Boks to seize Loftus lifeline
24 Sep 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes that Heyneke Meyer’s Springboks will record their first victory against Australasian opposition when they return to Loftus Versfeld this Saturday.
Consider the excuses for the recent run of results: A new team is building; they’re missing key players due to injuries; wins Down Under are rare; and their once flawless goal-kicker is horribly out of form.
These are excuses that may explain why the Boks are under-performing, but are we to accept that things are so bad that the Boks cannot beat the Wallabies and All Blacks in South Africa? Certainly not.
These are desperate times in the sense that the Boks are desperate for a winning result. They haven’t won since that opening Rugby Championship game in Cape Town. Their last three results have been a draw, a loss, and another loss.
Forget about winning the Rugby Championship title, that opportunity has come and gone. The Boks need to do whatever it takes to get back to winning ways, and in terms of the two matches that remain in this competition, the first in Pretoria represents the best opportunity.
The significance of where they are playing shouldn’t be understated. The Boks have a remarkable record at Loftus Versfeld, especially against the Wallabies. Since the first game played at this venue in 1963, the Boks have beaten the Wallabies in each of the five Tests.
What will also encourage the Boks is that the Wallabies are missing some key personnel. Injuries have taken their toll this year, and the team that plays at Loftus will be sans David Pocock, Will Geina, Quade Cooper and James O’Connor to name a few.
The Wallabies traditionally struggle on the Highveld, and only recently broke a 47-year losing streak. Kurtley Beale’s last-gasp penalty in a 2010 Test played in Bloemfontein gave the Wallabies their first win at altitude since 1963. It showed that they are capable of winning in that difficult environment, that not every game played on the Highveld is a guaranteed win for the Boks.
Meyer and company will be mindful of this as they plan for the coming match. But then again, Meyer will be desperately hoping that Loftus works its magic, that the partisan crowd lifts the Boks, and reduces the Wallabies to quivering wrecks.
A loss at this stronghold would be a disaster. The Boks have already lost the last five Tests played against the Wallabies. They need to break that spell. If they can’t do that against a young Wallabies side, playing at the fortress that is Loftus Versfeld… well then where can they do it?
The Boks will win this Saturday. They will break their losing streak against Australia, and record their first win against Australasian opposition under Meyer.
I wouldn’t be as confident if this Test was to be played at sea level. Up on the Highveld, Meyer’s Boks will use their Loftus lifeline. They will beat the Wallabies and take some much needed momentum into the following fixture against the All Blacks.
Mediocrity should never be tolerated, and Meyer himself has been open regarding his ambition to attain an 80% winning record. His current stats are nowhere near as impressive, but this coming Saturday could be seen as a start.
If the Boks can beat the Wallabies, then there is another big opportunity the following week when they host the All Blacks in Soweto. New Zealand may arrive in South Africa having already won the title, and so may not possess the type of motivation needed to beat the Boks at altitude.
Two wins in these last two matches would give Meyer a 50% record against the Australasian teams. It is a record that is no worse than what Jake White achieved in his first year in charge (2004), and is better than the Peter de Villiers-driven side of 2008 that won just two out of six.
Two wins for the Boks wouldn’t be significant in the context of the Rugby Championship or in terms of climbing the world rankings, but it would restore the status quo.
For a side that is missing key players and struggling for form, Meyer’s Boks will certainly view a two from four return against the Australasian sides as a satisfactory outcome.
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130 Comments
24 Sep 2012, 05:27 am
Just because it isn’t acceptable doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Not to be a negative dragon.
24 Sep 2012, 05:33 am
“Consider the excuses for the recent run of results: A new team is building; they’re missing key players due to injuries; wins Down Under are rare; and their once flawless goal-kicker is horribly out of form. ”
I would have thought you could throw the outdated Game plan or even the inability to execute HM’s gameplan, or both into the excuse basket
24 Sep 2012, 05:42 am
EXCUSES EXCUSES that is all that one needs to know about Bok Rugby, EXCUSES, I keep waiting for the Ref excuse…bound to come sometime soon. I actually thought the Boks played well in Dunedin, but the AB’s also played well and showed that their resolve is as good as anything the Boks bring to the park. But I was so disappointed with the SA approach – kick and chase, and then kick and chase and then just kick the bloody thing. How boring, obviously rocket science does not exist in SA rugby and yet you have wonderfully gifted players, BUT you have idiots as well. THUGS to be more precise, how Greyling didnt get a RED card is a mystery, it was blatant and callous and anyway he helped the AB’s push to score out past 7 points thus denying SA a bonus point. As for the article – not sure what Cardinelli is on about, the AB’s will bring their game to Soweto and they will be looking for a win to keep their winning record going against SA and to push it to 16-0 and then when they go on the EOYT they will win 4 more and have the record for most wins. As for HM as the coach of the Boks, I think if he loses the next 2 games, the knives will be out, Cardinelli talks about a new team, players not available, well blow me down and call me Jacob Zuma…the AB’s went through a similar scenario but somehow or other we seem to get it right and bring in new blood and develop them and nurture them into the AB culture and game plan, I dont or have never seen that happen in SA rugby. So only 2 more games for the AB’s and then the RC is in the NZRFU cabinet along with the S15, Freedom Cup, Webb Ellis Cup, Bledisloe Cup and the Hillary Shield. Thats enough for now.
