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Springboks: Two steps forward, one step back

Roar Guru
25th August, 2014
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Bryan Habana playing for the Springboks. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Roar Guru
25th August, 2014
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1171 Reads

One step forward and two steps back. Trudging through mud and running on an uphill slope.

These are some of the thoughts that has accompanied me during the past weekend after Argentina has annihilated the Springboks not only in the scrums, but also at the contact areas.

Sometimes it is hard not to overreact when your team has failed to live up to expectations. I refrained from reading too much into the Springboks’ performance at Loftus, writing the performance off to the conditions – which in all honesty were atrocious.

However after witnessing the absolute demolishment of the Springbok scrum this past weekend, and all the subsequent domination by a Argentinian pack that have smelt blood, it is hard not to overreact.

Earlier in the Super Rugby there were rumours floating around that the Sharks were being played into the ground, that Jake White has taken too much out of his players and if the last few rounds of the Sharks’ performances are anything to go by, there may be some truth to it.

The Sharks front row comprising Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis and Jannie du Plessis had been experiencing some tough times against Nick Mallett’s World XV. They then suffered the same fate against Wales in their second during their June series and once again against Argentina in their last two Test matches.

When a scrum goes from the top ranked scrum in the Rugby Championship during 2013 to being annihilated in no uncertain terms the next year, questions have to be asked. Is it fatigue or technique?

The much touted line out prowess of South Africa may not have completely disappeared, but it has been significantly disturbed, injuries to Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth just returning from injury, Flip van der Merwe out with injury and also Pieter Steph du Toit, means that the Springboks have lost their continuity and mastery of the line out.

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Most would have thought the absence of Willem Alberts was hardly noticed, until you start looking back and realise it is his unavailability that coincides with the Bok pack to fail dominating opponents.

Alberts at best may be only a 60-minute player, but it is his physical presence that helps his pack to gain front foot ball and maintaining momentum in attack.

All of a sudden the physicality of Alberts is severely missed on defence.

Since the tenure of Heyneke Meyer, there has been little continuity in the halfback pairing, so much so, that the most pivotal area of any international team has been marred by unavailability of players, poor form, injuries, and subsequently no real partnership being nurtured.

Between Fourie du Preez, Ruan Pienaar and Francois Hougaard at scrum half, and Johan Goosen, Morne Steyn, Patrick Lambie and Handre Pollard, no combination has been allowed to settle.

The resultant issues are clear.

Finally, the midfield combination of Jean de Villiers and Damian de Allende is not gelling.

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The front row is an issue, but with the injury to Frans Malherbe, Meyer has little choice to continue with Jannie du Plessis unless he starts Lourens Adriaanse.

Beast Mtwarira has an injured disc which is apparently not completely healed. Adriaan Strauss should start at hooker and Trevor Nyakane at loosehead.

Give Beast, Bismarck and Jannie two weeks to recover, send them home with strict instructions to have no contact and only rest with a program to work on their conditioning.

The back row needs a bruiser, perhaps put Duane Vermeulen at seven for the time being until Willem Alberts has returned, and play Warren Whitely at eight. He will provide the extra line out option, and he does play a linking game which would benefit the Springboks on attack.

I fully understand Heyneke Meyer wants to play off nine, hence his stubborn reluctance to get rid of Ruan Pienaar now that Fourie du Preez is unavailable for the rest of the season.

However, even though Francois Hougaard is not a kicking halfback, he does have the confidence and ability to be more attacking. He has pace and is very strong and his pass can be accurate and snappy.

That is what South Africa needs primarily from their halfback – quick, clean, accurate and crisp service.

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It is clear Morne Steyn is at his best behind Fourie du Preez, as he does take a lot of responsibility on his shoulders which makes Morne’s job easier.

But now is the time to stick to a combination of either Hougaard and Pollard, or Reinach and Lambie, both these pairs play for their respective unions and will provide some continuity to the back of the Springbok pack.

In the midfield, Damian de Allende is not working at 13, it is a position he is unaccustomed to and after playing at 12 and 11 for the Stormers throughout the Super Rugby season this is where he can be better employed.

Jean de Villiers have played at 13 for the Springboks before, and should there for be better equipped to handle the outside centre berth.

The Springboks have a huge challenge ahead of them, and Meyer will have to realise he can no longer play musical chairs with his pivotal positions. Combinations take time to gel.

It does not happen overnight, and in my view, time for experimentation is over. The time has come to stick to preferred combinations.

Priority number one is his halfback paring. Whether he starts with Hougaard and Pollard, and sticks Lambie and Reinach on the bench, or vice versa, it is decision-making time.

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It would also be advisable for Meyer to discuss with SARU the protection and management of the players in a wider group, as fatigue, injuries and poor player management has made a certain impact on availability of players this season. Central contracting is becoming a vital aspect worth discussing.

Australia is waiting, and they are smarting, they are hurting and will undoubtedly be refreshed, reinvigorated and be a changed team not only in mentality, but also player personnel when these two teams meet in Perth.

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