Why South African teams are losing more than they should

I suspect the South Africans play with a different attitude that the Aussies. Physicality and intensity is innate in the South African rugby genetics. One downfall of SARU is their inability to create an environment where there is continuity between international coaches, every relationship since Mallett in 2000 has ended on a sour note. Too many egos involved I suspect. The appointment of Coetzee was a huge error in judgement in my view. SARU's inability to transform rugby and meet quotas makes them do rash things at times. Had they met their targets I doubt they would have appointed Coetzee. The man at the helm of Springbok rugby has to be not only competent, but one of the best in the world. You cannot compromise on that. Sadly for the damage to the legacy, aura and image of Springbok rugby they have hopefully learnt a lesson. Somehow I doubt that.

SA teams can't be that naive as I would expect the better NZ teams would punish that quite harshly. Could it be that the SA teams rugby nous and understanding of NZ teams strategy enables them to dampen NZ teams more than the Aussie teams can ? Sometimes could be that the mind set of the players makes a big difference. I remember Thorn saying after one team that they guys were not mentally 100% for that match which reminds me of the world cup. The Springboks only lost to the All Blacks by 1 point, such a small difference and if something small had happened differently (ie.e ball bounce differently) they could of won. This was the team that lost to Japan. So effectively two very different Springbok teams by mentality over just a small time period. My feeling was that they should of kept Heyneke Meyer as coach of the Springboks, the game against the All Blacks in 2014 ( or was it 2013) was one of my favorite games and over the time period of his coaching the Springboks were so powerful. (sorry side tracked :-) )

While there is uncertainty over how the Boks will pan out under Erasmus what I am certain of is that we will spend the next 12 months talking about quotas ...again.

Hi Raumanga, I was trying to see whether I could get the time stamps on the matches of when discipline was at it worst (which might give an indication of weariness) but couldn't get that info from the SANZAAR site. I personally think naivety and inexperience for the South African teams come into play. Lack of leadership at times and decision making. I distinctly remember Keegan Daniel having a brainless moment in taking a quick line out throw which resulted in Michael Hoopr running 50 meters for a try for the Waratahs. I remember matches where Bulls and Lions refuse to take the easy three, repeatedly only to lose because of it. There is a smart manner in which to play positive rugby, and then there is the naive way. SA teams still struggle with recognising the difference.

Interesting stats. More stats please! So very similar between NZ and SA, ( average points) , your point about losing to NZ at the death is interesting. Hurricanes game making that point well. So between NZ and S.A. The skills are very close but NZ appear to want to win ( or dislike losing) a lot more. Think of that Irish game with the AB's in 2014, quite telling. Belief and desire. Comparing the average points between NZ and S.A. And S.A. And Australia they seem fairly similar BUT between NZ and Australia there is a massive difference. This is quite telling, all I can assume is NZ have some big advantage over the Australian teams that or the Australian teams have some weakness ( or both). I wonder what exactly. Either physiological or NZ teams can counter Australian teams quite well. If it was only fitness i.e. Not Going the full eighty min then S.A. Wouldn't be so close to NZ and Australia in performance. The stats are very interesting, would also want to see more, I wonder if some factor will emerge.

The ability of particularly NZ teams to pull results out of the fire is frustratingly admirable . I used to think that it boiled down to superior conditioning but it is just no longer conceivable that Aus and SA teams are not at peak fitness. They have the same programmes and monitoring of players that anyone else has and as good sport scientists and technicians particularly in Australia as anywhere on the planet . Being at a loss I have a theory that NZ players are encouraged at an early age to think for themselves on the field with far more emphasis on pushing rule limits , refereeing interpretations , game plans etc. than what South Africans would . SA players culturally grow up being taught to abide by the rules and have a respect authority mindset . What I am getting to is that when it comes to these close games the NZ players play the situation better . They have game plans within game plans . So if a 5 pointer is needed to secure a win in the last 5 min they will switch to a high risk high reward approach . If a 3 pointer is needed they will play to the refs interpretations as well as the opposition to secure a penalty . It is their superior skill sets that allows them to implement these plans with greater accuracy than SA teams. This is only a theory but it is the only one I have and I would have no problem with anyone disagreeing with me or having a better idea.

of course there will....whats the ratio to be 50/50 black and white??? that is what will kill the Boks

Hi JB, I think there must always be a standard expected, even if by a minority. If we start accepting mediocrity it infests society, if rugby union can be that one example in South Africa of what we should aim at as a society then it should. Unfortunately currently it is failing, our society needs rugby to be exemplary.

