Rassie Erasmus came as a breath of fresh air and was graciously hailed the new messiah of Springbok rugby.
Upon his arrival, the former Cheetahs coach was adamant of blending the sensitive issue of transformation with experienced and young players into a mixture of revived ramping Boks.
But instead, we’re stuck with the same old bumbling team we’ve seen in recent years.
Admittedly, this year, South Africa have been playing a more adventurous blend of rugby, but we keep the ball in hand at the most cretaceous times.
Kicking is unattractive, but when executed well, especially on attack, it can be most advantageous. We have been led on a rouse of a “dominant Springbok forward pack”, which seemingly was demonstrated during the June International window against England and against Argentina in Durban last week.
This illusion of an improved Springbok squad and game-plan was squashed in Mendoza on Saturday night.
The forwards combination could not gel and were outmuscled by a settled Argentine pack. The Springboks centre pairing of Lukhanyo Am and Andre Esterhuizen were out of sync and not penetrative on attack or defence either.
When Lionel Mapoe came on to replace Makazole Mapimpi, Erasmus may as well employed a life-sized cardboard cut-out on that right wing.
Handre Pollard needs to be replaced, but not by Elton Jantjies. Patrick Lambie should be called up with the young and talented Curwin Bosch as his cover.
South Africa need capable flyhalves who can actually convert tries and penalties. The only players who should be brought on the Australasian tour are Willie le Roux, Aphiwe Dyanti, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley, Siya Kolisi, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Steven Kitshoff. The rest of the squad could be made up of ball-boys, ex-pat South Africans or whoever is at the stadium at the time.
In the past, I would make ridiculous predictions, but it’ll be no stretch to say the All Blacks have this year’s Rugby Championships in the bag. South Africa should beat Australia at home but not away, whereas trying not to lose scoreless to New Zealand should be South Africa’s main goal.
Stanthefootballfan
Roar Rookie
To me they always seem to be a bit below par when playing in Argentina. Credit to the Pumas, but I think we tend to save our better performances for the Wobblies and the All Blacks. Australasia is going to be tough, but the Boks will make it tough for the visitors also.
Stanthefootballfan
Roar Rookie
I still think the Boks are going to go toe to toe with both the Wallabies and All Blacks (in South Africa). Playing away they could also cause an upset or two. We'll see.
Stanthefootballfan
Roar Rookie
I think the Springboks and their supporters have very short term memory, and we always seem to underestimate the Pumas when we are playing them in their own backyard. Sometimes we pay the price for it. The Pumas have shown recently in Durban and Mendoza that they are up for it. They are being very competitive. I am looking forward to seeing how they are going to fare against the Wobblies.
Green Lantern
Roar Pro
Blue I never thought I'd see the day that the Springboks would slip to 7th. Although its good to see Harry is still optimistic about the Boks, as am I. I'm still a very hopeful supporter.
Blue
Guest
We need: A loosehead who can keep up. Backrow balance. Impossible with Kolisi at any position other than openside. He cannot play blindside. I honestly don't know what on earth we can do here. Move Kolisi to openside, you have to play PSDT at 7. Not sold on that. Who plays 8 then? An eight that can get stuck into the breakdown. Whiteley's shortcomings are glaringly obvious. A form ten that can control the game and makes few mistakes. This is a disaster area. Who else is there other than a rookie? A 12 that can do a little bit more than truck it up. Someone else at 14. Mapimpi looks ok in space but that's it. All a bit depressing and I have to watch the NZ tests with Kiwis. I think I'll get a sicknote instead. 7th in the world ranking. Deservedly, sad to say.
Old Bugger
Guest
HJ Previously I suggested your lads are on the improving side of the radar and that was based upon their past 4 test matches. I probably like everyone else forgot that this recent test, was actually the first test on the road, for the SBs this year and sadly, they let themselves down. All the good work and effort they've shown against England and the Pumas previously, now seems to have gone by the wayside with this recent result away from home. So my simple query is - were the SBs affected that much by playing away from home to provide the very limp effort, that we saw?? If so then why because, I would understand it if the match was near the end of an international season but this game, was only the second test of the RC competition. It does not blend well for the trip to Aus and NZ if they cannot, get it together when they're on the road.
