Boks under achieve in 2008
27 Nov 2008
The Springboks are a better team than the current All Blacks – and Saturday’s Test against the Poms at Twickenham will prove it.
One thing New Zealanders love to do is talk up their All Blacks. It is something those in the northern hemisphere also take great delight in – that is talking up the men in black.
It could be that it makes defeat against them seem honourable and bearable. It could also be that New Zealand, as a nation, has never done anything to offend anyone, whereas white South Africans will always live with the baggage of apartheid.
The rugby world, post 1994, has come to accept and tolerate us, but – with the possible exception of the French – they don’t like us.
It is why the Springboks will simply have to settle for winning World Cups while the All Blacks continue to win over fans and the northern hemisphere rugby media every November.
New Zealand once again have the mantle of best team in the world in a non-World Cup year. This New Zealand team will be even better in 2009 and in 2010 they will be unbeatable. In 2011 they will implode and the cycle will continue and we’ll be told by New Zealanders that the World Cup has killed international rugby and that the yellow cup really means nothing because a team has to be judged over a four-year period and not a three week play-off period.
Which brings me back to the weekend’s Test matches. I must confess to cheating this weekend, as I never watched the Springboks or All Blacks matches live. I viewed both games knowing the result and without the additional pressure of having to file on the final whistle – hence the lateness of the column.
What it confirmed to me, and it is something I have been saying for a couple of years, is that the Springboks possess the better individual talent, with the exception of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, who are two of the finest to play the game. This current generation of South African player is among the most special ever produced in this country, and that is why the expectation must be high and performances like the one against Scotland two Saturdays ago can’t be justified or tolerated.
It is the dismantling of England at Twickenham that sets a standard, much like the Boks did in Paris when they humiliated England 36-0 in a World Cup play-off match.
You can tell me England are poor and in a shambles, but only two weeks ago we were being told this is a new generation of English player, good enough to beat Australia, South Africa and New Zealand on successive weekends. The wise scribes in the United Kingdom also told us that the Boks were the weakest of the Tri nations teams. It was based on the statistical evidence of the Boks finishing third in the Tri Nations – a result that was as unacceptable as the performance against Scotland.
In assessing the year, nine Bok wins in 13 starts statistically is a very good return, but it is the two Tri Nations wins in six matches that will define the season because this was the year in which the World Cup holders should have been superior to New Zealand and Australia in belief and results.
New Zealand, this year, lost 13 of their World Cup All Blacks to Europe. Many of them will return to New Zealand in 2011 and be good enough to challenge for a World Cup squad, while Australia also entered a rebuilding phase. With the Springboks, there was no rebuilding because there was no need for a makeover of a World Cup winning squad with an average age of 25. It is why 2008 will always be the season of missed opportunity. The brilliant win against England only emphasized how much was missed in the Tri Nations.
A settled Bok team, with so much natural talent, should have whipped the All Blacks and Wallabies, home and away, and then there would have been a supporting argument to my theory that South Africa’s players are better than New Zealand’s. Instead I’ll continue to get the 19-0 defeat at Newlands thrown at me and the names of Carter and McCaw. On the latter I concede, but overall the only thing the All Blacks should be beating the Boks at is the ridiculously overhyped pre-match haka.
Take it from me, New Zealand, if they play to their potential, won’t beat England by 36 points this weekend because they are not as good a side as a Bok side in full throttle, and that is why 2008 was the year in which the Boks stumbled when they should have soared.
731 Comments
Pages: « 1 … 5 6 7 8 9 [10] 11 12 13 14 15 » Show All
27 Nov 2008, 16:02 pm
#445 Pietman:
And the Boks are Saints, compared.
Oh, its true alright. Saints.
Hey, as Corne Krige who the filthiest team he ever played. I wonder if he keeps a straight face.
27 Nov 2008, 16:02 pm
#437 stodders: Thanks stodders for being honest there. We never heard the end of it here as it was directed to saffas all the time. We won that was the main thing. You saw how they went on last year when they had lost to France. Mains still got a job here after I have no idea but he did. He coached the tvl who are the lions now. He was the biggest moaner about that. Anyway I have had enough about this. I hardly ever go on about anyone I have good manners and expect others to have it too but I suppose we all don’t have to be like that. I know the world is made up of different kinds. I think its almost time to head out and go for beer too!! lol. Damn its hot here right now.
27 Nov 2008, 16:02 pm
#445 Pietman:
Hewson.
27 Nov 2008, 16:03 pm
#449 Pietman: Cheers Piet….. ja ek moet ook winkels toe…. kort weer Kamele en paar vreetgoedjies….
27 Nov 2008, 16:03 pm
What did I miss?
27 Nov 2008, 16:04 pm
#442 stodders:
Done
27 Nov 2008, 16:04 pm
#449 Pietman: Cheers Piet. Its very hot here you will enjoy it when you come for your holiday.
27 Nov 2008, 16:06 pm
johan le roux who chomped his ear used to go to the same gym as me, seemed a pretty quiet reserved guy, Fitzpatrick must have been doing something. He remains one of the best sky commentators tho when they get him on and often pays alot of respect to the Bokke.
27 Nov 2008, 16:08 pm
#266 grootblousmile:
Thanks. Here’s my reply to each point.
1) I do not blame the WC stars for our lack of success. I merely conclude that these players, by in large, have not performed as well as they did in WC year not due to bad coaching by PdV, but rather due to a combination of not being as good as they were made out to be in the first place, not as motivated and not as pressured for their place (which I did mention, by the way). Whilst PdV, perhaps, should have been more stern, can you imagine the uproar had he dropped Matfield (who was poor after coming back from Toulon)?
2) PdV has made most of the right calls with regards to selection expect perhaps for Mujati and Ralapelle, so no need for me to tell you. Brussouw I believe should have been given more time, and Smith should have got a kick up the *** in the Tri-Nations (we have many able loose-forwards such as Kankowski, van Nierkerk, Rossouw etc.)
3) Such as?
From here the disagreements stop because almost all of your next points I agree with.
4.1) True and agreed.
4.2) Not always true, but something to work on.
4.3) Yes, but not because of our scrummie! Rucking has been poor at times. Januarie’s passing on EOYT was good.
4.4) – 4.6) Well observed.
5), 7) &
Yes I agree.
6) I have seen a game plan. For instance, on Saturday PdV was very aware of Sackey’s poor hands. The defensive patterns haven’t changed much but I was impressed with the shift we used off the lineout, where an elaborate English backline move made them not a single metre. Shows we have an adaptable defense. Good understanding between the centres and wings too. The core of what PdV is trying does not differ from the standard, which is to have an impregnable defense and a good attack. I think we are probably the only nation that can afford to have so little of the ball and still run out comfortable winners. Nothing wrong here in my opinion.
Sorry for the late reply by the way. Cheers.
27 Nov 2008, 16:08 pm
#454 WP Till I Die:
aaaah
big hit have put his “save the islanders campaign” on the backburner and is instead now concentrating on his “f*ck the elv’s” campaign
27 Nov 2008, 16:09 pm
#448 cab: Yeah cab you are so right. LOL.
27 Nov 2008, 16:10 pm
#457 cab: Fitzpatrick was a master. Bakkies is somewhat of a master in the Bok team…a big rumble and pushing and shoving…and Bakkies standing there with a grin…lovely.
27 Nov 2008, 16:14 pm
#394 Irish Devil: I have never been wetter than a weekend at a Jazz Festival in Cork. Soaked every time we went outside!
27 Nov 2008, 16:16 pm
#460 Puma: Puma, I think the hot weather is getting you down.
That beer sounds like a great plan, only 2.15pm here too early for me to join in!!
27 Nov 2008, 16:17 pm
#458 ziyaad: 6) I hate the fact that we give the ball to the opposition and defend for long periods of time.
England totally dominated the middel part of the game and could have scored at least 3 tries during that time. A knock-on here and forward pass there prevented this.
Most other teams would have taken more of their chances.
A better reflection of the game would have been a 23 – 14 win for the boks.
27 Nov 2008, 16:17 pm
Rugby philosophy for dummies:
1 Winning is everything
2 You are only as good as your last game.
Forget the rest of the nonsense spoken here.
27 Nov 2008, 16:19 pm
#465 tight head: Enjoy the read and abue
27 Nov 2008, 16:19 pm
abue = abuse
27 Nov 2008, 16:19 pm
#451 Puma:
Gee, didnt hear you boys complain much when the Boks won that Semi vs France in ’95.
You know the one. When Louis Luyt awarded the ref a Gold Watch at the aftermatch.
27 Nov 2008, 16:21 pm
#454 WP Till I Die:
Wat is jou storie.
Every day you go off for six hours, then at 16h30 you come bounding back in here like a Labbie, and demand to know what you miss!
You think anyone in their right mind is gonna recap the analysis paralysis?
27 Nov 2008, 16:23 pm
#469 Dawn: Hi Dawn, glad you enjoyed the firemen earlier!! I don’t think the others “got it” , It is a girl thing!!
27 Nov 2008, 16:23 pm
#466 stodders:
See you have been in the trenches here today!!
27 Nov 2008, 16:24 pm
#465 tight head:
fair enough, short and to the point.
how do you reconcile with comments after wales and scotland?
27 Nov 2008, 16:25 pm
#470 carol:
You are right. They just don’t get it!
27 Nov 2008, 16:26 pm
#472 cab:
If you are as good as your last game, and your last game was *****, and you are world champions at said game, ergo you just have to get better.
27 Nov 2008, 16:27 pm
#214 stodders:
Sounds good, still think we’ll POMP them HARD.
12. Gordon Darcy? He still play?
5. Ben Kay? Impressed in WC Final.
27 Nov 2008, 16:27 pm
#474 Dawn:
oh right
27 Nov 2008, 16:27 pm
#465 tight head:
27 Nov 2008, 16:28 pm
#471 tight head: Just a little. Everyone is allowed their opinion. I just find it a bit rich that you can suddenly be vilified just because yours does not meet that of someone elses.
