South Africa watching All Blacks closely for secret of their success

Jake White

Closing the gap on New Zealand has become the No 1 ambition for Springbok coach Jake White.

But White, whose team face Scotland in the second test at Port Elizabeth tomorrow, warns that his team is a long way short right now.

White rejects suggestions that New Zealand cannot be called No 1 because they haven't won a World Cup since 1987. To him, that is irrelevant.

"You have to be aware of where New Zealand are and what they are doing. You also have to admire them because they have been No 1 in the world for a long time.

"Whether they have been winning World Cups is irrelevant. Anyone who talks about world rugby will know that New Zealand have dominated the game around the world for the last 10 years and that's a hell of an achievement. They're like the Australian cricket team.

"It [NZ rugby] must be an amazing place to be, an amazing set-up to be involved in; an environment where you know that every decision that is made is based on the fact that you have just got to perform.

"We are a long way from that here in South Africa. It doesn't mean we can never get it right but there is a distance we have to travel to match it."

White took an indirect swipe at the underlying reasons for New Zealand's mastery compared to the situation in his own country.

Every decision they make, he said, was based on keeping the All Blacks No 1 in the world. "As long as we don't make similar decisions here in South Africa with the same idea in mind, we are giving them the advantage."

"We are No 2 in the world and are loving it. The last two years have been fun and we have a win ratio of around 70 per cent. We haven't lost at home in that time and there are a lot of positives.

"But if South Africa want to be a real force in rugby worldwide and becoming No 1, it doesn't mean just winning the occasional game against New Zealand.

"No 1 for me is when rugby is the national game. And whether you're talking about a Super 14 franchise, or the national team or even at lower levels, you need to reach a point where every decision made is based on whether it is the best for the Springboks. I'm talking about when players play, when they rest, which position they play in, what the combinations are ... every single aspect."

White's conviction has been reinforced by new Boks scrummaging coach Balie Swart. Swart coached in New Zealand and saw first hand the relentless devotion to making the All Blacks the best.

"Any idea that is presented is judged solely on one criteria," said White. "Will it be good for the All Blacks? If it is, it's adopted. If not, it is dropped. There is no other discussion. We don't have that set-up in this country and until we do we will continue to lag behind the All Blacks."

White has long argued for a closer involvement in the South African Super 14 franchise operations. And he adds, people can't have it both ways.

"They cannot expect South Africa to become the real No 1 rugby nation when our structure simply isn't as good as New Zealand's. "