Gulf between Boks and Blacks

Gulf between Boks and Blacks

24 Nov 2012

RYAN VREDE, in London, reports Jean de Villiers feels there is a significant difference in class between the All Blacks and his Springboks and that will take some bridging.

The world champions have been denied victory just once in 2012 (they’ve won 19 of their last 20 Tests), drawing with Australia. Their hot streak has featured some sublime performances, and they have become the benchmark against which many measure the Springboks. This was particularly evident when the Blacks put 50 on Scotland and the Springboks stuttered to an 11-point victory in Edinburgh a week later.

These comparisons are, of course, unfair on De Villiers’ young and inexperienced side. The Blacks’ standing now has been years in the making, while the Springboks are in the infancy of their journey. De Villiers was liberal in his praise of the Blacks, but also appealed for some perspective when judging the Springboks.

‘I think that gap is very big still between us and them. But then you look at the Dunedin result and we were in the game in Soweto before they outplayed us and we think that we’re really getting there,’ he said.

‘That’s a special team. They are showing the value of experience and of settled combinations. It takes time to build something like that. We’ve said a lot about soft moments costing us games this season, and experience helps to lower the chance of that. As an experienced player you’ve been there, made those mistakes and learned from it. Its about getting through that rough patch, and if they do the value will be there to see.’

But while the standard of measurement is likely to remain the All Blacks and consistent victory over them, De Villiers stressed the importance of the result at Twickenham against England in the context of their season.

‘The reality is that if you don’t win you’re looking at a 50% win ratio, which is below this team’s standards,’ he said. ‘We’ve only lost three [and drawn two], but it is important for us to win this one so we can go into next year with confidence. We’ve worked hard and had a reasonably successful tour from a results point of view. But we have to step up in different facets of our game, especially the attack.’

In saying that De Villiers touched on a sore point for the bulk of the South African rugby fraternity. The Springboks have scored just three tries on tour against opposition considered inferior, which has fuelled the widely held belief that they are conservative to the point of it being terminal. De Villiers disagrees.

‘There’s always ambition. The opponents don’t always allow you to do what you want. But you get judged by the result and people quickly forget about how you played when you win. History will reflect the score not the style,’ he said.

The Springboks will keep believing that they can replicate the try-scoring feats of the 2007, 2009 and 2010 Bulls (who led the tournament for try scoring in the last two of those years), whose method was identical. De Villiers pointed out that the lower standards of defence in Super Rugby had to be considered, but agreed that that is ultimately was where they wanted to take their attacking game.

‘We’re still very far off that. The way that they achieved that is with exactly the same game plan. It comes down to the decision making and clinical finishing, which is where we’ve lacked. Also those were very settled sides. That is the end goal.

‘We won’t lose focus of where we’re going and sticking to what we’re good at. If we can do that and win, I’m happy. We can’t please everybody. The flip side is that the high expectation is so crucial. Once you lose that and people don’t care anymore, then you’re in trouble. Our standards will drop and we won’t be able to get to No 1.’


315 Comments

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  • 251.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:37 am

    My 5 year old son spins the ball more than robin p…. Rather just pick another seamer then and let faf bowl… If you start talking robin p… You know your in trouble….

  • 252.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:38 am

    I think even that omar henry guy was better than robin p ….. LMAO… Omar henry….. LOL

  • 253.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:39 am

    Kleinveld!!!

    Go you good thing.

    3 down. One more today…at least.

  • 254.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:40 am

    @suffer_guy-251:
    Hopefully Vernon will be fit by the 3rd test, then Tahir can go

  • 255.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:44 am

    @CharlesM-247:
    I agree with you on Robbie P.

    Especially if they drop Rudolph and bring in Thami. Something they should do imo.

  • 256.John1976: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:44 am

    Rory is having a good game, really troubling the batters. Good on him for coming back so strong.

  • 257.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:44 am

    Also if duminy is ready one day… They should play faf and duminy… No rudolph please ….

    Smith
    Peterson
    Amla
    Kallis
    Ab
    Duminy
    Faf
    Steyn
    Morne
    Marchant
    Philander

    If you dont have a spinner that is decent… Then dont pick one…

  • 258.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:45 am

    When we used the all seam attack in the previous test it back fired badly. With Duminy’s injury we lost his part time spinning as well. The problem with our spinners is the fact that they are leg-spinners and with the many lefties in the Aus side it becomes off-spinners, which are generally easier to play (unless your name is Murali). Duminy was the only real off-spinner.
    And another short ball of Tahir being put away!

  • 259.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:53 am

    What if Kallis can’t play ?
    Rory has really stepped up in this test. I haven’t seen much of the first 2 days but the analysts in the studio were in agreement that Rory bowled much better than his figures suggested. I’m glad he got the wickets today!!
    Wow Morkel almost had Clarke!!

  • 260.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:54 am

    The pitch doing crazy things… I’d like the bowl thereon… I’m sure i’ll get a wicket or 4…. Anyone who is a bowler will do well on this pitch now

  • 261.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:56 am

    Kleinveldt isnt the answer.. Doesnt have gret pace… What about morris from the lions… Or marchant…. Pitch making rory look good…

  • 262.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:57 am

    Dale you biscuit!

