Bok standards unacceptably low
19 Nov 2012
JON CARDINELLI says that while this Springbok side shouldn’t be expected to attack like the All Blacks they shouldn’t be excused for performances devoid of innovation, precision and potency either.
A colleague of mine asked a question in the build-up to the Murrayfield Test, a question that summed up a prevailing expectation: ‘How much will this Bok side need to win by in Edinburgh to get a pass mark?’
The All Blacks had set the bar high with a 51-22 thrashing of Scotland, an astounding attacking display that served to highlight the New Zealanders’ global superiority in breakdown play, vision and execution. It seemed my colleague, and I suspect many South African supporters, would not be content unless the Boks savaged Scotland in a similar manner.
Personally, I had tempered my expectations. I argued that the All Blacks were a world champion side, that they had the players in the forwards to dominate the point of contact as well as ensure a quick ruck recycle, and that their backs had the vision, skill and precision to complement that high-tempo approach.
I believed that this Bok side could not compare, as the absence of nine first-choice players (read Beast Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Andries Bekker, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Fourie du Preez, Johan Goosen, Frans Steyn and Bryan Habana) would limit their collective potency.
And yet, I still expected this present Bok side to convert the majority of their attacking opportunities in a clinical if not spectacular manner. Indeed, if you total the number of times they crossed the gainline on Saturday, and the number of times they worked their way into the opposition 22, the end result should have been far more than just 21 points and two tries, one of which was an intercept.
The Boks scored their first try through a powerful and clinical forward drive. It was a fine way to start the game, and seemed to signify that the Boks were in the mood to execute. Unfortunately, it was the only example of potency.
There are numerous examples of individual players bashing their way beyond the gainline, or in a few cases, using their feet to beat one or two defenders. Unforgivably, the Boks failed to maintain this attacking pressure beyond a few phases.
The forwards did well in several facets last Saturday, most notably on defence, but their ball retention at the rucks left a lot to be desired.
The Bok backline hasn’t enjoyed much of an opportunity to settle this season, but they should still be operating at a higher standard. That lack of synergy was patent last Saturday, with players performing as individuals rather than as combinations. Worryingly, these players also showed a lack of patience and decisiveness on attack.
The Boks would earn the opportunity to attack from deep within the opponents’ half, but it seemed that once they had played themselves into these positions, they didn’t have a clue of what to do next.
I still don’t believe that you can compare this Bok side to the All Blacks team that is currently touring Europe. Having said that, the Boks’ recent attacking performances shouldn’t be accepted as standard, not by the Bok coach, players or fans.
The Boks are not the All Blacks, but as another colleague keeps reminding me, they are not Romania either.
The level of execution is unacceptably poor at present. While I maintain that the next Test against England will determine the success of this tour, I cannot discount the underwhelming attacking performances against Ireland and Scotland, and what they may portend for the finale at Twickenham.
England are a far tougher defensive unit than their Celtic counterparts, and won’t offer South Africa as many attacking opportunities. What this means is that the Boks will need to be far more clinical than they have been in the past fortnight.
They won’t get seven or eight chances to score tries, and won’t be afforded as many shots at goal either. They need to make the most of each venture into opposition territory.
That needs to be the message from the coach, the support staff, and the senior players. The focus and attitude needs to change this week. I’m not advocating a radical change in strategy, I’m simply suggesting that Heyneke Meyer and company demand a higher level of execution. And in demanding a better attitude, Meyer should also look to himself for an improvement.
Adriaan Strauss has enjoyed a strong tour, but Meyer’s failure to deploy reserve hooker Schalk Brits has been unfathomable.
Brits has no defensive deficiencies, and has proved himself to be a strong set-piece exponent over the past three European seasons. Significantly, he has the potential to lift the tempo in the second stanza, to add some spark to the attack.
The Bok starting line-up needs to deliver a more clinical showing at Twickenham, and Meyer needs to back his bench to build on that performance in the second half.
It is also time for Meyer to back Elton Jantjies as a matchday squad member. Morné Steyn is not an impact player, and if he is not good enough to be in the staring line-up he is not good enough to be in the squad.
