Gurthro Steenkamp, getting massacred on and off the field.
Several retired Springbok front-rankers took to Twitter over the weekend to offer their varied takes on the national team’s scrummaging humiliation at the hands of Argentina in Salta.
The Boks summoned last-ditch reserves of energy and grit to squeeze past the Pumas 33-31 in a Castle Rugby Championship nail-biter, although the violent way they back-pedalled in the scrums at times will be a lasting, unpleasant memory for the players and their fans alike.
Sport24
One of the earliest post-isolation tighthead props, Keith Andrews (@KeithKandrews), who has been visiting Argentina, said in a salvo of tweets:“Bok forwards need to eat more ‘carne’ and less carrots! Oh dear, our scrums … shocking Bok scrumming. Where is the guts and will to compete and adapt?”
Former Sharks and Bok loosehead Ollie le Roux (@OllieLeRoux) was less than impressed with the team’s starting No 1 on Saturday, Gurthro Steenkamp, who was substituted in the 45th minute: “Gurthro is massive weakness in scrum.”
He added in another tweet, following another devastating Pumas heave: “And THAT people is called the Bajada! A thing of beauty! Pity Boks are on the receiving end …”
World Cup 2007-winning captain and tighthead or hooker John Smit (@JohnSmit123) had some sympathy for the Boks’ plight, suggesting the Argentineans were testing the boundaries of legality:“I feel for our Bok tightheads, (Marcos) Ayerza with a short bind pulling them into the tunnel to create his angle.”
Meanwhile former Bok and WP/Stormers No 3 Cobus Visagie (@Drieman3) made a novel suggestion about how the Boks might enhance their options at tighthead – perhaps having noticed reserve Frans Malherbe hobble off late with an ankle injury that will reportedly rule him out of the remainder of the tournament.
Visagie said: “Without trying to be controversial, Brian Mujati is the best option. Played for the Boks before and has scrummed against the best.”
The 29-year-old Mujati earned 12 caps for the Springboks but his last was against England at Twickenham in late 2008.
Once of Northampton Saints but now based at Racing Metro, Mujati was later declared ineligible for South Africa as he was deemed not legally a SA citizen, so that option may still not be open to Bok coach Heyneke Meyer.
Impossible to have and plans or structure when the scrums such a mess, I also think Bissie needs a break, I thought Meyer would have started these two games with Strauss up front, not that is would matter to our scrums, The Aussies would also be able to take on our weaknesses and force penalties, it is demoralizing to the entire team… Meyer should have put Jannie to pasture years ago, but that guy just never gets injured!
The front rows should have faked some “injuries” and forced the ref to declare non- contestable scrums.
By confirming that Guthro is a weakness Ollie made at least some contribution to the debate.
None of the other ex boks tweeted anything that is really worthwhile..
Keith Andrews sounds like Tim Noakes …. carne instead of carrots …. blablablabla.
John Smit sounds like a whinger by blaming illegal scrumming.
Kobus mentioned the name of a player who is not even available ( and might not even want to play for the boks) as the best alternative.
But then again, they are only front rowers…..
To sum up the challenges based on my observations:
1. Scrum: Gurthro has ALWAYS been a weak scrummager who’s main advantage has been his mobility in a looser situation. Bring him on with 20 minutes to go. Jannie kan nog nie scrum nie and should be given a rest.
2. Lineouts: You cannot have to no 4’s who are inexperienced and haven’t any line out calling expertise. You need a decent 5. You can have either but not both Lood and Eben together. Hence the (limited) value of Victor.
3. Juan Smith. Sorry ou maat, time to hang them up.
4. Ruan Pienaar. Need I say more?
5. Handre Pollard: Lots of potential and great playing against weaker teams, but in the stronger match ups you need to start with Morne, who can set the tone better, with Handre coming on later.
Small changes, but these will make a massive difference.
With Morne at 10 I would also move Damian to 12 and JDV to 13, a much better combo.
The halfback blocks the view of the Ref and your lock comes through and hooks one of their props an oldie but a goodie…
@ Stormersboy:
Worst performance I’ve ever seem from a Bok pack.
De Allende was atrocious.
Turned the ball over every time he got it and a horrible kick which resulted in an Argie try.
@ gunther:
Ja agreed. Lots for Heyneke to ponder…
@ Stormersboy:
Being back Vic.
😆
@ Te Rangatira:
Fitzy would call that move in most AKL games in the early days in the first or second scrum.
@ gunther:
I would. But he needs to get some of these guys trained up sharpish
@ Stormersboy:
That front row looks a suspect as one of Fuckadilly’s designer bungalows.
@ NZINCHINA:
Yep..an Auckland favourite..Everyone knew it was coming..Robin Brooke would do it even when they were thirty points up.. lol
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