And so, after months and months of rugby we have finally come to the end of it all. While I am what some might call a fan – my family often use the word obsessed – I really have to say I’m looking forward to having peaceful and stress free weekends.
I am also sure that you would agree with me when I say that we have been on a roller coaster ride of emotions this season, both domestically and internationally, especially if you are a ‘Saffa’ and just finished the season watching your inspirational leader getting his leg nearly removed.
Also, by this time the season has been analysed and scrutinised by everyone fit, unfit and some completely off the mark so I won’t go down that route and bore you with more analysis.
Mostly because I would fall into the ‘completely off the mark’ group, especially compared to oom Scott Allen. His analysis should be required reading for every aspirant coach or blogger.
What I will do is, once again, be a voice for reason and perspective.
Let me start with a quote from one of my favourite writers, Mark Twain. “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect”.
There have been so many calls for Heyneke Meyer and his coaching team to change tactics and players and even calls for their resignations this season. Much of this has come from respected (I use that word so loosely it might actually be called a lie) ex-players or pundits and the noise has become deafening.
However, has there been any pause for reflection? I sometimes wonder whether some of the commentary aimed at our sports teams are not more a reflection of our current social status. That we are so blinded about our daily plights that we transfer all that emotion onto our sports team and players in an attempt to escape our own realities.
In case you are wondering, I am available for counselling sessions. Just bring your own beer. Beer is expensive.
Let us then pause and reflect while attempting to look forward. This past season the Boks have an unbeaten home record, the first time since 2005. We have lost some matches that we were expected to win and we have won some matches that we almost had no right to do so.
We have managed to beat the number one team in the world but have not been able to be the number one team in the world. Rightfully so, because we lack consistency in performance and tactics as well as a system so completely geared towards building a successful national team that it makes that one victory all the more remarkable.
In spite of the rugby administration our coach has made the Boks a team that is respected for their rugby and even liked on and off the playing field by friend and foe alike. He has grown a multitude of young rookies and given opportunities to others where he deemed necessary or where injury or circumstance has demanded it.
He has had to deal with sudden retirements and resignations of players who were arguably the best in their positions as well as the constant public outcries (that majority again) to blood younger players and completely discard older and experienced options.
This is, after all, Test rugby where you can play with a multitude of young and inexperienced players and grow them to success while losing on the way. We all know that the rugby public will forgive those failures because at least they are young and learning. This falls under the same premise that I am not going to watch the Boks play if he selects (fill in name or union) player again. The lies we can tell ourselves.
We have lost four out of 10 matches and while the last two were the most painful and showed some inefficiencies in our game, what we have learned and experienced is so much more valuable. We have unearthed depth in positions where we had little such as tighthead, fly half, fullback and scrumhalf. We have discovered a lack of depth in other areas, most notably centre and number five lock.
Hopefully we can look forward to the new season by applying lessons learned from this previous one. We have forwards who can dominate physically and are technically gifted. We have backline players who are technically gifted and can counter attack similar to their much more praised Australasian counterparts. We do, however, need to get the right coaching into place to enhance these gifts and it is up to all the coaches in the franchises to realise and work towards this common goal.
We have roughly a whole team of players who were out injured for some or most of the season. The majority should be back in the new season and they should be played regularly. Even at the expense of the current first choice players in certain positions.
Player management will be the responsibility of the franchises and will play a massive part in our success this coming World Cup.
There are countless players to look forward to returning and some that can hopefully stake a claim for a spot in the side.
Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, Arno Both, Flip van der Merwe, Fans Laherbe, Fourie Du Preez, Stokkies, Hanekom, JJ Engelbrecht, Johan Sadie, Damian de Allende, Bjorn Basson, Marnitz Whiteley, Nizaam Carr, Jaco Kriel, Juan de Jonge, Oupa Mahoje, Heinrich Brussow, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lood de Jager, Robbie Coetzee and Scarra Ntubeni – just to name a few.
Looking at some of those names, I have to say I do feel a certain level of excitement for next season. Even if it is to see what constructive ways my Lions can come up with next season to try and kill me. Slowly.
But not now. Now I look forward to the holiday season and no stress.
On that note, Harry, Armand, Biltong, RobC, Kia and all of you Roarers, especially those who had nice things to say about my Lions this season, if you are travelling please do it safely and have a happy jolly Christmas and a happy jolly New Year!
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.
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