No breathing space for Boks
5 Nov 2012
RYAN VREDE, writing from Dublin, says there needs to be some tempering of expectation around the quality of the Springboks’ performances, but not of the expectation of a clean sweep.
Coach Heyneke Meyer isn’t going anywhere, even if the Springboks are blanked on this tour. This will come as a disappointment to a growing number of critics. But Meyer enjoys strong support from the bulk of the men who determine his longevity in the role of head coach, most of whom are sold on his playing philosophy, his vision regarding selection and are sympathetic to his plight in light of a host of injuries to key players.
Meyer has never been able to field his first-choice side because of injuries, and is currently in a position where he is missing three highly experienced players – Bismarck du Plessis, Bryan Habana and Frans Steyn – who, when on form, would make any elite Test side. There are a clutch of other high quality players unavailable as well, further undermining Meyer’s cause, while his quest to secure the services of Japan-based players, most notably Fourie du Preez and Jaque Fourie, was met with a refusal by their clubs.
Meyer is particular concerned about the impotency of his backline, feeling Du Preez and Fourie (Jaco Taute would have shifted to fullback) would have added a special dimension that has been lacking throughout his tenure. His tactics have been under constant fire, but their time spent in the opposition’s 22m compares favourably with the All Blacks, the difference being how clinical the world champions have been in those positions. He choice of flyhalf will be critical to any improvements in this regard, but there needs to be observable gains in the decision-making, innovation and execution of their backline play overall.
In three mid-year Tests, the Blacks put 124 points past a better Ireland side that will front the Springboks in Dublin on Saturday, conceding just 29. It would be laughable to compare the current Springbok side to the Blacks – who I’m sure will be remembered as one of the game’s best – but it does offer us some insight into the strength of the Irish, who also lost to Wales at the Aviva Stadium, drew with France and were comprehensively beaten by England in the Six Nations.
Certainly they will be a formidable opponent in front of a capacity crowd (the Springboks have won just one of the last four matches in Dublin). However, Ireland’s quality has been depleted through the recent withdrawals of Brian O’Driscoll, Rob Kearney and Rory Best, while combative openside Sean O’Brien and experienced back rower Stephen Ferris will be sorely missed. Paul O’Connell expected to lose the race to recover from injury (further expanding the leadership void). Consider also that that prop Cian Healy is struggling with his shoulder and Declan Fitzpatrick is still carrying a concussion sustained last weekend, and Ireland are there for the taking.
There will be the usual threatening rhetoric from Scotland, but surely the Springboks won’t replicate the embarrassing defeat in 2010. Scotland lost all their Six Nations matches, and while they beat Australia in torrential rain in Newcastle in June, the result was more a reflection of the Wallabies’ weakness and inconsistency, which persisted into the Rugby Championship, than it was a new dawn for Scottish rugby.
The sternest Test of the Springboks will come at Twickenham against England. They haven’t lost to Stuart Lancaster’s men in 10 Tests, including three wins in their last three outings at Twickenham, but the quality of this side doesn’t match their predecessors and their injury list is likely to be lengthier by then. They will also face a home side desperate to avenge their 2-0 June series defeat.
The Springboks have won by an average of 19 points in the aforementioned matches, but they will settle for a less emphatic margin if it means they win three from three. Despite what Meyer lacks in quality because of injuries, a tour sweep is still a realistic expectation.
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205 Comments
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5 Nov 2012, 05:06 am
So much depends on the first game, but I am going to stick my neck out…..3 0 to Boks on tour.
5 Nov 2012, 05:29 am
Fourie Du Preez my ***.
Im all for giving HM time. He is a very astute rugby brain. I agree with most of his player choices.
But Vrede really dont tell me Fourie Du Preez is going to help spark this backline. That is really a stupid comment. FDP is a box kicker – a kick and chase specialist.
5 Nov 2012, 06:55 am
So it looks like Ireland are also missing 3 of their most influential backline players.
5 Nov 2012, 06:58 am
seems most bok supporters believe we will comfortably roll england… if we don’t show them due respect england will bring a black curtain down on the bok season…
5 Nov 2012, 07:02 am
@Mike H-2:
wow, that is such a ridiculous bunch of statements strung together, mikey.
where did you pull these beauts out of… the ether..?..
or your bumhole..?..
you know nothing about fourie du preez
nothing…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V318uMmN5ho
5 Nov 2012, 07:10 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93B6eTZpRYE
5 Nov 2012, 07:18 am
Wanna know the difference between the Boks and the All Blacks?
