Learning from Leicester lesson
9 Nov 2009
Intensity will be the watchword as the Springboks prepare to erase the Welford Road capitulation with a robust showing against France.
Bok skipper John Smit used the word liberally on the 2008 tour of the UK, and the recent debacle against Leicester would serve as a timely reminder that intensity is king on the heavier fields of Europe.
The Tigers went into the fixture as underdogs despite the SA XV’s lack of experience, but always looked the hungrier side at the collisions. After dominating at the tackle point, they had the kicking game needed to pin South Africa deep in their own territory.
It’s no exaggeration when I employ a cliche to contrast the Springboks and their midweek alter-egos. The Cheese got served last Friday, but we should expect a better showing from the Chalk when they play in Toulouse.
The Springboks have the best second-row and halfback pairing on the planet, and, as France coach Marc Lievremont pointed out recently, they are the most physical team in world rugby. They need to take this compliment to heart in preparation for Les Tricolores this Friday. They’ll need ever bit of grit and determination to deny the proud Frenchmen, who will also be anticipating a forward assault.
There has been concern over the fitness of top players like Fourie du Preez and Victor Matfield, who’ve endured a helluva lot of rugby in 2009. Smit, Bakkies Botha and Bismarck du Plessis have also been over-utilised, and Bryan Habana could also have done with a rest ahead of a busy 2010 season.
It’s a pointless debate with these players already picked and primed for a taxing European tour, but every player would do well to know this could be one of the tougher Tests in 2009. Playing at the end of their rugby season, the Boks will need to operate at an optimal level of intensity.
The SA XV lacked that intensity against Leicester and they were duly punished. There were other aspects that cost the tourists, namely the poor scrumming effort, wayward tactical kicking and suspect decision-making, but it was concerning to see a South African team beaten by a club side at the breakdown.
Australia also battled in the initial stages in their match against England on Saturday. The Poms turned the Wallabies over in promising positions because the visitors failed to protect the ball-carrier. When they adjusted in the second period, they prospered, and were thus able to play the game at a more familiar tempo.
Heinrich Brüssow and Schalk Burger are expected to start on the flanks against France, while Ryan Kankowski will fill in for the injured Pierre Spies. Brüssow and Burger worked well in tandem at the back end of the Tri-Nations, but it will be interesting to see how they respond to Friday’s challenge. Plenty will be expected from Kankowski in a ball-carrying capacity.
Nobody outbullies the Bulls when they bring their trademark physicality to the party, but as seen in this year’s Super 14, when the Bulls don’t front at the collisions, they are beatable. The lowly Highlanders outmuscled the Bulls in the league stage, and perhaps it served as a good reminder that physical dominance is something you need to work for in every single encounter.
Smit said it at the beginning of the 2008 tour; intensity is the team watchword when touring the northern hemisphere. The midweek side may be forgiven for not knowing this due to a lack of experience, but their failure should serve as a reminder to Smit’s men that nothing less than the Boks’ uncompromising brand will do in Toulouse.
It’s a tough ask at the end of a long season, and it’s fair to say that should the Boks return from their three-Test tour undefeated, they will have achieved more than just a 3-0 result.
By Jon Cardinelli
248 Comments
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9 Nov 2009, 09:12 am
#45 Big Hit: In almost every position….not at 3 in that pack…thats for damn sure!
9 Nov 2009, 09:17 am
#31 capebull: 74-14? Who got 74 and against whom? And when?
Does 49-0 ring a bell? Or 28-0? Or 19-0?
Guess who got 0 ?
9 Nov 2009, 09:18 am
Heyneke Meyer about to be appointed as D O R at Bulls…
CJ…WDP AND A STRAUSS BACK IN BOK SQUAD….
Only bummer yesterday was loss by Man U….
9 Nov 2009, 09:18 am
#52 TheTackler: Sorry I have a short memory. 3 – 0 is all I remember. Who won 3 and who won 0??
9 Nov 2009, 09:20 am
#51 grant10: De Villiers the France prop is new Bok scrum doctor?
9 Nov 2009, 09:20 am
#52 TheTackler: LOL
9 Nov 2009, 09:22 am
boks win 2 out 4 world cups we have played in (50%)
NZ 1 out of 6 (17%)
9 Nov 2009, 09:23 am
#54 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): LOL#55 Big Hit: Yes…joins Boks today …not sure if a permanent appointment though….good move by PDV….the ex frenchman stays in Stellenbosch now…
9 Nov 2009, 09:23 am
Guys like Grant10 who want John Smit out, remind me of when Nick Mallet dropped Teichman for Skinstad before 1999 RWC. Mallet still reckons its one of the biggest regrets of his Bok coaching career.
Grow up. He’s a legend.
9 Nov 2009, 09:24 am
Rule # 14
9 Nov 2009, 09:25 am
#58 grant10: interesting video, seems Gold realises he’s not a specialist scrum coach coaching.blog.rugbyiq.com/?p=93
9 Nov 2009, 09:28 am
#59 Oubaas2009: Nice Oubaas and as I remember it, it was the Cape media and administrators that pushed the Bob thing. Once again the Capies are pulling a brutus, but luckily the powers have shifted and no-one gives a rats ar$e what the WPeers think. Boks have enjoyed one of their best seasons ever, yet people are calling for changes and criticising our captain courageous. Its disgusting.
9 Nov 2009, 09:33 am
#52 TheTackler: A4Y’s!!!
9 Nov 2009, 09:35 am
#62 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
sweeping statements there Ratel… don’t get caught up in Provincial rivalries now… It’s not the Capies, the media or anyone but Grant and few others…
Genralising hardly adds to the debate… just inflames it…
but I know you know this…
9 Nov 2009, 09:35 am
#55 Big Hit: go check the video link on rugby 365 with G Gold.
9 Nov 2009, 09:36 am
i for one hope Kankoffie has a blinder in the tight phases cause it’s gonna be tough vs the Frogs this friday!
no-one will be able to “hang loose”
and wait for ball……. we will have to work our gatte off on the ground!
9 Nov 2009, 09:36 am
BTW, can anyone explain when “helluva” (used by JC in the article) became an accepted word in the written english language? The lecturer who taught him will be tearing his hair out if sees it.
9 Nov 2009, 09:36 am
Minder en Silver is nie afrigters nie – hul is helpers … imo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9 Nov 2009, 09:37 am
#59 Oubaas2009: who wants him out?
Redeployed…used differently plonker!
Dont start **** so early on a monday man!!
Get your facts right!
9 Nov 2009, 09:37 am
#65 grant10: yeah it’s the same one I linked, pretty interesting. It seems to me that Gold is now delegating scrum coaching to a specialist. I don’t see the scrum having much trouble, but you never know I suppose.
9 Nov 2009, 09:38 am
#61 Big Hit: yeah….good that they call up specialists…and i am glad PDV is prepared to acknowledge mistakes and learn from them
9 Nov 2009, 09:38 am
Cheers – mense. Oppad coffee shop toe.
gaan GROOT!
en moetie vir Grant10 so uithaal nie…. die man het n punt beet!!!!!!!!
9 Nov 2009, 09:40 am
#71 grant10: I think that’s a strength of PDV’s, he is prepared to take responsibility
9 Nov 2009, 09:40 am
#70 Big Hit: i hope you right….i dont know much about French pack….but historically they always prided themselves on a tough scrum
9 Nov 2009, 09:42 am
#72 Staal: Ratel sal alles wat n haai is inspan….so ek luister nie na daai klein haaitjie se gechommel nie….
I call it as i see it and the changes come…so maybe he is the sentimental plonker not me!!
9 Nov 2009, 09:44 am
#52 TheTackler: Tackler , your problem is that your team does not support your mouth, you clearly forgotten 3N, S14 ect results this year , so focus your commnets on your team not performing , leave ours alone.
9 Nov 2009, 09:48 am
#19 Cheetha Champs: Your assessment is spot on.#42 grant10: Guys, just hold your horses there for a moment. CJ is probably a consession being made by PdV based on information at his disposal as regards CJ’s most likely whereabouts come 2011. He probably has sufficient proof that one of the SA Unions have tied CJ up or have an option to tie him up prior to WC 2011 and that he will be playing back in SA by then.
You guys are looking at opening a new can of worms. Remember it is because most of our quality props and other players became impatient with non-selection and /or elected to chase Euros that our depth at TH is so decimated.
And I agree with PDV leaving the highly talented and promising youngsters behind this time, because in Prop-terms they are babies, even though they scrummed allcomers. With a bit of luck they might be ready in 2 to 3 years time, maybe even for the WC. There is no point in pulling a Chilli on them now. He knew all along where he stood with guys like CJ, but he had to be more than fair with the squad incumbents by giving them a final chance to stake their claims. He has done that now and can move on.
So I say let’s trust his judgment and vision. He has not let us down yet.
9 Nov 2009, 09:48 am
#64 ufo: Trying to inflame!
Grant10 seems hell bent on altering a winning combination, which I always find pretty stupid.
9 Nov 2009, 09:49 am
Played 78
Won 42 Lost 33 Drawn 3
Sorry, pilgrims. Suck it up.
You’re going to be on the short end of the test equation for many, many more years to come.
Won 42, Lost 33.
Whoo…. that is HUGE!
9 Nov 2009, 09:51 am
#79 TheTackler: Not really 3 more years like 2009 and we’ll be equal!!
9 Nov 2009, 09:52 am
#78 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): The Boks may be winning…but our scrumming as a component of the team has been poor.
