Springboks bomb squad fizzle out in second-half misfire
The much-hyped Springboks front row came into the first test against the British & Irish Lions with a mythic reputation built off the performance in the World Cup final against England, after they had lost their tight head prop in just the third minute.
With a second front row sitting on the bench, the power of the Boks big men up front was supposed to be a weapon to destruct the Lions set-piece in Cape Town.
A key decision by Springboks management was to substitute the entire front row at halftime, putting hooker Malcolm Marx and props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe into the game fresh for 40-minutes.
The new arrivals failed to make any impact, as the Lions were able to stabilise the set-piece and force the Springboks to use the ball instead of playing for penalties. The tourists themselves had serious firepower on the reserves, with Ken Owen, Kyle Sinckler and Mako Vunipola all test starters with their nations.
Springboks fans labelled the decision as a ‘bad call’ that ‘disrupted the ascendency’. Another wrote they lost the game ‘as soon as we changed the front row’.
The much talked about impact front row for the boks was poor! In fact the first front row was proper. Malherbe is average. Ox subbed too early. Boks need to be a bit more brave on attack & need more steals on good tackles. Lions weren’t that great but well done to them. #RSAvBIL
— Ghostface (@Bandi_777) July 24, 2021
Substituting the whole front row at the start of the second half was a bad call by Jacque and his coaching staff. It disrupted the ascendency we had going into half time. Hard luck Boks #SSRugby #RSAvBIL pic.twitter.com/RYQHDAw5s2
— Floetic_Essentials (@RealFloetic_E) July 24, 2021
Boks "stronger front row" not living up to the hype
— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) July 24, 2021
Some really questionable calls. But not the reason the Boks lost. Lions were exceptional in second half. Boks bottled it. Lost the aerial battle badly and bench had zero impact. Well done Lions.
— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) July 24, 2021
Forwards can't push a maul! Forwards can't defend a maul! Forwards can't push a scrum! The new Springboks forwards' coach, Daan Human is a fraud!#RSAvBIL
— Sama & TheLights? (@SamaEmme) July 24, 2021
Our bomb squad misfired in that front row today. I think Vincent kock needs to be ahead malherbe. Kwagga needs to get the basics right and he will be great. He needs to go play in a tougher league and he will be a great forward. #RSAvBIL
— Chad Theunis (@Chad_Joker_1Apr) July 24, 2021
So why did SA sub off all of their front row at half time? They looked to have the upper hand in the tight before that #RSAvBIL
— Stuart Drysdale (@DarloBun) July 24, 2021
Should not have changed that front row. #RSAvBIL
— Luvuko Nombembe (@luvukonombembe) July 24, 2021
We lost this match at the start of the second half. As soon as we changed our front row, we stopped plying. #RSAvBIL
— NthatoK (@nthato12) July 24, 2021
For all the pre-match talk of a stronger Bok front-row on the bench, the 1H front-row did better at scrum time #RSAvBIL
— Paul from New Zealand Sport Radio (@DrivingMaul) July 24, 2021
Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber pinpointed the kicking game as the weak area in the second half which lead to the Lions roaring back to 19-5 advantage over the second half.
“The kicking game was won by us in the first half and we got the rewards,” the coach said, adding: “In the second half it was a different story.
“They won that battle and it gave them territory, an advantage in broken field play and we had to scramble, and could not cope.”
Despite not getting any reward at the scrum, Nienaber said his side made mistakes at the maul which let the Lions pack get on top, but he thought his side could salvage the series in the second test next week.
“Our discipline fell away,” the coach said.
“We started to make mistakes, especially at maul time.
“We did not make the step-up needed when required.
“We can certainly salvage this.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments