The brave must be encouraged

One of the pleasing features of the Springbok renaissance in the latter stages of their home Vodacom Tri-Nations campaign was the greater freedom the players appeared to have when it came to decision-making.

There is still a long way to go, and a team do not suddenly become a potent attacking force overnight, but there is potential. In each of the last two tests the Boks scored one try which was well created. This is an improvement on the fare dished up prior to that, when intercept tries and other scores made off opposition mistakes were the staple diet.

However, some of the statements which came from the Springbok coaches and players at the post-match press conference following the win over Australia suggest a substantial mind-shift might still be necessary.

Coach Jake White, when asked about the contribution made by André Pretorius, focused on the mistakes he had made. Later, when scrumhalf Fourie du Preez was asked to describe the try he had scored off a tap penalty, he said he was fortunate to have scored it as he would have had his coach and teammates to answer to had he not dotted down.

“It was an instinctive thing, but I am lucky I scored it. Had I not, and we had wasted the chance for three points, I would not be sitting here (as man-of-the-match),” said Du Preez. He then added that next time he would definitely opt for the three points.

In both these instances, it is a marked contrast to the attitude that comes out of the All Black camp. Jerry Collins, when asked about the outrageous chip kick he put in that bounced just right in the Loftus test, said it was an act of instinct, but that playing on instinct, and taking chances, was necessary if you want to make an impact on the game.

Dan Carter, the IRB World Player of the Year for 2005, spoke about the freedom he had been given to make his own decisions by coach Graham Henry. Most importantly, he said that the coach accepted that if he was going to venture, he was also going to make the occasional mistake.

And we know this, for in the two All Black matches against the Boks before Rustenburg, Carter made mistakes early on and then recovered later. In both instances he was so good that the early errors, such as the charge-down that led to a Du Preez try in Wellington, was largely erased from memory.

If the Boks are serious about becoming a bit more adventurous in their approach, then they are going to have to start settling into this mindset. Du Preez was right to try for the seven points at Ellis Park, and he should do the same next time. Do the maths and you will see why – three points just doesn’t come close to having the impact of seven.

The man who introduced this type of thinking to South African rugby this season was David Campese at the Sharks. And this is fitting, for Campese was probably the prince of that breed of player whose brilliance occasionally led to mistakes, which led him to be described as enigmatic. Serge Blanco was another, and Pieter Rossouw was probably the best South African example.

If the Boks are to go forward they need to be prepared to try things, they must drop the fear of failure and replace it with the relish of adventure. We should not be worrying about what Pretorius did wrong at Ellis Park, but lauding him for what he did right – which was quite a lot.

As for Du Preez, his quick tap might not have been as risky as we think it was. Had he not scored, referee Steve Walsh would surely have had to call the players back for the Wallabies not retiring ten metres. Which would have given John Smit time to gather his thoughts and opt for the three pointer.