'Large stench of mediocrity': Springbok fans show extreme levels of confidence after Lions squad named
South African fans were delighted following the announcement of Warren Gatland’s 37-man British & Irish Lions squad, with sentiment reaching extreme levels of overconfidence over their side’s chances on the upcoming Lions tour.
Despite not playing a game since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final and further concerns over whether the Springboks will get a warm-up test, many of their fans believed they had little to fear from the Lions with predictions of a 3-0 Bokwash trumpeted with alarming regularity.
South African journalist Mark Keohane led with a bold 3-0 prediction after seeing the squad, taking aim at ‘pensioner’ Alun Wyn Jones and claiming the Springboks have nothing to fear. He wrote there is a ‘lack of all-round potency’ within the Lions with the potential for ‘things to turn nasty’ for captain Jones on the field.
After seeing the Lions' squad, @mark_keohane sticks with his prediction… The @Springboks will pump the @lionsofficial 3-0!https://t.co/NTMZDzgX8v
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) May 6, 2021
That view was similarly shared by a number of confident Springboks fans, claiming there was ‘no way’ this Lions squad is defeating the Springboks.
One fan claimed there is a ‘lack of grit & hardness’ in the team, another claimed the Springboks would ‘sort’ the Lions out with ‘brute force’.
Haisuka there's no way this Lions squad is defeating the Springboks
— Kevin Malone? (@Athenkosi1998_0) May 6, 2021
Springboks 3 – 0 Lions ?https://t.co/XqZPabMhmr
— Sims Lusu (@Sims_Lusu) May 9, 2021
I think the Springboks could very easily go 3-0 based on squad picked. Lack of grit & hardness in this team, just can’t see them beating the World Cup winners in their back yard.
— TOBIN (@richardtobin04) May 6, 2021
Springboks should have it easy #Lions https://t.co/jPDBZK51vY
— Amon_L (@Amon_Lempaka) May 6, 2021
Easy to play champagne rugby when there is no cup on the line. The Springboks will sort out the B&I Lions with brute force. #Springboks #WorldChampions
— Wiesner Vos (@WiesnerVos) September 6, 2020
The Lions squad has a distinct lack of guile in the back line. They ain't going to be running around the Springboks that's for sure #Lions #Lions2021 #rugby
— Eddie Bradley (@DrEddieBradley) May 6, 2021
3-0 Springboks. Large stench of mediocrity in that Lions Squad. Let all the selection squabbling commence.
— Jack Sutherland (@JackSuth17) May 6, 2021
Springboks are going to thump the lions. 3-0 won’t even be close
— Byron Krause (@byronkrause) May 6, 2021
The prevailing view from South African fans is at odds with the preparations their team has, which is perhaps the worst ever in test history in the midst of the global pandemic.
Without test rugby in nearly two years, the Springboks have no idea how their top players will turn out at the highest level without top competition for so long.
Franco Smith, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi and Malcolm Marx have all been playing lollipop rugby in the Japan Top League, where game speed is high but defence is close to non-existent.
Handre Pollard has returned from a long ACL layoff with Montpellier, and has little time to find top form heading into the Lions series. The 2019 World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit is coming back from a horror 2020 where multiple surgeries were required to save his leg.
ADVERTISEMENTThe injury crisis will severely test their locking depth, with Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman and Lood de Jager all recently spending time on the sidelines.
Etzebeth required surgery for a broken finger but looks the most likely to be back in time. Jager has been hit badly, with three shoulder surgeries before suffering a broken leg, while Snyman suffered an ACL injury minutes into his Munster debut last year.
On top of all this is doubts over whether they will play a test before the series starts, with tests against Italy and the USA in doubt over Covid-19 concerns and new head coach Jacques Nienaber having yet to oversee a match.
Lions fans were ready to bring Springboks fans back down to earth, calling their predictions ‘delusions of grandeur’.
Worcester Warriors’ Namibian import Anton Bresler called out SA Rugby magazine for posting ‘garbage’ about whether the Springboks had anything to fear.
So much disrespect shown in the months leading up to this series. Springboks haven’t played a game together since November 2019. Delusions of grandeur if you think they’ll walk all over the lions.
— Calvin Sacks (@calvin9sacks) May 6, 2021
Seriously now, who’s gone ahead and agreed to post this sort of garbage? ?
— Anton Bresler (@Ants00bresler) May 6, 2021
This week the Lions squad that is to tour South Africa was announced and it was an interesting selection from Warren Gatland. It looks as though Gatland has gone for power to go up against the physicality of the Springboks.
— jamie fenton (@jamie189227) May 8, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Just such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to comments