'When the steak is being served, you've got to eat': Ex-Bok coaches dissect Wallabies loss

Two former Springbok coaches have highlighted where they think South Africa’s attack could improve after the side went down 25-17 to the Wallabies.

Former head coach Nick Mallett and former assistant coach Swys de Bruin shared their views on SuperSport’s Final Whistle.

De Bruin, who coached the Lions to consecutive Super Rugby final appearances, thought the side could show more intent from turnover ball and implement some of the philosophies he believes in.

“We still have Duane [Vermeulen] who got one [turnover], Siya [Kolisi] got one, a brilliant one, Malcolm [Marx] when he comes on he steals a few, Kwagga [Smith] also,” he said of the Boks ability to create turnovers.

“So we’ve got those guys. On turnover attack, if they lose the ball and you steal it from them, the defence is in trouble.

“They have to scramble, but what do we do, the cricket guys will tell you, as soon as you get the ball you go to covers, but our guys out the back aren’t ready.”

De Bruin showed a clip from the 10th minute where No 8 Duane Vermeulen had a turnover on Wallabies centre Len Ikitau, holding him up and stripping him.

The ball was immediately passed back to Damian Willemse, who was inside his 22, and he proceeded to clear the lines with an exit kick.

“Now Duane Vermeulen’s turnover was a great turnover, now look at what their wingers are doing, they know we are going to kick,” he said pointing out the retreating Wallaby wings.

“They are running back, we could argue there is no defensive line.

“I don’t want the thinking of ‘we’ve got the turnover, let’s get rid of it’.”

“We steal the ball, it’s brilliant, their defence is not organised and what do we do? We take the foot off the pedal and kick it away.”

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett also thought the team is programmed too much into taking the kick as a default option.

The strong preference for kicking is part of their pressure game which tries to find territory and force turnovers.

“There is no doubt that when we are in trouble, our ‘go to’ is to kick it,” Mallet explained.

“Not to hold onto it. Our ‘go to’ is to kick, and pressurise their attack and force them into a mistake.”

The former Lions head coach showed another turnover around midfield this time with more territory to try and launch a counter-attack.

“There comes Siya [with the turnover], what’s in Siya’s mind? I’ve got to take it wide,” he said.

The Springbok captain is seen linking up with the backs, finding his fullback Willemse once again.

Once Willemse had the ball with an overlap brewing, the Springbok fullback went for a 50-22 but his kick didn’t get the bounce into touch.

“The Springbok team that I watched there, the talent that we have in the country, this is a typical, typical example where you’ve got to back yourself and play,” De Bruin said.

“You will not find [at this level] a two man overlap. Don’t tell me we are in trouble there, we aren’t.”

After some conjecture with host Owen Nkumane over the decision to go for a 50-22 in that situation, Mallett said it came down to execution.

”You are asking for our opinions as ex-coaches and I would say, had he got the 50-22, I would say good kick,” he said.

”It’s like a player going for a drop goal. Kick the drop goal over and I’ll say ‘well done’, miss it and I’ll say ‘why did you stuff up an opportunity to attack?’

“When the guy takes the decision to execute something, he must do it right. His job is to kick it out in the 22. So if he hasn’t done that, he’s spoiled an opportunity to attack.”

De Bruin had the final say summing up the situation with an analogy about taking advantage of the opportunity.

“When it is time to eat and the steak is being served, you’ve got to eat that steak,” he said.

“Don’t now eat the potatoes and the other stuff.”