Last Saturday the Springboks showed massive character and a truckload of courage to step out of their shells and play a game their supporters have always believed they can play.
But as beautiful as the change in mindset was, Heyneke Meyer and his charges know that if they are to evolve the Springbok attack they will need to assess the strengths and shortcomings of their current showings and build on what works for them.
It sounds like a simple thing to do, but nothing could be further from the truth. Constructing a truly remarkable attacking game is tricky, it requires a lot of thought.
It is not just about deciding what to do and where, it is also about recognising what types of players you have available and what skill set each of these players possess.
The thing about the Springboks is that for so long have they played a game that relies on no real attacking stratagem. It takes time, practice and patience to create one.
The good thing though is that once they have an idea of what type of game they want to play it will be easy to adapt as new players come into the side. It stands to reason that you can’t play the exact same type of game over and over with a plethora of different players. Each player is unique and brings something else to the table.
The key is to build a game plan around the players and not choose players according to the game plan.
So let’s start with the flaws of the current Springbok attack stratagem.
Passing the ball to a forward standing five metres away, expecting him to make metres and retain possession every single time won’t work, and I’ve noticed this pattern in Heyneke Meyer’s plan.
Meyer believes that once you soften the defence up at the front and launch a quick backline ball afterwards it will catch the opposition off guard. Now this might work a few times but it won’t fool the opposition on every occasion.
The danger to this technique is that players very often get isolated and lose the ball to a turnover. For some reason the ball carrier has the tendency to begin running up the field before changing direction back toward the heavy traffic. Eben Etzebeth and Tendai Mtawarira are especially guilty of this.
What’s worse is that after this has occurred and the ball does find its way to the backline, the move usually stops in its tracks because the opposition saw it coming from last Thursday.
As I said before, every player brings a different game to the field. Each player has his strengths and weaknesses that should be taken into account when planning an attack. The Springboks should starts using their big forwards out wide, rather than using them in close proximity.
The Boks did this last year at Ellis Park.
In Bryan Habana’s first try, Duane Vermeulen assumed a position between Jean de Villiers and Habana. He then recognised the mismatch in the All Black defensive line, burned Ma’a Nonu on the inside and supplied Habana to cross over.
In the second try, another loose forward, this time in the form of Francois Louw, stood between Habana and Jacques Engelbrecht. Louw then took up the ball, drew in Conrad Smith and Kieran Read and performed in amazing offload for another try.
That is two tries from two forwards who created something out of nothing in the midfield.
Of course that wasn’t the only two occasions this happened. Who could forget Eben Etzebeth outsprinting Ben Smith down the right wing almost resulting in a try for JJ Engelbrecht?
What I’m trying to advocate here is that while it is effective using the Bok forwards at close range, they, like the All Blacks, also possess the ability to draw defenders out wide and create space for the back three.
Of course when embracing this tactic you will need to use the right Bok forwards.
No disrespect intended, but using Jannie du Plessis out wide would be suicide. Instead they must use more mobile, skilled forwards in the mould of Bismarck du Plessis, Duane Vermeulen, Eben Etzebeth, Francois Louw and Marcell Coetzee.
When the Boks mix this sort of approach with the current one the results could be terrific.
What the Springboks must also learn is that an offload can make all the difference, putting players into space while playing wide. The forwards should run off 9, 10, 12 and 13 like the All Blacks do.
The Springboks possess the very best ball carriers in the world. Utilising them in various ways will add to their unpredictability.
Also, like the All Blacks do with Julian Savea, the Boks should start using Cornal Hendricks off 10 or 12. This will ensure a bit more punch, and when done correctly may even break the line as it did in Wellington two weeks ago.
The Springboks have the potential to become a great attacking team, but for them to become this team they need to be granted the opportunities to practice this game. It does not help that they run the opposition ragged in one game and kick them to submission the next.
The Newlands Test was testament to how effective the Boks can be on attack. In the entire game the side only performed two box kicks. The last time that happened I probably wasn’t even born yet.