24 Sep 2012, 05:43 am
@Te Rangatira-2:
hehehe, cheers Te Ranga, we need to use them all, any others you can think of?
I notice the “ref was picking on us” was missing as well………
24 Sep 2012, 05:43 am
The Bokke have a remarkable record, wouldn’t have thought so the Ab’s haven ‘t lost there since the 70′s and average around 40 points over the last 3 or 4 tests there. If the Bokke can’t beat a depleted Aus team at home using their 9th captain of the season there is something seriously wrong with their rugby.
24 Sep 2012, 05:45 am
@JohnPierre-3:
wow arn’t you fantastic. I suppose you all have 20″ d icks as well?
24 Sep 2012, 06:13 am
@NZINCHINA-5:
There is nothing wrong with South African rugby or its players
The problem is there are players who can play the game very well but some are not picked and some in the wrong positions
Most important we have a idiot of a coach who has a one dimensional game plan easy to predict and will not let classy players play their game.
The write coach 9anyone even a kiwi ) and the correct selections and a real attacking game plan
We would be tough to beat and you know it
24 Sep 2012, 06:14 am
@whatever-6:
Here we are again holding up the flag late at night against the enemy
24 Sep 2012, 06:17 am
@whatever-4:
No matey can’t think of any legitimate excuses…..oh perhaps the old adage “the better team won on the day”
24 Sep 2012, 06:21 am
@CoachPete-8:
lol.
The local South African blog cop.
Yeah he tries his best.
24 Sep 2012, 06:22 am
You guys rely on your goal kickers, it’s fine when their hitting them but when their not you lose, it’s that simple, Our team has never had top kickers so we to try and score tries
24 Sep 2012, 06:23 am
@JohnPierre-3:
Some of these things noted are not excuses but basic facts
Had M steyn and F steyn kicked their goals
Had Kirsher passed well to Habanan and Greyling not dropped the ball near the line
had HM kept Greyling off the field
Boks would have won and you all know that true
24 Sep 2012, 06:24 am
@SAussie/QldRed-11:
You have won with kicking too
24 Sep 2012, 06:46 am
Coach there are so many coulda shoulda woulda calls made on this site about how the Bokke would do this and do that, sorry mate I don’t buy into it. Its time for the dreaming to end and the winning to start.
w
24 Sep 2012, 06:51 am
@NZINCHINA-14:
Yep…the ifs..buts…maybes v Realities
24 Sep 2012, 07:10 am
Te Rangi they need to stop talking and start producing results. I think Meyers already goosed though on trying to get 85% and emulate Henry, 1 bad season and there is no catching up.
24 Sep 2012, 07:34 am
@NZINCHINA-16:
Meyer put undue pressure on himself making a statement like that an ,80% or whatever it was winning ratio, but I suppose he was playing to the masses, making them feel everything was in capable hands
24 Sep 2012, 07:38 am
@SAussie/QldRed-11:
So when is Link taking over the reins at the Wobblies?
I see Cooper is preparing for his move to league telling all and sundry how toxic the Wallaby camp is and he is only allowed to play rugby from Febr to May…
24 Sep 2012, 07:48 am
@Te Rangatira-17:
TR, don’t get fooled by all the negative press from mostly weepee supporters on this blog. The Boks are in capable hands and they are making progress, slow as it may be…
24 Sep 2012, 08:19 am
@Slartibartfast-19:
Yes Slarti, I try not to buy into the provincial bias and make a judgement on what I see in front of me. It was the Bok v Oz game in the first half that I saw Meyer beginning to make some headway with regards to where he wanted his team to go and the way the Bok forwards played against the Abs came as no surprise to me cause history shows that the Bok are a proud team that play the toughest brand of rugby especially vs Nz
24 Sep 2012, 08:26 am
@Te Rangatira-20:
It is a very tough job building a team when you at the same time competing at the highest possible level and I take my hat off to anyone doing it. Imagine if he selected all the newcomers every man and his dog are proposing on here and lost badly, there will be no end to it…
You only have to remember what we had in the previous 4 years and then look at the number of new players/caps in the current team to understand how hard his job is. We will get there…
24 Sep 2012, 08:37 am
@Slartibartfast-21:
I understand where you’re coming from and can see what Meyer is trying to achieve especially in the collisions, but whats the point in winning the forward battle, territory and possession when there is no coherent attack with ball in hand only a myriad of kicks.
24 Sep 2012, 08:46 am
Our kickers normally couldn’t hit a barn if they were in it. Yes we have won that way but I guess you have to get lucky some time. Almost every embarrassing loss has been because of poor kicking, As for Link, IMO Deans was one loss away from getting the sack, he might not be now and I reckon he’s done a pretty job considering injuries, mind you some players like Dom should have picked in the first place, there was such a back lash here in Aus with mind numbingly stupid tactics that we couldn’t do much worse, Sat will be interesting, looks like we finally putting together some forwards with a bit of mongrel but if your kickers are back from the dark we will lose for sure
24 Sep 2012, 08:49 am
@Te Rangatira-22:
Time for us to realise that greatness only comes with hard work, we have issues at 9, 10, 13 and 15. In none of them do we have tried and tested back-up to step in so it is going to be a slow process.
The problem is bigger than just throwing your own favorite in there and think it will fix everything. Bar one or two selections the Meyer has been close with his team and the people he added this time around is again a step in the right direction.
24 Sep 2012, 08:54 am
@SAussie/QldRed-23:
SAUS, I get the injury excuse but the lack of a gameplan in most tests this year is much more of a concern, the team seems to have grown very little under Deans in the last few years.
24 Sep 2012, 08:55 am
@Te Rangatira-22: that is why he must set the Goose loose:
24 Sep 2012, 09:02 am
Terangi yip was a big call, I doubt the Henry/Smith/Hansen AB coached side s records will ever be surpassesd they were too just too good.
24 Sep 2012, 09:07 am
@Slartibartfast-24:
Yep, I agree with you there about putting in the hard work if you want to achieve your best and the way you have put it has me thinking about the processes needed to come up with the right selections. Yet in the positions you have mentioned where the Bok have no tried and tested replacements, Meyer has been unwilling to throw anyone else in except Pineaar and Goosens few cameos so how can anyone else put their hand up and stake claim for a BOK jersey in those positions if the coach is selecting the incumbents based purely on the attitude that he can coach them back into form.
24 Sep 2012, 09:11 am
@RL-26:
Yep…time to unleash him
24 Sep 2012, 09:17 am
As long as that useless Morne Steyn and Zane Kircher play, they will not win, Morne Steyn serves no purpose on the bench, they should have Lambie at fullback, Taute on the bench as well as Jantjies, these are the players of the future.
I would also relieve Jean de Villiers of captain’s duty he is rubbish.
24 Sep 2012, 09:22 am
@Slartibartfast-25: Its a hard one to answer, There were times when I definitely thought we could have played better and some of the selections were mind boggling, ie Rocky Elsom in the WC, out of form and no game time, Cooper over barns in the WC, another bad choice, Kurtley Beetle in the Rugby Championship, horribly out of form, but then again we beat Wales who were on fire 3 times, We lost horribly to NZ and we I have to say it we beat you guys and Argentina so Deans had to be doing some things right.
Would Link make a big difference, I don’t know, I guess we have to wait until he’s coaching to see, I think the depth has improved, I remember I think 2005 under Eddie Jones where we had a similar injury toll and we got slotted everywhere we went so things have improved,
I was PEED off when you guys lost last week to the AB’s, that never should have happened but thats sport, you miss kicks and the AB’s will win every time, they are just that good, I actually expect you guys to win the next two, I’m not that confident in my team, maybe if JOC was back in the back line we might have had a shot at it but not with the present crew.
24 Sep 2012, 09:32 am
When you look at the for and against results for the 4 teams, SA have done quite well in my opinion and with 2 home games to go, they will improve even more.
Aus will be battling on Saturday to stay close, which will give SA confidence going into the final match against the AB’s.
