Nienaber spells out the 'main difference' between the 2019 and 2023 Boks
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has outlined the difference between the triumphant squad of 2019 and the 2023 vintage who are looking to replicate their feat.
The Boks headed to Cardiff yesterday for their upcoming warm-up with Wales as the first stop on their way to France for the Rugby World Cup in September. After facing Warren Gatland's Wales face next Saturday, they take on New Zealand in London the following Friday (25 August), in their last two warm-up games before departing for a week-long training camp in Corsica en route to their tournament base in Toulon.
The opening match is against Scotland in Marseille on Sunday, 10 September. Reflecting on the 2019 title-winning victory that they plan to defend, Nienaber explained the main difference between the two sides.
"The main difference between the 2019 RWC and this one is that there is a little more expectation on us now," stated Nienaber. "As a team we’ve built more squad depth over the last few years, but the expectations are not a burden, it’s a privilege.
"In the last few weeks, we've attended a few functions and we've heard all the messages from our partners, dignitaries, and the public, so we realize how much support we have. We understand the expectations and we embrace it.
“The beauty of this squad is that we have quite a lot of experience,” Nienaber added. “We have nine players participating in their third Rugby World Cup, and a whole lot in their second. So perhaps only a third of the squad is going into their first World Cup.”
Injured Springbok captain Siya Kolisi also acknowledged the team's changed circumstances: "We are entering this World Cup as defending champions, whereas we were the underdogs the last time. We may not be underdogs this time, but we are not the favourites.
“That said, we know what to expect this time and we have a lot more experience as a group. Even the younger players are not entering this competition blindly because there are several experienced players around them to guide them. All in all, we are in a better mental place this time.”
"Every time we enter the World Cup, there are some challenges in the country, and we have the power to try to change people's emotions and put smiles on their faces if we do well."
He added that the team's diverse backgrounds united them in their goal to provide hope and inspiration.
“Every time we enter the World Cup there are some challenges in the country, and we have the power to try to change people’s emotions and put smiles on their faces if we do well,” said Kolisi. “As a team we come from such diverse backgrounds, and it makes us feel good to give people hope.”
Latest Comments
All of these media pundits always miss the obvious whenever they analyse what is ailing or assisting the game. Rugby always has contentious points for debate when picking apart individual games and finding fault with itself. All this focus and scrutiny on “speeding up the game”, “high ball in play” etc is all contextual to the fan. As a tv viewer, if you’re absorbed into a game, regardless if your team is playing or not, more ball in play time and action are all byproducts of the contest. A good contest subliminally affects your memory in selectively remembering all the good aspects. A poor contest and your brain has switched off because its a blowout and the result is never in doubt or it’s a real chore to watch and remain engaged throughout. The URC, Top 14 and English premiership are all competitions that feel like there’s real jeopardy each week. The dominance of Super rugby by NZ teams was unhealthy from a sustainable interest perspective. You can’t fault those teams or the players, but the lack of competitions won by SA and Australian teams long term was always going to test the faith and patience of die-hard and casual fans from those regions. SANZAR took their eye off the fans and fans voted with their feet and subscriptions. They were so concerned about expanding their product they forgot the golden rule about broadcasting live sport. Viewers tune in more when there’s an atmosphere and a true contest. You need to fill stadiums to create one, host unions need to do more to service ticket buyers, and this year proves the other, there’s more interest in Super rugby this year only because more games are competitive with less foregone conclusions. All these micro statistics bandied about, only interest the bean counters and trainspotters.
Go to commentsIt’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
Go to comments