SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies will need to adapt more quickly to the Springboks’ trickery if they want to stay in the fight in Perth.
The two sides will meet again at Perth Stadium in Round Two of the Rugby Championship after the Springboks recorded a convincing 33-7 victory at Lang Park in Brisbane last weekend.
The Boks dominated all areas of the game in that first encounter and they also utilised some innovative plays which included Cheslin Kolbe popping up in surprising positions on the field.
At line-out time, they also used a double jumper system on a few occasions. It was instrumental in the Springboks’ first try which saw Siya Kolisi power over the line at the back of a driving maul.
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“They [Springboks] are a cohesive team and a cohesive forward pack with a high number of caps,” said Wallaby assistant coach Geoff Parling.
“They always stick in a special [play], whether it’s around the maul or a sneak around the park.
“That one [double jumper system] was obviously very inventive and we know they have some big boys that do the basics really well.
“We were fully aware of what the task was last week. I’m trying to think of the right word. It’s not a reality check, but a bit of grounding for our lads just to let them know that these [Boks] are the current world champions.”
Parling has called on his players to find a higher level of performance in Perth.
“As a pack, when you play against the current world champions, you got to be right on your game.
“Little areas that we were inaccurate in, and chances missed – it could have been a different game if we had done our things better.
“The review has been pretty direct on the things we could do better, but mainly on opportunities missed.”
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