Northern hemisphere veteran Duane Vermeulen warned his Springboks that they can’t slip up in the wintery conditions.
The powerhouse No.8 is set to return to international duty in this Saturday’s clash against England at Twickenham after last playing for the Boks against the same opposition in June.
That match was a 25-10 defeat at stormy Newlands and the man they call Thor says they will have to tweak their game plan to reverse that result.
Talking from London, the former Toulon ace says: “The weather played a big part in Cape Town and that’s kind of the thing that England are used to playing in.
“So, it’s going to be a bit difficult for us, coming to play in the northern hemisphere - it’s a different game plan for us.
“They’re used to a certain style of play, so we need to adapt. We’ve made some changes.”
Vermeulen believes that with the rain and wind predicted, SA’s kicking game and breakdown will be targeted by Eddie Jones’ manne.
KICKING TEST: SA flyhalf Handre Pollard. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
That means that first-choice flyhalf Handre Pollard will have to be on top of his game and Rassie will have to get his selection at fullback spot on, with Damian Willemse and Gio Aplon expected to take the No.15 jersey in Willie le Roux’s absence.
Once the game hits the ground, Duane reckons that he, skipper Siya Kolisi and the rest of the Bok pack will have to be sure-footed to effect the turnovers.
BACK-ROW YSTER: Bok captain Siya Kolisi. Photo: CHRIS RICCO/BACKPAGEPIX
The 32-year-old adds: “In the south, it’s a different game plan. So, we need to adapt to the style here that the English are playing.
“There are some things we’ve picked up on how we want to play, and also definitely, we must stick with some of the things that worked for us in the Rugby Championship.
“So, I think it’s a combination of what worked for us, and one or two new things we want to take into the game
“They gave us a lot of pressure at the breakdown and in our exits, so that’s some of the stuff we’ve worked on.
OPTION: Damian Willemse. Photo: CHRIS RICCO/BACKPAGEPIX
“But if you don’t win your set-piece, you are going to struggle. That’s definitely one of the areas we struggled in during the last Test in Cape Town.”