Boks ‘not bothered’ by criticism, says coach Mzwandile Stick

No matter how much criticism of ‘insular’ South African rugby drips from the pens of the overseas critics, the Springboks are determined to go back to their strengths when they take on the All Blacks in Townsville on Saturday, according to assistant coach Mzwandile Stick.

Springbok teams are traditionally at their best when they feel isolated, when their backs are against the wall and they feel the world is against them.

It won’t be pretty, but New Zealand can expect a rugged, fiery response from the beleaguered South Africans in the historic 100th meeting between the two teams on Saturday.

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“We don’t care what they think. It does not bother us. Our focus has been on getting better in how we want to play, not on any negative stuff,” Stick said of criticism of the Springboks’ game-plan and players.

“We need to be in control of our system and our main focus has been on sticking to our strengths after we went against them a bit against Australia. We don’t want to change who we are.

“We won’t go to a game we don’t want to play. Test rugby is about pressure, whether that’s applying it through your hands or kicking or set-pieces. If the space is there then we will go for it, but set-pieces and kicking are how we create pressure and we won’t change who we are. We’ve done nothing different in training this week.”

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The All Blacks, however, have the luxury of being able to field three players with fullback experience in their back three – Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan and George Bridge – and their tight five are all seasoned campaigners led by talismanic lock Brodie Retallick, who has never lost to the Springboks.

“We know the All Blacks are very strong and they have three fullbacks at the back, guys who are on form and have height. But we are well prepared and we know our system very well,” Stick said.

“We know it will be tough. They are a very skilful side and they can put the ball in space and they have a good kicking game.”