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Springboks 'have been here before' says Franco Mostert
By AAP
Lock Franco Mostert says South Africa are in familiar territory with their backs to the wall following the Rugby Championship loss to Australia on Sunday, but recent experience has shown them the way out of their current predicament.
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The 28-26 defeat means the Springboks will likely have to win their three remaining games in the competition to retain the title they won in 2019.
It is not dissimilar to when they lost the opening game of the Rugby World Cup in Japan to New Zealand and were left needing victories in their next six fixtures to lift the trophy. They also lost the first Test to the British & Irish Lions in July after which they had to win the next two to claim the series.
They managed to pull it off on both occasions, and Mostert said they can use that experience against Australia on Saturday, and for their last two games against the All Blacks.
“We know where we are, we have been in this situation before and we know where to go from here,” Mostert told reporters on Tuesday. “The boys are confident and positive, and that is a good sign.”
Bok coach Jacques Nienaber bemoaned his side’s lack of discipline for their weekend loss, and Mostert agreed it was an area of concern.
“We can definitely improve our discipline, it let us down. But we have done our reviews, tomorrow is a new day and we will look to improve on our set-pieces,” he said. “If you give away stupid penalties, teams will capitalise on that. It builds up.
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“Credit to Australia, they were hungrier than us, but we will work hard during the week and hopefully we can come back stronger. Rugby is a funny game, you can be at your best and still lose. It is just about the bounce of the ball.”
The Boks have confirmed that reserve lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg will return to South Africa for personal reasons and will not be replaced in the squad.
Mostert, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth and Marvin Orie are the remaining specialist locks, while loose-forwards Rynhardt Elstadt and Jean-Luc du Preez can also provide cover in the position.
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What a great read. Players mature at different stages and words that may inspire some are far too cutting for others. Good coaches are so important to the career of young players. The ability to get into a player's head is a gift. But in the wrong hands this can be a disaster. There is so much emotional stuff going on with young players that it takes a really good coach to bring the best from them and inspire them to be the best they can be playing rugby and importantly the best person they can be as a person.
Go to commentsInteresting read Nick, thanks. Is it a reality check for incomings and outgoings for the English clubs over money? a market correction? This is always a strange thing when it comes to what is still fundamentally recreation, a leisure pursuit. You could have the two divisions but the 2nd division will lose interest for the top flight of players. Maybe a random draw to create two pools that would lead to a play-off system? Have not thought it through but throwing it out there.
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