I totally ignore the missed opportunities by SA, they happen to all teams. NZ has had plenty go astray as well, but tend to be ignored after winning the game.
Assuming we don’t come unstuck against the Puma’s at La Plata, I am not at all confident NZ will extend the winning streak passed Jo’Burg.
All the promise I saw in this team at the beginning of the comp is slowly being eroded by their patchy performances, and they are getting worse.
24 Sep 2012, 09:39 am
32. Brads
And if the kiwis dont turn in a performance this weekend the agies will turn them over as well.
24 Sep 2012, 09:45 am
Brads have some faith mate, you are starting to sound like a Saffa supporter. We’ll put the Argies away this weekend collect the silverware and then take the Bokke in Soweto.
24 Sep 2012, 09:48 am
The article has nicely set up HM .. if he wins its with home advantage, if he losses then he is shite ..
However as this is SA website I will state the usual cliche that the Boks can take both teams. An adjustment at FH and a tinker with the K&C tactics and we should be comfortable. I have seen little from Oz and only the odd spark from AB this year to worry about.
24 Sep 2012, 09:48 am
@Slartibartfast-24: first Morne and Kirchner to go – then EOYT JDV retires with Brussow coming in as the permanent captain.
Stick with the plan do not let up on the Morne and Kirchner must go campaign.
24 Sep 2012, 09:54 am
34. A little presumtuous aren,t we.
I,m going for the argies by 8 points at home.
24 Sep 2012, 09:56 am
@RL-36: Brussow will only cover for Flo, remember HM obsession with size.
I think FdP is due back to Boks EOYT ? in which case it will probably be him and Biz as Capt long term … difficult choice to make as who else is there ?
24 Sep 2012, 09:57 am
?..it,s as if selecting brussouw has become a test of will and ego vs the coach regardless of the fact that brussouw was the poorest of all the looseforwards this past weekend.
24 Sep 2012, 09:58 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-37: A great call BVZ but I doubt the ABs with their clinical/cynical edge will allow the Pums the latitude the Boks so generously gave them in the Forwards… Whos the ref ?
24 Sep 2012, 10:01 am
40. But the game is on a purpose built soccer pitch, so does that mean the field is smaller like mendoza?
The kiwis will not get the width they want and the argie pack will be at them hammer and tongs.
24 Sep 2012, 10:07 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-41: I agree but the AB are VERY good at the cynical stuff, they have a great awareness of where they are on the pitch and how far they can push it … Its for the Boks (and Oz and Puma) to get more savy.
Unfortunately the stupid elbow on Reeche will set the Boks back another 4-5games with the refs in terms of “intent” and this alone will hamper their forward effort. The idiot should never be allowed near the Boks again and it should be publicaly stated so we can repair the PR damage.
We all know Reeche was fouling where he was and maybe a lack of faith in the officials punishing him led to the act … reaching here ! But they need to find a way to fix Reeche and Read without the “old fashioned” ..
24 Sep 2012, 10:15 am
34 what you can manage a draw over there but we’ll lose by 8, place the bet you won’t be collecting.
24 Sep 2012, 10:19 am
howdy all.
firstly, congrats lions fans on your win against my sharkies.
must say, keegan was magnificent but the difference between the two teams for me was elton, what a player.
another player who has caught my eye in a BIG way is that rhule chappie for FS. the kid is awesome! big, strong, devestatingly quick and fearless to boot.
he is a far more balanced runner than JdJ imo and can step off BOTH feet and seemingly passes both ways.
he is destined for big things imo.
24 Sep 2012, 10:19 am
@Doughnut-42:
That is a bit unkind “the AB are VERY good at the cynical stuff”
I assume you mean playing to the Ref?
Surely that is a mark of intelligence. Better that in my opinion, than watching your team box on until half time to get reprogrammed for the second dig.
24 Sep 2012, 10:20 am
What a foolish survey.
Could we please get a 4 option stating that the Boks will lose both home tests?
24 Sep 2012, 10:21 am
@NZINCHINA-43: still being an arrogant disrespectful fool i see.
its guys like you that attract the vitriol when the abs lose buddy, justsaying.
24 Sep 2012, 10:22 am
44……he needs to learn to pass. Wonder how long the cheetahs can hold onto him before the sharks try to buy him.lol
24 Sep 2012, 10:25 am
Rich from you Ranger, go read your posts before the 2010 Tri nations you had it in the bag, im backing the best team in the world to win in Argentina is there a problem with that?
