It’s been almost a week since the Bokke drew with Argentina in what must go down as one of their performances in recent history.
There has been enough time to get over it. What is clear though is that the Bokke need to adapt or die if they intend hanging with the All Blacks this year.
Some adjustments will require a complete change in mindset.
Abandon the kick-and-chase game plan and move to a more attacking, “play what’s in front of you” mindset. This will take some time though.
There are other changes that can be made in the short term to turn things around. Not enough to take the tournament from New Zealand but it could be enough maybe to beat Australia.
The fist change is in personnel.
I think bringing Francois Louw back into the squad was a good move. He’s the complete package. Most importantly, he is a very good breakdown player – something the South Africa pack has been missing since Bismarck Du Plessis’ injury.
I would bring him straight into the starting back-row tro, alongside Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen. This may be a harsh call on Marcell Coetzee, who has been excellent, but Louw-Alberts-Vermeuelen is a better balanced selection.
The next change would be to bring Ruan Pienaar into the starting line-up. He’s in better form that Francois Hougaard at the moment and gives South Africa a backup kicker if Morne Steyn has another bad day at the office. Playing Hougaard on the wing is also an option as he’s an excellent runner with the ball, but I’m afraid of the damage that would do to his long term development as a scrumhalf.
Steyn he’s clearly been struggling with form. One option would be to pick Lambie at 10, but he hasn’t played must recently. What game time he has is at fullback. So I don’t think it would be wise to just throw him in there, despite Morne’s lack of form.
A better option would perhaps be to pick him at 15 and allow him to come into first receiver at times. Then move him to 10 after a few games if he shows good form.
A tactical adjustment needed is to get the forwards out of first receiver and have Morne or Lambie in there for all balls going to the backline. Any forwards in the backline need to play off them.
More attention needs to be given to rucking and counter-rucking. Invite someone from outside the current coaching staff if necessary, but this is an area that needs attention and can possibly be improved with simple technique adjustments.
Like I said earlier, there are bigger changes to be made; changes in mindset that will take some time. But I believe the Bokke can improve significantly if they make a few tweaks in personnel and approach. This will bring immediate improvement.
My Springbok team for the test against Australia:
15: Pat Lambie
14: Bryan Habana
13: De Villiers
12: Francois Steyn
11: Lwazi Mvovo / Francois Hougaard
10: Morne Steyn
9. Ruan Pienaar
8. Duane Vermeulen
7. Wilhelm Alberts
6. Francois Louw
5. Andries Bekker
4. Eben Etzebeth
3. Dannie Du Plessis
2. Adriaan Strauss
1. Tendai Mtawarira
16. Tiaan Liebenberg
17. Pat Cilliers
18. Juandre Kruger
19. Marcel Coetzee
20. Francois Hougaard / Lwazi Mvovu
21. Juan De Jongh
22. Zane Kirchner
In all honstey I doubt Aplon will see a green jersey again. When you look at the young crop at the moment that would be my focus if I was Meyer it would include players such as: Piet v Zyl (9) Sarel Preorius (9) Goosen (10) Lambie (10, 12, 15) Frans Steyn (12, 15) Jan Serfontein (12, 13) Paul Jordaan (13, 14) de Jongh (13, 14) JP Pietersen (13, 14) Taute (15) Willie le Roux (14, 15) Hougaard (9, 14) Louis Ludick (14, 15) Ruhle (11, 14) Sadie (12, 13) JJ englebrecht (13, 14) I'll keep Pienaar at 9 untill the halfback youngsters prove themselves, Haban in the mix and Morne Steyn for a sub. But if Meyer can test those youngsters, I beleive we will have an exciting backline. As for the game plan, it doesn't need to change much at all, we only need players who can read the game better. That is our biggest shortcoming, the kicking thing is a myth. during the English tour we kicked on average 3 kicks more than OZ and NZ
Will
Guest
We have very good backs like Pienaar, F Steyn, Goosen ,Lambie, Aplon, JPP, Juan DJ, Hougaard..etc but Meyer's gameplan is based on kicking and scrum play. I think M steyn should be dropped from the team once Goosen is introduced properly into the Bok setup...i really feel sorry for Lambie coz by the end of last yr he was the first choice 15 and now Kirchner starts ahead of him. Meyer should consider Aplon also.
Meyer has once again said in an interview that he rates Lambie at 15. But then Loubscher has said he rates Lambie at 10, so I am bloody confused, not sure what they are really saying. Goosen will be our next star at 10, the whole world sees it. Lambie in my view is a utility back and will most likely play an impct role during Meyer's tenure. It does make sense though to a certain extent when you think about it, Lambie on the bench is worth three players, 10, 12 and 15. We need another halfback to back up Pienaar, one of the yung guns running around in the Currie Cup. Hopefully Meyer can sttle his pack by year end and we can start working on the backline, there is so much talent our there and exciting running backs, all young and willing.
