South African coaches believe the Springboks will be back to their best in the return leg of the Tri-Nations.
An under-strength Springbok side were put to the sword by old rivals Australia and New Zealand on their away leg, but local coaches believe the Boks can turn the tables on home soil.
National coach Peter de Villiers told Parliament on Tuesday his injury-depleted side were unable to land knockout blows when they had their opponents against the ropes, and certain team members were wary of playing “hazardous rugby”.
Lions forwards coach Johan Ackermann, a former Springbok, said the Boks would be far stronger if they had time to work together without numerous injury concerns.
“I think killer instinct comes when there is trust within the team,” Ackermann said on Wednesday.
“A team that start believing in each other know that they can win regardless of what happens on the field, like for instance when a quick try is scored against you and that killer instinct kicks in.
“I think the team that went on the Tri-Nations tour weren’t together long enough and played against guys who had two to three times as much experience as they had.
“To build that killer instinct doesn’t happen overnight.”
Bulls coach Pine Pienaar said he hoped the Boks would bounce back at home.
“I’m sure Peter de Villiers is not happy with what happened there,” Pienaar said. “I believe for any Bok coach to have lost those two games would have put them under pressure.
“From a Bulls perspective we are holding thumbs that they do well in the return leg of the Tri-Nations.”
Ackermann said South Africa would be a far more capable side once a host of experienced players returned from injury.
“Those are guys who have won Super 14 tournaments and a World Cup, so they know what it is all about and how to deal with a setback like an early try against you,” Ackermann said.
SAPA
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