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Joined November 2019
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What intrigues me about the immediate future of the rivalry is that the All Blacks will be losing quite a few stalwarts while the Bok group will remain more or less the same (barring possibly Vermeulen). Add in subplots like the Boks’ continuing evolution of their running and passing game (necessary when bonus points are involved) with the Manie man, as well as the new dynamic a Rassie vs Razor brain battle brings, and you have a spicy recipe for 2024.
Legacies can't be won: History won't look back kindly on Rassie's Springboks
Yeah, he does seem to be part of an unholy trinity of monocled hacks, joined by the (insignificant) other Barnes and Bitter Ben Smith. I suppose the only answer to their vitriol that counts would be ‘Four more years boys’.
WORLD VIEW: 'Disgrace'- strange slap for Boks coaches after 'beautifully ugly' 'shambles' of a World Cup final
I’d debate the use of the word ‘journalist’ with you. Anyone who uses the word ‘meaningless’ to describe a Bok / All Black fixture should be demoted to ‘hack’ instantly. And start running from some pretty big forwards in black and green who’d want to teach him a lesson in semantics.
A far from golden generation of forwards has left the All Blacks badly exposed
Oh, I see some likeness to Ben Smith over on RugbyPass. Same Bok-hating, monocled sour grapes. And a sudden discovery of the word ‘meaningless’ to spit on one of the great rugby rivalries. I wonder if any real All Blacks would entertain that adjective in their lexicon about any fixture against the Springboks?
A far from golden generation of forwards has left the All Blacks badly exposed
Totally agree. Just not sure we’ll ever see prime Am again, given that wonky knee.
'Not ideal': Springboks name injured skipper for RWC but backline stars miss out as coach names FOUR halfbacks
Not sure in the case of Am. I think JK is a step up, at this point. Am has been struggling badly, especially defensively. Not his fault – just the cumulative effect of bad injuries. JK will lend some steel to the defence. I don’t often agree with Ben Smith over on RugbyPass, but he wrote a very sensible piece on this topic and why JK will be especially important against Ireland.
'Not ideal': Springboks name injured skipper for RWC but backline stars miss out as coach names FOUR halfbacks
I think it’s a shrewd move to give him a proper test under the most trying conditions and intense pressure. His versatility is key to the 6-2 bench split, much like Frans Steyn’s was before him. But that means he has to be able to come on for Pollard under any circumstances, even minute 1 of the biggest game, and shine both in goal-kicking and general play.
Eztebeth leads Boks, Willemse at 10 but Wallaby destroyer misses out altogether for All Blacks clash
I guess we’ll only know after the game what the effect was. Both are sturdy characters and apparently good team men, but it has to play on your mind, doesn’t it? Players are only human after all.
'Dark places': Why Eddie Jones and zen Quade have spooked the Boks
Both Reinach and Esterhuizen are effectively playing for their places in the WC squad, so I reckon this game will be huge for them. I really hope Reinach, in particular, will play a blinder.
'Dark places': Why Eddie Jones and zen Quade have spooked the Boks
Thing is, much of the Springboks’ play revolves around the scrummie, not the 10. That might release some pressure off Libbok and free him up to play more of his natural game when he does get the ball. It’s interesting that there hasn’t been more focus this week in the media about how Reinach will play. I suspect some subterfuge at work from the management team.
'Dark places': Why Eddie Jones and zen Quade have spooked the Boks
Geoff, this is an interesting case, though. That tackle style of making hard contact with the shoulder without a full wrap is surely contentious and dangerous? If this was Owen Farrell on an Aussie player there’d be hell to pay in the media afterwards, with cries for a yellow card and penalty try. Sorry if that sounds a bit bitter, but I am really trying wrap (ha!) my head around what constitutes a legitimate attempt to wrap the arms in the tackle.
The Wrap: Rugby Championship takes another weird and wonderful turn
Nyakane is out this week. Nche is playing. Same difference, though 🙂
Coach's corner: Quade traits JOC must replicate, proof ref had a shocker and Cane's brutal reality check
Not so sure about that Jacko. At Mbombela the Boks were very cunning. First running at the ABs a lot to fan out the defenders. Then going to the deep contestables when there weren’t enough supporters back. If the ABs are going to keep more defenders deep this match, the space might be closer behind the first defensive line and the Boks have the short kicking prowess to exploit that. Going to be a very interesting battle of wits.
Coach's corner: Quade traits JOC must replicate, proof ref had a shocker and Cane's brutal reality check
Kriel is probably an astute pick for this match, then. Be interesting to see how that area is reffed this weekend, though. Will the ref and the TMO be swayed by Foster? Or will the Boks be smart and change kicking tactics with shorter contestables, chips and grubbers? Adds some extra spice to a hell of a test to come!
Coach's corner: Quade traits JOC must replicate, proof ref had a shocker and Cane's brutal reality check
In your piece you focus on those two incidents with KLA’s kick-chases. But the Boks sent up a heck of a lot of other contestable kicks. Did you get the sense that a high percentage of the other contestations were illegal too? Or is the problem specifically with KLA’s technique? I know the sense in the SA media is that Foster is using this ‘red herring’ as 1) a deflection and 2) a way to pressure the ref (a mini Rassie rant without the consequences). But what’s your take as ‘impartial’ observer? Does the truth lie somewhere in the middle?
Coach's corner: Quade traits JOC must replicate, proof ref had a shocker and Cane's brutal reality check
I reckon inexperience of the big stage and concurrent over-eagerness / rush of blood from Arendse contributed much to this incident. I don’t think there was malice – he doesn’t seem to be that kind of player. Hopefully, the young man will learn from this and come back better after he’s ‘done his time’. Just very relieved and thankful BB seems not to have suffered lasting damage.
The Wrap: Two different ways to skin a cat as Wallabies and Springboks draw first blood
Great wrap, Geoff. Just something to add on the Boks. I don’t think they got enough credit for their cunning in this match. They spread the ball a bit wider than usual the first few minutes of the first half, much like they did against England in the WC final. That fanned out the AB defensive line, so that when that first attacking bomb came the ABs were under-resourced at the back. Then, throughout the game they’d alternate between slow lineouts to maul or attack from, or quick ones when the defenders weren’t chasing up fast enough. Lastly, they read the ref very well in terms of his interpretations of the breakdown and the aerial contest. I reckon that, with all this public pressure being put on next week’s match officials by the AB management, media, and fans, the Boks will know they have to adjust the way they contest the high ball. Lots of intrigue to look forward to in Johannesburg! And hopefully they (and the match officials) can avoid another horrible, regrettable incident like the Arendse one.
The Wrap: Two different ways to skin a cat as Wallabies and Springboks draw first blood
He has a pretty clean record, is very young, and will, I’m sure, be quite remorseful. So, expect some mitigation. He’s no Bakkies Botha.
The Wrap: Two different ways to skin a cat as Wallabies and Springboks draw first blood
Ja, from the outside it seems like he’s been poorly managed since his injury return, and his confidence is shattered as a result. There’s something fishy going on at the Sharks…
ANALYSIS: Brutal Boks suffocate All Blacks despite early setback, exposing more problems for Foster to solve
Biltong, Fassi has been a shadow of his former self this season. Can’t justify his selection on form. They might pick Gelant instead. He dovetailed so nicely with Willemse this season at the Stormers, regardless of the numbers on their backs. Or go the conservative route with Kriel.
ANALYSIS: Brutal Boks suffocate All Blacks despite early setback, exposing more problems for Foster to solve
The problem is that Vermeulen is not ready yet for this first test. Hence Marx moving to the starting lineup to shore up the poaching prowess, giving them the space to persist with the Wiese-experiment at 8. When Vermeulen comes back, I reckon they’ll revert to Bongi starting between the two shorter props, and Marx coming on as second-half menace with the usual bomb squad.
Coach’s Corner: Why Foketi is serious contender after Samu blow, which No.10 gives ABs best shot to beat Boks
To your point on Marx: I wonder if his selection won’t affect the issues you’ve highlighted in your piece, Nick? I felt like the Boks struggled most against Wales and that passing game when they were missing someone who could slow down (or poach) the ball at the breakdown. By selecting Marx in the starting lineup, they’ve fixed that now. And Kwagga can come on in the second half when Marx is replaced by Bongi, in order to keep the balance. I think the Boks underestimated how much Vermeulen’s absence would hurt them at the breakdowns against Wales. None of their starting loose trio in games 1 and 3 were natural breakdown specialists.
Coach’s Corner: Why Foketi is serious contender after Samu blow, which No.10 gives ABs best shot to beat Boks
Got to feel this is Gelant’s make or break year – if he delivers some consistency, surely he’s the best choice? Fassi has lots to improve on, but also has so much time on his side – definitely the future superstar. Would love to see him get some more game-time on the wing first.
'Wild and kicking arse': What Boks fans want from rejuvenated Rassie - South Africa’s brilliant rugby rascal
Who do you see as the solution to the Springbok full-back conundrum, Nick and Harry: Gelant, Fassi, or Willemse? Or someone like Green from outside the squad?
'Wild and kicking arse': What Boks fans want from rejuvenated Rassie - South Africa’s brilliant rugby rascal
Very true and I doubt some of those will make it to the next World Cup. But I reckon they sense an opportunity to win the elusive Rugby Championship and lay down a marker against the All Blacks over the next two years, at least. So, I’d be surprised if there’s a raft of immediate retirements. And with the coaching staff still able to pick as many overseas-based players as they want, they can probably stick with the approach of using their World Cup core for the biggest games, while using other games to continue to build depth in all positions.
Legacies can't be won: History won't look back kindly on Rassie's Springboks