It was the air campaign conducted by the Springboks, with those insolent, thundering bombs raining onto the opposing backs that won the war for the 2009 team.
This air superiority heralding in a purported golden era for the South Africans, the Boks used their bombers to effectively make way for the low aerial campaigns as they showcased their “pieces de resistance”, the lineout.
The rules of engagement were such that a fast runner behind the kicker could bring all the mid-field roaming players onside meaning that the player fielding the high ball was immediately swamped by the powerful Bok forwards.
The effects were devastating, particularly upon the All Blacks whom falling to a 3-0 loss record and losing their number 1 ranking were left with only a thread holding their mojo together.
The 2009 Tri-nations ended with a rightfully triumphant Springbok team hoisting the trophy and the calls were loud for “make way for the King”.
But all was not well within the Springbok fortress, with question marks over their true dominance with a loss to Australia and end of the year losses to France and Ireland. Two midweek losses to regional teams Saracens and Leicester were dismissed by the Boks as insignificant but the much heralded depth of South Africa was exposed in this instant.
The losses had the Boks fall from the number one IRB ranking, much to the aghast of their supporters, with New Zealand re-gathering their spot cushioned by a 6 game winning streak which included a crushing blow to Australia (whom thought they themselves were on the rise) and an absolute decimation and flawless performance against the much flaunted French.
Yet the drums kept beating and the Boks continued to be crowned rugby kings based on their wins against the All Blacks and a less convincing series win over the Lions. For how could the All Blacks be judged the better team if they had not beaten the Boks since 2008?
The lead up to the 2010 Tri Nations had a tension that was thick and heavy, with All Black support waning and the bookies shifting money over to the Bok corner. And the All Blacks quietly seethed in their darkened corner for 300 nights, until the time came for the Boks to well and truly stamp their dominance on world rugby.
Had this match ended closely, and the teams had finished on par with only a few points between them, few questions would have been aimed at this much applauded Springbok team.
But it was not meant to be.
The 20 point margin was not as traumatic for the Bok fanbase as the shock and awe ground war waged by the All Blacks on this dark night for South African rugby.
It was on this day – the first game of the most anticipated rugby series of the year, that the Springboks were overwhelmed and comprehensively defeated by a vastly superior All Black performance.
This was the moment, the All Blacks were under tremendous pressure to perform with their backs against the wall. The Springboks knew exactly what they were coming up against and had been painstakingly laying down their tactics and strategies for many a month, with their biggest concern being who to choose to represent them from their swelling talent ranks.
But the All Blacks were ruthless, startling and inspiring, the Boks seemingly mere spectators, guilty of believing their own press. The opportunity for them was gone. The Springboks leaderless and directionless, fell apart.
There are no excuses.
Even if the Boks are able to turn it around and win next week in New Zealand, the jury has already determined that the question “Have the Springboks entered a golden era of rugby dominance?” has been answered with an emphatic and resounding … No.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I don't mean to be pedantic, Neville, because I do agree with the gist of what you and Lee are saying, however if we're being accurate the SA touring side was pretty strong: Versus France & Ireland Mtawarira/Mtawarira Du Plessis/Smit Smit/Botha Botha/Bekker Matfield/Matfield Brussow/Brussow Burger/Burger Kankowski/Rossouw Du Preez/Du Preez Steyn/Steyn Habana/Habana Jacobs/Olivier Fourie/Fourie Pietersen/Pieterse Kirchner/Kirchner -- Lee, to be fair to Smit he did accept culapbility for his throwing, which is enough for me.
Ben S
Roar Guru
'They also lost to Aus.' And Leicester Tigers.
nicksa
Guest
Lil to early to write this, if the boks win the next 2 tests against new zealand then they have gotten the better of the all blacks!! no 1 expected the boks to clean sweep the tri nations. The all blacks won at home comfortably so?
Suzy Poison
Guest
Stash, you speak a great many truths in your article, but I wouldn't be so quick to write off the Boks just yet. In 2009, they did employ a kick and chase game that worked to perfection against the All Blacks. 3- zip says it all, then the rules changed and we were all told how the Saffas were one trick ponies, could not run the ball and would come last in the Super 14. Thing is two Saffa sides adapted best to the rule change and contested the Super 14 final. The All Blacks used the Reds game plan of never kicking the ball out, and just running at the big Saffa forwards all day long. On Saturday night, this game plan worked to perfection, because it never allowed the Boks to impose their set-piece game. This game plan however has some risks, a solid defending side, can weather the onslaught of attack and allow the attacking side to to become frustrated. That's when turnovers can occur. Henry will live and die by this game plan, but it remains to be seen if it can be repeated again on Saturday night, or in a pressure game like the World Cup final. I have my doubts as to whether this game plan can win a World Cup. However it is good to watch, it reminded me of Samoa Versus England 2003 World Cup.
Lee
Guest
Thanks Nev for some sanity... In my opinion the boks and ABs current teams aren't far off from each other, the SA team was never as good as some journalists made people believe and the AB team was never as bad. On saturday, the ABs simply wanted it more and turned the table son the Boks. They pulled a "Boks09" on the Boks - not in terms of tactics but in terms of bringing a tremendously physical game to them and putting them under huge pressure. I kind of agree with the gist of the article, that is the Boks can't claim an "era" now although I don't know many people who thought we had that claim - it seemed to be more prevalent on some websites and papers than it did amongst normal fans, as said before a year does not make an era. As a Bok fan, I am frustrated with the attitude of PDV and his coaches, why JDV on the wing? Why Olivier in the mid-field when De Jongh has played better for the Boks this year? Why bring in older players and push youngsters out i.e Butch James? Why claim you want to play "Total Rugby" then select a backline capable of one tactic, whilst leaving the more adjustable players on the bench? Why attempt a game plan without th etwo greatest exponents of it in your team(F Steyn and Du Preez)? The only reason that this worked last year was when a team decided to avoid the Bok lineout, they ended up kicking the ball to either the human cannon, Steyn or to one of the most accurate kickers in world rugby, Du Preez(who always dropped back for kicks). This team(and most sides) have no one near those players abilities. I am also frustrated with Matfield and Smit - if they are playing for the Boks currently with the sole aim of reaching 100 caps or the RWC2011. Then they need to quit. At the moment both look as if they are playing to preserve themselves for another year, as far as I am concerned, if that is the case they need to go to Europe earn their pensions and not play international rugby again - it doesn't matter who they are/what they have done in the past, every game of international rugby is not a right. I put the loss of our own lineouts down to one man on the weekend - Smit. If you watch the ones that the ABs won against the throw, Smits throw was so inaccurate that the ball was reaching the jumper at about his stomach height, meaning the AB jumper just had to throw his hand up. Sorry rant over...
Jerry
Guest
Er, don't you think beating the AB's in their 'back yard' (you know, the ground they've not lost at since the mid 90's and the venue for the WC semis and final) would be a bit of a good way to prepare for the World Cup? You know, keep the foot on the throat? Losing the Tri-nations wouldn't be that important, I agree. Losing a psychological edge over their chief rival would be, however.
stash
Roar Pro
James, Well exactly... the point is that there was no Era. BUT if the Boks had won by 20 it would most certainly would have perpetuated that myth. And in fact, it would have provided a good supporting argument in favor of the Boks. This was a crucial and critical game....pivotal in fact.... it was more than a game, more than a tri nations opener, more than a battle for the number 1 ranking, more than a virtual world cup practice run. The ABs knew and the Boks knew... I actually almost feel for the Boks....but then, of course, I come to my senses
stash
Roar Pro
Skywalker...what did you eat for breakfast? How does that even calculate! - 2 losses to the all blacks and the Boks win the tri-nations? So that would be a clean sweep of the Wallabies and the All Blacks lose all their games to the Wallabies and a bonus point pops up somewhere in the Boks favor? This year the Boks are looking beyond the tri-nations - what is this rubbish?? The Boks were favorites of the year...and have been since last year until Saturday night when they were severely dismantled. The big picture is the Springbok purported dominance...taht was trumpeted and hailed for a long time through 2009 till last week as a new golden era...was all smoke and mirrors.