24 Sep 2012, 10:26 am
46. Wow
Bitter much.
For the record it is the boks playing and not the supercrappy lions.okay.
24 Sep 2012, 10:27 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-33:
Didn’t I say that?
However I still have faith. Just not blind faith!
24 Sep 2012, 10:29 am
45.
Yeah, very clever Brads. Like a bank robber or murder who gets away with it. A sure sign of intelligence with a dismissive wave of the hand to the crime.
Sociopathic are you kiwis.
24 Sep 2012, 10:29 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-50: Ek het jou al seker 6 keer gevra oor jou opinie oor Morne.
Maar jy ignoreer my nog heeltyd.
Okay.
24 Sep 2012, 10:33 am
53. 6 times you say?
Can,t you take a hint?
24 Sep 2012, 10:33 am
@NZINCHINA-49: we are talking about you here buddy, dont deflect ok?
your arrogance is noted.
24 Sep 2012, 10:33 am
@Brads-45: We agree .. grey matter/intelligence is where tight games are won. I am not condemning or condoning the ABs, just observing they know their way around the refs and rules .. We dont !
24 Sep 2012, 10:35 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-54: Sure.
I take your ignorance as evidence that you agree with me
24 Sep 2012, 10:37 am
funny thing is that i am of the opinion that bok rugby is on the up.
superrugby took us a long time but every year saffa teams are becoming more and more competitive. wont be long before the sharks or wp finally win it and with the kings in, it could be sooner rather than later thanks to the pts system.
the 4n is still a hard comp for us but i believe will start improving here steadily too and am not all doom and gloom after two losses that showed an upward trend imo.
24 Sep 2012, 10:38 am
Practice what you preach sonny.
24 Sep 2012, 10:39 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-52:
Wow, what an extreme attitude.
There are three, I say again three, on field referees looking at the game.
Playing to the ref is playing to what the guy is blowing, not what your slo-mo reply SUGGESTS.
Where on Earth is this murder and bank robbery business coming from?
Perhaps you are pissed the instinct of an intelligent rugby player is being coached out of the Bokke, in which case direct your phlegm at the people responsible.
24 Sep 2012, 10:41 am
57. Fast are you becoming skopskiets sidekick.
As if saying something often enough makes it the truth or like a broken clock defacto gets it right. ?.even if by accident.
24 Sep 2012, 10:42 am
57. By the way did you see how superkak brussouw was on the weekend. And you want him to start for the boks, yeah right
24 Sep 2012, 10:43 am
@Doughnut-56:
There is no way in Hades NZ has cornered the market on intelligent rugby.
However, SA are leading the way toward cornering the market in ways to stifle natural instinct.
24 Sep 2012, 10:49 am
60. Just because the ref doesn,t see it does not mean that you are intelligent….just means that he is blind in my opinion, coerced and often intimidated by his own boss, paddy.
24 Sep 2012, 10:49 am
Please Heyneke just drop the one dimensional skop jag en bid artist M Steyn….
Please man…rid our rugby of this useless 10 once and foe all….
choose anyone of Jantjes, Goosen or Lambie…..
but FFS please please please drop this M Steyn once and for all ….
24 Sep 2012, 10:51 am
@Slartibartfast-18: I’m still trying to figure out if it’s possible. I thought I’d read he’s signed to the Reds for three years but there is still some option to leave? Anyway, not sure the Roosters will have any cash to spare after they sign up SBW. Unless Quade wants to play the Lions series next year then jump straight in the RL world cup for the kiwis with Sonny. Despite his knee on McCaw I’d accept him with open arms.
24 Sep 2012, 10:51 am
@grant10-65: Morne will start on Saturday, bud.
24 Sep 2012, 10:52 am
@rangerman-58: don’t bank on us being gimmes boytie
march 9th…you will see your gat!
24 Sep 2012, 10:57 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-64:
What ever Zyl.
If you believe that, why bother following the sport.
24 Sep 2012, 10:57 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-61: Leave Skopskiet out of this.
He is more on the money than the majority of bloggers here, and had reservations about this dictatorship from the beginning.
Bok rugby at current is characterised by forced mediocrity. The continued selections of witbroodjies and the continued exclusion of the best players.
24 Sep 2012, 10:57 am
@grant10-65: morne is a WARRIOR!
he is mentally tough, his game is not that bad but he is just not striking the ball well at the moment, now that he has had a mental break he will be back.
