Heyneke Meyer to end tenure as South Africa coach

Also, we cannot forget the potential impact ,that the ABs game-plan against France the previous week, did to the SBs overall approach to the SF. Admittedly, the SBs would have factored the wet weather as an impact against the ABs trying the same game plan, in the SF. However, without the ability to forecast what game plan the ABs may have planned, the SBs would have been affected in some form to at least, spend some considerable training time and effort on their own defensive plays rather than, their attacking plays. Whereas the ABs, had all week to just concentrate on their game plays and tactics knowing that they have recently played and won in wet weather against the SBs, they have now asked the SBs to think of defence plays on top of their attack plays, they have seen how the welsh just failed to overcome the SBs in their QF and they can rely on how to manage their own collective experience and determination and play basic wet weather rugby at its best, to dominate possession and position. Basics....execute them properly, execute them well and execute them without fear....and you can provide the platform, to dominate your opponent in the tightest and closest, of situations.

Not really convinced about the 2nd half of your comment that the Boks played conservatively after the Japan loss - if that was the case, then they certainly played like it, in the next 3 pool matches. They played how they wanted to play and the let down for them, if any game can be reviewed as such IMO, was their QF against Wales. Wales had them on the rack in that match except, for a last minute Houdini act, by DV and FDP. IMO, this match was their "last straw" so to speak because they came out against the ABs a week later, with very little or no semblance whatsoever, of any game plan. Remember, the ABs also defeated the SBs in atrocious conditions in Wellington so their game plan, wasn't going to differ that much against the SBs, for this SF. The onus IMO, was on the SBs to do something different - not, the ABs but, they didn't. The SBs had more or less shown their one and only game plan that they've consistently played and used against the ABs in the Wales match and the wet weather a week later IMO, just made them put-up-the-shutters, with any open-play game plan ambitions, against the ABs. And this is despite all their conservative efforts they showed, in the remaining pool matches, to run the ball rather than, kick it. The ABs turning screw application started to gain momentum when the most feared weapon in the SB armour, was being dismantled with certain ease, by the AB forwards - of course, I'm referring to the SB line-out. Once that supposed superiority was removed, the only set-piece remaining was the scrum but once again, the wet weather affected any opportunities for the SBs to spread the ball for fear of knock-on errors and more potential possession, to the ABs. The SBs may have given the ABs a fright in some folks view, but a closer inspection of how the actual game went, would show that it was the ABs that dominated possession, position and eventually points even if the difference was a meagre, 2pts. It was IMO, one of those ugly close wins that in the end, was planned by the ABs to suit the conditions - a win that relied upon the collective experience and determination of a couple of players, to play again, the following weekend.

The ABs did kick a lot at the RWC, because at the knockout stage territory was the key. At the RWC , you don't want to make mistakes, you go home and wait 4 long years as Gregan would say. The ABs will probably kick a bit more than normal next year with a new midfield combo , but once they get the confidence , I would expect them to run the ball again at RC time. The Boks at the RWC did stuff up early and it meant they had to play even more conservatively , because it was knock for them after the first game. If the Boks had not lost to Japan, they could afford to be more expansive at the RWC . MH was under the pump from the start at the RWC but that was his and the players fault and the SA public wanted his head. For the Boks to finish third was not a true indication , they gave the ABs a hell of a fright, their only mistake was not to take a kick for a lineout deep into the second half in the ABs territory and chance their arm.If they had gone for that lineout,who knows. Pressure is a hell of a thing and HM certainly had a lot of it on his plate.