Will
Guest
I think Mr. Meyer does not rate Pat Lambie as highly as we all do...for crying out loud just play the kid whether at 10 or 15...Now he sees that Pienaar is our best scrum-half and decides to bench Mvovo and play Hougaard who has failed to make it at scrum-half yet Hougaard hasn't played wing the whole year. Why did he call de jhong if he wasn't going to even put him on the bench?? SMH!!
AussieBokkie
Roar Rookie
i really do think Hougaard on the wing is the best decision Meyer has made this year - having a three wing squad consisting of Hougaard, Pietersen and Habana is perfect! As for Lambie, i just don't know how he'll go when Goosen takes the stage, given it is likley goosen will live up to the hype and remain our fly half for years to come. I'd love to see lambie do really well at fullback, as he oozes talent, but to be honest he hasn't impressed that much in the positon for the Boks or for the Sharks
AussieBokkie
Roar Rookie
Agreed BiltongBek, but geez I cann't wait to see Morne piss off permanently!
Meyer is stubborn, he has seen the proof of how Pienaar has not only shown more control, but cleared the rucks and scrums much more efficiently, but yet he stuck to Hougaard. In my view Hougaard is a very talented plaer who should be playing on the wing, he simply doesn't fit into a rigid gameplan, it stifles his creativity and makes him half the player he is.
I personally think Meyer has been playing the waiting game, I don't think he has sufficient confidence in Lambie, who has had a season marred with injury and little time at 10, even his performance against the Chiefs at 15, showed a player low on confidence. Meyer is waiting for Goosen, why else would he take goosen along to the antipodes when he knows Goosen has only had 50 minutes of play since his injury midway through the Super XV. It would make sesne that even Meyer realises that Morne Steyn apart from struggling with consistent form will not provide him with the vision and skills to adapt a more "modern" gameplan. He did however have little choise in selection with really only Jantjies as the other back up, and size wise, I doubt Meyer is very keen on Jantjies.
Etienne
Guest
Safa, you may be right about just picking Lambie and getting on with it. Years back the Aussies identified they man they thought would be the right man for the job, moved him from 15 to 10 and left him there to establish himself... and that worked out pretty well for them and for Steven Larkham. I'm not saying Lambie's on Larkham's level, but if he's the guy you identified as the answer at 10 then you need to pick him there and allow him time to settle. I still think Ruan Pienaar could have been one of the greatest SA 10s of the prof. era had the (SA and Sharks) selectors just left him there when they moved him to flyhalf years ago. Instead he was shifted between 9, 10 and 15.
Will
Guest
@Safarugby your right abt Meyer liking bulls players. Why is Vermaak on the squad when Mcloud is far better and plays regularly yet Bermakk is always on the bulls bench. I also think Pienaar is the best scrum-half now(he is winning awards in Europe).
I am sure Morne will be visiting the sideline as soon as Goosen can establish himself. He needs some gametime and although he is a truly talented player he still needs to prove himself. Unfortunately it will take time, perhpas November tour will be his time.
AussieBokkie
Roar Rookie
Etienne, in terms of the choices in the squad at the moment, I think you're slections are pretty spot on. We HAVE to get rid of M.Steyn quick smart! He is killing our backline and preventing any creative moves....we look awful when he is at first pivot. Lambie should be given an opportunity now....I know he needs time but he knows the positon well enough to step into the role, especially given he has big match experience already. Unfortunately Meyer likes his Bulls boys too much. also, with Pietersen out I think Hougaard should be playing wing - he has been ultra impressive every time he has played there.
Etienne
Guest
Aplon would be a better choice... I wasn't thinking outside the squad.
Will
Guest
Okay i get your point but don't u think Aplon,Lambie,Ludik are all better than Kirchner...i wonder why Meyer likes this guy. But about Goosen's defence your right but even M steyn cant tackle!!
Etienne
Guest
Hi Will. Firstly, thanks. I have Zane there for 2 reasons: one is to provide fullback cover in the squad. I know Frans can cover fullback, but I'd be reluctant to move him away from 12. Secondly, I think it may be a bit too early for Goosen. He struggled a bit defensively at Super 15 and needs to improve this area first. I think he's going to be brilliant though if he's looked after properly.
will
Guest
wats the point of having Kirchner on the bench...Goosen shud be on the bench..otherwise that team is perfect.