Brüssow denies his own impact

Flank Heinrich Brüssow has typically downplayed his role in changing the way the Springboks approach the game despite a massively successful season.

Brüssow’s ball poaching abilities at the breakdown and his ability to slow opposition ball has arguably been the single biggest asset to the Boks’ success this year.

In some ways he’s redefined the way South Africa plays rugby because, for the first time in years, the Boks have a genuine to-the-ball openside, whose primary focus is to win the battle for the ball on the ground.

But Brüssow modestly sidestepped such lofty suggestions when he was quizzed by the media prior to Saturday’s Test against Ireland at Croke Park in Dublin.

“No, I don’t think I’ve changed the way the Springboks play,” Brüssow said with a slight blush. “The key I believe is that the team has been together for so long that experience is winning us games.

“Most of the side started together in 2004 and a few of us have come in to fill some places. The ability of our experienced core of players is the reason we’re successful.”

Many critics, especially in the northern hemisphere, have blamed the laws at the ruck for the way rugby is degenerating into a kicking contest. Players such as Brüssow have made it too much of a risk for ball carriers to chance their arm by running our of defensive situations for fear of being isolated and turned over.

“A ruck is a difficult thing to control because every referee blows it slightly differently,” Brüssow said. “Some refs give you the opportunity to keep your hands on the ball longer and others penalise you much quicker.

“I’ve always been small, so I realised I had to do something that fits my body if I wanted to be competitive. I’ve worked hard on my technique and strength at the breakdown and so far it’s been going well for me.”

On Saturday Brüssow will come up against one of the best looseforward combinations he will have encountered this season. It’s a difficult challenge he’s acutely aware of.

“They have a great loose trio because they have very good balance,” he said. “They have big guys who are good runners and in Jamie Heaslip and David Wallace they have two players who can both contest the ball on the ground very well.”

Ireland blindside flank Stephen Ferris, who was superb against Australia two weeks ago, was named in their starting lineup yesterday. But he is struggling with an ankle injury and could still be ruled out before kick-off on Saturday.