Harry Jones
Expert
Rassie Erasmus and his coaching team have definitely improved: - the attack (Boks are scoring tries again, albeit not as efficiently in the red zone as they should) - the shape of attack (forwards are not fanned across the pitch; it’s a tighter, salient charge with big carriers) - the honesty of post-match press conferences - speed of reacting to poor play - finishing (Bok opponents are only scoring 8.6 points average in 2H) But, his Bok team has NOT been good at all at: - starting well (opposing teams have averaged 17.2 points in the 1H) - defending, in general (more soft simple overlap tries conceded already in 2018 than in an entire season of 2013-14) - running the lineout!!!! How is that possible with EE, PSDT, Lood, Mostert, and Snyman?
JRVJ
Guest
As I've stated on different social platforms, I find it odd that pretty much all Saffa social media and commentors concentrate on how terrible and disgraceful it is for the Boks to have lost against the Pumas, but few if any give the Pumas credit for actually playing damn well (the Pumas have won 3 out of the last 9 games against the Boks. The Boks ARE and SHOULD be better than the Pumas, but losing 1 out of very 3 games against a side is not a "DISGRACE"). As to the test itself, to me the key was the Etzebeth yellow card. The Pumas pack suddenly had a lot of breathing room during scrum time (there's a BIG difference in pushing against a Bok pack with Etzebeth than one without him), and it allowed the Pumas to put up a big lead. Eventually the Pumas pack wilted, but it was too late for the Boks. Other than that, Nico Sánchez absolutely schooled H. Pollard. Mr. Sánchez is a good Fly-Half, but he played much better than usual on Saturday. That happens sometimes, and the Pumas greatly benefited from that.
Richard Islip
Roar Rookie
Absolutely correct. In all areas.
Green Lantern
Roar Pro
There's plenty of factors that contribute to our national team declining, mainly social and political. Anyone that lives in South Africa can contest to that. But that's an issue for another article for another time.
Aussies are going to demolish our backline defence
Jonty Shonty
Roar Pro
They are super raw, and the only thing that will fix that in our current situation is playing time. We'll just need to suck up the poor performances for now!
Suzy Poison
Guest
I don't think we are giving Argentina enough credit, but at the same time, I am getting tired of the false dawns. Boks well beaten, back-line defence ripped apart....same old same old. New coach, same rubbish. Brisbane will be interesting...neither team high on confidence.
Ralph
Roar Guru
It might a Faustian bargain Nick and not all that glitters is gold.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
I think your teams should head to Europe en masse Corne. They're bleeding out in Super Rugby. And after all, most of the Lions tight five will be playing in the West Country of England this season in any case! Establish European club/provincial bases, select all the players who already ply their trade there for the international side.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Yes I like that B/R too Jonty - PSDT, Louw and Kolisi until the Great Dane comes back. There some real problems in the outside backs, simply because some of the talent is so raw. Guys like Am and Dyantyi have Test potential but they are trying to learn how to play international football on the hoof. It's not ideal, but Rassie also cannot get hold of some of the players he'd like to select - chiefly the blokes playing club rugby in France :)
Jonty Shonty
Roar Pro
Good point Shop. I think credit must also go to the Pumas.
Shop, there are no more excuses or justifications, the Springboks were crap. Embarressing doesn't begin to describe it.
Jonty, I have lost my passion and pride for SA sport, without that there isn't much reason tokeep supporting. I could never understand how people couldn't follow sport and be passionate about it. Sadly our sport has lost it pride, it has fallen victim of our mediocre society, you see it every day when you go to shops, public service centres, everywhere, there is no passion or pride in our society, look at our leaders, our politicians and management, they are all out for themselves, we have turned a corner, unfortunately, the wrong one. I suppose we are paying the price for our past, and a heavy price it is. Those who can, leave, the cream of our society has left the building.
Shop
Guest
You guys are all being too harsh. No the Boks didn’t play well but the Pumas were really on song. Most things went their way and they were boosted by a healthy home crowd. I was at the game and something you may not have noticed was the Boks played the first half looking into a very strong sun, which can be very distracting. Come the second half the shade of the stadium weakened it considerably. Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition.