When you have a 75 per cent win record for nigh on three years and have been unbeaten for two tours in Europe, you expect things to be about as on track as things could be.
Add to that the number two world ranking, which in some parts of the world is gospel, then you as a rugby supporter should feel pretty confident that your team will do well come the World Cup, which is only twelve months away.
But then the shit hits the fan. You are outsmarted by Ireland, lose in a dour match to a dour Wales, a revitalised Australian team beats you up in the dying minutes, and you then repeat the same feat against New Zealand at home. Next you are sliced up by Argentina and finally you hit rock bottom when the number whatever team in the world humiliates you on the biggest stage in world rugby.
It cannot get much worse than that if you are a proud Springbok supporter, eh?
Much has been said about the Springboks over the past few months, they have basically been written off by most pundits and it is fair to say many of them have done it with much glee.
You can’t really blame them though, can you? South African rugby is the scourge of southern hemisphere rugby that takes away from what rugby is supposed to be, a beautifully choreographed display of athletes stepping, pirouetting, and dancing through gaps created by creative play and intelligent pivots.
The truth is South African rugby is more akin to stampeding rhinos than ballerinas at the top of their art. But hell, when those rhinos are in full stampede mode it is incredible to watch defences crumble and pundits cringe with horror.
Over the past four years Heyneke Meyer has been loyal to experienced players in which he placed high expectation to be ready and fit for this World Cup. So much so that he has neglected to bring through a squad of young raw talent who, although still brought up in a system that emulates their native animal the rhino, can also do a bit of the pirouette, the twirl and the dance.
During the past twelve months the inner conflict that must have raged within Meyer as his loyalty towards these experienced players was seriously challenged by players of the ilk of Damien de Allende, Willie le Roux, Lood de Jager and a handful of others, has translated through to his players, his gameplan and his results.
It would have been interesting and very revealing to have been a fly on the wall of Meyer’s private study to have seen how this conflict would have impacted on him as his belief system was being challenged.
Needless to say, it must have been a tough time for Meyer.
So now after much turmoil the question is whether Meyer has learnt his lessons and whether he is open-minded enough to realise his team is not only mindless stampeding rhinos.
Looking at the potential team sheet for the upcoming clash against Wales, Victor Matfield is touted not to be in the match day squad altogether, while Frans Malherbe seems to have done enough to replace Jannie du Plessis.
The starting XV that would run out at Twickenham will be: Tendai Mtwarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen, Fourie du Preez, Handre Pollard, Bryan Habana, Damien de Allende, Jesse Kriel, JP Pietersen and Willie le Roux.
How close it that to the best possible starting XV?
I’d say damn close. If you look at the names Meyer had intended to put into the starting XV initially, questions were asked about players such as du Plessis, Matfield, du Preez, Habana, Pietersen and Jean de Villiers. You could perhaps also add Burger.
Matfield has lost his physicality even though he can still be considered a lineout maestro, however for me the biggest question around him was his rugby intelligence. Heyneke believes he is the smartest forward in world rugby. In my view he does not know how to adapt, nor read a match situation.
De Villiers has lost form, had to recover from what we thought was a career-ending injury, and for all his worth to the Springboks for more than a decade, he was one of the old guard, unable to adapt, and unable to read the match.
Du Plessis has also served South Africa well, but his body has been overtaxed, he has been run into the ground since 2012, and he simply can no more.
Other questions were asked about whether du Preez and Burger still had ‘it’.
Habana and Pietersen over the past four years were just going through the motions, there was no hunger. In fact, simply put, they looked lazy.
So Malherbe has replaced du Plessis. Although inexperienced at Test level he brings more to the team than du Plessis ever did, his general play, defence and ball carrying makes him a better prop, regardless of whether du Plessis was still in top form. An improvement to the Bok cause most certainly.
De Jager has replaced Matfield, and if there is anyone asking why Lood is a better option than Matfield, well then let me explain it to you. He is bigger, stronger, tougher, has a phenomenal work rate and is hungry. He dominates the contact zone with or without the ball, and there is no doubt he is a massive improvement for the Springbok cause.
De Allende may only have played a handful of Tests, but give me the midfielder of the Super Rugby any day over de Villiers, who should have done the honourable thing and not come to this World Cup.
So where do the Springboks find themselves on the eve of their quarter-final against Wales?
The pack is solid, it has no obvious weaknesses and a lot of strengths, they are big, physical, have at least four pilferers in the pack, and a link man in Burger, who is topping the player stats in a number of categories and revelling in his new role.
Du Preez is not what he was in 2009, that is a sad fact, but he is doing the job required of him, marshalling the troops, managing the game and territory.
Pollard is not a complete flyhalf yet, however he brings a fast running attack to the Springboks which changes the dynamics of their ability to attack the line.
De Allende and Kriel are young, inexperienced and have flaws, but hell, can they fire up an attack. Habana and Pietersen, with five and four tries respectively, look hungry, fit, and are looking for work.
At the back le Roux remains the talisman of the Springboks backline, as much as he has faults he brings unpredictability and excitement.
So yeah, the Boks will still stampede you, they will rough you up and predictably their strength still lies in their forward dominance; they will truck up in first channel with one-off passes.
But every once in a while, you will see an unexpected offload from Burger, a line break from Pollard, a step from de Allende, a pirouette and acceleration into a gap from Kriel, Habana or JP running down the line and beating a few defenders. And if you are really lucky, you might see Willie join the line, delay a pass, create some space, chip in behind the defence or simply go through the gap himself.
Can the Springboks succeed during this World Cup? Do they have it in them to beat Wales and then march through to the finals beating the All Blacks?
I don’t know, but for damn sure you will see some beautiful powerful Springboks rugby in all its glory.
Beeno
Guest
He rootwit, anybody who rates obviiously knows nothing about loosies.
Beeno
Guest
Louw is getting better each match. Have you been watching?
Scott
Guest
Yes Springboks are back on track! Which as a Wallabies supporter worries me. I realise many Springbok supporters were shocked by the lost to Japan, but that lose and injuries will make the Springboks stronger! Springboks to beat the gallant Welsh.
Rooinek
Roar Rookie
Just for the record Harry, I have answered your question. Be patient though because for some reason my reply is being moderated. Would love to know which word sent it up to the principal's office!
Beeno
Guest
The trick with ou rooitwit is to separate the good points from the bad. Easy enough to do IF you know the game. Between you and me - rooitwit is a secret Wales supporter. Thereafter he supports the wee abs!
Rooinek
Roar Rookie
Is anyone forcing you to read my posts, Blue? Is someone holding a gun to your head and making you read my posts against your will? No? Then exercise your right to skim over my comments or posts whenever you see my name and stop being such a hand-wringing drama queeen. Amazed you needed me to tell you that. It's not rocket science . . . pal!
Rooinek
Roar Rookie
Yes I rate Duane Vermeulen. I used to think he was a dirty thug when he played for the Cheetahs but he actually improved a lot when he moved to WP. Other WP players who I rate in the current Bok squad include Damian de Allende, Frans Malherbe and Siya Kolisi. I'd rate Eben Etzebeth a lot higher too if he wasn't always trying so hard to be the tough-guy "enforcer" of the team. My favourite WP player? Hmmmm . . . if we're talking current then probably out of Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe. If we're talking all time then one of Jan Boland Coetzee, Peter Whipp or Carel du Plessis.
RobC
Roar Guru
Im a huge huge huge Jaco K fan. But he's too small for a test flanker. Unless you pull someone like Duane or Willem tighter into the rucks. That poses risks. Brussow... man I think he should be a Bok. But I think he got injured? Yeah, Schalk is the next JdV I reckon: - But he seems to be doing the job. - I think faster forwards from AB WB will test him. So... we shall see. - But I believe he has the power, skill and experience to be a competitive seven. - Brussow for example may not have the all round skill as link man (though I reckon Jaco K has) Flouw? Im a bit surprised with this one. Are there many in SA who thinks he's not amongst the best in SA or in the world? Or is it just the pilfer department
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Boks have ranked 2nd for almost all of the past 4 years..... That's consistency and doesn't come from a horrendous win/loss ratio and they've haven't "jumped all over the place". So I wouldn't read too much into these past couple months of rankings where most teams have jumped all over the place, including the Boks, and ranking points count for double in the WC, which has massive implications for when you lose to a low ranked team like Japan! Lol Of course, rankings do count for something and Boks will be at number 1 again soon :-)
Blue
Guest
Hey Rooinek, mate, buddy bud, tjom, gabba, bru. [Mods. No swearing or antagonising posters pls] if you can't have a decent conversation. You add no value here. You clutter the threads where people are trying to have a conversation, Nobody here has the time to sift through your nonsense. Go to Planet rugby. You will fit right it. Regards Blue [Mods. The roar is an open community. Please refrain from driving contributors from the forum. If there are issues with posts or posters, pls report it for consideration.]
