Brutal Boks blunt Scots
17 Nov 2012
RYAN VREDE, in Edinburgh, watched the Springboks deliver an almighty defensive performance in the second half to beat Scotland 21-10 at Murrayfield.
This was not a wholly clinical performance from the Springboks on a number of fronts, but one that will nonetheless please Heyneke Meyer and galvanise his side ahead of the sternest Test of the tour in London next week.
It was undoubtedly a victory built, once again, on brutal, accurate and disciplined defence. This has been the hallmark of all the Springboks’ victories this season, and they will have to sustain this if they are to become the dominant team they envisage being.
At the heart this success has been Francois Louw. Irrepressible and seemingly omnipresent since his installment in the side, Louw is now surely among the world’s pre-eminent opensiders and undoubtedly the most valuable player in the Springboks’ ranks at this stage.
Louw was not alone in his excellence. His back row brothers Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen shone on attack and defence. The trio are gradually growing into a triumvirate, formidable in their combination, all possessing power and fearlessness in equal measure. Their form and indeed that of Eben Etzebeth, who surely was created for the sole purpose of playing Test rugby, and others like the industrious Adriaan Strauss and unrelenting Jannie du Plessis, is promising, not only for the showdown with England but beyond that. Meyer has the makings of a truly great Springbok pack, and the addition of Bismarck du Plessis, Andries Bekker and Schalk Burger next year will further amplify their potency.
There was little to excite from an expansive attacking perspective, but this is how it will be until the back division settles and finds cohesion and synergy. Meyer has been criticised for myriad reasons, but today he deserves praise for what was a clear directive to pound Scotland into submission through his heavies. The hosts never looked capable of repelling their surges in the first half, losing the gainline battle which consequently robbed them of contesting the breakdown in a meaningful way. When the momentum swung they looked equally inept at bossing the tackle fight, which undermined their cause.
For the first 40 the Springboks were able to control possession and, more pertinently, territory, from where they relied on the best rolling maul in the game to ravage the Scots. Pat Lambie banked two penalties before converting Strauss’s try after a maul.
So dominant were the Springboks that their hosts’ first entry into their 22m came in the 35th minute and their ambition was duly blunted by the brilliant Louw, who earned a breakdown penalty on his 5m line. It was 14-3 at the break, with the Springboks looking supremely comfortable.
That changed in the second half, with Scotland summoning a spirit that was reminiscent of the one that drove the Springboks to a second-half turnaround at Lansdowne Road last week. Strauss got his brace, anticipating and intercepting a pass, and Lambie added the extras, but that was the sum total of the time the Springboks spent in Scotland’s territory.
The home crowd’s belief was stirred with a well worked try off the lineout, scrumhalf Henry Pyrgos slicing through a hole engineered by intelligent splitting of the Springboks’ lineout formation. Greig Laidlaw converted and Scotland’s siege continued unabated. The composure and unfailingly accuracy the Springboks exhibited under extreme pressure was inspiring. They will take heat for what will be perceived as a struggle. But this Scotland team scored three tries against the world champion All Blacks last week. That is the perspective that should inform any assessment of this match.
The tourists held on, even when Flip van der Merwe was sin binned for cynical play. Are there major improvements needed in the week ahead? Absolutely. England are a far superior side and more capable of exploiting the Springboks’ deficiencies. An attacking edge continues to elude them. They again failed to convert their first-half time in the goal zone into more points, which would have made their passage more comfortable.
But this inexperienced Springbok side has passed another important test, one a superior team failed in 2010. Their education continues. The journey is long.
743 Comments
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17 Nov 2012, 23:48 pm
@LoanShark-294:
After watching Michilak tonight I firmly believe Bambie needs another season or 2 learning from the better and more experienced 10′s in the game…. The boy is not ready! but then, will he ever be?
17 Nov 2012, 23:57 pm
Oh well. A win is a win I suppose. And a job done.
