A step in the right direction
The Springboks suffered a heart-breaking 20-18 loss to the All Blacks in their semi final clash this past Saturday at Twickenham. The loss saw the Boks exit the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and the All Blacks progress to the final.
In the build up to the game, no one really gave the Springboks a chance. New Zealand had demolished every opponent in their path prior to the game, including their humiliation of France in the quarter final. The Springboks began the game well. Our discipline, handling the high-ball and decision making was superb.
However, they missed plenty of opportunities to take the game away from the All Blacks. South Africa had an inconsistent lineout which cost them from implementing their lethal lineout drives, and their attack with ball in hand was unstructured and messy yet again, which became clear when they were 15 meters out from the All Blacks try line in the 72nd minute, and when Jerome Kaino was sent to the sin bin at the end of the first half. The Boks did not take any risks to score a try. They took all six of their opportunities in front of goal, but failed to pressure the All Blacks with their attack. The All Blacks held on to possession and suffocated the Boks.
Beauden Barrett scored a converted try to stretch New Zealand’s lead to 17-12. Bryan Habana was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-down prior to the try in a double-whammy for the Boks. The Boks defence kept them in the game, and they were behind by only five points with 17 minutes remaining, then 2 points with 10 remaining. Failing to take opportunities on attack were made clear in these final moments, and when they had the one man advantage in the first half.
As a Springbok fan, I was absolutely gutted after the game which we were never supposed to, but truly could have won. However, I am still immensely proud of our boys. We stepped up against, arguably, the best rugby team the world has ever seen. Our old legends such as Fourie Du Preez, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana and a few more will retire. Hopefully Coach Heyneke Meyer and the rest of his staff have realised what the Boks lack when it comes to facing the best opposition in the world.
We need to work on our attack. Bashing it up aimlessly, using pure brute force and pointless kicking out of hand will never work against the likes of New Zealand and Australia anymore. We also need to identify key young players in certain positions to take this team forward and ensure they remain in these positions and are managed carefully by the Boks and their franchises. Examples include Pollard at flyhalf, De Allende at 12, Kriel at 13 and Le Roux at 15.
I have faith in our talented youngsters coming through the ranks. Going forward, I hope Meyer works on the team’s weaknesses and creates a new team of talented youngsters that can revolutionize the Boks and make us the force we can become in the modern game.
This All Blacks side, in my opinion, is the greatest rugby team the world has ever seen. They have world-class players in every position, and their squad depth is immeasurable. Even a number of their players on the bench would start for other world-class teams such as Australia and South Africa.
The battle at the break down between Australia’s Pocock and Hooper and New Zealand’s McCaw and Kaino will be critical. Australia’s seemingly impenetrable defence will face its greatest test against the All Blacks. It seems to be an unstoppable force versus an immoveable object situation. I believe Dan Carter’s boot will guide New Zealand to victory. New Zealand to win by 6!