‘Sometimes we can learn from the most unlikely of sources’
Yes , the Boks can certainly bounce back , but it’s going to take a radical shift in our
Style of Play
When Eddie Jones arrived to take up the Stormers coaching role earlier this year, he marvelled at the rich talent available in South Africa – and he had something pertinent to say :
They will never be allowed to play the same style of rugby again
Rugby has moved on.
And Eddie Jones has also moved on to coach England.
A Manchester United legend of yester-year once commented, that if he had played alongside David Beckham, he would have scored ten times the goals he had managed to score in his brilliant career.
He was alluding to the split second speed, precision and accuracy of the David Beckham pass.
That extra second makes all the difference
It’s where football can teach rugby about Style, Skill and Seconds.
The statistics show that nine times out of ten, a player like Damian de Allende has been allowed to carry the ball up – and go to ground.
But, nine times out of ten, a player like Sonny Bill Williams will off- lay that very same ball in the tackle – with split second precision and accuracy – carving up the tight defensive patterns.
And that split second lost – makes all the difference.
It allows loose forwards to catch up and close you down.
While the All Blacks choose to play a ‘’plus-one” second game, the Springboks are still choosing to play a ‘’minus-one” second game.
The Springbok’s core game has long been built around ”Physicality and Gees” , but they will be needing a few game-changers to bounce back to winning ways.
Our sensational Blitzbokke have shown us all about the Style, Skill and Seconds.
Let’s hope that our much loved Springboks take heed.
Rob Opie is a Brand Strategist, Inspirational Speaker , Author and PERFORMANCE COACH to Corporate Teams , Organizational Teams, Sports Teams and Individuals
- Rob’s latest book: The Game Changers: Good to Great to Greater is available FREE to readers as an instant digital download on his site : www.thegameplan.co.za
