There is no question of the South Africans taking their feet off the pedal after two convincing victories in their opening World Cup matches said coach Jake White on Sunday.
The inspirational 43-year-old handler, who has been singled out by the players as the major reason behind the renaissance in Springbok fortunes since they reached their nadir under Rudolf Straeuli in 2003, admitted they were on a high but would not now lose their way.
Now with a 59-7 humbling of Samoa and then inflicting a record World Cup defeat on world champions England (36-0), the Springboks have been elevated up alongside the All Blacks as favourites to lift the trophy.
”We have to keep our feet on the ground,” said White, who led the Springboks to the 2004 Tri Nations title during his 48 Test reign.
”I have chatted to the players about this and they accept that.
”They have come off a very successful Super 14 campaign [the Bulls beat fellow South African side the Sharks in the final].
”The national side has beaten the English [admittedly a third-string side] twice prior to the World Cup, Australia in the Tri-Nations, Samoa and lost to the All Blacks narrowly.
”They are having the time of their lives but I don’t believe they are going to lose focus. They are on such a high now that they’ve achieved so much that I don’t think they will lose sight of the ultimate goal.”
White, who looked like being sacked last November when he was recalled during their northern hemisphere tour only to save his job with victory over England at Twickenham, said that he was not going to take likely quarterfinal opponents Wales lightly despite their 32-20 defeat to two-time champions Australia on Saturday.
”It was an interesting match against the Australians and Wales showed glimpses of good form,” said White, who made his name as a coach with the South African under-21 side landing the 2002 world championship.
”Wales are capable of big performances as they showed against the All Blacks in the group stage in 2003 where they came close to beating them and then pushed England all the way in the quarterfinal.
”The interesting thing also will be to see how Wales perform away from the Millennium Stadium [their quarterfinal would be in Marseille on October 7].”
White admitted that the side he would put out against Wales may not necessarily be the same that has already got them the two overwhelming victories over their major group rivals — he has already said that he is resting several of his veterans for the next group clash with Tonga.
”Obviously we have to see who we play in the last eight and I have told the chaps that,” he said.
”I have to see how the players recover and if they are rested, and you have to measure up the personnel put out by the opposition and then select the players most adept at taking them on.” — AFP
