World cup game plan

In NH conditions, is it really wise to be moving to an attack oriented game plan one year out from the World Cup? On face value, yes it is, but I have one or two issues with that. 
Firstly, why implement this mindset now only? If Meyer had started implementing it from the start of his tenure, then we would have had enough time to refine it before World Cup kick-off. I am not entirely convinced that we have enough time to catch up and overtake teams like the Wallabies and All Blacks that have had the ball in hand approach for ages. 
Secondly, do the NH conditions favour the running game plan? In short, I don't think they do. I know Australia won in 1999, but in general, the NZ and Aus style running rugby is less effective on the slower fields up North. Which is why our Northern rivals tend not to play running rugby. In the knock out stages, conservative rugby invariably wins the game, just something to bear in mind.
Now, before the death threats start, I am just playing devil's advocate. I love the new brand of Springbok rugby, but when it really counts in knock out games, our old style of play is probably more effective. 
A side thought, Ricardo Laubser was not a very popular choice for for backline coach of the Boks, but judging by what the Bok backline has done this year, maybe there was some merit to Meyer selecting him? 

The original thead was duplicated and I ,moved my comments to the thread where other members contributed.