Attack-happy Springboks will never abandon their physicality and set-piece dominance, promises Handre Pollard

The sharpened Springbok attack is attacking headlines, but flyhalf general Handre Pollard says the Boks will never deviate from their core DNA of physicality and set-piece dominance.

Pollard has reassuring words for Bok purists who fear the World Cup-winners might get carried away with cavalier attack and forget their roots.

“The core of our game will always be our physicality and being direct,” the veteran flyhalf said.

“That is who we are as a team, and we will never shy away from that. Our set-piece dominance will always be key to every game we play, but if we can sprinkle a little something on our attack to take us to the next level, that is the goal.

“We are not talking about massive, crazy changes on attack, just minor adjustments here and there.”

The main key to adding attacking arrows to the Springbok quiver is New Zealander Tony Brown, and Pollard cannot speak highly enough of the former All Black flyhalf. Brown is in his second year with the Boks and is adding fresh nuances to their game.

“With Browny, every week is a next step,” Pollard said. “He is such an ‘involving’ coach. He is always looking for something extra. It is refreshing working with him, and it is fun at the same time.

“We have not yet unlocked all our potential on attack. This team has a lot more in it. But it will take time. The more we play together, the more it will come together. We have unbelievable players, so the more time and space we can create for the boys outside, the more dangerous we will be.”

A renewed focus on attack is a global phenomenon, and the British and Irish Lions are a case in point — they have played exhilarating rugby in their first two tour games in Australia.

“For a few years now, defences have been overpowering attacks a little bit,” Pollard explained. “The backs have to get creative on attack, and they are. With the Boks, it is evident that we are enjoying attacking a lot more. We are scoring a lot more points and making it tougher for defences.

“We are enjoying the focus on attacking rugby,” the 31-year-old said. “Each team has its own way of doing it. We trust a system that we think is the best for us. It is a good thing, and I am sure the spectators enjoy it as well.”

But Pollard has a caveat to the focus on adventurous rugby.

"Defences are still the key to winning World Cups and competitions. It will be a core fundamental of any winning team, as will a good kicking game, but I just think there was room for improvement with us on attack over these last few years.

“The New Zealand teams unlocked it years ago, and we were trusting our defence and kicking game more at that time, but we understand that there is another layer to us that we can unlock, and that is our attack.”

This week in Pretoria, fast dry conditions are expected after the wet of the Barbarians game. This presents an opportunity for the Boks to kick on.

“After the rain, we can take it to another level this week,” Pollard agreed. “That is the plan, but listen, Italy are a good team. We are not going to underestimate anything they bring to the party. They are physical and passionate. We have to put in the hard yards before we put in the pretty stuff on the edges.

“So it will be a tough start to the game, that is for sure, but we are ready for that, and we will see what happens from there.”