Boks shift into knockout mode
28 Sep 2011
Dick Muir says the Springboks will play finals rugby against Samoa and that Morne Steyn has a campaign-defining role to play in South Africa’s remaining matches.
There have been a number of rumours doing the rounds in the Bok camp over the last week. There was first talk that the Boks would ‘throw’ their final pool match to avoid facing Australia in the quarter-finals, talk that was refuted by technical adviser Rassie Erasmus.
Then there was a more subtle suggestion that the Boks would move away from their pragmatic game plan and favour a more expansive approach. The latter strategy would be implemented to ensure the Boks went into the play-offs without serious injuries incurred through an all-out-war of attrition at the gain line.
The Bok management has once again rubbished the rumours, and the make up of the match 22 certainly lends substance to their claims. On Wednesday, Muir pointed out that only the All Blacks are guaranteed a place in the next round. He confirmed that the Boks want to win Pool D and will be doing everything in their power to beat Samoa on Friday.
‘It’s a must win for us. We are looking at it as a knockout game,’ said Muir.
‘We came into this tournament underdone and what’s been great about this pool is that it’s been as physical as we anticipated. We’ve been able to rotate the squad and use a horses for courses policy, and I’m happy with what we’ve achieved.
‘Obviously there are a few things, such as the tactical kicking, that we need to work on, but otherwise the physicality of these three clashes has been good for us.’
The Boks will aim to impose themselves at the set-pieces, collisions and breakdowns, and their backs will also look to contain the more explosive members of the Samoa backline. Spectators can expect a series of high-hanging kicks from the Bok 9 and 10 in this match and indeed in every other match between now and the end of their campaign.
Muir intimated that if the game plan is executed correctly, the South Africans will accumulate points. While the Boks have a number of attacking players at their disposal, they employ a pattern that relies on their best goal-kicker, Morne Steyn, to score points. Muir said the management’s preferred No 10 will be pivotal to the Boks’ success on Friday and in next week’s probable quarter-final against Australia.
‘We took a view a while back that kicking accuracy was going to be important in this tournament. We saw how Morne performed against Namibia last week, it was an exceptional effort and that’s the standard we expect from him. Goal-kicking is going to be key going into the tight games.’
In July, Butch James was the selectors’ favourite to wear the No 10 jersey at the World Cup, but after he missed a relatively easy penalty against the Wallabies in Durban, Steyn was reinstated. The Bulls’ sharpshooter took his opportunity in the subsequent Test against the All Blacks, kicking all 18 of the Boks’ points in a approach many hailed as a World Cup finals template.
Muir extolled the virtues of Steyn in the context of this game plan. He did mention James as a fallback option, but for now Steyn is the man in whom the coaches and selectors will place their faith.
‘Butch has a World Cup winners medal around his neck. He has a huge amount of experience and is not the type of guy to get flustered in pressure situations, so we know we can call on him. He’s been very competitive on the training field, and we believe he is ready.’
Jean de Villiers is another who was expected to start the big matches at this World Cup, but when he sustained an injury in the first pool match against Wales he unintentionally gave Frans Steyn a chance to make the position his own.
‘Frans has shown that he’s not just a kicker,’ said Muir, who gave Steyn his big break at the Sharks in 2006. ‘He’s a very special player with a lot of vision, he likes to play what’s in front of him and if you can blend that into your structures you will have a dangerous player. He’s got that extra X factor with the boot too, being able to kick it over from anywhere.
‘He’s been given a gap and he’s taken it. It doesn’t mean that he’s the preferred No 12 for the rest of the tournament, but Jean is going to have to fight for his position. Jean will have an opportunity off the bench this week. He’s also a player who we believe has a lot of the X-factor.’
By Jon Cardinelli, in Taupo
183 Comments
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27 Sep 2011, 23:22 pm
Knockout Dragons!!
And so they should…
Nobody does it better comes RWC time.
Bring it.
27 Sep 2011, 23:26 pm
Saying a lot about very little… until eventually he’s saying everything about nothing…
27 Sep 2011, 23:28 pm
If they fail to BURY Samoa, they’ll be wracked with self-doubt. Samoa is only a tier 2 nation and really shouldn’t come within 30 of the reigning champions.
27 Sep 2011, 23:30 pm
I am just glad it was not another insultong thread aimed at Bismark and Smitty
27 Sep 2011, 23:39 pm
Doubt JdV has the that extra something special. Frans Steyn definitely does have.
