Ageing Springboks have failed to adapt

It would have been a brave man to predict the outcome of the opening two games of the Tri-Nations this year.

Despite the results, there is not much that separates these two teams, but the Springboks were surprisingly flat and you have to question their level of commitment.

Often games are won or lost before the teams actually hit the field, and this may have contributed to the visitor’s demise. Their lack of preparation might have been an excuse for their lacklustre performance in the first test, but after another week in the country there was only a slight improvement.

There is no doubt that the Springboks have the quality of players at their disposal, but they have let themselves and their country down in recent weeks.

Last season they tended to rely on dominating the set piece, big defence and an accurate kicking game, but under the new laws they have struggled to keep up with the pace of the game. They were never allowed to settle in either Tests, and were always a fraction off the pace.

It is too early to write off the Springboks just yet because the All Blacks have simply held serve, but unless they adjust their playing style they may struggle.