Former Scotland head coach Matt Williams believes the Springboks have “really hit a wall” with their game-plan ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
The reigning global champions were well beaten by the All Blacks at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, as their Rugby Championship hopes look dashed. That result has caused Williams, who is now a television pundit, to criticise South Africa’s playing style as he feels they are struggling against better sides.
“I think South Africa’s game-plan has really hit a wall,” he declared as he appeared as a guest on Off The Ball, talking to the show’s presenter Joe Molloy.
“They beat Australia very easily, but Australia are really poor at the moment, really, really poor. But the South African game-plan against the big boys like New Zealand, France and Ireland, they are not coping well against those teams.
“I think they need a big rethink on what they’re doing before the World Cup.” Williams was especially critical of South Africa‘s lack of creativity and expansion to their game, feeling Lukhanyo Am was wasted against the All Blacks.
“Lukhanyo Am is one of the best outside centres, if not the best outside centre in the world. They hardly called his name on Saturday. He just didn’t see the game,” he said.
“They’re playing to some of their strengths which is their forwards, but that’s not going to mix it against the top four.”
The show’s presenter, Molloy, then asked Australian Williams if he thought the Springboks’ game-plan had developed since their 2019 World Cup triumph.
He felt Rassie Erasmus’ outfit did try their hand late on against England in the final in Japan, but believes there hasn’t been sufficient growth in their game.
“In the final, they did,” Williams responded to the Springboks chancing their arm in 2019. “They played a little bit more as they came through, but since the Lions series in the middle of this World Cup cycle, the South Africans have shown very little expansion to their game except when they’re on top or a long way behind.
“When they’re going at it against the top three teams, they’re not matching it, it’s just not working for them, and I think they’re in some real strife.” planetrugby.com
