Boks must now climb Everest
19 Sep 2011
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day column, says a Bok win in a possible quarter-final against the Wallabies would come as a surprise.
Ireland turned the predictability of the World Cup play-offs upside down, but for all the new found hope among South African supporters I can’t see the Boks doing the same thing.
A week ago the Boks were rubbish, according to those on the social network. Once again they are a superpower.
There is no middle ground when it comes to South African rugby supporters – and may it never change. That kind of passion can’t be learned, but with blind faith comes inevitable disappointment when the obvious comes as a real shock. Remember how many were actually stunned when the All Blacks beat a second-string Bok XV 40-7 earlier this year? Too many.
On matters specific to the win against Fiji and the surge in confidence, Frans Steyn reveled in the midfield and the Springboks, apparently by their own admission, did a similar thing in playing the situation and not relying on a pre-match PowerPoint presentation of how to beat Fiji.
Bok lock Danie Rossouw admitted afterwards that it was never the plan for the Boks to be as bold and extravagant and added it showed the Boks could be more than boring.
There is a difference between clueless and boring. The Boks for too long have been clueless and, against better teams, who play with more structure in defence and more precision and aggression at the breakdown, it has been their undoing.
In Wellington, against inferior opposition, the Boks showed the immense individual talent of South African players. Francois Steyn was world class, Rossouw was ferocious and skilled and Heinrich Brussouw, Jaque Fourie, Bismarck du Plessis and Francois Hougaard were as good as they were in week one against Wales.
And never forget Schalk Burger. He is always worth two players. It was fun to watch, fun for the players to be a part of and a shift from the toil and hardship of the Tri Nations. It was a necessary and decisive hit out for the Boks against a team with the odd quality individual, but little collectively.
It is difficult to get too enthused about whipping Fiji and those doing cartwheels because the Boks scored six tries and scored 49 points against a team that conceded 25 to Namibia not only insult the pedigree of the Boks, but also miss the point. Nothing out of the ordinary happened in Wellington.
Fortunately captain John Smit wasn’t one of them and he said the most pleasing aspect was the Boks kept the Fijians tryless, albeit with a bit of help from the Islanders who self-destructed on attack and were never in the match defensively.
Fiji were good in the 2007 World Cup, but only three of the side that beat Wales to advance to the quarter-finals fronted the Boks in Wellington. Get excited that the Boks were willing to back their natural talent and instincts, but don’t get excited that Fiji represent anything in the context of winning this World Cup.
Ireland’s amazing victory against Australia in Auckland was more significant for the Boks than brushing aside Fiji. Every South African loves seeing Australia lose, but it was not the result the Boks would have expected or wanted.
Sure players have to back themselves to beat anyone to win this tournament but every Bok would rather entertain the prospect of Ireland in a quarter-final than an Australian side already taught a lesson in this tournament.
Jake White’s winning 2007 World Cup squad did not get to play Australia, New Zealand or France, but there hasn’t been similar good fortune for Peter de Villiers and there is no tougher assignment than having to beat Australia, probably New Zealand and possibly France in successive weekends in New Zealand. If the Boks negotiate those three mountains they will have scaled rugby’s Everest and it will rank as the greatest ever Bok achievement.
I can’t see it happening and it would be a surprise for the Boks to beat the Tri-Nations champions in the play-offs, if indeed this match-up takes place. As it stands it should with South Africa and Ireland the favourites to win their respective groups.
The Boks, like their supporters, will always have confidence and never be found wanting for self belief, but the reality is Australia has beaten South Africa four of the last five matches, including two in South Africa.
They are also on a three-match winning streak against the Boks and the match will be in Wellington and not at Eden Park – a ground that seems to scramble with the Australian minds as much as Ellis Park does those of the All Blacks.
Ireland’s win, brilliant to watch, exposed the lack of depth in the Australian pack and for the Wallabies to succeed flanker David Pocock and hooker Steven Moore have to be starting.
It makes for a fascinating next three weeks. The Boks will humiliate Namibia and get more than a few bruises against Samoa.
Australia is a different beast and they’re a side that has troubled South Africa even more than the All Blacks.
No matter what anyone may say and despite all the bravado among South Africa’s support base these are more nervous times for South Africa, as defending champion, than Australia as a potential champion.
