'We Will Have To Be Very Clever & Very Clinical'
South Africa forwards coach Johann van Graan says that his side will have to be 'very clever and very clinical' if they are to beat New Zealand in the 2013 Rugby Championship decider on Saturday.
The Springboks need to claim a bonus point victory over the All Blacks, beat them by more than eight points and prevent them from scoring four tries, which given that New Zealand have conceded just 88 points during the tournament so far, is no mean feat.
However, van Graan says the South Africans will be doing everything they can, and are focussing on their own performance ahead of the showdown in Johannesburg.
"The All Blacks pose a massive threat on attack and defence at the breakdown but our aim is always to focus on ourselves and like I said before when that whistle goes on Saturday on attack and defence we'll have to be pretty good at the breakdown," he said.
"I looked at the All Blacks and I didn't see a lot of weaknesses there. So we will have to be very clever and very clinical," he added.
"You know the All Blacks have been tactically very good, so I think you have got to make one or two plans to get territory first. I think what they did in Auckland well was putting us in our half, especially with fourteen men.
"So it's all about getting into the right position, taking your opportunities and you know maybe we'll only score one try this weekend, maybe we'll score five, I don't know what's going to happen."
Welshman Nigel Owens will take charge of the encounter and van Graan paid tribute to his experience, saying that both teams would have to adapt to how the game is played, and refereed on the day.
"We know what he's about, he's one of the world's best referees. Obviously I think both teams will bring certain aspects of their game on his attention, but once you get on the field you can't control anything, you've just got to adapt and we're very confident in him.
"Like I said he's blown a lot of big games in his career and I'm sure it'll be a big game for him as well, you know, being a referee for such a massive Test match."
Video courtesy of SNTV