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194 Comments
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19 Nov 2012, 09:17 am
Cheetahs fighting to keep Juan
Cape Town – The Cheetahs are doing everything within their powers to try and stop loose forward Juan Smith from moving to France.
Smith has fully recovered from an Achilles injury, and is apparently close to signing a deal with French club Bayonne. English club Bath is also eager to sign the 31-year-old.
Smith was not among the nine loose forwards – Marnus Schoeman, Justin Downey, Leon Karemaker, Lappies Labuschagné, Davon Raubenheimer, Tertuis Daniller, Philip van der Walt, Heinrich Brüssow and Boom Prinsloo – recently named in the Cheetahs’ provisional 2013 Super Rugby squad.
However, coach Naka Drotské on Sunday confirmed to the Volksblad website that they are trying to convince Smith to stay on in Bloemfontein.
Business interests in Bloemfontein could play a part in Smith’s final decision.
Smith hasn’t played since he got injured playing Super Rugby for the Cheetahs against the Bulls in February 2011, while the last of his 69 Tests for the Springboks was against England at Twickenham in November 2010.
19 Nov 2012, 09:21 am
@David-49:
I don’t think you should be taking English lessons from Capo.
19 Nov 2012, 09:25 am
@ufo-51:
He has been a fantastic servant of Free State rugby.
One of the most loyal players around.
I am sure nobody would hold it against him if he went overseas to cash in during his swansong.
19 Nov 2012, 09:25 am
@ufo-51:
Wow, can you imagine Francois Louw and Juan Smith playing together for Bath!
19 Nov 2012, 09:28 am
@ufo-51:
I can’t see them keeping him.
The cheaters have less money than a platteland municipality and he’s just too much of a long shot fitness wise.
he should go to France with their blessing.
19 Nov 2012, 09:29 am
@WP-Forever-53:
absolutely…
one of south africa’s most universally liked and respected players ever… i would back any decision he makes as i’m sure most of us would…
hope he finds his form again… would be great to see him in a bok jersey again…
@WP-Forever-54:
why bath…?
article says he’s going to france…?
19 Nov 2012, 09:32 am
@gunther-55:
yeah gunther… agree with you…
to me the exciting part of the article is that he has apparently recovered fully…
wherever he does play, if he regains his old form, heyneke will surely select him..
19 Nov 2012, 09:35 am
Elementary Dr Cardinelli. Get a damn backline coach who is not a Meyer “yes” man. Why does anyone think Hougaardt is out on the wing and Kirshner is still in the side. The AB’s have 2 genuine wingers versus our one and they have Isreal Dagg who hits the line a speed. If Taute is everything he is cracked up to be why not give him a start at 15 Meyer? It’s %^$%^$%^$ bizarre!
19 Nov 2012, 09:35 am
@ufo-56:
Bath are trying to sign him.
19 Nov 2012, 09:40 am
@WP-Forever-59:
don’t i look a right twat…!!
unreserved apologies… missed that in my excitement that he is fully fit again…
19 Nov 2012, 09:41 am
@WP-Forever-53: @ufo-57:
One player who has nothing to prove.
Ultimate team player and by all accounts a genuine all round nice guy.
Wish him nothing but the best in whichever path he chooses.
19 Nov 2012, 09:43 am
@gunther-42:
look when you phone to find out where the problem is and why the power is off……and they clearly have no clue and serve you some pre worked out answer only for your wife to phone 5mins later and then you get different answer, you know it was not the hippos!
I just laughed and said. I want my KFC also hot, please put on the power…..and the reply was…” I will tell them to hurry up” 8)
I love these adds where they say….electicity usage is too high, please turn of all lights…………’ Well after not having power all weeked I will burn as much as I like thankyou very much!!!!
