TRI-NATIONS:THE SPRINGBOKS will stick with their expansive style of play in today's Tri-Nations series match against Australia despite calls for a more conservative approach.
The Springboks face Australia in consecutive Tri-Nations matches, in Durban today and Johannesburg next Saturday.
"For us to turn back now on what we want to go do, it will mean we don't trust ourselves, South Africa coach Peter de Villiers told a news conference.
"I think the players will get to grips with what we want to play, and I believe at the end it will be a playing style the whole world will fear," he added.
"We have the bulk and the speed, we have everything. We just have to put it together so that they utilise the opportunities that arise by rounding off the moves."
De Villiers came under fire after last week's 19-0 defeat to the All Blacks in Cape Town but the coach was firm in his commitment to a more inclusive style of play.
"I must make it clear, we want to play a total rugby expansive game, we want to throw the ball around, we want to use all of our players so that they can enjoy the game, and so that the spectators can enjoy the game," he said.
"If you look at our starter moves, and the way we manage to break the line, it's all coming into place. But after that, the decision-making from there is one thing the players are not used to."
The world champions have produced just three tries in four Tri-Nations matches.
Coach Robbie Deans has made five changes to the Wallabies team that succumbed to New Zealand in Auckland, with flanker Rocky Elsom, fullback Drew Mitchell, scrumhalf Sam Cordingley, lock Dan Vickermann and tighthead prop Matt Dunning named to start.
The return to fitness of Elsom and Vickermann boosts Australia's lineout arsenal, while Mitchell and Cordingley replace the injured Adam Ashley-Cooper and Luke Burgess, respectively.
A victory in Durban or Johannesburg next week will set up a series-decider against New Zealand in Brisbane.
De Villiers's charges will have to hit the mark in both matches, scoring at least four tries in each, for the Springboks to have any chance of winning the series.
Coach de Villiers also confirmed he will meet International Rugby Board (IRB) manager of referees Paddy O'Brien next week following South African concerns about New Zealand scrummaging techniques.
"This is an opportunity to discuss issues with the IRB, face to face," said manager of national teams Andy Marinos. Marinos will join de Villiers for the meeting. "We'd like to discuss our request to meet referees in the company of opposition coaches before Test matches," Marinos said.
South Africa voiced their concern over alleged illegal scrumming techniques applied by New Zealand during the first Test between the teams in the Tri-Nations series in Wellington.
De Villiers and All Black coach Graham Henry met referee Matt Goddard before the second Test in Dunedin to clarify his interpretation of the laws.
P W D LF A DiffBPts
New Zealand5302 124 82+42 2 14
Australia 3201 6067 -71 9
South Africa 41 0 3 47 82 -35 1 5
Aug 30th: South Africa v Australia. Sept 13th: Australia v New Zealand.
