Springboks great hints at tactical shake-up against All Blacks
Springboks legend Joel Stransky believes South Africa could surprise the All Blacks with a tactical shake-up for their final Rugby Championship clash on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The Springboks will look to close out their meek Rugby Championship campaign with a shock victory over the All Blacks at Cbus Super Stadium on the back of three straight defeats at the hands of the New Zealanders and the Wallabies.
South Africa’s poor run of form has largely been attributed to their negative tactics, with their ultra-conservative playing style against the All Blacks in Townsville being the focal point of discussion in the lead-up to this week’s rematch.
The reigning world champions have relied heavily on a kick-first mentality, which has been the source of plenty of criticism, as has their bid to slow play down as much as possible whenever the ball goes out of play.
However, Stranksy, the former Springboks first-five who kicked South Africa to their first World Cup title in 1995, has suggested Jacques Neinaber’s side could spring a tactical surprise in their rematch against the All Blacks.
“I think there is a chance, because right now there’s nothing to lose, there’s everything to win,” Stransky told Newstalk ZB.
“There’s reputation at stake, we’re no longer the number-one ranked in the world but we’re still Rugby World Cup champions.
“We surprised England in that World Cup final by playing a bit differently to the way we played in the semis and the quarters and I’m hopeful that that’s what we’ll see this week.
“That they’ll come out and just say, ‘Play what’s in front of you, you don’t have to run every ball, you don’t have to run when it’s not on but… play our kicking game, play our power first-phase game, kick it to the corners but when it’s on, have a go’.
“Let’s free up some of those skills and those talents out wide. There’s loads of pace out there, there’s loads of exciting players and let’s let them have a go.”
Stransky added that the South Africa’s backline players, particularly second-five Damian de Allende, could pose plenty of threats for the All Blacks if they are given the chance to shine with ball in hand.
“He’s still a great player,” Stransky said of de Allende, whose contributions have been nullified as the likes of halves duo Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard continually put boot to ball.
“He’s probably the best passer in that team yet we don’t see him pass anymore, we don’t see anyone pass in that team.
“You’ve got him at 12, you’ve got Lukhanyo Am at 13 who runs great lines – wants to play, wants to attack, also a skilful passer, great reader of the game – he’s become more renowned as a rush defender and captain of the defensive effort than an attacking player.
“Then there’s great pace out wide and Willie le Roux… when there’s a bit of space for him to run into, he too is a great attacking back. So whatever you say about de Allende, you can probably say about the whole back line.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments