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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28 Sep 2011, 03:58 am
@whatever(whatever)-42:
I’ll let you know the very day I decide to take instructions from repulsive sexist racist bottomfeeding-pondlife SCUM, like YOU
ok ?
28 Sep 2011, 04:02 am
@boktillzero(boktillzero)-49: ENG to beat SCO this weekend, squaring NZ to play the Agies in their Qtr final. This will not be an easy game for them I suspect. ARG does pressure well. And they’re not a team to go quietly. AB’s should still win but weirder things have happened, keeping in mind that unlike ARG, they don’t like it when the heat comes on.
28 Sep 2011, 04:07 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-51:
No, it’s not okay you one eyed racist hating, anti saffa, whinging troll
You need to go away and spew your negative hatred elsewhere
Dooooooooos!
28 Sep 2011, 04:21 am
Don’t rub up the black pantie … its slippery when wet
28 Sep 2011, 04:24 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-52: The All Blacks have never lost to Argentina. Can’t see it happening this year either. The Argies got a pounding (legal and not so legal) from England, and suffered more injuries in the Wales game. Their playing stocks are limited as it is, and with these injuries they won’t have the players or energy to go toe to toe with the AB’s for 80 mins.
The reality is that the AB’s have never been seriously pushed by one of the second tier nations in the World Cup. If we are getting muscled in the pack, we have the backline to speed up the game and create the width needed to score without need of a forward platform.
Unfortunately, this ability tends to give AB supporters a false sense of confidence. Whilst that works against the lesser nations, a fired up top tier team has the ability to lock us in to a war of attrition in the forwards and have the backline defence to push us back into the tight when we try and wriggle out.
I don’t recall the Boks or England having lost to a second tier side at the World Cup. The “Plan B” that those sides use is a bit different to the AB’s speed/width tactic. Plan B is up the intensity of the battle in the tight, until the opposition can’t take it any more. This leads to seemingly closer games (SA vs Wales, England vs Argentina), but in reality the Bok and English approach is very effective in a tournament.
In reality, I think England, the Boks and the AB’s have all performed at pretty much the same level to date. I’m not reading anything into the Argentina and Wales games, the English and hte Boks are going to go well.
Just at it would be foolish of Bok supporters to think the Argentines will down the AB’s – it won’t happen, not even close, but that level of confidence in the AB’s doesn’t mean I think we are going to beat either the Boks or England if we face them later in the tournament.
28 Sep 2011, 04:25 am
Hehehe.. Gotta love it…
The Boks don’t have to thrash anybody… Anyone who believes that we do have post huge scores every time we play does not understand the concept of world cup rugby…
one point more than the opposition is all that is needed to get through to the next game and getting through to the next game is all that is needed to progress… and to progress forward and stay in the comp is all that is needed to keep moral and confidence up…
let the ABs add to the already massive pressure on themselves to perform for the crowds like barnum and bailey… they simply demonstrate what the rest of the world has known for the last 24 years… the ABs simply do no understand the difference between test rugby and world cup rugby…
the boks do… one point is all that is needed… anyone who says anything different is simply exhibiting their inability to grasp the concept of what it takes to win a world cup…
how many cups have been won by last minute kicks along the way…? yet the ABs believe they have to win by scoring tries… believing they can simply disrespect their opposition and take the tries… and belittle anyone else who takes kicks…
hehehe…
BUT… was that danny boy we saw ‘practising’ a drop goal in a match…???
oh danny boy… the poles the poles are calling… from right in front… or from the other side…
28 Sep 2011, 04:25 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-29:
I apologise.
The younest, least experienced, Wales team – EVER – is ‘better than 2 x RWC Finalist’ vastly-experienced France.
Namibia is, probably, better than France too. France got lucky at RWC’07 (they werent the only ones) when a last-min try meant they sneaked a victory by 77pts.
Heck, Namibia is probably the strongest team at this RWC’11. Other than Sth Africa.
As for Tonga being “definitely not” stronger than Fiji, well, I suppose you would have to apply the Logic of Krusty ‘not on the scoreboard’ Burger to that one to ignore 45-21 to Tonga in July.
So, you were right. Because you said so.
28 Sep 2011, 04:31 am
@ufo(ufo)-56: yep, there is a difference in philosophy. Also, we probably don’t have the confidence in our forward pack as you Boks do, to be able to shut down a game with one point in it and 20 mins to go.
I don’t think there are any AB supporters who would seriously argue that the Bok’s aren’t superb at knockout rugby. The results speak for themselves. I was at the Wales/Springbok game in Wellington, and the confidence of the Bok team that they could come from behind, and defend that one point lead, was so obvious from the stands. It’s a great quality.
So if we play you in the semi, our tactic is bound to be to get 12 or more points ahead so that you have to chase the game, and we will then feed off your mistakes. If the game is closer than that with 20 mins to go, a betting man would have to favour the boks.
