Samoa bring Boks back to earth
30 Sep 2011
RYAN VREDE watched Samoa give the Springboks a reality check despite going down 13-5 at the North Habour Stadium.
The Springboks’ showings in the last fortnight has seen even some usually astute commentators divorce from their senses to join the unadulterated celebration of the team. Tonight was a jolt of note for the defending champions, who would have been beaten by a more refined opponent, so impotent were they on attack (zero linebreaks) and porous on defence (they missed 27 tackles, in line with their average of 26 per match).
They undoubtedly benefited from Samoa’s early tactical naivety. So much for the structured Samoa that could have beaten the Springboks had they not relied on misplaced enterprise – running from deep in their territory – as much as they did. It was a nonsensical tactic to employ, particularly since they looked more than capable of mixing it in the heavies and establishing a better attacking platform on the rare occasion they chose to.
The islanders were denied despite long passages of play in possession in the first half, then undermined their cause in the second half with a string of handling errors, laboured decision-making and poor discipline, the worst example coming from Paul Williams who was red carded at a crucial juncture for shoving Heinrich Brussow in the face.
The numbers were evened out a minute later when John Smit was binned for what was adjudged to be a deliberate knock down with 10 minutes to play. But Samoa never possessed the killer blow. Their effectiveness rode on hope of defensive lapses, when more certainty and purpose would have served them better. Indeed they played like rave music was pounding in their minds, when they should have tuned in to a station that promoted greater composure.
The Springboks will testify to the ferocity and bone-melting qualities of a Samoan tackle and the islanders were rarely asked any telling questions. The Springboks’ opening try was birthed by multiple phases setting up a centre-field ruck before the ball snapped left to Bryan Habana. Morne Steyn converted, before Frans Steyn reminded of the Springboks’ unique trump card by banking a 58m penalty.
Morne Steyn kicked another just before the break, but the 13-0 scoreline going down the tunnel spoke to attacking impotency against competent and combative defensive units which is deeply concerning. The sterile, uninspiring fare they served up on attack tonight won’t see them progress beyond the quarter-final in Wellington next week.
Samoa burst into life in the second half, dominating possession and territory. The Springboks’ much-vaunted structure capitulated and they were reduced to a bumbling mess in the face of incessant attack. George Stowers, immense on the night, crossed for a try which Tusi Pisi crucially failed to convert.
You sensed the Springboks were on the ropes, and they will speak of their character in denying their opponents, but the reality is so much different. They were tested to their limit by a side they have consistently thumped by an average of 50 points.
This Springboks side is a pretender to the one that captured the title four years ago. Their journey continues, but surely not for much longer.
By Ryan Vrede, at the North Habour Stadium.
Follow Ryan’s World Cup coverage on Twitter
1,781 Comments
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30 Sep 2011, 08:31 am
Bokke Dragons?
30 Sep 2011, 08:34 am
boks by 30+
30 Sep 2011, 08:37 am
Go Bokka!!!
Have to watch afterwork *#%^*%
30 Sep 2011, 08:39 am
Got my bok jumper on… looking forward to it.
let’s hope we build cause the Wc only starts next week!
30 Sep 2011, 08:41 am
Go Bokke!
30 Sep 2011, 08:44 am
Work excuse – check
biltong – check
sole controle over the remote – check
GO BOKKE!!!
30 Sep 2011, 08:44 am
GO BOKKIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
30 Sep 2011, 08:48 am
Nom nom nom nom.
Staal pass the billies.
30 Sep 2011, 08:48 am
I have a neaking suspicion that this will not be as close as some are saying.
30 Sep 2011, 08:52 am
I want Samoa to win
30 Sep 2011, 08:53 am
Samoa will be physical but will fade away after 20min, bokke by +20
30 Sep 2011, 08:55 am
Mavis, pop a sleeping pill and maybe in your dreams samoa will win
30 Sep 2011, 08:55 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-9:
Ssssshhhhhhh!
If the boks give the moaners a hiding they will suddenly be worse than Japan.
A win is a win ou pel.
30 Sep 2011, 08:55 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-9: Meaning we are go to thrash them or them us ?
30 Sep 2011, 08:56 am
@Auntie Mavis(Auntie Mavis)-10: You probably have other irrational needs as well…
30 Sep 2011, 08:57 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-9: not “on good authority”
30 Sep 2011, 08:58 am
Come on Bokke!!!
Im on a flight tonight to Auckland and I dont want to pass you on your way home. Much like the NZ supporters club passed the Kiwi team in Singapore in 2007.
30 Sep 2011, 09:00 am
@Gunther(gunther)-13: Sure and I’ll take it anyway we get it, all in the name of “momentum”
Hope we don;t pick up any disciplinaries or injuries. That’s my biggest concern frankly.
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-14: We are going to thrash them like a schoolboy in his dad’s Beemer.
30 Sep 2011, 09:00 am
francois93 to boss Francois93, “ahem I have to watch rugby today, cant go to work”
Boss Francois “ahem I too have to watch rugby today and cant go to work” Francois93 ” well………”
Boss Francois93 “Well……….”
