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The life of a Springboks fan has been a terrible thing in 2016. While traditional rivals New Zealand continue to ascend Mount Olympus, we are tumbling down the molehill.
Despite the lack of success from both Australia and Argentina, these two sides look serviceable at least, whereas it’s incredible the Springboks have managed to win any games this year, let alone the four they have won.
The Springboks will take on the Barbarians on November 5, followed by encounters against England, Wales, and Italy. How they will fare against these sides remains a complete mystery.
While 2016 could still get worse for the Springboks, there are four reasons for South African fans to smile. Unfortunately, there’s also five reasons to grab some tissues and a tub of ice cream.
Bloody Poms
Springboks fans can be feeling optimistic about their upcoming clash with England, who have not beaten the South Africa in ten years. That translates to a 12-game winless streak for the Poms.
The last time England beat the Springboks was all the way back in 2006 when they emerged triumphant in a tightly contested match at Twickenham with the scoreline of 23-21. They lost against South Africa the week after at the same venue by 25-14 and have only managed a draw since which came during England’s 2012 tour to South Africa in Port Elizabeth.
The next 11 matches aren’t a good read for the Red Roses. They lost four on the trot against the Springboks in 2007, two of those losses coming in the World Cup. They lost the game in Bloemfontein, 58-10, and followed that up with a 55-22 thumping at Loftus Versfeld the week after.
Months later they faced the Springboks in the pool stages of the World Cup and lost 36-0 before being defeated in the final 15-6. These matches culminated in a total score line of 164-38, which is also a record loss for England against any team in a calendar year.
Things didn’t go much better in 2008 when the Springbok beat England 42-6 at Twickenham a year later. The next match would take place at Twickenham again in 2010, with South Africa running out 21-11 winners.
England couldn’t manage a single win in four games against the Springboks again in 2012, with the South Africans winning the King’s Park and Ellis Park Tests 22-17 and 36-27 respectively and again coming out trumps at Twickenham by the narrow margin of 16-15. England did, however, manage a 14-14 draw in Port Elizabeth.
The last game between these two sides came in 2014, where the Springboks beat the Red Roses 31-28 at Twickenham yet again.
Capping off this reason to smile is the fact that the Springboks have managed an average of 4.3 tries a game against England in the past ten years. It remains one of the greatest achievements ever by a Springbok side.
So why should South African fans feel sad about this? That winning streak will end come November.
England are now the second best team in the world, and they deserve some recognition after rising above the struggles of 2015, but credit aside, the reality of the matter is that, at present, South Africa is a rubbish rugby team.
The Kiwi and Springbok relationship
The second piece of news that should make South Africans feel all warm and fuzzy inside is that New Zealand still loves us.
Some would say that this is a stupid reason to be happy, but at this point, we should take everything that we can get. If we should scrape the bottom of the barrel, then a healthy dose of Kiwi love should make us all feel a bit better.
While Australia-New Zealand relations are at an all-time low because of angry coaches, alleged arrogance and disrespect, disallowed tries, Richetty Grubs and Pennywise clown faces, the South Africa-New Zealand rivalry – which isn’t a rivalry anymore – is still going strong.
No grubs or clowns here. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen still gets tears in his eyes when he speaks of the Springbok and has even told the South African media off when he said that we should be patient with the Springboks.
The All Blacks and the Springboks even teamed up for charity when they helped out at the LIV Village. George Moala buddied up with Juan de Jongh, Brodie Retallick with Eben Etzebeth, Sam Whitelock with Pieter-Steph du Toit, Patrick Tuipulotu with Tendai Mtawarira and so on.
While it’s beautiful to see two teams in World Rugby displaying the utmost respect for each other, it’s not good to see the touted greatest rivalry in the world brought down to a 57-15 thrashing for either one of those teams.
By all means, the beers and the lifts and the collaboration in charity work are exactly what rugby as a game traditionally stands for, but rugby is also a competitive sport and these young Boks provide little to no competition for a team that once carried the real fear of losing against them.
