The Springboks looked like winning their Rugby World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks until the fat lady came along and spoiled the show at Twickenham.
Fourie du Preez and his supporting cast had walked off after act one with a 12-7 lead over Richie McCaw and his men in black, and fans I sat with at my club were singing the praises of South Africa. My faithful pooch even gave a yelp of joy.
But then the fat lady made her appearance and our hopes and dreams came crashing down as the curtain dropped on the final act and we lost 20-18.
‘It ain’t over until the fat lady sings’ is the saying and once again New Zealand’s finest snatched victory. We all know how good the All Blacks are, but here was a realistic chance of upsetting the odds.
New Zealand, according to former Springboks coach Nick Mallett, have now won 48 of their past 52 Tests and their latest feat showed just why they have a habit of winning.
The All Blacks have won so often, and they look like a team who believe they will win every game. The Springboks appeared like a side that hoped it could hang on to the lead.
You don’t have to scratch your head too hard to figure out why we lost. When they are down, the All Blacks work out what they need to do for victory. The Springboks rely on a gameplan set in stone while New Zealand vary their tactics.
If the box kicks don’t work, they pick and go. If that isn’t paying off, they try grubber kicks. They then swing the ball wide. The All Blacks have any number of variations. They keep asking questions of the opposition and eventually take yet another bow after the curtain closes.
Their persistence paid off with two tries, by Jerome Kaino and Beauden Barrett, while all South Africa’s points came from the boots of Handre Pollard (five penalties) and Pat Lambie (one). Dan Carter also had his kicking boots on and scored 10 points for the All Blacks via two conversions, a drop goal and a penalty.
The All Blacks were in trouble in the first half when they conceded a host of penalties and often paid the price. At the break, Kaino was still in the sin bin for foolishly kicking the ball from an offside position and the Boks had every reason to be upbeat.
The trouble with South Africa is that they only have a Plan A, so it was no surprise – certainly to the New Zealanders – that the Boks stuck to the same gameplan.
So the All Blacks simply changed theirs. They were more disciplined and managed to keep South Africa in their own half of the field. This nullified the threat of Pollard’s unerring boot and piled the pressure on the Boks. Pollard couldn’t take a pot at the posts from there.
When South Africa did manage to fight their way up-field, they uncharacteristically lost two or their own lineouts and also gave away a penalty at a crucial time.
Then, when in an attacking position, referee Jerome Garces reversed a penalty awarded to South Africa in the 63rd minute because substitute Victor Matfield foolishly grabbed an opposing player by the neck.
A moment that gave our fans hope slipped into the night and the All Blacks put play back into the South African half again.
You can’t blame Matfield for his knock-on that ended the match. At that stage, the All Blacks were dominant in the South African quarter and grinding away the final minutes.
One can, however, castigate Bryan Habana, who was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on and also was penalised for tackling All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder when he didn’t have the ball. Habana didn’t have one of his best games and this was his last hurrah.
Several other players will call time on their World Cup careers, including Matfield, du Preez, Jean de Villiers, Ruan Pienaar, Jannie du Plessis and Schalk Burger. And maybe more of the old-timers.
After the match, Heyneke Meyer obstinately defended his tactics and blamed the weather, much of it played in heavy rain. Asked whether he would keep his job as coach, he said he was “there to serve”.
He added that winning is the only thing for him and having to play a semi-finals losers game would be like kissing your sister.
One can only admire Meyer for his passion and commitment. However, he remains stuck in the past. The game has changed and he hasn’t changed with it.
We have the players but we simply don’t have enough variation in our gameplan. The jury is out on who should replace him if he goes.
I remain optimistic because we now have a nucleus of young stars such as Pollard, Lambie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Francois Louw, Duane Vermeulen and others. That forms a good base from which to build a World Cup-winning team.
With the right coach, everything is possible. The future is bright but you have to be able to see the light.
Elisa
Guest
There's a store in my town that have both of them in stock, and price is not really an issue. The weehatr is pretty much the same year round in here, kind of cold 62 F in average. We get some sunny days in this time of the year, but most of the days are rather of rainy or cloudy. I think he will use it as a usual jacket, in his everyday rotation.
Old Bugger
Guest
Such a strange comment AJ when you think how many times the ABs have beaten the SBs since 2009. And, that includes winning in SA. Nonetheless, what we saw in the SF was a game plan that IMO, surprised not only bok fans but also, AB fans. It was a plan that didn't need the ill-discipline though and to be sure, I think you'd agree, the SBs didn't show very much attack intent beyond the opening minute. Thereafter, it was defence except the two occasions when the ABs did manage, to work it out. To continue with grubber kicking when inside the SB 22m zone, was quite extraordinary.....but it seems, that was the game plan and while I did get frustrated, I congratulate the ABs, for maintaining their tactics, when opportunities to do something else presented. IMO, that was the best example I've seen by the ABs to display a mental fortitude and awareness, to play in accordance with the game plan and tactics, without fault barring the penalty count. Still, not every side is perfect are they? Now, it's onto the GF and what tactics to play against the WBs?
lassitude
Guest
It wasn't a matter of the fat lady singing. Even at half time it was clear that one side was playing rugby and the other was desperate to stop them and, perhaps, feed on a quick breakaway (seemingly their only attack option). Even then I was very confident black would win - the constitution of the bench meant that the Bok really needed to be up by at least 12 points with 20 to go to be confident of victory and that didn't seem likely with the tactics they were playing.
lassitude
Guest
The one and only time. Why didn''t they do it again ? The rest of the time they hardly fired a shot in attack.