  • 263.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:57 am

    Does anybody know if it is still raining at Twickenham ?
    I think Steyn has just ended Ponting’s test career

  • 264.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:57 am

    Steyn……You beaut!!!, lol ponting never makes runs anymore… Then they rate him above kallis??? Only in aus

  • 265.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:57 am

    @CharlesM-259:
    I was thinking the same thing about Kallis. Even if he can play and cannot bowl, it still creates a bit of a problem.

    Robbie P becomes important than if only to hold up one end as it seems as if Tahir is unable to even do that.

  • 266.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:58 am

    Nightwatchmen… 1 baller maybe… That will be awesome

  • 267.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:59 am

    @nama1-255:

    Robbie P has made me eat my words a couple of times. A great trier, someone who’ll never let you down.

  • 268.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 08:59 am

    Prediction…. End of days play … Aus 102/5

  • 269.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:00 am

    @suffer_guy-264:

    At last someone other than Kleinveld is picking up wickets today.

  • 270.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:01 am

    @CharlesM-263:

    Those were my thoughts exactly particularly with the Ashes coming up next year.

  • 271.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:01 am

    Yes…yes…yes

    There are the four wickets I’ve asked for. Clarke will be one moerse bonus before stumps. Still 5 over to get him before the end of the day.

    Go boys.

  • 272.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:04 am

    I also think this is the end of Ponting.

    Expect him to announce his retirement from test cricket by the end of this test.

  • 273.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:06 am

    @nama1-265:
    I felt that cricket is where you are really at your element ;)
    It has been vindicated now, such an insight!
    :-D

  • 274.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:06 am

    Clarke doesn’t seem to be in too much control at the moment. His wicket will be a HUGE bonus today!!

  • 275.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:11 am

    @suffer_guy-268: Another admin error?

    ;-)

  • 276.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:12 am

    The wickt will fall now brumy… Just 1 run more than my prediction

  • 277.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:12 am

    @Hondo-273:
    Thanks Hondo.

    I absolutely love the game.

  • 278.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:14 am

    @suffer_guy-276: Oops! Should’ve checked the score before posting!

    Silly me!

    Admin error!

  • 279.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:14 am

    5 down

  • 280.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:14 am

    @suffer_guy-276:

    Good prediction, lotto numbers please

  • 281.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:14 am

    Told you!!!,!,!!!,!

  • 282.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:15 am

    @nama1-277:

    There’s your 5th wicket.

  • 283.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:15 am

    Argentina by 6 …boks by 5

  • 284.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:16 am

    Nz by 18

  • 285.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:16 am

    Suffer guy you beauty!! Any predictions for Twickenham ? We can always add one lol

  • 286.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:18 am

    If it rains… Boks by 5 … If no rain… Boks by 9

  • 287.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:20 am

    @suffer_guy-283:
    Hope you’re wrong with Argentina
    Went for Ireland by 9

  • 288.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:20 am

    @nortierd-280: And Powerball!!!

    @suffer_guy-283: And Italy by 33, remember?

    ;-)

  • 289.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:21 am

    Anything under 350 ….. With plus minus 150 overs…. Difficult on this pitch, but we can take our time… Who knows… These 2 can add another 200 …. Will be interesting day 2morrow

  • 290.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:29 am

    @nortierd-280:
    :lol:

    Good fight back by the boys in the afternoon. From 77/0 to 111/5.

    If the wicket plays the same tomorrow morning as it did the 1st three days with wickets falling in the 1st session, we’ll hopefully bowl them out by lunch or just thereafter and chase about 330-350 for victory.

    On the other hand, if Clarke and Hussey do what they did so far in the series, we’ll be up against it by tea. It’s imperative that we get both of them out early tomorrow.

  • 291.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:34 am

    @I am a stormer-282:
    Yes, great fight back by the boys.

    First 16 overs they leaked 77 runs without taking a wicket.

    In the 16 overs after that, they took 5 wickets for only 34 runs.

    What a difference.

    All started by Kleinveldt. I’m really happy for him.

  • 292.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:36 am

    Long rugby day ahead and I did not have much sleep. Think I’ll take a nap for an hour or two.

    GO BOKKE!!!

  • 293.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 09:45 am

    @nama1-291:

    Tomorrow’s first session will determine the outcome of this match.

  • 294.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 10:15 am

    @I am a stormer-293:
    IAS, all my siblings live in Adelaide, so I know the city quite well.

    Lots of great places to go to especially the Barossa Valley which is an hour away.

    A cab driver once asked me “what village do you come from in Africa” I told him “Cape Town, a village 4 times the size of Adelaide”.

  • 295.ryecatcher: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 10:20 am

    @Slumtown-162: Nic theft.Report it to KEO.He should name and shame.It is a filthy thing

  • 296.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 10:29 am

    @nama1-290:

    Agree 100%
    Going to be tough, but not impossible

  • 297.ryecatcher: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 10:33 am

    @nama1-224: Rich man Poor man

  • 298.Brads: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 10:54 am

    I see lollygagging about cricket is more comfortable to discuss than debating the issue raised on this thread.

    Or has the consensus been reached already that the gulf between NZ and SA is accepted as fact.

  • 299.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 10:55 am

    Is this the 1st time that the Federal congress of the DA is shown live on TV?

  • 300.nama1: Reply to this comment
    24 Nov 2012, 10:57 am

    @ryecatcher-297:
    Yes, that was the name of the series. I just could not recall the name.

    Thanks. :lol:

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