By WYNNE GRAY
The All Black pack must improve or the Springboks will end their four-test losing streak at Ellis Park on Sunday, predicts Laurie Mains.
The Boks felt they had the edge in scrums, would dispute more of the lineouts and were determined to mix it in general play.
"They are fully committed to socking it to both New Zealand and Australia," said the former All Blacks coach, who has been observing the Boks this week.
Despite massive pressure on coach Nick Mallett and the team, the Boks were not showing signs of stress.
"They are not a team who are saying they can't do it, they believe they will win. They will give the All Blacks a torrid time."
Like many this year, Mains is glowing in his praise of the All Black backplay.
"I have not seen a better, more potent unit," he said. "Their variations and moves have been an eye-opener for all of us."
If the All Blacks were to win and keep the pressure on the Wallabies for the final Tri-Nations test, several things had to happen.
"New Zealand are well-performed and experienced and I believe they have the winning of the game if they do the hard work up front and play it smart in the backs," he said.
His concerns, though, remained with the pack's ability to cope with the Bok fury.
The Boks would bring even more aggression and passion than they delivered at Christchurch in their first Tri-Nations meeting.
Away from home they were under pressure but only conceded two tries that day.
That pressure and expectation would increase on Sunday, but the Boks could make it work for them and lift their intensity in the altitude of the Ellis Park cauldron.
"Ellis Park will give the Boks a real lift, they believe they will be winners there," said Mains. "There is no question about that, the Afrikaaners feel it is their stronghold."
Mains coached the Cats to the Super 12 semifinals this year and half the Springboks come from that franchise.
That would help with combinations like halfback Werner Swanepoel and his loose forwards.
Mains accepted that the selection of Swanepoel ahead of Joost van der Westhuizen at halfback would continue to surprise many New Zealanders, but said it was the only real choice.
"Joost is not back to his best, though we all know what a great player he can be, and is, in the South African jersey," said Mains.
"Werner is a good player and has a good combination with the loose forwards, while we know how dangerous Joost can be breaking from those rolling rucks and mauls. However he has not had enough games."
While Mains felt the All Blacks might be in for a "rough day," he pinpointed the Bok midfield as their weakness.
New centre Grant Esterhuizen had to come to grips with the pace of test rugby and the power and size of the New Zealand backs, while the recalled Robbie Fleck would be out of position at second five-eighths.
"I think they could both struggle with defence, and Fleck has got to be much more disciplined there."
All Blacks test programme 2000
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