Boks must build on upward curve

THE intense disappointment the Springbok camp felt at not beating the All Blacks in their final Rugby Championship match at the weekend is an indication of how far the team have progressed in 12 months.

A year ago, the Boks won only two matches in the tournament. But on Saturday, they went into a clash with the best team in the world believing they could win and produced, with no little cooperation from the New Zealanders, one of rugby’s great tests.

The level of play was outstanding and it says volumes for the Springboks’ ability that they were able to push the All Blacks all the way. Richie McCaw’s men underlined their standing as the best in the world and are setting the yardstick for others to follow as dreams of the World Cup in 2015 begin to drift into view.

The Boks, while giving their best at the weekend, need to continue exploring ways to maintain an upward curve in their play, and will want further improvement in their three-test tour of the northern hemisphere next month.

Encouragingly, the Boks have added an exciting running dimension to their play and it is something they will need to exploit.

While rugby remains a game of physical clashes, the Boks are beginning to move away from the crash-ball tactics of previous years and by moving the ball through the hands and utilising the skills and pace of players like Willie le Roux and Bryan Habana, they are suddenly looking a lot more dangerous.

South Africa will never veer from the sheer physicality of their style of play, but if they can align that strength with judicious running of the ball as opposed to the predictable crash-ball and kickand-charge tactics, they could reach a level where few sides can live with them.

In reflecting on Saturday’s game, it is appropriate to pay tribute to referee Nigel Owens’s excellent performance. He handled a highpaced contest with a calmness and control that helped to make it the classic contest it was.