The final insult

29 Aug 2008

The Springboks are expecting gracious favour from Lady Luck, God and the Highveld hoodoo but none of these intangibles will be enough to prevent another historic Australian win.

Slim chances of re-entering the Tri-Nations race evaporated with the capitulation at Kings Park, and there’s been subsequent talk about how this Ellis Park fixture is an opportunity to regain some pride. But what if the Boks fall to Australia on the Highveld for the first time since 1963? That would be the final insult. It would complete the plummet from champs to chumps in less than 10 months.

Keo.co.za looks at several reasons why Robbie Deans’s tourists will head back Down Under on a high.

BATTERY TAKES IT’S TOLL
Another week, another casualty. It’s a phrase that be will used to describe the Boks’ 2008 Tri-Nations campaign in years to come (as well as a few less-than-kind adjectives). The disaster in Durban cost South Africa another first-choice winger in JP Pietersen, a loss that comes just a week after Bryan Habana bowed out with a hamstring tear. CJ van der Linde has been banned for four weeks and will also be missed in a tight clash. For a side that’s already struggling, it’s almost unfair to expect the reserves to gel with the incumbents, let alone provide gamewinning touches.

The Aussies’ appeal of Rocky Elsom’s ban proved successful allowing the blindsider to hold onto his starting position. The Wallabies midfield looks no less formidable with Timana Tahu replacing the injured Berrick Barnes. The tourists may have lost lock Dan Vickerman but it is the hosts who are the more depleted and deflated outfit.

KICKING CHAOS
While it’s tempting to get stuck into those less-than-kind adjectives and phrases, it’s best to look at Peter de Villiers’s own errant slurs when it comes to tactical kicking. De Villiers assumed the Aussies had an inferior tactical kicking game ahead of that Kings Park Test, but Matt Giteau went on to break the Boks with his well-weighted chips behind the defence. Aside from Tahu, every member of the visiting backline has a healthy boot and the back three is strengthened in this area by the return of Adam Ashley-Cooper.

De Villiers has ignored last week’s result and picked two wingers not known for their kicking prowess, ditto the centres. Conrad Jantjes has the goods, but has failed to deliver in this vein in 2008, and the same goes for Butch James and Fourie du Preez. Why wasn’t Percy Montgomery selected for a match that is bound to see plenty of tactical kicking? A back three of Montgomery, Jantjes and Jongi Nokwe provides more balance in this regard.

BREAKDOWN WAUGH
Rumour has it he’s been locked in a dark cellar for seven days and fed on nothing but small scraps of meat, but Deans has finally decided to unleash the rabid force that is Phil Waugh. George Smith earns a break ahead of the Wallabies’ more important fixture in Brisbane, and so Waugh gets an opportunity to show the new coach what he can do with a start.

The problem with the South African back row is their failure to fire as a unit, and the persistence with Pierre Spies and the axing of Joe van Niekerk could prove costly. Elsom’s beat the law and you’d expect him to produce another big performance at the tackle point, and watch out for another prominent breakdown beast in Tatafu Polota-Nau.

SET-PIECE SCRAP
The scrumming was a positive for the Boks last week, but the problems at lineout time cannot be ignored. There was talk about the Aussie jumpers encroaching on the Boks’ side, but you’d expect experienced players like Victor Matfield and Juan Smith to rise above this sort of pressure. Hugh McMeniman and Elsom will look to spoil South African ball and James Horwill is one of the most underrated players in the Aussie side. They’ll miss Vickerman, but another bumbling Bok showing in this area will make their jobs a whole lot easier.

Prediction: It’ll be a sad end to a disappointing tournament for the world champions. Although they’ve been hit by numerous injuries, they will lament their own mistakes and perhaps finally admit that the current approach is flawed. Australia by 5.

Springboks – 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Andries Bekker, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Percy Montgomery.

Australia - 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14. Peter Hynes, 13. Stirling Mortlock (c), 12. Timana Tahu, 11. Lote Tuqiri, 10. Matt Giteau, 9. Sam Cordingley, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Phil Waugh, 6. Rocky Elsom, 5. Hugh McMeniman, 4. James Horwill, 3. Matt Dunning, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson
Subs: 16. Stephen Moore, 17. Al Baxter, 18. Dean Mumm, 19. George Smith, 20. Brett Sheehan, 21. Ryan Cross, 22. Drew Mitchell.

By Jon Cardinelli



1,238 Comments

Pages: « 1 … 15 16 17 18 19 20 [21] 22 23 24 25 » Show All

  • 1001.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:04 pm

    1000!

  • 1002.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:04 pm

    Mine!

  • 1003.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:04 pm

    vok!!

  • 1004.Bullish: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:04 pm

    1000

  • 1005.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:04 pm

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 1006.Dust: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:05 pm

    #993 Rugby_Princess:
    Classic!! :)

  • 1007.Bullish: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:05 pm

    Dammit!!

  • 1008.shooter: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:05 pm

    Shooter shoots and scooooooooores!! :mrgreen:

  • 1009.MightyQuin: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:05 pm

    #993 Rugby_Princess: Hoe weet jy wat die agterkant van ‘n boom is? Kyk waar die drol le.

  • 1010.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:06 pm

    #990 whatever:
    I almost feel sorry for you – almost :lol:

  • 1011.Ethel: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:06 pm

    #998 iori Yagami: Thought it was you!

  • 1012.zeitgeist: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:07 pm

    there was a blogger called vindicated
    he said the Boks were overated
    He tried his best to win each contest
    but to sheep he’ll always be related

  • 1013.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:07 pm

    #1009 MightyQuin:
    Quinnie – French, Japanese or Cantonese but not Afrikaans :(

  • 1014.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:08 pm

    Dawnie
    Can you pls tell Ethel I will not speak to it until it reveals itself – PROPERLY.