Go Boks. Just hope no injuries for this game. Top our pool and we go into the quarters with confidence.
27 Sep 2011, 23:44 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-3: Tackler,
Boks don’t have to bury Samoa they just have to beat them. One point will do. We just want to get to the quarters injury free.
27 Sep 2011, 23:55 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-3: The only bit that made any sense there was “reigning champs”.
28 Sep 2011, 00:07 am
everything is going to go tits up for NZ if Italy beats Ireland.
28 Sep 2011, 00:09 am
Frans not the preferred 12 for the rest of the tournament? In that case we need Samoa to do us another favor and injure Jean again. If that’s what it takes, then that’s what must happen. Under no circumstances can Jean EVER be allowed anywhere near the 12 jersey for the rest of his career! We will never win this world cup with that aimless plodder. How much more has Frans got to do? He has been displaying his superiority over Jean for many years. Even out of position at 13 on the EOYT he outclassed Jean. Remember Jean’s bumbling against England? That with one of the most dominant forward displays of Peter’s era! It was embarrassing. Frans is fitter, stronger, faster, better acceleration, quicker and longer more accurate passing game off both hands, has far better vision and reaction, has variation in his game and is a tremendous decision maker. Unlike Jean, he is not passive, he actively reads opponents and is alongside Hougaard as the best competitor in the squad. Defensively he has more presence than Olivier, but with greater mobility than Jean. He can match Nonu head on, delivering powerful charges, but unlike Nonu, he is a very good stepper. A better rounded player that brings balance to our backline, and that big boot at 12 is more of a threat with the drop and delivers the greatest kicking axis in the history of rugby! du Preez – Morne – Frans… you simply can’t beat that. Frans is everything that Jean never was. He was a faithful servant to Bok rugby, but his day has come and gone long ago. Much like Barry was replaced by Jean in 2005, that after his world class showings in 2004. You have got to call it how it is, and the reality is that Frans should never have been dropped in the first place. One of the great blunders of de Villier’s tenure. I hope he has the guts to correct it here, where it matters most. If he retains Jean, it will be one of the biggest regrets of his life. Just ask Mallett how that feels!
28 Sep 2011, 00:10 am
the rent-an-irish crowd is going to be circus tent big.
28 Sep 2011, 00:13 am
Tried to write 2 different posts, then just thought stuff it, my heart’s not really in it.
This world cup is pretty boring so far. The only positive is that the meaningless month is almost over and the real games will commence a week and a half from now.
Just a pity that there will only be 2 of them – SA vs Aus and SA/Aus vs NZ, after which the World Cup will effectively be won and everyone can go home.
This tournament really is a farce, and the Tri Nations is truly much more difficult to win.
28 Sep 2011, 00:19 am
No Chiliboi, no Aplon, no Ndungane?
How come?
Many were drooling to the prospect of Aplon Vs Tulagie, now it has left for JP to dent the beast
28 Sep 2011, 00:20 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-3: This is nonsense. Rugby doesn’t work like that. Samoa wil be a severe test of our defensive structures. They destroyed an Aussie side missing only two players, and neither of those two would have made a difference! A team that won the TNs! They are asroundingly physical. The only reason we have been so successful over them in the past is because we destroyed them in the set pieces and were much fitter. That gap is closing fast. They should be the toughest of our pool opposition. It will require an accurate showing. If we do not play an accurate game, then they stand a very good chance of taking this one. And our reputation for brute force will ensure they come out blazing. This is their last chance to seal their fate in this tournament, they were very unfortunate against Wales, so that will have them like rabbid dogs. They truly believe they can beat us. First 20 minutes are going to be vital. But unlike 2007, were Jean stifled our play, we have Frans starting. That gives us a nice opportunity to deliver on all fronts. So we shouldn’t have to rely on penalties.
28 Sep 2011, 00:23 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-11: Tri Nations is easier. You have an opportunity to correct your mistake. Australia won the tournament by only playing one genuinely good game. In fact the TNs has become incredibly sloppy in recent years. Not the accurate master class that the NH used to watch in awe. This World Cup has seen some good rugby, but the difference in time zones kills the atmosphere for those on the othersie of the planet. Much like the Olympics in Australia and China, or FIFA 2002. as games are never a part of your day, you lose the build-up and it passes by as if it never was. That is however not good ground to criticise the competition.
