By Sam Taulelei -
September 25th 2009 @ 2:01am
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Loading ...Tri-Nations Review: South Africa
South Africa's Bakkies Botha, left, Victor Matfield and Bismarck du Plessis celebrate winning the Tri Nations Cup after defeating New Zealand in the Tri Nations International rugby match, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/NZPA, David Rowland)
This is the first of a series of three articles where I’ll attempt to objectively review each team’s performance from this year’s Tri-Nations and assess their prospects for the upcoming spring tours. First up is this year’s champions – South Africa.
A third Tri-Nations championship to the Springboks has capped off a marvellous year of achievement for South African rugby this year.
Coach Peter de Villiers and his assistants Dick Muir and Gary Gold changed their freestyle approach from last year and developed a more structured, playing strategy based upon pressure, pressure, pressure. A quote from NZ rugby columnist Marc Hinton succinctly sums up their season, “The reality is the Boks don’t beat you with their brilliance. They beat you with their resilience”.
By applying and sustaining pressure they strangled the life out of their opposition like a giant anaconda. They were dominant at the lineout, and used intelligent, accurate kicking, strong defence and relentless chasing. However it was the introduction of two newcomers to the side that had a dramatic effect on the Springboks fortunes in this year’s Tri Nations.
The enforced selection of impressive newcomer Heinrich Brussow, through injury to Schalk Burger, proved to be an inspired and inspirational choice.
Brussow’s work at the breakdown as a traditional fetcher, provided the Springboks with an edge they had previously conceded to their rivals Australia and New Zealand.
The Boks have never lacked for size in their forwards and Brussow’s speed and strength over the ball enabled them to take advantage of their size at the breakdown where even opponents as highly regarded as Richie McCaw and George Smith played second fiddle to the man from Free State.
When Morne Steyn replaced an injured Ruan Pienaar in the second half against the All Blacks at Bloemfontein, he looked composed, comfortable and totally in charge.
Not since another famous Northern Transvaal son has there been a Springbok flyhalf who could tease, dominate and destroy opposing teams with his boot.
Together with his namesake Francois Steyn they proved to be a lethal one-two knock out punch to any team that transgressed within sixty metres of their goalposts.
Their goal kicking display in their final Tri Nations match in Hamilton was of the highest quality and conveniently at an appropriate venue, the home of former All Black legend “The Boot” Don Clarke, who is now a South African resident.
The pressure the Springboks brought to bear forced Australia and NZ to either kick possession away to get into the Springbok half, or try to play the game from deep within their own half, without a great deal of success.
Despite the negative criticism their style of rugby attracted from Australian and New Zealand media and fans, they were the only team to score a four try bonus point win this season, and were only outscored by tries in their loss to Australia.
Their breakout performance this year was the win at Hamilton to complete a 3-0 clean sweep against NZ.
It was a clinical, controlling performance, all the more impressive being their third match on the road and following an unexpected loss to Australia.
While the All Blacks launched a late rally to close within three points, there were no arguments about the final and deserved victors of the match and the championship.
A large part of the Springboks success was a lack of serious injury; they were a largely settled squad and were able to establish combinations particularly in key positions.
Will their Tr-Nations success automatically translate to a successful, unbeaten spring tour for the Springboks?
They’ll certainly be buoyant, optimistic and confident. It will be interesting to see if the Boks retain their successful tactics or continue to develop their game and broaden their attacking scope.
Italy, France and Ireland generally possess bigger forwards than NZ and Australia, so will pose a different challenge for South Africa.
France impressed on their June tour, outplaying NZ and Australia at the breakdown and was extremely competitive at the setpieces.
They loom as the strongest challenge to South Africa.
Italy are strong scrummagers and will look to test the Springboks front row but don’t possess the strike runners to threaten South Africa’s defence and you won’t beat this team on penalty kicks alone.
It remains to be seen if the style of play adopted by the Lions this year will be taken on by all home unions, however for the likes of Ireland who featured some player’s central to the attacking spark for the Lions they are well placed to seriously challenge if not upset the Springboks on tour.
