Three questions for Boks to consider
THERE weren’t that many positives to focus on in the Springboks’ 28-26 Rugby Championship defeat by Australia at the weekend. Sure, they got three tries off line-out drives, which again showed what a weapon the attacking set-piece is, but even in areas where you would confidently tip the Boks to have the upper hand, it wasn’t the case.
So, with a chance to save face in Brisbane on Saturday, here are three questions to consider before the Boks’ fourth Rugby Championship fixture. 1. Should Pollard get the boot? While it wouldn’t be fair to put the blame for the Boks’ agonising loss solely on Handre Pollard, there is no denying that his goal-kicking was a major contributing factor.
But perhaps more concerning than his performance last Saturday, in which he slumped to an unacceptable strike rate of 57%, is the fact that his poor goal-kicking form at the weekend was no isolated case.
Against the Lions, he managed a strike rate of just 68%, well below international standards. This led to the Boks having to turn to veteran Morne
Steyn to win the series when their firstchoice flyhalf was out of sorts.
Is this the time to make an example and show that no one – regardless of seniority or reputation – can get too comfortable in his spot? It just might have a galvanising effect.
2. Complacency the reason for Australia hoodoo?
No team would ever want to pin a disappointing result on complacency, especially not a group like the Boks. After all, that would be letting ego into the locker room.
But the Boks’ record in Australia – where they haven’t won since 2013 – is a rather strange one.
For one, given the Boks’ stunning form and attitude that has helped them achieve remarkable feats since 2019, last Saturday’s result and performance just makes no sense.
Could their apparent failure to get the job done Down Under imply a failure to mentally step up against the Australians ... partially due to an overemphasis on the looming All Blacks? 3. Is Willemse’s versatility a curse? After the game, the “Bok kickers” were pointed out to be a problem, even though Damian Willemse missed just one kick at goal – his only attempt – after coming on with less than 15 minutes to go.
Pollard missed three shots, but Willemse’s one miss was somehow added to the problem. It is senseless.
For one, Willemse has had little to no experience at No 10 at international level, while he also handled less and less of the kicking duties with the Stormers.
How is that, combined with his hopping from No 10 to 12 to 15, proving in any way conducive to his development?
It’s not. And highlighting his one missed kick at goal and chucking it into the same criticism with the starting flyhalf’s hooked kicks will do no good for a player already playing musical chairs.