Brown, who took over as the team’s attack coach this season following the departure of Felix Jones to England after the RWC in France last year, said the Boks created a few opportunities which they did not capitalise on, which could have had a big impact on the scoreboard.
“There were some really good signs with the way we spread the ball wide early on, but we need to be more clinical in the next game,” said Brown.
“We had a few chances, but we didn’t execute as well as we would have liked to, so that is one of the things we need to improve on this week. That said, the more the guys play, the better they will be, so hopefully that will get improve with time.”
Brown singled out the breakdowns as another area in which the team had to step up: “It was a tough test there. Both teams worked really hard at the breakdowns, and we know the battle will be fierce again there this week. We need to be strong defensively in that area because the better the quality of the ball we get, the more effective we can be on attack.”
On a personal note, Brown, who played eight games for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in 2006 before moving the DHL Stormers, said it was good to be back in Durban.
“I loved my time here and enjoyed both teams I played for in South Africa,” said New Zealand-born Brown, a former All Black flyhalf. “Being back to Durban feels like coming home, so we are excited to be here and for the challenge ahead this weekend.”
Jaco Peyper, the national laws advisor, meanwhile, brushed off the criticism in some circles that it was a dangerous call for the Springboks to put all six replacement forwards on at the same time at Loftus Versfeld last weekend.
Gerhard Steenekamp (middle) and the Bomb Squad made a big impact on Saturday.
“According to the laws of the game, you can do it. I wouldn’t say it’s dangerous bringing on fresh legs at the same time,” said Peyper, a former Test referee.
“Ireland also opted for six-two splits in favour of the forwards during the Six Nations, and from a player safety perspective that is controlled by World Rugby’s shape of the game which includes specific law guidelines.”
On a lighter note, last Saturday’s 27-20 victory against Ireland was special for replacement prop Gerhard Steenekamp – who earned his second Test cap and was a member of the pack that completely overpowered the Irish scrum late in the game to be awarded a penalty try – said it was still a surreal feeling to be part of head coach Rassie Erasmus’ Castle Lager Incoming Series squad.
“It was very satisfying to be part of that scrum, it’s something we’ve been working really hard on,” said Steenekamp.
“And from a personal point of view, playing with such quality players certainly gets one’s confidence up. It’s every boy’s dream who plays rugby to become a Springbok, so this is a very special to me, and to be honest it is hard to put into words what it means to be part of this squad.”
Looking ahead at the scrum battle they anticipate in Saturday’s match-up in Durban, Steenekamp said: “There are a few technical things we have to work on in the scrums this week so we can be more effective in that department on Saturday.”
The powerful prop praised the starting forwards for their contribution before the bomb squad was unleashed at fortress Loftus: “The guys that started did really well to tire out their forwards, and it was nice that we were able to make an impact in the second half.”
Brown, who is renowned as a former player and more recently as a coach, was equally impressed with that scrum and said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a scrum as dominant as the one. It’s really nice to coach a team with such physicality, skill, and speed.”
The Springboks returned to the training field on Monday to start putting the building blocks in place for Saturday’s Test. The match kicks off at 17h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
