Boks to freshen up to be ‘best we can be’ for All Blacks final — Davids

The Springboks are aiming for a balanced preparation week so that they can be fresh and ready for their massive Rugby World Cup final clash against the All Blacks at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Saturday night.

The Boks were very lucky to escape with a smash-and-grab 16-15 win over England in their semifinal clash over the past weekend, with many of the team looking spent after having put in a huge effort to edge France in their quarterfinal a week earlier.

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The team will thus have to approach this week differently as they try to make sure they’re in the best possible shape for the huge encounter against their biggest rivals.

“It is one of the things that we need to be smart on. We will find a balance to ensure our players are fresh and ready to go for Saturday,” explained Bok assistant coach Deon Davids.

“Us coaches and the conditioning coach will have a good discussion so that tactically and strategically we pitch up to be the best that we can be, to execute for 80 minutes.

“Nothing will change in terms of our approach. From a strategic point of view, we will look at maybe making different plans in different areas, but technically and conditioning-wise I don’t think anything will change this week and that is the way we will approach things.”

Clash of styles

The game is expected to be a clash of styles with the all-out attacking threat of the All Blacks matched up against the forward driven game of the Boks and it will be interesting to see which one comes out on top, with the sides level at one win a piece over the current season.

“There is strength in both teams in terms of how they play the game, but also there might be similarities in terms of how we look at the game,” said Davids.

“Both squads are similar in terms of experience, x-factor and where and how they want to play. It is going to be a tight battle to outsmart each other and to ensure you get the upper hand.

“It is going to be about possession, playing in the right areas and using your opportunities. It is going to be a massive battle.

“Those are the things that I think assisted the teams to get into the final. The team that executes the best, pitches up mentally the best and adapts to the conditions will be the winners of this tournament.”

Record hunt

 Adding to the excitement is that both teams are hunting a record fourth World Cup title as they are currently level on three-a-piece.

The All Blacks have played in four World Cup finals so far, winning three and only losing once against the Boks in 1995, while the Boks have won all three of the finals they have reached at the showpiece event.

“It is very exciting. As a kid we grew up listening to the radio on the battles between the All Blacks and South Africa, listening to the stories of the heroes from both teams over the years,” said Davids.

“It has been part of our rugby history, the Springboks and the All Blacks, and every time we play each other it is always a special battle and I don’t think this one will be different. I think it will maybe go to a different level in terms of the competition between the players.

“It is going to come down to the day. It is how the team that handles the pressure, executes the best, or maybe one brilliant moment from one individual that turns things around, it might come down to things like that.

“We are very privileged and humble to make it so far, to be part of such a big week leading to this game.”