It will be all hands on deck for Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and his thinktank this week as they gear up for the World Cup final against England.
If South Africa wish to win the tournament, we will have to see something tactically we haven’t seen yet from the Springboks in Japan.
Exactly what that is, I don’t know and based on their performances to date, I am not too sure if the Springboks know what that missing ingredient is either.
They didn’t look good against Wales on Sunday.
We all knew it was going to be tight and didn’t expect a runaway win - in fact, I predicted a 21-17 scoreline in favour of our boys, but what I didn’t foresee was how lackluster their performance would be.
The Boks predictably kicked a lot. This time, however, it really wasn’t effective as they were met by a team with similar tactics and one that was fully equipped to handle the aerial bombardment they got.
CLOSE ONE: South Africa players celebrate after the match. Picture: Peter Cziborra/Reuters.
If truth be told, the 19-16 result on Sunday could have gone either way and that is worrying for Bok fans.
Wales aren’t as clinical as England and still South Africa couldn’t find an extra gear.
The problem they now have is that England can match our game plan and will perhaps play at a higher tempo, intensity and level of precision.
If the Boks play like they did against Wales when crossing swords with England, the William Webb Ellis trophy will not be coming to our shores.
Now fans of New Zealand will probably not take kindly to my words, but I’ve said after the pool phase ended that I’d rather play the final against the All Blacks than England.
Our plan is built to destroy the ex-world champs, but against England we’ll need something else.
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: Eddie Jones. Picture: Mark Baker/AP.
Eddie Jones’s Roses are the complete package and they proved as much in their 19-7 win over New Zealand in Saturday’s semifinal.
Regular readers of this column will remember that I said the best coach will bring home the bacon for his team.
And I believe Steve Hansen dropped the ball against Eddie Jones in the semis.
When I saw the New Zealand team for the semis, I questioned Hansen’s approach.
With Scott Barrett shifted to flank to give them more options at lineout time, it was clear that they were going to kick a lot.
On the day, Hansen’s All Blacks may as well have worn Green and Gold in terms of their approach.
It didn’t suit them, as Aaron Smith and company tried to “Boks” England into the ground.
And that should serve as a warning sign to South Africa ahead of the final.
Now Rassie mustn’t do a Hansen and change his tactics completely - stick to your guns. But if it doesn’t work, I would like to see some more variety coming off the bench.
DYNAMIC: Damian Willemse will surprise Eddie Jones' side. Picture: Rebecca Naden/Reuters.
And here a player such as Damian Willemse might make a big impact.
Maybe a five/three split this time around Mr Erasmus?
If there is a weakness in the England arsenal, it’s that scrumhalf Ben Youngs is really slow to the breakdown and here a specialist fetcher like Francois Louw can make the world of difference.
Starting him, though, would mean the Boks will have to drop their skipper Siya Kolisi. But that won’t happen.
The next best thing then would be is to start with Malcolm Marx, who is also a menace at the breakdown, instead of Bongi Mbonambi.
As for Eddie and his English team, they will know what’s coming.
The Aussie-born coach was there in 2007 when the Boks beat England in the final. That time, he was in the SA camp.
This time he will be opposing us, knowing exactly how the Boks will prepare mentally for this encounter.
Having interviewed the man one-on-one once, I immediately knew this guy is a type of coach that takes everything into consideration and leaves no stone unturned in preparation.
BIGGEST GAME OF HIS CAREER: Coach Rassie Erasmus, left. Picture: Andrew Cornaga.
Remember, he was also the one that masterminded Japan’s Brighton win four years ago.
Taking him on this Saturday is arguably the best rugby brain in South Africa.
Rassie is a great coach and one that can adapt. Who remembers his early days as Cheetahs coach when they were a free-running, innovative team?
That coach is still inside of him and I can be sure will want to come out this week.
On paper, any of these two teams can win the final.
It’s on the chalkboard where I believe it will be decided though.
Good luck Rassie.
PS: we don’t expect you to sleep much this week.