Former Springbok prop Gurthrö Steenkamp says South Africans have a “burning desire” to overpower their opponents at scrum time.
The back-to-back world champions boast the most dominant scrum in world rugby. In six Rugby Championship matches this year, they won 19 scrum penalties, compared to just eight for the All Blacks, two for the Wallabies and one for Los Pumas.
WATCH: Bok scrum bullies Pumas
Speaking to News24, Steenkamp said the Bok pack doesn’t need to rely on underhanded tactics to dominate.
“As a coach, I have been spending so much time in the last few years teaching players how to resist the cheat tactics of the opposition. That doesn’t sound normal,” said Steenkamp, who was La Rochelle’s scrum coach for four seasons.
“When you cheat, it means you’re weak, you have no honour – it’s plain and simple as that. So when it comes down to the mindset in terms of the Springboks’ players, Ox Nché doesn’t have to cheat.
“These players want to dominate; they have a burning desire within themselves to overpower the opponent, to manhandle the opponent and give energy to the team.”
ALSO: England legends in awe of Bok scrum power
“The Springbok scrum has become a weapon,” he added. “You’ve got to put purpose behind the madness. The scrum needs to be a weapon that you can take out of your toolbox when it’s required.
“Things might not go the Springboks’ way all the time, but they know they can rely on the scrum.”
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The post ‘Bok scrum doesn’t need to cheat’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.