330 Comments
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19 Sep 2011, 17:55 pm
Bismark needs game time though hey cab.
19 Sep 2011, 17:57 pm
I think it is far to early to accredit blame or praise on anyone in the boks setup. We still do not know how good or bad this team really is. We were lucky (ref interpretations or not) to beat Wales (who looked very average against Samoa) and then looked pretty good against Fiji (who any of our Super rugby franchises would beat). We are only really going to know when we play the Aussies (who themselves look very beatable.) Its turning into a weird World Cup with none of the teams really looking that good and a team like Ireland in with a real shot at now making the final.
19 Sep 2011, 18:03 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-293: Thanks for the Beginners Guide! I had better keep my head down. Ashampoopaloo may have to come up for breath again.
19 Sep 2011, 18:09 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-301:
ja but can u imagine he gets picked for the samoans and gets injured, i say keep bismarck, bakkies and alberts for australia – but they did look alot better against fiji, it is weakened fijian side tho – the samoans going to be a far tougher prospect. it was quite remarkable however to see the difference steyn made at 12, he is also tossing the ball around nicely, the french influence has rubbed off nicely and timeously, rather than poorly. He’s still a bit mfuta but he carries it ok and tackles well.
19 Sep 2011, 18:18 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-289: I do it MY WAY… PdV does it his nearest competent saviours way… anything but his OWN WAY… Because he doesn’t have a way.
You looking mighty dof with each passing post. Now shut up before you make even Dippy look competent.
19 Sep 2011, 18:19 pm
Jake White reckons we Played a disinterested Fijian side with their eye focused more on Samoa. Aich!!
19 Sep 2011, 18:23 pm
Bokek WAGS
Giving good shags
Boys in bliss
Too good to miss.
The Wallabies
wanking and the Paddy’s
Skanking,
Kiwis celibate
while Bokke celebrate
Ritchie getting itchy
But can’t control his bitchy.
There’s mud in your eye when
England’s doing each other and their mothers
Like a bunch of nyes.
With Bokke WAGS
the Cup’s in the Bag!
19 Sep 2011, 18:28 pm
@Jinx2(Jinx2)-307: Outstanding!
19 Sep 2011, 18:52 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-306: Of course he does, what else would we expect dearest Jake to say
19 Sep 2011, 18:58 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-306: What a load of bollocks. Fiji were pretty ferocious and in the game stats wise right to the very end. they NEVER looked disinterested. I´m sorry Jake but these boys had the last WC near upset in the back of their minds and I wouldnt be surprised if they thought they could possibly do it again. Disinterested pfff. jake now you are being a real beiatch.
19 Sep 2011, 19:03 pm
How much were the Aussies paid to lose to Ireland?
Anyone know
19 Sep 2011, 19:10 pm
JW can also talk alot of nonsense – disinterested is rubbish. The boks cleaned them up tho no doubts. Tricky one Fiji but well navigated. Samoa going to be interesting and then the big one. Is Namibia the lowest ranked team I’m tournament? Probably also get up for there cousins tho.
19 Sep 2011, 19:13 pm
To KEO – yes the Ozzies have won the last 4 of 5 and have a winning streak against us, however who is to say that little spell is not about to be broken? Are we to believe we are inferior and incapable of beating them? Why would that be? If the boys find some synergy, which definitely appeared to be the case on Saturday (yes I know it was a second tier team but they still played a lot better together than the previous week and I thought it was a fairly tough physical match with the stats proving it was a lot more even on field than the scoreline suggests in terms of territory, possession, turnovers, pernalties etc – difference was our defence was resolute and we took our chances)
On a player by player basis is what Australia, and New Zealand much better than what we have?