Since 2003 the Boks have lost NINE EOYT games in Europe. The all Blacks have lost ZERO.
5 Nov 2012, 07:20 am
excuses excuses excuses…..injuries blah blah blah. Injuries and unavailability are part and parcel of being a national coach. Just ask Robbie Deans who still managed to finish second to NZ with essentially a 3rd team of nobody superrugby journeymen posing as wallabies. Im sick and tired of excuses. How can you possibly even mention names like FDP as part of HM’s plans when every tom **** and harry knew the 2011 worldcup was pretty much his (and quite a few others) last hurrah.
Im so over the apologies made on HMs behalf. He’s a national coach, not a super rugby coach which means he simply needs to assemble 15 players from the vast talent pool in the WHOLE COUNTRY. I’m so over this
5 Nov 2012, 07:28 am
@flanka-8:
I agree.
5 Nov 2012, 07:58 am
So FDP is the answer? All that time in the 22 we spend and his box kicks will break down the walls? Whatever. Also, easy for Meyer to only remember the extra ordinary FDP, but what about ordinary one.
I rate the guy as a legend, but not the future. Meyer you need to look forward. It’s called innovation nor replication!
5 Nov 2012, 08:05 am
@The Bill-10: Funny you say that because my last memory of FDP in the green and gold is camping in the wallaby 22 for virtually most of the quarter final against the wallabies with oodles of posession and failing to breach their defence for a try
5 Nov 2012, 08:14 am
i can’t believe the bok squad as a whole and certainly players within it are happy campers…
with heymaker continually making what seem like knee-jerk announcements and pining for unavailable overseas players he must be wreaking havoc with the confidence of players in the squad and super rugby franchises…
what are guys like hougaard, any number of tightheads, bresler etc supposed to think…? it is any wonder why so many seem to be suffering from confidence crises…?
i can’t believe he has not included bresler who has been playing excellent rugby and instead wants to pluck marco wentzel outta the blue… and now saying he wants mujate spits in the face of all our tightheads…
heymaker was quite clear he would not select overseas players unless they were better than the local players… so the message to the local players who have put their hearts and bodies into long super and currie campaigns is…
you are not good enough to play international rugby….!!
and heymaker insists motivating players is his strongest point…!!
go figure…
5 Nov 2012, 08:25 am
@ufo-12:
My thoughts, as well. I really worry about his “paint by numbers” approach to his requirements for each position and where it fits into his gameplan. It becomes a matter not so much what a player must do to improve, but what they must do to fit in with HMs requirements. Essentially it erodes the players individuality.
5 Nov 2012, 08:31 am
@ufo-12:
are they good enough to play international rugby?
theit record does not suggest they are.
ironic its a squad full of ABABP’s who have let him down so far.
5 Nov 2012, 08:39 am
Best thing to happen to these Boks is they get fck’d up 3 – 0 overseas and Heyneke Meyer gets called for the pseudo messiah he is
That will be the best solution to this fiasco unfolding here..
HM is so way overrated and out of his league Ireland and England and perhaps even Scotland can do SA rugby one big favor and send him home packing without a win and we get shot of this palooka and start afresh again.
5 Nov 2012, 08:43 am
I see that Mitchell has been cleared at his disciplinary hearing, and wants to remain as Lions coach.
5 Nov 2012, 08:44 am
No Ferris, no Best, no O’Brien, no O’Driscol, no Kearny, no O’Connel and possibly no Healy. I reckon we’re going to put a bug number past them.
5 Nov 2012, 08:47 am
@David-13:
yeah david… when he was appointed we were told how organised heymaker was and how meticulous he is with his planning… remember matfield on boots n all gushing about how heymaker would have thought of and done everything by the time the first test against england was played… “he will work behind the scenes,” said matfield, “so that by the time the first game kicks off they will be one of the best prepared bok sides…” or words to that effect…
sadly this has proven to be no more than spin from a fan heymaker is contradicting himself almost on a daily basis…
great pity… but no coach will stop me backing the boks 100%… so… go bokke… i sincerely hope we get he clean sweep…
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-14:
of course you are as entitled to your opinion as i am…
imo… the only person who has let heymaker down… is heymaker himself…
like players all most supporters want is consistency from the man… if he explained his plan clearly and stuck to it and we could see him and the boks working towards that i, don’t believe he would be getting any flack right now… but we all support him doing one thing and then he surprises doing something contradictory as if it was always part of his master plan…
and he seems to have a jake white fetish for claiming responsibility for every player who does well…
well… if he was honest he would also claim responsibility and apologise for every player who does not do well… such as jj and pottie…
patronise and treat rugby supporters like fools and you will lose their respect… heymaker has not yet learnt this…
5 Nov 2012, 08:49 am
@David-16:
good for him… i think he got shafted…
fact is… he has got more impressive results with the lions than anyone on their board in their own job descriptions…
but thought he had joined sale…?
