Springboks must bring surprise package to reclaim Rugby Championship
Don’t expect Ian Foster and the All Blacks to be lying awake at night in fear of their impending encounters against the Springboks just yet.
With all due respect to the defending world champions, little to come out of their 2-1 series victory over the British and Irish Lions has shed any light on where this side is really at apart, from what we already knew.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed in the current rugby climate. There is every chance that the Springboks don’t venture across to New Zealand or Australia due to Covid-complications, but they’ll need to make some changes should these fixtures eventuate.
Failure to do so could result in some big losses against the All Blacks and Wallabies, two sides that are well on their way to building new gameplans and styles of their own.
The Springboks weren’t altogether bad against the Lions – far from it in fact – but it was a certain style of rugby for a very particular purpose.
Be it the consistent use of box kicks, calling on their big men to win kickable penalties, or their heavy reliance on a strong defence, little about the Springboks gameplan against the Lions was new and original.
There certainly wasn’t any razzle-dazzle on show – nor any intent to pin the ears back and take on the opposing backline outside of any set move.
Compared to the typical nature of rugby presented by the All Blacks, and the Wallabies for that matter, the Springboks certainly stuck with their unique brand of rugby which served them well ultimately.
They’re the world champions after all, why shouldn’t they flex their muscles?
The problem is that they’re not really flexing anything at all.
Throughout the Six Nations it looked like international rugby might be spinning towards a brave new world where teams were once again prepared to invest more in their attack than their defence. Has the Lions series quashed that hope?
?? Gregor Paulhttps://t.co/mddzgyvAff
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) August 10, 2021
What sits ahead of the inspirational Siya Kolisi and his gunners is a far different prospect, not an altogether stronger one but certainly one which pulls far different strings.
Come that 100th test encounter against the All Blacks on September 25th in Dunedin, the Springboks will need to come prepared to play more aggressively rather than sitting back and waiting for the mistakes to come.
They’ll have had a few matches against Argentina and Australia by then, but the All Blacks should have figured out some of their early-season intensity woes with a total of seven home fixtures under their belts come late September.
A simple eye test shows that the Springboks forward pack can more than match the All Blacks on size and versatility.
Their lineout is typically second to none, the scrum and maul not too far behind, and their work in the breakdown trenches should pose a significant uptake on the ferocity that Fiji possessed, something that clearly took the All Blacks by surprise back in July.
The Boks would do well to keep using what works well but, equally, their worst preparation for the trip down under would be to stick with the same formula in its entirety.
It’s crucial that they find a way to break open the game, especially with a good counterattack when the opportunity arises. They’ve got the abilities in the backline to do so, just give a guy like Cheslin Kolbe a chance to work his magic out wide rather than only utilising him under the high ball.
Underpinning the Springboks’ key to victory against the likes of the Wallabies, and especially the All Blacks, will be the element of surprise.
They’ve got to bring something different on top of their clear and obvious strengths because the homework is already being done by their impending opposition to nullify what was on show in Cape Town over the past few weeks.
But alas, who could blame the Springboks if they stuck with the same old thing though? It did win them the World Cup back in 2019.
One just can’t help but wonder if the winning formula for this particular Rugby Championship has moved on somewhat.
Comments on RugbyPass
Jordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA 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?
13 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.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 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.
25 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
5 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
38 Go to comments