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…
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Thank you Colin. We are not alone in saying this, I've heard it from quite a few supporters now!
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
I accept what you're saying Etienne. I'm just making the point that it wasn't an emphatic victory like many are calling it. There have been so many over the top, almost false statements that they call for another article all together!
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
My point exactly!
etienne marais
Guest
We expect the players to play what they see on the field. Valid concept. Yet, in our analysis, we endlessly post-mortem on what could have happened, and if such and such happened, how the game would have been lost for us (e.g. "Hooper’s break in the 75th minute could’ve sealed it for the Aussies"). In each and every game there are dozens of things that could have happened, or conversely, might not have happened. If we were to factor in all of the permutations and possibilities that our rampant imaginations demand of us, we could never settle on a scoreline probability. Let's just use the official result and score as a basis for our analysis. Reality.
etienne marais
Guest
Reinach only came on in the 77th minute.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Thanks for finally surfacing OB. I thought we may hear from you shortly after the game (this being the first win since you've been sharing your thoughts on my posts). I have maintained a critical view on the Boks since Perth myself and, as you can see by my article, am still in that zone. The Aussies played well. Let's not take that away from them. We improved our play since the last two games but I think we all agree that it is no where near where it should be. People are talking about the last 10 minute slump of the Aussies. Sure, we got the try in the corner to take a six point lead but Hooper's break in the 75th minute could've sealed it for the Aussies. They were right there until we finished them off with two tries. It could've been a miserable loss for us as opposed to a comprehensive win. It seems to have everyone fooled. Even mates of mine are talking about the "thrashing" on Saturday. Give me a break...
I agree OB, the boks are seemingly trying to rid themselves of the kick and chase, the question is though do they cherry pick matches, or will it be a concerted effort from here on in. We all thought after Ellispark last year the boks have turned a corner and they didn't when you look at their performances this year thus far. It is also true tat they are still struggling to "click" which will take time in my opinion, the important thing is that they persevere with this approach.
RobC
Roar Guru
I believe its unrealistic to expect SA SR teams to win regularly Their travel distance and timezone difference around 5x more than the others. One of the immediate goals should be to establish a base game compatible to Currie and SBs
Old Bugger
Guest
Good morning Brendan As usual, I'm late in responding but I s'pose, it gives me a cheeky chance to see other comments and settle down after the game before commenting. Yes, I have to admit that seeing JdV and BH with their families before kick-off caught me by surprise also. Whether these pre-kickoff activities affected both players games well I couldn't really say. As you know, I have been quite vocal and critical of the SB's since the Perth match and I've been watching with a keen interest on how they've played their subsequent matches since then. Yes, they showed a significant improvement in their approach in Wellington but its difficult to measure any improvements when conditions can have such an impact on the game. Then, after 70mins at Newlands, I was somewhat dumb struck that the WBs were leading the match and albeit hanging in by the skin on their chins, they were still in this match. The weather was fine, the ball was dry so where was the blistering ball in hand game that I was so certain, the SBs would release upon the WBs, to be ahead by at least 4-tries. It is a win however, whilst SB supporters are enjoying this win, it was not as emphatic a win as what was contemplated by both sets of supporters. If I was a WB supporter, I'd be clearly chuffed that against the odds, my team did very, very well to be in the position they were at the 70min mark. The difference it seems, as most pundits are noting, was the impact from the respective bench players although, it appears most think the difference was experience between the benches. My first impression is the SBs are trying to rid themselves of the kick & chase, hard grunt forwards play shackles and only using these tactics on an "as required" basis. So, in that respect then I take my hat off to them for the effort - they need to persist now to improve. But, if we're all being honest about this, perhpas it was the reason why the WBs remained so competitive because by consistently taking the ball wide searching for space, the SBs allowed the WB defence to stand up in most one on one situations and challenge at the ensuing rucks to win it or at least, slow it down. For that effort, I thought the WBs did bloody well and it wasn't until the SBs started to play long periods with ball in hand (and there were some 30+ phases) that the WBs bench perhaps, started to feel the pinch. Didn't Burger and BdP play so well in these long periods of ball retention...magnificent. IMO overall, the Boks have improved since Perth but perhaps not as emphatically as anticipated but, more practice at playing wide with pace can only improve their own abilities to sharpen those skills to attack with confidence, assuredness and an ability to play it through 80mins...something that was not a part of the SB arsenal a month ago. The ABs I'm sure will view this SB/WB match and sit down with added attention on the SBs new-found ability to hold the ball through lengthy periods then strike when defences have been stretched to their max. It will make for a helluva match in J'burg where the result for both sides will be more about playing for pride and see what follows after that....
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Geez, its hard to be humble! *grinning*
Colin Kennedy
Guest
I had the same reaction Brendan, I was gob smacked. I'm a proud dad, but the kids don't come into the office... I'm just relieved Habana got subbed because his head was not in the game.
Jerry
Guest
Perhaps, but my point was that - despite both matches being close - the 04 team performed much better in NZ. In 04, the Boks actually dominated the match and NZ just managed to stay in the match long enough to steal it at the end. This year it was NZ dominating for the most part with the Boks just managing to stay in it.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Lets just all agree that we lost the RC in the first four games of the tournament.
Harry Jones
Expert
Fair enough Do it after
Harry Jones
Expert
That's true too! :) But we definitely lost the RC before yesterday! :)
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
So never then. I give up!
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
What a disappointment that was. Losing to England is terrible. Way worse than to Aus/NZ or France.
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
Fardy is a very good player. He secured some good ball for the Wallabies. Agree on Horwill.
Ric
Guest
Yes we won the Tri Nations in 2004 and then lost to England in November of that year. I was at that game, my first time at Twickenham, and it was really disappointing. :(
Our golden period will only come once we have everyone, and I mean government, administrators, super xv coaches and national coach all singing from the same hymn book.