Seven steps to glory
30 Jun 2008
The Springboks have not won a Test in New Zealand since 1998. Former Springbok mental coach Henning Gericke explains how Peter de Villiers can achieve what Jake White couldn’t.
White may have a World Cup winner’s medal, but the former Springbok coach has something missing from his impressive CV – his side never beat the All Blacks in New Zealand.
In 2004, White’s first year in charge, the Boks came agonisingly close to claiming what would have been a shock victory in Christchurch. With 30 seconds to go, they led 21-18, having scored three tries to nil. But a botched line-out call 5m out from the Springbok tryline led to an All Blacks scrum from which winger Doug Howlett slid over in the right-hand corner.
In 2005, the Boks arrived at the House of Pain in Dunedin needing a win to clinch their second consecutive Tri-Nations title. With six minutes to go, they lead 27-24, only for All Blacks hooker Kevin Mealamu to be driven over from a line-out for the match-winning try.
The Boks were never going to make it third time lucky for White in New Zealand last year, after the coach opted to rest almost all of his first-choice players ahead of the World Cup. While the second-stringers put up a good fight and trailed 12-6 with 20 minutes to go, three All Blacks tries in the final 10 minutes resulted in a 27-point thrashing.
Former Springbok mental coach Henning Gericke was a key member of White’s management team during that time, and it still grates him that the Boks never won in 2004 or 2005. He believes that while they were mentally prepared for the task, they didn’t have the experience or self belief that the finished product, which won the World Cup, had.
‘I honestly believe that the Boks can win one Test, if not two, in New Zealand this year,’ says Gericke. ‘They just need to focus on these seven points …’
1. HAVE A NO-RESPECT MENTALITY
‘Springbok teams are guilty of putting the All Blacks on a pedestal and believing they are unbeatable. Don’t get me wrong, they are a great team, but we’ve shown them too much respect over the years. We now need to change our underdog mentality into a world champion mentality. We mustn’t listen to all the talk that we haven’t won there since 1998 or that we have never won a Test in Dunedin. We are the world champions and we should believe in ourselves.’
2. AIM TO DOMINATE
‘If your enemy responds to you, you are strong; if you respond to them, you are weak. The Boks must arrive in New Zealand, with the intention of dominating the opposition.’
3. PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS
‘The Boks must do what they do best. The All Blacks don’t like to be tackled hard and confronted physically. New Zealanders throw 50-50 passes in the Super 14 because there’s space, but in Tests you can close that space down and put them under pressure. Playing a physical game doesn’t mean you are playing boring, one-dimensional rugby. It means you are playing clever rugby and giving yourself the best possible chance to win.’
4. HAVE SEVERAL LEADERS
‘The more the unyielding the challenge, the more flexible your leadership has must be. In 2004 and 2005, [captain] John Smit was the only real leader in the team. The Bok side of 2008 will have quite a few leaders, and that could make a big difference. Jean de Villiers was an excellent captain for the Stormers this year, while Juan Smith did a good job with the Cheetahs. Victor Matfield captained the Bulls to the Super 14 title last year. The All Blacks, meanwhile, don’t have many strong leaders, which is why I believe they lost to France in the World Cup last year.’
5. BECOME A FAMILY
‘You need to create an inner circle that creates positive energy. If you have a family environment, you will be able to handle outside pressures because you are so tight-knit. However, it may take time for De Villiers to create the kind of family vibe that we had under Jake. Look at what happened to the Bulls when Heyneke Meyer and a couple of key players left. That family structure was broken to some extent.’
6. SEE OPPORTUNITIES, NOT OBSTACLES
‘When you are in New Zealand, you must really want to be there. Embrace the people, the culture and even the weather. Go out and explore the country. If you have a negative mindset about how terrible a place it is, your game will suffer.’
7. HAVE BIG MATCH TEMPERAMENT
‘When you play the All Blacks in New Zealand, the games are going to be close more often that not. You’re going to find yourself in a situation where there are just three or four points in it with a few minutes to go. Your players have to be able to stay mentally strong and close out the game, which is what the Boks didn’t do in 2004 and 2005.’
What Peter de Villiers says:
ON THE CHALLENGE AHEAD
‘It goes without saying that playing the All Blacks anywhere is one of the toughest tests in the game, but in New Zealand it becomes even tougher. New Zealand have been the most successful rugby country in the world over the last decade, with the exception of their World Cup performances. They are true rugby thinkers and they play with supreme confidence at home, resulting in an attitude that does not contemplate defeat when on home soil. I’m not surprised at all that we have struggled there since 1998, but it should be remembered how close the Boks came to victories in 2004 and 2005.’
ON MENTAL PREPARATION
‘We will leave this country with our minds focused on the first Test [in Wellington] and the first Test only. There’s no use planning and getting worked up about the novelty of two Tests in New Zealand. The reality is one Test is played after the next, so I will prepare the squad for the first Test only. When it’s completed, we’ll reassess and then prepare for the second Test [in Dunedin].’
ON WHETHER HE WILL VALUE EXPERIENCE OVER YOUTH
‘I trust all South African rugby players, and will pick the side I feel has the best chance of winning. That doesn’t just go for the New Zealand Tests. Whoever I name in my 22 for any Test, regardless if they have one cap or 100, will have my full faith and backing.’
ON WHETHER HE’LL BE HAPPY TO WIN JUST ONE OF THE TWO TESTS
‘I am not a loser. I will never be satisfied if we lose.’
By Simon Borchardt, in SA Rugby magazine
928 Comments
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30 Jun 2008, 16:37 pm
Ok guys,
Been good. Hope the Boks win on the weekend either way its going to be a hum dinger.
Outa here
30 Jun 2008, 16:38 pm
#641 Richie_7: indeed, sensible post
30 Jun 2008, 16:38 pm
WP, jou lekka ding!
Sien al die cape flats manne sit met die plakaat, is WP n hoer?
30 Jun 2008, 16:38 pm
A few things that we can hopefully all agree on:
- NZ would love to have SA’s WC record
- SA would love to have NZ’s non-WC record
- We are in for a very hectic, tough and exciting 3N
30 Jun 2008, 16:38 pm
#632 poppa69: That’s probably just about right (in the middle). Still, the % it takes to really seal the game, is where the in strength in balance lies. Which traditionally the All Blacks were able to do, which is consistently why it’s harder to stay on top, instead of reaching the top. But it may also be a psychological barrier that you never wish to relinquish, be it that you may not soon attain the same period of ascendancy. in that case, our WC’s will stand us in good stead once we are really on 50/50 with you again.
30 Jun 2008, 16:38 pm
#561 rangerman:
You are nothing but an opportunist. The point was made as to WHY this AB is not as strong as previous 10yrs. Whereas Hayman, McAlister are only unavail due to the NZRU selection policy, the SA team can select from players around the Globe. To make an analogy with Gerber and Du Plessis is a little embarrassing but if thats how you wish to make your point, be my guest.
30 Jun 2008, 16:39 pm
#630 JL1:
Disagree. Track record is there.
Understand the following positions better than most: 3; 10; 12; 14 and 15.
Consistently nurtured young talent to their full potential. You’ll see a difference in the Aussies soon enough.
30 Jun 2008, 16:39 pm
#640 Sheriff: really ? I have been around longer than the world cup, yes I remember the days of touring sides and midweek games and 3 test series, do you ??? ……..then you get the Mickey mouse concoction of a 6 week tounament that gives a team a title for four years and everyone thinks that makes a great team………..
30 Jun 2008, 16:40 pm
#650 rangerman: #651 Boots: cheers, look 4ward to more of the same til saturday, right!!!
30 Jun 2008, 16:41 pm
#642 Valkman:
In daai geval, valk jou …
30 Jun 2008, 16:41 pm
#569 Boots:
Its a sad state of affairs when you declare victories off the field. You can make all the ‘choker’ jokes you like but your building your own gallows.
30 Jun 2008, 16:41 pm
#654 siener:
yes and also:
SA are no 1 while NZ are no 2.
30 Jun 2008, 16:42 pm
#650 rangerman:
Cheers Ranger!
30 Jun 2008, 16:42 pm
#645 tight head: Dude, relax –
.
I’m just pulling your leg with the Blue Bulls/ Heineke stuff (I don’t actually know which team you support).
I’d actually like to have a rugby discussion with you…what would you like to talk about?
I feel like a shrink!!! LoL!
30 Jun 2008, 16:44 pm
#658 poppa69:
Poppa, are you 69 years old?
Memory not so good, but 2 years stand out: 1995 and 2007
30 Jun 2008, 16:44 pm
#660 Sheriff:
Waar’s daai kommin Brakpan bliksem grootblousmile, is hy nog steeds besig om poep te ruik? Ek sal met my Renault oor hom reverse!
30 Jun 2008, 16:44 pm
the last time i remember the kiwis talking such a good game off the field was in 98, just before our win.
30 Jun 2008, 16:44 pm
#664 crazy ******:
Straight outta Benoni?
My valley?
30 Jun 2008, 16:45 pm
#662 cab: thanks to double bonus ranking points for beating Fiji, Argentina and England, 3 super power teams in world rugby ….
30 Jun 2008, 16:45 pm
#649 st.a.t.w: lets put it this way, if you were Afrikaans you’d probably call m “Oom”. on the other hand judging by the question you have no etiquette so probably no heritage and are may come from what was until recently a penal colony.
30 Jun 2008, 16:46 pm
#642 Valkman:
Ek gaan vir katman kry om jou uit te sort, ek sê
30 Jun 2008, 16:46 pm
#665 Sheriff: yes, just like 49 nil and the AB’s scoring 50 against your side in 2003….remember ???????????
30 Jun 2008, 16:47 pm
#666 Valkman: Nee , hy het vandag n nuwe stel mags gaan koop vir sy Datsun SSS om met jou te kompeteer daar buite die Park Hotel
30 Jun 2008, 16:47 pm
#656 BlackPanther: tenuous argument. Desperate defence! Are you are trying to cushion the possible fall with a few strategically placed pillows? Rather let the best team win. I would love for Mccaw to be playing eg, I do not want SA to be open to the excuses made if we win when he does not play.
30 Jun 2008, 16:47 pm
#666 Valkman:
Nee, nee net nie dit nie! Ons het iets van als nodig – selfs poepers
30 Jun 2008, 16:48 pm
#669 poppa69:
well if u were there, i am sure we would have beaten you too, but u buggers went and upset it all by losing to the french who got beaten twice by the argies, who we decimated systematically…not one for building up the Boks, but beware of the RWC side, now we just need them to be selected, fit and ready.
30 Jun 2008, 16:48 pm
#672 poppa69: Some things we don’t
30 Jun 2008, 16:49 pm
#668 Valkman: Ha! Not quite Valkman! I’m a soutie…
30 Jun 2008, 16:49 pm
#674 zeitgeist: as stated previously, I for one will not be making excuses if SA win, one can only hope that if the shoe is on the other foot, no SA is going to offer excuses ??????
30 Jun 2008, 16:49 pm
#661 BlackPanther:
Howzit, Swartkat!
30 Jun 2008, 16:49 pm
#636 Boots:
Gatland
30 Jun 2008, 16:49 pm
#669 poppa69: you really know how to whine
30 Jun 2008, 16:50 pm
#672 poppa69:
I cannot remember those events. Told ya the memory is not so good.
30 Jun 2008, 16:51 pm
#661 BlackPanther:
Eet jy miskien peanut butter?
30 Jun 2008, 16:51 pm
#676 cab: how can you systematically state that you would have beaten us last year (07) ??? you cant, we will never know, and loving the fact that you guys continue to bleat on about a team that was great 6 months ago, but what have they shown in their 3 tests this year ???? really, please answer honestly ?????
30 Jun 2008, 16:52 pm
#684 Valkman: Jy moet Brits praat. Die man kan jou nie verstaan nie
30 Jun 2008, 16:52 pm
#669 poppa69: Argentina and England finished above your team of world-beating superstars. Your team had no stomach for the big occasion, proven over 21 years. Now take out your spine and paint yourself yellow.
30 Jun 2008, 16:52 pm
#682 zeitgeist: but always with an element of truth …or do you disagree ???…
30 Jun 2008, 16:53 pm
#657 Sheriff: Many a coaches had a great track record, you can only do and work with what you got, Deans will only get results in 3 years I say
Eddie Jones was prime example with the Reds
30 Jun 2008, 16:53 pm
#679 poppa69: no excuses from me – as stated I respect the AB’s a tremedous amount ergo if we lose to the better team it will not come with complaint.
30 Jun 2008, 16:54 pm
#685 poppa69: Our experimental team has scored over a hundred points and conceded about 30.
30 Jun 2008, 16:54 pm
#687 sondebok: yeah, that same team of superstars your guys havent beaten since last century in our homeland, hell we do it every year to you…so come back when you have something to back up your weak remarks….
30 Jun 2008, 16:55 pm
#686 pauld:
Hoe praat hulle op Brits?
30 Jun 2008, 16:55 pm
#685 poppa69:
there are facts and then opinions, but lets just say that imo it is a fact that the bok team that played in the RWC under that coach would have beaten the ABs in france and indeed on neutral soil.
30 Jun 2008, 16:55 pm
#692 poppa69: how about at RWC 2011. Will that work for you ?
30 Jun 2008, 16:56 pm
#693 Valkman: Met baie moeite ou pel. Brits is maar n snaakse plek.
30 Jun 2008, 16:56 pm
#689 JL1:
Yeah. The one thing that I’m secretly hoping for is that Deans will need more time.
Remember he knows the key players in NZ set up very well.
30 Jun 2008, 16:57 pm
Perforated pistons, but you okes are going on here, hey! Watch out you don’t blow a gasket, you chinas are like starting the second SA-NZ war here.
30 Jun 2008, 16:57 pm
#691 sondebok: exactly, so while your experimental team has been “on fire” , your no.1 side have been doing what exactly ?? playing hard test match rugby to ready themselves ?? or have they had a similar buildup to the AB’s in every world cup pool they have been in ???
all Im saying is, though they are the world champs, they havent had a lot of time this year to get back into the swing of things yeah ?? some havent played for a month or two, and anyone who has played serious rugby knows there is nothing like match time right ???
30 Jun 2008, 16:57 pm
Valkman vat 700!
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