Springboks put their heads together to find a way past All Blacks

LONDON: Bodies are bruised and battered in the Springboks camp but sports psychologist Professor Pieter Kruger is on hand to ensure brains are in top gear for the semi-final with New Zealand.

Kruger (pictured at right with coach Heyneke Meyer) joined the South Africa Rugby Union in February as performance psychologist and judging by player comments this week he is having an influence.

Just a day after Jannie du Plessis quoted the professor, Boks teammate Duane Vermeulen was also singing his praises.

“Pieter (Kruger) does a lot on the side,” Vermeulen said at the team’s base in Guildford. “He sees body language; are you on a downwards slope or happy where you are?”

“If not, you get to sit with him for one-on-ones and he puts you in the right direction, shows you the right way of preparing yourself, as an individual or in the squad, to give your bit when needed and to keep quiet when nothing else is needed.

 

Potential concerns

“This week is all mental. We know exactly how New Zealand play and they know how we play. The coaches have sorted out the way they want the players to attack, defend. As a player now it just comes down to mental preparation.”

Kruger’s first act when he joined the camp was to give players and management a battery of neuropsychological tests to help him improve individual performances.

He does not give the players mental exercises but he does flag potential concerns.

“In the first couple of games in the (Rugby) Championship there was a dead spot between 50 and 70, 20 minutes when we struggled to get points,” Vermeulen said. “He showed that to us. You just had to see it. You get that mind-shift and suddenly you can score points and build scoreboard pressure, keep the boxes ticking.”

Kruger’s skills have been sought after the world over. Arsenal and Chelsea football clubs have also called on him.

When he arrived, coach Meyer predicted: “He will make a huge difference.” The Springboks are banking on it.

Du Plessis in unchanged S. Africa team for World Cup semi-final

AFP: South Africa hooker Bismarck du Plessis has been included in an unchanged starting side for their World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

Du Plessis had been doubtful after having his hand ‘studded’ accidentally by team-mate Francois Louw during South Africa’ 23-19 quarter-final win over Wales at Twickenham last weekend.

But he was named in the 1st XV announced by coach Heyneke Meyer at the Springboks team hotel in Guildford, southwest of London, on Wednesday.

Meanwhile veteran lock Victor Matfield, who had been ruled out of South Africa’ last three matches with a hamstring injury after coming out of Test retirement, returned on the bench in place of Pieter-Steph du Toit.

This was the first time since November last year that Meyer has been able to name an unchanged starting team for successive Tests.

“It’s great to be able to give another run to the team that got us through to the semi-finals in the biggest Test of the year,” said Meyer.

“Victor’s inclusion on the bench gives us even more experience there.

“His influence will also be pivotal against a strong New Zealand line-out.”

New Zealand, the reigning world champions, thrashed France 62-13 in their quarter-final. 

“We’re playing against the defending champions and the top-ranked side in the world, but the current New Zealand side can also be regarded as arguably one of the best Test teams ever,” said Meyer.

“We have the utmost respect for their players and coaching staff and although there is an intense rivalry we actually get along very well away from the field,” he added.

“But we have to believe we can beat them otherwise we’ll be wasting our time on Saturday,” added the coach, whose side suffered a shock defeat by Japan in their tournament opener. 

“Tests against New Zealand are very intense and the margins over the last couple of years have been small. 

“We’re not expecting anything different this weekend and the self-belief is there,” Meyer said.

New Zealand, who have won seven of their last nine Tests against South Africa, were due to name their side on Thursday.