Harry Jones
Expert
In the first minute, the Boks won the ball in midfield and sent quick ball wide. Willie le Roux joined the line at pace, fixed his defender, and sent Kriel through at full speed--he tried to step Ben Smith at the NZ 22 but Ben made the crucial tackle. Then, in the ensuing ruck, the ABs made a good mess of it, probably infringing to save a possible first minute try, which would have been huge for the Boks. FdP didn't play out the advantage very long; trying a speculative kick to force the ref to let SA kick for poles. Big moment; right off the bat.
Common Sense
Guest
The only reason the Boks had a chance of winning it was the ABs ill discipline. Other than that the Boks never looked like getting out of their own half.
lao hu
Guest
Perhaps the problem is there is a long held belief that the Boks are the best team in the world and just going thru a rough patch. The status quo in world rugby will soon return.
mactheblack
Guest
Andrew, your analogy that the fat lady sung to deny the Boks is not true in my opinion. It makes it seem like the Boks were coasting to victory. Not at all. They had an (slight) advantage at halftime - and that was it. Everyone knows the greatness in the All Blacks. There is no panic. Just confidence in their skills and approach. Look at the territorial possession and metres gained and no. of tries scored.. It tells the story. The Boks playing their one route style, are probably going to beat the ABs maybe two out of 10 times - that's how I see it. It could have happened in the semifinal, but was not to be. SA rugby's style is not winning rugby. I cannot understand for the life of me when the Boks have such talented backs at their disposal they are being reduced to mere passengers, given the type of game coach upon coach is employing. HM did him - and fans- no favours by picking the "old daddies" like Matfield, Juan De Villiers and Schalk Burger. Now of course that has to change because all of them will be riding off into the sunset. Pity it has to happen like this rather than due to a coach who knows that he has to be bold with selections, exactly because sport "is a young man's game". The Springboks need a makeover! I could not understand however why the ABs were makings so many unnecessary mistakes - almost gifting their opponents the game.
Andrew Jardine
Roar Guru
HM didn't bring through the younger players. They just emerged as the years rolled by. Helen Keller could have seen that his tactics were old-fashioned. We have lost all of the games against the All Blacks in recent times minus one. Some were close but they always figured out how to beat us. Coaches are measured by results and his overall ones have been poor. Too many excuses and too many apologies. He may have seen the light now. Who knows? I wouldn't bet on it.
Andrew Jardine
Roar Guru
They just worked out how to beat us.
Andrew Jardine
Roar Guru
Maybe Johan Ackermann, the Lions coach. Meyer has not got an impressive CV. Coach for Leicestershire for nine games, an assistant coach to the Boks, coach of the Blue Bulls and then Bok coach. It's true he was successful as the Blue Bulls coach, but in those days most teams played the South African way. But he was found out later when it really mattered in the international arena. I can't see any foreign coaches being interested in coaching the Boks. They will note how some of our coaches have been treated by Saru.
Andrew Jardine
Roar Guru
Meyer stuck with experienced old crocs and largely ignored younger players in the run-up to the WC. He was forced to bring in younger players only because of injuries to them. I don't believe he is the man to forge a new team. It's not the two points that are relevant, it's the way we played the game. Bennie Osler and Danie Craven may have liked his game plan but most modern coaches don't.
Harry Jones
Expert
No team kicked more in one game in all of the 2015 RWC ... Than NZ in the SF. 47 times. I was there; maybe 44 of them were good; pinning SA or contested legally. The rain and the stakes dictated it; and the two times they had a chance, they took it so well. Congrats NZ. Best team I've ever seen. Privilege to see them. Boks: brave. I have nothing but respect and dare I say it, love.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Well I absolutely agree you have the players. So many great sound guys coming through. For mine that kid Pollard is a diamond, but I will say this, If he keeps defending like he did in that match he'll attract injuries. At times he was like another loose forward holding the tackler off the turf. I know he's a big guy but it might not be in the long term interests of the Springboks. Did you notice it was his back causing issues when he left..
superba
Guest
If HM is to stay get Ackermann in as assistant coach .
CA3ZAR
Roar Pro
Meyer started something with this team in 2013, I think it's only fair he gets the chance to develop the kind of play he envisions
Old Bugger
Guest
AJ If the future is as bright as you suggest, do you think an overseas coach will help to see the light?? Or, do you believe there is an SA coach available and daring enough to help the SBs, see the light?? I'm interested in your comments on this coaching conundrum.
Pickett
Guest
There was only 2 points in the semi. I would have thought the narrative would be about Meyer starting a journey with a baby bok team. A 2 or maybe 1 year extension sounds reasonable to me as an outsider.