SPOTLIGHT: Star loose forward Ardie Savea has sent a warning to his All Black teammates about a “scarier” Springbok team that awaits them later this year.
The Springboks have bolstered their coaching team with Tony Brown and Jerry Flannery as they start a new World Cup cycle under head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Brown, who was an All Black flyhalf in his playing days, will be in charge of the Boks’ attacking game, while Flannery is the new defence coach.
“I reckon they are going to be a different beast but in a scarier way,” said Savea.
“I have a sense that they want to do great things and leave a legacy.
“They want to back that up with the way they play.”
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The All Blacks will face the Springboks twice in South Africa in this year’s Rugby Championship. The first meeting will happen on August 31 in Johannesburg before a second Test in Cape Town on September 7.
One Springbok legend that won’t be on the playing field this year is Duane Vermeulen who announced his retirement after last year’s World Cup. He has been appointed to a roving coaching role with all SA Rugby’s national teams.
Savea has had plenty of epic battles with Vermeulen over the years and believes there will be others waiting in the wings to fill the big man’s shoes.
“I am a massive fan of Duane. I watched him when I was a kid,” said Savea, who is currently playing in Japan Rugby League One for Kobe Steelers.
“For him to not be there is huge but they have other world-class loosies.
“I think they are going to be a different beast but in a scarier way.
“It’s not good for us.”
Meanwhile, the All Blacks will also head into that series with a new-look coaching team with Scott Robertson in charge.
“I’ve had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well and what I need to improve on,” said Savea.
“It’s kind of been minimal.”
