We made the right calls - JDV
Nov 18,2012
Springbok captain Jean de Villiers believes he made the right calls in choosing to turn down a handful of kickable penalties in favour of setting up attacking line-outs in Saturday's win over Scotland.
South Africa scored their first try from a rolling maul after a line-out set up by a penalty and it was a tactic that also worked well against Ireland.
“The decision not kick for poles comes down to gut feel," said De Villiers.
"The first one only just never worked for us, but then it worked for us later on. All the players gave me backing for my decision, and we felt we got it right most of the way..
"A lot was said last week about Scotland scoring three tries against New Zealand, the No 1 team in the world and we managed to keep them out so I think its something that is sustainable
Springbok coach Heyneken Meyer added that the decision to go for line-outs rather than three-pointers was based on their plan to put Scotland under pressure.
“We decided beforehand that we were going to put them under pressure as we knew they would come out firing and eager to get their crowd in behind them and to get a foothold in the game,” said Meyer.
“We succeeded in what we set out to do. We kept them in their half for the first 20 minutes. The first call not to kick was a 50/50 call, but I thought our tactics worked well. Our tactical kicking was superb in the first half, and I thought Patrick Lambie really played well before halftime. But the second half was a bit like the first half last week in that you can’t really influence the game with tactical kicking when you don’t have the ball.”
“It’s hard to say what happened (in the second half) but I think the Scots lifted themselves after they scored their try off a line-out set in the corner off a penalty.
"That gave them momentum, and they knew that if they just played the game in our half, they could play off penalties that we conceded. It was very frustrating and something we are going to have to redress.
“But while I always hate to be seen to be making excuses, I also want to add that it has been a long and tiring year for us. I think there were quite a few players that just never had a second 40 minutes in them today.”
Comments (6)
Nov 19, 2012 at 08:17:19
Jean it was a great achievemnet for those with the rugby acumen to appreciate the underlying facts. Firstly, a touring squad missing around 15 to p flight players and secondly a very weary bunch unable really to play for two halves
My advice to Meyer is go very easy on the training this week.
Well done Bokke you made us proud!!! One more to go!
What some folk dont appreciate is that we are playing right now to win and if its ugly too bad. Expect the backline to function better next year. Patience oaks patience!
Israelshark see you on the ruckers forum!
Nov 19, 2012 at 11:09:09
cheers beeno1 a bok supporter talking some sense.... i think everybody is being way to hard on meyer we havent had our first chose team for a very long time yet we've climbed to no.2 in the world ranking and at times have played some really shit hot rugby... give this dude a chance put faith in him and once the young oaks have been blooded probley and once all the injured boys join the party that no.1 spot will be up for grabs.... GREEN AND GOLD FOREVER......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nov 19, 2012 at 15:32:56
Ok i see where your coming from...Play to your strengths under our circumstances rather than try something different and loose...Alright in that case he is pulling things together and building at the same time...Patients wooosaaaaa mmmmmm.....
Nov 19, 2012 at 20:18:29
Seriously? We need to have patience with a coach who persists with dinosaur tactics of kick and chase against minnows like Scotland who should be over-run NZ style? No ways! It is true that we can beat these lighties playing Meyers brand of win at all costs rugby, but why should we? How about Lambie running flat as he does for the Sharks instead of hoisting up-and-unders all afternoon? If we want to challenge NZ, I would suggest we start copying them!
Nov 19, 2012 at 20:59:46
give rope to hang...when we get smashed next year then we can blaze...if he going to stick to kick and miss then he should just bring morney back and save lambies reputation...if he smashes england then i will give him benefit of the doubt...
Nov 18, 2012 at 22:46:49
Its incongruous to take the lineouts from penalties, but then to kick all the rest of the possession away! Lambie has the ability to get the backline going, but he was obviously under instruction to kick, and it was sad to see!