1 Beast and Gurthro are amongst the best looseheads out there
2 Bismarck the best hooker interantionally
3 Jannie dup – been solid more than anything and at least a match for what Oz has
4 Bakkies or Rossouw easy matches for Vickerman or Thorne
5 Matfield – easily as good if not better than Horwill and Ali Williams
6 Brussouw as good as Pocock and I´d say currently better than McCaw
7 Burger – are Elsom and Kaino better? I doubt it – at least on a par
8 Spies – here we lose something against Radika Samo or Kieran Read but with Alberts and Rossouw as bench options we gain some parity again
9 Fourie du Preez – if he picks up more form he is an equal to Genia and better than Cowan even out of form
10 M Steyn – not as elusive as Cooper or Carter but a solid kicking option
11 Habana or Houghaard – with Ioane out and possibly SBW on wing its out there
12 If we keep F Steyn at inside centre i´d say Nonu and McCabe have a good match
13 Fourie vs Fainga or Smith? Parity at the very least
14 JP Pietersen vs Kahui or O Connor? depends on how JP plays on the day but I guess this one we concede
15 Lambie as opposed to Dagg Muliana or Beale – we are close but a bit behind again I´d say.
But with a forward pack of equal potency we could well take either of our southern counterparts. Our main differences are weaker fullback and one wing and weaker flyhalf and eighth man. We somewhat make up for those deficiencies with Bismarck, Matfield, Brussouw and the strength of our bench.
Its not impossible. If you ask me South Africa also have the drive to do it. It would be a big feather in the cap of the seniors to win 2 RWC in a row. A very powerful way to go out. I think they will have the passion.
19 Sep 2011, 19:14 pm
Maybe South Africa should apologise to the IRB and say Hook’s kick did go over and that Wales won, see if they can get away from the Aussies and Kiwis that way?
19 Sep 2011, 19:17 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-313: One crucial bit of info you forgot to add. Graham Henry, Robbie Deans and P-Divvy. Ooooops game over for the Bokke no matter what!
19 Sep 2011, 19:22 pm
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-314: Good point… An option after the Samoa game is in the bag
19 Sep 2011, 19:32 pm
Ok so if my memory serves me correctly, wasn’t keo punting the Aussies as the greatest prospect for world cup glory just a day before they went down to Ireland, the mighty giants of NH rugby – read played 4 lost 4 in the build up to the WC, ranked number 8. Keo, a wise man once told me, when you in a hole stop digging. Aus have problems. In truth, the reason they lost against Ireland is because they don’t have what SA has i.r.o. BMT and experience. If they were in the same position as SA were against Wales they would have lost as well.
19 Sep 2011, 19:35 pm
Boks smashed Fiji
but Fiji are cr @p
19 Sep 2011, 20:09 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-313: Spot on, I think the guys are looking better than I expected and Frans Steyn definitely made a very big difference on Saturday
19 Sep 2011, 20:12 pm
I think our coaches on Saturday stumbled on the missing link for our backs, a more mature Frans Steyn at 12, but having said that I’d reserve my opinion after the game against Samoa.
Personally I’d love to see Flo and Brussouw together as well.
Spies should go look at the French no. 8 for some lessons on good play. He wasn’t bad on Saturday but with his speed he should do much much more. Same for Habana, go have a look at how Odwa got himself involved …
19 Sep 2011, 20:30 pm
@ufo(ufo)-2: well said ufo…if we can’t win the big games, who cares?
“it will rank as the greatest ever Bok achievement”…no it won’t Keo. Peaking for 3 games in a row in some one-off do-or-die encounters is easier than winning the Tri Nations back in ’98. Neither did the ’95 win compare to that either, for similar reasons (+ home ground advantage).
If winning the WC is *all* that counts then we should concede the Samoa game. But please let’s not quake in our boots at the frightening prospect of playing an *actual* contender before the final if we aren’t prepared to sacrifice some reputation along the way. Haven’t we been doing that all year already anyway? 40-7 vs NZ anyone?
19 Sep 2011, 20:55 pm
With a midfield of of Steyn and Fourie + the best winger in world, Hougaard, our forwards must just do their job….
19 Sep 2011, 20:58 pm
@Getafix(phil72)-322:
And o ad injury to insult, we also have the best kicker on the planet….
19 Sep 2011, 21:06 pm
to
19 Sep 2011, 21:18 pm
jake white nevet fails to show how much of DOOS he is..”disinterested” my foot. he must fark off to aus soon rather than later.
19 Sep 2011, 21:50 pm
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-315: Fortunately he´s not the only one on the coaching staff and the senior players have played long enough to know a trick or two. I dont think a game plan different from what theyve done before will make any difference either. look at Australia vs Ireland – won by the forwards with penalties. This we can do. Who would have said that? Forget the expansive craze – the finals will be tough slogs.
19 Sep 2011, 21:54 pm
@JamesNkomo(JamesNkomo)-317: Have to agree there. The loss to Samoa reiterates that point. In fact I´ll go a step further. Theyre just plain young and cocky. They thought theyd walk the Ireland game too hence them feeling shellshocked – they never expected to lose.
Now that works to our advantage because theyve won 4 of 5 on the trot against us and beat us in the Tri Nations. Were just walkovers according to them. I say thats 100% fine. Bring it on.
19 Sep 2011, 22:05 pm
@danuk(danuk)-320: Even more than that – Saturday had many points of note:
1 Gurthro is back from injury – he´s hitting his best form again and pushing Beast whilst at it
2 Smit was solid enough and in a tight game he´d manage with Bismarck coming on just after halftime – thats pretty devastating.
3 Jannie Dup has stepped up a notch. Not only has he been solid but on Sat he carried the ball well
4 Bakkies is Bakkies and Alberts did an admirable job at lock giving us the option of having 5 loose forwards in forwards at once – Rossouw, Alberts, Burger, Louw, Spies and still another on the bench in the form of F Louw. What was that about the breakdown?
5 Rossouw was immense. He is really stepping up to the plate again after some bad games. With Matfield on the mend we are in a good position
6 Brussouw – the man is magic and he seems to be holding up well after coming back from injury
7 Burger has played out of his skin in these 2 matches to date meaning its no fluke – he will rise to the biggest of occasions and we can rely on him to help fill that void that Juan Smith left
8 Spies had a much better and more physical game – he´s not the best but he is making some progress
9 FDp still not at his best but improvd performance. if he hits his straps around quarters to semis we´ll be laughing
10 M Steyn has stepped up and is trying to play more attacking rugby, he´s trying to defend better and his kicking is spot on as usual. he knows his shortcomings and its obvious he´s working hard on them
11 Odwa was a far more solid replacement than I would have thought and Houghaard is the best option above Habana.
12 F Steyn´s best position like I always said. he brings the physicality a player of De villiers´size does but much more. Our backline came alive for the first time in over year
13 Jacques Fourie is playing some very fine rugby of late
14 JP Pietersen looked far more involved and not as lethargic as he did vs Wales.
15 Lambie was solid at the back and gives us an attacking edge from there.
Ruan Pienaar is a chop and shouldnt play again at the Cup.
20 Sep 2011, 00:49 am
Despite what the great “kiss of death” Keo thinks, the Boks will be very hard to beat this WC. Experienced teams are always successful and this year will be no different.
The Wallabies will be more dangerous following this loss – I don’t think they will win but their form for the last 3 years is to win a couple, lose one, win a couple. The loss was on the cards but I still think they are too young to win the comp. And Deans is a good team manager but he is a **** coach. Aussie have made a serious mistake but not putting Ewen in that role.
Blacks still the favourites but lets hope the Boks ruin their tournament. If not us then I’m happy for anyone else to do the same.
20 Sep 2011, 09:33 am
The Boks were totally awesome on Saturday.
They played with so much ferocity and purpose that we could watch in awe how our team were thrashing their opponents.
To suggest that I was a proud South African on Saturday is an understatement. I was an ‘extra proud South African’
Hougaard and Pieterson are not afraid to attack the advantage line. They displayed a natural flair when they have ball in hand. Hougaard is a game breaker.
Jacque Cronje a very strong runner. He has the ability to touch down in the corner with very limited space. He has proved this too often now.
Heinrich Brussouw and Bismarck were colossal.
Danie Rossouw was him old self again, setting up the one wave of the attack after the other. He deserved to be named ‘man of the match’
The Bokke played as a cohesive unit and naturally took the ball out wide. Fiji is no minnow team; they play their rugby hard and played against top rugby playing nations. What we achieved on Saturday was unthinkable because we barely scraped through against Wales. It showed that we can play fifteen man rugby. It showed that we are not afraid to take the ball out wide. It showed that we have character. It showed that we have flair. It showed that we are a force to be reckoned with, but most importantly it showed why we are the defending world champions.
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