I’m not sure Charles Bukowski had the Springboks in mind when he wrote, “If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start.”
But when South Africa come up against the All Blacks this weekend at Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, it might be appropriate that they listen.
The narrative of these two nations is known.
The Springboks are anti-rugby. The defilers. A team which seeks to detract from all that is beautiful and pure about rugby.
The All Blacks are all white. Manna from heaven. Here to show us all how the game should really be played.
Light and dark. Good and evil. Waterboys and no waterboys. Who prevails in this clash of styles and reputation? Form and history dictate a Kiwi victory and that would be the sensible guess.
But form and history have a habit of biting us on the backside.
The Springboks know what needs to be done because it’s worked so well for them in the past. But do they have the courage to change up this plan? To try something different? Because if they are going to try to win, they may as well go all the way.
Take the chances they would otherwise resist. Go for the option that might seem uncomfortable. Choose speed over delay. Risk over safety. Brain over brawn.
A lot of this will come down to the selections they make. Some players provide much-needed spark and impetus to a team that has seemed bogged down and lethargic over the last couple of weeks. Reputations should go out the window and challenges need to be made.
Cheslin Kolbe is the biggest and most obvious name but I would also bring in Cobus Reinach to create an additional threat around the ruck. Aphelele Fassi for speed. Marco van Staden and Dan du Preez should come into consideration for Jasper Wiese and Kwagga Smith, te latter two having failed to show enough from the bench.
Cheslin Kolbe of South Africa (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Most importantly, however, they need to play with more positivity – no matter who is selected.
Get fired up, get angry even! Take it to New Zealand and don’t sit back and wait for mistakes. Be brave enough to change what might have been working for you in the past and explore the unfamiliar.
The odds are against them. So if they’re going to try, they may as well go all the way.
“If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.”
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
EDIT: Sorry I didn’t realise the editors didn’t publish my opening paragraph until now. Here’s the quote I wanted in full for anyone interested: “If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine.”
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Now you’re talking. I’d consider a small bet at those odds
Double Agent
Guest
Still need a new bookie. Boks out to $5.70 now.
Armtwister
Roar Rookie
We don‘t expect anything less than that.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Still 11/4. NZ 1/4. Draw 20/1. I won't bet anyway.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I wonder on the harmony in the team. They don't seem to be on the same page
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
AB's will do well, but for any team it's a big ask to repel 100% of them. I'm sure SA will have been practicing them. I wonder if they suffered from complacency given the easy 3 maul tries the previous week.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
True Waxy and even harder when you don't make changes to your personnel to help mix up the game plan. I expect it will be more of the same, just harder and more intense. Big focus on improved D.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Yeah agree, I expect that they'll stick to the same game plan but just try and execute it better and improve their defence.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Yeah was just a bit of cheeky fun born out of boredom. It's difficult these days to not offend at least one person so I accept that and just hope the majority find it enjoyable enough to read.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
And during darker times, especially through COVID, his work is very relevant: “Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think, I'm not going to make it, but you laugh inside — remembering all the times you've felt that way.”
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
people on this site seem to look for something to bite against mate and don't understand a bit of fun writing. Still it's always good to read the comments for a bit of fun and laughs as people get all upset over things.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Not sure what you mean. Do you think the ABs won't defend the maul or that they won't do it as well as the Wallabies did?
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure a test against NZ is the best place to make a change of tactics and game plan that hasn't been used for years. Players aren't used to it and will struggle between the conflict of what they know well and the change. I think if anything SA need to go back to what has worked and do it better. I'm not sure it'll work and it might make for a dour game but if they win ugly they'll be lauded a lot more than if they lose, whether ugly or beautiful
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
War All the Time is on the shelf. Some of his stuff is prescient of today’s culture.
WEST
Roar Guru
Haha mild optimism then, But a big season for the Boks! Having the British and Irish Lions 3 games, then playing Argentina, Australia and New Zealand twice each, followed by Wales, Scotland and England.
biltong
Guest
As long as we don't have to witness a Frans vs Jordie foot race, at that point I might have to break my TV.
biltong
Guest
Thanks Ken, we can only hope.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Execution is a simpler fix than designing and rolling out a Plan B.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Excellent post Biltong. Morbid but fair questions. And I hope your fears are unfounded. A week is a long time in rugby. (though some coaching teams need an eternity to change a thing). I will stop now. I’m expecting a great game.