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New theory emerges over Springboks' mindset heading into Ireland clash
As soon as Antoine Dupont’s participation in the World Cup quarter-finals was thrown into doubt after fracturing his cheekbone, suggestions that playing a Dupont-less France would be more desirable than playing the All Blacks in the last eight were inevitable.
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France are on course to top Pool A after beating the All Blacks in the opening match of the tournament, but the scrum-half’s injury two days before Ireland and South Africa faced each other left fans from both nations to discuss the merits of winning or coming second in Pool B and therefore facing France or the All Blacks.
Even after Ireland and South Africa went hammer and tongs for 80 minutes at the Stade de France on Saturday, some have questioned the Springboks’ mentality in their 13-8 loss to the world number ones. Owner of the Hollywoodbets Sharks Marco Masotti has even suggested that the world champions approached this meeting in Paris as if it were a “practice game”.
Masotti listed the 7-1 split on the bench as an example of Jacques Nienaber’s and Rassie Erasmus’ “out of the box thinking”, which is valid. He also cited the traffic light system deployed by Erasmus as another reason for their experimental mindset, which is perhaps slightly harder to grasp.
Match Summary 
1
Penalty Goals
2
1
Tries
1
0
Conversions
1
0
Drop Goals
0
89
Carries
93
4
Line Breaks
4
18
Turnovers Lost
12
3
Turnovers Won
9
The volume of fans that agree with his comments online clearly shows that he is not alone in this view. Fans have added with theories of their own as well as to how South Africa might have been holding something back, such as their kicking decisions throughout the match- chiefly the decision for Faf de Klerk to take a 50 metre+ penalty rather than to kick for the corner.
Masotti wrote on X: “I am not even sure what to make of the game. It felt like a practice game to me. I know I would rather have a coaching team with lights, 7/1 splits and out of the box thinking. The Springboks are taking the game forward in world rugby.”
I am not even sure what to make of the game. It felt like a practice game to me. I know I would rather have a coaching team with lights, 7/1 splits and out of the box thinking. @Springboks are taking the game forward in world rugby. https://t.co/9Xs9UYCU9b
— Marco Masotti (@MarcoMasotti_) September 26, 2023
Few would argue that the Springboks held anything back in terms of their physical intensity against Ireland, or at least if there are those that hold that view, may God have mercy on the souls of the side that bear the brunt of the Boks at full intensity. It was clear to see that both sides gave everything in what was the most brutal match of the World Cup so far. So while there are no question marks over the Boks’ physical approach to the match, there are questions over their decision-making both before and during the match and whether the same decisions would be made once the knockout stages arrive.
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Even if the theory that playing France without their talisman in the quarter-finals might be easier than the All Blacks holds water, it might be moot anyway following the news that Les Bleus’ captain could make a shock return for that match. On top of that, it is hard to believe that the Springboks would contrive a way to avoid the All Blacks in the quarter-finals after subjecting them to a record defeat in both sides’ final match before the World Cup. Then again, Erasmus has developed a reputation for being an innovator and pushing the envelope during his time with South Africa, so theories like this are to be expected.
Comments on RugbyPass
Both cards were harsh. Yet again highlighting rugby's inconsistencies and the absurd effect of cards
2 Go to commentsExcellent game management in the last 15 or so minutes to close it out. Aussie got a bit panicky.
2 Go to commentsWhile all this is going on… I’ve been thinking more about the NFL draft system and how to make the commercial elements of the game more sustainable for SA teams who precariously live on the fringe of these developments. SA teams play in Europe now, and are welcome, because there’s a novelty to it. SA certainly doesn’t bring the bucks (like a Japan would to SR) but they bring eyes to it. But if they don’t perform (because they don’t have the money like the big clubs) - it’s easy come easy go… I think there is an element of strategic drafting going on in SA. Where the best players (assets) are sort of distributed amongst the major teams. It’s why we’re seeing Moodie at the Bulls for example and not at his homegrown Western Province. 20-30 years ago, it was all about playing for your province of birth. That has clearly changed in the modern era. Maybe Moodie couldn’t stay in the cape because at the time the Stormers were broke? Or had too many good players to fit him in? Kistchoff’s sabbatical to Ireland and back had financial benefits. Now they can afford him again (I would guess). What I am getting at is - I think SA Rugby needs to have a very strong strategy around how teams equitably share good youth players out of the youth structures. That is SA’s strong point - a good supply of good players out of our schools and varsities. It doesn’t need to be the spectacle we see out of the states, but a system where SA teams and SA rugby decide on where to draft youth, how to fund this and how to make it that it were possible for a team like the Cheetahs (for example) to end up with a team of young stars and win! This is the investment and thinking that needs to be happening at grassroots to sustain the monster meanwhile being created at the top.
