It’s been a hard few weeks as a Springbok fan. Hell can be the only way to describe the last three weeks for the not-so-long-ago, high flying Boks. Three consecutive losses at the hands of the All Blacks and Wallabies have left the Tri Nations defence in a near impossible state.
Humble pie, with extra serving of reality.
Many Springbok fans, myself included, had high hopes for the Boks of 2010.
After the Eden Park disaster, we thought it was just a bad day, perhaps some jet lag. Then we flew to Wellington where we improved, but ultimately failed. We thought, hey, the ref was shocking and bias possibly cost us the game.
No need to panic.
Off to Brisbane on a very pleasant evening in great conditions. Here is our chance, we thought. But it was not to be. Again in the opening minutes we saw a Springbok sent off the field (admittedly, for stupid play from who someone who is otherwise a great player).
I was at Suncorp and my heart sank when I saw the yellow card hoisted into the air for the third time this Tri Nations. I knew from that moment we were in for another long 80 minutes of rugby.
Although the Springboks and Wallabies scored two tries apiece, discipline let the ‘Boks down, as it has in all three games thus far.
So what went so badly wrong? Selection, for mine, was the biggest concern.
Wynand Olivier; He not cut out for international rugby, simple as that. Why he was selected, I will never understand. He was an absent figure in all three Tests. He made no impact and was often caught out on defence, particularly against the All Blacks as Ma’a Nonu ran amuck.
Ricky Janurie; Played abysmally in the opening two Test matches and should never have been considered for Springbok selection, especially when he is not even good enough to make his provincial side. To say he was bad is an absolute understatement.
Zane Kirchner; Although he did not play particularly badly, he had little impact on any of the three games. Francois Steyn is a far better option in the 15 jersey as he brings the massive bonus of a huge boot, which has proven vital to Springbok success in recent seasons – most notably his 60m effort in Hamilton against the All Blacks last year and the 50m effort in the World Cup final against England.
Jean De Villiers; I have a bright idea, let’s play the best inside centre in the world on the wing! This selection is one many people simply cannot understand. Gio Aplon is so obviously the best choice for the 14 jersey, yet Peter De Villiers decides to move the world’s best inside centre to wing and South Africa’s best wing (with the exception of Bryan Habana, of course) gets left on the bench.
Decisions like these are what cost the Springboks any chance of being successful in this year Tri Nation’s campaign, made worse by the ill discipline and poor refereeing. (It was bad. Like it or not)
Where to now? Well, with a miracle of sorts needed to keep the Tri Nations trophy in South Africa, the Springboks have only pride to play for.
Not all is lost, though.
The World Cup looms and these losses might be exactly what the doctor ordered for another successful World Cup campaign.
Just for one moment, let us think back to 2006. The All Blacks were flying high and the Wallabies taught the ‘Boks a lesson at Suncorp winning 49 – 0. So we can take a little comfort in that.
Now it is time to look ahead.
The Wallabies take on the All Blacks this week in Melbourne and it will be nice to watch a game without my blood pressure going through the roof every time I hear the whistle and an Irish accent.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
Bokkie Bokkie Bokkie... I applauded your contribution to this forum the other day, welcoming counter-arguments and alternative views but it's one thing to put forward an argument and another thing entirely to put forward abuse. For the record I agree that Spiro seems to never hesitate at having a dig at South African rugby and I can understand how this could provoke what it has. To be honest I think that's half the reason he writes what he does - i.e. his articles are always the most commented upon and he is writing to deliberately provoke discussion, argument and activity on this forum. So I'd stick to countering his arguments - i.e. feel free to call his articles wrong, bias or whatever (even stupid perhaps!) - but avoid personal abuse at the man himself. You may just be reinforcing a stereotype which might be what he is after!
Bokkie
Roar Rookie
because knock out games are the ones that count in a world cup
Bokkie
Roar Rookie
Bokkie
Roar Rookie
Bokkie
Roar Rookie
"this site is about respectful sports debate" hmmmm... ...Just a quick question. Why does that ony apply to some people?
