The Springboks face a tough task in Auckland this coming weekend, but the truth of the matter is that the biggest enemy they face is themselves.
This year’s Tri Nations is probably going to be won or lost in the next two weeks in New Zealand, and the Springbok confident frame of mind will determine just how well they do ahead of next year’s World Cup.
While there are those of us who naturally worry that the Boks may be peaking a year too soon, the counter argument is that they are simply achieving what the All Blacks have done for so many years – consistency in victory.
It could be that we are so used to a post 1992-era where the pendulum swung for and against the Springboks with such gusto that we almost waited for a fall of the Green and Gold.
So often, under so many coaches, this came true, and while the odd victory over New Zealand rallied us together behind the team, the highs were as painful as the lows that followed.
Jake White deserves credit for a World Cup victory, put together by two exceptional Bulls and Sharks teams in 2007.
Peter de Villiers and his coaching staff deserve just as much credit for keeping the current crop together, supplementing them with stars like Juan de Jongh, Francois Louw and Heinrich Brussow and others.
To be a successful side at all levels, there has to be a succession plan.
Sides like the Crusaders and Bulls endeavour to have two top players in each position that would walk into any side in world rugby.
While few teams get this right, this is a place where the Springboks have succeeded so admirably these past few years.
Think about it? Injuries aside, there are few positions where the Boks lack depth.
At prop, the return of BJ Botha and CJ van der Linde has added a new dimension, and gives John Smit the luxury to carry on at hooker.
At lock there is a wealth of talent which no other country has right now, while the loose trio is certainly not a place where the Boks lack now or at any stage in the past few years.
In fact the only areas that may be of concern are the back up positions of hooker, scrumhalf and fullback.
Considering the Super 14 success of the Bulls over the past four years, and this year’s emergence of the Stormers as a top class international side, is it any wonder that Sean Fitzpatrick admits he is scared of this Bok side.
Rightly they have lost their fear of New Zealand, and rightly there is respect, but not awe at the All Blacks they face this weekend. Fitzpatrick might be up to his old tricks of talking up the opposition, but his sentiments are shared across New Zealand.
The Boks are not a flashy team. But they have confidence, experience and a wealth of talent to turn a game.
This year’s disjointed Test season might not have shown much beyond depth for the national side, but it did show – especially in the French test – that this Bok side has lost little of its passion and pride for the jersey.
On Saturday at 09:35 (SA Time) they face an All Black side hungry for revenge. It will be anything but easy. But this Bok team has won in New Zealand twice in the last two years. They’ve done it consistently in the Super 14 with their franchises and they have the experience to know what is coming.
If they play to their ability they could score a massive blow in defending their Tri Nations crown, and further afield, in the psychological battlefield ahead of next year’s World Cup tournament.
Lock Victor Matfield and his Bulls players are firm believers in controlling their own destiny, dominating and enforcing their game plan upon the opposition. On Saturday if they do this, they have little to fear.
But New Zealand might just have way more to worry about.
by Brendon Nell
What did the all blacks mean when saying we played less rugby?
Superbul, I am perhaps more critical than you.
I see a few areas where our depth is concerning and other positions where we have an embarressment of riches.
Props, with Guthro Steenkamp showing a revitalised scrumming prowess this year, Beast finally cleared to play for the Springboks, Werner Kruger who must be close to Springbok selection, BJ Botha who has not completely convinced me and an ageing CJ v d Linde, we cannot complain too much in the prop department.
Hooker is a real strength with John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis, Tiaan Liebenberg, Gary Botha and PDV’s favorites Chilliboy Ralapele and Bandise Maku, very strong depth.
Locks, We have arguably the best lock pair in the world with Bakkies and Victor, I personally believe Andries Bekker can eclipse Victor’s achievements and with Danie Rossouw still good for a few, and then Flippie v d Merwe, once again no problem.
Loose forwards, the question is how long can a page be, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Jean Deysel, Ryan Kankowski, Heinrich Brussouw, Francois Louw. It doesn’t seem to end.
Scrum half, Fourie du Preez can not easily be replaced and he should be there for the RWC, Ricky Januarie is the incumbent, but there are also Duvenhage, Vermaak, Cockett, and the Cheetah, can’t remember his name at the moment.
Flyhalf. Big Problem.
What if Morne Steyn get injured. We have Peter Grant who must be disillusioned by now, Butch James who is past his sell by date, Ruan Pienaar who is being shunted from Pillar to Post. Who is an on form Fly half if Steyn breaks down?
Inside Center, Wynand Olivier, who I think is defensively not as good as on attack, Juan de Jongh with a lot of unpredictable skill and Jean de Villiers, so not too bad here, you could perhaps throw Doppies la Grnage in the mix, but with him playing for the Lions, he has no chance.
Outside Center, The imperious Jaque Fourie, and then who?
PDV has ADie Jacobs on his “program” for the RWC. If Adie Jacobs is our back up for J Fourie, woe to us all.
Wing, Habana and JP Petersen are the preferred choices, Francois Hougaardt made a case for himself, and then there are a lot of promise with Jonge Nokwe, Lionel Mapoe and Ndungane the reliable. So I suppose we are not to bad off here, bar the injury count at the moment.
Full Back, Zane Kirchner, Still hasn’t achieved the consistency he has promised in the Super 14, in tests.
Then two players I want to mention specifically, reason why I don’t put them in a specific position is because I have no idea what PDV’s stance s on these two.
Gio Aplon, yes he is small, but when was the last time we had someone who has his skills under the high ball, can counter attack as efficiently as he does from the back, has a decent boot, and aren’t afraid to tackle, he is ten times the player Earl Rose’s mom promised him he’ll ever be.
Fran Steyn, there are too many rumours flying about regarding his and PDV’s relationship, whatever the case may be, he has to be in the RWC squad.
So all in all I would agree with our depth.
I worry about Fly Half, and how PDV will combine the back three.
@ Wezwp:
Have finally figure that out, think they maybe mean we dont run the ball as much as them, who cares, we play winning rugby 😆
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