Final chapter of this Boks' era has been written
With just a month to go to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Springboks time as world champions will draw to a close unless they can defend their title in France.
Looking back on this era, it’s now clear that winning the World Cup did not bring world dominance for South African rugby.
Based on the context that 2020-23 has since provided, they can be remembered either as the team that took advantage of a fortuitous draw in 2019 or, if you believed that they were briefly the world’s best, the champions who quickly fell apart.
There is really no other option for them after three seasons without the big silverware and trophies that would validate anything different.
On the way up in 2018-19 it was easy for former coach and now Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus to be humble.
Without expectations to live up too, without a kingdom to defend, Erasmus was the likeable figure who coined the ‘what is pressure’ speech to keep his side’s perspective in check.
They carried the hopes and dreams of a nation but were priced as underdogs heading into the Rugby World Cup final.
Once they won the William Webb Ellis, a new beast emerged as egos became tied to the notion that the Springboks were in fact the world’s best.
But getting through Italy, Japan, Wales and England in a tournament doesn’t equate to world dominance. The shine of the Webb Ellis trophy only goes so far.
That kind of mantle would have to be earned by winning, winning and winning some more. A resounding follow up was required to stamp themselves as undisputed.
That should have been Erasmus’ own message publicly and privately to reset the bar and take South African rugby to new heights as they prepared for a new era as world champions.
Instead the Lion was caught up in the hype himself, drunk on a bit of pride believing the superlatives that were gushing out.
The fervour behind the Springboks reached astronomical levels in 2020 as they became a mythical legend that oozed a level of greatness that had not been seen on a rugby field. Such was the hubris.
There was no Erasmus on Twitter before the Rugby World Cup, but it became difficult to resist having just catapulted to stardom.
Cashing in on the newfound popularity and the gloss of the spoils, social media gave validation they sought. It helped reinforce the belief that South Africa were now world beaters without having to beat the world.
It was a dangerous place for any leader to be. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Sitting out an entire year of Test rugby, when everyone else got on with it, the number one ranked side sat on a perch with the ranking frozen for them like a boxer trying to pick the fights to keep his belt.
The loss in the first Test of the British & Irish Lions series was a watershed moment. It’s not worth rehashing, but it revealed a man with a different psyche, one that had perhaps lost perspective of his own ‘what is pressure’ speech.
Gatland’s side took them out of the comfy sauna they had been enjoying and tossed them into ice cold water, sparking a reaction that was ugly from which the fallout continued for a long time.
The Springboks responded to claim the series with a clutch Morne Steyn penalty goal, just minutes away from what could have been a drawn series.
There was not much humility in victory, but that would soon come in defeat as they travelled Down Under to finally show face in the annual tournament against New Zealand, Argentina, Australia.
Facing off against the seventh-ranked side in the world, the Boks were stunned by a Quade Cooper penalty on the buzzer. The next week they were brought down again by Australia, this time by a wider margin. A third consecutive loss came when they faced off against New Zealand.
Staring down the barrel of four straight losses, the All Blacks coughed up possession as they tried to wind down the clock with 10 seconds remaining. The Boks pulled off a great escape to stop the bleeding.
But the reason why this matters and why they were scrutinized more than any other team was because they were supposed to be the team proving their dominance, no one else had that responsibility.
Becoming number one and world champions came with extra spotlight that they themselves didn’t understand. The fans saw the criticism or questions from outside as an attack, rather than just a sign of being in a privileged position.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.”
The way they captured the crown left questions unanswered that they had the chance to answer. They wanted to ignore the house built on a foundation of cards and soon that house came crumbling down.
The Springboks’ world champion era from 2020-23 reads as follows; one Lions series, zero Rugby Championship titles, zero Freedom Cup wins, one Mandela Plate.
Against the big European nations England, France and Ireland they went one from four. Against close rivals Australia and New Zealand they went four from 10.
A return of five wins from 14 at 35 per cent against the other top five teams is not indicative of world dominance, far from it.
Over 29 Tests the longest winning streak was four, a long way off France’s run of 14 from 2021-23, and Ireland’s current streak of 11.
As the losses came in with regularity the source of blame became external, Erasmus prodding the fire occasionally on this deflection game.
The South African media and fans were all too happy to participate, instead of looking in the mirror to find answers.
But ultimately that didn’t help the team get anywhere or win any more games, only creating division and poor PR.
If the Springboks can capture back-to-back Rugby World Cups in France, it won’t change anything about this period where they underdelivered.
It will put more pressure on them to deliver and prove to the world that they are the best, which they didn’t do this time around.
Unfortunately this was a false dawn and SARU should be asking themselves why and how did this happen.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments