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Wow! What a spectacle that Ellis Park test match was. The atmosphere was out of this world. The chants and deafening noise during the Haka and throughout the game was testament to the occasion.
The Boks finally brought their ‘total’ game we all knew they were capable of playing. I’ve been very cynical and critical of them lately and still maintain that, if they had produced the goods on tour, they may very well have lifted the rugby championship trophy on Saturday night.
A few questions have been answered this weekend in my opinion. Firstly, Pollard and Lambie are the Bok’s best options at flyhalf. They were both magnificent on Saturday. Morne Steyn should still be part of the mix, but I’m not sure how yet? Pollard has done enough to keep his starting place in my opinion. He seems to be really enjoying his rugby, a wry smile from him in the fifty third minute said as much.
Francois Hougaard’s game best suits the Springbok’s style and he should be our number one option going forward. Fourie Du Preez, when available, our number two, Reinach our number three and Ruan Pienaar, as talented as he is, our number four.
A few questions remain unanswered. Who can they trust to take the tighthead reign from a desperately overplayed Jannie Du Plessis? This, I currently have no answer for. There are too many contenders out injured to stake a claim for the jersey. Van Der Merwe has done well with the opportunities he’s been given so far.
The number thirteen jersey has a few contenders in my opinion. JJ Engelbrecht would fit perfectly into the setup and should be brought in as soon as possible now that he has returned from injury. If any of you caught the Sharks versus Lions Currie Cup game on Friday night, you may have seen the big Andre Esterhuizen making a huge impact. Surely it’s time to take this talented youngster on tour?
If I believed the Boks were lucky to pip it in the end last week, then surely they were fortunate this time round? A fifty five meter herculean effort from Patrick Lambie, to take the lead in the closing stages, was the difference in the end.
Both sides played brilliantly but weren’t without their flaws. There were two lazy side entries, one by Jannie Du Plesis in the nineteenth minute and another by JP Pietersen in the sixty eighth minute, both had dire consequences for the Springboks. They are the type of errors that can change the course of a game.
The All Blacks lacked accuracy on attack at times, a lot of it had to do with the sheer pressure being applied in defence by both sides. In saying that, their backs were immense for the most part. Julian Savea was a very close candidate for man-of-match with his devastating runs. His chip kick in the thirty third minute and break in the fourty fourth minute were all class.
The All Blacks’ impact players shaded the Boks’ this time round. Steve Luatua was ever present and made some decent lineout gains as well.
The All Blacks showed why they have been so difficult to beat over the years. They are certainly an ‘eighty-minute team’. They never give up, never stop believing, never fade. The answer is there if you want to beat them (it’s not an easy one): Never lose focus, don’t make mistakes in your own half, never let them have a sniff.
Ultimately, the Springboks can be content with their showing in the Championship this year, not delighted, just content. It was very nearly one win from four games for them.
I won’t go into too much detail on the Argentina, Wallabies game later in the evening, other than to congratulate Argentina on breaking the duck and offer my commiserations to the Wallabies for a close loss after a terrible week in the media.
I believe Bernard Foley’s complaints regarding his eyes being lasered during place kicks. What I can’t believe is someone would actually be that selfish and deem it acceptable to laser a player in the eyes during a place kick. It’s disgraceful. I’m not sure what can be done to stop it other than strip searching everyone on entry to the ground.
All in all, it was a magical finish to the Rugby Championship. We can now look forward to the outgoing tours, a topic to be discussed in more detail I’m sure.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.