Ratel…i dont want to fight with you…go see rugby 365….go educate yourself…this is tiresome…
Please boet…
9 Nov 2009, 09:53 am
#79 TheTackler: whoo…lol, you’re a funny guy tackler I give you that.
9 Nov 2009, 09:54 am
#77 catleya: Yes….CJ will be back…as will BJ…i know its a radical step….i am not convinced by non selection of these overseas players we are actually stopping the bleeding of players anyway…perhaps a rethink is required.
It is difficult…pro s and cons…as in most decisions.
9 Nov 2009, 09:56 am
#79 TheTackler: Tackle bag , you still don’t see the point , maybe last year or the year before, you had bragging rights , not this year , you sound like a certain political party in RSA always going back to the past, to justify the lack of performance now, so shut up ..or change your name to the name of this Political Party
9 Nov 2009, 09:57 am
#79 TheTackler:
You’re as bad as my wife, who’s prepared to drag up something I did wrong 5 years ago in order to win a current argument about something totally different.
9 Nov 2009, 09:57 am
#81 grant10: Decimation of Lions scrum, NZ never dominating us? For a long time our scrumming hasn’t been a strength, even with BJ and CJ, I don’t see any difference now, but I don’t want to get into this, so what article on R365 must I read?
9 Nov 2009, 09:58 am
The Boks can’t even beat an ordinary English club side with eleven of their regular players unavailable due to injury…
Leicester C team?
9 Nov 2009, 09:58 am
Best news , Bulls have signed the Italian prop from tigers
9 Nov 2009, 09:59 am
#87 TheTackler: Bok G team
9 Nov 2009, 10:00 am
#83 grant10:
Why do you think Monty and Matfield came back? Playing in the S14 has to be the main prerequisite for Bok selection, otherwise we’d never field any S14 sides capable of performing.
9 Nov 2009, 10:01 am
#87 TheTackler: Maybe, but they managed to beat a full strength All Black side…… 3 times. What does that tell you? Lucky the All Blacks aren’t facing the Tigers this tour!
9 Nov 2009, 10:01 am
#77 catleya: i am looking forward to the make up of the bok bench….i heard a 5…2 split was on the cards…not so sure now that CJ in the mix…
9 Nov 2009, 10:02 am
Predicted French team according to l’equipe, midol
15- Traille – big boot at full back, almost as big as Steyn’s but he’s not a natural 15, see RWC semi and Lewsey try
14- Clerc – very fast wing, but not quite the same player since before injury
13- Marty – decent 13, nothing special imo
12- Mermoz – magic man for Perp, but hasn’t done it at test level yet, NZ contained him
11- Médard – wolverine, great counter-attacker and some brilliant skills
10- Trinh-Duc – strong running 10
9- Dupuy – nippy breaking 9, goal-kicker
8- Picamoles/Bonnaire
7- Harinordoquy – class No.8, excellent lineout exponent
6- Dusautoir (cap)- tackler supreme, lacks a bit of power but incredible work-rate and determination
5- Nallet – physical lock, not in great form
4- Millo-Chluski – form lock
3- Mas
2- Servat – bullocking hooker, good scrummaging presence
1- Barcella – decent scrummaging young prop
9 Nov 2009, 10:03 am
#88 capebull:
Imagine that!
9 Nov 2009, 10:04 am
#86 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): a video link….B H gave the link….
You mistake my wanting a strong bok scrum as a vendetta against Smit….
I also wanted Brussow in place of schalk as a specialist fetcher….
We all have opinions and philosophies…i dont believe a guy should play out of position in an international front row just because of his captaincy….its only an opinion!
9 Nov 2009, 10:05 am
#88 capebull: Serious?????
9 Nov 2009, 10:05 am
Personally I think the following did really well – Rose, Johnson, Olivier,
The following didn’t do enough to put their hands up – De Jongh, Bekker, Nokwe, Potgieter, Ndungane, Maku,Adams
AND the following were extremely disappointing, out of their depth or should just be @ home getting rest – Pienaar, Guthro, Chilli, Russouw, Raubenheimer, Janni,
HONESTLY, it still hurts when i think abt the performance
9 Nov 2009, 10:05 am
#3 TheTackler: I’m pretty sure you were one of those faux-Kiwis who couldn’t stop telling us that the Crusaders outfit of two years ago that got hammered regularly was not a true Crusaders team as a bunch of them were being rested. But they’re still the Crusaders, we would point out. No, they’re a make-shift, second string team, you and your ilk would retort. The competition was devalued, you said. This one doesn’t count, we were told. By you – I remember it well. Well, you’re the goose and we’re the gander, buddy.
9 Nov 2009, 10:06 am
#90 David: i understand the complexity of the problem.
9 Nov 2009, 10:07 am
#93 Big Hit: No Marconnet???
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