5 Nov 2012, 09:02 am
@ufo-19:
I just heard it on 702, so I don’t know the full story.
5 Nov 2012, 09:05 am
@David-20:
thanks david…
pleased for the guy anyway… at least he can now get on with his life and career without this hanging over his head…
5 Nov 2012, 09:11 am
@David-20: Now this I’ve been waiting to hear!
Can’t help but think it’s all been related to shenanigans (sp?) in Port Elizabeth…
5 Nov 2012, 09:14 am
Congrats to the Sharks for winning the interprovincial 7′s tournament!
5 Nov 2012, 09:14 am
@BrumbiesBoy-22:
In what way?
5 Nov 2012, 09:15 am
@Fern-23:
The what
5 Nov 2012, 09:18 am
@BrumbiesBoy-22:
I’ve never been.
Not really a fan of these Irish them pubs with their manufactured bonhomie.
Craic smaic.
5 Nov 2012, 09:39 am
@David-24: I wish I knew.
But I’m pretty sure that Mitchell came to this country on the proviso that he would coach a Super Rugby team where he felt he could be of the most benefit, and maybe during all the delays, allegedly caused by the unions, they were trying to force a Lions/Cheetahs merger with JM being head coach, a position which IMO he wasn’t happy with & that is where the trouble started.
5 Nov 2012, 09:48 am
Backline is impotent because of Jean de Villier’s lack of penetration skills,play comes to a halt every time the ball reaches him,same problem at the Stormers,look at how much better the WP backline functioned without him.Is obvious,JdV is the problem.
5 Nov 2012, 09:52 am
@BrumbiesBoy-27:
I reckon a Lions/Cheetahs merger would be a boon for JM, with the talent available to him.
5 Nov 2012, 09:53 am
@gunther-26:
that’s a long way to go for an irish themed piss up ,and in PE of all places.
Craic smaic = smelly crack ?
5 Nov 2012, 10:03 am
@ufo-18:
yes, we clearly have different opinions on the matter.
personally i feel as let down, if not more so, by the players than i do by HM. at the end of the day the buck stops with the players on the pitch, and these players did not deliver when it mattered.
as far out as pdivy’s coaching or non coaching approach may have been, the players still stood up at the end of the day and gave everything and more.
can we say the same for heyneke’s ABABP’s
blaming the coach is easy, the players are the ones who have to go out and play the game.
5 Nov 2012, 10:12 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-31: That is all good and well, but there has been a great deal of inconsistency in selections which meant that the team has been unable to settle. Some of that has been injury enforced for sure but some not.
Add to that HM’s inconsistent statements and selections not reflecting that and you have a squad that probably isn’t experiencing too much of a settled feeling right now.
5 Nov 2012, 10:13 am
@David-16: Lions coach John Mitchell has been cleared of all allegations after charges were withdrawn, with the New Zealander being quoted as saying that his future is in South Africa.
Details at this stage are sketchy but EWN Sport reports that Mitchell wants to remain with the Lions, stating that he wants his position as head coach of the Lions back, adding that there is unfinished business. It is reported that he has been found not guilty of the charges faced and that a further six charges have been dropped, as the team look to next year.
Furthermore, Mitchell has stated that he has no intention of taking a coaching role with the Sale Sharks, even though he has been approached by the club.
5 Nov 2012, 10:16 am
There have certainly been players who have performed under par when picked, Willem Alberts (who’s mediocre form is echoed in his provincial form), Keegan Daniel (who was unable to translate really good provincial form into a half decent international performance), Morne Steyn (he kept being selected by HM in spite of the obvious lack of form and the availability of a good replacement) etc etc.
The fact is, HM is the man and he has gotten off to a less than auspicious start. I hope he starts to get things right, and soon.
5 Nov 2012, 10:17 am
@BrumbiesBoy-22: wtf is your problem?
