Rugby Championship
Springboks urged to ignore bonus-point emphasis
September 23, 2013
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer faces the media, South African Rugby Union press conference, Cape Town, South Africa, January 27, 2012
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer wants his players to maintain focus © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links

The Springboks have been told to get the win first and to ignore the bonus point in their Rugby Championship Test against Australia on Sunday (AEST).

Coach Heyneke Meyer said that with South Africa four points behind New Zealand with two games left, the first thing they needed to do was win to ensure the title would be decided against New Zealand at Ellis Park on October 5.

Meyer said at a press conference on Monday in Cape Town: "I have told the players to focus on the basics and forget about the bonus point. We can't look past this game, if we don't at least win it then we are out of the championship. There are a lot of scenarios but if you try to work them all out - add and subtract bonus points - then you lose focus on what is important, which is working hard on our own game."

After their 38-12 win over Australia in Brisbane, the Springboks are likely to be confident of securing a four-try bonus point in the return game.

"We will play positive, attack and hopefully score tries. I have been very proud of our attacking level this season. We have scored the most tries and recently recorded our highest winning margins against Argentina and Australia away and that speaks for itself," Meyer said.

Chances of a wet ground in Cape Town could affect the game but Meyer said that while that would be frustrating, it was, in the longer view, useful to get match practice in rain ahead of the 2015 IRB Rugby World Cup.

© Sportal

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices