Boks lack Plan B
The European tour has underlined an old concern pertaining to South Africa’s inability to think outside the box.
The Boks only know how to play one way, but when it doesn’t work for them, they don’t have an alternate plan or means of breaking down the opposition. Brutal physicality will always be the bedrock of South African rugby, but the attacking play is in dire need of a revamp.
They were exposed in Toulouse and again at Croke Park. The French had them under pressure up front early in the fixture, and by half-time it was clear they couldn’t be beaten using typical tactics. In Dublin, the Boks employed the right tactics but their inaccuracy at flyhalf and in the set-pieces let them down badly. What was worrying about that match is that no one decided to change tack.
Marc Lievremont was wise to the bully boy tactics, and the talk in the week preceding that Test was about the Boks’ physicality. It seemed obvious what the Boks would do even before they left South Africa, and surely the Bok coaching staff should have expected this kind of response.
When asked about preparation in the aftermath, however, several Bok players said the French caught them by surprise. Come on. You come to France as the world champions and you have a reputation as the bullies of world rugby. What did you think France were going to do? Give you their lunch money?
Naivety aside, the senior Boks should have realised things weren’t going to work early on in the game and made a decision to change to Plan B. That’s what they should have done if there was a Plan B to change to.
Morne Steyn has had a fantastic year and I’m sure the IRB got it wrong – it wouldn’t be the first time (cough-Richie McCaw-cough) when they nominated Frans Steyn as a Player of the Year nominee. But Morne Steyn has been uncharacteristically shaky on this tour, and one wonders how bad his decision-making would have been had Fourie du Preez not been around to guide him.
Steyn was striking the ball horribly in Udine, but saved his worst performance with the boot for Dublin. He missed a few penalty punts and his tactical kicking left a lot to be desired especially since the Boks were playing with the wind in the first half. John Smit said it best when he pointed to two missed penalty kicks at the end of the half as potentially game-costing. Steyn, who sinks them from 50m on the highveld and at sea-level (ask Western Province) knows he should have done better.
Kicking is Steyn’s strength, but it worried to see him utilising so few of his other talents. By neglecting these, he underused his dangerous runners out wide. Jaque Fourie has been a force since returning to the starting line-up but has not received enough chances. Bryan Habana is living off scraps while JP Pietersen had a very quiet tour.
The Adi Jacobs experiment – what else would you call it – well and truly failed. Jacobs doesn’t have the build or skill set to be the kind of No 12 the Boks need and is more suited to the No 13 position. Jean de Villiers will be back in South Africa in time for the World Cup, but in the interim, the Boks should go with Wynand Olivier who had an outstanding game at Croke Park.
The future of Ruan Pienaar remains a mystery. He was Peter de Villiers’ first-choice flyhalf in June, but seems to have lost all confidence. He’ll undergo corrective surgery to his knee when he gets home, and one hopes he’ll be adequately prepared for the 2010 Super 14.
If he is to be the alternative to Steyn, he has to play flyhalf in the Super 14 and build some confidence. At present, he’s an erratic goal-kicker and perhaps something needs to be done to increase his mental strength. He’s also a fine attacking player who could provide the Boks with variety they need to truly evolve (and perhaps even develop a Plan B). Pienaar’s important, and it’s high time the powers that be stop treating him like a bit player.
One player who impressed during his short stint on tour was BJ Botha. So that’s what the Bok scrum looks like going forward. You could almost forgive the Bok inside backs for giving away possession given they’re so unaccustomed to go-forward ball from the scrum.
Botha’s another who wants to come back to South Africa and could be an important player if the Boks are going to defend their world title. Smit is fine player when he’s scrumming between Beast Mtawarira and Botha, but battled when he went back to tighthead in the dying stages of the Ireland game. Since it’s clear the Boks cant do without his leadership, maybe it’s time they pick a decent tighthead, pick Smit at hooker and leave Bismarck du Plessis on the bench. It’s the obvious sacrifice that needs to be made if the Boks are to retain leadership and scrumming strength.
The sad truth is the Bok management have no intention of moving Smit back to No 2 permanently. It’s truly a shame, as this South African side could explore their attacking capabilities if they were afforded a decent platform from the scrum.
By Jon Cardinelli, in Dublin
November 29th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
meant smit should have moved into beasts position if it was really neccessary to substitute Beast
November 29th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
151. grant10… How you broer… how big a difference is there in the skill set between LH and TH.. no trick question
November 29th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I think everyone should just settle down a bit and think to themselves ” Would Frans Steyn has bagged those two long range shots just before half time or not ?” If so why worry, ultimately ???? We are better than the result showed today and that will be evident next year. It’s just the end of a reeeeaaalllyyy long year !!! PdV should have played kids and blooded them to test rugby – for the same EOYT results.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
@Transformation: go check ruans kick that was charge downed and lead to 3 points against boks….check that scrum Transie….
I am not blaming smit….i am saying that had bj stayed on we may have had the opportunity to force a penalty as every Irish put in at scrums was a lottery, like our scrums were against Italy…
I agree that the backline was sterile and devoid of any punch….no doubt about that…..
I am simply stating that it was a shocker not to maintain dominance on the 1 aspect of the game that we had real control.
I also question the loosies combo….but thats a later chat.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
@Langenhoven: huh? whatever what they do away from the field is none of my business
November 29th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Bath got smashed by the way…
November 29th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
people from the dark side always says that..’been reading the blog for a few months without posting’.that’s normally the giveaway pietman.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
155. SpringbokSarah… you don’t read tabloids???? Rugby magazine only…lol
November 29th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
All Blacks vs Ireland on 12 June
SA have the crappy tri-nations draw next year too
November 29th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
“they didn’t look they had a plan A, let me tell you”- Naas Botha
November 29th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
@Langenhoven: hi boet….massive…the TH is by far the more tougher role…ask Os…even he refused to play at 3….answered the request….’ is jy mal ‘…
November 29th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
@Langenhoven: please! I got over the whole celeb personal life when I was in grade 4… it’s none of my business…
remember you’re not dealing with your standard 16 year old girl
November 29th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
156. SpringbokSarah… I only watched the game to because the King was playing… I am not a Bath supporter.. Probably more partial to London Irish.. but its political as always
November 29th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
@Valkyrie: don’t read most of the comments
November 29th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
@Langenhoven: you boys can do my team a favour today….you going boet??
November 29th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
first Makwa jammer and now Karoo karma kannieklanie who the hell is who in this zoo?
Buck stops with Pdv no question about it. He must boot Muir straight out the picture and Gary Glitterati too. Next Smit must get off cloud 9 or else sit on his sofa at home and read his million dollar memoirs to himself. Matfield I would almost say can start writing his episodes of self glorified memorabilia too. Times up for these prima donna breker’s. All of them.
Fdp is no world class anything just a skopski overrated very slow distributing fool who stand around at base of scrum crying to the ref about the oppo flanks stealing his ball. Poor f.ng idiot I drop him like a got potato till he learns the primary duty of a scrum half. He’s far too full of himself and far too highly overrated for his own good.
M. Steyn is as one dimensional useless as they come. Take his place kicking dimension away from him and he almost single handedly sinks this team into the mire of dismal debilitating mediocrity all by himself with some help from his overrated BB scrummy side kick who between the two of them cannot get a backline going if you gave them a 15 second head start with opponents with blinkers on they would still kick everything into the heavens and hope for the best.
No Pdv must read the riot act now and stop pandering to these twits. If their ego’s can’t stomach it and that goes for the entire bang shoot. Matfield, Smit, Muir, Gold and Fdp or Burger then let them go all the way back to Toulon or Clermont or to Disney Land for all I care. But Pdv better get this show back on the road and ring some changes and it starts at 3 5 8 9 and 10. Fix those positions up and we get going hopefully once again.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
162. SpringbokSarah… Damn, my missus is 43 and she is not over it yet…. Teenagers are normally a bit awkward…lol
November 29th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
@Karoolander: #144
I saw him miss some tackles. He did not give us anything in attack.
I would dare to say that if ADI put up a similar performance as he did yesterday you would not have call it “a good solid performance.”
November 29th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
@Langenhoven: The King was the only one who came close to scoring… apparently he likes team who linger around the bottom of the log
November 29th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
proteas heading for crushing defeat to complete the weekend’s picture of doom and gloom.come on chelsea give me some early festive cheer today!
November 29th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
@Langenhoven: wow now I’m awkward… don’t worry, my mom isn’t either
Mom: Sarah did you hear what Joost did?!
Me: Is he a part of the coaching staff?
Mom: No
Me: then I don’t really care
November 29th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
speaking of being a teenager New Moon was awesome tell your daughters they HAVE TO see it
November 29th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
@grant10:
165. grant10… We need to do ourselves a favour mate… We got lucky and unlucky with a few injuries… Nichlous Bendtner is not playing..Great!!… We lost both our left backs.. Gibbs and Clichy..bad!!..