Whatever tears All Blacks captain Steve Hansen has in his eyes when talking about us before and after the game completely disappears come match day. You would think always being nice to us would translate in some mercy for our boys. But no. The All Blacks offer no respite even when it is begged for.
We love New Zealand and New Zealand, loves us but unfortunately, we can be sad because they don’t love us enough to let us win.
Statistical anomaly
The Springboks have won four of their nine games this season while both the Wallabies and the Pumas sit at three from nine and three from ten respectively.
South Africa beat Ireland twice, the Pumas once and the Wallabies once this year, all of which were home victories.
The Wallabies have beaten the Pumas twice and the Springboks once while the Pumas have beaten Italy once, France once and the Springboks once. That means the Springboks, with a winning ratio of 44 per cent are a stronger outfit than Australia and Argentina who have winning percentages of 30 and 33 respectively.
The only mystery of these stats remains how the Springboks managed it when both Australia and Argentina genuinely look like better teams at the moment.
I hate to be a pessimist, but the Springboks will most likely lose two of their three games on the November tour while Argentina and Australia could realistically bounce back.
In week one of the end of year tour, Argentina should beat Japan while Australia has shown enough progress despite losing to suggest that they have a real shot against Wales. The Springboks will attempt to take things easy with a friendly against the Barbarians, but they’ll most likely lose anyway.
Week two is where things might get hairy. Argentina is a big chance against Wales after pushing the All Blacks recently. Although Scotland has a point to prove against Australia, the Wallabies should run out victors and it’s likely that England will trounce the Boks.
Week three’s toughest call might be the Springboks versus Italy game. Japan orchestrated a shock victory in 2015 and there’s every chance Italy could follow suit. Australia will face France, and that is also tight to call, but I’d give it to the Wallabies. I truly believe Argentina has Scotland’s number.
Week four will be South Africa’s last contribution against Wales, who will be looking for revenge against the Springboks for last year’s World Cup exit. Based on current form that will be Wales’ game. Argentina will most likely lose against England while the Wallabies lock horns with the French Barbarians.
The point remains that if South Africa suffer expected losses against England and Wales, they will end the season with a win ratio of 41 per cent. Both Australia and Argentina can certainly surpass that.
Allister Coetzee and the Currie Cup
The Cheetahs have been crowned Currie Cup Champions in an unbeaten run that saw them destroy the Lions in the semi-final (55-17) and claim the premiership by defeating the Bulls 36-16. It is a fantastic result for a province that has fallen on hard times, and against all the odds, Coetzee’s awarded some players for form.
Newcomers Francois Venter, Sergeal Peterson, Roelof Smith and Jean-Luc du Preez have been included in the squad for the Tests against England, Italy, and Wales. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Jamba Ulengo, Lizo Gqoboka, Thomas du Toit, RG Snyman, Uzzair Cassiem, Tian Schoeman and Cheslin Kolbe will only be considered for the game against the Barbarians first up.
The introduction of fresh blood is exactly what the Springboks need, but the problem is Coetzee’s match day selections will most likely still be poor.
It’s unlikely Coetzee, for example, will select Sergeal Peterson against England or Wales due to his lack of Test experience. He might get a run against Italy though, depending on how the England game goes.
Jean-Luc du Preez of the Sharks probably won’t be selected over either Oupa Mohoje in the starting lineup or over Willem Alberts on the bench. Roelof Smith and Francois Venter might have a real shot, but both Jaco Kriel and Lionel Mapoe stand in their way, so a bench capacity might be all they’re looking at.
But you never know with Coetzee at the helm. His selections have been everything but predictable. In the Rugby Championship, he selected a scrum-half at wing (Francois Hougaard), a fly-half at fullback (Patrick Lambie), an outside centre at inside centre (Juan de Jongh), a fullback at outside centre (Jesse Kriel) and a left wing on the right wing (Bryan Habana). It’s confusing, but perhaps it can confuse the opposition.
What do you think Roarers? Should South Africans be happy or sad leading into the end-of-year test matches?
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.