The Springboks’ big comeback
IT WAS almost too painful to watch. Losing to the mighty All Blacks is one thing but you know something is very wrong when even minnows Italy are beating the Boks. With our national team losing to all and sundry, it’s little wonder fans were crying into their beer. But the tide seems to be turning and – with the start of a new season bringing better news – supporters are breathing a sigh of relief.
The Springboks’ showing against the French team was impressive – but it’s not quite time to claim they will beat the Kiwis, says rugby commentator and retired Bok flyhalf Naas Botha.
“We’re coming back from a terrifying year for SA rugby,” he says. “You don’t just want to say we’re the best again. Let’s rather say what we’ve seen in these past few Test matches has been refreshing, a pleasure to watch . . . and once again you feel like there’s a lot to look forward to.”
Or as retired player and rugby analyst Gary Boshoff puts it: “Fans’ beers taste lekker to them again.”
We ask experts what was done to get the Boks back on track and how they can continue to build on their success. It was crunch time for Bok coach Allister Coetzee, especially when the French Test match series rolled around. Last year there was heated debate among rugby fundis about whether the Springboks needed a new coach.
Commentators reckon this was a real wake-up call for Coetzee.
“There was time for introspection and putting heads together with his new coaching team as well as with provincial coaches in the off season,” Boshoff adds. “This year there was also no doubt who should be captain.”
Rugby writer Gavin Rich believes Coetzee survived thanks to his determination and ability to admit when he’s wrong. For example, at the end of last year he told Rich he regretted not basing his team’s game and culture on the Lions’ Super Rugby success. Coaching team: The change in Coetzee’s coaching team also helped a lot, Botha reckons. “The Boks are now equipped with a wealth of knowledge,” he says. Brendan Venter has taken over as defence coach and Franco Smith as offensive coach. “They deserve credit for their contribution,” agrees Kobus Wiese, Bok lock during the 1995 Rugby World Cup and presenter of the rugby talk