Zac Zavos
Editor
Bokkie - you are now on moderation. You need to calm down - this site is about respectful sports debate, as our seasoned Roarers have patiently and clearly pointed out to you. Any comments outside of our comments policy will now be deleted. A note to all that being moderated isn't fun; Roarers need to earn the right to chat freely on this site. Zac The Roar
Bokkie
Roar Rookie
Nope, it would not be. I just dont like the way in which he writes about the Springboks.He has an anti South African undertone, thats what I dislike. Anyway, enough about that... I am not commenting any further with regards to spiro. Wanna ask me something about my article, go ahead, I am happy to answer :)
Killerwhale
Guest
BHB, classic analogy! Very accurate one too.
mampara
Guest
Sheek...you've got nothing
Rusty
Roar Guru
like the analogy Temba
Moaman
Guest
Guys,have just trawled thru all these articles&by and large this seems like the most intelligent rugby forum i have come across.Well done on that.My interest has been piqued by the Bokkie-Spiro flareup for a couple of reasons;Spiro was a guest this morning on NZ's Radio Sport talking to Telfer-and i have to say he did seem a tad worked up about the topic of his article..(.he's clearly very passionate about it)Anyway-my point is this;Bokkie-apart from calling Spiro an"idiot"-you didnt seem to explain just what points that you took umbrage with? Wouldnt it be constructive to say Spiro said such n such and I disagree because......?
sheek
Guest
mampara/waanout, Dearie, dearie me, seems we've struck a nerve here. And baboons are actually quite intelligent creatures. My uncle Baboo has one of the most graceful swings through the trees you could ever wish to see.....
MarkR
Guest
Bokkie - ouch ! Just cause you've got a beef with Spiro you don't need to get all the Kiwis offside as well. You know we don't mention the WC......
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Why are you only mentoining the knock-out games? New Zealand have won some close pool games.
Jerry
Guest
They've won about as many close ones as they've lost. But you didn't mention World Cups, you mentioned close matches. The All Blacks do better than most sides in close matches - you don't win 80% of your matches by blowout only. It's just that they never get thrashed (those losses in SA last year were considered their worst losses in ages and those were by 14 and 11 points - convincing wins not thrashings), so when they lost it's almost always very close. And people remember the losses. But it's a logical fallacy to assume that cause all their losses are close that they always lose the close ones.
Ben S
Roar Guru
1987 - NZ blows the opposition away (Australia were pre-WC favourites) 1991 - lose a close semi-final to Australia 1995 - lose a close final to SA but blow England away despite claims the game would be close 1999 - lose a game that wasn't meant to be close to France, but beat England in a close pool match 2003 - lose a close SF 2007 - lose a close QF Contrast that to Australia: 1987 - lose a close SF to France 1992 - win a close final 1995 - lose a close QF to England 1999 - win a final with ease 2003 - lose a close final 2007 - lose a close QF Then think of France: 1987 - blown away in the final 1991 - lose a close QF to England 1995 - lose a close SF to SA 1999 - thrashed in final 2003 - thrashed by England 2007 - lose a close SF to England Most matches in the WC are close. NZ have either blown away the opposition or lost a close one, same as most top sides.
Wawnout
Guest
"But then again, we Aussies get called arrogant also, especially by our Kiwi cousins, but in their case it’s a small brother-big brother thing." Or maybe it's because you persist with garbage like that.
Jerry
Guest
Why wouldn't the AB's be able to close close games out? They generally win the close ones too, you know.
MarkR
Guest
Kidney, one of the things I've noticed over the years is the really good sides will win with less possession & territory i.e. they finish a higher % of their opportunities. The 95-97 ABs were like this, as were Eales's Wallabiers. Stats are just an indication, not the whole story so as you say easy to ignore once the scoreline's known..
MarkR
Guest
Virgil - mark me down as stupid then %-) But then again one of the reasons I'm such a fan of Thorn is he's living proof if the desire is there & the body's in one piece anything is possible, something old farts like me need to be reminded of !