The charges appear to allege that Mitchell, inter alia:
- used derogatory language towards players
- placed undue pressure on injured players to train and to play
and
- breached the terms of his contract by making unauthorised public statements
now what the f.cuk does this have to do with the Kings?
5 Nov 2012, 10:22 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-31:
so why aren’t the players… in your opinion… standing up…?
if meyer is the great coach, spotter of talent and motivator that so many believe he is… surely this should not be a problem…?
but if the players are to blame in your opinion and not performing… surely meyer is either… selecting the wrong players… not good at motivating the ones he does select… or isn’t able to coach his rugby philosophy to a more diverse group of players…
the other thing that meyer is doing wrong imo… is eventually selecting guys like gio, patrick, elton and juan under apparent duress and expecting them to singlehandedly change the outcome of the half-game or single game he gives them and if they don’t perform spectacularly well then he drops them right out of the squad… young guys don’t need that sort of pressure… especially when they see guys like morne and pottie getting whats seemed like endless opportunities…
we certainly do disagree… the buck stops with the coach imo… he is able to select any fit saffa player that he wants… and if he is picking the wrong players he has only himself to blame…
i mean what the heck is a guy like bressler supposed to think…? next thing he will be playing in europe and people will criticise him for it…?
as we always say… the players don’t select themselves…
5 Nov 2012, 10:22 am
@stormersboy-34: HM has been man enough to admit to his mistakes,let’s hope he has learned from them.I’m concerned about his blood pressure tho’ he seems to be really highly stressed in interviews.
5 Nov 2012, 10:22 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-31: you are talking nonsense!
heyneke meyer is the coach, he is the one barking orders on a walkie-talking DICTATING how our players must play.
at most interviews he’s told us how his gameplan is the shiznit and flawless yet everyone including opposition coaches have seen GLARING holes in how he is coaching our team to play.
take the blinkers off and lay off the kool-aid
5 Nov 2012, 10:25 am
@Transformation-33:
good on mitchell…
not taking the easy way out and seeking a cushier number overseas…
my respect for him just jumped a few notches…
5 Nov 2012, 10:28 am
@stormersboy-32: bakkies trying to excuse heyneke for selecting a guy that is out of his depth like jaque potgieter is just laughable
i guess the blame is on jaque for not executing meyer’s flawless gameplan properly.
5 Nov 2012, 10:30 am
@Transformation-40: Didn’t you hear? It’s the Kings’ fault.
5 Nov 2012, 10:32 am
@ufo-39: don’t know how that will work though as the same players that “complained” are the ones he’ll have to coach, trust and believe in.
5 Nov 2012, 10:33 am
@stormersboy-41:
5 Nov 2012, 10:35 am
@Transformation-42: I think lessons have been learned on both sides,Mitchell is the best hope for the Lions going forward imo
5 Nov 2012, 10:35 am
@stormersboy-32:
@ufo-36:
@Transformation-38:
look, i hear you guys, fair enough.
but just to be clear, are you absolving the players of blame and responsibility in the boks poor performance this year?
perhaps we are all holding different ends of the same stick?
5 Nov 2012, 10:36 am
Speaking of the Keeengs, I see Cheeky has resubmitted his request for more foreign players, but lowering the number from six to three. What is this? Some kind of flea market haggle system? I hope SARU tells the crooked man to go walk a crooked mile.
5 Nov 2012, 10:39 am
@Transformation-42:
i don’t believe it was a spontaneous player-revolt at all…
if it was… why then… at the beginning of the new season…? heck they’d just won the currie cup and given the coach rave reviews a few months before that…?
but that’s part of what i mean by not taking a cushier number… if he goes back to the lions (and if they have him of course) he goes back knowing he has to start again and win the players over… either he knows the ‘problem’ was orchestrated or he believes he can actually win them over again…
either way… says quite a lot about the man’s character imo…
5 Nov 2012, 10:39 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-45: Probably.
My issue with Heineken is the inconsistency of some of his selections, and choices when he does select.
5 Nov 2012, 10:39 am
@Transformation-40:
yes, potgieter failed himself as much as he did the coach. it was easy for the kenners to single him out for his sub standard springbok play yet almost to a man the rest of the ABABP squad have escaped similar scrutiny.
and you lot have the audacity to sing from the ‘look at his inconsistency’ handbook.
5 Nov 2012, 10:41 am
@ufo-47: Or lack of real options elsewhere?
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