Union talks help boost Boks defence plans

05 June 2013 - 02:41 By SBU MJIKELISO
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Bryan Habana, left, and Bismarck du Plessis during a Springbok training session in Durban. The side plays Italy at Kings Park on Saturday
Bryan Habana, left, and Bismarck du Plessis during a Springbok training session in Durban. The side plays Italy at Kings Park on Saturday
Image: STEVE HAAG/GALLO IMAGES

The Springboks will benefit from better co-operation with the Super rugby unions when they square up against Italy, Scotland and Samoa this winter.

Ninety percent of the Springboks' defence strategy, which newcomers need to get acquainted with ahead of the clash with Italy at Kings Park in Durban this Saturday, has already been communicated to them during Super rugby, said defence coach John McFarland.

McFarland said he speaks to the five Super rugby union's defence coaches on a weekly basis.

Thanks to these open communication lines, Jan Serfontein, Lappies Labuschagne and Willie le Roux know what's expected from them, should they start.

"There has been a great relationship between the defensive coaches in all the franchises this year," McFarland said.

"Last year, there wasn't a great sharing of information.

"This year we spent a week with each union in February and March where we gave them what we were trying to do with the Boks and got what they were doing."

This was never the case, McFarland said, during the 12 years he was defence coach at the Bulls.

Like former coach Peter de Villiers cruelly found out - when the Sharks played John Smit at prop instead of hooker to make way for Bismarck du Plessis - lack of communication can have disastrous consequences.

Italy, while not the biggest attacking force in world rugby, have improved remarkably. You can expect them to run at the Springboks, McFarland said , which could open the game up, much to the pleasure of spectators.

"They are certainly moving the ball more; they had the most average carries per game in the Six Nations. They counter-attack a lot more than they did in the past," McFarland added.

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett, in his time in charge of Italy, brought to the Azzurri a heavy forward pack, powerful scrumming and a greater physicality.

McFarland said these new strengths needed to be nullified.

"They maul and scrum well, so our defence starts at the set- pieces. If our set pieces are good, our lineout contesting is good, and that will nullify a big part of their game. But this year they've been far more willing to run the ball rather than just kick it."

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