Brendan Venter
Having suffered defeat to the Wallabies this past Saturday, even the most die-hard Springbok supporters must be wondering if their team can win in New Zealand for the first time in five years.
Since taking the reins in 2012, Steve Hansen has forged a well-organised unit that plays with pride and purpose.
However, what makes the All Blacks most difficult to beat is their ball-in-hand threat.
To offer an example, in the final play of the first stanza against Argentina in Napier, the home side won a tighthead. Subsequently Beauden Barrett took the ball to the line, used his quick feet and evasiveness to pierce the defence and fed the lightening-quick Liam Messam, who scored the try.
SuperSport
In last week’s column, I outlined the intrinsic value of ball-carriers who boast a full house in terms of weight, speed and evasive ability.
The All Black class of 2014 possess a number of players in their arsenal who tick all three boxes.
In the backline, Julian Savea is reminiscent of Jonah Lomu in his heyday. He’s big, fast and elusive. Meanwhile, in the forward pack, Kieran Read is equally effective as a ball-carrier. While the eighthman’s decision-making ability is well-documented, his pace and stepping ability is uncanny.
While I generally enjoy listening to Ashwin Willemse’s insights as an analyst, I was left frustrated by his post-match comments after the Springboks’ one-point defeat to Australia on Saturday.
Willemse was outspoken about Heyneke Meyer’s non-expansive style but I believe the former Springbok winger should practice what he preaches.
As such, I would advise Willemse to take off his suit and tie, purchase a tracksuit and pair of takkies and go coach his local rugby side. As soon as he does this, I believe he will realise that coaching isn’t as straightforward as it may seem, which is why Nick Mallett is more tempered in his criticism.
What Willemse, and Springbok fans at large, must understand is that it’s not just the intent of running the ball that will make the difference. Particularly against the All Blacks, if the Springboks employ a run-from-everywhere approach they will get pumped, as the home side thrives upon turn-over ball.
Therefore, instead of fighting fire with fire, I would advise the Springboks to box clever.
First and foremost, the Springboks should look to target the All Blacks at set phase. I believe the number one-ranked team in world rugby remains jittery at line-out time and can be duly dismantled.
Secondly, while the Springboks’ defensive strength has always proved their physicality and line speed, on this occasion, I would advise that line speed be sacrificed for defensive alignment.
To put it simply, the visitors must maintain their shape even if it means moving up slower in defence.
Another ace up the Springboks’ sleeve is character. The team boasts an abundance of that quality.
Meyer has his fair share of detractors but, for me, he remains a brilliant coach as he boasts the man-motivating ability to galvanise a team and make them believe in the seemingly impossible.
In closing, my rugby rant of the week pertains to Saru’s Transformation Strategic Plan.
While I do not wish to debate the merits of the argument for or against the quota system, I want to stress that in rugby, the most valuable commodity that builds camaraderie and team unity is respect.
To offer an anecdote from my time working with the Sharks, Lwazi Mvovo fractured his hand during the 2013 Currie Cup final, and at half-time I begged him to stay on the field because we needed him.
My request had nothing to do with his skin tone but rather his merits as a rugby player. By playing on with a broken hand, he further entrenched the admiration and respect held for him as a player.
I believe the moment the decision-makers put a number to it – 50 per cent of the Springbok team comprising of players of colour by 2019 – even the best black talent will wonder if they’re worthy.
It’s so absurd that we’ve reached a stage where players are judged primarily by their skin colour.
@ IAAS:
I think the Irish drink a little more after a loss!
57 @ Pietman:
Praat jy
OK julle manne, ek moet inkruip eers, praat weer.
Tjeers.
O ja….Moer hulle Bafana!!!
@ Nama:
@ 60
Lol….BOOOOOOOTH ( Matthew) was quite easy to get right in CT due to it being very close to BOOOOOO
@ Pietman:
Cheers Pietman
Nag almal, movie tyd.
@ Pietman:
@ 63
Cheers.. sien jou..
@ MacroBok:
Enjoy, is Bambi op?
😀
@ nortierd:
haha nee drol, ek dink bowfinger
@ robzim:
Yes, I remember an English commentator who had to explain to his viewers that the crowd was not booing him because he was the only whitie in the team but that it actually was a chant of affection.
That was THE opportunity for Bafana.
A guy in the crowd going, “Djou mase p….
@ Nama:
Ja… the game suddenly swung and Nigeria is stretched at the moment… probably too late though, Bafana missed THAT one as u said.
Talk about midgets, these tall Nigerians dominate almost every ball that goes into the air.
Oh well..a draw… and Bru Shakes goes: ” Faaark!! ” 🙂
Not a bad display by Bafana but home matches should be won and they had their opportunities.
0-0 it ends.
An away win and a draw at home for Bafana in their quest to qualify for AFCON 2015.
What’s worse than a 0 / 0 draw?
Watching a 0 / 0 draw… in soccer.
@ robzim:
Don’t be doff.
He didn’t criticize him for having an opinion but for the manner in which he put it
Surely even you can understand that.
😆
@ grootblousmile:
Still better than to watch a game between fat blokes either running into each other or stand around watching a scrum to be reset only to collapse again.
@ gunther:
OK… if you do not want to stop I am going to change the manner in which I put facts to you in future.
I forgot the
in my 2 previous posts
24 @ grootblousmile:
careful there GB… that was a close call there…!!
don’t worry… we’ll vloek you right…!!
liked your comment about the same amount of water and attitude…!!!
may be very obvious… but is very true… and we all miss that point…
have a great day all…!!!
@ nortierd: @59
LOFL! The Irish part of my soul wholeheartedly agrees!
@ robzim:
What “facts” would those be.
😆
I like Brendan’s idea of slowing the line speed on defence… the Bok like to fly up fast but there are times when their alignment gets out of shape especially on the wings…when Hendricks & Habana rush up and take no one…It also gets the Abs thinking and forces them to make decisions on how they engage the line. If they pass too early it allows the Bok to just drift..usually the instinctive nature of the Abs backs and ball runners is based around a fast moving line…so perhaps a slower line may force a more conventional approach…if that makes sense…
@ gunther:
@ 84
It depends on the subject.
For example do you know that the latest research shows that people who drink diet coke may end up eating more calories overall than those drinking ordinary coke?
If you knew that, you might have slightly adjusted the manner in which you put your diet-coke comment on the Hansen thread.
So I can help you out with many “facts” but only if you ask me nicely otherwise i will just quietly observe your “pearls of wisdom”.
@ robzim:
Jeez youre a pain in the arse.
How about commenting on the rest of the article. The actual meat of the whole thing?
Me? I think Venter is as shrews as they come and we cant just start flinging the ball around.
We have to get set piece and forward parity or even dominance first. Which is exactly what HM will try to do on Saturday.
@ robzim:
Typical evasive answer.
Key word there is may.
Even someone with your limited command of the language can understand that?
You are still wrong by the way.
😆
@ John Galt:
Indeed.
Venter is a bit too much of clever for Robbo’s liking.
😆
@ John Galt:
@ 87
Your comment is noted.
My advice would be for you not to read my posts if i am causing you a pain in the arse.
Just scroll down… it is not so hard.
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