Page 33 - SAFFER Magazine 01

Rugby

• In a few of the lesser games the star players didn’t even make it onto the bench. I have a feeling it wasn’t only to rest the top
players but rather to hide them from the prying eyes of other coaches.

• The coach selected players out of position and switched players positionally during games – thereby using talent and wid-
ening skills of players in real live situations.

• The team played a different game for each match… but basically relied on the power and strength of the pack of eight
forwards.

o Here too, the coach integrated a practice of often swapping out most of the forwards during each game.

o Thus, in eighty minutes, he could rely on 100% effort from each forward… because they all knew they would be substitut-
ed anywhere in the latter half of the game. Playing 100% for 60 minutes way outdoes a performance of 85% for 80 minutes. Yes, in
the workplace you can rest team members at times… lightening their burden, thus ensuring 100% performance when needed.

• The coach instilled a spirit of togetherness. In days gone by, one would be forgiven for thinking of a two-tier structure in
the squad. Key players for the crunch games and other players for the lesser games. That was often not the case during the pool
games – even the team captain had to sit out, and then, when he was substituted onto the field he served under the captain of the
day! Togetherness, playing for each other and leaving the egos very far behind!

D – Adaptability - I mentioned earlier that the coach used the resources well. However, if the players didn’t adapt or adjust then the
strategy would’ve failed. I think that caught opponents off guard.

• Note some of the comments in the post-match clips… yes, we integrated seamlessly when the replacements came onto the
field, no… we didn’t mind the positional switches, we just loved playing!

• Some thought the team lacked imagination but boy-oh-boy… were they surprised by the final!

E – Gratitude and Humility – this team was known from very early on in the tournament for interaction with spectators after the
games. They often stayed on long after the final whistle, doing more and more autographs and selfies. They couldn’t have known
that they would become champs, yet they played the role of champs, spreading the word and good will of the game. In the work-
place, you will reap rewards for expressing gratitude and practicing humility, simple.

F – Defence as offence – This team defended better than any other team. It shows in the final statistics. Their ‘for versus against
points’ tally is the highest of all the teams. When they were in trouble, they closed ranks, played for each other and drove defence
into attack. How do we bring this to the workplace? I’m going to leave that to you but basically, cut the backbiting and backstab-
bing… that will help!

G - Saving the Best for Last – Here I really think the team struck their biggest victory. They had played each preceding game within
themselves. Yep, at times they looked outplayed – but their defence held. Then, this boring team found that spark and totally
outplayed their opponent in the final. Not my words… the words of many others. Makes me wonder, were they playing this boring
power game all the way along… fully knowing they could unleash the glamorous victory punch when it suited them!

In conclusion… yes, it is really a pleasure for me to share these views… because I am a part of that winning tribe… even though I
haven’t lived in South Africa for many years… I will always cherish my roots. My only prayer is that the unity shown by this team’s
play and victory will continue to inspire change for the better in South Africa… a nation in need of positive growth!

Just before I go… there’s line in a very old book that goes
along these lines…

“Where there is no vision the people perish…”

That, I think, sums up the whole Springbok philosophy…
VISION!

OK… here’s a link to an article found on the RWC web-
site… I only add it because I went looking for a photo to
use and then read it… it sounds like I have got most of my
observations above just right!

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