Francois93 “who’s bringing the beers”
Boss Francois ” me and me”
Francois “love ya boss”
Boss Francois93 “love me too”;-)
30 Sep 2011, 09:01 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-9: yeah keep “neaking”
30 Sep 2011, 09:02 am
@Olivergm(Olivergm)-17: lol
30 Sep 2011, 09:03 am
@Gunther(gunther)-13: no, some of the ‘Moan’s players were barred from playing in the RWC by sheisty european clubs.
30 Sep 2011, 09:03 am
(blows vuvuzela)
BOKKE!!!
30 Sep 2011, 09:03 am
A moment of truth.
Samoan moering?
30 Sep 2011, 09:06 am
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-23: the f’ing Kiwi’s have outlawed teh Vuvuzela at the RWC. Im taking one in up my pant leg. Listen closely during the haka if we make it to the semi, that will be me. Similarly during the Asu v SA game, Ill be blowing during before their anthem.
30 Sep 2011, 09:06 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-18: oh good, was starting to worry they might be able to beat us, must say i am a bit worried about injuries after this game.
30 Sep 2011, 09:07 am
@Olivergm(Olivergm)-25: go BIG my friend, go BIG!
30 Sep 2011, 09:07 am
if you want to blow the vuvuzela go watch that hooligan soccer sport!
30 Sep 2011, 09:08 am
@Olivergm(Olivergm)-17:
reminds me of those kiwi supporters who were interviewed in that doccie or was it on the news, who bought tickets for the semi’s and final only hehe (because realistically, where else could the all blacks be headed? haha)
to say they were devastated was an understatement….dont know why though…cos they at least had tickets to see the magnificent boks crush the english…now that was…devastating…
30 Sep 2011, 09:09 am
it’s amazing, the Bok Jersey has become such a hot commodity in the townships…2 weeks ago i drove to the Transkei and was surpised to see on a saturday when chiefs & pirates were going to play in a MTN8 final worth 8 million rands, mos people i saw were wearing Bok jerseys hehehe
now one can’t go anywhere in the ‘hood without seeing one, even the mamas selling fruit & veg are rocking them hehehe
the best though was the facebook status update from a female friend “um, come on guys, please tell me, how good are namibia in rugby?”
30 Sep 2011, 09:10 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-24: no “tossing” today please
30 Sep 2011, 09:10 am
@scar(scar)-6:
Hey Scar you for got the most important thing!
The BEER!
30 Sep 2011, 09:10 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-18:
No we are going to thrash them like the schoolboy who got thrashed for thrashing his dads beemer.
30 Sep 2011, 09:10 am
I allready have my final tickets. Will probably be NZ vs England! also have my After party tickets next to the stadium! Big All Black Party … The owner and his wife is allready busy with the RWC ice mould & Cake (in the form of Richie lifting the cup) Can’t wait!
30 Sep 2011, 09:11 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-30: Good one!
30 Sep 2011, 09:12 am
Transformation, easy if it is given to them for free hey! Thank aunty Ramos for that one. idiot that she is! f*ck Absa, f that, f this, f everything!!!!
30 Sep 2011, 09:13 am
@poppa69(p0ppa69)-28: hey calm down… *passing more meds*
30 Sep 2011, 09:13 am
@poppa69(p0ppa69)-28:
but its a ‘cultural tradition’ and means a lot to us, you especially should understand about practising a cultural tradition before games…
we let you haka so why not let us vuvu..hmmm?…
30 Sep 2011, 09:13 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-31:
Fifteen men went to toss
Went to Toss some Samoans
Bismarck and All the Boks
Went to Toss some Samoans
30 Sep 2011, 09:13 am
Naas says boks by 15.
Liking him less each day.
Ash Willemse reckons 66.
I think he’s had a breakfast beer.
Not in itself a bad thing.
30 Sep 2011, 09:14 am
@poppa69(p0ppa69)-34: Glad to see NZ peeps arent putting too much preasure on your boys then.
30 Sep 2011, 09:14 am
@francois93(francois93)-19:
How ya doing today!
30 Sep 2011, 09:14 am
A fake poppa cnt is present
30 Sep 2011, 09:15 am
Come Boks – i’m nervous of this game, hope they got their eye on the ball – the atmosphere is going to be electric, samoa might play out their boots.
30 Sep 2011, 09:15 am
@Olivergm(Olivergm)-25: Hey. Enjoy yourself, but I got a feeling you’ll probably miss the rest of the game. Just have a backup plan to watch the game elsewhere.
30 Sep 2011, 09:16 am
@poppa69(p0ppa69)-36:
Relax.
30 Sep 2011, 09:16 am
@poppa69(p0ppa69)-34:
It could be a very long wait.
30 Sep 2011, 09:16 am
@poppa69(p0ppa69)-36: free jerseys? you are delusional…and get a life!
30 Sep 2011, 09:16 am
Morning all.
Go Bokke.
I am sitting in the Eagle Peak Spur in Newcastle ready to watch the game on the bigscreen:-)
30 Sep 2011, 09:16 am
@reechie maak so lank die pan warm, bakkies bring die wors…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-38: Argh… I wouldn’t call a decade old thing culture.
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