Absolutely max.....is that due to too much kicking?? Because, if we looked at the ABs tactics of late, we'd see that the ABs kicked the ball just as much if not more, than any other side in the RWC - so where is the difference, we may ask?? IMO, it really is down to the quality of kicks, the execution of the kicks and the following-up of those kicks, by the rest of the side. To complete each kick with combining those 3 requirements, demonstrates that when this on-field action is called and played, then every player onside is well aware of what is going to happen and therefore, what is needed to be done. Carter wasn't the only player who performed this kicking duty, so his absence to France, isn't for one moment, going to stop this attack from being performed, in future. Players such as Cruden, Slade, Barrett and Sopoanga, have all played their junior rugby when DC was in his prime and no doubt, have followed/incorporated his style, into their own armoury of skills. Players like the McKenzie brothers, Black, Bleyendahl, Hickey etc have all progressed into ITM/SR rugby and have also added some DC tactics, to their own armouries. And, there are many more youngsters, playing their junior rugby next year, who will all be chompin' at the bit to go out and replicate DC's latest antics - kicking drop goals. DC has set the template for up-n-coming No10s in NZ....it will be up to their coaches to encourage or discourage, the use of such a template. So, if you want to play 10-man rugby, then so be it - go ahead but surely, at least acknowledge that to do so, could/would very well limit your team's options of attack if it means the kicking game that's used, lacks any flair or opportunities to attack the kicked ball, when it is close to being caught, by the opposition. Of course, there is another kicking option and that is to kick penalties but to do that, you have to gain territory advantage and to accomplish this, then you'd probably have to kick the ball into your opponents red-zone and attack their lineout or scrum or ruck/maul after your No12, has just tackled his opponent who just caught, the kicked ball. Kick and chase, secure the set-piece, kick and chase then tackle the opposition and force the set-piece, kick and chase etc etc interspersed with, a penalty kick. Great rugby to watch - perhaps, just slightly better than watching, paint dry.....who knows???

And your comment was not petty or personal?

How much closer? One point instead of two? Don't see how dry conditions suits the Boks more than the ABs. In fact the way the ABs played the opposition and conditions in all three knockouts suggests they had their planning sorted better than anyone. A dry pitch could also have meant a much bigger win.

I have come to the conclusion Pollard is not a 10

Oh, you want to go there. Meyer doesn't justify my existenve, in fact a petty comment from you. And yes my criticism of Meyer has been justified by his results

There is no big mystery here. De Allende, the Boks' best player at the moment touched the ball about twice v New Zealand. At that point the intelligence of the whole coaching staff is in doubt. Good riddance to Meyer. May this be a signal to all similarly inclined coaches.

Boks also had the rainy weather tbf. On a dry pitch it would have been a lot closer, but they had the best of conditions in their favour and altho they got a lot closer than people credit them, they didn't get the esp with the loose play in the last 10

As an Australian who's watched the Brumbies, thank god it's not Jake White Though I suppose that comes under the banner of needing to transform the side to a slightly more running oriented style to match the direction teams like ABs/Wales/Scotland/Ireland have developed

Well said Mania

Coetzee has had his hands somewhat tied, at least in recent years due to the players available for selection. Perhaps he will do better with more options.

Yes, it's the most politically complicated rugby coaching gig in the world, I guess. Also, the diaspora of SA players makes the job really complex too. Dozens of players to watch from IRE/UK to FR to Japan. Language issues; especially as the quotas really kick in...

Harry... I feel I need to put it out there, but to be Coach of the Bok you need to be multi-disciplined yeah? Or at least have a couple of extra strings to your bow. Like it's tough enough coaching any international team, especially a team that has concerns with quotas, political machinations, and the continual expectation of a nation steeped in Rugby vocation. Factor with that a side, like the magnificant All Blacks, who as you've stated, are a one in century dominate side, complete with the coaching wherewithals to get the job done time, and time again. It's therefore a very tough gig?! As a Wallaby supporter I feel your pain. But in saying that I'm acutely aware what a an enormous challenge it must be to coach the proud Bok. I have been, thankfully, around long enough to know that there are always swings and roundabouts. And therefore, I think the Bok, and the Wallaby, are there abouts :)

Luck had nothing to do with it concerning the ABs. If was left to just luck the SBs would have more than one win in 4 yrs.

Boks game really could have gone anyway. We were fortunate to win. In contrast we dominated Aus in every area of the game and they only came close when we were down a man. The boks had the game plan and the execution to beat us

Very good. lol

Drop kicks, never thought an all black team would rely on drop kicks to win one game let alone two on the trot. Now every NZ kid with a rugby ball will be perfecting their drop kicking skills. NZ rugby just don't do drop kicks we leave that to the poms and saffas. But to stay at the top you have to learn and adapt I suppose.

Very good club coach and a very good man. Not a great test-level coach. Had the bad luck to coincide with one of the best NZ coaches and teams in a century or more, but really, that's part of being a Bok coach: don't lose to NZ 7 times out of 8. Just don't. He did well against ENG and pretty well against OZ, but the home loss to ARG and the losses to IRE, Wales, and Japan were 100% unacceptable. Posted an article with more reflections. Good luck Allister Coetzeeeeeeee