Jones Highlights All Blacks Breakdown Threat Against All Blacks

Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones expects an intense, highly tactical encounter when South Africa faces New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday in the opening Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

The sides will meet in the first of four consecutive Tests, with the remaining matches scheduled for DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 29 August, FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 5 September, and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA, on 12 September. All four matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

The All Blacks head into the series having played three matches against South Africa’s franchises: the DHL Stormers, Hollywoodbets Sharks and Vodacom Bulls.

The Springboks, meanwhile, have had a full international schedule against the Barbarians, England, Scotland, Wales and Argentina. Jones is confident both teams will be ready for top-class Test rugby when they meet on Saturday.

“I think both teams are going to feel really prepared going into the game,” said Jones.

“New Zealand have had their franchise games, and we’ve had Argentina for some players, while a group of players remained behind in South Africa to do specific work.

“I don’t think any preparation really replicates the level of intensity you’re going to experience when New Zealand plays South Africa. But I think both teams would say going into this game that they feel prepared.”

Jones said there had been several consistent themes in the All Blacks’ three matches against the South African franchises.

“They clearly have a very strong identity around what they’re trying to do in each area of the game, and those threads were present in the franchise games too, even in the wet weather in Durban.

“They are really committed to the direction they’re going in. If you look at the metrics, you’d see significant shifts in their kicking volume, the amount of ball they’re trying to keep in hand, their phase count and their possession time, so there’s been a clear shift in what they’re trying to do.”

Reflecting on what the Springbok coaching staff have learned from the All Blacks’ matches against the franchise teams, Jones said much of it had confirmed what they had already observed during the Nations Championship.

“A lot of it was confirmation of what we saw in the Nations Championship in terms of how they’re trying to attack, defend and play with their kicking game.

“A couple of things caught the franchises out, and a couple of themes were consistent across the feedback we received. One was around the breakdown, where they experienced tucked shoulders going in, which the franchises weren’t happy with, and a reversed-arm, non-wrapping action.

“The other was that the franchises were actually quite happy with the opportunities they created, getting into scoring positions around 10 metres out, with multiple lineout opportunities there, but they were frustrated they couldn’t score from the driving maul.

“It’s tough when there’s someone pulling or trying to lift a leg or going off their feet. Those were probably the two main themes.

“We’re all for the physical side of the game, as everyone is aware. We just want it to be within the laws. So, we’re aware of it going into the game.”

Jones also highlighted the influence of All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, whom he has coached against with Glasgow and Australia.

“We’ve coached against Dave Rennie with Glasgow and with Australia, and the word ‘brutal’ follows his coaching, and there are some amazing elements to how quickly they get their ruck speed going.

“But World Rugby’s number one priority is safety, so we just want to make sure that physicality and brutality stay within the laws.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s Test, Jones emphasised the importance of making a strong start, noting that the All Blacks have always prided themselves on their ability to begin matches at a high intensity.

“We saw that in Auckland last year, where they scored early and we had to grind our way back,” he said.

“So, we know we have to start with a huge amount of intensity. It’s almost a given when you play New Zealand that they start fast.”

Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams said it would be a huge privilege if he is selected to face the All Blacks when head coach Rassie Erasmus announces his match-day 23 on Thursday.

“We have to wait until Thursday for the team announcement,” said Williams.

“It might be Morne (van den Berg), Cobus (Reinach) or Herschel (Jantjies), but if I get the honour to play on Saturday, my job will be to make sure the team goes forward.

“I won’t be focused on my position or who’s opposite me, but if I get the opportunity, my job will be to put the team first, and it will be the same for the other players.”

Asked about the influence of the Springboks’ 43-10 victory over the All Blacks in Wellington last year, Williams said the result was now history and that the team’s focus was firmly on Saturday’s encounter.

“I just remember the win, but it was a whole different week, with a completely different mentality going into the game,” he said.

“The All Blacks will come out on Saturday with guns blazing, but whoever is selected for the weekend will try to front up and make sure we represent South Africa really well.”