What the Springboks need to do

The Springbok match-day 23 will have been presented with a myriad of detailed plans by their coaches and analysts on how they intend to play against the All Blacks on Saturday. Overall strategy and specific tactics will have been formulated to exploit perceived All Black vulnerabilities and to counter All Black strengths. 

For all the detail, though, a few important approaches stand clear:

*     If the Springboks are to play their traditional power game against the All Blacks high tempo skills game, the Boks need to be at their most imposing physical intensity, building phases through winning collisions.
*     The only Bok try against Wales came from surprise and skill. Trying merely to out-muscle the All Blacks will not be sufficient to win; they need to be more creative and adventurous, even if just occasionally.
*     Tight defence wins big games. To beat this All Black team, besides tackling ferociously you need to cut down their time and space and stop their off-loading.
*     Slowing down their breakdown ball will be crucial. If allowed to use their skills in high tempo attacking play, these All Blacks are nigh unstoppable.
*     Goal-kicking accuracy needs be spot-on, not erratic.
*     The haphazard Bok tactical kicking for position – and kick chase – needs to be substantially more accurate.
*     Springbok weakness under the high ball is now generally accepted by opponents and has been exploited; this needs to improve out of all recognition.
*     Competing on All Black lineouts can bring rewards in disruption of a key platform.
*     Execute the lineout driving maul accurately and powerfully; the All Blacks have not made great strides in improving their defence to the driving maul.

The Boks will be studying a full playbook of how they are planning to beat New Zealand, but these few pointers may be among the keys.