Schalk Burger, a former Springbok player, has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding the South African rugby team's performance against the All Blacks. Despite the Springboks' recent victory in Cape Town, Burger highlights a critical weakness in their game that could be detrimental to their chances in the upcoming third Test in Soweto.
Burger's analysis focuses on the team's attack, which he believes is still faltering. He points out that the Springboks lack fluency in their attacks, often making errors when attempting to pull plays out the back. This issue is further exacerbated by their inability to quickly set up transition plays and find the right ball carriers with the skill set to dominate contact and play out the back.
In his opinion, the Springboks' current focus is not on an all-out attack, which could be a problem. The All Blacks, on the other hand, have been scoring tries and points consistently, with Burger predicting they will continue to do so in the upcoming matches. He suggests that the Springboks need to rediscover their attacking flair or improve their defense to keep up with the All Blacks.
Burger also discusses the difference in tactics between the two teams. He explains that the All Blacks are willing to keep the ball in hand in areas where the Springboks would typically kick contestables. This strategy, according to Burger, is a result of the All Blacks' willingness to play for penalties and maintain shape, while the Springboks tend to fade contestables or kick the ball up to try and regain possession.
Despite the Springboks' recent success, Burger remains critical of their performance, emphasizing the need for improvement in their attack and tactical approach. He believes that these weaknesses could be the deciding factors in the series, especially if the Springboks fail to address them before the final Test in Soweto.
