'The core of their DNA': Robertson on what he expects from Springboks rematch

Scott Robertson has detailed what he expects from the Springboks ahead of their rematch at Sky Stadium in Wellington, a place you could call the birth of this Springboks era.

After an exhilarating 24-17 win at Eden Park in one of the most hyped up games in recent history, labelled as big as a Rugby World Cup final in some corners, the emotions might be hard to come down form.

It is a challenge for the All Blacks that head coach Scott Robertson is cognisant of, replicating that same level of desperation and intent that was shown at Eden Park. He said the first step is acknowledging that challenge and trying to build mentally again.

Jesse Kriel speaks about ‘standing in’ as captain of the Springboks

Jesse Kriel speaks about ‘standing in’ as captain of the Springboks

“Firstly, acknowledging that as humans, your ability to get a performance up here with the hype, to do it again,” Robertson said.

“Why are you doing it? Why are you playing, what’s important to you, we’ll talk into that.”

On what he expects from the Springboks in the second match, Robertson expected some personnel changes as part and parcel of how Erasmus operates.

After the first Wallabies loss to the Springboks, they made 10 changes to the starting line-up.

“Yes, the way Rassie operates, he’s got a squad he trusts and gives guys opportunities,” he said.

“Yeah I do [expect changes].

“I think there will be variations in their game plan, they’ll have a little bit of innovation like they did last week. But the core of their DNA, we know what it’s like.

“We can expect a little bit of everything, one off plays and stuff, but I think the fundamentals will be the same for them.”

Wellington is a happy hunting ground for the Springboks with a 36-34 win in 2018 the catalyst for a turn in belief in their squad ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

They visited again a year later where a last second try to halfback Herschel Jantjies spared a 16-all draw.

Even further back than that, Erasmus won as a player in 1998 in Wellington at Athletic Park in a 13-3 win which was the first home loss in four years for the All Blacks.

A Springboks win in the capital would retain the Freedom Cup for another year and add to their legacy in Wellington.

Despite feeling upbeat after the victory in Auckland, Robertson emphasised there are aspects of their performance to work on, including how the game was managed in the final quarter with a 24-10 lead.

“When you’ve got a game like that and you’re playing the same team again, there are some clear areas that you can improve in,” Robertson said.

“There is opportunities you can see. Obviously, it got back to a tight Test match in the end. What we can do from the game management side and also some set piece areas.

“A lot of stuff was really good but there is a main focus on set piece and keep creating opportunities.”