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Opinion
These are my thoughts on the green versus gold clash.
Green
Duane Vermeulen has great ball handling, and he is rock solid under the high ball. This was a tactic that the Boks employed against England in the World Cup final, with him often claiming many high balls, and then taking the ball into contact to set up a first platform in attack.
This is extremely logical. Given the beastly power that he unleashes when he carries into contact, it allows them to build their momentum through forward charges down the pitch by a gargantuan ball carrier.
At some points, in rare occasions, they brought Siya Kolisi in as a scrumhalf, and then they bring their actual scrumhalf out wider. This gives them more kicking options. Sanele Nohamba brings a different type of kicking to the game. Siya Kolisi has a pretty decent passing game so this is not a problem. This allows Nohamba to do a mix of an out-of-hand and a box kick, smashing the ball to hang up high for contest.
We see them bringing up Frans Steyn for first-phase carries. This is rather standard: get the biggest back you have – Steyn being a stocky 110 kilo inside centre – to charge the defence, pass the gain line and build a platform with you being on the front foot.
When they were awarded the free kick from a scrum, we saw Nohamba quick tapping it, running around to commit if possible and putting the ball away to Steyn, who crashes hard into contact. This is the occasion in which Damian Willemse sustains his ear injury.
(Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
Several phases later, the ball was rolling out loose and was scrappily recovered. This ended this momentum, but green still scrambled back into shape. This brings me to another strategy that green ensued.
They took risks, taking advantage of Willemse’s poor handling on that day and the disorganised structure of the gold team.
We saw a chip over the top from fullback Gianni Lombard. However, two players went for this – the gold 11 and Willemse. Willemse fails to catch it with his bare hands, as catches should be done by a cradle. He knocked on, giving green possession and territory.
It was pretty interesting to see them putting Frans Steyn in at first receiver for one attempt of a big move. He is always a viable playmaking option, given his handling and rugby IQ.
The centre throws an over-the-top pass into the waiting arms of an open winger. Although the play was killed as the gold defenders glided over to close down the space, green get territory.
Green bombarded the gold side with long, high and deep kicks that hung for chasers to get there and pressure errors.
How about Yaw Penxe’s penalty try? A first line break comes through with winger Malcolm Jaer, who stays connected with two other teammates. Through this, the Springboks put their fastest players away when loose to support the line-breaker.
There is a pass to Nohamba, who then puts in the bouncing chip kick, which is ruined by a foul interference by Willemse on Penxe. This echoed the same pattern that was used just now. When Herschel Jantjies made that intercept, he stayed together with two outside backs in support. The speedy chase did not reach Jantjies’ kick, which bounced to touch.
Jantjies commanded the game superbly later, as he executed a great cross kick, which went through the hands of speedsters before the phase stops.
Then, Kade Wolhuter claims confidence by setting up another try. He gets the ball off the pass from the lineout, and then takes a cross kick wide. Here they have JD Schickerling to jump and contest. Schickerling’s height gives him the contesting advantage.
The ball bounces through and Juarno Augustus claims the try. The trick happens with green bringing two forwards out wide to do this play, using a lock to contest the high ball and Augustus to snap it up and power over.
Gold
Willemse tried a one-two attack at some point in the game. However, his passing was off the mark, and he had less than satisfactory passes as his attempt failed to work.
We saw some tactical gears in from flyhalf Curwin Bosch when he came onto the pitch. He started to direct play with a grubber kick, and the bounce caused a fumble from Nohamba. A grubber was used to force an error. Curwin Bosch brought in a great tactical kicking element to bring some steadiness.
We saw the replacement scrumhalf make concerted efforts to retrieve the ball and start the play fast and keep the ball rolling on the plays.
The Boks will look to play well tactically, with cross kicks and passes out wide. When open in space, they bring in their speedsters as support to give good passing options. Meanwhile, expect big kick claims and carries to bring momentum. The Springboks have many tricks up their sleeves, and would be a joy to watch.
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.