LOCK Victor Matfield said that the team required better breakdown work after the Springboks went down 29-15 to Ireland last Saturday.
The Boks face England at Twickenham on Saturday and can expect more harassment in the battle for the ball on the deck, especially as referees appear to have a more laissez faire attitude at the breakdown.
Against Ireland the Springboks worked their way into several try-scoring positions but a combination of slow ball and poor option taking cost them chances.
"The one area where we were poor was at the breakdown where we never got front-foot ball or quick ball, and that killed us," Matfield said.
"The breakdown is one area we have been good all year but we weren't as accurate as we need to be. The ball was a bit slow and we probably need to put a few more men into the breakdown to secure fast possession."
Boks work on breakdown
LOCK Victor Matfield said that the team required better breakdown work after the Springboks went down 29-15 to Ireland last Saturday.
The Boks face England at Twickenham on Saturday and can expect more harassment in the battle for the ball on the deck, especially as referees appear to have a more laissez faire attitude at the breakdown.
Against Ireland the Springboks worked their way into several try-scoring positions but a combination of slow ball and poor option taking cost them chances.
"The one area where we were poor was at the breakdown where we never got front-foot ball or quick ball, and that killed us," Matfield said.
"The breakdown is one area we have been good all year but we weren't as accurate as we need to be. The ball was a bit slow and we probably need to put a few more men into the breakdown to secure fast possession."
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