This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
South Africa's Springboks are gearing up for their Rugby World Cup Pool B encounter with Namibia in Toyota City, with flyhalf Elton Jantjies emphasizing the need for improved execution rather than a change in approach.
Following their 23-13 loss to New Zealand in their opening game, the Springboks are keen to rectify their mistakes and capitalize on their strengths, particularly in their kicking game, defense, and aerial skills.
Coach Rassie Erasmus is expected to field a largely changed line-up for the African Derby, with Jantjies taking over from Handre Pollard at flyhalf as key players are rested ahead of a crucial meeting with Italy on October 4.
With Jantjies having spent the last five seasons playing for Japanese club NTT Shining Arcs, he feels more at home in the Bok set-up and is confident that the team can improve their performance against Namibia.
"What we need to improve are actually the things we are usually good at, like our kicking game, defence and aerial skills, all things that we have really developed a lot over the last two years," Jantjies said in Nagoya on Tuesday.
"Instead of getting 6/10 we need to get 8/10 or 9/10. There were a lot of swings in that game against the All Blacks, a lot of ball possession and territory, but two aerial opportunities and they got the ball back, moved into space and scored tries. We had the same situations but we didn’t finish, that was the difference between the sides," he added.
