South African forwards see their Australian counterparts in Super Rugby as “soft” and ripe for physical intimidation, according Reds prop JP Smith.
South African-born Smith gave the blunt assessment as his team prepared to host the Cape Town-based Stormers on Friday.
The Reds will then head off for a two-match tour of South Africa and Smith says: “I know what they think of Australian forwards generally.
“Soft. That’s my honest opinion, that’s what South African [forwards think] because they try and bully us.
“If you take that aspect away from them, they don’t know what to do.
“If you take their forward play away, they’re very niggly off the ball and they like to intimidate you and once they see you give in, they’ve got you, so it’s physical presence from the start - they want to dominate you.”
Smith and his twin brother, prop Ruan, joined Brad Thorn’s rebuilding Reds last season, having previously had a stint at the Canberra-based Brumbies.
STRONG FORWARDS GAME: Stormers looking for first win Down Under. Photo: Supplied.
Former All Black lock Thorn has been trying to bolster the Reds’ forward pack into one of the strongest in the Australian Conference, but they took a step backwards in a 32-13 home defeat to the Rebels last weekend.
The loss came after two wins on the trot and served as a reality check for the Reds, who are languishing in fourth in the five-team conference led by the Rebels.
Smith says the Stormers, beaten in Auckland by the Blues on Saturday, and by the Hurricanes in Wellington before that, will be desperate to salvage points from what has been a fruitless tour so far.
He adds: “They have two Australian teams left and it’s not always pleasant for those boys when they don’t win their games, so I think they’re going to target us this weekend.
TWIN BROTHER: Ruan Smith. Photo: Supplied.
“These next three weeks playing against big South African packs is really going to test us.
“It’s going to test the depth of the squad as well... playing big South African props - 125-130kg is a big test, so we’re going to have to be very good.”