Auckland upset a blow for underdone Boks
19 Sep 2011
JON CARDINELLI doubts that the Springboks will be at their peak of their powers for the largely unexpected quarter-final showdown with the Wallabies.
The luck of the Irish is ironically South Africa’s misfortune. After losing four World Cup warm-up games and struggling to beat the USA in their opening Pool C match, Ireland produced an inspired performance to down the Wallabies at Eden Park.
It was an unexpected result that breathed fresh life into what was shaping to be an all-too predictable tournament, and it was a result that should have South Africans feeling more than a little nervous.
Ronan O’Gara said afterwards that the Ireland management had prepared the team to peak for that specific clash, and that it was always the plan to ride the resultant momentum into the play-off stages. Ireland should go on to top Pool C and play Wales in the play-offs, while Australia will finish second and meet the Boks sooner than anybody but an Irishman would have anticipated.
The Boks have played it cool when asked about the Ireland vs Australia result, and just how it will impact on their planning. But make no mistake, that result will have profound repercussions.
Ruan Pienaar admitted it was an unexpected result before attempting to steer the conversation back to the Boks’ upcoming game against lowly Namibia, while assistant coach Dick Muir went as far to suggest that because the Boks play the Wallabies every year in the Tri-Nations, they will not need as much time to analyse and prepare for that probable play-off in Wellington.
But an earlier admission by Muir was more telling. The Boks beat Fiji 49-3 on Saturday, scoring six tries in the process. Muir said that the side had shown steady progress both on attack and defence, and that it boded well for the rest of the tournament. He did, however admit that the Boks had come into this global competition underdone.
It was always the plan of Peter de Villiers and his coaching staff to prepare the Boks to peak in the play-offs, but they would have identified a semi-final showdown against the All Blacks as their defining moment. Going by how the Boks fared in the Tri-Nations and in the Pool D opener against Wales, not to mention their rotten run with injuries, it was always going to be a tough ask.
Had Ireland lost to the Wallabies and faced the Boks in the quarter-final, they would have provided stiff opposition, particularly at the set-piece. The pool matches were initially targeted by De Villiers as an opportunity for his best side to gel as a collective, and the Ireland clash would have been viewed as more a dress rehearsal for the showdown with the All Blacks than anything else.
I don’t think the Boks would have taken the Irish lightly, but they would have backed themselves to beat Declan Kidney’s men and take some confidence into the all-important clash with New Zealand. They would have continued to build in that match and sharpen a few areas before the crunch semi-final at Eden Park.
But Ireland’s victory will force them into an early meeting with Australia. There shouldn’t be a lot of confidence in the Boks at this stage considering their struggles for collective form. Injuries have also contributed to the battle for synergy and the fielding of their best side, as while they hammered Fiji last week four senior players missed the game and only two of the preferred combinations, the halfbacks and back row, started.
De Villiers will make a number of changes again for the match against Namibia, and will recall his first-choice players for the final pool clash against Samoa. This will be the Bok first-string’s last opportunity to improve as a collective before the play-offs.
Muir said that the Boks’ came into the tournament underdone, and that the game against Fiji was a step in the right direction. But can the Boks make sufficient strides before meeting a team of real substance?
Their last defeat to Australia (in Durban) was blamed on a lack of game time, and it wouldn’t surprise to hear that self same excuse rolled out following another defeat to the Wallabies. The significant difference is that one defeat would have resulted in nothing but wounded pride, while the next would have resulted in the Boks’ exit from the tournament.
The Wallabies have beaten the Boks seven times in 11 matches since De Villiers’s tenure began back in 2008. Despite their recent defeat to Ireland, they will fancy themselves to down the Boks again, and their cause should be aided by the return of players like Digby Ioane, Stephen Moore and the Boks’ nemesis, David Pocock.
It is by no means a forgone conclusion, but the odds are heavily stacked against this Bok team. As their own coaches and players suggest, the best players have not enjoyed sufficient game time and they are yet to click as a unit. Their time to prepare and build continuity has been cut by as much as a week, and judging by their recent showings and injury-effect circumstances, they may struggle to produce a collective performance capable of upsetting a Wallabies side with established combinations, confidence and momentum.
281 Comments
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19 Sep 2011, 12:06 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-246:
19 Sep 2011, 12:07 pm
@Bod(bod)-239: Nah… he’ll swear at anyone.
19 Sep 2011, 12:10 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-245:
I can only but dream about a Seat Ibiza right now, after coughing up 6 months rental and six months private school fees in advance
mm..mm. Para ahora este el metro y el autobus
19 Sep 2011, 12:10 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-241: Ja, boet, as i said, I was very sceptical about Steyn at 12, but he did a great job, so I stand humbly corrected.
19 Sep 2011, 12:14 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-246:
Good to see much has change…. so why your continual refusal to upgrade your mode of transport from your aged Tazz?