28 Sep 2011, 00:24 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-9:
FS was never dropped, he simply said NO in June 2010 to any prospect of playing off the bench or being a squad player, after the Boks had lost 3 on the trot in 2010 TriNations they begged him to come back
Simple
And it’s not like it happend 5 years ago!
28 Sep 2011, 00:27 am
Continued reference to deploying the hackneyed game plan a smokescreen? It seems a bit odd that they should state their intentions so overtly. I sincerely hope that the brains trust has something else up their sleeves.
28 Sep 2011, 00:31 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-11:
It certainly is, has no rugby proper value, but it’s a money injection to many Test union.
Even the diabolic SWC had more excitement, and I haven’t watched any of it except the final!
28 Sep 2011, 00:31 am
@Hondo(Hondo)-15: Frans was dropped in 2008. He end 2007 as the first choice 12, but de Villiers went WP crazy in 2008 and Jean was never going to be left in the cold. So yes, it was years ago. I don’t blame Frans for having the guts to say something about de Villier’s two-faced dealings with people.
28 Sep 2011, 00:52 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-11:
“and the Tri Nations is truly much more difficult to win.”
The thing is Tac, the 3N is not a knock-out. There is always the philosophy that there’s another match next week or there’s always next year.
But the WC is only played every 4 years. Knock rugby requires a different mind-set to a league based formula. And as a Bulls supporter, you should know all about knock-out rugby.
28 Sep 2011, 02:01 am
Pool D
aka the ‘Pool of Death’
the same Pool with the worst, most selection depleted, Fiji team in RWC history.
and the weakest team at the RWC who have leaked the most tries (36 !), Namibia.
What lengths will some fans go to in their desperation to lift their own self-esteem. And all because of a Hook shot that landed on the fairway.
~ ~ ~ ~ belly wobble ~ ~ ~ ~
28 Sep 2011, 02:07 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-9: “Unlikely Nonu [Frans] is a very good stepper”.
You’re joking, right? Or you’ve actually never watched Nonu play… Nonu is a fantasic stepper, and sets up and scores plenty of tries with his step. I also doubt that Steyn would come close to Nonu for physicality or work rate in the midfield.
I’m happy to agree that Steyn is a more complete rugby player – Nonu can’t kick, and while Nonu’s passing has improved a great deal he isn’t of Steyn’s ability in that regard. But credit where credit is due please, Nonu is a fantastic international quality No12.
I also wonder how fit Frans was going into this WC. He looked well out of shape in the Tri Nations after his stint in Europe. He seems to have trimmed up since then, but I wonder whether his fitness is up to 80 mins at 12 against the top tier countries. We’ll find out soon enough.
Kiwi’s respect Frans as a potential match winner, his long range goal and drop kicks are freaky good. However, paradoxically I suspect many Kiwi’s wouldn’t pick him for a starting position in the current AB side. I don’t think he would displace Carter, Nonu or Dagg in the minds of Kiwi fans, and we would rather try to win by scoring lots of tries than sneak a tight game via a couple of long range drop goals/kicks.
Of course, that’s probably why we haven’t won the WC since 87, but hey, that’s the way we are
28 Sep 2011, 02:12 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-20: Well, we have a more challenging pool than most. Certainly New Zealand have by far the easiest group! I don’t hear anyone bleating that fact. The most significant details are that our opponents are highly adept at exposing defensive frailties. Even Namibia is very good ball in hand. They might not have been able to beat us, but, as they did in 2009, they can expose flaws very well. We showed that we could keep Fiji and Namibia tryless, a very important stat. Wales’ only try came from a forward pass. These facts reflect a significant turnaround from a defensive standpoint. Another important detail is that our scrumming has improved. Rassie and Nienaber are doing fine work in such a short period of time! Completely reconstructing our game. It’s barely recognisable. You can faddle all you want about our group. I choose to look at the reality and all those important facets, and they without question fill me with greater confidence than I had before Rassie and Nienaber arrived. The Boks are headed in the right direction, wether or not that translates to Bok victory in a final is another matter, but the fact is we are finally moving forward for the fist time since Plumtree bailed these three clowns out.
28 Sep 2011, 02:21 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-22:
keep up the good work
“keeping 2 of the (worst teams) tryless”
wow, its worse than I thought.
28 Sep 2011, 02:22 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-22: The boks do seem to be playing with more cohesion, and as players are coming from injury your match day 22 is starting to get a very strong look to it. That is a worry for the other big sides.
I don’t think I would be reading much into the Fiji and Nambia games however – those teams were hopeless (Fiji’s performance in particular was pathetic).
