he is being encouraged to use them. I could go through the team from one to 15 and tell you how each guy is showing a skill that has been dormant until now.”
Deon Davids: “It’s never nice to lose experience, but this will open up opportunities for other players to put up their hands and show what they can do at the highest level” - more here: https://t.co/0AAt0Os2vl 🔐#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/wQ2sv7UTkg
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 26, 2024
Kriel was asked if the Boks had an advantage over the All Blacks in that they have lost fewer players since the 12-11 victory at the Stade de France.
“I disagree, we have also had a lot of changes,” he said.
“Last week we fielded a completely new team and most of those guys did not play in any final. I’d say we are in a similar space to the All Blacks.
“We have had new guys who have put up their hands and it is the same for New Zealand. It is also a new four-year cycle for them.”
The Boks need no reminding that in 2022 they failed to back up a compelling defeat of the All Blacks in Mbombela with a win the next week at Ellis Park. The Boks have also lost three of their past four games to the All Blacks in Johannesburg but Kriel says looking at history is irrelevant.
“It is all about our preparation for a massive Test match. We have to make sure we get our processes right because that is what gives you confidence, not what has happened before.
“When you start looking even a day ahead, you stumble. It is all about the mindset and intensity you take into the training session in front of you. That is what we can control.”