  • 1015.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:08 pm

    #1000 shooter:

    Congrats.

  • 1016.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:08 pm

    #1011 Ethel: Who? You dont know me! lol.

  • 1017.whatever: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:08 pm

    #1010 Rugby_Princess:

    :lol:

  • 1018.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:09 pm

    Take your time and see if you can read each line out loud without making a mistake (most people cannot) :

    This is this cat,
    This is is cat,
    This is how cat,
    This is to cat,
    This is keep cat,
    This is a cat,
    This is ****** cat,
    This is busy cat,
    This is for cat,
    This is forty cat,
    This is seconds cat.

    Now read it again but only read the third word in each line.

  • 1019.MightyQuin: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:09 pm

    #1013 Rugby_Princess: Oops sorry…How do you know when you are standing BEHIND a tree? Look out for the ****……

  • 1020.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:09 pm

    vindicated, you know i am only joking right? right?

    ok, thats good old buddy old pal.

  • 1021.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:10 pm

    #1014 Rugby_Princess:

    I don’t think you want to see Ethel naked.

  • 1022.4man: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:10 pm

    #1013 Rugby_Princess: Interesting fact. Afrikaans is the youngest “official” language on the planet.
    Another interesting fact.
    The technical term in the reference books of a black eagle “Aquilla Vereauxii” has another technical name “Witkruis Arend”

  • 1023.shooter: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:10 pm

    If I knew much it meant to you … #1005 WP Till I Die: :lol:

  • 1024.MightyQuin: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:11 pm

    #1018 Rugby_Princess: Kept me busy for 32 seconds only…

  • 1025.gunther: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:12 pm

    #974 WP Till I Die:very good!

  • 1026.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:13 pm

    #1019 MightyQuin:
    Here is another nature tip – Don’t eat yellow snow :lol:

    #1021 WP Till I Die:
    How would you know unless you are Ethel ? :shock:

  • 1027.4man: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:13 pm

    #1018 Rugby_Princess: Ok…you got me….but I prefer “Sir ******”

  • 1028.whatever: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:13 pm

    Right……….outaya, go the Boks. Fak I dislike moustaches……

  • 1029.MightyQuin: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:14 pm

    #1020 rangerman:
    I know a blogger called Vindicated
    his rugby knowledge was overrated
    he ended up blowing Richie_7
    and they both felt like they were in heaven

  • 1030.4man: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:14 pm

    #1026 Rugby_Princess: The immortal Frank Zappa “The ballad of Nanook the Eskimo”

  • 1031.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:14 pm

    #1022 4man:
    Okay …

    #1024 MightyQuin:
    But can you lick your elbow ?

  • 1032.confuzzed: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:15 pm

    evening all… and what excuses are in store for us tonight?

  • 1033.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:15 pm

    if I had a rooster, and you had a donkey , and my rooster kicked your donkey, what would you have ???

    a foot of my c@ck up your *** …. :lol:

  • 1034.zeitgeist: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:15 pm

    #1022 4man: keo should have journos that can write in Afrikaans IMO, and Zulu and Xhosa – a peoples web.
    Afrikaans is one of the truly unique and original things about which South Africa can be proud.

  • 1035.MightyQuin: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:15 pm

    #1026 Rugby_Princess: Some more nature tips: At the polo match one should NOT pick up the STEAMING divets….

  • 1036.shooter: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:16 pm

    time-out

  • 1037.Dust: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:16 pm

    #1029 MightyQuin:
    In what sense do you know him?

  • 1038.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:16 pm

    #1026 Rugby_Princess:

    The difference is, people NEED to see me naked at least once before dying… :lol:

  • 1039.MightyQuin: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:17 pm

    #1031 Rugby_Princess: I can lick YOUR elbow….

  • 1040.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:17 pm

    and did you know it takes 5 babies to make one full bottle of baby oil…..

  • 1041.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:18 pm

    #1035 MightyQuin:

    And another tip: when engaging in yak skiing, be careful not to hold onto the nuts for too long.

  • 1042.MightyQuin: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:18 pm

    #1037 Dust: The NONsense way….

  • 1043.MightyQuin: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:19 pm

    #1038 WP Till I Die: People WILL die when they see you naked…?

  • 1044.Dust: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:19 pm

    #1040 poppa69:
    Did you know it takes 1000 posts to get up to the end of our Friday?

  • 1045.MightyQuin: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:20 pm

    #1040 poppa69: Classic…

  • 1046.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:20 pm

    #1035 MightyQuin:
    Sorry I only had the one … How about child care tips ? If a child is choking on ice, pour boiling water down it’s neck – ice will clear almost immediately :-D

    #1038 WP Till I Die:
    For the humour ?

  • 1047.4man: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:21 pm

    #1034 zeitgeist: Net so…I must say I only became bullish about it when they started trying to put it down. Ranger often writes in Zulu on this site, I dont often see Xhosa. All those languages need airing to keep them alive. The amount of slang in Zulu these days is incredible, it has certainly changed radically in my lifetime. When my cousin speaks Zulu to the head of the Zulu family that have been living next door to them for generations, I actually have difficulty following the conversation, as it is something which was in daily use 50 years ago.

  • 1048.vindicated: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:21 pm

    There was a *** blogger called Richie
    who’s arse was a little bit itchy

    and as he went down
    he said to the crowd

    Make me the queen of this town

  • 1049.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:22 pm

    #1039 MightyQuin:
    Not form there – or I would be REALLY impressed !

  • 1050.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    29 Aug 2008, 14:23 pm

    #1034 zeitgeist:

    I can perhaps write a few pieces in Tswana.

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