The doctor is in: Human and Springboks step up to full Test mode for set-piece battle against Italy
Springbok assistant coach Daan Human is expecting a tough scrum test from Italy this weekend at Loftus Versfeld. Photo: Backpagepix
After bashing the ill-prepared Barbarians last week in a friendly, the Springboks have switched into full Test-match mode, and scrum coach Daan Human says it will be a different ball game against the Azzurri in Pretoria on Saturday.
The scary thing is that Human believes the Boks will go up a level from their 54-7 romp in the rain last week.
“The big difference is that the Baabaas don’t play regularly,” said Human on Monday in Johannesburg, “so we had to look at them as individuals.
“This week we play a proper Test match team and we can do much more homework. That is the big difference, and having had our opening match, there is now stuff we can work on.”
Italy have warmed up for the Boks by beating Namibia 73-6 last week, and while the strength of the opposition was questionable, Human says the Boks have learned from that match.
“About 80% of the Italy players from that match will play us this week,” he said.
“Their scrum was very good. They won several scrum penalties and earned a penalty try. And I know the guys who played in the pack for Namibia, especially the front row guys, and they are experienced players, some of whom have played in three World Cups.”
Human, who has a wicked sense of humour, added, “If Italy had played Verkeerdevlei (the dorp in the Free State that is home to him), I would take something.”
On a more serious note, Human, nick-named “the scrum doctor”, said the Italy scrum is in rude health.
“For the first three rounds of the last Six Nations, Italy were very competitive. They had the best scrum completion in the Six Nations at 93%.
“They have a proper, proper scrum. In the whole Six Nations, they got only three scrum penalties against them and won 12. We will give them the respect they deserve,” he concluded.