Socboy
Guest
Oh so it's only about the world cup now. if this was true why all the hype about the 3 match winning streak. Why the obvious disdain at the the thrashing on the weekend. You are fooling no one International rugby is far more than winning world cups. As for the last decade why don't you go check how many Tri-nations titles NZ has won in that time
Skywalker
Guest
So if the Boks win the trinations and lose 2 games against the AB's on the way, you still feel the AB's will have the pyschological advantage over the Boks???? This year the Boks are looking beyond the tri nations and to the world cup. So what if they lose the tri nations and are ranked number 2 at the end of the year. Come the world cup, they will do what is necessary and play the "ugly" rugby on their way to a record 3rd title,whilst the number 1 team in the world chokes on a french chicken wing or something...Hoewever....i have to admit the AB's are favorites and with it been played in their back yard it will be a big ask for any team, but the Boks are up to it...They have done it before and know it can be done again, and what better way to stamp their world dominace in the AB's back yard. Look at the bigger picture fellas....The AB's have been seen as the number 1 team over the last decade...but have no world cup to show for it....
Neville Howard
Roar Rookie
Wow, when did the article turn into a lynch mob? Easy to point out their losses, but one needs to consider that the tour with a considerably weaker team during end of year tour, and have political challenges they need to meet in effort to retain favour with the government. Taking that into consideration, one will note, when the chips are stacked, and pride is at stake, they field their best team, they win world cups, and tri-nations. Don't judge them with one eye! Nev.
JamesB
Guest
The last time there was a Springbok era was 1998....if one year can be considered an era.
Jerry
Guest
They also lost to Aus.
JamesB
Guest
What Springbok era? The last I read they won the Tri-nations in 2009 and were the no.2 ranked team...hardly an era! And during that year they lost to France, Ireland and Saracens!!! I think you meant to say - The end of the Boks 3 match winning streak against the AB's.
Nashi
Guest
I agree Nifty, in another post I suggested that the Boks were missing a few pieces of the puzzle. Brussow, du Preez and du Plessis. If the ABs are trying to play that continuity game SA would have been able to counter it much better with these three on the field. Januarie is past his best, du Plessis plays a much better game than Smit in the loose and Brussow would have interupted some of the continuity at the breakdown. What it does demonstrate is that the much vaunted depth of SA rugby is a myth and a coach that cannot see how badly affected his team is by the absence of key players is also out of his depth. The Saffers did not have the artillery to continue with the up and under game and failed to adjust tactically. They may still have been beaten but if they had been able to stem the relentless All Black juggernaut even for a brief respite their big muscular forwards would have come into the game more.
stash
Roar Pro
Going for kick was a mystery - it would still have needed two converted tries to get even. It was an easy 3, being straight out front - but it was also a golden opportunity to place some pressure on the 22 and to back themselves. A try could certainly have given them momentum going into the last fifteen. Bad judgment call.
stash
Roar Pro
...and good riddance to the bombing air raids... I'm happy to see a few in play, but not a game built around high kicks, it is rugby after all, not AFL.
Neville Howard
Roar Rookie
The 'air campaign' was conducted by a number of players in strategic positions. Fourie Du Preez, a master of putting the loose forwards, and wings under pressure. Morne Steyn, with accurate kicks to the corner, and Frans Steyn kicking bombs into the opposition 22 with our pace men chasing after it. Come 2010, we have Ricky January who's only effective kick in 80 minutes is usually the kick for touch to end the game, and Zane who, unfortunately does not have the big boot on him, although he's a great player. This leaves Morne Steyn. One player to target and put under pressure. If that's done, our kicking game is disabled. That was done with great success. What I don't get, why...OH why, do the Boks, when they're 17 points down, with 20 minutes to go, kick for the posts? Don't they have faith in their loose forward and their back line to score tries? It's a waste, and a strategy the opposition can find sleep easy with.
stash
Roar Pro
Sorry Rin, This was the game for the Boks to stamp their authority on the All Blacks - if they had won this game they were set up psychologically for the year - if not through to the world cup. Plus the press would have been flag waving for them. That moment is gone... and that window of opportunity was slammed shut. If it had been the Boks doing that to New Zealand - believe you me, next week would hardly have mattered.
thesportsguy
Roar Rookie
@ rin. it was a telling loss though. @ stash.I could not help but think the same thing myself, the all blacks were about as clinical as ive seen in years. Watching the all blacks i could not help but think they tried to play the same way as last year, running out of their own 22, ball in hand and counterattack every time they fielded a kick in their half. Only difference this time was they executed superbly. Players made tackle busts, their back three worked superbly together, the link & offload play was exceptional and they continued to apply pressure and recycle ball quickly and efficiently. I always thought with more experience as a group together, and a continued approach to this style of play, it would one day pay off. By the 20 minute mark of the game the ABs superior fitness was showing. I for one am glad to see the kick chase rugby the boks play nullified.