Springboks put results before style

If Wales coach Warren Gatland was trying to goad South Africa into changing to a more free-running style of rugby with his comment, "they don't play any rugby", he has missed his mark.

South Africa assistant coach Dick Muir said at a news conference at the team hotel on Thursday that results took preference over style as the Springboks prepare for their Rugby World Cup 2011 opening pool match against Wales on Sunday.

"You'd love to be scoring tries and playing a more flamboyant style but it's about winning at the end of the day. Nobody remembers the tries," Muir said.

Gatland raised eyebrows with his comment last Saturday that "they (South Africa) don't play any rugby; they don't do anything".

The Wales coach did concede, however, that the Springboks were very good at what they did do and were extremely difficult to beat because they played to their strengths of an excellent kicking game, solid set piece and tight defence.

But whether intended as criticism or compliment, South Africa will not be deviating one iota from their game plan, which is to play whatever style of rugby it takes to win.

Pressure and opportunities

Muir, who is in charge of the backs, said seeing his talented backline racking up the tries would be a bonus.

"You're always wanting to score more tries but it's more about winning games than just scoring tries," he said.

"If you have a look at the last six World Cup finals, only nine tries have been scored. It's down to pressure and down to opportunities, and the higher the level that you get, the less opportunities there are available to you."

Muir said South Africa have deliberately chosen players with the experience and proven ability to capitalise on limited opportunities, particularly under pressure.

"They're (the opposition) going to present you with certain opportunities and you've got to be able to convert those opportunities. And that's where the flexibility and decision-making comes in,'' he said.

"If you have a look at the squad overall, we've gone for a mature, experienced squad and it's for that fact: they are guys who are tried and tested, they've been under pressure situations before and their decision-making is key."