The final insult
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
August 29th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
#1142 rangerman: Ranger……you shock me….you arent a closet Quakka basher too, are you?
August 29th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
#1138 vindicated: 47 minutes…to come up with that…you create “poetry ” about as fast as old people f*ck.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
#102 Koos:
Koos – I guess you’re off this thread now, but my tip for tomorrow is:
Watch four boks – FdP, JdV, Adi and Jantjes. If they play near their potential we will win. If not (which is more likely) we will lose. The rest of the bok team will keep us in the game, but those guys have to fire for us to win.
I would call it Aus by 10 points because I think the four key guys will not hit the home runs.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
#1149 Sheriff: Ok. A bit sad for GBS though. Trying to get less lecturing next year and more research. Put in my wishlist but hey don’t expect too much though.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
#1118 BuckT: Noted, although that didn`t form part of the plan
August 29th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
#1136 Sniper:
Yes
August 29th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
#1150 rangerman:
Agreed.
A mate of mine always used to talk about “adding value to a discussion”
He always enjoys my occassional curve balls …
August 29th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
#1151 4man: whaaaaaaaat? no ways 4man!!!
never, i said that the 22 furry marsupials facing our boys tomorrow need subduing, not the BOKKE!!!!!!!
August 29th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
#1154 Sniper:
Yes, very sad indeed!
My innige meegevoel met hom en die familie.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
#1156 Dawn: Thanks Dawn. Not lekker at all.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
#1147 sondebok:
Nog nie gekry nie?
August 29th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
#1157 Sheriff: funny thing is that social contact is so much more complicated when it is face to face.
many people dont cope as they are spoken over, undervalued etc or they undervalue their own contribution and mask their true feelings.
i guess blogging is the perfect forum for them as no one can interrupt.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
#1157 Sheriff: That’s what friends are for even if only blog friends.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
#1155 sondebok: You got mail.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
#1162 rangerman:
Yeah, invariably you have a few stronger personalities dominating – which as you point out is very incorrect.
Everyone should really be afforded a chance to say how they feel, in whichever way they like.
I have seen people blush when they’re busy saying something and it goes all quiet…
August 29th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
#1161 Dawn: Nog nie? Het dit nou 2 keer gestuur x)
August 29th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Hey GBS, my thoughts are with you and your family.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
#1163 Sniper:
Is it, in a sense, wrong of someone to want to remain anonymous?
August 29th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
#1142 rangerman: You’ve got the equipment and know how to use it.
What about laxitive in their cocoa tonight before beddy byes.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
#1164 Irish Devil: goddit.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
#1166 sondebok:
OK start from scratch
dawn dot emmett at shell dot com
August 29th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
#1138 vindicated:
I knew a “blogger” called Vindicated
when he spoke, people became irritated
he tried his best and pulled every stunt
but all-in-all we quickly realised he’s an Ozzy c*nt
August 29th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
#1168 Sheriff: Absolutely. Sometimes the nature of the work forces you to stay anonymous. I have met Dawn, she contacts me off and on and I contact her whenever.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
#1128 Dawn: HiQ? for the best deal in batteries and shocks
August 29th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
#1165 Sheriff: exactly.
so much is lost with this phenomenon. one of my best mates has a stutter and it g g g gets q q quite bad if he feels pressure, but it is worthwhile waiting it out i have found because what he has to say is invariably either very smart or very funny.
he has to choose his words i suppose. something a lot of people could learn.
#1169 carol meredith: nah, we dont want another country moaning about “poison” for 14 years.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
#1165 Sheriff: I am blushing right now….
August 29th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
#1174 zeitgeist: Hi Zeitgeist…oh..sorry I though you were greeting me.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
#1146 MightyQuin: Mighty Quinn, I will never forget our “virtual” walk last week with Grant10. Magic moment.
Cricket over by the way.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Cheers guys! Enjoy the rugger and will speak soon.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
#1173 Sniper:
I was also contemplating meeting Dawn.
But then I thought to myself… maybe the time is not quite right.
I really believe one should get your timing right in life.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
#1158 rangerman: A Quakka is a furry marsupial and not of the “Dorcas Marsupialis” variety either.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
#1178 carol meredith: its only just beginning carol. south africa now to bat.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
#1173 Sniper: What is the Queen of one liners like? Dawn you can contradict him….
August 29th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
#1179 Sniper: cheers sniper!
#1181 4man:
August 29th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
#1182 rangerman: So…in a way…the cricket IS over….
August 29th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I’m upset I’m not getting Sonde’s mail but that Irish twerp is.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
#1175 rangerman:
Know what you mean. I was telling the story here the other day of another mate of mine, Barry, know he wont mind me using his name.
I once hit him on the neck, and from that day he started stuttering.
Great guy. Buy now we (a few of us anyway) call him Hakkel Barry…
August 29th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
#1176 MightyQuin: hi mightyQ!
August 29th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
#1187 Sheriff:
Is this a joke
August 29th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
#1184 rangerman: No worries…you were busy with things of an esoteric nature…as one of the people who make too much noise on occasion, I agree with your sentiments.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
#1185 MightyQuin: for them ja!
#1186 Dawn: sondebok, send it to my addie if you want and i will pass it along.
#1187 Sheriff: my afrikaans isnt so good, whats a hakkel?
August 29th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
#1171 Dawn: Any luck yet? If it`s not gone through we`ll have to check again on monday morning.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
#1189 Dawn: No Dawn…jokes are FUNNY
August 29th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
#1190 4man: haha, you should see me when the party gets going!
August 29th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
#1187 Sheriff: You’re lucky the relationship isn’t Fynn…ished. He must be a good mate.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
#1175 rangerman: You lost me on the poison bit.#1182 rangerman: This is when I want us (Brits) to win. Tomorrow is a different matter. The Boks must beat those Aussies.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
#1189 Dawn:
Why would it be a joke? Do you want me to call him huckleberry?
August 29th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
#1194 rangerman: I would like to see that…perhaps one day….I know you would enjoy some of my mates, it gets very funny.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
#1195 4man: Please don’t encourage him…Sheriff is about as funny as getting an arrow through the neck…and then discovering there is an electricity bill attached to it.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Off again. Byee