19 Sep 2011, 12:14 pm
@Helen(Helen)-71:
both are more of a Real challenge than
Fiji
suddenly the cockiness of an easy Draw evades the locals.
19 Sep 2011, 12:18 pm
@Bod(bod)-255: Don’t even go there. I wish I still had the Tazz. It was simple, dependable and almost indestructible. I’ve been driving a French piece of merde for over three years now. The Megane even makes a Seat look like a smart purchase.
19 Sep 2011, 12:25 pm
@Bod(bod)-253:
Quelle dommage
Six months rental hey….
Obviously they didn’t like the look of you.
19 Sep 2011, 12:27 pm
@frunobulax(frunobulax)-215:
Imperialist? Isn’t that Malema speak. This clown gets his ideals mixed up on a daily basis.
Much like his criticising and then congratulating of de Villiers.
Bipolar.
19 Sep 2011, 12:27 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-257:
Have you been down to the Portuguese Embassy lately?
The three things I miss most from la Cuidad del Capo are a greasy umbifino from Vasco, my DSTV and a bottle of Aromat
19 Sep 2011, 12:31 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-258:
mm…mm. ‘Twas my stupid Sausage Dog that decided to take a dump on the dining room floor as they were showing us the place.
19 Sep 2011, 12:35 pm
Is poo a springbok supporter? I can’t really tell who he backs!
Why is he so obsessed with how clever or dumb his fellow bloggers are? Trying to make up for something maybe.
Anywhoo not gonna ponder on that too long. I think the boks are coming together nicely, lots of hard work and solid slections lay ahead though. @Greenfan, nice post hit the nail on the head.
Poooooo(ethklapp7)
19 Sep 2011, 12:36 pm
Is poo a springbok supporter? I can’t really tell who he backs!
Why is he so obsessed with how clever or dom his fellow bloggers are? Trying to make up for something maybe.
Anywhoo not gonna ponder on that too long. I think the boks are coming together nicely, lots of hard work and solid slection decisions lay ahead though. @Greenfan, nice post hit the nail on the head.
Poooooo(ethklapp7)
19 Sep 2011, 12:38 pm
Is poo a springbok supporter? I can’t really tell who he backs!
Why is he so obsessed with how clever or dom his fellow bloggers are? Trying to make up for something maybe.
Anywhoo not gonna ponder on that too long. I think the boks are coming together nicely, lots of hard work and solid slection decisions lay ahead though. @Greenfan, nice post hit the nail on the head.
Brussouw’s chippie is still hanging!
19 Sep 2011, 12:40 pm
Sorry PC hanging.
19 Sep 2011, 12:44 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-254: Was talking about Steyn at 15 there. But hey, if you want to be humbly corrected….
19 Sep 2011, 12:52 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-266:
19 Sep 2011, 12:54 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-258: welcome back nazi-loving rentboy.i thought that you kicked the bucket you p ussy.one less nazi is always good for world peace.what a shame.
19 Sep 2011, 13:23 pm
@Tecumseh(Tecumseh)-268:
Shut up you toxic piece of poodle loving afterbirth.
I’m in the mood to push someone down some stairs today my little canine corrupter and you fit the bill my little cape spanish chum.
Almost forgot the smiley.
19 Sep 2011, 14:12 pm
this site is full of arrogance! how can you take anything away from the irish, what makes you so sure we would of beaten the irish, at least if we go out against the australians we can say it was dignified because they have beaten us the last 7 out of 11 games blah blah blah you guys are excuse the french shiittning your pantS!! grow up i’m glad the writers on this side dont play rugby cause we would of lost before you even go onto the field, much like the writing that goes on this side bunch of losers, grow some freaking balls, the boks have been preparing for this tournament it doesnt matter who we get, we have to win, boks concerntrate on the next game not like these ponses on this site and worry about the 3 and 4 game from here on in, your guys whinging makes me cringe
19 Sep 2011, 14:30 pm
@frunobulax(frunobulax)-215: this f’ing absolute Moron still don’t quite know WHO the fck he is ACTUALLY sidling up to and whispering sweet nothings to here… the SAME dumb fck self professed.. self confessed… self obsessed apartheid riot police scum who is Proud of his Aryan supreme genetic disorder and his personal HISTORY of attempting to ERADICATE all putu lipped, flat nosed , dark skinned ‘inferior’ human beings who HE regards as ‘lesser mortals’ than him, from the face of the earth – or at least from his Holy f’ing White skinned grandiose f’ng Apartheid indoctrinated society … YOU stupid f’ng MORON IMBECILE still Do NOT know who the fck the GOOD guys from the BAD guys here are DO YOU??.. you imbecilic moronic arsecreeping stupendous delirious idiot schmuck !! OPEN UP your dumb fck SHUT eyes before you WAKE up TOO LATE..
