….many disputed this but here’s Dr Lucky describing the Bok strategy in the past:
In a fiery exchange of strategies, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has responded to Rassie Erasmus' assertion that the Australian team mirrors the playstyle of the 2019 Springboks. Erasmus, after announcing his lineup for the upcoming Test in Cape Town, critiqued the Wallabies for adopting what he perceives as an outdated strategy focused heavily on defense and opportunistic play off opponents' mistakes.
Erasmus pointed out that while the Springboks have moved towards a more expansive style of play, he believes the Wallabies are clinging to the tactics that brought South Africa success four years ago. "I feel Australia are playing pretty much like we did in 2019, defend, defend, and if you make an error, they will pounce on that," Erasmus remarked, doubting such a strategy's effectiveness for the next Rugby World Cup.
"We don’t believe that’s the way to win the next World Cup," Erasmus stated, emphasizing the evolution of their game plan.
…. ..
Incredibly arrogant to say this about the opponent that just beat you. And inaccurate, our effective game plan in the 2023 knockouts was no different to 2019. In fact the best game the Boks played under Erasmus at WCs was the 2019 WC final.
As for the scarcely perceivable change in Bok tactics under Brown, time will tell. We have players who in other systems have proven that they have the talent Esterhozen for example. And we have at least 2 of the 5 most dangerous runners in rugby. But getting the system right and their team mates aligned is a big ask.
By contrast Schmidt is the architect of the sophisticated Irish running game, which particularly among the forwards is close to the most effective.
But I guess those that for years have been denying our game is defense and counter attack have just heard it directly from the architect.