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, 12:00 pm
smoot = smooth
19 Nov 2012, 12:02 pm
@gunther-148:
Oh so good english is the criteria to be a good coach… So why didn’t you say so from the beginning… Sorry I don’t fit that criteria… Sorry not a good fit for me either…
Mallet’s English is good… Maybe???
19 Nov 2012, 12:03 pm
@Gumboots-144: Making assumptions are very dangerous.
19 Nov 2012, 12:04 pm
@Horings-153:
Oh –
So why even answer me then?
19 Nov 2012, 12:06 pm
@Horings-153:
Isn’t it: Making assumptions is very dangerous? I may be wrong as my english is not that good either… Gunther assistance here please…
19 Nov 2012, 12:06 pm
@gunther-132:
Wasn’t that the same time he applied for the England post?
I doubt if they would appoint him, a loose cannon in their hallowed halls, they don’t want that.
I don’t think anyone can dismiss his knowledge though, and unlike Meyer, he was still actively coaching till last year.
Meyer seems to have lost his finger on the pulse of new trends and game plans after becoming the Rassie of the Bulls
19 Nov 2012, 12:07 pm
@Gumboots-152:
Of course it isn’t!
look at Meyer, Divvie, Strooli, Markies.
You are a sure thing.
Plus you live in Pretoria
It’s all good.
I’ll deliver your CV to SARU tomorrow morning.
@Gumboots-155:
Correct.
Well spotted.
We’ll take Houding’s CV in too.
19 Nov 2012, 12:10 pm
@gunther-157:
So Pretoria is the criteria then…
Getting it ready as I type…
19 Nov 2012, 12:12 pm
@gunther-157:
You’ve chased Horings away now… I was just starting to enjoy my holidays…
19 Nov 2012, 12:12 pm
@Gumboots-158:
that shouldn’t be news to anyone…
19 Nov 2012, 12:13 pm
@nortierd-156:
It’s unclear whether he applied for the England job.
I think he saw that Lancaster was going to get it.
Who knows, if Lancaster keeps losing Mallet may end up with it after all.
I think AC is next in line there i\f Meyer should have a freak yachting accident organised by Billy and the rest of the Province fans that he has alienated.
A more interesting exercise would be to pinpoint assistants that could take the boks forward.
They have to be realistic though.
19 Nov 2012, 12:14 pm
@Gumboots-158:
I also live in Pretoria, but being an ex Cape Town resident and therefore supporting the Wee Pee and Stormers I realize I have a handicap and therefore humbly withdraw my application.
19 Nov 2012, 12:15 pm
@ufo-160:
Hey bud! How ya doin?
Can’t ask if you enjoyed the rugger on Saturday, at least the cricket starts soon…
19 Nov 2012, 12:15 pm
@ufo-160:
ja because all the recent bok coaches have come from there.
19 Nov 2012, 12:16 pm
@gunther-161:
Just the 2 of them short listed, he lost out.
To England’s detriment I believe
19 Nov 2012, 12:16 pm
@nortierd-162:
I’m also from Cape Town and also support Wee Pee and Stormers so I also don’t qualify…
19 Nov 2012, 12:16 pm
Amazing how many WPians live in Pretoors.
What did you all do to be cast out into the desert?
19 Nov 2012, 12:19 pm
@gunther-167:
The eleven lean years…
19 Nov 2012, 12:20 pm
@gunther-161:
after the game mallett said (in fun) something about really wanting the boks to smash the poms because lancaster had “got the job”… pretty much implying that he had wanted it…
19 Nov 2012, 12:20 pm
@gunther-167:
Couple of years ago they advertised posts to bring some culture and rugby knowledge to the Capitol, lucky us, we got the jobs.
Just kidding of course, before I get moered.
19 Nov 2012, 12:21 pm
@nortierd-165:
Agreed.
To be fair the SARU landscape would have to change dramatically for Mallet to get the job.
It’s like wanting Juan Smith back for the Boks.
A nice idea.
We probably have more chance of getting Kictch back in the driver’s seat.
19 Nov 2012, 12:22 pm
@gunther-167:
‘mazing how many bullitjies live in Slaapstad…
19 Nov 2012, 12:22 pm
@gunther-164:
19 Nov 2012, 12:23 pm
@ufo-172:
Not many.
Anyway we have got it the right way round.
19 Nov 2012, 12:23 pm
@ufo-172:
And Crusaders, Hurricanes etc.,etc……….
19 Nov 2012, 12:30 pm
@gunther-174:
if you insist…
@nortierd-175:
funny how the people they bug the most don’t live in cape town…
they add colour and humour to our culturally diverse and tolerant democratic metrosexopolis…!!
19 Nov 2012, 12:30 pm
@Gumboots-155: Well, it seems there is nothing to talk about when a Meyer fan is not on keo.
19 Nov 2012, 12:39 pm
@Horings-177:
There aren’t many of them whether on Keo or in the streets. I live in Pta and my mates are so peed with him, they cannot wait for him to step aside. By the way they are huge Bulls fans, but can see him at face value…
19 Nov 2012, 12:39 pm
@ufo-176:
Ha ha, true, and they pay the Stormers salary as well by buying tickets, so all good.
I sent in a letter to a mag on that very point, no one complains about Sharks fans at Ellis Park or Stormers at Loftus etc, yet they get vilified.
Just because I live in Pretoria shouldn’t mean I MUST support the Bulls etc.
My roots were formed in WP, so I will always support them, irrespective of which province I live in
19 Nov 2012, 12:41 pm
@Gumboots-178:
That is true, I am actually surprised by that.
But the guys up here know their rugby, so it does make sense that they see it for what it is
19 Nov 2012, 12:42 pm
Supporting WP while living in Pretoria is like being a massive fan of modern dance while doing time in Polsmoor.
19 Nov 2012, 12:44 pm
@Gumboots-178: @nortierd-180: The Bulls fans I know are divided. There are those who like Tac, simply refuse to see beyond Meyer’s alleged greatness.
Then there are the others……
19 Nov 2012, 12:46 pm
@nortierd-180:
They do too… Most think he has become so obsessed with the honour that he has forgotten about the basics… They get so p issed when he says I have chosen so and so and he and the family must be so proud and honoured… WTF… It is like he feels so good capping a new player…
19 Nov 2012, 12:47 pm
@katman-181:
… the doing time in Polsmoor is very true… the other part I’m not too sure of…
19 Nov 2012, 12:49 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-182:
There are the few who believe he actually is the messiah, but then there are those who know the truth… It is like a sect really…
19 Nov 2012, 12:49 pm
@Gumboots-168: Wandering in the wilderness..
19 Nov 2012, 12:51 pm
@katman-181:
Ha ha
At least Mondays were a little bit more sufferable this year.
During 2007 to 2011 it was hell, but it’s getting better
19 Nov 2012, 12:57 pm
A serious question, please people.
As well as he’s playing is Adriaan Strauss not carrying “too much” weight?
Please have a good look at him like I did on Saturday; his “stomach” alone weighs who-knows-how-much and I have serious reservations about him being able to carry on like that for much longer.
I am by no means a medical expert but to me he looks loke a heart attack waiting to happen.
I sure hope I am proved wrong but I was genuinely worried on Saturday.
19 Nov 2012, 13:03 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-188:
Isn’t that indicative of the need for outweighing the opposition?
Everyone seems to dwell on number of caps, collective weight of front row, scrum pack etc.
These stats are probably important, the technical experts can elloborate on that, but shouldn’t be the be -all and end- all
19 Nov 2012, 13:05 pm
@Gumboots-185:
Whether he is or isn’t, he’s getting crucified anyway.
19 Nov 2012, 13:08 pm
@David-190:
19 Nov 2012, 13:08 pm
@ryecatcher-186:
It sure feels like it bud…
19 Nov 2012, 13:48 pm
Semi-dead thread alert Skoppie – is this not a classic example of showing how to be a good winner
20 Nov 2012, 00:59 am
Keo I wouldnt go and call the Goose our first choice player as yet. We are in a transition for that position still. As much as Steyn is a “gonna” I still see him as the number 1 who simply needs rest and relaxation. Bambie did not impressed me enough on Sat, kicked stupidly, posession away in the 2nd half ( I say that as thats all that came about from those “stretegic kicks” he made). Who knows he might have been following “walkie talkie” porotocol…. Can the fella ever smile, he seems so misserable!!!
Panties, the Goose, and Bambie are all still inexperienced to make any judgement as yet. We simply have to play them all and get 10 caps to make a judgement.
And agreed with Blitz Britz, Why have the guy in the team if you dont play him. Yes Strauss played brilliantly, but Blitz Britz is talked about so much that we need to see if he has the qualities at test level. He has more energy too(less tired), because players are managed better in UK than in SA by complusory standards all clubs have to abide to. He is considered one of the most impressive players in the UK and for a few season now and should get the game time.
A waisted opportunity so far.
As far as standards go, I think what should be scrutinised is the lack of consistancy. Both matches were a game of two halves. Perhaps their is a strategy in the background where we might be experimenting tactics or following tactics(good/bad).
Our backline coach seriously needs scrutinising. Education needs to come in drastically. Our two tries against Scotland were poor. One a flook, one from the forwards. (talking about the backline). The players have, or should have enough skills combined with research from coaches of other teams deficencies to pull at least one try against the Scots, with no disrespect to them.
Note, our Forwards, there has been improvement since day one. We cant say the same for the backs, perhaps defence we can compliment to a degree.
And the only comparison we can make regarding the All Blacks, is the gap that exists. The All Blacks have for years now gone for 50 points where we might only ever get 30ish against the same team, and they play a different game style than us. This is a mentality issue that needs adressing but it is not something we need to focus on right now. His Majesty(HM) is not doing to bad considering. We have not had so many injuries as long as I can remember, so this is a different situation we are in.
Loosing to England will be of concern, hopefully we pitch up for this match and have a thinking caps on(no yellow cards).
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