Brüssow best of sorry Boks
13 Nov 2009
Keo.co.za rates the Springboks in their Test against France in Toulouse.
Zane Kirchner (5) - Showed a willingness to join the line when the opportunities did present themselves, and was largely effective when doing so. His biggest contribution was to put through the grubber that rolled 5m short of line from which the Springboks’ try was scored. His positional play needs some attention as the France kickers often found space where he should have been covering.
JP Pietersen (5) - It was a quiet night for the Springboks’ outside backs and Pietersen saw precious little ball. Struggled under high ball in blustery conditions but was defensively solid when asked to be.
Jaque Fourie (5) - His attacking prowess was curtailed by the Springboks’ inability to play through enough phases to deplete the French defence and allow him the space he thrives in. Struggled at times against his direct opponent, Yann David, but also diffused a number of French attacks by pushing off the line hard and cutting down their space.
Adi Jacobs (5) - While he never dominated at the tackle point on defence he certainly wasn’t embarrassed. In fact, he defended better than some of his bigger and more experienced team-mates. However, on attack he was poor. The French defenders often double hit him and stole possession in good field positions.
Bryan Habana (5) - Typically workmanlike on attack and defence, but like Kirchner and Pietersen, simply never had the opportunities to hurt the hosts.
Morne Steyn (4) - His worst ever performance in Test rugby, which was compounded by his sin binning just before half-time – the resultant penalty cost his side three points and France scored three more in his absence. He started with two misjudged tactical kicks, and a couple of poor passes and it just went downhill from there. In his defence, his forwards hardly set a decent platform for attack and he was consistently under pressure.
Fourie du Preez (5) - Wasn’t able to dictate the flow and tempo of the match because of the Springboks’ struggles at the breakdown, and as a result his threat was largely blunted. In addition, his tactical kicking lacked it’s usual accuracy. Another play who looked a shadow of his magnificent self after a long and taxing season.
Ryan Kankowski (4) - Effective when allowed space to operate, but struggled when asked to play tight. Knocked on in lead up to France’s first try and was sin binned in the 69th minute. It didn’t cost the team immediately, but it did in the 77th minute when France destroyed a seven-man Bok scrum and gained the decisive penalty.
Schalk Burger (4) - For a man who has built his reputation on his physicality he was desperately disappointing from a defensive perspective. He missed his first tackle of the game, slipped a crucial hit in the build up to France’s first try, and was found wanting on a number of other occasions. His work rate never dropped off, but high stats in that regard means nothing if you aren’t consistently making telling contributions.
Heinrich Brüssow (8) - Immense yet again. Proved, conclusively, that he has the aptitude for the biggest Tests against opponents who tower over him physically. They never ever overshadowed him for pure ability, though. He excelled on the ground, stealing the ball in 9th minute, 14th, 28th , 63rd, 68th minutes, and made his most vital snatch in the 55th in his 22m when France seemed destined to score.
Victor Matfield (5) - Solid at the lineout as usual, ensuring that the Springboks bossed that facet of play, but posed little threat in the loose.
Bakkies Botha (4) - Misguided physicality. He is better when he doesn’t get dragged into personal duels and tonight he was, to the disadvantage of his side, who rely on him to make his presence felt at rucks and mauls around the track.
John Smit (6) - Tried valiantly to lead by example, and to rouse his charges to a level of performance that seemed beyond them. That started with a good performance at scrum time in the first half and a work rate that was only surpassed by Brussow. Sadly he wasn’t able to sustain that effort for 80 minutes, mostly because he shouldered so much responsibility. Showed great awareness to pounce on the overcooked lineout feed to score the Springboks‘ only try, but spent the latter stages of the match trying to galvanise a beaten bunch.
Bismarck du Plessis (4) - Typically robust, and scrummed well early in the game, but hardly the force he has been for the majority of the season. That’s not surprising given the amount of matches his played. Crucially failed to find his jumper 5m short of the France tryline with his team trailing 14-13 in 56th minute. A score there could have changed the complexion of the Test.
Beast Mtawarira (4) - Anonymous in the loose, and impotent in the tight. His worst Test of 2009, but like Du Plessis, looks in need of a rest.
Subs
Adriaan Strauss (on in the 69th minute) (5) - His first contribution was to make a turnover in his 22m, but he then failed to find his jumper in the next passage of play, allowing France to surge back into the red zone.
Wian du Preez - Unused sub.
CJ van der Linde (4) (on in 54th minute) - Manhandled at scrum time and was reminded of the difference between club and Test rugby. Like the front rankers who came before him, never made a difference in general play.
Andries Bekker (7) - On at various stages and excelled at the lineout when he was on the park with three steals. Also looked up for the battle in the tight and loose.
Danie Rossouw (On in 47th minute) (5) - Never had an opportunity to carry the ball and never made his mark in the tight.
Ruan Pienaar - Unused sub
Wynand Olivier (on in 69th minute) (6) - Looked hungry and enthusiastic when he came on, but he was fighting a lone battle at that stage.
82 Comments
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14 Nov 2009, 00:12 am
Brussouw is a DRAGON……
14 Nov 2009, 00:16 am
Come on. Those are ridiculous ratings.
Jacobs was a 3 at best, and Kankowski a 1.
Jacobs lost almost every ball he carried into contact. And Kankowski had the ball ripped out of his stringy arms at leisure.
Those were the worst two performers on the park.
To give them a similar rating to Bakkies, Bismark and Steyn is ludicrous.
14 Nov 2009, 00:19 am
And the great little ball-snaffler’s surname ends in a blunt Germanic -OW, not -OUW, like “Roussouw”…
POW!
Not POUW! (Way too poofy!)
14 Nov 2009, 00:20 am
CJ can go back to play club rugby as far as I’m concerned, and I hope Grant10 watched the game!
Like I said before, you can have the best prop in world rugby on the field, its still up to the ref’s interpretation what goes on in that front row. I’m still baffled by some of the penalties against us…
14 Nov 2009, 00:20 am
#2 Tacitus: Subtle as ever.
14 Nov 2009, 00:21 am
Yeah right, Bakkies is also only human, it is only in our minds that international players are scared of him.
And Bekker should start in the next test for Prima Donna Matfield .
Great game by Brussow. Top class.
And please Rassie, dont make Schalk captain of the Stormers, it will be a huge mistake, he is not even half the player he used to be. He is also no great thinker, to put it mildly.
14 Nov 2009, 00:22 am
Caveman Chabal made poor Bakkies look like a fairy.
14 Nov 2009, 00:23 am
#2 Tacitus:
We hardly ever agree on anything but I would also give Kanko a 1.
14 Nov 2009, 00:26 am
i dont know what to say, cant believe we playd so badly, so dissapointing, and **** we goto sort that scrum out asap
14 Nov 2009, 00:26 am
#2 Tacitus: Adi wasn’t half as kak as you want him to have been?No comment on Morne?
14 Nov 2009, 00:30 am
On tonight’s performance Kirchner and Kanko do not have what it takes to play at this level.
Otoh, Bakkies made a less than auspicious debut against France some 4 or 5 years ago…
Jacobs was not the defensive liability all and sundry were predicting before the game.
Smit was poor as a tighthead. Does the value of his captaincy outweigh his deficiencies as a player? Maybe it is time that he joined the coaching staff. Our frontrow – replacements included – were embarrassed.
Vic, the best lock in the world, was anonymous. As was Jacque Fourie.
Pietersen and Habana had virtually no chances on attack.
All things considered it was a forgettable night for Bok rugby. It is time for a global season.
14 Nov 2009, 00:31 am
kanko should never start a NH game again, rather danie at 8 for **** sakes, i think he lost the ball everytime he took it up. Bit disapointd in Adi aswel, did well on defense but kept running away from support on attack, we were mauled at the breakdown everytime!
14 Nov 2009, 00:31 am
We needed a physical 12 today (like De Villiers or Steyn)
Sorry to say and nothing against him…actually he did well considering his size BUT Adi simply isn’t big enough for tests like these
He wasn’t embarrassed, he coped, he competed but we need someone that can dominate, destroy and manhandle … he can’t because he simply isn’t big enough NOT HIS FAULT but simply a fact
Don’t think Wynand is the answer either but he is a bigger presence than Adi
Not our only problem today but don’t want to write an essay either
France awesome today and our best opposition this year…if they get a kicker they will be hard to beat
14 Nov 2009, 00:31 am
#7 TheTackler: Umm, that’s a debatable point. However, what is not debatable is that you do not need any help to make yourself look like an idiot.
14 Nov 2009, 00:33 am
I think they need to look at the Boks’ entire schedule.
Currie Cup ending a week before the EoYT not a good idea. Straight from 3N – the toughest tournament – into CC and then straight into the end of year tour.
The willingness is there, but the body not quite up to it.
Boks actually played with heart but could not get it together as French just applied too much pressure and frustrated them for most of the time.
14 Nov 2009, 00:33 am
#13 The_Green_Machine_is_a_Mean_Machine: The most balanced comment so far.
14 Nov 2009, 00:33 am
#11 Windhoek.Lager:
Lets hope Tim Noakes was right and the team is tired.
If not, we are in serious trouble.
14 Nov 2009, 00:34 am
Oh yes
CJ reminded me why I hated his guts when he used to be a regular
F*cking walking talking sweating penalty machine
14 Nov 2009, 00:34 am
#14 Windhoek.Lager:
lol
14 Nov 2009, 00:35 am
#17 Robzim: You had to see Vic in the presser after the CC semi?Totally dazed and could not really give half a *****,the top okes need a solid break.
14 Nov 2009, 00:35 am
What must Brüssow do to get a 9/10?
almost perfect game. too bad he was the only 1 on the field who looked like he wanted to play
14 Nov 2009, 00:35 am
#15 Sheriff:
no one other than Brussouw played with heart tonight…
14 Nov 2009, 00:39 am
strauss lookd good when he came on, bismark had a off day
14 Nov 2009, 00:40 am
Very Fickle supporters we have. The guys tried but just weren’t there tonight.
France had the intensity we’ve had all season! Just not tonight
14 Nov 2009, 00:40 am
#15 Sheriff:
Bloody administrators…
Why not schedule Italy (or other “minnow”) first?
Our first team needed a warm-up game before we faced France and Ireland to re-adapt to the conditions
Putting Italy in between is of no use as most 1st choice players won’t even play that game now
France deserved their win BUT WE CAN’T LOSE TO THE OIRISH PLEASE!!
14 Nov 2009, 00:42 am
#16 Provincejoulekkading:
Why thank you
It’s because I drunk
14 Nov 2009, 00:43 am
#22 UKBokSupporter:
Its easy to say that but sometimes you want to play but its just not happening.
They scrambled well and the winning margin should have been bigger.
I think we felt JdV and Frans Steyn’s absence, whether we would like to admit it or not. People forget that Jean played many tests with Mossie and the conditions did not suit Adi.
Zane will get better, but to be fair he needs to be given time but I have faith in him.
14 Nov 2009, 00:43 am
Maybe it should be about time to question doping in French rugby….
14 Nov 2009, 00:45 am
#28 pepinillo:
or maybe doping in the anthem singers?
14 Nov 2009, 00:47 am
#26 The_Green_Machine_is_a_Mean_Machine: Hehehe Me too!Coincidence?
14 Nov 2009, 00:48 am
#25 The_Green_Machine_is_a_Mean_Machine:
Good point.
French have a nasty habit of choosing a late kick-off; it was 7h45 their time. Im sure its because they know the conditions deteriorate. 5pm there and we will beat them; they know that.
Crowd does exert pressure of ref and Matthew Pearce pointed out that the No 8 was off side, when he chased that kicked that Kanko could not gather. Of course that led the try.
2 yellows also just multiplied the pressure of a team that needed some time just to settle. They were with their backs against the wall from the word go.
14 Nov 2009, 00:48 am
I would have put Potgieter on the bench instead of Strauss since Smit coer hooker…
14 Nov 2009, 00:51 am
Not sure who the biggest moron of the night is … the guy that “sang” the SA national anthem, or Tackler, who is always out to get a rise out of everyone cos his life is so boring. By the way Tackler, who do you support? NZ? OZ? I would keep quiet if I were you. You have hardly got anything to be proud of. I seem to recall that the tired team that lost to the French tonight, disposed of both NZ and OZ. I recall you previously commenting after the World Cup that SA were lucky to win, as they had not beaten NZ & OZ on the way to lifting the trophy. Thought you would shut up once we won the Super 14 and the Tri-nations. But I guess you are one of those plonkers that will never shut up. You have a gift for stirring and talking cr*p. Keep it up, you are entertaining!
14 Nov 2009, 00:55 am
seems like we have a lot of rugby experts here.
of course, if you don’t live in cpt, you know f’all about the game.
let me let you shonky lot into a few basics.
the tight phases (scrums and lineouts) were pretty even.
but the modern game is about the collisions – that is where teams gain ascendancy.
the boks plan of kick and chase had no chance because the kicker was behind at least 10 of the boks very time so the chase was limited (take note kobus kitty aka einstein).
the idea of the game is to get front foot ball so that almost every player can attack from any given situation. when you don’t – you simply turn over possession to the bad guys.
lesson 1
now good night – well played les blues
14 Nov 2009, 01:02 am
Charo – John Robbie usually irritates me, but tonight he said the most sensible thing he has ever said. Whose idea was it to send a tired Bok side on an end of year tour to France and Ireland? These are very good teams that are fresh and raring to go, and eager to scalp the best team in the world this year. No matter how much the Bok players want to win, their bodies just wont allow it! Crazy tour!!
14 Nov 2009, 01:04 am
Brussow was phenomenal, he is a great little player.
Smit very good too, for all the detractors bullshit.
14 Nov 2009, 01:05 am
Springboks really missed Frans Steyn and his big boot today – they simply haven’t got the backs to make big yards from running alone. I am still mystified that Brussow gets to handle the ball so much on the deck – then again, Wayne Barnes is the worst referee in the world.
Can someone tell me why CJ was playing today but Steyn wasn’t even considered, despite only playing up the road?
14 Nov 2009, 01:06 am
IT MAY BE LATE BUT I HAVE GATHERED MY FAMILY TOGETHER .
I AVE WOKEN UP THE WIFE AND KIDS AND WE HAVE STOOD IN THE GARDEN .
INTO THE DARKNESS OUR CHANT GOES UP !
IT IS LOUD AND PROUD !
EARL EARL EARL EARL EARL EARL !
HIS TIME HAS COME – NOT JUST TO TAKE OVER FROM STEYN – BUT ALSO TO
LEAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OUT WITH OUR TIRED GENERAL SMIT
IN WITH THE NEW GENERAL !
VIVA EARL !
YOUR TIME HAS COME !
14 Nov 2009, 01:07 am
#33 Turbo:
They are not morons.
The singer did a different version of the anthem, you might not have liked it, but it was original and different. Something else for a change.Do not knock it only because you do not understand it and because it it sounded different to what you you are used to.
Re the Tackler, this site would have been a lot poorer if it was not for him. We do not have to agree with him, but he does provide another view and he certainly has quite a knowledge about rugby and many other issues. A moron? – don’t make me laugh.
14 Nov 2009, 01:08 am
#35 Turbo:
correct mate – a tour too far for the boys.
perhaps should have sent a good second squad like the nh teams usually do.
ok enough for one night – will check in again in the morning.
cheers
14 Nov 2009, 01:10 am
#38 rugbygenius:
LoL, I am not so sure about Earl but John should perhaps start to think of a life after rugby.
Hope he does not go into politics – it will be murder.
14 Nov 2009, 01:15 am
Robzim – you not being serious? Or maybe you are theTackler in disguise. Not only that, you must be tone deaf too. I am not against reggae, but that oke couldnt sing. He sounded hoarse at times, and missed most of his words. Why didnt the French use him for their Anthem. You know what, I should be asking myself why I am responding to your idiotic post. haha! G’nite!
14 Nov 2009, 01:16 am
#41 Robzim: Sorry Sir but it is Roses destiny . That loss today was the final nail . It is time for Rose to get what is rightfully his – the captains arm band .
Smit looked tired and weary . Earl is fresh and ready to take us to glory in 2011.
14 Nov 2009, 01:19 am
#38 rugbygenius:
i must say RG, i am very pissed off, but that made me lol, earl would have been planted and watered in that toulouse pitch 2nite my friend.
14 Nov 2009, 01:19 am
#42 Turbo:
The feeling is mutual, but don’t worry, you do not know better.
Good night.
14 Nov 2009, 01:22 am
#44 cab: I beg to differ . Earl would have given us that spark. He is like Carlos Spencer. He can start something from nothing. He would quite easily have side stepped 3 or 4 on his way to score under the posts .
I am also angry sir . I am sorry for you that the bokke lost . We can come back this week – do not worry.
14 Nov 2009, 01:26 am
#46 rugbygenius:
Yeah, we should beat the Italians, although the front row will take a pounding yet again.
The Irish?? – oh god, there could be a spot of bother again.
14 Nov 2009, 01:27 am
#31 Sheriff: France have lost to Wales playing at 21:45. It’s not an excuse. As both team played today, France would have won 10/10. And you know that.
14 Nov 2009, 01:29 am
#47 Robzim: Yes – that Italy scrum is more dangerous than a pack of wildehond !
The Irish – yes can be a problem. But our game style suits that sort ofmatch more than tonights . We can take the Irish if we get some killer instinct back.
14 Nov 2009, 01:29 am
#47 Robzim: Hi Rob, the bogey team did it again….ruddy Frogs!
All sorts of high jinks on Keo today I see!!
Toys being thrown out of the pram and handbags wielded!!
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