Monty’s boot saves Boks
3 Jun 2006
Nine penalties from Percy Montgomery gave the Boks an unconvincing 30-27 victory over the World XV at Ellis Park on Saturday. The home side led 15-11 at half-time.
Pity those fans who forked out R300 to watch this drivel. In fact, pity anyone who managed to stomach the full 80 minutes.
Apart from Joe van Niekerk, who made three memorable linebreaks and offloads in the first half, the Boks lacked direction and inspiration.
Without John Smit, Victor Matfield and Schalk Burger, the soft under-belly of the Bok pack was brutally exposed. Deon Carstens was totally outscrummed by Cobus Visagie, who must surely now be a candidate for the World Cup squad, while the World XV loose forwards managed to slow down Bok ball at the breakdown.
Fortunately, South Africa’s line-out was as reliable as ever with Hanyani Shimange delivering one of his best performances. AJ Venter was the main ball winner up front, and it was only in the second half that the World XV claimed one against the throw.
Jaco van der Westhuzyen, who started his first match at flyhalf for the Boks since the Mandela Test in Sydney last year, generally failed to get the backline going. In the first two minutes of the match he had a pass intercepted and then put a kick directly into touch. He will have to seriously up his game in order to prevent the injured Andre Pretorius from reclaiming his No 10 jersey this season.
The World XV, meanwhile, were outstanding considering they spent as much time in the pub as on the training field this week. That they came so close to pulling off an upset victory was mainly down to scrumhalf Justin Marshall – who was driven over for his side’s first try early in the match – flyhalf Carlos Spencer – whose brilliant cross kick set up Isa Nacewa’s try soon after half-time – and Matt Burke, who kicked five penalties and a conversion.
In the end, a match that promised so much in terms of running rugby delivered very little.
Montgomery and Burke exchanged early penalties, before Marshall was driven over for the World XV’s first try and an 8-3 lead. Only a fourth penalty from Montgomery and a massive 55m strike from Gaffie du Toit after the siren, gave the home side a four-point lead at the break.
The Boks were expected to come out firing in the second half, but were disrupted when Venter was sent to the sin bin. A minute later, Spencer put in a cross kick for Nacewa, Montgomery inexblicably never left the ground, and the World XV right wing scored under the posts.
A string of penalties from Montgomery and Burke saw the scores locked at 27-all with four minutes remaining. However, the whistle-happy Henning awarded the Boks a dubious penalty in front of the posts, allowing Montgomery to kick his ninth penalty and save Bok blushes.
Springbok XV - Penalties: Percy Montgomery (9), Gaffie du Toit.
World XV – Tries: Justin Marshall, Isa Nacewa. Conversions: Matt Burke (1). Penalties: Burke (5)
By Simon Borchardt, at Ellis Park
241 Comments
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4 Jun 2006, 13:38 pm
I believe bringing Andre Snyman back to SA and playing him on the wing was an inspired choice. Look at the facts, top countries like England (who played Cohen & currently Cueto) usually have a big powerful winger. Snyman is very good on defense, is still quite quick and has improved on his handling skills considerably. When you add to this the fact that he is one of the few South African exports to have prooven experience & individual success playing in the North,then you have something SA rugby needs.
4 Jun 2006, 13:45 pm
Pete77,
Your comment”Top countries like England”, is flawed.
England are not a top ranked Rugby nation.#5 if I recall.
Also “success playing in the North”, well most top Southern hemisphere players are able to extend their careers by going north because the game is less intense up there.
4 Jun 2006, 13:48 pm
Also, the team Andre Snyman played for was relegated …
4 Jun 2006, 13:53 pm
My review.
**b>What a load of bollocks
I was at the World XV vs. Springbok XV match. The problems started when the World XV set out determined to be the first such team to beat the Springboks. And the Springboks set out determined to defend an unbeaten home record. It made for dour uninspiring stuff. A level of ineptitude added to the occasion. And having paid R300 consigned it to the scrapheap of things I wish to forget.
Let me get this out of the way. Deon Carstens must never don a Springbok jersey again. There is no defence of his drilling at the hands of Cobus Visagie. 20 minutes into the second half, he required medical attention, such was his annihilation. Cobus Visagie was impressive. None more so than when his enormous effort set up the World XV’s first try. To fail to recognise this is to ignore the sight of the entire World XV high fiving Visagie as he retreated from the scrum that set up the try. Hats off sir. Jake White’s arrogant remarks on Boots & All were a shame and you showed that.
On the subject of those remarks, Jake should learn. I was taught that if one has nothing good to day, rather keep quiet. Jake, you should learn the lesson. Your pre-match commentary has attacked Bill Young, the Irish and the World XV. You appear to have the makings of a great coach. But keep your trap shut. I would have no compunction in telling that to your face. Why could you not merely have said, “I do not believe Cobus is one of our best props at this stage, but hey Cobus, prove me wrong.” Instead you said, “I am right and you are wrong” in so many words when you said, “I will not be watching Cobus this Saturday, I’ll be watching Deon.” Sheer arrogance and pride. As the saying goes, “Pride cometh before a fall.”
Enough about that rant. Let’s move on.
As much as Carstens’ drilling was complete, I must come to the defence of Eddie Andrews. Many have jumped into the fray to criticise his performance after this match. Many have named each black player. Shame on you. I sat on Eddie’s side of the field during the second half. Tappe Henning paid complete attention to the other side of the scrum where Visagie continued his showing against Sephaka. Sephaka was an improvement on Carstens, but certainly also suffered. But on Eddie’s side, Dave Hewett refused to bind, and all things considered, Eddie stood up well. Further, he was one of the few forwards committed to ruck time and cleared the ball very quickly twice in one move during the first twenty minutes. Given my passion for quick clearance at ruck time, that brought tears to my eyes.
Which brings me to Januarie. Jake betrays his teaching past by making selections based on history or favouritism (teachers pet?). Januarie is low on form and fitness. Further he was low on spark and one has to question his lack of attack around the fringes of a scrum against a team with limited time together and as such, suspect defensive patterns.
Jaco van der Westhuyzen looked similarly poor. His kick straight up the middle of the field towards the end of the first half brought back memories of his poor tactics against the Crusaders. He continues to blow hot and cold as he has done in the Springbok jersey. We cannot afford to alternate the jersey between Pretorius and Van der Westhuyzen just to motivate the guys. It is time to move beyond them.
On the subject of moving on. Players with records who continue to misbehave must be told they have no future in the game. AJ and Roussouw’s truculent behaviour is tiresome and could have cost us the game. On a purely sporting note, anybody who strikes a blow from behind deserves to wear yellow for the rest of their playing career – not merely receive it as a card. What is with South African players – Burger Geldenhuys, Kobus Wiese, AJ and Danie Roussouw: I’d rather go down in a losing heap than lose my honour by taking a cheap shot. If you’re cowards in a fight, you’re probably lacking in values and effort in other areas of the game too.
Now, somewhere Jake was right. Jean de Villiers looked a different player today than in the Super 14. Granted it was a small step up, but the making his tackles and looking to be involved as captain was a pleasant change. He made one or two breaks but failed to set anything up due to the generally slow play from his half backs. Big Joe and Jaque Fourie made some good runs. Fourie suffered for the same reason De Villiers did, and Big Joe lacked support runners.
Monty kicked well. Apparently he did not make a tackle on Nacewa to avoid giving a penalty. I’d have rather seen him give the penalty. Watching the tape, it was a piss-poor effort, and if he’d timed his tackle, there would have been no problem at all.
I cannot judge Gaffie or Snyman on the basis of today’s performance. Given the style of the game, it was not possible to draw any conclusions. However, SA teams do not chase kicks, and fullbacks look silly when their wings do not drop back on the assist and chase a upfield kick. This can also be said of today’s game. Nevertheless, I remain to be convinced that either Snyman or Gaffie deserve their place ahead of the Ndungane brothers.
Wannenberg made a big difference when he came on today, and between him and Van Niekerk, we have two fine runners with the ball in hand. However, loosies must hunt in packs and today we were shown up for failing to do what the Kiwis do so well – running support from pick-and-goes, rucks or scrums. This invariably results in turnovers or slow ball.
Shimange was average – his throwing in was good but it was difficult to assess his scrumming inside of Carstens. Van den Berg looked similarly average, and it boggles my mind that a player from the Sharks reserve bench was elevated to the starting line-up. Surely this was an opportunity to blood Johann Muller – who played ahead of him for the Sharks.
For the World XV, I was disappointed. I would have expected them to throw the ball around a bit more – in pursuit of a win but with less caution regarding a loss. It was truly a great team and I doubt we’ll see another like it for a long time to come. I am looking forward to the match against Krige’s WP XV next Friday – I believe we might see more of the festival rugby we missed today. All of that said, the World XV were good on defence and in rucks and mauls when considering they don’t usually play together. Chabal was very impressive.
But there was one moment I jumped out of my seat in appreciation of skill and vision – Carlos’ banana kick 26 minutes in. The man is sublime and I wish he’d finished his rugby in SA rather than the UK.
Now onto what to take away from this match. Not a lot. The Boks will make a lot of changes. So would I. And more radical ones than Jake is likely to make. Monty has slowed up with age, but is wiser and the general the Boks need at flyhalf. Put him there.
Further the Boks look as creative as a white-painted wall. We need more tries. Put Habana in at outside center. Put Fourie inside him. Believe me it will work. It gives us crash ball at 12 and creativity at 13. Further, both Fourie and Habana run good lines.
It won’t happen, but put Akona Ndungane at wing and if Jean de Villiers decides to play, him on the other. Otherwise Odwa Ndungane.
Bring Bevin Fortuin in at the back. Now that’s a line that would run many sides ragged.
Since my previous selection, I’ve made a few changes based on form in the final few matches of the Super 14 – and some changes in thinking. We need more on attack. My team (free of injury):
First Choice Second Choice
15. Bevin Fortuin Brent Russell
14. Akona Ndungane Giscard Pieters
13. Bryan Habana Jean de Villiers
12. Jaque Fourie De Wet Barry
11. Odwa Ndungane JP Pietersen
10. Percival Montgomery Jaco van der Westhuyzen
9. Ruan Pienaar Fourie du Preez
8. Joe van Niekerk Pedrie Wannenburg
7. Juan Smith Tim Dlulane
6. Schalk Burger Luke Watson
5. Victor Matfield Ross Skeate
4. Bakkies Botha Johann Muller
3. Cobus Visagie Eddie Andrews
2. John Smit Schalk Brits
1. JD Moller Lawrence Sephaka
4 Jun 2006, 15:28 pm
The 2006 Boks are going to be easybeats.
4 Jun 2006, 15:42 pm
Yes Tackler,
And your “B-team” only managed a 18 point victory over Fiji.
The Maori’s scraped against a S14 team.
You have never won a World Cup
I remember you saying that it will be 4 NZ teams in the S14 semi’s aswell earlier this year.
We convincingly beat NZ at home in the last two years, and lost out in the last minutes to NZ at home (I can’t say lost against you because you are a wannabee NZ supporter)
For more years you idiotic twat.
4 Jun 2006, 15:44 pm
remind us all again quickly where Fiji is on the world rankings, and then use your expert analasys and rate each fiji player against that of the world XV to substatiate your expert opinion.
our 2nd, even 3rd team beat a world XV, what have you done so far?
4 Jun 2006, 15:46 pm
Storm_Saam
I would like to take issue with a few of your observations above.
1. Carston vs Visagie. I have mentioned in a previous thread that it is difficult to judge Carstons too harshly on this game based on the locks behind him and the fact that Visagie just scrums illegally and gets pinged for it at least 3 times. (He was actually on a warning for it) and cost his team 6 points. Visagie should be smart enough by now to scrum on the edge of the law and not the wrong side of the law. He is a liability and always was in the Bok jersey.
2. Jake Whites comments on Visagie. It is very funny how you put your own spin and interpretation on his comments. My interpretation of what he said is exactly what you said he should have said i.e. ” “I do not believe Cobus is one of our best props at this stage, but hey Cobus, prove me wrong.†Come on of course he is going to say that he will be watching Deon and not Visagie – FFS he has to watch and support his own selections!!! He NEVER ruled out Visagie. On B & A he finished by saying “hey the door is not closed on any player.” HOW DO YOU INTERPRET THAT!!!
3. Danie Rossouw – I think you need to look at that on the tape again. He was going for the ball. It was not a deliberate klap from behind – clumsy and slow but deliberate with intent. You really need to be fair in judgement!
4 Jun 2006, 15:49 pm
Sorry ….NOT deliberate with intent
4 Jun 2006, 16:05 pm
The biggest EVER Bok win over the All Blacks in all of test history over NZ was the 17-0 thumping delivered in Durban back in 1928.
4 Jun 2006, 16:09 pm
And, Pissant, NZ and SA share equally the number of RWC’s won and not won.
One apiece.
4 Jun 2006, 16:16 pm
TheTackler
Lets not forget the fact that SA has played one less RWC.
Hence we have a higher success rate.
4 Jun 2006, 16:55 pm
my friend in Manawatu say he knows the tickler,little runt that is often seen in sheep pens with his pants down
4 Jun 2006, 17:09 pm
Australia 1-1 Holland
4 Jun 2006, 17:10 pm
Tackler (210)
I think at that time a try was worth 3 points and conversion 1.
4 Jun 2006, 17:13 pm
I told you guys that Eddie would do well against Dave Hewet. And for once none of you buggers have anything on Eddie. He scrummed a hell of alot better than Deon and also better than Lawrence. I’m sure Jake agrees with me, thats why he didnt bring on Jannie Du Plesis. Eddie is one if the strongest scrumagers in SA. The problem you people have is that you are either racist, or you misiterpret the role of a prop. His primary job is to scrum, second to that is to ruck and maul, third is to suport the lineout jumper and the rest come after theese. He does what he has to with distinction. Need I remind you that your favourd C.J v/d Linde was crushed by Graham Rowntree. And need I remind you that Rowntree couldnt move Eddie. GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE!!!!!!!!!!1
4 Jun 2006, 18:36 pm
This article is a little unfair on both teams as at no point do I see Mr. Borchardt address the woeful reffing display by Mr. Henning – this played a massive role in the diabolical rugby seen yesterday – referee never allowed some festival leniancy??? The fact that anyone on that park got paid yesterday was a disgrace and I think that SARPA, SARU and the sponsors should be ashamed at the ticket pricing fiasco – PS: Jake don’t say nything about the ticket prices hey!
4 Jun 2006, 19:35 pm
jondood, hw are you buddy. As promised had a massive T bone for you yesterday. How is the soggy island????
4 Jun 2006, 22:08 pm
tackler,
do i need to remind you again that in 1987 it was not a world cup, it was an invitational event where teams were invited, they did not qualify.
you did not win a world cup yet.
four more years twat.
4 Jun 2006, 22:17 pm
5 Jun 2006, 00:31 am
PissAnt,(post 210).
While abusing Tackles is encouraged i must take issue with your clain that SA has won a Rugby World Cup.
While the Name SA may be etched upon it. Win it you certainly did not.
A game of rugby is 80 minutes.
At the end of 80 minutes the match was tied, therefore the title was shared.
If it were not for that **** Suzie, you could not even claim a share in the Title.
As for Our glorious victory at the inaugural WC,if SA was not given an invitation to attend that is SA’s problem.
5 Jun 2006, 00:44 am
Pathetic, absolutely pathetic. The Boks could not even score a try against a team that spent more time in the Pubs than on the field training!
As for the much vaunted Bok pack, it got murdered.
The Boks are going to have to vastly improve if they are going to be competitive in the Tri Nations.
Tappe Henning was disgraceful-never allowed the game to flow and thus made sure he was the centre of attention.
5 Jun 2006, 01:34 am
Post 213 tell us more.
5 Jun 2006, 01:35 am
Na never mind he’s just a Kiwi wanabe plonker.
5 Jun 2006, 01:37 am
Pissant (post 206),
This was not our “B” team, it was closer to our “D” team.
While it sounds better to say so when arguing with tackler, it is not true to the facts.
39 players have been picked for the AB’s squad. At least 6 players are injured who Henry has said would make the AB’s (James Ryan, Sione Lauaki, Nick Evans, Andrew Ellis, Conrad Smith, and Angus MacDonald [Derrin Witcombe]).
This takes the total to 46 (including Witcombe).
When you also take into account guys like Ruben Thorne, Jonno Gibbes, and even Tana (which makes 49 players), who have decided not to play at this level or, in Gibbes case, has been put in the Maori squad for leadership purposes, this Junior AB’s team is about #s 50+ on the AB’s selectors minds.
Hardly our “B” team!
5 Jun 2006, 01:43 am
post 225 you can only field 15 players and when dem kiwi’s play da boks it is always their best players that are played why is this.Maybe TT can explain.Sorry I forgot it is da Queens birthday today he’s down on da farm with da sheep.
5 Jun 2006, 01:50 am
The Junior AB’s got named on the sunday, they got together on the monday, would have had a light training, then spent the following couple of days training and then a day getting over to fiji and acustomising and then 1 training over there. The springboks have had alot longer than that to prepare and couldn’t even get a try against a team which had barely trained. I would hardly call it you b,c or d team considering you have players like fourie, de villiers, venter, wannenburg, van niekirk etc. in it. As for the maoris they have had the same time to prepare and are up against super 14 semi finalist who have had a whole season together. A team of new zealands best maori players, no matter how good they are, are not going to smash a solid team like that, winning a game is much more than having all the players, most is team cohesion and how well you play together
5 Jun 2006, 01:58 am
pompies,
your missing my point, although I am thinking you are just trying the tackler out (so to speak).
I am well aware of how many players we are allowed to put on the field. However, you wait for the 3 nations. The AB’s top 15 will be at least slightly different each time. A case in point is that Henry has already stated that he is going to try Muliaina at 13 this season. This can really only happen some time in the 3 nations.
My point in post 225 was that that this is not our 2nd 15 (as Pissant stated), and it is a fabrication of the facts to say so. Therefore, the point that Pissant was trying to make (that our 2nd stringers could only bear Fiji by 18 points) is a manipulation on reality.
5 Jun 2006, 02:06 am
I can take you a bet that if Henry loses his first game no maybe his second he will quickly rush in his big boys so to speak. An example will be when they go to Sa for there two test matches, this I’m really looking forward to cause there will be no excuses there after.From da Jaapies that is.
5 Jun 2006, 02:19 am
The 2 tests in SA for the AB’s are going to be a great reality test/check for this expanded AB squad, as I think Henry will continue to use this tactic until the Nthern Hemisphere tour. He is saying that that tour is like a dummy WC run, as there are 4 good test matches on 4 consecutive weekends (assuming we are playing England A; maybe 3, depending on the Welsh).
At this time, he will become more settled on his squad. However, in many positions, there is not much between #s 1 and 2 in a given position, and Henry is quite vocal about the need to have quality back-ups in each position (referring to the MacDonald decision at centre in the semi in 03).
5 Jun 2006, 02:29 am
Point of thought with regards to this huge squad he has formed , did Sir Clive not use the same formula for his big Lions tour of the land of da long white cloud?
5 Jun 2006, 03:05 am
wpforever post# 213;
don’t be insulting, I’m from Manawatu and our sheep have much better judgement than that!
Not speaking from experience of course
5 Jun 2006, 03:13 am
He He I knew some Kiwi would jump on that one no pun intended.
5 Jun 2006, 03:51 am
how did andre snyman play??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
5 Jun 2006, 04:46 am
Pompies,
A favourite position in the Manawatu area, is to conduct the above lurid activity on the edge of a cliff.
i.e.
The sheep push back harder.
5 Jun 2006, 05:05 am
cane, dare ya to say that to Mark Shaw, or even Jason Eaton
5 Jun 2006, 06:16 am
good on you Tana,Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit from the Queen and her corgis
5 Jun 2006, 07:28 am
should have been tappe saves the boks.
5 Jun 2006, 08:22 am
The greatest out come of this meaningless game is that Boks don’t have depth. Without first choice tight 5 we were murdered. Once our tight 5 started going back the rest of the team couldn’t find any rithm. I really believe that JW’s obsession over contituity by picking players who played for him but totaly out of form and not giving experience to other in better form will get boks to the situation where they will have only 15 international class players in the whole SA and the rest will be poor.The 2-nd or even 3-d all blacks team would have had a better game on Saturday.
5 Jun 2006, 09:50 am
Did anyone see how much the entire World Xv backline was offside! They were offside alot, how can the ref yellow card rhe entire backline. I think the Boks did well, they beat a team that was spoiling the game
5 Jun 2006, 10:36 am
the ellis park crowd should have demanded their money back for this ****
henning should never be allowed to come close to a rugby ground again
the refs society should be investigated onthe appointment of henning to this game when his record speaks for himself
all in all a disgrace
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