Rugby: We're not boring say Boks

Springbok speedster Bryan Habana (R) spent most of the test against the All Blacks chasing kicks. Photo / Getty Images

DURBAN - The Springboks have shrugged off suggestions their methodical rugby style is boring.

The ball went through the South African chain just once in yesterday's 31-19 defeat of the All Blacks - and ended with a fumble - as the hosts employed a relentless kicking game to superb effect.

As with their win at Bloemfontein a week earlier, the Springboks' forward-based game and reliance on penalties for points provided no visual spectacle.

Statistics credit them with just one line break in each of their test wins but that doesn't matter a jot to second five-eighth Jean de Villiers and winger Bryan Habana, who both played their 50th tests yesterday.

"We've looked at the guys we have and it suits us to play this way ," de Villiers told South African journalists.

"It's not boring at all, technically it's spot on and it's what is needed at the time.

"There will be times when we can throw the ball around and add an attacking dimension to our game, but it's not that time yet. The quality aspect of this side is our variety.

"The greatest thing is we are not happy with where we are. There is definitely more in the tank."

De Villiers said a kicking-based game required more skill than most pundits realise. They practise kicking and chasing techniques routinely to get them fine-tuned.

"The execution of those kicks to ensure they land where we want them to, as well as the defensive lines, takes a lot of work.

"The guys don't only do their job, they do that extra bit to make cover tackles or whatever is needed at the time."

Habana harried opposite Joe Rokocoko all game under the high ball, yet rarely had a chance to show his pace with ball in hand.

It didn't bother him and he questioned why the tourists didn't try something similar rather than persisting with expansive rugby.

"It's never easy to play out of your own 40. The ABs did that on a couple of occasions and we were able to force them into errors and get the turnovers," he said.

"When you slowly start building points - three points, six points, nine points - it puts a lot of pressure on the opposition to take chances and they make those mistakes."

- NZPA