28 Sep 2011, 04:33 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-39:
Namibia looks like a decent Auckland club team. Ponsonby would nail them.
28 Sep 2011, 04:33 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-57: How Alu can argue that Nambia are a credible team is beyond me. Maybe it’s because quite a few of them have Bokke names???
28 Sep 2011, 04:34 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-59: So would Wainouiamata, even without Piri
28 Sep 2011, 04:34 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-55: I can agree with that. I believe the Argies has got it upfront to match the AB’s. Although Lobbe out and Read in might be significant. So, I agree it’s going to come down to NZ’s backline on attack vs the Argies backline on defense. And I would give them good odds to do much better than what the Frogs dished up last week on defense. And to my defense, I did say that NZ should still win it. They might just get a scare along the way.
28 Sep 2011, 04:37 am
I’d prefer to see JDV at 12 against us if we play you blokes but then again, Steyn will be wasted there with his massive boot so it works out will for us. Still think the Boks are going to cop some injuries against the Samoans who will no doubt be hitting them hard. If you blokes go into the Aussie game minus a couple of key players (Broussow, Fourie, Jannie D), goodnight sweet prince
28 Sep 2011, 04:37 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-46:
Good luck with that then.
All the Rosemary West.
Finger crossed.
Toes too.
28 Sep 2011, 04:40 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-62: The AB’s could do with the workout up front. We’ll probably be made to look a bit **** in that area though
I don’t think it will matter in this game however.
I’ll have to differ with you about the Argentine backline defence offering more resistance. I think the AB’s will be able to create tries out wide without needing to confront the Argentine defences head on.
But hey – anything could happen. And every side that has won the cup from 1991 has had at least one serious scare along the way, so maybe I should keep my fingers crossed for that (and you should hope for a blow out!!)
28 Sep 2011, 04:41 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-52:
Arg will be their first real test of the tournament and I rate Arg to be much better than the France team that played the Abs. it should be a better contest
28 Sep 2011, 04:42 am
@Alucard 34. Well that makes you three from three as your assessment of me is equally wide of the mark. It is obvious you don’t inconvenience yourself with facts. JdV has been the number 1 choice inside centre at every level. All of his coaches, who are rugby professionals, have chosen him above the rest. His distribution. Defence and vision are excellent. You are have the ignorance of a zealot so debate with you is pointless.
28 Sep 2011, 04:43 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-58:
that’s the most sensible and realistic explanation yet offered by an AB supporter on Keo for the AB strategy to beat the Boks… and… IMO the one most Boks supporters fear… having to try and claw back a substantial lead in the dying minutes of the game…
the one scenario that will blow that out of the water is the boks getting out to a good lead… (i’m not superstitious, fatalistic or religious… but i’m wishing and hoping and praying…
)
whatever eventuates…. it will be interesting… and nerve wracking… and exciting… and… i can’t wait…!!
i love this game…!!!
28 Sep 2011, 04:43 am
@Maori_Fulla(Maori_Fulla)-63: I bet you’d want JdV at 12! FS asks so much more on defense.
Brussow is probably the one player we can ill-afford to lose. Jannie Dup probably too. Fourie? Which one? FdP or JF? FdP maybe not that much as Hougaard is more than an able replacement as long as they don’t want him to be a FdP wannabe. Playing his own game, he should be fine. JF might be but JdJ should slot in.
28 Sep 2011, 04:43 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-48:
How odd. You got all sensitive and called me “a Liar” when I also said that many of Fijis best players were ‘encouraged’ to stay in Europe by their UK & French clubs.
Why no mention of this now ?
Was it the article that was published, 2 weeks after I, *ahem*, “lied” about that too ?
So
lets get this right now. We dont want any further confusion from here on in, do we.
You acknowledge the Fiji team was weakened by Military intervention. And now the journo’s appear to have confirmed that, indeed, they were further weakened by their greedy NH clubs.
BUT
youre still promoting this whole ‘Pool of Death’ concept – right ?
28 Sep 2011, 04:46 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-60:
Its much easier than that. Its because theyre in SAs Pool, ergo.
28 Sep 2011, 04:47 am
Anyone that questions Morne Steyn is a moron.
Kicking stats this world cup:
Morne Steyn (South Africa) 17 from 20: 85 per cent
Ronan O’Gara (Ireland) 10 from 12: 83 per cent
Dimitri Yachvili (France) 7 from 9: 78 per cent
Toby Flood (England) 9 from 12: 75 per cent
Dan Carter (New Zealand) 8 from 12: 67 per cent
Colin Slade (New Zealand) 10 from 15: 67 per cent
James Hook (Wales) 6 from 9: 67 per cent
James O’Connor (Australia) 5 from 8: 63 per cent
Felipe Contepomi (Argentina) 4 from 8: 50 per cent
Quade Cooper (Australia) 4 from 8: 50 per cent
Jonny Wilkinson (England) 7 from 14: 50 per cent
Martin Rodriguez (Argentina) 8 from 17: 47 per cent
Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) 5 from 13: 38 per cent
Look at the great Dan Carter (who just openly bitched about the ball.. it’s not the ball Dan, it’s your skill level) and that thief Quade Cooper… lololololol. Good luck in the knock out stages you two Polynesians.