Ken
Guest
Ken
Guest
You mean be like the all blacks :)
Frogbok
Guest
I know a lot of people won't agree, but I don't believe that NZ youngsters get coached fundamentally differently from SA youngsters, at least that wasn't the case when I played rugby at school in SA in the 70's and early 80's. The motto of let the ball do the work was 100% the same in my days, my coaches drilled it into us that the ball travels faster than the man, get the ball to the wings, and all those things. In the golden years of Western Province and the few times that the Springboks were allowed to play tests in the isolation years, Danie Gerber, Peter Whipp, John Villet and others were great at moving the ball out to dangerous wings like Carel du Plessis and Ray Mordt. Somewhere in the professional era these fundamentals got lost at the higher levels of rugby, I don't know why. A team like the Cheetahs in super rugby has shown more of an adventurous side compared to some other SA teams, the Stormers are getting there again, and thankfully I hear more and more of the right noises from Heyneke Meyer saying that he wants to play attacking, ball in hand rugby. If he sticks to that plan, the players will themselves work out better ways and means of beating defenders and become more aware of what's around them. I must say that at the moment the level of spatial awareness is shocking, most of them have the tuck the ball under the arm and storm forward approach, Willie is the only one that seems to try and put other players in better positions and who keeps looking around him instead of going at 100 km/h into brick walls.
Vic
Guest
Sacrilege, Armand, sacrilege. Never can a Bok be a fern, or a rose, or for that matter, a protea. A bok is not vegetation, it eats vegetation for breakfast. You are a bit confused, my boy. Spent a bit too much time pondering the delights of the beautiful land of the silver fern, where the most threatening wildlife is the possum........
Rugby Tragic
Guest
.............. and as hard as nails ..........If you are trying to scare me ...... it's working!
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
I'll tackle some guy I'm playing against this weekend.
Harry Jones
Expert
Correct. Thor is likely to play, though. Burger played 8 all the way up in school. More of an 8 now than a (SA) 6. Links, runs, passes well. Very good hands.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
So the only doubt is about Vermeulen? Has Burger played No 8 before? ... AB side announced tomorrow
Hmmm, our backrow might be in a world of hurt
Harry Jones
Expert
Our side for Ellis Park: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Duane Vermeulen/Schalk Burger, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Bakkies Botha, 20 Schalk Burger/Warren Whiteley, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 JP Pietersen
Cheers mate, to you too, just not enough to win ;)
Harry Jones
Expert
I will tackle a wall
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Haha! ..... well good luck to you ... I won't slash my wrists if the Boks win and I definitely will not punch myself if the AB's prevail!!
Harry Jones
Expert
I know Easier said than done
Harry Jones
Expert
It's the perfect word to describe what I was trying to convey. There is an element of our rugby--let's be honest--that is rigid and stuck and adheres to old doctrines. If I am "prejudiced," it is in FAVOUR of the wonderful culture of the place and people I love the most and have worked my whole life to improve, the beautiful Cape Winelands and it's great mix of people, about which I often write with great affection. I meant no offense.
The V Man
Guest
I am not sure tactics are the answer between these two teams BB. The biggest difference I think it is that we have a player/leader who is physically indestructible and has a pathological desire to win. Richie's greatness is that his peers will do anything to get the job done. Can't wait for the game though. If the Boks throw the kitchen sink at it like last year it will be a cracker. Best of luck!
Harry Jones
Expert
It's a small wish, RT. Problem is Father Christmas seems to love the All Blacks more! But maybe--just maybe--the tide is turning this weekend. SA 33 NZ 21
Rugby Tragic
Guest
atlas, the whole article was linked which also contains the word 'opinion" and I think you will find that my post also 'was not definitive' in expressing my opinion rather supporting the view is that the gap between the two sides are closer than many think, this weekends game it is not cut and dried. Liam Napier has his views and I would think that is the opinion of most NZ rugby fans. To suggest though that most of the NZ population (and I can only assume you are referring to the NZ rugby fans) do not care about the result of the match coming up I think is incorrect. I believe they care. Indeed Sam Whitelock had the 'last word in the article which merely reinforces 'my opinion' that the SB's are closer than many think.
It goes way beyond being conservative Bertus. I had a chat with an acquaintance a few weeks back and when you listen to how some of these "administrators" from club to national level are more interested in protecting their positions than rugby matters you will be shocked.
Bertus
Guest
So, I assume the "verkramptes" equals the Afrikaans rugby establishment? Why else should you choose an Afrikaans word to describe conservative? Your prejudice is showing. Stick to rugby please.