Harry Jones
Expert
Who's your favourite WP player, Rooinek? So far, Burger and Louw are classified as rubbish. Do you rate Vermeulen?
Rooinek
Roar Rookie
Just listen to yourself. You're on this high horse about people disrespecting others and insulting one another . . . shortly after you call me a wind up merchant who is best ignored! I mean really, does that not seem even the tiniest bit hypocritical to you? As for me being disrespectful, point out one instance of me throwing a personal insult. Come on then . . . let's see you back up these claims of yours that I'm the one being disrespectful and insulting. Listen, I don't rate Francois Louw and I believe we have better fetchers than him. If you think that makes me dismissive, disrespectful and arrogant then so be it . . . perhaps you should take your own advice and ignore me if that is the case . . . because I reserve the right to like or dislike players, and to rate them or not rate them . . . and to have my say. Now please, do one of two things, either get off your high horse and stop being so patronising and condescending or else keep your nose out of my business and I'll do likewise. Clear?
taylorman
Roar Guru
They should win this as like with Oz Wales just don't seem to be able to close against the SH3. For me the biggest difference in this side has been that the Japan loss had the effect of the senior players getting off their backsi!des and putting an effort in, so I think it's a matter of either how long they will keep the effort at the higher levels, or, how long they can physically and mentally. For me it's a sign of the consequences of assuming they will still get selected over the last year or two despite their firm. Effort wise the knockouts are considerably much higher. The test of that will be getting behind significantly enough to be concerned, and how those guys respond in digging deep again. They've yet to yield an advantage followingbJapan and they certainly will in the knockouts at some point.mhow they handle that will be the making of this side.
Just_win
Guest
Kriel played very well in S15 & he has talent but it is early days yet & his defence in the backline will be tested. Glad Boks have some talent coming through in the backs. Personally I think Willie is overrated as he is a bit too much of a 50/50 play type of guy. It may be the result of pressure to create something but he would be better not to try so hard. I admit that when he is on he really is on.
Fine, I am not really in the mood for this but lets do it. Your manner of debate is dismisssive, it borders on being disrespectful. The guys on Ruckersforum cannot debate any point without being dismissive, disrespectful, assasinating each others characters which detracts from debate. If they think I have a glass jaw, then so be it, I find it redious to read through 20 insults before getting to an actual valid point. I don't mind any person disagreeing with me , that is what debate is for, but to start off with "who are these pilferers you speak off" Come on, you may not like Louw, but he has pilfered the most ball, in fact three times more thus far than Bismarck. You dismiss him out of hand, without even having any stats or facts at hand, how else would you want me to read that?
Rooinek
Roar Rookie
I'm not your friend. I barely know you as a poster let alone a person. Also, if I was your friend I'd make some kind of effort to explain to you what position Jaco Kriel plays and what the requirements of that position are. Just because he's a great ball carrier and one of the fastest loose forwards in the world dosn't change the fact that he's a number 6 flanker (oh and that's a #6 in South African and French terms, not the position that everyone else numbers a 7 . . . just in case you didn't know the difference).
Just_win
Guest
Yes, there is also the "...kick for territory, keep pressure through set piece dominance, kick the points or get a rolling maul.", lol It should be a good game, I don't expect a blow out score but Boks should win if they don't get mesmerised by the fantastic Welsh singing. :)
Hi JW, I think there is a little more to the Boks than just bludgeoning, but we'll see tomorrow. Speaking to a bunch of Welsh guys, this team is not that depleted. I think it is a bit more of a ruse than reality ;)
Rooinek
Roar Rookie
Oh and do me one more favour and stop calling me your mate. If you're my mate then act like it. I really get offended when someone calls me "mate" or "pal" when I'm clearly anything but. Thanks in anticipation.
Rooinek
Roar Rookie
My attitude? Let me get this straight, you said to Harry . . . completely unprovoked I might add . . . that I was a "wind-up merchant who is best ignored". After that you refused to even acknowledge my questions to you as to why you'd said such a thing . . . and here you are, whining about my attitude? I don't know what your beef is with me, Biltongbek. Like I said before, all I remember about your ill-fated visit to the Ruckers Forum was that I was about the only poster there who engaged you in actual rugby discussions while the rest of them launched the infantile and personal attacks that they're known for . . . a bit like your behaviour toward me on this site come to think of it. If you have an issue with me then stop beating around the bush and be a man and say what it is. After you beat a retreat from the Ruckers Forum you were known in those parts as the guy with the glass jaw. I'm starting to wonder if there isn't some substance to that.