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
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27 Nov 2008, 17:13 pm
19-0
27 Nov 2008, 17:14 pm
#547 tight head: I think we can put together a pack that can more than compete with you. I agree with you that our backline talent doesn’t really compare to SA’s, but in 1997 that was the case too if i’m honest.
The series will be won up front with the odd moment of brilliance and success at kicking for goal of paramount importance. don’t expect anything too flash. McGeechan will want to win, and he won’t care how that is managed.
27 Nov 2008, 17:14 pm
#547 tight head: David Wallace. Machine. Andy Powell. From players? Must put Shane Williams on the wing. And O’Gara not on form.
These guys are SCREWED even if Bokke play kak.
27 Nov 2008, 17:20 pm
I am so bored…
27 Nov 2008, 17:21 pm
#548 stodders: I agree wholeheartedly with you analysis. My point is that given that situation where you are behind with 20 minutes to go (France in the world cup) where you have to produce that special moment, we are more capable of doing that then New Zealand.
27 Nov 2008, 17:21 pm
#552 stodders:
I agree about the forwards.
And I agree about the Mc Geechan factor.
And of course he will play to his strengths.
If that was SA there would be a whole lot of people here condemning the coach for playing old fashioned rugby!!
So I go back to my first post.
1 Winnning is everything.
2 You are only as good as your last game.
Let me add, nobody cares HOW you win the series!!
27 Nov 2008, 17:21 pm
#554 WP Till I Die:
Haai babes. Hoekom dan.
27 Nov 2008, 17:22 pm
#554 WP Till I Die:
Meet me in the bar I will buy you a drink.
27 Nov 2008, 17:23 pm
#552 stodders:
Cheers Stodders.
Beer time!!
27 Nov 2008, 17:23 pm
#548 tight head: I also think Mike Phillips of Wales is a better bet at scrum half. He’s built like Joost and has a similar type of game. Against SA, his power and pace will be invaluable. Blair offers a more subtle option.
We are short of talent at flyhalf. Stephen Jones will do a job at 10. Unless Wilkinson returns from injury and hits form, we don’t have any top world class flyhalves. The Lions is the only team that Wilkinson has not tasted victory in, so his desire will definitely be there.
I have high hopes for Luke Fitzgerald at 12. He is a great little stepper and is elusive, and hits above his weight. In tandem with a direct running 13, like Tom Shanklin of Wales, we could pose problems for JdV and Jacobs/Fourie.
We don’t have brilliant wingers, even including Shane Williams. He can be mercurial, but i think he can be targeted by the big boys. I think the Lamont brothers of Scotland have power and pace, and can do for the 2009 Lions what Alan Tait did for the 1997 ones.
Lee Byrne and Rob Kearney at fullback are as good as anything you have currently, if not better.
the Boks should still win though. In these days of professionalism, a scratch touring side should not beat a top national team like the Boks. The time needed to get players from 4 different nations with 4 different game plans, defensive systems etc. playing one style with confidence is longer than the length of the tour. If the tour were longer, like the 1974 tour, I would have more hope that by the end of it, when tests are played, that the team would be more cohesive and pose more of a threat.
27 Nov 2008, 17:24 pm
#547 SexyTime:
Listen. Why you call yourself SexyTime.
Are you sexy all the time.
Is blogging time sexy time.
What time is sexy time.
27 Nov 2008, 17:25 pm
#560 stodders:
At last.
Someone else other than me mentions Rob Kearney.
27 Nov 2008, 17:26 pm
#560 stodders:
And what about that Scottish srumhalf kicker captain.
Please send him here.
27 Nov 2008, 17:27 pm
#558 Dawn:
Which bar?
27 Nov 2008, 17:27 pm
#523 stodders:
1. Sheridan 2. Ford 3. Murray
4. Hines 5. O’Connel
6. White 7. Moody 8. Powell
9. Cooper 10. JW
12. D’arcy 13. Roberts
11. Williams 14. Vanikola 15. R Lamont (blonde one)
16, Jenkins 17. Best 18. Vickery 19. Shaw 20. Rees/Hogg 21. Hook 22. Strettle
27 Nov 2008, 17:28 pm
#555 Harlequin: Yes and no. It has to be remembered that NZs top 10 (Carter) got injured, then his replacement (Evans) got injured too, leaving McAllister at 10 and a patched up backline, with Toeava at 12 and Muliana at 13.
Imagine in the world cup if SA lost Butch, then lost Pretorius, then had Steyn at 10 with a novice utility player at 12. I’m sure your backline would malfunction just the same as theirs did. With the added pressure of being behind on the score board, the forwards took it upon themselves to win the game, and ultimately failed.
27 Nov 2008, 17:31 pm
#561 Dawn: Haha… Big Borat fan. Movie is a bit RUDE but very funny. Every other place on the web my name is SexyTime.
AND YES:
All above also.
Keo time is sexy time.:)
27 Nov 2008, 17:31 pm
#564 WP Till I Die:
Wherever is close for you. News Bar, any bar.
27 Nov 2008, 17:32 pm
Something Like this I reckon
1) Allen Jacobsen/Andrew Sheridan
Andy Powell/Ryan Jones
2) Rory Best/Lee Mears
3) Phil Vickery/Euan Murray
4) Paul ‘o Connel/ Nathan Hines
5) Alan Wyn Jones/ Doncha O Calaghan
6) Stephen Ferris/Jason White
7) David Wallace/ John Barclay
9) Mike Blair/Danny Care
10) Jonny Wilkinson/Ronan O Gara
11) Shane Williams/Rob Kearney
12) Gavin Henson/Luke Fitzgerald
13) Brian ‘o Driscoll/Tom Shanklin
14) Paul Sackey/Rory Lamont
15) Lee Byrne/Geordan Murphy
27 Nov 2008, 17:32 pm
#565 cab:
Any Lamont is good for me.
27 Nov 2008, 17:33 pm
#569 Harlequin:
Oy.
Where’s Kearney.
27 Nov 2008, 17:34 pm
#565 cab: Agree with most of that.
Substitute White for Haskell.
Moody would be on the bench to cover 6 and 7. His place would be filled by David Wallace or John Barclay. Both natural 7s with power, rather than an average hybrid.
Substitute Cooper with either Mike Phillips or Mike Blair. Both are better players.
I like D’Arcy. good player, hope he is fit. Roberts at 13 could be a goer, but I think Shanklin is a better 13.
Vainikolo will never get picked. Sean or Rory Lamont offer size and speed. I think Lee Byrne or Rob Kearney will play fullback, probably with Rory Lamont on the wing as an extra wing/fullback option.
Vickery won’t tour, he’s past it. I think they’ll go for one of the Welsh boys. I think Hartley may force himself into the selectors thoughts for the reserve hooker spot.
Rees/Hogg will probably be Moody, although thinking about it, both are better players than Moody and one of them will be there.
27 Nov 2008, 17:34 pm
#565 cab: Wallace in 4 White and O’Driscoll (Class) in 4 Robert. Then we have a deal.
27 Nov 2008, 17:34 pm
Andy Powell all the way.
27 Nov 2008, 17:34 pm
#570 Dawn:
are u talking playing abilities or the shape of their arse?
27 Nov 2008, 17:34 pm
The name on the left is the shoe-in the one on the right is the backup. Obv Jonny Wilkinson is dependant on injury.
27 Nov 2008, 17:35 pm
#569 Harlequin:
#565 cab:
Why do you guys still rate Phil Vickery? Is it based on his form of the last 3 years, or based on his form when England were any good in 2002/3? Because he has been poor for Wasps and England this year and others, like Euan Murray are now much better.
27 Nov 2008, 17:35 pm
#570 Dawn: like any Ndungane?
27 Nov 2008, 17:35 pm
#571 Dawn: there and thereabouts
27 Nov 2008, 17:36 pm
#575 cab:
Playing abilities, of course.
27 Nov 2008, 17:36 pm
#578 SexyTime:
Of course.
27 Nov 2008, 17:37 pm
#572 stodders: Why you so on about Tom Shanklin. We is a wing. **** centre. IMO
27 Nov 2008, 17:37 pm
I rate him because I thought he did a good job against the Aussies and the boks, granted, not exactly the best scrummagers, but like Os its always good to have some old, calm heads around in the front row.
27 Nov 2008, 17:37 pm
#575 cab:
I mean really.
They can’t help it if they are drop-dead gorge AND can play rugby too.
27 Nov 2008, 17:38 pm
#569 Harlequin: Aside from Vickery and Geordan Murphy and Lee Mears, I pretty much agree with your selection. the selections will be down to form at the time.
Interstingly, on current form, they would be no more than 3 or 4 Englishmen in the match day 22.
27 Nov 2008, 17:39 pm
#585 stodders:
Poor ol’ Geordan.
He must be so tired of cleaning up bad balls already.
27 Nov 2008, 17:41 pm
Amazing how quiet this office gets after 17h00!!!
Peaceful!
The chattering classes have left!
27 Nov 2008, 17:41 pm
#582 SexyTime: In tandem with Gavin Henson, he formed the best overall centre partnership in the NH of last year, that is they could both attack and defend.
O’Driscoll is not the player he was, and I wonder if next year is not one too far for him. If he is on form, I hope D’Arcy returns to form and the Fitzgerald is playing well. the Irish centres have been pretty good over the last few years. If they are, we have a chance to ask your centres some questions, especially with some good outside backs to help them.
We are struggling for decent outside centres in the NH, and Shanklin is a good one.
27 Nov 2008, 17:41 pm
(And this blog too)
27 Nov 2008, 17:42 pm
#583 Harlequin: Fair enough. He did a good olding job, but he offered little else. Vickery was once a brilliant player. The raging bull. Sadly, he isn’t anymore.
27 Nov 2008, 17:43 pm
#584 Dawn:
would not know about that. thought all the tannies liked the roundballers, whatsisname, squeaky voice, beckenham?
27 Nov 2008, 17:43 pm
#590 stodders:
Who’s that big bald Irish forward with the bandage on one ear who always cries during anthems.
27 Nov 2008, 17:43 pm
ok later, better finish up.
27 Nov 2008, 17:44 pm
#591 cab:
AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGH!
No way man.
27 Nov 2008, 17:44 pm
#591 cab: As if you don’t know his name? You live in France where they love him. Il est les ballons d’or!
27 Nov 2008, 17:45 pm
#592 Dawn: John Hayes. He’s not good enough to be a Lion.
27 Nov 2008, 17:45 pm
#592 Dawn: you just described the entire irish pack
27 Nov 2008, 17:46 pm
#595 stodders:
i thought all the frogs liked zidanski or something. strange game that. goldenballs and all.
27 Nov 2008, 17:46 pm
#596 stodders:
He looks the part. But OK then .. don’t send him.
Send Kearney … I live in a block of flats in Wynberg and if you send him I will supply full details.
27 Nov 2008, 17:47 pm
#597 Harlequin:
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