Boks got creative 'a little too late'

30 July 2015 - 02:02 By Chumani Bambani

It's too late for the Springboks to restructure their game plan to a creative one and expect to win the World Cup in September. Though Heyneke Meyer's Boks have suffered defeat in their last two Rugby Championship matches, against the Wallabies and All Blacks, they showed signs of creativity and more attractive rugby, which has been widely applauded. It has been said to be a big improvement on the predictable kicking associated with South African rugby.Despite the recent change of play by the Boks, South African mental coach and author Kobus Neethling believes the change has come too late for the team to expect success at the World Cup in England in two months' time."It is probably too late at this stage," Neethling said yesterday at the launch of his book, Creative Rugby, co-written with former Bok flyhalf Naas Botha."Probably a few individual [changes] can be made. But to have a totally different, new creative strategy? It's too late."I'd say immediately after the World Cup we need to change the way we do things, and then we'll have a massive chance of continuing to do well." The previous two matches we lost in the last 10 minutes because there was a sort of anxiety that crept in. Instead, they should have gone into focus mode. "..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.