November 29th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
too many boks in comfort zones….just hope PDV got the guts to do what he needs to….its gonna be a rough ride.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
@Valkyrie: but didn’t the Proteas play really well on… Friday?
November 29th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
@Langenhoven: i seldom back Arsenal…but firmly in there camp today!
November 29th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
@grant10: what does he need to do?
November 29th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
@SpringbokSarah:
171. SpringbokSarah… wietjy!!! the young people of Today!! Ai…
November 29th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
@SpringbokSarah: yes,but are busy with hari kiri at st,georges today 119 all out and our cape boy trott trying to knock the total off with his eyes closed at the momment.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
@SpringbokSarah: rattle some cages….get some senior boks out of comfort zones…put together a succession plan…new strategy and game plan may need player changes….
never easy….
November 29th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
@Langenhoven: roflmao you shouldn’t complain… do you know how much money you save on magazines?
November 29th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
176. grant10… Its gonna be a great game mate.. our youngster are on fire… pity about the loss last week… we had 90% of the game against Sunderland. They had one chance which they took
November 29th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
@Valkyrie: lol who’s that?
@grant10: don’t hold your breath
November 29th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
@grant10: Yah…absolutely no plan B…after dominating the first half (exept for lineouts)and with very little posession… just came out the second half with no plan at all whilst the Irish(Kidney)had obviousely addressed their faults and we were totally outplayed 2nd half due to lack of ideas and predictability…poor show
November 29th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
@Langenhoven: ja….i was gutted midweek….bloody hell….Besikitas at old Trafford!!
November 29th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
@Storm outta hell: dissapointing hey….really tough to lose the ones that count!!
Anyway….roll on 2010…
November 29th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
@SpringbokSarah: hari kiri or the correct word hara kiri means ritual suicide and normally practised by the japanese.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Guys and young Sarah…I am out.. Promised to do the roast today.. Went out with the lads last night.. Payback with roast.. not so bad
November 29th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
@grant10:
Don’t worry, if Sir A wasn’t perturbed I wouldn’t be either. He was happy with the way his youngsters performed in what was a relatively meaningless match, as far as qualifying is concerned. He’s reckons he’ll be fielding a similar team for the last game where ManU need 1 poit to finish top. The way the other groups are going, I don’t think it really matters whether his team is first or second.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
@Valkyrie: good grief why are they committing suicide
November 29th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
@Langenhoven: cheers
November 29th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
If you analyze SA rugby properly and compare it to the Ozzies and AB’s you will note that despite all the athletic ability we lack the ability to break down defences with clever footwork and attacking the gain line at speed. When you look at all the SA sides that played the BIL for example we were outthought and outplayed except for in 2 tests. After winning the BIL series we entered the 3N’s with confidence in a rather defensive game plan. Look at Ireland and SA stats over the last year and you will note that these 2 sides have played the least attacking football with the SA backs for example passing something like 11% of the time in the 3N’s versus the AB forwards passing 3 times as much, never mind the backs. Ireland and SA kicked the most , had the least possession and yet won their games off the back of a strong defensive effort.
As a proud Saffer I have to admit we do not teach our boys to play skillful rugby at a young age, we rely on brute strength and bullying. When we come up against sides that can absorb that and even compete at that we start to panic. The problem though is that in the psyche of our rugby players we have never developed the desire to outthink the opposition as all the glory is shown to those who are the biggest, tallest and fastest rather than the best decision makers and the best support players. A coach once said to me that rugby is not a contact sport , it is meant to be played in space and hence a tackle or ruck is called a “breakdown” i.e. play has stopped. In SA we see the breakdown and dominance in that area as the B all and end all.
Our debate should be how do we get our strong, big lads to play clever rugby as well.
November 29th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
@SpringbokSarah:
Sarah Conner?
November 29th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
@SpringbokSarah: mostly honour.they have have officialy stopped with the ritual and nowadays you can still voluntarily participate in it just like the all blacks at rugby world cups.
November 29th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
@Langenhoven: cheers boet!
November 29th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
@bananaboy:
Spot on. I’ve felt for a while that we should adopt the Kiwi approach with the kids and grade them according to weight and size, rather than age.
November 29th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
i can’t decide today whether to were my chelsea or arsenal replica top…i think i’ll go with chelsea, they have to maintain their 5-point lead on Manure!
November 29th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
@Transformation: LOL….Arsenal all the way!
November 29th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
oh well at least we’re now officially better WC champions that both England and Australia, having claimed the IRB Team of the Year during our WC reign…
November 29th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
@Transformation:
Wear your refs replica outfit. That way you’ll know you’re backing the winner.