Any opinions from the non saffers about how the Boks can beat the ABs for this one? Play to our strengths but what are the keys to the win?
I'll give my opinion even though you excluded me from the equation.
- Match them up front physically. No way we'll beat them there, but smash them as hard as they smash us in the collision.
- Be more accurate at the breakdown. Before the world cup, we seemed to be dominant, or at least gained parity, in this area. Francois Louw has chosen the world cup to have a dip in form. Not good at all. We will need turnovers on their ball. Also, cleaning will need to be more concerted. We seem to go one on one too much and we get flooded at the breakdown.
- Our tactical kicking will need to be spot on. No kicking directly into their back 3's hands. That will be fatal. And even if the kicks are good, we need to follow up ferociously, giving their back 3 as little time on the ball as possible.
- Pollard needs to kick at 80% +. No more Mr. 3 misses per game. This could be the difference, as Carter isn't missing anything at the moment.
- No soft missed tackles, at all! Yes, I'm looking at you, Mr. Le Roux. He'll be our last line of defence. Savea will kill him if he tackles like he has been for the last 2 years.
NB: We need ALL of the above to beat the All Blacks. Any one of these missing and it's tickets for us. Basically, we have a mountain the size of Savea to climb.
I'll just try to enjoy the match, win or lose.