28 Sep 2011, 04:48 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-65: Yep. Imo, the AB’s needs to be stopped before the final. If they make it that far, that’s it…unless it’s France. None of the other NH sides will be able to hold them back. So, I guess it’s up to us then…
28 Sep 2011, 04:49 am
@ufo(ufo)-68: I think the AB’s have the game to chase down an early lead to the Aussies, but I can’t see us being able to chase down the Boks – absent a miracle game lie the Frech dished up to us in 1999. I would expect the Steyn’s to settle pack into a territory game, and just keep the scoreboard ticking over with penalties from half way as the AB’s get ever looser and more desperate. A la 2009, and the PE test this year
Yep, it’s going to be one hell of a game, assuming we both get there of course (frantically touching wood)
28 Sep 2011, 04:52 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-73: don’t feel you have to
we won’t hold it against you if you waive us through for the good of our mental health :-0
28 Sep 2011, 04:56 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-70: Funny that you’re the only one disputing this. Boktill0 got it right imo. The fact they haven’t lived up to the hype must be a real dissapointment for you. Pool of death or not, we’ve shown a steady improvement since Durban. And That’s all that matters.
28 Sep 2011, 04:57 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-61:
and that would be Wainui’s league side, playing by Union rules.
28 Sep 2011, 04:58 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-55: common sense for a change
28 Sep 2011, 04:59 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-74:
yes… IF we both get there of course… and not taking for granted we will… believe all games for us from here on out will be extremely tough… hence the one point win being all i’m looking for…
as far as the group of death thing is concerned… i think people are missing the point… it’s not about the rankings or status or rugby ability of the teams or players that are relevant…
it’s about the fact that the PIs are widely acknowledged as consistently being the hardest (and highest) hitters in world rugby and the fact that the boks play two of them means that even if we win the pool, the likelihood is that it will be minus a number of stars targeted by the PIs… many of who are mates with many of the ABs… its just a natural doing-it-for-your-mates thing…
as Maori Fulla acknowledges… “Still think the Boks are going to cop some injuries against the Samoans who will no doubt be hitting them hard.”
28 Sep 2011, 05:02 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-76:
yes, a steady improvement against roadkill. Back up a litte, just to make sure of it.
Aus will be coming out of a Pool having played both Ireland and Italy. Thats Ireland who are Played 4, Won 3 vs Boks. And an Italy team growing steadily stronger with regular 6N competition. Unlike Samoa/Fiji and ~tee hee~ Namibia.
28 Sep 2011, 05:03 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-74: AB’s need a blow out, putting them out of reach. 5-6 points in it with 30 to go and Bissie, Hougie and Beast running on? Our bench will swing it should we still be in touch with 30 to go. What do you make of your pick and go strategy? Brisbane you did that with 40 mins still to play. It worked but Aus were slow to counter. This time round they might not be, nor the Boks. I get the feeling they think they’re on to a winner (as a back-up Plan B) but I’m not too sure. Cardiff 2007?
28 Sep 2011, 05:05 am
All Blacks will be going into the knock out stages without playing a proper game since the end of the Tri-nations.
Tonga, lol
Japan, lol
B France that wanted to lose, lol
Canada, lol
28 Sep 2011, 05:07 am
@ufo(ufo)-79:
do-it-for-your-mates presumably, then, accounts for heavyweights Namibia guiding the Boks thru for all 87 of their unanswered points then ?
28 Sep 2011, 05:07 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-80: Pool A is not exactly trophy game either. What are you saying mate? The more you’re babbling on, the more you give the impression of a scared little man. Is that so? Is panty a litlle scared?
28 Sep 2011, 05:11 am
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-82:
ah yes, the old France ‘B’ theory
sacre bleuuuuuu
France have selected the exact same matchday-22 – barring a replacement no8, and dropping Traille – for the 2nd-consecutive match.
I suppose they “want to lose” to Tonga too, and make a hasty RWC-exit for Paris.
*chortle*
28 Sep 2011, 05:12 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-84:
He isn’t a little scared, he’s openly shi-tting himself.
28 Sep 2011, 05:12 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-81: Can’t see pick and go working against the Boks.
What I would like to see happen is the AB forwards AND backs smash everything that moves in a green jersey, scramble like men possessed in defence, and when we get the ball back play for territory rather than trying to run it out from our 22 UNLESS we have an overlap on out wide after a turnover. Dagg helps that plan, as he has a much bigger boot for territory than Mils (who is a feeble territory kicker).
