We haven't even got going yet: Steyn - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

We haven't even got going yet: Steyn

By Darren Walton 03/08/2009 03:36:02 PM Comments (0)

Francois Steyn has sounded warning bells for the Wallabies ahead of Saturday's Tri Nations Test, claiming the Springboks weren't close to hitting their straps in their latest win over the All Blacks.

Steyn, who watched five-eighth namesake, Morne, score all of South Africa's points in their 31-19 victory in Durban - from eight penalties, a try and a conversion - said the world champions hadn't even started playing the sort of rugby they can.

"It was a great result but we didn't do anything. We just kicked the ball, chased and they made mistakes," Steyn told reporters after the Springboks soared to the top of the Tri Nations ladder.

"We really didn't play much rugby, but forced a lot of errors, and Morne had his kicking boots on to punish them."

Wallabies assistant coach Jim Williams was far more praiseworthy in his assessment of the Boks' display in Durban.

"Certainly from the aspect of exerting pressure and converting that into points, I thought it a near-perfect 10 from them," Williams said.

Steyn, though, felt the Springboks shouldn't be satisfied until they racked up scorelines like the 53-8 demolition of the Wallabies in Johannesburg on a regular basis.

"If we come to a point at which we produce performances like the one against Australia at Ellis Park last year every week, then we can say we're on form," he said.

"We still have a long way to go as a team. But we're in a good place now and we all know what we're striving for."

Centre Jean de Villiers said while there was room for improvement, he was more than satisfied with the Boks' form.

"Tactically, we're playing the right kind of game. We're assessing the situations well and then playing the type of rugby that's needed," De Villiers said.

"There will be a time when we'll start throwing the ball around more, but that hasn't been needed.

"The quality of this team is in the variety we can bring on any given day. We have a lot more in the tank.

"It's easy to say we're approaching the game in a boring, predictable way but the execution of those kicks, of the chase and of the defensive line, has to be very accurate to make this plan work.

"It might look simple, but that's credit to everyone for making it work so well."

Wallabies skills coach Richard Graham agreed when asked by local reporters if the Boks' simple game plan could be exploited.

"That game doesn't work if you don't work hard off the ball to make it work," Graham said.

"When you see them kick, their chasers are working hard to make sure they contest it or put the catcher under pressure.

"On the back of that, they're kicking very well - (with halfback) Fourie du Preez and then you've got both Steyns kicking well.

"So you've got three very good kickers and they work hard off the ball.

"That style of game will fall apart if they become lazy, but you can't see that happening, can you."

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