Springboks geared for '100mph game'
WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa acknowledged that they face a massive tactical battle when they take on hosts Japan in a quarterfinal in Tokyo on Sunday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said it will be a contest of two vastly contrasting styles - with the Boks opting for a more structured, methodical approach, as opposed to Japan's pacy, seemingly hit-or-miss and catch-as-catch-can offloading approach.
Speaking after naming his team for the contest, Erasmus admitted the forward-heavy 23-man squad was selected for the purpose of countering the Brave Blossoms' helter-skelter game.
"We are looking to nullify the space they create around tight forwards, with the speed they have," Erasmus said of the six-forwards-two-backs slit on the bench - to go with the Herculean and robust starting pack.
"It [the selection] is to play towards our strengths - which is physical rugby, set phases, mauling, scrums.
"We will attempt to play the game at our pace and they will play the game at their pace.
"That will be a tactical battle, a big battle."
Erasmus spoke of the respect they have for Japan and the way they play the game.
He admitted it has helped to have several players that have had stints in the Japanese Top League.
"When we played them [in the pre-tournament warm-up match], it [Japan's playing culture] was totally foreign to me," the coach said.
"Now we know what they are all about and what they bring to the game.
"Sunday it is two teams that have faced each other. It is two teams in a high-pressure quarterfinal with an equal chance in the game.
"We both play very different styles."
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The Boks will lean heavily on those players who have had stints in the Japanese Top League.
"The club teams do everything at 100-miles-per-hour: training, fitness, the guys don't rest," veteran loose forward Duane Vermeulen said.
"It's a fantastic work ethic on and off the field, a fantastic culture."
Vermeulen is on the books of Spears, with the Top League this year also featuring the likes of All Black great Dan Carter (Steelers) and Australian star Matt Giteau (Sungoliath).
"I really enjoyed it," Bok fullback Willie Le Roux said of his two seasons with the Eagles, having signed from English Premiership team Wasps for Verblitz post-World Cup.
"It's very open. If I had to describe it, it's like sevens in a 15-man game. It's very quick, you run from everywhere.
"Sometimes there's not much structure, so everyone just plays what they see. It was quite fun, enjoyable."
On the coaching side, assistant Springbok coach Matt Proudfoot described his time at Kobe as a "great learning experience".
"I got to coach different types of players and understand their mindset," he said.
Lock Franco Mostert currently plays for Gloucester after turning out for the Black Rams.
"If you look at the Top League, it's not that much different from South Africa, probably not so physical but a bit quicker," Mostert said.
"They have worked very hard for what they want."
The number of Springbok players to have appeared for teams in Japan is staggering, offering a wealth of inside information on a nation on the rise.
Japan was the surprise inclusion in the quarterfinals, having topped Pool A with four wins from four, including victories over Six Nations giants Ireland and Scotland.
"What's better than playing the host country in the quarterfinal? That's definitely something you have to embrace and I'm looking forward to it," said Vermeulen.
"I play my club rugby here and in a way, I really kind of enjoy it. I love the country, the food, the culture."
Japan, Vermeulen added, brought a "different style of play, it's not something you're used to".
Vermeulen said the Boks, particularly those who play or have played in Japan, knew what was coming but "you've still got to pitch up on the day."
Three South African-born players made the Japan squad for the World Cup: Pieter Labuschagne and Wimpie van der Walt, who have both been based in Japan long enough to have earned citizenship, and star wing Kotaro Matsushima, born in Pretoria to a Zimbabwean mother and Japanese father.
"I've played against some of them in Super Rugby and with and against them in the Japanese Top League," Vermeulen said.
"Lappies is in the top four tacklers at World Cup so far. They're guys who are earning respect week in, week out. It's going to be tough on Sunday coming up against them."
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