Once in Bok territory, play a possession based game until the Boks give up a penalty, a drop goal opportunity arises, or an overlap arises out wide.
I.e. play like the Boks usually do in the WC
What I think will happen is we will play like we usually do – lots of width on the ball, try to tire the opposition out, get frustrated when it doesn’t work and then give up penalties/intercept tries.
So – I sincerely hope it is not close with 20 mins to go, I hope we have a 15-20 point lead by then
28 Sep 2011, 05:15 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-85:
France are 5 points ahead of Tonga and the points difference is too great. B SIDE. Unless you think Canada can beat the All Blacks (which they nearly did in 2007) otherwise no, France have 2nd spot already.
28 Sep 2011, 05:17 am
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-86: I don’t understand it. The Boks put our ‘minnows’ away like expected. We struggled against Wales and won when we had no right to. And by that I don’t mean the missed penalty. All he’s doing is showing his own insecurities. PLEASE LET THE BOKS PLAY THE AB”S IN THAT SEMI!!!! PLEAASSSEEEEE!!!!!!
28 Sep 2011, 05:19 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-81: I don’t think I agree your bench is a big advantage. Bissie and SBW cancel each other out for impact (albeit in different parts of the park), and AB supporters aren’t that impressed with either Hougard (sorry bout that
) or Beast. Probably about the same level of impact for those two, in AB supporters’ minds, as Hore and Ali Williams.
Also, of course, Bissie will have ground to make up given the gulf between him and the aging Smit
I do think the Boks have used their bench much better since the WC started, and it was one of the decisive factors in the WC game. I just think that between the AB’s and the Boks, the difference will probably be in the style of rugby played and the relatively strength of your kicking game (very, very strong) vs our running game (strong, but fallible in the face of committed defence).
Do I sound like I have convinced myself
28 Sep 2011, 05:20 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-87: All things being equal how about Dagg,SBW and Carter vs Brussow and the 2 Steyns? Out of these the eventual winner will be decided
28 Sep 2011, 05:21 am
* Wales game
28 Sep 2011, 05:22 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-91: Give me Dagg, McCaw, Carter and Super sub SBW vis your Brussow, 2 Styens and super sub Bissie, and I think you have hit the nail on the head!!!!!
28 Sep 2011, 05:25 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-90:
Yuck. You compared Sonny Bench to Bismarck.
This is the same Bok side from 2009 (except for Smith) only with a far.. far better Bench.
The Bok side from 09 had dogshit like Kirchner, Jacobs, Januarie and Olivier coming on after the Boks had a large lead only for the opposition to come back in the final 10 minutes making the game look closer than it actually was.
This world cup 22 is so much stronger.
28 Sep 2011, 05:26 am
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-84:
ah, but there is difference there
its a subtle difference, true, thats if youre mentally-impaired
the difference is that we’re NOT saying Pool A is the ‘Pool of Death’. Because that would seem somewhat desperate.
facts are facts – France is tougher than any team in Pool D apart from Boks. And, well, played 10 Won 6 Drawn 1 also suggests theyre stronger than SA too. And this Japan side is better than Samoa/Fiji as the Pacific Nations Cup proved.
btw – have you accepted that many of Fijis best players were encouraged to make themselves ‘unavailable’ yet ? just asking.
28 Sep 2011, 05:27 am
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-94: 2009 is another galaxy, let’s just see what happens shall we?
28 Sep 2011, 05:28 am
Sonny Bench is a player that you want as far away from a knock out game as possible. Moron with no respect for possession. Habana in PE was targeting his forced offloads and nearly got the intercept twice. Inches away from making the scoreline 32-5.
28 Sep 2011, 05:28 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-90: Hore and Ali? You’re joking. Well, it’s still not certain whether FS is going to remain at 12 but remember how clueless we looked with ball in hand only weeks ago? With him at 12 our attack seems lots more incisive and sure of itself. So ja, we’ve got a strong kicking game but our attack should have a little more teeth to it with Frans at 12. For you fellas? All I can up with is your pack. If they play like men possesed for 80 min with your backs some semblance of front foot ball, your normal game might be enough. Your tight 5 need to stand up mate.
28 Sep 2011, 05:28 am
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-94: PS – both Bismarck and Sonny Bill spend far too much time looking at their popeye style muscles in the gym mirror than is truely healthy….
28 Sep 2011, 05:30 am
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-88:
Thats fine, KKK. It somewhat flies, heavily, in the face of all your previous ‘RWC = fullstrength’ theories that youve entertained us with in the past 4 years but thats OK. We’ve come to thoroughly enjoy your contortionist sideshows. If only they were consistent with one another, you wouldnt look like such a fool.
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