Like it or not, South Africa won’t alter their approach dramatically for the World Cup defence next year, according to Sport24's Rob Houwing.
"Don’t get me wrong, whether they hold onto the Webb Ellis Cup in New Zealand or not, I believe South Africa will be gently coaxed toward a more expansive philosophy in the aftermath.
"By that stage their personnel, both playing component and management, will probably be subject to wholesale change anyway, and all the fresh possibilities that situation will entail.
"But before that? No way. With so many of their successful class of 2007 still calling the shots to a strong degree in 2011, expect wholly normal service (direct, no-frills, permissibly “violent” rugby, if you like).
"The only way the Boks are going to abandon their existing template in favour of a new way is if Peter de Villiers gets the chop ahead of the next international season – increasingly unlikely now, it seems – and a true “run it, run it, run it” romantic like Basil Bey is appointed in his place."
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