And once again, it was the Bok defence that saw us through. There were massive hits going in everywhere.
But Heyneke, now is the time to recruit some specialists. The Bok clearing has to become a lot faster. The ball stays on the deck for far too long. And then Ruan looks left, and then he looks right then left again. Then it just becomes a vokop. There is just no continuity to the play, no flow what so ever. The forwards bust their balls in getting the ball but our backs have to wait while the opposition defences get their ducks in a row. Then it’s a road to nowhere.
Heyneke, use the Christmas break wisely, ou pel. You do need help.
17 Nov 2012, 23:59 pm
Bok ratings: Stellar Strauss!
View 18 comments Comment on this story
By: Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
2012-11-17 22:17
Cape Town – Good second half against Ireland, good first half against Scotland … warts and all, the Springboks continue unbeaten on their season-ending tour of the northern hemisphere.
The challenge now, perhaps, will be to attempt to produce a more acceptably consistent showing over the course of 80 minutes if they are to also see off England at Twickenham next Saturday for a clean sweep.
In a nutshell, the Boks again simply demonstrated, in seeing off the Scots 21-10 at Murrayfield, what we already know about them under Heyneke Meyer’s coaching tenure: that they are masters of physicality and sometimes amazingly unyielding defence, but leave many, many question marks when it comes to pizzazz.
Video highlights: Scotland v South Africa
That fact is reflected in forwards – admirably headed by Adriaan Strauss and Francois Louw – largely bossing the Sport24 performance card.
Here’s how we rated the Boks:
Zane Kirchner 6.5
This is becoming habitual: once again Kirchner didn’t dazzle (the Bok game-plan hardly helps) but you also have to laud his excellent composure and positional sense on defence … particularly in the under-siege second half.
JP Pietersen 6.5
Oh, for better opportunities for the long-legged right wing to build a head of running steam! But he still managed an influential game, courtesy of some inspiring, powerful drive-back tackling.
Juan de Jongh 6.5
One near-clean line break from what arguably amounted to one opportunity … if only there had been more? Also laid those lingering “size” doubts in some circles to rest with strong awareness and resolve on defence.
Jean de Villiers 7
Seriously committed and industrious considering his lead-up days were mostly spent in bed with flu. It’s a shame he becomes more and more a “contact” player in advancing years, but the skipper did ensure some key go-forward, all the same.
Francois Hougaard 6
More adhesive in defensive terms than against Ireland. But just maybe it’s time look at someone like Lwazi Mvovo out wide again, and even consider Hougaard’s restoration to No 9 at Twickenham.
Pat Lambie 5.5
Whether his natural game is currently restricted by “orders” or not, the Sharks darling again didn’t quite manage to exert any meaningful authority in the flyhalf slot. The No 10 riddle stays unanswered for the time being.
Ruan Pienaar 6
Solid and functional without being earth-shattering. One welcome mini-break, and a good finish by him to the punishing game. But also leaves some nagging doubts about the stealth of his service.
Duane Vermeulen 7
Strong man, yeoman worker … we’ve always known that. Saturday only underlined those hallmarks as he got stuck in with relish where the sun don’t shine. No silkier strings to his bow yet, mind.
Willem Alberts 7
Strong man, yeoman worker … oops, sorry, did we say that of the previous guy? You still feel the Bok loose trio could do with a whippet-like game-breaker, but the flip side is that the current combo undoubtedly does much more that’s good than bad.
Alberts certainly hurt some Scots in collision.
Francois Louw 8
Is this the form open-sider of world rugby? Another cracker of a match, to rank right up with his demon display in Dublin, and maybe even then some. Official choice for man of the match.
Juandré Kruger 6.5
Tackling technique and precision can still let him down on the odd occasion, but the Bulls No 5 did lift the bar a notch for 70 minutes on his iffy showing against Ireland.