Oh, and i find it depsicable that some would insult you (or try to) in a language that is not your own. If you’re going to insult, at least do it in a common tongue so that the offender has the chance to defend himself against the offended. That is the deinition of cowardice, if you ask me.
27 Nov 2008, 16:28 pm
#304 Blah:
Unfair and dishonest. No, it’s not. It’s about putting the tournament victory into perspective. This (the WC triumph) was not the culmination of a master plan. I was making the point that we needed a lot of luck to win it. Make no mistake, we played really well, but I feel it proved little in terms of South Africa becoming the number one force in world rugby. And it’s not a case of not appreciating the World Cup either. It’s “We won the World Cup, so does that mean we’re the best team in the world?” Unfortunately not. Are Italy the number 1 football team in the world. I seriously doubt it.
And yes, again, luck does play a role. But we lost on a consistent basis (12 times in 22 matches against the top-seeds). There’s no luck in the long run, because I believe things tend to even out. In one isolated occasion, however, luck can be overwhelmingly tilted to one side. As was the case in the WC. You see what I’m saying?
It’s true what you say about the Januarie bounce, but that was our only piece of luck in that game. How about McDonald close lining Habana with a man outside, which should not have only been a penalty but possibly a penalty try (or yellow card), and then sending Matfield off for the ‘next’ high tackle, even though they had committed the previous one. 30 – 28 was a fair reflection of the game, and you have to admit that.
Second point. I did not only cite motivation. In fact, only the true was about motivation. And it’s very difficult to drop the WC stars after two or three bad performances even. But those bad performances (Matfield in New Zealand, Smith and James throughout the Tri-Nations, FdP on his return) did occur, and the team did suffer.
Third, I’ve already dealt with this. See between posts 180-200.
Sorry for the late reply. Cheers.
27 Nov 2008, 16:28 pm
#475 SexyTime: Although I think he still injured after Bakkies cleaned him out at a ruck in World Cup Final. Who remembers that?
27 Nov 2008, 16:28 pm
#469 Dawn:
It’s called work.
27 Nov 2008, 16:28 pm
f%cking missed big hit by 50 posts again
27 Nov 2008, 16:28 pm
#475 SexyTime:
Ja where is that Catholic priest Darcy.
27 Nov 2008, 16:29 pm
#474 Dawn: I haven’t got an email off you. Is your mail server slow?
27 Nov 2008, 16:30 pm
#472 cab:
We won.
So tick that most important box.
Only as good as your last game?
You have to analyse that in the cold light of day, considering the opposition, and decide where to improve.
27 Nov 2008, 16:31 pm
#475 SexyTime: Ben Kay. Not good enough. There are better locks playing better rugby right now. the Irish duo are much better than him, and work well together.
D’Arcy is due back from injury soon, but knowing him, he’ll break again just before the Lions tour.
27 Nov 2008, 16:31 pm
just read on news24 jean de villiers is boycotting and giving up his player of the year award
27 Nov 2008, 16:32 pm
#485 tight head: tight head, check out post 214, and give me your honest opinion. Would SA worry at all if they faced that team next year?
27 Nov 2008, 16:32 pm
#487 louisbam: for what reason?
27 Nov 2008, 16:32 pm
#485 tight head:
i see
27 Nov 2008, 16:32 pm
#481 WP Till I Die:
Work is the curse of the blogging classes.
27 Nov 2008, 16:32 pm
#473 Dawn: Best not to try to explain either!! Some things better left unsaid!
27 Nov 2008, 16:33 pm
#464 Dumb Supporter:
Not that close. We shut them out well, although I agree, better opposition would have scored more points. Remember we did play for 20 minutes with 14 men. And both yellow cards were dodgy.
But yes, I would like to see us keep more possession. Which is all the more reason why we should encourage skills development, especially handling and passing under pressure, as well as passing in the tackle.
27 Nov 2008, 16:33 pm
#484 stodders:
Did you get the translation? I sent it?
27 Nov 2008, 16:34 pm
#494 Dawn: I haven’t got it. You can just let me know here.
27 Nov 2008, 16:35 pm
#489 stodders: Apparently he thinks Danny Cipriani deserves it more.
27 Nov 2008, 16:35 pm
#490 cab: Do you? Or do you see only what you want to see?
Some raw emotion on here today. don’t you think?
27 Nov 2008, 16:36 pm
#495 stodders:
OK.
I’ve just sent it again. If not there within 10 mins I will post here.
27 Nov 2008, 16:37 pm
#496 louisbam:
Cipriani will be a good player in time. It just isn’t now. He needs to be given space to develop. However, people like Big Hit crave a superstar so badly, that they are willing to build up a flawed player in the vain hope that he will be good enough. Typical British way of building someone up only to enjoy the process of knocking him down.
Pages: « 1 … 5 6 7 8 9 [10] 11 12 13 14 15 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.