*me channelling heyneke meyer
24 Sep 2012, 10:59 am
@Transformation-71: And he is back at comfort zone Loftus.
24 Sep 2012, 11:01 am
@willievz-67: so sad Willie….he is killing our backline 6 love man…
24 Sep 2012, 11:01 am
69….well, it is a similar line of thought to bob dwyer, use it dont use it, whatever
24 Sep 2012, 11:02 am
@Transformation-71: M Steyn can go back to the Bulls now that Fouche has a knee issue….
24 Sep 2012, 11:04 am
70, yes willie… In his first season with only 2 loses, and those away from home in nz and oz with a match 22 with as many as 14 test newbies……the bok coach is characterized as mediocrity.
Yes, well okay then…
Do you read the tripe you write before posting…
24 Sep 2012, 11:04 am
@grant10-65:
I obviously never saw Morne play at grade level, but surely he was better than just a goal kicker.
***** bells, at grade level in NZ, if a players was a one trick pony the opposition would target him and he would either evolve or drop out.
I suspect the same is the case in SA.
It wasn’t until he got to the Bulls environment that he stopped his skill development.
24 Sep 2012, 11:08 am
Because he doesn’t really believe it, hes finding it hard to accept that SA doesn’t dominate world rugby.
24 Sep 2012, 11:09 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-74:
Okay then, I will not use it,
and leave it to you to enlarge the cancer growth you have developed.
24 Sep 2012, 11:09 am
77, just out of interest….why is it the Bulls are associated with “lack of skills developement”.
Surely, if they are the only sa franchise that actually ever wins the opposite is true…
24 Sep 2012, 11:11 am
@grant10-75: pine is on the phone with meyer as we speak
24 Sep 2012, 11:14 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-80:
Institutionalizing traditional play is not development.
It is stagnation.
24 Sep 2012, 11:20 am
Okay, but just to point out that this institutionalized rugby had us finishing ahead of 11 others on the log and what could have been 2nd in all honesty.
24 Sep 2012, 11:20 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-76:
The irony is that he could have had a 80%+ record if his selections were better.
Now he is drifting at a mediocre 47%.
So far, Heyneke also
(i) created a negative relationship with Cape supporters (the unjustified initial exclusion of Aplon and JDJ),
(ii) scythed a relationship with one of the best opensiders on the planet (and in my opinion, to an irrepairable state),
(iii) capped the likes of Jacques Potgieter and JJ Engelbrecht, who would not have been capped if they were playing for any other franchise.
And last, but not least, he coaches with an aim to tell the world that he and only he (well, and maybe you and a few other Bulls) are right.
24 Sep 2012, 11:20 am
@grant10-75:
step up handre… good enough is old enough…
24 Sep 2012, 11:23 am
I guess the difference in opinion is that you will see the object of rugby being “entertainment”…..i see the object as winning.
The 2 have never been mutually exclusive.
And before you hypothesize that 1 style is better than another i will point to last years worldcup final and the borethon that, that was.
24 Sep 2012, 11:25 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-83:
I have nothing against playing to your strengths, but suffocating innovation is surely not pleasant for you as a Saffa supporter to experience.
24 Sep 2012, 11:25 am
A 47% win ratio shows that we are not playing winning rugby.
24 Sep 2012, 11:30 am
Perhaps it might be a good idea to wait until the actual teams are announced before picking a winner…
24 Sep 2012, 11:31 am
1. The cape supporters are mostly all shite choosing to support anyone from wp to the crusaders to the spears on any given day depending on how a pigby non white performed the previous sweekend.
2. Brussouw is playing shite, that was evident again this past weekend. Put that fact together with his injury record and why would any coach actually bother with him these days. Can you remember him stringing 3 games together in a row.
3. Potgieter was kapped as the next best blindsider. I really dont see the problem given the players who were out and are still out.and before you mention a lion, they are shite that is why they are not there. If potgieter was wearing a spears jersey everyone would love him.
The coach knows more than you and i.
Get over yourself.
24 Sep 2012, 11:34 am
88.
Come now willy.
With only 2 loses we arent exactly playing losing rugby either are we.
24 Sep 2012, 11:34 am
this Boks style has been absolutely terrible….and we are still losing !
Winning rugby se moer man…it is Coward rugby….no bravery at all….simply raising the white flag saying we cant compete because we dont have the skills in the backs….