Eben Etzebeth 7
Just 21, yet easily the senior Bok lock at present! Stays simply indispensable, despite such a gruelling maiden top-flight season. Amazing lineout prowess for a No 4 (who tends to be the more secondary lock in that capacity in the modern game), gritty mauling and some very timely tackles when Boks were under cosh.
Jannie du Plessis 7.5
Again, you could see why Heyneke Meyer was so determined to somehow patch up his niggles and have him out there, battle-weariness and all, for that right shoulder at scrum-time. Look how the set-piece wobbled when he was subbed at 53 min …
Adriaan Strauss 8
The consummate, all-round performance. Dead-eye accurate throwing-in, inspiring work as an extra fetcher, zealous mauler … and his second, opportunistic try was probably more important than his first in terms of ensuring precious daylight before the Scottish rearguard action.
Gurthrö Steenkamp 6.5
Largely satisfying return to the No 1 shirt for the bald Bok stalwart. Robust scrumming, especially initially, and a valuable carry during the lead-up to the tourists’ rolling-maul try.
Subs with enough game-time for rating:
CJ van der Linde 4
Ouch … fairly traumatic 27 minutes at the scrummaging office when he took over at tighthead, and paid a price in penalties.
Heinke van der Merwe 6
Perhaps not quite as forceful as when his fresh legs were infused against Ireland, but mostly fitted in soundly after Steenkamp’s
call-off.
Marcell Coetzee 6.5
Nice ability to inject urgency and high tempo almost immediately.
*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing
Sport24
18 Nov 2012, 00:00 am
@Hurricane-292: Ryan isnot Hemnigway.
Or Barbara Cartsand. And not even Enid
18 Nov 2012, 00:01 am
Hemingway
18 Nov 2012, 00:02 am
@kaksioek-298:
It sound like another one of those games/
But it seems the usual on here were happy with the game and outcome, i think they wear blue jerseys.
18 Nov 2012, 00:20 am
@Heavens Game-286: yep well said – people questioning Lambies ability when the real issue is the Obermeister giving the orders.
18 Nov 2012, 00:22 am
@ufo-223: Stop talking about Plumtree. this coach is a failure with what he achieved, with the very talented players in his squads for years. The same go for Coetsee at WP. With all the talent the WP have( the stormer groupies words) to only have one currycup to show for it in 11 years there must be something rotten under the mountain.
18 Nov 2012, 00:24 am
I have been to Ellis Park.
I have been to Kings Park.
I have been to Twickenham.
I have been to Millenium Stadium.
I have been to Stade de Fracais.
Amongst others.
All very fine stadia.
But I must tell you, tonight I went to s stadium that surpasses them all. A magnificent stadium… Camp Nou.
Wow, is all I can say. And a crowd of what must have been near 90,000 for a normal la Liga game….
Great to have caught the Bok game in a bar in Barcelona too.
18 Nov 2012, 00:38 am
@Liewe Luiperd-309: good on you bud.A friend went to see the Barca -Madrid game last year.He is stil tormenting me about it.
18 Nov 2012, 00:49 am
@Liewe Luiperd-309: Wow youre in my kneck of the woods. Live just up the coast on the Costa Brava. yeah Camp Nou is impressive and theyre about to redo it to make it even better.
18 Nov 2012, 01:21 am
@jet jungle-308:
“The same go for Coetsee at WP. With all the talent the WP have( the stormer groupies words) to only have one currycup to show for it in 11 years there must be something rotten under the mountain.”
You’re not trying to suggest that AC has been the coach of WP for the past 11 years , are you. That would be really stupid.
Let’s look at AC’s record as WP/Stormers coach in isolation. Since you brought it up, why don’t you put up his stats?
Remember, he started in 2008 as WP coach when Rassie was Stormers’ coach, if I’m not mistaken.
18 Nov 2012, 01:44 am
Too many people saying Lambie should be dropped. His performance today was one of the best we have had from a flyhalf all year. He got his kicks, made his tackles, and had some good tactical kicks in general play (the cross kick to Pietersen was very good)…. He is slowly building confidence and will develop into a decent flyhalf.
18 Nov 2012, 01:52 am
@Kaizan-313: I agree with that, I think if everybody left him to play flyhalf and build his confidence, he can be very good.I am a blue bull supporter but Lambie offer much more than Steyn.
18 Nov 2012, 02:06 am
lambie was fine, u can see the difference though when playing for a skop n jag legionair under the orders.. Would have like to have seen Boks retain possession when they were in the grim line of fire.They are Faar more effective when they hold onto possession and run at their opposition. The last 30min was crying begging and bleeding for them to hold more possession eg when in opposition territory ffs and not kick it away..
18 Nov 2012, 02:08 am
If this was a BRUTAL display by the Boks, I hope I’m not even near a TV, let alone the stadion, when they are BLUNT.
Vok, maar julle kan kak skryf.
18 Nov 2012, 02:09 am
Tactical kicking is fine But just don’t Butcher opposition when in opposition territory and u are in the need of slowing oppositions momentum..get in their half and then starve them of possession ffs don’t give them the ball when u get into their half and let them run strait back Past ur 22..
18 Nov 2012, 02:10 am
@nama1-312: Somehow my long and well thought out reply got lost in the world of the iternet. So in a nutshell, I know A Coetsee has been the stormers coach for 4 years. In that 4 years you guys played a defence only rugbygame and only came close but no cigar. This while having one of the most exiting backlines in SA. With the currycup you changed your strategy. Brilliant but it took Coetsee and Fleck 4 years to realise this? HM has shown more willingness to chop and change albeit very slowly in 1 year. Dont ask me about stats. The only stats I am interested in is how many superrugby tiles have he won? If the Stormers do not take it next year I never want to hear his name again for springbok coach. You surely got the players to do it next year no excuses.
18 Nov 2012, 02:15 am
@Kaizan-313:
Any FH,playing under Meyer’s instructions, will come under fire. The margin of error for a FH to having a average to poor game and having a great game, is just too small.
Landing you uppies on the TIEKIE or just ONE metre too far, is what determines whether you were good on the day or not. Kicking 80%+ of your kicks to the poles, is another.
18 Nov 2012, 02:16 am
@Guns-317: That sounds like the gameplan when fourie was playing. I do agree that holding on and offloading when its on is the way forward once you there. Somehow most Sa coaches see that as a alien consept viewed with suspicion. Surely it cant be that difficult to teach supertallented athletes that.
18 Nov 2012, 02:23 am
@jet jungle-318:
So, your choice for the next Bok coach would be Ludeke?
He did win TWO Super rugby trophies after all.
Why does AC have to win the S15 NEXT YEAR to come into contention for Bok coach after 2015, if I may ask? Everybody know that about 50% of the team that won the CC this year, is younger than 22 years old. Don’t you think you are a bit harsh in your expectations of AC and his team?
18 Nov 2012, 02:28 am
@jet jungle-318:
“Dont ask me about stats.”
Since AC has been coach of the Stormers:
2009: Not sure. (Help!!!)
2010: Losing Finalist
2011: Semi Finalist
2012: Top of the log. Semi Finalist
Not a bad record.
Agree. Silverware would be much, much better.
18 Nov 2012, 02:30 am
@nama1-321: No Nama he got the players now just like Ludeke and Meyer had . Anybody that think Meyer was not involved to the hilt in Ludekes wins is a little bit naive. Do you really want to tell me that Coetsee and Fleck did not frustrate the hall out of you this last 4 years?
18 Nov 2012, 02:35 am
The way the Scottish players were able to “burst” through the 1st line of defence of the Boks on occasions, were quite alarming.
No mention yet about our defence coach and what he is suppose to do in the coaching set up.
18 Nov 2012, 02:36 am
@nama1-322: Exactly if you like coming second thats beautifull. Is it harsh to ask for something more next year ecspecially with a guy like Flo back( i think) Eben, Schalk, Duane etc etc.
