Springboks’ formula looks sound enough to take Tri Nations

 
James Mortimer Roar Guru

By James Mortimer, 29 Jul 2009 James Mortimer is a Roar Guru

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In what was one of the better displays from the World Champions, Peter De Villiers’ men put the squeeze on the All Blacks early, before withstanding the New Zealanders’ now trademark second half blitzkrieg.

The South Africans not only avenged their 0-19 defeat in Newlands last year, but fired an immense broadside at their Tri Nations opponents showing they have the arsenal to take their third title since the competition began in 1996.

De Villiers has made plenty of noise about transforming the Springboks into an expansive running side, but quite simply, why would he want to?

These Springboks are not flashy. In fact when comparing what the All Blacks, Wallabies or the British and Irish Lions before them could produce in regard to tactical diversity, the World Champions would probably pale in comparison.

After all, even De Villiers himself would happily admit that he is not yet the coaching genius of a Graham Henry, Robbie Deans or Ian McGeechan.

Then again, the eccentric former scrumhalf for Boland and Griquas probably wouldn’t.

But as it was shown magnificently in Bloemfontein, all the tricks or fancy plays in the world count for little if you put your opposition under pressure physically.

In the Lions series, man for man the tourists in the backline looked more skillful and more creative than the Springboks, but the South Africans laid a platform of ferocious intimidation in the first 20 minutes of the first test that, for all intents and purposes, won them the series.

Importantly, the Springboks are building ironclad facets of play.

To be a truly great team, to go alongside a truism that you must contain three to four world class players, you also need to have certain facets of your play that can be counted on to dominate an opponent.

South Africa has long had one, with a lineout unequalled anywhere on the planet. This first phase of possession is all but guaranteed for the Springboks.

With an average of 20-25 line outs per match, it is an abundant platform to base your playing strategies from.

This is, of course, a bit easier when your opponents are unwilling to dispute this area of the game.

Now, however, it seems that South Africa has responded quickly and efficiently to the changing laws and rules of the sport.

The rolling maul has become an “allowable” weapon again, and the Springboks utilised this to devastating effect against the All Blacks.

When considering that this Panzer army often forms at the lineout, then the Springboks have two warheads of such apparent power that both New Zealand and Australia look vulnerable.

Especially when – with the greatest respect to the other Tri Nations teams – it doesn’t appear apparent that either the All Blacks or Wallabies have such indomitable facets to their play.

There was also the slightest of evolutions from the home team, moving to a different hybrid of defence by using an upper body collision technique that caused the All Blacks numerous issues at the tackle area.

The South Africans had planned ahead. It is no secret that the All Blacks are ball players, enjoying the natural freedom of looking for an offload, and the Springboks were ready for it.

Could these be indicators, despite popular opinion, that the World Champions are actually being well coached?

This of course, remains to be seen.

Sport is a fickle beast, and rugby is no different. But 24 hours from the match, local fans are proclaiming their team, now the IRB’s number one ranked side to go alongside their World Cup, are the unchallengeable best in the business.

On this display, to not add a Tri Nations trophy to this collection would be an unforgivable failure.

This was a cold, methodical and well disciplined beast. It seems that the furore of both Bakkies Botha and Schalk Burger’s ban may have struck a resonant tune for the South Africans.

While they were their typically uncompromising selves, there was little off the ball play and a remarkable sense of control.

So much in fact, that it was the All Blacks that earned the fury of the referee’s whistle.

As this now intriguing Tri Nations continues, there are only two simple questions to be answered.

Will the Springboks keep to their basic patterns, or will they try and open up their play. If they stick to what they are doing, one feels that this 2009 title is theirs for the taking. But as their opponents showed last night, it can be too easy to get “a little cute” and over force your hand if put under pressure.

Heinrich Brussow deserved man of the match.

The most pure open side that South Africa has produced in some time now appears to be essential to the team.

Will he give way to a returning Burger later in the tournament?

For, as a pack with a scavenger (something not fielded by the Springboks in many years), this South African eight looks to be the best forward unit in world rugby.

They have passed the first hurdle but not the first test. In the Tri Nations, that is winning away from home.

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