The Springboks have some noticeable shortcomings to fix in the final July Test against Portugal tomorrow afternoon in Bloemfontein.
While it’s a very experimental side, with seven debutants, the expectation is that the world champions should be sharper on attack, stronger with their rolling mauls and breakdown play, more disciplined and defensively sound than what was the case in their two-Test series against Ireland over the last couple of weeks.
A host of compounding errors led to their downfall in the second Test against the Irish in Durban last weekend, and the historic duel against the Portuguese at the Free State Stadium (5pm start) will provide a last opportunity to gain some momentum by fixing those errors ahead of the Rugby Championship.
The Springboks have been on the winning side in two of the three Tests under coach Rassie Erasmus in his return so far this year, with victories over Wales in London and Ireland in Pretoria, before the 25-24 defeat at Kings Park.
A third win will set them well on their way as they prepare to face Australia next month in double Tests Down Under to open their account in the southern hemisphere tournament on August 10 and 17.
Top of the list will most likely be to round off the attacks and score tries off them when they are launched. Often when they penetrated the Irish defence, especially in that second Test, they failed to score from those opportunities.
This was especially the case after a brilliant start with their altered game plan under new attack coach Tony Brown.
In that first Test at Loftus Versfeld, they scored an amazing backline try within three minutes.
The expectancy was that the Boks would kick on from that, and some moves looked good, but not scoring any tries in the deciding clash against Ireland was borderline criminal.
The halfback pairing of scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and flyhalf Manie Libbok should add a different dimension to the Bok attack tomorrow, but perspective should also be kept because it is ‘only’ Portugal.
But there will be attacking plays and possibly a first proper insight into what the Springbok attack can get right under Brown.
The struggles at the breakdown were also evident against a very disruptive Irish. It won’t be the same tomorrow, but the game provides an opportunity to sharpen their play in that department.
Not just on their defensive breakdown, but on the attack too. The backs will need clean front-foot ball to launch their attacks from, and it will only come if the tackle and ruck area is protected properly.
They won’t face a Caelan Doris again, but Portugal will have studied exactly how the Irish disrupted the breakdown of the South Africans to do the same.
Then, there’s the touchy subject of mauling. Yes, they are on a path that’s changing their style on attack, but mauling must stay part of the Bok blueprint.
Thanks to all the fans for yet another unforgettable #Springboks Test in Durban - check out some cool footage from the stands 💚💛#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/5407AFaETu
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 16, 2024
After not setting a single maul properly against the Irish in the second Test, there should be plenty of opportunities for lineout drives in Bloemfontein.
For that, a lot depends on debutant hookers Johan Grobbelaar and back-up André-Hugo Venter on the replacement bench.
The No 5 lock RG Snyman and prop Thomas du Toit are the only forwards with more than 10 caps of experience, so it will be up to them to lead the pack in the lineouts and scrums.
The Springboks are expected to win comfortably, and if they tick all the boxes they want to, it should provide good momentum when they head to Brisbane and Perth for the back-to-back Wallaby Tests in the Rugby Championship.