That headline might sound a little weird seeing that the Wallabies and the All Blacks already play running rugby. But the Boks, still being coached by the traditionalist Peter de Villiers, are said to be planning their old tried and true tactics for the coming Tri-Nations in July and August.
Detractors call it the “kick and hope” tactic – boot the ball downfield, rush down there and try to force a penalty.
It’s certainly worked in two of the four RWCs they’ve played in, that and dogged defence. But it’s been a bust in the Tri Nations. Since 1996 the Boks have won the Tri-Nation title only three times while the All Blacks have won it ten times.
But when they’ve witnessed South African teams holding onto the ball as the Stormers did Friday night in Auckland – when they didn’t drop it – and coming away with a win, albeit a very close one, a lot of SA fans are thinking that Peter de Villiers doesn’t really mean what he’s saying.
They’re thinking that he understands that if he has backs like Fourie, Olivier, de Jongh, Sadie, Aplon, Basson and Habana, and a five eighth as creative as Sarel Pretorius, he doesn’t need the huge boot and no attack of Morne Steyn.
He knows that he can come up with forwards who’ll plow into the breakdown, muscle up in the scrums, and outjump the opposition in the lineouts, and a backline with real thrust in the centres and grass burners in the back three.
In spite of what he’s quoted as saying, why would he want to kick away possession?
So has the SA rumour mill got it right? Let’s hope so. The All Blacks and the Wallabies are the best in the world at running rugby, and if the Boks do take on both teams at their own game it promises to be an entertaining Tri-Nations.
Mielie
Guest
This is my first visit to "Roar". Saw it mentioned on another blog. Reading this article and the accompanying comments I find the criticisims directed at the Bok's method of play very interesting. All criticisms are directed with respectful waryness. Well might you be. Just coming from the blog "S A Rugby", guys are suggesting WC run on sides. One guy lists two full teams, both with the full potential of success in the W C. To predict their adopted tactic would be very unwise. Peter Div knows exactly the potential of what is available to him and he has excellent advisors. When least expected they will run it wide or put up a well chased up and under directly into your 25. And they're not too old. What was the average age of the English when they last won the WC? They have the experience and they have depth. Well might you be concerned.
Bakkies
Guest
Further more about Morne Steyn he isn't the chief playmaker in the Boks side. The saffies use the scrumhalf as their playmaker which is Fourie du Preez who hasn't been at his best since his injury. When they won the Tri Nations last time Francois Steyn's big boot was used to pin the opposition back in their own half so they can put pressure on the other team's lineout. Win the ball or let them kick it out so the boks can get the throw to use their driving game. Simple game plan rather than the over complicated stuff we sometimes get from the Wallabies.
Johnno
Guest
I think tri nations should be scrapped in World cup years, Players either excel to try and get picked for the world cup squads, then the run the rest of overpeaking before the world cup, even when it is dropped to 2 matches against each team, or the stars certain to get picked seem to pull out unexpecdicatly to a really suprising hamstring injury, or some other lame excuses. South africa have treated the tri nations with contempt in a world cup year. And i would prefer we work on some southern hemphisphere comp the tri nations or 4 nations next year wont be as good either, i thinkl we should have a 5 nations tier 1 and every year the last place gets relegated. And by the way the heinikeen cup final which was on the weekend is way more exciting and passionate and meaningful than a inter continental provincial title like the super 15. Super 15 needs reforming or should be dumped when the SANZAR deal tv deal ends in 2015. The south africans want to go back to the currie cup.
Wal The Hooker
Guest
The SA teams look good with their mid field talent with ball in hand looking very damaging. No reason why they can't mix it up and will be very hard to beat at the WC me thinks. They have some great talent out back and we all know how brutal their forwards can be. The Stormers were superb on the weekend! Watch I say...
soapit
Guest
they werent even the biggest culprit last world cup (see argentina). they did take the tactic on board the couple of years after that though. my main issue with them doing it is when the chasers "accidentally" mis-time their jump and knock into the fullback and make him knock it on. otherwise if they are doing it fairly and it works then its up to the lawmakers to tweak things to encourage them to change. i think thats been done the last few years so we will see how they react.
Uncle Phil
Guest
"Running rugby" (in rugby union) is the equivalent of the 4 Billion people whom watch the RWC...simply a fallacy. In fact Rugby Union rules predominantly encourage "Walking Rugby"...or more to the point "soft plodding walk don't get to far away from your teammates rugby". The fact that you are not guaranteed possession cruels the game. The only time "running rugby" is seen is when there are unimportant games, or when one side is clearly dominant over the other...or school games. Well at least it's Rugby, which makes it superior to ARF.
duncw
Guest
Well the ABs will be running it after DC kicks for territory - as we have SBW, Gear, Sivavatu, Dagg, Smith, Mils, Nonu, Richie, Read....et al...
Stellenbosched
Guest
Hi Wessels So you believe that all Springbok rugby consists of is kick and hope? That is a serious insult to 100 years of damn good rugby. I suggest you stick to commenting on topics you know something about.
Bakkies
Guest
Who cares what game plan they come up with. I am just worried that they are going to peak at the right time. Matfield and Bakkies haven't shown much form in the Super 14. Juan Smith is injured but he might front up in September. It's good to have a bit of diversity in the game as we get to focus on all facets not just running the ball. The Argies are going to bring a similar style to the Boks when they join the Tri Nations. Are we going to dictate how they should play to. The saffies style of play will also depend on whether Heinrich Brussouw is fit, they love living off turnovers and intercepts. I am getting tired of Aussies whinging about how other teams and their own play. It's still rugby, there is many ways to play the game and it's not like we are winning much anyway. We can learn from a few of these sides that focus on the forwards. Remember when England were dominant and the English scribes quiet rightly slagged the Wallabies and the ABs forwards off for being powderpuff and too soft with Super Rugby to blame for that. The ABs fixed that and we didn't. I remember we lost around 7 in a row under Eddie Jones with our pack being shoved all over the park. It didn't improve much under Connolly and we got smashed up front by England in the Marseille QF.
azterodt
Guest
LAS - the point of the post as I read it is that Henry and Deans aren't going to change their style but PdV is. This has come about so my Saffer pals tell me under pressure from the SARU who naturally want another World Cup and feel that PdVs old fashioned ideas are not going to cut it. And that the time to try out the "new" Boks is at the Tri Nations as a rehearsal for the Cup. And if you look at his provisional squad of over 50 players there aren't too many left out shocks so it's tough to argue that he hasn't refreshed. Who do you think should have been included?
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Yes, if Robbie Deans has anything to do with it. I suspect that his opponent, Graham Henry is similarly minded. PdV is likely to do a Tahs impersonation, but for different reasons. he has not refreshed his squad or his playing style.
Harry
Guest
They will be forced to try and play entertaining when they are down 49 - 0 again. That's an exaggeration, but look at the beautiful bloemfontine game last year - down 31 - 6, they came back with tries and it was how rugby should be played. They can do it.