‘Difficult to get excited’ - Habana bluntly cuts through positive talk surrounding Springboks
In October 2015 South Africa were 80 minutes away from having the chance to win a third world title, but less than two and a half years later the Springboks were in disarray.
Allister Coetzee endured a woeful tenure upon replacing Heyneke Meyer, overseeing just 11 victories in 25 Test matches. An inauspicious start produced a record for the most defeats South Africa have suffered in a calendar year as they lost eight of his first 12 matches in charge in 2016.
That stretch included their first ever defeat to Italy, maiden losses away to Argentina and at home against Ireland and their heaviest beating on home soil when they went down 57-15 to New Zealand – a year later the All Blacks reproduced that tally to nil for the Springboks’ worst ever defeat.
Coetzee was unsurprisingly dispensed with at the end of 2017 and Rassie Erasmus added the responsibilities of head coach his to his director of rugby role, immediately acknowledging the huge task he had in order to turn things around.
The rebuild got off to a strong start as newly appointed captain Siya Kolisi, the Springboks’ first black skipper, led the team in a 2-1 series victory over Eddie Jones’ ailing England in June, with both wins seeing them display immense character to overturn hefty first-half deficits.
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While there is understandably renewed positivity, thinking about another deep run at the 2019 Rugby World Cup would be extremely premature.
Bryan Habana, part of the side that finished third in England three years ago, says the focus must be solely fixed on the impending Rugby Championship, which he believes will give a true indication of what can be expected from the Springboks in Japan next year.
“A year out from the World Cup it’s always difficult to get excited,” Habana told Omnisport, speaking courtesy of Coco Fuzion 100.
“I think for Rassie he’ll be looking short term and the Rugby Championship will be a pretty big status point in terms of where the Springbok side is in terms of the quality of opposition they’ll be facing in New Zealand and Australia and Argentina, who have the Jaguares who went on a four-win streak of Australasia in Super Rugby.
“So the Rugby Championship will be a bit of a marker in terms of where they’re heading and I think there’s a lot of positivity, but I think one can only evaluate and make some clearer indications post the Rugby Championship.”
The Springbok team for tomorrow’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener against @lospumas in Durban. Spot the two very excited newcomers! Good luck Boks! @CastleLagerSA @MTNza @ASICS_ZA #LoveRugby pic.twitter.com/lHS6mR7iJ9
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 17, 2018
Under Coetzee South Africa won just three of their 14 matches away from home, only one of which came in the Rugby Championship when they beat Argentina 41-23 in Salta in August 2017.
Having been victorious in their most recent series on home soil, they will be confident of getting off to a strong start against the Pumas in Durban on Saturday.
Erasmus’ men then face a tricky trip to Mendoza for his first away Test at the helm – their 22-20 defeat to Wales took place in Washington DC – which represents the next challenge in the head coach’s restoration job.
If South Africa can provide an improving Argentina, defending champions New Zealand and Australia with much sterner tests on the road, Habana will be far more confident in their standing among the tier one nations.
Asked what would constitute success for the Springboks, the former winger said: “The last couple of championships, getting record scores against New Zealand at home and away, not being able to win a game away from home – there’s quite a few.
“I think being able to beat Argentina up first and then going to Argentina and trying to win, and then going to Australasia and being a force to be reckoned with, trying to push Australia strong and show that we can fight with the best in the world on their turf.
“Obviously given that the World Cup is in Japan next year, you know you’re going to be on foreign territory and being able to know that you can do well is going to be really important.
“So that experience of being able to enjoy positivity overseas, and then coming back to South Africa and trying to beat Australia and New Zealand, which we haven’t been able to do for the last two years.
“[There are] a lot of challenges and post-Rugby Championship a clear indication of where exactly they stand will be able to be made.”
It is hard to argue with that assessment.
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments