“Bigger picture at play” as Boks’ main goal remains transformation

Springbok forwards coach Matt Proudfoot has reiterated that the main priority of the coaches is transformation in the national side.

While the Springboks have come off the back of two disappointing losses thus far in the Rugby Championship, and are set to face the world champion All Blacks on Saturday, Proudfoot has emphasised that there is a bigger picture at play, outside of results and in term of transformation, stating that winning in Wellington for the first time since 2014 was not a driving force for the side.

Proudfoot was quoted in New Zealand’s Stuff magazine saying “Rassie (Erasmus) has made it very clear that if we don’t get transformation right, if we don’t get the squad right to be competitive at the World Cup, it doesn’t matter what we do.”

“Bringing a squad together that could win an individual game isn’t what it’s about for us.

“We realise as coaches and management – and this is driven by Rassie – that if we have to get fired for an individual loss or series of losses, then so be it.

“We started a process that will develop a team that’s competitive at the World Cup and represents South Africa as a nation united, that’s what this squad is about.”

To the frustrated fans, Proudfoot explained  “We hear it, obviously you listen to it. For all the people who criticise there are people supporting us.”

“I can show you my phone and the messages of support we get from past players, ‘just stick with what you’re doing’.

“They can see the effort and what this team is doing on the field. Mistakes are going to happen when you’re developing a side. Every second half has been above our opponents and that’s effort. We will get the execution right the more experience this team gets.”