In fumbling their way to a narrow win over Wales here yesterday the Springboks also may have stumbled across the way they should approach the remainder of their World Cup Pool D matches.

After making a sprightly start against Wales in which they almost uncharacteristically moved the ball around with poise and purpose, the Springboks rather over-stressed the point and eventually played into the more free-spirited Welsh hands.

Apart from securing precious log points in their Pool D encounter, there wasn't much to be excited about after their 17-16 win yesterday.

Assistant coach Gary Gold lamented the team's tactical approach: "We got a little ambitious too early and we thought we could move them around. We lost our way."

Repeating the same mistake will prove costly against the counter-attacking instincts of Fiji and Samoa, two of the Springboks' other Pool D opponents and the message from the coaching staff is likely to be unambiguous.

The Springboks will opt for a more direct approach in attack, forcing opponents to commit defenders to centre field which, hopefully, will present opportunities out wide.

Gold did not give away any secrets, but it would be prudent for the Boks to consider the rolling maul. It is an under-used weapon in their armoury and there's no better place to sharpen it than against Fiji and Samoa.

Gold highlighted another strength that can be improved. "Our kicking game and winning the ball back though our accuracy can definitely improve," he said.

That seems likely to be the plan against Fiji and Samoa.

Apart from altering their tactical approach, the Springboks may also reconsider their starting line-up. They came perilously close to being consigned to the low road in the competition's draw but their victory over Wales means they could still avoid some of the other high-ranked teams before the semifinals.

The coaches claim they got their selections spot on as the bench responded in the way intended, but it also begs the question how long a player must serve a substitute's apprenticeship.

Bismarck du Plessis again made a huge difference once he came on and the match would again have returned to the public consciousness the debate about whether he should replace captain John Smit in the starting XV.

Eyebrows should not be raised if Du Plessis finds himself in the starting line-up against Fiji and another stellar performance from him will only heap more pressure on coach Peter de Villiers.

Gold, who admitted to being mightily relieved, found some positives in yesterday's performance. "What we did wrong from a structural point of view we gained from a character-building point of view, especially for some guys who haven't played for a while."

The extent of Jean de Villiers's injury is not yet known but he will almost certainly miss next Saturday's match against Fiji. The prognosis on Victor Matfield will also become apparent in the next day or so, while clarity on Bakkies Botha's injury is also imminent.