Bekker feeling confident
Oct 05,2012
Springbok lock Andries Bekker is confident that South Africa's youthful forwards can mature into one of the best packs in world rugby.
With only 162 caps between the forwards, they have already shown signs of maturity after their stellar performance against a settled New Zealand pack in Dunedin three weeks ago.
"We made a big step up after Dunedin and we had a good week in training last week and this week as well," Bekker said ahead of their clash against the Kiwis this weekend.
"It is nice to go into a game on Saturday against the All Blacks with confidence."
With 28 Test caps behind his name, Bekker is one of the senior players among the forwards, but he has had a hard time moving out of retired lock Vicor Matfield's imposing shadow.
While Bekker had been groomed as Matfield's understudy, he made a shaky start in his first two appearances under new Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
He soon realised that he did not have a free pass into the Bok starting XV after a lacklustre performance in South Africa's 16-16 draw against Argentina in Mendoza in August.
Bekker admitted that performance was not good enough, which saw him being dropped for the next Test against Australia in Perth.
"I know I wasn't up to standard and mentally I needed to make that switch and hopefully it came up," he said.
"Personally I know I was shocking and I think it is good if you know when you were bad and you need to make the step up."
Bekker made it count when Meyer showed faith in him in the Springboks' 31-8 victory over Australia in Pretoria last weekend, making 19 tackles, while he was also faultless with his lineout throw-ins.
Bekker, however, said this week would be a different challenge against the All Blacks.
"You need to pitch up with physicality against the All Blacks," he said.
"If you don't pitch they're going to give you 50 or 60 points.
"I've been here for six years and every time you play the All Blacks you need to make that extra step up."
The 28-year-old has struggled with injuries over the last two years and he hoped to remain injury free and regain his best form.
While he has been compared to Matfield, Bekker believed it would be difficult to move out of his predecessor's shadow.
"I just need to get back into top form after my back op last year, and after my ankle op this year, I've been struggling," he said.
"If the people see me as better than Victor, that happens, but I don't think that's going to happen because he was the best in the world for the last eight years."
Comments (11)
Oct 06, 2012 at 09:20:34
@pukie youare a joke, you wannabe kiwi. You seem to know a little too much about us Seth Efricans, you racist barsteward. If we do win i bet you anything your little pussy arse will be nowhere to be heard.
Oct 06, 2012 at 09:23:52
Goose was unlucky not to score last weekend,,,, bet he does this weekend,,, starting off with a vrystaat Sny,,, leaving the kiwis looking for parking,,, kom Bokke trap hulle!!!!
Oct 06, 2012 at 20:40:16
Oh dear. Looks like your goose got cooked bro. I always said he was over rated. Only Seth Efricans think he's a decent player. Oh we'll Mal. Maybe next year aye bra.
Oct 07, 2012 at 16:12:11
We were outplayed and beaten by a team that is constant in their game, and know how to win.
Thanks AB's for taken us out of the clouds and down to earth once more.
It hurts but we will come back....I hope.
Oct 06, 2012 at 00:11:19
Pffft!! When an ex All Black expresses confidence in the ABs ability to win this weekends match you chops started choking on your boerewors in feigned disgust. Now one of Seth Efricas glamour boys comes out with a similarly cocksure comment and you okes disappear. Just another fine example of the deluded moral fibre of the demented saffa fanboy.
Oct 06, 2012 at 00:46:41
Love it, raging in its cage like a rabid dog foaming at the mouth, just wish I had a stick to poke it! The theme of the week seems to be giving us examples...
Oct 06, 2012 at 00:59:25
And right on queue appears the most deluded prat of them all. Me thinks Nancy has a little man crush on Nukie. Kisses. Why don't you go out on some sexy knickers and we can talk dirty some more.
Oct 06, 2012 at 18:57:18
Yup, almost as big a crush as you have on our entire country....and knickers, from the looks of it! But seriously, I'm disappointed, your ravings are not the same calibre they used to be, you regurgitate your material constantly, if you wanna be taken seriously as an attention seeker you'll have to up your game.
Oct 06, 2012 at 01:31:38
Nuke, we haven't disappeared my friend. We just prefer to ignore talk and let the game "do the talking" and that is something the kiwi's should learn.how many more times u fella's need to talk it up and end up with egg on your face..2007, 2003, 1995, 1999..it just goes on. 2011 was nearly added to that list but ou bryce lawrence sacrificed his career to make sure it didnt but he still almost couldnt save u. He was the ultimate champ not graham Henry. Sir Bruce Lawrence to yu boys hey ;-) Need some lessons in humility chaps
Oct 06, 2012 at 05:44:39
HAHAHA.... I generally really get along with kiwi's but you sir are an A grade tosser.
I have been following this site for a while and you seem to love trying to start arguments. This is after all a Boks supporter website and by no means am i saying that others arent welcome but do you honestly expect comments not favouring our country and team? Similar will be found on an NZ site I'm sure.
On carlos' comments. He is never shy of a snied comment and is a real 'goer'. This is what makes him so polerising. Personally i love kiwi's talking up their game because it makes beating them that much sweeter because lets be honest, they are always the favourites and rightly so.
Bekkers comments on the other hand were far less cocky but still seem to have you and the rest of the people on that little island squirming...
Cant wait for this game. Hoping for good rugby all round and win by the Bokke! Watch Goosen walk past Nonu's poor defence and kick at 90%.
Oct 06, 2012 at 20:47:00
Bwahahahahaha. What's that you were saying about Goosen walking past Nonus poor defence? Lol. Soft boks are quickly becoming a bit of a joke in NZ. There was a time when Kiwis respected Seth Efrican rugby but those days are are well and truely over as far as I'm concerned. Boks have been reduced to a mediocre 2nd tier team. Bwahahahahahaha