54 Go to commentsGreat win - but very poor officiating yet again. Even the Aussie commentators slammed the YC decisions.
1 Go to commentsThe game where it felt like RSA was going to lose the most was the England game in my view. Heart in throat after the Farrell drop-goal…Amazing that the boks overcame 3 times in a row…not likely to be repeated ever in my view Also the boys looked emotionally spent in the England game in the 1st half That said, why was World Rugby and Beaumont allowed to stack the pools in England’s favour? Toughest opponents on that side of the draw were Fiji, Argentina (implode central) and Auckland Girls 2nd team
48 Go to commentsOnline trolls - the only ppl who the Crusaders can beat
2 Go to commentsDefinitely some greater nous by the Walleroos and it will take a bit of time for Jo Yapp to have a lasting affect. Canada are a forward dominated physical team and only the top 3 teams can match them, though not so sure about BF’s forwards. Many of Canada’s forwards earn their living in the English PWR, the breeding ground for the Red Roses amazing strength in depth. The next PAC4 matches will be interesting.
1 Go to commentsIs the Club World Cup and the World League, in combination, going to make or break world Rugby? I personally think it’s too much. Established tournaments and competitions’s significance is going to be drowned out by “the new shiney Mall built just down the street”.
54 Go to commentsLoved Carr‘s post match interview. “No, I don’t think so Jean. But thank you.” Good kid. Louw a certain feature for the Boks this year.
1 Go to comments“Where is the challenge to Leinster, Toulouse and La Rochelle likely to come from in future?” Racing 92 ? This has not been a good season for them this year, but they have a very strong squad……players like Woki, Nyakane, Kolisi, Le Roux, Lauret(these two older now), Le Garrec, Fickou, Tuisova, Arundell. With the addition next year of Owen Farrell, that is some firepower to mount a serious challenge ? And with Stuart Lancaster having a year under his belt, things should go better. Northampton will be a year wiser, more streetwise too. And I would expect one or two of the South African sides to mount a more serious challenge, but that would depend on keeping more players at home
54 Go to commentsWow, have to go but can’t leave without saying these thoughts. And carlos might jump in here, but going through the repercussions I had the thought that sole nation representatives would see this tournament as a huge boon. The prestige alone by provide a huge incentive for nations like Argentina to place a fully international club side into one of these tournaments (namely Super Rugby). I don’t know about the money side but if a team like the Jaguares was on the fence about returning I could see this entry as deciding the deal (at least for make up of that side with its eligibility criteria etc). Same goes for Fiji, and the Drua, if there can be found money to invest in bringing more internationals into the side. It’s great work from those involved in European rugby to sacrifice their finals, or more accurately, to open there finals upto 8 other world teams. It creates a great niche and can be used by other parties to add further improvements to the game. Huge change from the way things in the past have stalled. I did not even know that about the French game. Can we not then, for all the posters out there that don’t want to follow NZ and make the game more aerobic, now make a clear decision around with more injuries occur the more tired an athlete is? If France doesn’t have less injuries, then that puts paid to that complaint, and we just need to find out if it is actually more dangerous having ‘bigger’ athletes or not. How long have they had this rule?
54 Go to commentsHaha he does the exact opposite of what you’d expect any receiver to do, Brilliant!
2 Go to commentswell the favourites dont always win and let scott robertson chose his number 8
4 Go to commentsthats great for cam miller and the highlanders the crusaders have got problems within there systems that were proberly covered up astheywere winning when scott robertson was in charge
2 Go to commentsThe last time Plumtree coached the sharks they sucked the same when with the hurricanes now back with the shark Springboro. They still have no game plan
1 Go to commentsan impressive nail biting win for the Blues...but for mine the losing of the game sits with Isaia Walker-Leawere who fumbled balls from kick offs, broken play and then stripped of the ball by Sam Nock in the final minute…
4 Go to commentsAll of the Moderna law changes have been to slow the game down, playing into the hands of SA and the north. Incentivising boring, negative rugby. Brilliant changes. Speed up the game.
24 Go to commentsImagine you kick to the lineout, they give away a free kick, you have a great chance at a scrum, sorry sir you have to tap and go. Ridiculous
24 Go to commentsWhile I believe that the Crusaders do not deserve a spot in the playoffs, every single team would be worried to play them no matter where on the table they are. For example, they have the potential to knock out the Blues at Eden Park. They are the Springboks in Super Rugby in that they know exactly how to play knockout footy and have the pedigree and experience to do it. Something is just not quite right with that team this year. Fakatava is prone to to the odd brain explosion and can kick away good ball in bad positions. His work around the ruck and breakdown is a standout. Is he better than Finlay Christie? I’m not sure. TJ Perenara and Cortez Ratima should get two of the spots in the ABs squad. Aumua has so much potential but the midfield is quite well stocked with Jordie, ALB, Tupaea, and Ioane as well as Billy Proctor who is in top form. Aumua would be battling a spot with Tupaea and Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy do some Bok fans get so defensive when people have opinions on how the game should be played? Is it really necessary to take it as a personal attack on SA every time?
24 Go to comments