Dominant Springboks now ready for tougher tests

THESE are comforting Mondays when writing about Springbok rugby – it is that much easier describing the exploits of winners.

It is also that much more inspiring to do so when the culture and play of the team speak to the optimist and to an inclusive Rainbow Nation.

The Springboks are five from five this year. It’s not a statistic to be scoffed at, given they were four from 12 last year.

There are not many similarities to last year and for that, every South African would be grateful.

France were punished for arriving in SA with the only intention of getting out of SA.

They were at the end of a draining season, but this is not to detract from the Springboks’ 3-0 series win.

The focus here is on the Boks and not on what the opposition did or didn’t do.

Equally, when the two-zero return against Argentina is analysed, the Boks were dominant in the test matches in Port Elizabeth and in Salta.

They scored nine tries and conceded an average of just six penalties against the most ill-disciplined and disruptive team in the competition.

The Pumas’ greatest weakness is a Latin temperament that seldom is channelled with positive effect.

In the past few years, they have been competitive against the best teams but because of poor discipline, this has not been translated into any winning consistency.

The Pumas promised the Springboks a torrid time in Salta. They revamped their pack from the mauling in Port Elizabeth. They chose two new props, a new lock and a new No 8.

They entrusted a veteran halfback combination to control the way in which the ball would be used.

They spoke of restoring pride in Salta and of matching the Springboks in intent and adventure, but realistically they could never match the Boks’ discipline or confidence.

The Pumas tried to unsettle the South Africans with offthe-ball niggle and an attitude that was thuggish more than it was well thought out.

They relied on upsetting the Springboks with cheap shots and hoped for an opponent who in the past has been prone to mental disintegration when playing away from home.

The Boks, superbly led by Eben Etzebeth, did not even bother reading the Pumas’ match script, let alone following it.

Etzebeth was strong in the collisions and even stronger in his thinking and the domino effect was that the Boks were as trusting of their rugby ability to win in Salta.

The Boks fronted every challenge and defended with calm. On attack, they were not restricted to a predetermined conservatism that relied exclusively on field position.

The Boks used their eyes to attack as much as their physicality in winning the gain-line collisions.

If it was on in attack, they used the ball to create width and space.

They played the situation and scored brilliant tries.

The offloading in the tackle has been an area of huge improvement, as has been the distribution accuracy in the pass.

The Boks, like most good teams, scramble on defence, but in the five tests this season have also trusted their attack because they have identified their strengths and believe in the way the team play.

Coach Allister Coetzee has been consistent in his selections. He has invested in the core of those who started the French series and those players have rewarded Coetzee with winning games.

Australia, in Perth on September 9, will be a different type of challenge and a week later, in Albany against the All Blacks, SA will finally get to measure their progress from a year ago.

We know the Springboks have improved from last year but the measurement referred to is whether or not this team have the arsenal to challenge the world’s best team.

We shall only know that at the end of next month,

What we do know is they have owned the two teams they have played this year.

The easy part of the international season has produced easy results.

Yesterday was about handshakes, smiles and backslaps, but with the knowledge that the season proper starts now with four matches against Australia and New Zealand, and an end-of-year tour.

Australia, in Perth, will ask more technical questions of the Springboks than France or Argentina. The Wallabies attack will also provide the biggest test so far in the year.

For now, check out the latest Rugby Championship table – it’s SA one and New Zealand two!