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Are the Boks pulling wool over our eyes?

Roar Rookie
1st October, 2011
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Roar Rookie
1st October, 2011
21
1869 Reads

It was never pretty, but they did just enough to secure a win against Wales. Then came two lesser teams which was merely a run out, no disrespect to Fiji or Namibia, but the fact is that they are not quite on the level.

And in their final group game again, we saw some brutal power employed for long enough to win. The real question begs, after dominating early against both Wales and Samoa, are these Boks pulling wool over our eyes?

Since every literate monkey has read and written their opinion on Wales being unlucky against the defending world champions, let’s focus on this evening’s match-up.

So much was said in the buildup to the battle of the giants, about the physical ability of Manu Samoa, and rightly so: with a 927 kg scrum, you won’t find more of a physical presence at the World Cup, and yet Samoa were ruthlessly manhandled (for the first half at least) in the scrum (one of which sent Samoa in a backwards sprint), every maul, and nearly every ruck.

It was Springboks’ inability to finish off that kept the scoreboard somewhat respectable at the break, such was the dominance of the big boys from South Africa, with the Beast, Bismarck, Matfield, Brussow and Burger as the main instigators.

And what of the Samoan pack?

With the monstrous Census Johnston tipping the scale at around 130kg, they are a unit and made some headway with quick pick and drives, which yielded in a second half try to the lively George Stowers.

Did we learn anything from this match?

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For one, it was heart-warming to note that Manu Samoa are a team on the rise, pushing to find a place in the upper echelons of the game.

And what of these Boks?

Nothing new learnt, if anything, much of the same reinforced; the defending champions are firm believers that a scoreline of 3-0 is as good a win, as a much larger margin – and their pack will bully you if you do not stand up to it.

Where to from here?

With little doubt, the Springboks should now find themselves facing a young and exuberant Australia, but should take much heart in the knowledge that, they can do just enough to topple any pack.

With the Aussies’ best chance of winning being when men like Cooper, Beale and O’Connor see as much of the ball as possible, you cannot help but feel that the green machine is not going to be stopped.

Why did the Springboks refer back to their kick and chase game for much of the second half and with it, hand the advantage back to the opposition?

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Perhaps they are holding their cards close to their chests, perhaps they are holding their best for what they know is coming.

It was not a totally convincing performance for the entire second half, but once again it showed that the Boks would do just enough when its needed – and may be they are trying to fly under the radar of the Aussies and Kiwis.

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