Springboks scrum coach Daan Human has recently praised the All Blacks’ scrum, acknowledging it as one of the most formidable in the rugby world. Human’s comments come as the Springboks prepare for their upcoming match against New Zealand in Cape Town, with particular focus on the scrum battle that has become a crucial aspect of the Rugby Championship.
In their recent encounter at Ellis Park, South Africa and New Zealand shared the spoils in the scrum despite the Springboks’ efforts to showcase their dominance in this area. Although the Springboks had previously performed strongly against Australia, their set-piece against New Zealand did not meet the same level of supremacy, partly due to injury issues within the team.
Human addressed the impact of these injuries on the Springboks’ performance, noting that Pieter-Steph du Toit’s role shifts during the match—moving from lock to flank and back—may have influenced their scrum performance. Despite these challenges, Human expressed satisfaction with how the team managed the situation and emphasized that they did not use these issues as excuses for their performance.
Turning to the All Blacks, Human commended their scrum, highlighting it as one of the strongest globally. He admitted that while there is always an ideal scenario where the strongest and most experienced players are available, the Springboks had to make do with the resources at hand. He also mentioned that there is room for improvement in their own scrum play and that they have thoroughly reviewed their performance to enhance their game.
Looking ahead, the Springboks might reinforce their front row with Steven Kitshoff, a double Rugby World Cup winner who has been recovering from a knee injury. Kitshoff’s return to fitness and his potential inclusion in the squad could provide a boost, particularly given that Cape Town is his home ground. Human acknowledged that Kitshoff’s presence and experience could be a significant factor in their upcoming match, especially playing in front of his home crowd.