Few Springboks, past or present, understand the inner machinations of their forward play like Gurthrö Steenkamp, who has embraced France and all it has to offer.
The former loosehead, who across a decade packed down 53 times for South Africa, believes the French team the Boks will encounter in their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal this evening isn’t just technically competent but set for a potential match-defining hand in attack.
“Before, they used to rely on the offloads, the off-the-cuff stuff and flair,” said Steenkamp, who joined Toulouse after the 2007 RWC and has put down roots there.
“Now their play is more structured. They are looking to maul to get those extra metres. They have a strong forward game, in terms of the pick-and-go.”
Steenkamp, who is scrum coach at Champions Cup holders La Rochelle, pointed to what perhaps separates France from most of their opponents. “They are also capable of playing into space. That is the difference. They can play a direct game but also alternating their game playing off-the-cuff.
“The skills of the forwards have been brought to the fore. Catch, pass and playing other players into space. You see the dummy passes, the passes behind,” said Steenkamp, who in that regard singled out loose-head prop Cyril Baille.
Nuance in the forward play extends to the biggest hitters. “Look at a guy like Uini Antonio,” he said about the New Zealand-born tighthead prop who will start against the Boks at the Stade de France.
“He is capable of running hard but also soft passes. The soft hands we are often looking for,” said Steenkamp about the player who through his long service has helped transform La Rochelle from Second Division plodders to the champions of Europe.
For a 145kg behemoth like Atonio to get a regular start, France have had to flick a switch. “What has massively improved is the conditioning of the French pack,” said the former loose-head.
“It is completely different to a few years ago. Now these guys are capable of going non-stop for 80 minutes.”
Though he admits France will miss the bulk and athleticism of injured lock Paul Willemse, they have other heavy hitting ball carriers like the impeccable La Rochelle No 8 Grégory Alldritt. “He's still young but you have the impression he has been around for ages,” he said about the 26-year-old.
“At La Rochelle, he is one of our leaders and the same in the French team. This is a guy that is consistently getting go-forward. He is always finding a way to break the advantage line. Not just on counterattack when he’s at the back. Around the ruck he has the ability to offload.
“He is a solid unit and he just doesn’t stop. Last year I think he had the most carries in our team. He is consistent and is respected by his players. He is just a different player.”
RWC 2023 has not seen the Bok maul in all its devastating glory. Steenkamp isn’t entirely surprised that it has been used sparingly. “A lot of guys are spending time trying to stop the Springbok maul. If you take away that go-forward, you are taking away one of the strengths of the Springboks.
“Knowing the Boks, though, they know when to pitch up. I believe Rassie (Erasmus) and the coaching group will go in with a clear plan. Against the All Blacks before the World Cup, that maul was strong.
“That’s why if you’re an opposing coach, you know if you stop the Bok maul you are giving yourself a fighting chance. If the South Africans are five metres out, they are extremely hard to stop. If you do, you give energy to your team. But the maul is one of the biggest fears for any team playing against South Africa.”
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