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My jaw dropped when I saw Bryan Habana and Jean De Villiers with their young kids moments before they were to battle for a must-win match against Australia at Newlands.
Their contributions and service to the game are unquestionable, but let them run out to a furnace of fireworks or a pipe band rather than carefully escorting and kissing their offspring onto the field, moments before battling with one of their greatest rivals for the IRB ranking’s second spot.
Habana was somewhere else completely when the Boks kicked off. It was so clear that he was far away during the opening spells and his head clash with Handre Pollard, before being swept aside by the intimidating Tevita Kurindrani, almost added insult to injury.
The full-of-beans JP Pietersen replaced him while he was being tested for concussion. I feel he should’ve remained off the field at that stage.
Jean De Villiers showed signs of distraction himself, his failure to keep ball in hand in the 31st minute, during a promising counter-attack in the first half, was one of many mistakes and poor judgements from the legendary Bok captain.
I understand that it is important to honour these two fine players. It was just too disruptive in my opinion. Spiro Zavos, who is growing in my favour, said the All Blacks have a policy that they will always run out in their playing gear, so as not to be distracted by the change in gear and mindset. I’ve never seen any of them kissing babies just before kick-off.
The game was a bit tiresome at times for me. The Boks were slow to the breakdown throughout, allowing the Wallabies time to slow down their attack, making it very easy to defend.
It was phase after phase after phase. The Boks slowly forced their way over the advantage line with the Aussies feeding off any mistakes the Boks made.
Hooper showed the superior speed of the Wallabies loose forwards in his charge down of Pollard’s clearance kick in the 43rd minute, almost finished off by a Phipps effort just afterwards. Thankfully for the Boks, Kepu was penalised for holding Pollard back moments after the charge down.
The game continued to drag on with more Springbok, phase after phase attack. Even Beauty Dlulane, South Africa’s chairperson portfolio committee of sport and recreation, seemed perplexed by the lack of capitalisation of possession.
Pat Lambie’s inclusion in the 59th minute did little to spur on the flagging attack. That being said, himself and Pollard seemed to show their worth as Springbok incumbent flyhalves. Pollard is certainly a talent for the future.
Mbalentle Tumani’s thumping tackle on Lambie in the 61st minute, moments before Rob Horne’s try saving tackle in the 67th minute, was all in vain. All the energy had already been spent. The final ten minutes were for the Boks.
The power and fresh energy of the reserves were the difference in the end for the Boks. The Wallabies showed us all just how close the gap actually is between number two and three in the world, and how far it is between number two and number one.
Call me cynical, but the Boks were once again, lucky. Bob Skinstad said it best, “You have to have a combination of brawn and brains”, sadly, the Boks seemed to only have the brawn.
In the time of writing, If the Argentinians do the impossible and beat the All Blacks, the Boks will have to find the much needed brains missing from their game. Otherwise, a Wayne Smith-type addition to the Boks’ coaching team is needed if they wish to ever challenge the number one spot.
I for one, would not be kissing babies before I face the All Blacks…
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.