Hi SP, yes the loss of talent is not sitting well with me, I realise and accept that players will do what is best for them, but it doesn't sit well anyway. Unfortunately I just don't see an end to this. I always thought there must be a saturation point, it seems it runs very deep.

Corne, I think you are too tough on the South African sides. Their results against the Kiwi sides are far better then what the Australian teams have been able to deliver. The style of play is improving and those teams are producing plenty of new talent (hopefully they will hang around a bit before being snapped up by French clubs). Though there may be a lack of consistency in results, they have been able to produce some outstanding results against Kiwi teams. The Stormers may be the question mark as they have really misfired this year. As to the Ox teams, let's say that their results have been less than impressive. There is a significant (and worrying) lack of depth in key positions - scrum half and fly half with players unable to read the play and to influence the game. Apart from Genia and Foley, there is nothing which is sad....

Thanks for article Biltong. Agree on all you have said. I think we can forget about an expansive game with Rassie. Munster played quite a conservative style under Rassie, but it was a winning style of play. When he was the Stormers, he also coached them to a very conservative way of playing. Jaques Nienanber is great defence coach. One thing is sure, the Bok defence will improve. But I expect the Boks to return to a forward based game, playing to traditional strengths. On the subject of Munster, Chris Cloete is big loss to Saffa rugby. He was instrumental to the Kings rise in 2017. Now he is playing for Munster and doing very well. I wonder if he is eligible to play for Ireland one day? (like CJ Stander) He is built like Pocock, plays to the ball like Pocock but is a lot faster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p_7ZdRDaBE

I’ve never felt Fleckie, as nice a guy as he is, is elite head coach material ...

Agree Bluesfan, I am quite surprised at the points etc after watching the games. Been bugger all blow outs and I get the feeling that the SA teams are going to be even harder to beat next year as they get into playing their style for full 80 minutes, and don't drop off intensity at end . Bulls, Stormers and Sharks have all shown they capable of footing it with Kiwi teams as well as Lions of course. Love to see it, and suspect the Boks are going to more than useful especially next year going into WC.

Yes, you also have to deal with what you have. I think Jake White would coach the Canes in a different way to how he coached the Brumbies. (Although there would still be his trademark focus on defence and set piece). Similarly if Schmidt tried to coach Irish teams in the same way he coached NZ teams he would not have been successful either.

Luck is a funny thing which happens in all games. Warratahs were lucky to be up 29-0, intercepts and unforced mistakes from the opposition. But suffered the major bad luck of the game in the reffing team not spotting the Moody foul play which was potentially match changing. However, in the second half, the Warratahs were under pressure most of the game and looked less likely of scoring and if they had held on or kicked one of their two chances they would have been "lucky" to have won. While the Warratahs scored some nice tries I disagree that they played a better game as they were dominated for longer periods in that game then they were dominant. Definitely they were dominated in the forwards but dominated in the backs. All in all I just go with it was a tight enjoyable game where it could have gone either way.

all is not dire BB. i agree with bluesfan. SA are bringing it this season and for once in a long long time are improving imo in a positive way and playing rugby i enjoy. sharks and lions ive enjoyed this season. i just hope that in the pursuit of 'positive rugby' that SA doesn't lose its dominance and expertise at set piece.

Quotas are unchanged cuw

i think its like a boxing match that goes the 12 rounds. the winner will rarely win 10 out of 12 rounds - its more like 7-5 or 8 -4. in between he takes it easy and stays out of harms way - moving and not punching much and not giving a clear target. but those rounds also mean where the opponent has to exert - chasing and trying to catch up with a good hit. if u watch the Crusaders v Waratahs match - by 30 Waratahs were off their feet , they missed lot of tackles. till then they had been going all out. but despite the scoreline - Crusaders were not tired or spent. it was simillar in Bulls match.

FAF has been great form in England - many writers think hes been the best 9 in Aviva.

Bulls will do it soon - they r coming together nicely.