The only criticism that spurs on the Boks is their own: Proudfoot

27 September 2016 - 19:44 By Chumani Bambani

South Africans are entitled to their opinions‚ but the only criticism that will spur the Springboks on is from within the team‚ Bok assistant coach Matt Proudfoot said. The Springboks went through their paces for Day Two of their preparations for their Rugby Championship clash with the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Tuesday. Bok coach Allister Coetzee makes two changes for Ireland series deciderThere are two changes to the Springbok starting line-up for their series deciding clash against Ireland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The Boks are in for what could be a must-win encounter in order to salvage some pride after having won only their opening match of the competition before three back-to-back defeats to Los Pumas‚ Australia and the All Blacks in their previous three games. 'It is it is going to be a war' Proudfoot braces for Springbok, Ireland clashSpringbok assistant coach Matt Proudfoot has warned that a rugby war will break out when his men get to grips with Ireland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. As a result the side has come under a barrage of criticism‚ with Proudfoot's colleagues – defence coach Chean Roux and backline coach Mzwandile Stick – finding their names uttered by almost every critic who has had a negative point to make. On Monday‚ head coach Allister Coetzee backed his assistants by rubbishing claims that he had pleaded with the SA Rugby Union (Saru) to bolster the coaching staff. On Tuesday‚ while acknowledging that the rugby-mad SA public was entitled to their opinion‚ Proudfoot said it is the frank talk behind closed doors by team management and the reaction of players to what is tabled by the coaching staff that spurs the team on. “Criticism is criticism. Everybody's entitled to their own opinion‚” the big‚ friendly giant forwards coach said on Tuesday afternoon. “As a coach‚ I look at these guys [players] - they are my measure. I'm contributing to them‚ making them better players‚ better men‚ contributing to this [forwards] pack. “That is what it's about. How we handle criticism is that we are honest with ourselves. “The first thing we do as a coaching staff is that we look at ourselves and how we can get better. This is the criticism we measure ourselves by. That is the only criticism that affects our performance.” Proudfoot continued to stress that Coetzee has created an environment of openness and honesty between his coaching staff as they attempt to rebuild the Bok team. “I'm not going to comment on people’s opinions. We as a coaching staff look at ourselves really harshly‚” Proudfoot said. “When we have a coaching meeting we close the door. Allister started an environment where honesty prevails. “If Johann [van Graan] feels I've overstepped the mark or done something wrong‚ he has the licence to say this and that. “People are passionate about rugby in this country. We feel that reaponsibility‚ or else we don't care about the Springboks. “What you say about me affects your karma. How I react to it affects my karma.” One thing is for sure: the Boks are desperate for a win at Loftus on Saturday. They will be hoping that history will again be on their side‚ given the fact that the Boks have not been beaten by the Wallabies in Pretoria. The side has a day off on Wednesday. Coach Coetzee will then name his team for Saturday's clash on Thursday. ..

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