The difference between good and great has got very little to do with skill and talent at test level.
Last week someone asked me whether I agree with the common sentiment in the media of late of whether this current Springbok side was the greatest one in history.
Well firstly I believe it is silly to compare this team with teams in the 1950’s, 30’s or 70’s as the game has changed so much, but perhaps there was a case of comparing them to Springbok teams since 1992 when we came back from isolation…
It was a tough question, because I want this team to be the best of all time or the last 20 years, and in recent times they make it difficult for you not to think they just might be, but I was also very aware of the fact that as time goes by, memories fade and if we have to go and study the winning World Cup team of 1995, or Mallet’s charges of 1997/98 one would realize that they were very special teams, with some very special players and moments in their own right and time.
But I was still stuck with the question, was this team the best we had?
Before the Tri-Nations started I said this team is on the brink of greatness, and era very seldom seen in rugby and one that comes around once or twice in a fan’s lifetime.
A couple of things would determine whether this team is truly great, or just very good.
Greatness is also a matter of subjective perception. For instance is a team that wins trophy after trophy great? Even thought they lose the odd match in-between?
Is a team great when they win World Cup’s?
Or is a team great when they are recognized as the number 1 team in the world, by consistently beating the best or top 5 teams on the ranking list?
Personally I would go for the last option, which was also my point when we won the World Cup and became the number 1 team in world rugby following that victory and I said it is not a true reflection of the standings in power in world rugby at the time.
Today we are the number 1 ranked team in the world (and still world champions by the way) because we beat the top two sides in world rugby twice. I also have little doubt we will remain the top team in world rugby following our traditional end of year tour and it would be a deserving title and honour, unlike 2007.
But does that make this team great, or the greatest?
I could not avoid the question, but I also could not pin it down on any one thing why I thought this team was exceptionally good, but not great. Yesterday’s loss also did not give me any answers really, because we have all known and discussed possible weak areas in this team so it was or is not the definitive reason why I believed this team was good but not (yet) great.
I then read this week how Springbok legend Tiaan Strauss handed over the jersey’s to the team for their match in Brisbane, and Tiaan hit the nail on the head and pinpointed the elusive ingredient which I could not come up with why I believe this team is good, but not great.
Tiaan in a speech to the players mentioned that great teams were defined by the character in that team. A character which saw the All Blacks dominate world rugby in the last 20 years where no matter what the touring schedule, no matter what the injuries, no matter who the coach or game plan, losing is simply not an option for them. It was ingrained in that team’s character, and that is what is missing from our Springbok team still in my view.
We are sitting as some suggest in a golden age in Springbok rugby, many factors prove this. We have immensely experienced, skillful and talented players, that much is clear. But over and above having the talent and the skill, this team needs the character to show and prove, they are indeed the greatest Springbok team in history.
@Loserer – Bye, enjoy the night’s rest
@Loserer – See you S.A.U.K !!
146@JimT – Yip, the crouch, touch, pause, carress, kiss, engage has removed a lot of the old guile of the wrestle out of the scrum, without making it any safer or better.
I must leave you guys and girl now, good night
@Boerboel – 149 I understand. Forcing down is potentially dangerous but forcing up? The only risk is a cracked rib or torn cartilage. Forcing down can lead to neck injuries. I used to enjoy the forcing up or its alternative of a cracked ribs/cartilage. 🙂
@Boerboel – 154 See you next time.
@grootblousmile – I can’t understand why more necks and backs are not injured in scrum!
I was put in a scrum once and nearly broke my neck!! Never again…..mind you the blokes each side were HUGE!
Mixed rugby as mistake when you are built like me!!
154@Boerboel – Cheers Boel
@Boerboel – Night Boerboel..have a good week.
155@JimT – I always made sure that I got the LH under my arm and then force him down as far as legally possible (shoulders not below hips). That way I could scrum guys much bigger and heavier than me. I admit, sometimes the hit was not timed right and then I got lifted though!
Now for me, JS scrums with a bent back, something I can’t understand. For me a TH’s back must be straight.
@JimT – Perhaps the No3 replacement is playing at the Sacacens at this very moment!
OK, now I am out, see you!!!
@Boerboel – I know, it is hard to leave us, admit it!!
157@carol – Mixed rugby… hell that would be a challenge… groping a hooker springs to mind… hehehe
@carol – 157 I once played mixed rugby at college, just one game, the girls challenged us to a game. Never again. I was bitten, gouged, scratched, etc. Plus never I could never figure out where to put my hands in the scrums (I was a gentleman at that time, would have no compunctions today). 🙁
@Boerboel – 160 True for both sides of the scrum, straight back essential otherwise you’re asking for back problems.
OK folks… that’s me out of here as well…
See you tomorrow..
Goeie nag, slaap sag !
@JimT – Hahaha, now I must see Carol’s reply before I go!!
@Boerboel – 168 And on that note I bid adieu. Bet Carol would never play against me today? heh, heh 🙂
@Boerboel – 165 I just love it here….you lot never cease to make me laugh!
@JimT – Jim, really……I had you down as a real gentleman, now I have to completely revise my good opinion of you 😐
Hahahahahahha
Is that OK Boerboel?
@grootblousmile – Ek geniet elke oomblik hier. Slap rustig GBS xx
(Just showing off as Jim is here) !!
@carol – 171 So arranging a friendly fixture is out of the question? 🙂
@JimT – 169 would not play against you unless I grew my nails and sharpened my teeth!! 🙂
@JimT – Ha ha see 174….
@carol – 174 Sorry, I’m not into kinky rugby, heh, heh 🙂
Rugby lovers and friends, time for bed here in the UK. Before I leave………..Are we decided that PDV generally needs to leave things as they are for next weekend v A.B’s and just hope things don’t go pear shaped this time!!
Is there another option? …..Uummm No
So don’t stress…
Night All xx
@carol – Bye, bye
@JimT – Actually that did sound a bit dodgy!! 😉
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