Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has questioned whether Franco Smith will be able to improve the national team's attack.
In his column for KweséSports.com, De Villiers criticised the Cheetahs' tactics in their 41-14 loss to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
'It seems like the Cheetahs, coached by Springbok assistant coach Franco Smith, have forgotten that the tactical kick is still an integral part of setting up the platform from which you can create attack,' wrote De Villiers.
'The one-dimensional way in which they tried – without success – to bridge the Jaguares’ defence by running every ball made them extremely predictable. The team frustrated themselves, and in doing so their Argentinian opponents played off their mistakes.
WATCH: Franco Smith on overseas-based Boks
'The Jaguares have a flat defence, so you have to create doubt in their minds by varying your play,' De Villiers added. 'It’s good to try and keep possession, but it’s what you do with the ball that counts. Like a team playing a forward-orientated game, or a team that kicks everything, running every ball makes it easy to defend against.
'This should be of some concern for South African rugby fans, because Smith is our country’s new attack coach. And if it is tough for him to understand this, how on earth will he be able to improve the Springboks’ attack?'
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
