I’m not a guy for controversy when it won’t help, says Strauss

ADRIAAN STRAUSS admits that he “made a lot of mistakes” as captain of the Springboks, but while he may have retired from Test rugby, he is not done with the team yet.

In fact, the 31-year-old veteran of 66 caps wants to be part of the master plan to sort out South African and Springbok rugby once and for all.

Strauss ended his hapless tenure as Bok skipper with a record eighth defeat out of 12 in Saturday’s 27-13 loss to Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

But now that 2016 is over, the Bulls hooker says it is “an ideal situation for change”, and what intrigues him most is that the players will be part of the Bok review and discussions that have been planned by SA Rugby in the coming weeks. “I would love to contribute, of course. I’m not a sports administrator, I’m not a coach or at management level, and I won’t try to be an administrator or a coach. I’m a player, and I respect my position as a player, but I am the captain as well,” Strauss said.

“I was quite excited that the players and I got invited to a meeting held on tour, and we’ve been invited to future meetings as well. No fingers can be pointed – we are all responsible for this, everyone up the ladder and down the ladder.

“No one can point fingers, and that’s why I think it’s an ideal situation for change, for accountability from everyone. And to make constructive and productive changes, and not just point fingers. I would love to be a part of that, of course.” The irony of that last line is that Strauss (pictured) was set to call it quits after last year’s Rugby World Cup, but Coetzee asked him to continue for another year to help with the transition following the retirements of previous captains Jean de Villiers, Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez.

It seems a bit odd to involve someone who won’t be part of the Boks anymore to help find solutions for their future, but Strauss – who made his Test debut in 2008 against Australia – stated that he will be “ruthless with the truth” about what needs to be done.

“It’s been a massive challenge (to be the captain), I must say. I accepted that responsibility the day I said yes to the captaincy. That day I became accountable for things that happened to the team, so I’m not here for a pity party. I will do the best that I can in the months to come now,” he said.

“I did everything that I could this year. I made a lot of mistakes, and I knew that I would. But in every situation, I put the Springboks first, and I really gave it my all. I would like to be a part of something that can produce change. It was a challenging year, I got to learn a lot about myself.

“I think I will reserve my opinions for the platform where I think it needs to be heard. As a player, when I get the opportunity in the right platform to have my say, I will do that openly and honestly. It’s not as tough, but I will be ruthless with the truth. But I’m not a guy for controversy when it won’t help. I don’t think, to throw around statements or things that need to change (in the media), will be productive.”

I don’t really understand the logic of sticking with Willie le Roux despite terribly subpar performances, and then dropping him after his most decent one (in Florence). Maybe it was purely experimental? Whatever the case, Goosen looked like a fish out of water at the back in the Millennium Stadium. He occasionally collected a high ball, put in one or two good pressure-relieving kicks and made a nice run or two. But he just wasn’t effective enough. Conceded a turnover just before halftime. And then knocked on a cross kick from Elton Jantjies.

Talk about an unfortunate game. He fumbled a pass from Uzair Cassiem and let it slip into touch. He conceded a penalty in the first quarter that gave Wales an opportunity to level the three-point score. But he made up for it a few minutes later when he gathered a loose ball that travelled all the way into the Springbok 22 and kicked them out of trouble after Jantjies’ kick was charged down. Poor kick into touch in the first quarter. Not the Combrinck we know.

Made a few sharp runs and breaks, but his hands let him down at times. Decent defensive effort. Rohan Janse van Rensburg 5: Had the ball ripped away by Dan Biggar on the stroke of halftime. Contributed on defence. Provided some good go-forward with his powerful carries, especially in the first half. But I don’t think he got all the chances he should have and was skipped in midfield too many times. Why skip one of the men who are almost guaranteed to get over the gain line?

It’s tough, because I still believe Jantjies is better than this. His game management wasn’t on, and he just made too many mistakes. His vision was good and he tried a few things with little dinks over the top, but the execution thereof wasn’t great. Misread his support when he sent an inside pass forward after Faf de Klerk’s swift play after the first lineout. Gave another poor one to Francois Venter, who lost it forward. And there was that forward pass to Ulengo, which was his first touch of the ball. His kick that was charged put the Boks under pressure. At least he got his penalty kick over.

He fielded two high balls, which showed his enthusiasm since the men who are supposed to do it didn’t even bother. But it wasn’t a good game for the No 9. He gave a rather sketchy pass to Combrinck (who knocked it on) after a scrum, and he was yellow carded early in the second half for a deliberate knockdown. One or two horrible kicks. Worked quickly to gather a loose ball after a Wales lineout. Relatively quick work at the breakdown. Massive tackle on Ross Moriarty that drove him into touch when Wales looked set to cause damage.

Very quiet in the first 40. Worked a bit harder in the second half with strong defending and a few carries, but he hasn’t been carving through defences like he’s known to do. Lost a lineout ball after a Bok throw-in.

He was a workhorse on defence as he made some crucial tackles. He worked hard all over – he hit the rucks, made his tackles and carried with intent. And it was only fitting that he scored the Boks’ only try. But it was by no means a

He was good at the lineouts, but he conceded a penalty at the set-piece in the first quarter. Lost control of the ball (and his temper) early in the second half AND he was offside. He carried well and made his tackles.

He was caught out of position a number of times, but at least he worked harder than most of his colleagues. Got Jonathan Davies into touch 10 metres from his own try line. Won a maul turnover and made the most tackles in the first half.

He wasn’t great in open play, but he was a bit better at the scrums.

Not the way he would have wanted his swansong to go, I’m sure. He made a few carries and got involved, but it was by no means an inspirational outing.

He did his thing at the scrum time, and he was also busy elsewhere. Helped stop Wales from getting quality ball at times.

He took over the scrummaging duties very well, and he made a tackle or two. But other than that, he was quiet.

He was quicker at the breakdowns than De Klerk, but his decision-making was faulty at times.

Things looked a bit better when he came on. He showed good vision and decision-making skills.