'Skilful' Boks beginning to believe

However, there is no reason why the Springboks - in a year or two - could not be just as well equipped as the All Blacks and produce the thrilling, high-paced, skill-based game that has kept the Kiwis at the top of the game's totem pole.

Warren Whiteley - who could be rewarded with a starting place against Ireland at Newlands this coming Saturday, after taking the selfless decision to five up an opportunity to play Sevens at the Olympics - is adamant that South African do have the talent and skill to match the Kiwis.

However, he warned that - like the Lions - the Boks may take a year or two to find "the right balance" between the team's traditional strengths and a more entertaining brand.

Whiteley admitted it was an "extremely difficult decision" not to take up Sevens coach Neil Powell's offer to play with the BlitzBoks and have a crack at the Olympic squad.

The bighearted Lions captain described it as "probably the most difficult decision in my career", adding it is "still difficult".

However, he had to choose between playing Sevens or the 15-a-side code.

"With the role I was playing at the Lions it felt like I would be turning my back on the team," Whiteley told a media briefing during the team's build-up to the opening match in the three-Test series against Ireland.

"That would have been a selfish decision," he said of leaving the Lions to play Sevens, adding: "There is still a part f me that wants to go to the Olympics and I want to be part of something special.

"However, I have a job to do at a union that has given me a lot over the last three years."

And that sacrifice could be rewarded with a starting spot when new Bok coach Allister Coetzee named his 23-man squad on Thursday this week.

Duane Vermeulen, the only other specialist No.8 in the squad, only joined up with the team from Toulon on Sunday. With him only starting to train on Monday, there may not be enough time for Vermeulen to slot into the Bok routine ad familiarise himself with the structures and calls.

Whiteley, with all three his previous Test appearances having been off the bench, could be part of a very exciting loose forward combination that could see Vermeulen play off the bench - and have another European-based player, Bath flank Francois Louw, in the mid.

Other flanks in the squad are Siya Kolisi, Jaco Kriel and Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

Whiteley cautioned against expectations that the Boks would, at the flick of a switch, start playing like the All Blacks.

However, he feels they are heading in the right direction.

"I can only talk from the experience I have at the Lions, I have only played three Tests," he said, when asked about the Boks tactics, adding: "It did take a while [for the Lions], but what is really important is the belief you have in the system and the style of rugby you want to play.

"You need the buy-in from every single player. [Even] if you have the buy-in, you are still going to make mistakes. However, if you believe in what you are going to do and stick to it, then the improvement will come, the decision-making will get better and over time [you will improve].

"It has taken us [the Lions] time, but now we play good rugby."

Whiteley said you don't want to move away from what has made the Springboks, traditionally, very strong - set pieces, scrums and line-outs, physical contact, dominance in the contact zone.

However, he is adamant that South Africa has enough skill-based players, "fantastic talent".

"You need to utilise that as well," Whiteley said, adding: "To get the balance right is going to be crucial.

"I truly believe South African players are just as skilful as New Zealanders.

"You can watch schools games in Cape Town, or go look at Grey [in Bloemfontein] or in the Paarl. Go look at schools games and you'll see the skills, even look at an Under-13 game.

"We do have the players with the skills. It is an attitude [thing], to believe in what you do.

"That was the big change at the Lions.

"It is beginning to happen here [at the Boks]."

He said players need the freedom to express themselves.

"You mustn't be scared to make mistakes, you must be able to express yourself on the playing field."

By Jan de Koning

@rugby365com