Your own wife would squirm with anxiety if she but HALF KNEW what kind of filth garbage putu lip, flat nose, dark skin hating SCUM you skinner and skenive with on a rugby blog while crucifying the TRUTH in your STUPIDITY !! Dumb IDIOT pathetic MORON Schmuck !
19 Sep 2011, 14:41 pm
@Lord Finklesnoot of Dumfriesshire(bulsemoer)-176: As for this self righteous snooty nosed pipsqueak of an IDIOT who thinks he STANDS for the High Society Morality of all good Christian soldiers over here.. I bet he goes running for his crucifix along with his Swastika to try and hold it up to the light in the vain hope of excommunicating or even exorcising me from out of his high society pulpit of self righteous indignant goody two shoes Upper Echelons of Righteousness … stupid moronic DUNCE.. cannot see a two faced heathenish TWAT from someone who does NOT bow down to Hypocritical Self Righteous Irreligious Religiosity … You dunno who is a WHAT over here you self obsessed MORONIC IMBECILE stupendous arrogant Schmuck !!
Along with your Kangaroo court jester the Pied Piper of Christendom and High Society Ethics, Morals and SANITY @Rangatira(Rangatira)-173: This idiot reckons he is the High Priest of the Kangaroo Court Prosecution resting his CASE on his highfalutin fake Morals of inadequate INSINCERITY ..!! Dumb fck idiot DUNCE the 2nd (or is he the Thirdturd in a sequential row here in fuckadilly land)
19 Sep 2011, 15:39 pm
Aaaahhh piss off JC. I didnt even read the article but I know its a doos article.
Just taking your headline who do you think will be more underdone? Aus or SA?
Aus last group game against Russia
SA last game against Samoa
You do the logic, you twit.
19 Sep 2011, 15:45 pm
“But can the Boks make sufficient strides before meeting a team of real substance?”
A team of real substance who loses against Ireland pffft please JC. Pathetic.
19 Sep 2011, 17:46 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-272: Jeez guy, take it easy. It’s just a stupid blog where people exchange opinions about rugby (well mostly). No one’s asked your wife out on a date, no one’s questioned your sexuality no one’s even suggested you pray to the wrong God, all instances where Caps Lock in theory could be used (although being a blog, no-one can actually hear you shout and it doesn’t make your point any more convincing). My advice, have a cold one and enjoy democracy in action. Carry on the way you are and you’re going to go into cardiac arrest.
19 Sep 2011, 17:52 pm
JC, can’t say I agree. On Saturdays performance I’d rather we played Aus than Ireland. In fact from what I remember our recent history against Ireland ain’t much to write home about either. One game at a time, we’ll see how the team conntinues to “mould, and as we all know, on any given day…
19 Sep 2011, 18:34 pm
Farking hell Keo, do you guys have a team meeting to decide what to spew out on this site?
Yes, maybe this is not the ideal scenario, however given the Irish game against the Wallabies last Saturday how could we have been sure that we would have done well against them?
And what if the Wallabies are now also a little wobbly?
There are a **** load or permutations and the only fact we have are the guess work going into these bloody articles you bunch write
19 Sep 2011, 20:06 pm
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-273: Hehe doos article
19 Sep 2011, 20:19 pm
“woman arnt allowd to? do the haka its against traditions and is a disgrace to our proud country. i didnt make the rules thats just how it is.
dRFTcrp 1 week ago ”
“Im maori through and through and i haka all? the time…
MeloTui 4 days ago ”
#
wat tha!!!!!!! not cool at all….? good on them but seriously the haka means more to me than just being some fad or gimic…. ladies doin ka mate… negative… kinda gutted its being treated like that…. there was no mana in that at all
MoanaMG 1 week ago
#
did you think that it might be a little offensive to some…? Coz the haka ain’t a thing to make a mockery of. If my? mum saw me do the haka like that I’d cop a backhand across tha head. Like come on guys??
Ma0Rii 1 week ago 3
I understand that this was all done in good spirits but I’ve never been a fan of busting out a haka to? show off or sell a product – especially when people don’t even know the words or actions. It’s something that I feel is special to NZ culture and it’s getting banded about for the wrong reasons.
antonposa 1 week ago 25
hmmm, so it seems divvy was on target again?
how many times must we see the kiwis stick out their tongues at us before we say something?
19 Sep 2011, 20:59 pm
Sure the Aussies were missing three gamebreakers but perhaps it isn’t all doom and gloom for the Boks, the Irish did their homework. As the All Blacks are saying they had a game plan to beat anyone, its pretty similar to what the Boks are trying to get back to doing best. Sure the Wallabies are unlickely to make the same mistakes twice, but perhaps they’ve sewn some doubt into the minds of some of them. We have a chance all beit a small one.
20 Sep 2011, 00:37 am
If Boks will keep their anger (vs Fiji they looked real angry – within the laws of the game – and strong and quick) fresh till QF, who knows, they are looking good as of 20th September. I liked what I saw.
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