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Springbok boss seeks quick ball

Springbok boss seeks quick ball

Springbok boss Heyneke Meyer has given Wales a stark warning of just how his side intend to play in Saturday’s first Test in Durban.

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Meyer saw his team trounce a star-studded World XV 47-13 in Cape Town two days’ ago as they warmed up for Wales in serious style.

The Boks scored six tries against Matt Giteau and co at Newlands to run out comfortable winners after the game had been in the balance at the break.

Meyer’s men led just 18-10 at half time before stepping up a level in the second period and the former Leicester coach will be reminding his troops all week just why things got so much better in the final 40 minutes.

“I believe we are a very dangerous team when we play with quick ball and that was something that I was unhappy about at the break,” said Meyer, who is desperate to see South Africa dominate at ruck time against Warren Gatland’s tourists in Durban in five days’ time.

“In the second half we applied ourselves better at the breakdown and we scored some very good tries. To score six tries against a side with the quality of the World XV is very pleasing. A number of the tries came from the training fields, so I am happy.

“The one thing we have been struggling with, as a team, is that there is a totally different mindset between Super Rugby and Test matches. In Super Rugby, especially with southern hemisphere referees, you always get quick ball. You are always on the front foot, because referees are very strict on the tackler having to roll clear and hands in.

“We sorted that out after the break. That is a mindset change we have to make and that is why I am so thankful for this tough outing we had. Now we know what it takes to get quick ball against northern hemisphere teams.”

Last week’s win sent the Boks off to Durban in high spirits and Wales will be hoping to achieve a similar level of momentum when they take on Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth tomorrow night.

Meyer expects Wales to be 100 per cent ready for what lies ahead at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday and he insists that the manner in which his own side thrashed the global greats was a huge boost given the fact that it was the first time they had played together in 2014.

“This match was important to us, because we have to play together as a team to become better. A lot of these guys haven’t played together for six months,” added Meyer. “We knew it was going to be tough and we came though well. The greatest thing for me is (there are) no injuries.

“Wales will be well prepared. They are a quality side with big backs who will give them go forward ball. They also played together in the Six Nations, while we are just starting out.”
 

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