28 Sep 2011, 02:22 am
@Puma(Puma)-6: Technically, the Boks don’t even need to win. One bonus point will see them through into the QF and you can get that even if you lose. But a defeat or an unconvincing win will sow massive self-doubt and torpedo what’s left of their campaign. Nothing but a 30+ result will do. After all, it’s against a mere Tier 2 nation. A minnow.
28 Sep 2011, 02:24 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-25: I can’t see the Samoan’s winning this – certainly it wouldn’t be by more than 7, unless a couple of Boks get sent off.
28 Sep 2011, 02:28 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-25: Samoa are more than a tier two nation. You’re lack of respect or acumen will be better served in the Aussie camp.
28 Sep 2011, 02:30 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-7: England were “reigning champions” too when the Boks shredded them 36-0 in the pool play at RWC2007. And they were beaten, during their inglorious four year reign by everyone down to Joe Bloggs and his family dogs. Rather like the Boks — lost to Scotland. Lost to two English club teams even! Stuff like that makes a mockery of “world champion”, doesn’t it?
28 Sep 2011, 02:32 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-23: You should worry about New Zealand, them having conceded tries in every game. Tonga put a lid on NZ in that second half too! Boks have conceded 1 try, one which should never have been allowed, as it was forward, NZ 4, and plenty more were on offer too. Japan better than Namibia? Definitely not. Tonga better than Fiji? Nope. France better than Wales? Again… no, not even close. I know it hurts, you want the Boks to lose so badly.
28 Sep 2011, 02:35 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-27: Sorry, Samoa IS a tier 2 nation. They’re ranked a lowly 10th by the IRB. Behind Argentina, behind Scotland. Only 2 places ahead of Canada and 4 places in front of Georgia! They are minnows.
28 Sep 2011, 02:36 am
@Alucard. Your assessment of Jean is even worse than your assessment of Lambie.
28 Sep 2011, 02:37 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-28: The difference is player quality. The Boks have been saddled with the worst coaching team in the history of the game. Plumtree, Rassie and Nienaber have bailed these clowns out, giving us some respectability. Another lose to the Transformation brigade. Will they learn? Definitely not. I mean, how many idiots will try and emply a running game against scotland in scotland, in very wet and rainy conditions? Selecting flyweights too. It just beggars belief just how clueless this lot are. Thank heavens Nienaber in particular is here. Reconstructing our entire defensive system is n easy task, but he has done a wonderful job. If only we had coaches like these throughout the last four years. Imagine what would have been if the right man was selected for the job? what a sad way to have to reflect on this cycle of rugby.
28 Sep 2011, 02:38 am
Japan managed a draw versus Canada. Namibia are pants. Easybeats. Wasted by 50+ by everyone. Couldn’t beat an egg.
28 Sep 2011, 02:39 am
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-31: My assessment on Jean is absolutely one hundred percent bang on the mark. That you are not willing to bring anything to the table to discuss an alternate view reflects your limited debating skills and your limited evidence to prove the contrary. It’s pointless you even responding to me. The debate was over a long time ago. anyone with even the slightest but of knowledge on centre play would have identified Jean as the weak link long ago. Were you one of those crazed nuts that were baying for Morne earlier in the year? You sound like you follow media opinion rather than actual happenings in game.
28 Sep 2011, 02:40 am
The Boks “worst-ever” coaching team somehow beat NZ 3 in a row in 2009, including twice in NZ.
28 Sep 2011, 02:42 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-33: Japan drew against Canada… big deal. Canada were a better side in the 90s, but not anymore. They, along with Japan are definitely worse than Namibia. Namibia are better ball in hand, and offer more work up front. Fact remains, NZ’s defence looks very leaky.
28 Sep 2011, 02:44 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-32: With Nienaber already in situ as the defence coach, the Boks conceded 6 tries to Australia and 5 to NZ in their two Antipodean tests this year. Hmmm????
28 Sep 2011, 02:45 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-36: Nobody’s worse than Namibia. Looks at the scoreboard.
28 Sep 2011, 02:47 am
Namibia can’t even beat any SA Vodacom Cup team. Wooden-spooners, wherever they play. Useless!
28 Sep 2011, 02:48 am
@TheTacklet. The Boks don’t do selfdoubt.