Nie fok sies man! Cowards…
24 Sep 2012, 11:34 am
@Transformation-68: haha, i knew the sensitive amongst us would take that the wrong way.
transie, i seriously hopr the kings are competitive and have no problem with them as i have already stated but history has shown us that it takes time for a new side to find their feet in superrugby.
maybe the kings will be the exception and win the comp in their first year but i doubt it bud.
i think they will battle personally and that will be to the benefit of other saffa teams simply because we play them twice.
how long this will be the case is the only variable that i am unsure of.
24 Sep 2012, 11:37 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-90: Your comment no 1 is sad….
you are now officially demoted to Sad Sack….
Brigadier se moer man…
24 Sep 2012, 11:39 am
i dont agree that the boks gameplan has been absolute rubbish.
i think our finishing has let us down on a number of occasions and our kicking has been horrendous (both the weighted kicks from the base and the goal kicking).
but our forwards are ever improving and if our backs click we will be fearsome.
how i long for JPP to return and for morne to take a break.
24 Sep 2012, 11:40 am
@grant10-94: you are getting hormonal again.
take a break pel.
24 Sep 2012, 11:42 am
95; exactly
24 Sep 2012, 11:44 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-91: We only drew the 3rd test against England as Farrell missed a last-second drop goal.
We only drew against Argentina because we scored a charged down try.
England and Argentina are not rugby superpowers. A draw against them is as good as a loss, in my book.
We are talking about the BOKS, for goodness sake.
24 Sep 2012, 11:46 am
@rangerman-95: Meyer needs to get his selections right and make changes to the gameplan as Rassie says will happen (latter).
24 Sep 2012, 11:48 am
Haha, winning rugby indeed. Cant even call it rugby, just hoofing the ball and waiting for the opposition to make a play, either good or bad. It’s all about the opposition: Meyer’s so terrified of what they can do to us he’s lost sight of what we have available.
Watching us kick to that rabble of an Aussie side ad-nauseam because apparently we cant match them with the ball was just laughable. Meyer’s continued selection of Steyn and Kirtchner the only thing he can use to justify that we cant match anyone. Those two worse than any of their opposite numbers in test rugby.
24 Sep 2012, 11:50 am
@willievz-98: People seem to forget that Naas was NOT a kicking flyhalf. He had a very educated boot but he also had oodles of rugby intelligence. He knew when to boot (in the right places) and he knew when to pass. His distribution skills were silky smooth. He had Garth Wright as Bok scrummy who knew how to pass and put Naas into space, and as for the outside backs… The point being that Naas and Errol Tobias were very effective flyhalves.
Michael du Plessis moved to flyhalf during the course of two 1989 games against the World XV and wasn’t nearly as effective in that position as he was outside of Naas at 12.
I simply do not see Morne Steyn as having the same level of rugby acrumen and skillset required for a Bok flyhalf, regardless of his kicking record (which is shot).
24 Sep 2012, 11:52 am
A draw is not a loss and by the same defination if morne had kicked his goals and our backs taken their chances we would have wins away against nz and oz.
So try and be even tempered in appraisels,ne.
Also, “your book”, has no readers and will never get published.
24 Sep 2012, 11:56 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-102: Except they didn’t but the Boks might have it better form players had been selected.
The only thing credible here is the defense of the indefensible.
24 Sep 2012, 11:57 am
I think Meyer thinks his Obama that needs another term to prove is true value.
He will eventually come right but it took him a couple of years at the Bulls. He doesn’t have that luxury with Boks.
24 Sep 2012, 11:57 am
@mikeybrass-103: credible = incredible
24 Sep 2012, 11:57 am
@rangerman-93: the “sensitive”? jou moer man!
make that the COMPETITIVE!
no easy points in PE NMB stadium will be nicknamed die Slaghuis!!!
sikunqunqela egoqweni!
24 Sep 2012, 11:59 am
@Transformation-106: Have a feeling that Alan Solomons will get them firing enough to pick up more wins than the Kittens did.
24 Sep 2012, 12:00 pm
@Transformation-106: haha, i like the gees!
24 Sep 2012, 12:19 pm
Any news on the Lions new tournament they are trying organise? It will be a pity if this group of players, who are playing brilliant rugby, gets scattered due to their super rugby relegation…
24 Sep 2012, 12:27 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-90: Why would I mention the Lions / a Lion?
I don’t support them.
24 Sep 2012, 12:28 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-102: Yes, if better form players were selected we could have won all the tests so far, including the away ones against Aus/NZ.
