Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli was surprisingly upbeat on Monday despite his team losing both away Vodacom Tri-Nations matches against Australia and New Zealand on consecutive weekends.
The results mean the Boks are consigned to last place in the competition for the fifth time in five years and leaves the coach with more questions than answers only two months ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
But Straeuli was adamant that South Africa could turn their fortunes around in time for the global showpiece hosted by Australia.
”There is a bigger plan,” said the under-fire coach, ”but as I’ve said before, judge us on the World Cup.
”We have a core group now and there were some highlights from the tour but what is required now is some hard training,” he said.
To that end Straeuli said that the first Bok camp would take place in two weeks time at the Tukkies High Performance Centre in Pretoria. He will announce a squad of 34 or 36 players on Monday that could ”contain a few players that are playing Currie Cup and others that are currently in rehabilitation in Cape Town”.
Players who could come into the reckoning are utility back Werner Greeff, hooker John Smit, wing Breyton Paulse and prop Faan Rautenbach.
Bob Skinstad, who was the subject of much debate before the 1999 World Cup in Wales — and is currently without a provincial contract, will also be considered despite reports that his injury could keep out of the game for up to six weeks.
”I don’t know much about Bob’s condition but we will certainly get medical opinion, and if all is in order he will definitely be considered.”
Criticism has mounted both at home and abroad following the Boks’ three losses in the Tri-Nations, especially surrounding the team’s discipline.
Captain Corne Krige though believes the war of words following the 29-9 drubbing by Australia in Brisbane was more psychological than anything else.
”I think it is more psychological and I feel as if I’m being targeted specifically,” said Krige. ”After the England match (in November last year) I knew I’d be targeted. But I have made adjustments and I was surprised that (George) Gregan and Eddie Jones came out the way they did.”
Events off the field marred the Boks campaign Down Under but more alarmingly, results on the field failed to live up to the expectation created after the narrow victory over Australia at Newlands.
”The results were not what we wanted,” admitted Krige, ”and we wanted to win one of the two games but I think we were dangerous at times and we can carry that forward.”
Straeuli will travel to Cape Town this week to meet SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd managing director Rian Oberholzer and plot the way forward.
Hopefully the two men will find a solution to South Africa’s fast unravelling season in time for October 18 — the all-important World Cup clash with England. – Sapa