19 Nov 2012, 09:44 am
@nortierd-61:
indeed…
19 Nov 2012, 09:50 am
In regards to the article above, I tend to agree 100% , the current boks performance is rubbish. HM continues to ask for time for the team to gel, what rubbish , they are playing **** for a number of reasons . 1. The team selection every week is poor, 2. The current game plan is just so old and does not work . 3. The flexibility to let the players , “play” what they see in front of them has been taken away . Yes we have a secondary team playing at the moment , but still we are looking more like a team ranked 8 or 9 th rather than the number 2 team in the world . We have a hell of a long way to go , however will go nowhere fast if HM continues with his poor selections and outdated game plan . Bokke forever !!!
19 Nov 2012, 09:53 am
@AndreVR-64: Andre , he will tell you we wom , much the same as Stormers in S 15, they killed the game but they won.
19 Nov 2012, 09:53 am
won
19 Nov 2012, 09:54 am
we won , felt like a wom
19 Nov 2012, 09:57 am
We are going to start running soon….
19 Nov 2012, 09:59 am
@capebull-65:
I’m happy if the Stormers win.
Nice to have bragging rights in the Bulls Capitol.
And yes, it is unattractive, but it still feels good.
19 Nov 2012, 10:01 am
I believed that this Bok side could not compare, as the absence of nine first-choice players (read Beast Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Andries Bekker, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Fourie du Preez, Johan Goosen, Frans Steyn and Bryan Habana) would limit their collective potency.
Seriously ? Why not add John Smit’s name in there as well. Only first choice bok absent is Habana and probably Bissy
19 Nov 2012, 10:06 am
@nortierd-69: I can not agree , the Bok win felt hollow , cause they killed the game. If Hm comes out and say , we are going to play not to lose, and then play to win later its OK , but to play not to lose is not OK.
19 Nov 2012, 10:06 am
Funny how Meyer gets the blame for Lambie’s up and under outside his 22 from good quick ball.
Lambie has kicked more, that is due to Meyer’s instructions. He also kicked very well at certain times. Better than Steyn! “Our flyhalf needs to dictate play” – Meyer told Lambie.
BUT Meyer will never tell Lambie to kick an up and under just outside his 22 from good ball. Sure, he did it due to his mindset being influenced by the coaches, but Pienaar and Lambie are the decision makers on the field and that decision was poor. Lambie will be a better allround flyhalf after this tour.
19 Nov 2012, 10:11 am
Also some idiots says Flouw is proving Meyer wrong. This is as if Meyer was under pressure to select him???
I will say the following: Louw is proving some WP supporters wrong by showing everyone that Meyer is not as narrow minded as some think. He has no ties with the Bulls and he is also a fetcher. Meyer also brought him in with no pressure to select him. This is proving some supporters wrong on 3 counts.
19 Nov 2012, 10:12 am
Its hilarious all the stormers supporters taking “ugly” wins all year long in super rugby but as soon as it comes to the boks winning ugly is unacceptable.
ja well no fine.
19 Nov 2012, 10:13 am
@capebull-71:
Oh, I agree with you.
The comment regarding the Stormers was tongue in cheek.
After such a dry spell and the Bulls success in the last couple of years I took a lot of justified abuse on the chin, so it’s nice to go to work on a Monday when we win more than lose.
19 Nov 2012, 10:17 am
@nortierd-75: Thats true about
19 Nov 2012, 10:21 am
@gunther-74: Ja, and then they will tell you de Jong is the next Mannetjies Roux. Gio Aplon is the best attacking back in South Africa, Habana is player of the year. Peter Grant is the most underrated flyhalf in SA, but they cannot score 4 tries against the Rebels at home.
Contrary to this the Bulls scored a 36-23 semi final win over the mighty Crusaders with Kirchner, Ndungane, Marius Delport, Jaco Pretorius and Morne Steyn all starting.
19 Nov 2012, 10:27 am
@Horings-73:
Morning Horings! Flouw is proving Meyer wrong.
Firstly Meyer said a fetcher was not needed. He then selects Flouw and he proves that a fetcher is very important in the modern game.
Secondly the Stormers were playing for a trophy, just like the All Blacks did when they won the world cup. You play differently when playing for a trophy as many of you have said before. Stormers won the Conference Trophy and then Western Province went on and won the Currie Cup.
