SOUTH AFRICA HAVE yet to lose a game to northern hemisphere opposition under Heyneke Meyer, so anything but an unblemished record at the end of this tour would represent a disappointment for the third-year coach. For his part, Meyer is used to the expectations.
“If you are a South African coach you are always under pressure, it is just the depths that are difference,” Meyer says with a resigned laugh.
The pressure had been building throughout the Rugby Championship after two narrow wins over Argentina followed by a last-gasp loss away to Australia. Then, Meyer defied conventional wisdom in a way that shocked the South African rugby public.
He handed the keys to his team to 20-year old out-half Handré Pollard ahead of their away clash with the All Blacks. Experienced tens like Pat Lambie and Morné Steyn were left out at the expense of the youngster.
Meyer enjoyed surprising people with the decision, but has enjoyed the success of the move – Pollard shined in an epic home win over the All Blacks in October – even more.
“I would say I am an unbelievable risk-taker but back home people see me as an Afrikaan, stupid, conservative guy so that is a great question,” Meyer smiled when asked how he is viewed in South Africa.
“I’ve always been a risk-taker, believe it or not. I’ve always played youngsters. I played Francois Hougaard at 19 and Morné Steyn at 18. If it’s a 50/50 I always go with the youngster who I believe can be superb.
“I knew it would be a huge risk [playing Pollard] but he was an unknown force. But you need to balance the youth with experience also.”
There is a difference between giving youth a chance and being forced to. Back in 2013, during Declan Kidney’s final 6 Nations campaign, Paddy Jackson was fast-tracked into the Ireland side at out-half after Johnny Sexton was ruled out through injury. That was an act of desperation whereas Meyer saw that his side needed a spark, and acted accordingly.
Of course, it is easier to bring in a young gun when you know he has the ability to wriggle past Richie McCaw.
“Handré is a special, special attacking player who can attack the advantage line, that is what we have been trying to do. He still needs a lot of work on his tactical game and his kicking game and that is why we put him in these conditions.
“One other big reason he is in our team is because of his defence. The All Blacks ran in his channel a lot but his defence was strong.
“Handre can be a great 10, 12 or 15. He is a great all-round player and I can think he can be a future South African captain as well because he is a great leader.”
South Africa have moved away from their traditional forward orientated kick-first style in the last two years, partly because of the emergence of Pollard and outside backs like Willie le Roux and Jan Serfontein. Meyer said it was crucial for South Africa to develop better running scrum-halfs and out-halfs to compete with the top teams in the world.
He also heavily praised Johnny Sexton but said that he hasn’t planted Ruan Pienaar in Ireland as a mole to feed him inside information.
“I don’t spend too much time going into those little nuances because I think it distracts you from your focus,” Meyer said when asked if Pienaar gave him minute details about Ireland’s Ulster contingent.
“I also think it is a little bit unethical. He is very loyal to his team. He is a great Ulsterman and we respect that.
“I never want to put a player in a situation where he has to choose between his country and his team. We try to be ethical. Even though it is a professional game I still think it is about having good relationships.”
Meyer stressed that he always wants his sides to play with the ball in hand and seemed proud to point out that South Africa have had the highest try per game ratio in international rugby over the last two seasons.
Their attacking style paid dividend in their 27-25 win over the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship, which was Meyer’s first against New Zealand. Meyer is famously passionate (check out the example below) and he was a little embarrassed to be caught celebrating wildly after his side’s big win.
“I didn’t want them to show me because I think the players should be the focus,” Meyer said.
“I am always ashamed to watch it afterwards. I’ve asked the tv guys not to film me but it’s in their contract. My wife’s not that happy but it makes for entertaining viewing back home.”