They will have all taken note of the relative experiences and successes the Lions and Antipodean teams have had against South Africa and where the Springboks showed their vulnerability.
However, I would be surprised if the Springboks don’t record a clean sheet.
It should make for a fascinating tour.
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Knives Out said | September 25th 2009 @ 2:27am | Report comment
The last time that SA won the 3N they wen’t 2-2 (?) on their European travels. I’d half like to see them do better just so the public don’t have to listen to any more of Jake White’s public swipes.
Juan Smith is already out of the tour (allegedly) and he does a lot of good work.
pothale said | September 25th 2009 @ 3:59am | Report comment
I predict we’ll have euphoric outbursts of the greatest SA team ever if they win all their matches on tour, (along with the NH teams just don’t cut it at the big boys table) and equally strident outbursts of ‘it was an end of year, second-string development team’ if they happen to lose any, a la the third Lions test.
Either way, the NH teams won’t come out on top, in SA eyes.
katzilla said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:13am | Report comment
Lol its no win for either side Pot,
The old ‘We are at the begining of our season and you are coming out of a hard competition’ line shows up every year at the 606.
And if a loss to a SH team then the ‘We are at the end of a very hard season and your fresh’ line comes out.
Nick (KIA) said | September 25th 2009 @ 6:30am | Report comment
Will the NH teams come out on top in NH eyes if the Boks lose any tests?
Knives Out said | September 25th 2009 @ 8:10pm | Report comment
Yes, because, for example, before the tour the Australian team will have been in camp for months. That sort of group work just isn’t available to the NH teams. Also, the 3N teams have just experienced the 3N whereas the NH teams are cold, so to speak.
katzilla said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:14am | Report comment
Cold? or Fresh Knives?
There are pros and cons to being both at the end of a long season and the begining of a new one.
Knives Out said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:34am | Report comment
There’s no point in being fresh against a battle hardened side, Katzilla. As we saw with France v New Zealand.
Willem said | September 25th 2009 @ 8:34am | Report comment
France has been a bit of a bogyteam for the springboks over the last few years, ithink the springboks lost their last few games against them. Lets hope the trend does not continue.
Photon said | September 25th 2009 @ 6:51pm | Report comment
Yeah pothale, sort of like how you guys came up with any number of excuses for the succeses during last years end of year tour, not to mention the lions tour. From England are a developing side, to the boks were just lucky at cardiff and murrayfield. Anyway it should be am interesting tour regardless, France and to a lesser extent ireland have proven to be bogey sides for the boks, so it will probably be a difficult tour, would love to win all the games, but I suspect the boks may come unstuck at croke park, after a tight win in france and a good win in Italy.
Knives Out said | September 25th 2009 @ 8:13pm | Report comment
Sort of how you guys (and Australian fans) come up with excuses as well?
ThelmaWrites said | September 26th 2009 @ 12:57am | Report comment
The Australians in Brisbane showed how to beat the Springboks – run at them all day. They expected the Wallabies to engage them in a kicking contest, and the latter didn’t. Consider the potential try in the corner saved by Habana (was it Lachlan Turner? I don’t have the tape with me here in Kuala Lumpur). I had never seen the Boks look so flustered. They were standing in little clumps, looking stumped.
The Springboks have elevated the line-out to an art-form. Many times they will release the ball to their half-back while they are still at the top of their jump. At one time, the jumper punched the ball to the half-back. Regardless, their opponent must contest the line-out as if to question their superiority. Then the rush defence must take out the backline.
On this basis, I think the competitive NH teams will be France, for their abillity to change their points of attack, and Walesfor their rush defence (mainly). Also both can gain ground without the pick and drive. I have not seen Ireland play, therefore I have no way of judging them.
