Rampant Pierre Spies

When it comes to results in pool matches during the rugby world cup, I for one rather look at how and what teams have done and what has been effective.

The real tests come for those teams that reach the quarter finals as the match day performance decide who progress further in the tournament and who goes home.

Looking at the result today from Ireland proves just that, Australia has won the super XV and the Tri Nations this year, looking red hot favourites along with New Zealand to reach the final and battle for RWC supremacy. Although Australia are higher ranked than Ireland and also have a better head to head record against them, the Irish has proved today that history means only so much.

What today’s test has proven again, is that a match is won through the forwards, and it is very seldom indeed that a team being dominated up front can win off back foot ball. Even the much touted Australian back line had very little opportunity today.

So what does a team need to show during these pool matches?

Forward pack.

The obvious first requirement is a big pack of mobile forwards with ball skills, an intensity for 80 minutes and to be able to keep the heat on the opposition not only in the tight phases, but also at the breakdown points and then defence in general play.

For the past 4 test matches South Africa has improved with every game, apart from struggling against Wales, and in my opinion Bakkies Botha has proven to be the missing link.

Character.

The next important thing to look for is character and a hunger to win the tough matches, which they indeed did against Wales.

Using your opportunities.

The other important thing is being able to take opportunities when they present themselves, and looking back to SA against Australia a few tests ago, they struggled with that. But last weekend against Wales and this weekend against Fiji, they have shown that they are now using the opportunities that are presented.

Reliable goal kicker.

It seems that Morne Steyn’s boot will be a benefit to the Springboks, he has kicked 10/13 in the last two matches and Frans Steyn with his siege gun boot an added plus.

Structured game plan.

After hearing often during the past few weeks that SA doesn’t play rugby, or very little of it, I am happy to say the springboks have shown today that there is a need to control and dominate first before running the ball at every opportunity, once again, look at what the Irish did today, because of their dominance they never allowed Australia to run at every opportunity.

Something special.

What has been good to see today has been the number of offloads the Springboks made and how the players remained calm on attack and were looking for the support player before going to ground.

If we can continue to do that, it can be ominous for the opponents, a springbok side playing rugby. Who would have thought?

Defence.

Our defensive pattern has always been one of the most important aspects of our approach to world cup matches, and seeing over the past 4 matches only 3 tries conceded means that where the structured defence is not up to the task, the scramble defence is in good order.

For me the results in the pools aren’t the aspect that gives me hope, as defending champions you expect your team to win these matches, but it is what we have shown, an improvement from one week to the next, hunger and character, communication, great defence, improved performance by the forwards and ultimately using our chances.

Seeking to improve.

We are by no means the finished article, but instead of being negative and critical, I am starting to have hope. Hope that we can still improve, hope we disregard the criticism about how we should play the game, and doing the simple things well.

Maintain ethos.

If we stick to our ethos of control in the tight phases and breakdowns first, keep the physicality and intensity for 80 minutes, and only then do the fancy stuff, I’ll be happy.

If we then lose to a better team, then so be it.