Thirdly Meyer still hasn’t learnt. He is not playing Stormer rugby, he is playing Bulls rugby of 2009 which were played under different rules and with different players. Stormers are defensively good playing that game plan and won many more games.
Finally this is our national team and yes we expect them to win at all costs, but we expect the coach to be honest and consistent in his selection policy. Unfortunately you wouldn’t be able to see the different rule for different players…
Nuff said…
19 Nov 2012, 10:28 am
@gunther-74: we want HM to select all the Stormers. Then we want HM to teach them to play running rugby.
19 Nov 2012, 10:30 am
come to think of it. I can see the correlation now… teaching coaching coaching teaching.
19 Nov 2012, 10:31 am
@shooter-79: Ohdearfuckno.
The Stormers and WP are moving towards a more ball in hand type game – seriaaaaaaaaaaaas. Coaches and players admit that defence alone won’t win them anything, and their medium risk CC style combo forward/back rugga paid of.
Stormers to build on this…
Get our players away from Meyer, as he the damage might be irreversible…..
19 Nov 2012, 10:31 am
@shooter-79: Come … come , even for HM some things are impossible
19 Nov 2012, 10:32 am
1. Drop Kirchner, move Lambie to 15
2. Put Jantjies in at 10
3. Move Juan de Jongh to 12, rest Jean
4. Move JP to 13
5. Bring Mvovo in at 14
6. Drop Backline coach Ricardo Laubscher
7. Hire Nick Mallet as a consultant
8. Drop Kruger, move Alberts to 4 and Etzebeth to 5
9. Drop CJ from bench, replace with JC.
19 Nov 2012, 10:40 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-81: is HM not allowed to build? I think there is progress. The tight forward game is exactly what HM needed to see before this team is going places. Serious even more. Our backline will start showing results soon.
19 Nov 2012, 10:41 am
@Jake_White-83: and from there we take it week by week….. play it by the fancy
19 Nov 2012, 10:44 am
@shooter-84: I want a coach who can build us a “Nkandla”
I’m sorry mate, I just don’t see any improvement at all, from June to now. Zero. I don’t mind anyone stumbling, failing and moving back a few paces when it’s clear there is a long term goal.
I just don’t see that.
When the 1st backline ball we get is kicked haaaaaaaaaaaai in the skaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai (***dankie Stormersboy***), you know it might be a long afternoon…..
19 Nov 2012, 10:45 am
@Gumboots-78: “Firstly Meyer said a fetcher was not needed” When did he say this. The point Meyer made was he does not pick any fetcher just to have a fetcher in the team. Bismark du Plessis he deemed can play that role better than most local fetchers. Bismark was injured and then Meyer selected a player that had the same attributes most fetchers had in Meyer’s coaching life. I am amazed why the only fetcher in the 2007 World Cup group came from the provincial team Meyer coached if Meyer does not believe in fetchers.
Regarding your last comment. Meyer may have different selection policies for different players. For instance, he told Lambie he needs to work on his tactical kicking game and he told de Jong what he needs from his outside centre. Both these players knew what they needed to work on and Meyer repaid them with a spot in the team. You will hear the following phrase from the players “We knew exactly where we stand with Heyneke”. That is all the players need.
Now let us go back to Mallett, who you all love because he once picked a starting Bok team with 14 players from WP. NOT even his captian at one stage knew where he stood with Mallett. Mallett may be a man of many words, but he is well known for his lack of player management.
19 Nov 2012, 10:45 am
@gunther-74:
it was barely acceptable…
only on the second rung on the acceptability ladder…
1: Winning – playing great creative running rugby
2: losing – playing great creative running rugby to a team playing greater more creative running rugby on the day…
3: winning: playing ugly rugby…
4: losing: playing ugly rugby…
so our stormers acceptance of winning ugly was only due to it being better than losing ugly…!!
but you’re correct… we’re all very contrary and contradictory on keo depending on what colour glasses we’re wearing…
19 Nov 2012, 10:47 am
@Jake_White-83: Which JC, the loose head from the Lions?
19 Nov 2012, 10:47 am
@gunther-74:
but i will be really peeedoff if ac does not continue and expand upon the more open style with the stormers that they were trying to implement with wp…
19 Nov 2012, 10:50 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-86: You think there has been no improvement in our defense or forward play? I know some supporters only see backline moves and this is the ONLY criteria they judge a team on, but I have news for you. The forward play in rugby is much more important than fancy backline moves. Did Meyer achieve success in his first year with a young pack? Yes, he did.
19 Nov 2012, 10:53 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-86: we dominate first and foermost. then we play. subdue and debilitate. I think HM first needed to get that part right. There was lot of focus on that. Alot of concentration. The first test where we played consistently OK for 80 minutes.
You don’t want to see progress. You just want! to swear when we kick the ball. Nevermind all the evidence that we are not even kicking the most of all teams.
Sure I wasn’t that entertained in the strawberry dacquiry way that some would prefer… but tell the Boks who played on Saturday that they weren’t making progress… that they didn’t hurt the opposition in a rugby sense.
If you are England… how do you prepare to nullify the Boks? You think because we played ugly they won’t be shitscared at what’s coming to pitch up this weekend? The Boks are gonna play the same game? Or if they get near the mark where they were this weekend in the first half, the backs won’t give the ball more width…. i think the process is in motion…. slow motion maybe, but still to fast for some to comprehend.
19 Nov 2012, 10:55 am
@Horings-87:
You right! No one ever knows what HM says, because he never makes sense. He speaks in riddles and gains very little respect from anyone… He clearly said he doesn’t need a fetcher, thus no Brussouw, yet Brussouw has been huge in the Bok jersey. Defend him as much as you like – he is a loose cannon and I for one will never believe a word he says. He lies, he confuses and when you watch the players on the field you see confusion and no confidence. He screams like a baby and his actions alone gives no one confidence… He will go down as just another average coach.
Mallet has the results to prove his worth… He tells it as it is… He is not perfect but he knows how to see flaws in the HM plan… I think we all do…
19 Nov 2012, 10:58 am
@shooter-92: what’s more, next time we rock up in Scotland, they won’t be thinking they have chance that casullay.
19 Nov 2012, 10:59 am
I say…. less Super 15… more tests!
19 Nov 2012, 11:00 am
@Horings-91: Having said that year 2 needs to be a year where we see a more balanced approach. The following needs to improve:
1. The decision making from 9, 10 and 12.
2. The coaching of our attacking game and our backline play. Slow ball needs to be made quicker and quick ball needs to go through the hands at speed and flat to the line. For this we need centres that can break the line and put the ball through the hands at speed
3. We need a flyhalf that can vary his play. Lambie, Goosen and Jantjies are these players. A flyhalf that can vary his play increases his options and can execute his decision made in nr 1.
4. Interplay between loosies and backs. We have always been a country blessed with big, strong and skillful loosies. These skills need to be used in a more dynamic approach.
All of this will be made easier, now that we have quality depth in our pack who can control the ball upfront.
19 Nov 2012, 11:01 am
barely acceptable.
all these mallet disciples.
has anyone wondered why he didn’t apply for the job????
or is life just easier being a wiseguy in the supersport studio?
19 Nov 2012, 11:05 am
@gunther-97:
I think Meyer is wishing he didn’t apply either! He thought a few super trophies = international success…
How wrong he was…
19 Nov 2012, 11:06 am
@Gumboots-93: Tell me, who made more steals this year when they played together. Brussow or Coenie?
Did you watch any of the Cheetahs games before the June test window? Did Brussow play well?
This controlled and respected Mallett you are talking about that will not loose his control. Is this the same one that blamed a Bok defeat on his young halves? Is this the same Mallett that lost his marbles by dropping his captain and playing Venter at lock.
19 Nov 2012, 11:10 am
@gunther-97:
Mallet has been there,done that and had success.
I for one love his honesty and wish they would team him up with John Robbie, now that would be fun.
HM got the job, and he has leeway to implement his plans, however if he expected a rah rah chorus with mediocre results, he should have asked Supersport to appoint the Bulls Babes on the panel.
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