Umm, maybe I’m just saying what everyone else knows? But I greatly respect your efforts to get us Roarers to think deeply about the game.
ohtani's jacket said | September 26th 2009 @ 1:43am | Report comment
The South Africans don’t really have anything to prove on their end of year tour, so I don’t expect them to steamroll their way through the tour. If they do, it will be a sign that they’re getting better, which doesn’t bode well for the rest of us, but it just doesn’t seem like the South African way. I imagine we’ll see a repeat of last year’s tour, where the performances are scrappy but they’ll blow out their final opponent. I think they’ll go undefeated.
Knives Out said | September 26th 2009 @ 2:22am | Report comment
I think they’ll struggle without JDV and Frans Steyn. Now they need a new 12 and a new 15, plus Juan Smith is absent. I’d wager that France, Ireland AND Leicester will beat them. However, I reserve the right to remedy that judgement when the appropriate squads are released.
ohtani's jacket said | September 26th 2009 @ 9:34am | Report comment
Can’t really see them losing three games on tour.
USRugbyFan said | September 26th 2009 @ 6:11am | Report comment
Smith can be replaced with Burger, Rossouw, or Jean Deysel so I don’t think that will be a worry for the Springboks. De Villiers might try to slot Pienaar in at 15 again, and at 12 they can use Olivier, who is capable but no JDV.
Knives Out said | September 26th 2009 @ 6:20am | Report comment
I think Smith’s loss will be a worry for the Springboks. It’s unlikely that Deysel is anywhere near ready and neither Rossouw or Burger have played/play 6 regularly. Smith is the unsung hero of the SA pack. His loss removes a big line out option and affects the composition of the back five.
Olivier is your typical SA centre. Big and strong but limited. Make no mistake – SA have lost two big tactical players and a kicking machine.
katzilla said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:18am | Report comment
I think F Steyn is over rated and a one dimensional player.
Can’t wait till Jantjes comes back.
Justin said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:30am | Report comment
Agree about Steyn Katz, I thought Kirshner was the best 15 in SA this year but didnt get much of a crack from memory.
Knives Out said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:03am | Report comment
Yeah, I don’t think he’s a good fullback, and he’s very error prone, but his kicking (when on song) is phenomenal. He’s gathered a lot of caps for such a young man but his talent hasn’t yet flourished in the way his 07 WC form suggested it could.
van der Merwe said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:36am | Report comment
I guess that’s what happens when you get messed around like that.
van der Merwe said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:34am | Report comment
Jantjes had his moments but strikes me as being a style over substance player. Furthermore, he may not return the same player he was. That was a pretty bad break.
van der Merwe said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:29am | Report comment
Burger didn’t play too badly at 7 (6) on short notice. Mind you, he pretty much just did his usual thing. I’ve heard people refer to Deysel as a one dimensional thug but it’s just so fun to watch him put his shoulder in and go over multiple tacklers. Potgieter is another loose-forward that de Villiers should blood sooner rather than later. His versatility (he can play anywhere in the backrow) stands him in good stead.
I agree Olivier is not in the same class as Jean de Villiers.
Knives Out said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:32am | Report comment
Juan Smith has the domestic relationship with Brussow. How much does Burger’s selection affect the play of Brussow? Also, the French and Irish line outs are very good, so SA will have to rely predominantly on Matfield and Spies, and to a much lesser extent, Botha.
van der Merwe said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:58am | Report comment
Well, one of Burger’s best facets of play is the cover he provides his 10 channel, which means that he would actually have to bind on the open side of the scrum, which, if he forgets himself (as he did a few times in Hamilton) could be something of a hindrance to Brussow (obviously).
Loftus said | September 28th 2009 @ 12:56am | Report comment
Shame Knives Out,you’re at your best when you’re trying to say negative things about the Springboks.So everyone listen up…Knives Out says that the Springboks will lose against Ireland,France and Leicester.(What makes you think the Springboks will beat Italy,Knives Out?)You obviously don t know a lot about rugby because all your predictions this year about the Springboks were wrong.Each and every prediction that the Springboks will lose by you were wrong.And that must make you a very angry man!!!
pothale said | September 28th 2009 @ 2:08am | Report comment
He did say that he might have to revise that once the squads are announced, Loftus.
Since you obviously know a lot about rugby in comparison, who do you say the Boks will lose to?
Knives Out said | September 28th 2009 @ 3:11am | Report comment
Obviously not half as angry as you you silly sausage. Maybe you’d like to drag out all those negative claims from me pertaining to Springbok rugby. As I recall I was quite complimentary toward their style of rugby following their victories – something that a lot of people weren’t. I don’t remember saying that SA would lose every game, more that I thought Australia would take the title due to their three home games. Pothale is spot on. You strike me as an analyst so maybe you could help revise my opinion and inform me why SA – missing three of their key players – will have a good tour and beat France and Ireland – two teams they have struggled against when playing away (and in France’s case in SA).
pothale said | September 28th 2009 @ 4:02am | Report comment
The good news is that while Jean de Villiers had an okay first outing for Munster in their 4 tries to 1 home victory over Dragons – he didn’t disgrace nor distinguish himself – his other SH compatriots were first class for Munster with Mafi and Nick Williams in particular stealing many of the plaudits – Williams got MOTM for his hat-trick of tries. And great to see Tomas O’Leary back to his darting best after a fast recovery from his injury. He and Phillips are going to give de Preez a run for his money as the current best scrum-half in the game this year in the AIs.
Knives Out said | September 28th 2009 @ 4:06am | Report comment
Williams is a big ol’ unit.
I wouldn’t write off Paul Hodgson or Danny Care just yet, Pothale.
You had a fortunate result last night. What on earth was Heaslip thinking?
pothale said | September 28th 2009 @ 4:39am | Report comment
True. Rush of blood to the head. Leinster are not looking pretty at the moment – and we were lucky. What did you think of Sean O’Brien last night the Leinster No 7? Was quietly impressed with him and his workrate and hits.
Edinburgh are a good outfit, and should certainly finish top four this season. And depending on how Leinster/Munster are performing in H Cup may well take the League.
Williams was a powerhouse for Munster – Leamy and Wallace have had their cards marked on the No 8 spot. McGahan will be happy with having choices, but may come under ‘pressure’ from Kidney to give Wallace game time.
Without wishing to be pedantic – have Hodgson or Care done enough already this year for consideration or are you predicting stellar play from them in the AIs?
Knives Out said | September 28th 2009 @ 4:58am | Report comment
I only caught the last ten minutes of the game but I noticed O’Brien last season and thought he looked a bit of a rough diamond. Tough and aggressive but lacking finesse. He hasn’t always been a 7 has he?
Indeed, Andy Robinson has departed and Edinburgh has carried on where they left off. They’re a handy side, but perhaps too lightweight to make dents in the European scene. I can’t believe that Paterson missed that kick. Lucky Jamie.
Hodgson has had a really good start to the season, but if I’m being pedantic I should point out that he was just as good last season, so little has changed. He’s a Gregan-esque player (the early years, I mean) in that he guides and harries, but doesn’t make the breaks that Care does. His cover defence is exceptional and he passes and kicks well. I would certainly feel comfortable with him starting for England, but I’m not sure I see much point in him being a bench player.
It’s an added bonus that Irish currently look the best side in England and that he played so much under Brian Smith. Care is playing OK to good, but nothing to write home about. Care rarely plays badly, however. Joe Simpson at Wasps looks very exciting, but then a lot of 9s do in their younger years. Breaking and sniping is only a small part of the 9 role. Thus, I think Hodgson could do a very solid and error-free job with the England pack and Wilkinson.
ohtani's jacket said | October 3rd 2009 @ 2:00am | Report comment
Sam, when are you going to do the rest of these? This site has turned into bedlam with no games on.
ThelmaWrites said | October 3rd 2009 @ 2:47am | Report comment
Sam
Like Oj, I have been keenly looking forward to the rest.