18 Nov 2012, 02:42 am
@jet jungle-323:
It’s not about them frustrating me as a WP/Stormer supporter the last few years. The game plan was developed and introduced by Rassie, not AC.
Yes, it was kak watching WP/Stormers playing that kind of rugby. Fortunately they realized that we won’t win anything playing a defensive orientated game hence the more attacking rugby in the CC which ultimately led to us winning the Cup.
I’m sure we’ll see a much more attacking orientated Stormers in the S15 next year. Does not mean we’ll win it though.
18 Nov 2012, 02:48 am
@jet jungle-325:
“If the Stormers do not take it next year I never want to hear his name again for springbok coach.
Now remember what you said: NEXT YEAR!!!
What happens if Stormers don’t win it next year but they win it twice in a row in 2014 and 2015. Remember, HM’s contract only expires in 2015.
In your esteemed opinion, should AC come into contention as Bok coach if he wins the S15 in 2014 and 2015 with the Stormers?
Hypothetically speaking, of course.
18 Nov 2012, 02:53 am
@nama1-326: The point I am trying to make is dont put Coetsee’s name forward if he have not achieved anything yet. Rassie actually lifted WPrugby out of a very bad place the same he did for the cheetas. If you look at the rugby the cheetahs were playing under Rassie, it was beautifull. I do not think this Defense at all cost can belaid at his door alone?
18 Nov 2012, 02:57 am
@nama1-327: Ok you got me I will give him untill 2015.
18 Nov 2012, 04:54 am
Most Bok supporters agree that Heyneke Meyer is an Idiot.
He is as stupid as he looks
I have to change my name
18 Nov 2012, 06:37 am
Judged on the EOYT the French is surely the #2 team at the moment. It is also clear why Michelack played at 10 above Lambie
18 Nov 2012, 06:52 am
@wnbb-303:
A strong bias detected here!
Steenkamp should have earned an 8,
JdJ at least 8.5 while JP is a certainty at 7.5
Kirchner’s rating is out of the scale
18 Nov 2012, 07:38 am
Anyone getting all excited about the win is delusional!!!
It was a pathetic performance against a very low ranked team. Poor Lambie looked really bad as he is expected to play the predictable poor kick and chase game…
Niknaks will be there for good as all he does is catch and kick. He follows HM instrutions to the T.
I would be really worried if I were the coaching team. England could take us next week if we play anything like this.
18 Nov 2012, 08:17 am
If there is justice in this world, De Jongh will keep his place. The game plan was poor and he bearly got to express himself. We saw the benefits of having specialist centres playing together.
Taute needs to get game time at 15. Kirchner is rubbish and that’s all we are missing in the backline.
Pienaar is the best 9 we have at present. unless Dupreez comes back, the that’s what we have.
Janjties needs to be on the bench and get 20mins to run.
18 Nov 2012, 08:18 am
@330
18 Nov 2012, 08:23 am
@Gumboots-333:
“Anyone getting all excited about the win is delusional!!!”
Agree 100%.
18 Nov 2012, 08:29 am
@Dawn-335: Hello Dawn.A very good morning to you.Have a wonderful day
18 Nov 2012, 08:29 am
@Tbozknows-334:
Taute and Morne will start.
HG will go on a crusade against Meyer for dropping Lambie and ET will just break down and cry. At least it will bring them even closer together.
I’m willing to bet on it.
18 Nov 2012, 08:31 am
@nama1-338:
I’m also willing to put a few Nelson Mandelas on that…
18 Nov 2012, 08:37 am
@Kaizan-313: I thought Lambie played a sound game too. It’s clear Meyer wants him to kick almost everything so within those parameters he achieved what his coach wanted. It’s boring sure, but they are winning. SA will (as usual) be very motivated to play England and this England pack just depresses me.
18 Nov 2012, 08:41 am
The performance is what we’ve come to expect from the Boks. I dont think we should be disillusioned. When was the last time you saw a Bok Team do a backline move that resulted in a break through midfield?
We run into bodies, nobody runs into space and I am beginning to believe that it’s bigger than Meyer. It’s a culture that goes back to Jake White days and beyond. There’s not enough of an emphasis on skills. It’s aggression then precision at set-piece.
Look at the skill levels of your average NZ player, whether a forward or Back? McCaw and Reid have unbelievable handling and ball skills. Vito, Messam and Kaino too. The reason why i use the A.B’s is coz they are the benchmark, like Nick Mallet said.
Against the British teams, i.e Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England, our predictability (to quote Mallet) gets us through, as they get a culture shock from the physical nature of the Southern Hemisphere. The industrial raw, but rural sympathy for the opposition is too much to handle.
We need to be more clever and take a game to the opposition. To be fair to England, they will try bring it to us. with moves we can defend, as they are executed poorly and England don’t have the skill levels. However at least they try to emulate the Mighty AB’s with moves that are way above threshold. The Boks are a safe tried and tested ‘no thrills’ institution of rugby. I am actually relieved to see the School boys raise the bar. The school boys try things as they watch lots of S15. They play with a freedom the National Side.
We will keep playing the percentage rugby, given Meyers attention to disciplined detail, plus he’s ‘Mr No Risk.’ We saw the Bulls, Habana thrived as Dupreez was our 9 and 10 with his clever kicking game and distribution, otherwise he probably wouldn’t see any ball.. We need to move our game forward.
18 Nov 2012, 08:42 am
@Big Hit-340:
It’s do or die for both teams next week.
SA have not return unbeaten from an EOYT in Europe afa I can remember while England will be smarting after their loss against Aus yesterday.
I’ll put my money on England for a win.
18 Nov 2012, 08:47 am
Suffer_guy has a crush on JDJ.
18 Nov 2012, 08:48 am
The big culpret to me was Ruan Pienaar.He started kicking aimless kicks into opposition hands and by the end of the 1st half we lost the fire in our bellies and never got it back.Lambie was doing well up to that point.I was screaming at RP like mad.Couldnt believe my eyes.
18 Nov 2012, 08:51 am
@nama1-338: If Morne starts i”ll lose it.
We have clearly shown a way forward with Lambie. I just don’t understand why we don’t kick to find touch? All we do is kick into hands. I’m for kicking if we do it into space.
DeJongh did okay with the little he had.
18 Nov 2012, 08:55 am
@Tbozknows-345:
HM has always wanted to play Steyn and knows that Lambie is a better attacking and link flyhalf and wants to expose his kicking weakness, which he did yesterday. Steyn will be 10 against England and Taute will be 13. Be ready for kick and chase from Steyn. That is the only game plan HM knows…
18 Nov 2012, 08:59 am
@Tbozknows-345:
Well, Morne having that little cameo of his probably suggests that his “resting period” is over now.
Tuilagi’s presence will be used as an excuse to include the “bigger” Taute ahead of the “small” JdJ. We all know that he is not a better defender than JdJ but that won’t stop Meyer, I believe from trying to bullshit the public..
18 Nov 2012, 09:00 am
@nama1-342: The greenhorn England coaching team think they can beat SH teams without a powerful tight five. Meyer is nobody’s idea of a genius coach but at least he gets that much about rugby, whereas Lancaster etc don’t. It’s just painful to watch England make the same mistakes of the last few years under a different coaching team, I wish the RFU had hired Mallett and Smith when they had the chance. SA are strong up front where England are weak, save your money if you were being serious.
18 Nov 2012, 09:00 am
@Gumboots-346: @Gumboots-346: If Meyer does do that, then we have serious problems. I don’t see a way forward.
18 Nov 2012, 09:02 am
that won’t stop Meyer from trying to bullshit the public, I believe.
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