In the wake of a heated showdown at Eden Park, Springboks mobi-unit coach Duane Vermeulen has coolly dismissed the heightened scrutiny over South Africa's breakdown performance against the All Blacks. With the specter of a 24-17 defeat still lingering, Vermeulen, a seasoned campaigner with 76 caps and two World Cup victories, refuted claims that the breakdown was a significant flaw exposed in their game.
Fielding questions from the press, Vermeulen was quick to challenge the narrative, questioning back, "Do you know the number of breakdown turnovers they got?" His rhetorical question underscored his point when he revealed, "It was two poaches and maybe one counter-ruck." He further clarified, "If you look at a Test rugby match, which goes 80 minutes, I don’t really think it’s a massive talking point."
"Obviously, we try to put pressure on our opposition as well. Yes, they’ve done a couple of things, but it’s not exposing us in a way; the focus will always be there, but our overall game is probably the biggest talking point. We can’t go into specifics."
While Vermeulen downplayed the breakdown issues, head coach Rassie Erasmus tipped his hat to the All Blacks' prowess in this area, hinting at the influence of a rugby legend. "I think Richie McCaw might have been with them last week, the way they were at the breakdown," Erasmus praised, acknowledging the All Blacks' effectiveness.
Amidst this tactical banter, the Springboks are gearing up for the upcoming rematch in Wellington, where changes to the lineup have been strategically made. Notably, Jasper Wiese will be reclaiming his position at number eight. Vermeulen expressed his enthusiasm for Wiese's return, stating, "It’s great to have Jasper back in the mix. He is one of the guys who really gives us go-forward ball." He anticipates Wiese's dynamic play will energize both the pack and the newly shuffled backline.
Despite his extensive experience against the All Blacks, Vermeulen has stepped back this week, allowing assistant coach and former All Blacks fly-half Tony Brown to lead much of the discussion. "Obviously, there are a couple of guys who are still playing from when I played, so it’s a bit different, but all the coaches have an input, and Tony Brown shared quite a lot with the backs," Vermeulen recounted.
As the Springboks refine their strategies and bolster their ranks, the anticipation for the second Test in Wellington continues to build, promising another epic showdown in this storied rugby rivalry.