Springboks: Vincent Koch ready for Wallabies’ scrum tricks after last year’s disappointment
Vincent Koch of South Africa (c) relaxes on the field Steven Kitshoff of South Africa (L) and Malcolm Marx of South Africa (R) before the 2022 Castle Lager Incoming Series match between South Africa and Wales held at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa on 16 July 2022 ©Shaun Roy/Sports Inc
South Africa prop Vincent Koch insists that they are prepared for the Wallabies’ set-piece challenge when the two teams meet in Adelaide on Saturday.
Despite the power of the Springbok pack, they were surprisingly bested by the Australia eight in the games last season.
Jacques Nienaber’s men suffered successive Rugby Championship defeats to the Australians in 2021 and they eventually finished down in third position in the table.
The first loss was the most painful for the Boks as Quade Cooper kicked a last-minute penalty to give the Wallabies a dramatic 28-26 triumph.
Taking the learnings
“We learned quite a lot out of that,” Koch told reporters. “It was the last scrum of the game, which unfortunately cost us.
“We know what they are going to bring, but our main focus is on ourselves. We want to get better. If we focus on that, it will definitely pay off on Saturday.”
Nienaber has decided to move away from the 6/2 split on the bench – for this game at least – with Jaden Hendrikse, Elton Jantjies and Frans Steyn providing the Springboks‘ backline cover.
There will duly be slightly more pressure on the forward replacements but Koch does not believe that it will make much difference.
“I don’t think it has a massive impact,” he said. “Each player in the ‘Bomb Squad’ has a certain role, whether it’s a six-two or a five-three.
“We all know what to do when we get onto the field. The dynamics won’t change much. We just have to perform and keep the intensity where the starters finished off.”
Australia’s struggles
Australia have struggled up front this season but Koch has respect for their pack, especially following the games last year.
“Australia has got a really good pack and a good front-row on the bench as well. It’s going to be a really good challenge,” he said.
“But we are focused on what we can do better and what we learned from the Tests against New Zealand.
“It’s going to be a good battle between the two packs and a big challenge for us.”