24 Sep 2012, 12:32 pm
@mikeybrass-101:
On Supersport an article mentioned that HM just might stick with MS because he’s comfortable etc at Loftus…
Even if he does succeeds and is accurate with the boot and we end up winning the game, it doesnt solve the long term problem…
Goosen cant be the only answer.. if he gets injured will HM take 10 steps back by selecting Steyn again? Who will play 10 at EOTYT if Goosen gets injured?
Its time to make space for a new number 1 and 2 flyhalf and start to give them the same support, encouragement and guidance Steyn is receiving… Steyn should be a last resort… HM should start to realize this.
Jantjies has a great boot, tactically and for goal. He’s a better attacking player and spreads the ball well… Lambie the same, but probably behind in the kicking department…And they are good defenders. And obviously Goosen is the future. All 3 better options.
So why persist with Steyn?
Even with MS we should be able to beat the Aussies at home. That being said we can beat them with Goosen, Jantjies and Lambie.
24 Sep 2012, 12:44 pm
@Jeez-112: I agree with everything you said. Except I am praying for a miracle that Steyn does not start
24 Sep 2012, 12:50 pm
@mikeybrass-113:
Perhaps he will break his pinky like Spies did… 8 weeks out during the international window just might do the trick…
24 Sep 2012, 13:09 pm
@Jeez-114: Or be used to say he has had an extended mental break.
24 Sep 2012, 13:20 pm
@Jeraldjay-104:
in english..?…
24 Sep 2012, 13:26 pm
@mikeybrass-101:
very well said, mikey.. very well said.
ja nee, egnatius was a supremely professional flyhalf in an amature era bar none.
stories of him practising for two hours before and two hours after team practise are legendary and in 28 tests he only lost 9.
dont get me started on his records at the bulls.
24 Sep 2012, 13:31 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-102: fark me, you’re the supreme Zibi apologist it seems.
Zibi’s win record is kak and the 2 draws he salvaged were lucky ones, against nit the greatest opposition.
Don’t come with kak like we “almost” beat NZ – we didn’t. The stupid gameplan and players trying to execute it may win one every so often, but that doesn’t make it the “right” gameplan.
Your messiah is obtuse and a bloody slow learner…..it must be hard to look outside the laager.
24 Sep 2012, 13:42 pm
@rangerman-108:
its going to end so badly
shame
24 Sep 2012, 13:47 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-117: Naas was misunderstood. The closest players we have had since were Butch James (at the WC ’97 only) and Joel Stransky. Henry Honnibal was a different type of player. This misunderstanding is the root malise of much of what is wrong with coaching in the country.
24 Sep 2012, 14:17 pm
@mikeybrass-120: We played WC in 97?
24 Sep 2012, 14:39 pm
@trupisero-118:
coulda shoulda woulda is very popular around these parts nowadays
24 Sep 2012, 15:02 pm
@NZINCHINA-122: drives me nuts. Know how you guys would’ve taken stick if you came up with we ‘ coulda woulda shoulda” won in 95, 99, 03 and 07….
24 Sep 2012, 15:07 pm
The Odds Makers consensus puts the Boks to win at 1:3.5
There will be small movements later once the Test teams’ announce, not by much though.
With Alain Rolland the referee, the Test is in HM’s bag, Rolland can retire comfortably now with all the dough he scooped since 2009
24 Sep 2012, 15:15 pm
HM will play Morn’e and the Springboks will win. It won’t be pretty but they will win. Then he will play Morn’e against the All Blacks and they will lose.
24 Sep 2012, 15:16 pm
What stupidity, for ” seize ……… lifeline” is surely an inappropriate choice of words?
Meyer’s Mob will surely be The Walkind Dead come October?
Always good to mess with the minds of the limited on any vacation day. Cheers I am off to the races..
24 Sep 2012, 15:48 pm
@thesiener-125: The All Blacks will send a second-string team to Soccer City.
Agree, we will start Monnas in both tests.
24 Sep 2012, 17:24 pm
@trupisero-121: ’07
Having a cold (aka “man flu”) makes me feel old
24 Sep 2012, 17:40 pm
Please tell me this Supersport story is a joke!
I saw on News24 this morning that Goosen is due to start and I was soo happy
HM must go if he carries on like this showing blatant loyalty when Leadership is required!
Fark him man
25 Sep 2012, 08:25 am
“and is better than the Peter de Villiers-driven side of 2008 that won just two out of six.”
Yes but one of those was a win in New Zealand at the House of Pain.
Not even the legendary Jake White could win in NZ.
Dont go putting PDV down like that.
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