28 Sep 2011, 02:48 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-35: Not so. PLUMTREE did the work in 2009. The Boks nearly lost to Namibia in our warm up for the series. Peter hit the panic button and called in Plumtree. All of a sudden our game changed. However, in 2010 the laws changed and de Villiers was struggling all year to replicate 2009s tactics. He was exposed. The work at the breakdown that Plumtree was particularly working on was our big weakness in 2010. But still de Villiers kept telling is that if it worked in 2009 it will still work now, and declared it the model for the World Cup in spite of it being heavily exposed. Our failing and erroding structures were savaged. In comes Rassie and Nienaber and our entire game changes. New defensive systems, enhanced tactics and suddenly we start coming to life. But this is all coincidence right? If so, how did those 3 months in 2009 end up in statistically the worst year of Bok rugby of all time in 2010? Why was 2008 such a huge failure? The ONLY time we saw success was when someone else was called in to do the dirty work. Peter knows this, why won’t you accept this? Under pressure last year he was scowering the country for someone to fix his mess. Even approach coaches abroad. Nobody was interested and he had to deal with the two men he tried to plant a knife into. You have absolutely no ground to argue the contrary to this.
28 Sep 2011, 02:49 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-23:
fu k off you hating racist troll
28 Sep 2011, 02:51 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-37: With Nienaber coaching defence the Boks have conceded 3 tries in 5, one of which was a forward pass. You lie very loosely. The Boks first two games were coached entirely by the three stooges whilst the frontliners were in Rustenburg. Rassie and Nienaber had nothing to do with those results. They had no involvement with those players, tactics, were not even on the same continent. so please, next time , rather shut up than try to deceive everyone here.
28 Sep 2011, 02:53 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-38: Look at the scoreboard? we are better than NZ, so your comparison is mute. Namibia remain a better side than Canada and Japan.
28 Sep 2011, 03:11 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-22:
Boks “have a more challenging Pool than most” ?
so youre effectively saying, for want of comparison, that Wales are stronger than France ? that Namibia would beat, say, Canada ? and that Japan – reigning winner of the Pacific Nations Cup (USA/Tonga/Samoa/Fiji) – would lose to teams, now, that they defeated in July ? Tonga ? well they came within a hairs-breath of beating the Boks on their way to victory at the Lotto Cup in 2007.
If the ‘Pool of Death’ has any resonance whatsoever, it surely referred poignantly to Samoa/Fiji/Wales (remembering previous RWCs between those 2 nations) having to fight for 1 qualifying spot.
If anything Pool B, with 3 more-even teams in Engl/Argy/Scot, has a real nailbiting element to it, with the Calcutta Match – the final match of that Pool – to determine everything for all 3 teams. By comparison, the Pool of Yawns hangs on the RWChamps vs a minnow, Samoa.
28 Sep 2011, 03:29 am
I might as well spend a sleepless night throwing punches with BP here
So, Pool D is not the pool of death, Namibia is proven to be the worst team outhere and Fiji and Samoa are genuine minnows. Did I leave anything out? So, what is your point exactly? The Boks have a date with AUS in the Qtrs. Should they win that, guess who will they be playing next? I fear Aus more than the AB’s. Wanna know why? They are renowned for turning up at big events and giving it their all. Unlike the AB’s who must be close to performing their 4-yearly ‘routine’ of an empty sack, falling flat at the slightest hint of pressure. Don’t believe me? Watch the Argies scare the living daylights out of every Kiwi in 2 weeks.
28 Sep 2011, 03:38 am
I think everyone on the planet bar for one or two idiots on this forum knows that pool d was on paper the toughest pool . Just because Fiji and Samoa haven’t lived up to the pre tournament hype doesn’t take away the fact that any team out of four in the group could have made the top 2 – the other groups were not as tough.
28 Sep 2011, 03:48 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-47: And what our mate BP deliberately forgets is his government hampering the Fijian side as much as any club in Europe. No player with any military ties in Fiji was going to get a visa from the NZ government. Hence none was selected. BP himself expected Fiji to play better. The taunts of Fiji’s ’07 exploits leading up to this tournament proves this. Sad fella realy…
28 Sep 2011, 03:53 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-48:
Yeh it’s pathetic I bet he doesn’t evn like the Abs he’s just a bok hater
28 Sep 2011, 03:58 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-28: “Stuff like that makes a mockery of “world champion”, doesn’t it?”
It pales into insignificance alongside so-called “world champions” who can never win the title.
PS: Make sure yr mom irons your bokke shirt and yr oranje-blanje-blou flag so you can celebrate.
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