Beware bite of the Bok

IN SPORT, it is often the underdog who bites the hardest. That will be in the minds of South African rugby fans ahead of tomorrow’s clash against New Zealand at Newlands.

Because let’s face it, the All Blacks are the overwhelming favourites to win tomorrow – and not just because they gave the Boks a 57-0 hiding just a couple of weeks ago.

The reality is that the All Blacks have set the tone in international rugby for quite some time now. Their intoxicating brew is made from three carefully selected rugby ingredients – strength, speed and skill. And it is a brew that has staggered teams all over the world, not just the Boks. As yet another illustration of their dominance, New Zealand coach Steve Hansen, captain Kieran Read and his team arrived in Cape Town having just clinched their fifth Rugby Championship title in six years.

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has talked up the All Blacks big time this week, and of course part of that was the usual mind games that international coaches always indulge in before a big match. But it was also him doffing his cap to what is clearly a special team.

So can the Boks win? It will take a mighty effort, but of course they can. Yet, win or lose, what is especially pleasing is that Coetzee has this week not tried to back down from the attacking strategy that produced some exciting passages of play during the 27-27 draw against Australia last week.

That is good to hear from the Bok coach. The only way to challenge and beat the top teams in the world is to match them for skill, and Bok supporters need to be a little more patient than they have been on social media this week. If the Boks have the courage to stay on the creative path, sooner or later the gaps will open and the passes will start to stick.

It should be a wonderful occasion at a sold-out Newlands. And what was that we said about the underdog again?