I would like to start off by saying that as a Saffa, I am really confused. Why are we playing consistently? What the hell is going on? I thinks it’s time our overpaid politicians got involved to make things feel normal again.
Someone needs to bring some sanity back to South African rugby. We are getting way too ahead of ourselves here.
The greatest team in South African history? What is this rubbish?
How can we refer to a side as the greatest side in a country’s history when players 12-15 have barely run five yards with the ball?
Although this is a really good side, it is nowhere near as complete as Gary Teichman’s 1998 Springbok side.
The combination of Joost Van Der Westhuizen, Henry Hannibal, Peter Muller, Japie Mulder/Andre Snyman, Stephan Terblanche and Percy Montgomery were a better backline. In my opinion, the hardest defensive 10, 12, 13 combo in South African, and possibly World Rugby, history, at least since the beginning of the professional era.
There was also a lot more depth in the 1998 team when you look at who was coming off the bench.
What we might have in this side is the greatest and most ruthless forward pack in our country’s history. Are they dirty? Yes, to an extent.
But to a point where you can refer to this intimidation and aggression as cheating? Definitely not.
Intimidation is a great weapon on the rugby field. Anyone who has played the game will know this. All forwards push the laws.
Richie McCaw plays to an offside line which seems at times to move as he needs it. What Australia are up to at times in the front row is anyone’s guess.
As for my fellow Saffas, Bakkies Botha, Bismarck Du Plessis and Schalk Burger are borderline in the foul play department and sometimes well over it.
The question is: does one side’s means of pushing the laws outweigh the others’?
There will no doubt be someone bringing up the fact that the South African way results in injuries. The fact is, they enter the ruck from behind and on their feet.
If someone wants to bring up the fact that they are not bound to another player when they enter a ruck, please see if you can find some footage of a forward who is.
If you want to fringe against the Boks at the ruck, you are running the risk of injury.
This South African pack and flyhalf can travel and win, although give the Australian side 45 percent possession and 20 percent of this decent phase ball and their backline will cause a lot of problems.
The problem for Robbie Deans is coming up with a method to get it.
Daniel Vickerman could have been one of the easier solutions.
The All Blacks are waiting on Dan Carter. If I was the New Zealand rugby nation, I would not be all that confident pinning my hopes on the return of one man. As good as he is, and although he might be the spark that backline needs, he is still going to need to get the ball.
I think we should step back, stop blaming refs (Australia), stop crying about the IRB treating us unfairly (South Africa) and enjoy what could be a very exciting second half of the Tri-Nations.
Mark
Guest
Ziggy, my opinion was the same until I watched the Crusaders vs ?? game this year. Leon McDonald had just returned from a neck injury. Burger tackled him, got to his feet to compete for the ball while McDonald was lying on his side on the ground. One second later he knee dropped McDonald in the neck & ribs. It was one of those things that most people wouldn't notice but having the dual advantages of slow mo replay (which I immediately did as I couldn't believe what I thought I'd seen) & a background in fighting arts I did notice it & was able to understand it for what it was. A cheap shot that had a lot of intent to seriously injure a defenceless opponent. After that I have watched Burger a bit differently & have come to the conclusion that his style is to try to injure through fair means or foul. Fair is fine as it's within the rules, but foul doesn't belong on a field. It's a pity as he was always one of my favourite Bokkie players as he embodies total commitment when he plays. So here's the caveat, maybe he's been having a bad year but what I've seen this year has been not very pretty watching. Although with Brussow now having a crack I doubt we'll see much of him anymore
Ziggy
Guest
Surpised at that comment. Apart from the unforgiveable eye-gouging incident I was under the impression he was considered a very tough but clean player. He gives away a lot of penalties but mainly via offside etc.
Mark
Guest
Ziggy, Giteau is not in the same league as Bruger when it comes to dirt. I always had respect for Burger for his total committment, unfortunately he seems to combine it with moment of complete thuggery these days (or maybe I didn't notice it previously).
OldManEmu
Guest
Sheldon - this is a magnificent article. ' What is the canned substance in your hand in the photo? Honnibal was indeed a great Number 10 but would he have been able to have so ruthlessly carry out his coaches instructions and execute those instructions, as have the Steyne boys. I doubt it. For me, this is the strength of this crop of Bokkies - great decision makers at 10.
Spencer
Guest
This limited style of Rugby that the Boks are using starts at S14 Rugby. If you check the ratio of Penalty Goals to Try Conversions of South African kickers in the S14, it obvious that SA Rugby is aligned to this limited plan. Winners are grinners...the spectators are sleeppingg...zzzzzz
Ziggy Olivier
Guest
Agree with Sheldon on that side. Remeber them running in 7 tries against France in Paris? Honibal was a very under rated fly half. He would demoslish todays defences with ease. His greatest benefit to the Bok side was that the opposition always had to commit several players to stop him getting over too far over the advantage line. Fourie and Du Preez would run in tries aplenty if they had Honiball behind this current Bok pack.
Ziggy Olivier
Guest
MR what is view of Giteau then?
Darryl SA
Guest
"We simply found a tactic that works well right now so why change?" Geoff, if what you say is true, then it's sad that with 13 Wallabies on the field we couldn't change tack a little and run the ball don't you think? I'm also perplexed that a backline with the number of caps that they have are not able to switch gears with 13 men on the field and expose the defensive holes left by the 2 man absence. I'm all for sticking with a game plan, but adapting to the conditions/situation on the field is surely also important? I dunno. I'm not convinced. I saw what a difference decent coaching (i.e. Eddie Jones) made to our backline in 2007, so perhaps our current backs coaches are just not up to it? Or are they told to strictly adhere to the plan and not divert no matter what? I doubt it, but even more sad if that were true. Like I said, I dunno. I'm perplexed. I guess we'll find out soon enough over the coming weeks.
Geoff Pereira
Guest
Personally i think there are a few folk in for a surprise. I don't believe for one moment that our backline is anywhere near as crap as most believe. We simply found a tactic that works well right now so why change? If forced into a running game, i believe the backline we have is very capable (ok maybe not JP so start with Odwa Ndungane instead and bring in Bjorn Basson as his under study).
MR
Guest
Very funny Sheldon. SA are one heck of a team with ponteital to get a lot better. We'll have to see if the ABs remember how not to infringe in the next 2 games. You almost lost me with your justification on Burger though, dirty shite that he is.
Temba
Guest
Stop giving the Saffas reason to kick at post, force them to run the ball, if they are as week in the backline as everyone thinks then Deans and Henry should take this advice. Dont give penalties away dont let them kick cuz they cant score tri's... simple hey?
Temba
Guest
HAHA I am with Ziggy… If South Africa win in Perth using the “boring” method and secure the 3N cup, they will play the dead rubber matches with flair. Lets all hope they win in Perth so the PDV can use his favourite method of rugby in Brisbane and Hamilton. Let hope the penalties dry up in the next couple of matches too, it spoils the game (Aus and NZ) Lets hope hey?
Ziggy
Guest
This type of intelligent article has no place in this forum. You need to include more bias.