Friday 23 October 2015 15:26, UK
Thinus Delport says the Boks' defensive organisation will be key in their semi-final clash with the All Blacks.
The two sides meet after differing fortunes in the World Cup so far, with the All Blacks coming out of their group unscathed before thrashing France 62-13 in their quarter-final in Cardiff last week.
The Boks on the other hand lost to Japan in their first outing, and only just got past Wales in a tense 23-19 affair. Delport says the Boks will need to ramp up a level when they face the best team in the world.
"The Springboks will have to be at their very best to beat the All Blacks," said the former international.
"It's a big game, a true traditional clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks, but because it's the World Cup, anything can happen on the day.
"We saw in New Zealand's quarter-final that they were in pretty destructive form against the French, but you can't look too much into it because teams can only play what's in front of them on a given day.
"The Springboks will offer a different level of opposition than what the French offered in the quarter-final."
The key areas which South Africa will need to focus on in order to win the game will be the forwards dominating their opposite numbers, and the backs structuring their defence effectively, says Delport.
"Again it's the set piece that's important. Especially at scrum time.
"One of the trademarks of New Zealand rugby is being clinical, and being able to execute those skills under pressure.
"For some of the younger guys this will be the biggest game of their lives so far, and that's true for some of the older guys as well."
"With the clinical execution of the All Blacks there are less scrums, but when those opportunities come up the Boks will have to put them under pressure so that they have that in the back of their minds when they're throwing the ball around.
"In defence South Africa need to be very organised and put them under pressure so that they are unable to provide ball at the tempo they want.
"Defensive pressure and defensive organisation is key.
Full-back Willie le Roux is a slight defensive concern for the Boks, with his tackling not among the best in world rugby, but Delport says that the responsibility of defence at the back lies with the wingers as well as the No 15.
"Willie will have to work well with the guys on his inside but especially with the wingers. That's why the defensive organisation will be so important.
"Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen are both very experienced players,
"JP, who is likely to be marking Julian Savea, is a big man himself, so he will back himself to shut down the threat of Savea."
The All Blacks have heaped praise on the Boks during their press conferences this week. When asked about playing against their old foe, Conrad Smith said the All Blacks considered the Springboks their 'ultimate rival'.
"There is something special about playing them," said the Kiwi centre. "And playing them in a semi-final will be extra special.
"We have a good relationship with most teams we play, but South Africa have a special respect for the game, and that is why two minutes after the game we are able to shake hands, walk off the pitch and have a chat with them."
Some have suggested that the All Blacks know their opponents are at their most dangerous when they have been undermined, and as such the New Zealanders are trying to get the edge by making the Boks complacent.
Delport, who played against the All Blacks in the 2003 World Cup, says the Boks should not look too much into what's said about them.
"It's all part of the mind games," said the former Sharks back. "The psychological challenge in these games is just as big as the physical challenge.
"It's about getting your players in the right mind-set, but also getting into the minds of the opposition.
"The guys will be very smart in what they say about the opposition and how they approach the mental battle."
The only change that Heyneke Meyer has made to his matchday 23 is the inclusion of Victor Matfield on the bench ahead of Pieter-Steph du Toit. The veteran second rower will offer a sense of calm for the younger players, says Delport, who believes the Boks will also benefit from the clean bill of health following a physical quarter-final against Wales.
"Matfield comes in for the added experience in what is a massive game," said the 18-test international.
"For some of the younger guys this will be the biggest game of their lives so far, and that's true for some of the older guys as well.
"So Victor comes in to lend his experience from the bench and calm things down for the Boks towards the end.
"It's great that they've been able to maintain consistency in selection."
