Boks set sights on scrum domination

THE Springbok pack have set their sights on continuing their scrum domination over Ireland in tomorrow’s second and deciding Test in Durban.

They will draw inspiration from the massive pushover scrum that led to a penalty try, which was the score that took the game away from the Irish at Loftus Versfeld, although the visitors never gave up and fought till the end.

While the scrums went the way of the Boks, the Irish were in control at the breakdown and spoilt the quick ball of the home side with the way they disrupted the play of scrumhalves Faf de Klerk and Grant Williams time and again.

According to veteran lock Franco Mostert, they will have to keep the Ireland players in check, especially at the rucks and tackle area when the two sides meet in the final Test at Kings Park tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 5pm).

“They did a really good job to put Faf (de Klerk) and Grant (Williams) under pressure at the breakdown. It’s our job as forwards to sort it out for them. We worked hard on it this week and hopefully we can give them cleaner ball possession this weekend.”

Moster said that Ireland contested the line-outs well, and they defended the Springbok rolling mauls too, but there are some plans in place to change things.

The Boks could not really get their rolling maul, normally a strong weapon of theirs, going in Pretoria, although the line-out throws and ball regathering have been excellent by Mostert, fellow lock Eben Etzebeth, and the other line-out jumpers.

“They did a really good job last weekend in stopping our mauls. We know they are a side that hasn’t conceded any penalty tries or maul penalties against them. But we will try to keep doing the same, and what has worked for us, but just to execute it better.

“They know us well, so there must be different plans. Hopefully this weekend we can catch them out with a few surprises.

“We had a good plan in the first half and when RG (Snyman) came on, we had a different plan. They are a good contesting side, and your plans for the line-outs must be good. Most important for us as players is to be on the same page, knowing what their individual job is.”

Standing on 77 Tests, Mostert is approaching the big milestone of 100 and although he is not thinking of it too much, he will take games as they come while also keeping the 2027 Rugby World Cup in mind.

If he can reach that milestone, he will join a select few Springboks to have played in a century of international matches.

“Every player’s goal is different in life. You take things year by year. We are not that set on those things, it’s a personal thing. If the body can keep up and you enjoy your rugby, then you can do it. If you are at the front of the fitness runs, you stand a big chance of making the team.

“For me, it would be nice to play in three World Cups. But the important thing is to enjoy the time in the Springbok set-up because it could be taken away so quickly.”