Springboks' RWC trajectory continues to rise ahead of Japan
Relief seemed to be the overriding emotion for the Springboks as they walked off the Cake Tin pitch in Wellington on Saturday having tied 16-all with the All Blacks.
A lack of chemistry and ruthless, clinical finishing held the Springboks back in the first half of the game where a late Jack Goodhue try gave the All Blacks a 7-6 lead at the interval despite South Africa having been in complete control for the majority of those 40 minutes.
As the All Blacks grew into the game, it looked as though that profligacy in the first half was going to cost the visitors. A late flourish, however, delivered the Springboks a morale-boosting draw as Herschel Jantjies grabbed a try at the death through his own work rate and ambition, continuing his scintillating start to international rugby.
Had more of the starting XV from Wellington played a week before in Johannesburg, maybe that chemistry would have been there and a win could have been on the cards, but this is a year where, with all due respect to The Rugby Championship, there is little riding on this tournament as all eyes are instead on the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
There will be a fair amount of short-term debate over whether or not Rassie Erasmus was right to rest so many of his frontline players against Australia last weekend, following what could have been against New Zealand – again – in Wellington, but the upcoming World Cup should validate that decision.
With that in mind, there were plenty of positives to take away from Saturday’s contest, just as there were against the Wallabies a week before. One particular standout was outside centre Lukhanyo Am, with the Sharks man thriving on the defensive side of the ball.
His work restricting New Zealand’s width was exceptional as he successfully shut down three of the four times that the All Blacks looked to move the ball wide on the openside in the first half. Whether it was Am tackling man and ball or obstructing the passing lanes, New Zealand found it extremely difficult to get outside the centre.
The one time that the All Blacks were able to get around him was late in the half and coming off of transition ball. Even then, Am was shutting down the passing lane, although Makazole Mapimpi had also bitten in and there was space on the outside for a looped pass and Beauden Barrett to exploit.
In the second half, when Am was positioned in the 13 channel on the openside, he was able to shut down all three of New Zealand’s attacks that attempted to go wide, before he was replaced in the 52nd minute.
His linespeed and decision-making was one of – if not they key – component in stifling the All Blacks’ usually clinical back line play, with the hosts able to more freely move the ball with width and tempo after he was replaced.
His tackling closer to the ruck on the more physical carriers was impressive, too, not least so for his dump tackle and turnover on Sonny Bill Williams early in the game.
The half-back combination of Faf de Klerk and Handré Pollard showed good chemistry in the first half and dovetailed nicely, even if the end product was missing from the Springboks overall. Pollard had some joy counter-attacking from New Zealand’s unusually loose kicking game and de Klerk was typically opportunistic, hunting and creating space.
The returns of Franco Mostert and Duane Vermeulen also brought a welcome injection of carrying options to the South African pack, something which had been lacking a week before against Australia. Steven Kitshoff was a pest at the contact area, frequently slowing down New Zealand’s ball as well providing a solid presence at the scrum.
Cheslin Kolbe also flashed his potential with some incisive running and one aerial ball where he bested the much larger Rieko Ioane, who also had the positioning for the catch. Malcolm Marx, like Bongi Mbonambi the week before, had some early issues at the lineout before cleaning them up as the game went on.
Siya Kolisi’s return from injury should ease any worries Erasmus might have as will the ability on the floor of Francois Louw, who prospered in his cameo off the bench.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1155060349495926784?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
The South African back three weren’t blessed with too many opportunities in Wellington which was as much down to game plan as it was individual performance, although it does keep the door open for the likes of Warrick Gelant and Sbu Nkosi.
Having had very definitive and pre-planned selection decisions in mind for the games against Australia and New Zealand, Erasmus now has the chance to fine-tune in the upcoming Test with Argentina in Salta.
Erasmus and the Boks have an extra week of preparation before that game and there will be no concerns over travel limiting training time ahead of the game.
Boks show ???, Pollard nerves as Jantjies ????? in Wellington as well.
Match report here: https://t.co/DZ14040wlQ pic.twitter.com/RNKO7BD23o— Springboks (@Springboks) July 27, 2019
There are spots up for grabs in this Springbok side and while the game in Wellington showed that the current first-choice starting XV can hold their own with the best (and the win over Australia showed that the depth of player is also there for the team to have success), there is still time for players jockeying between the two groups.
The game in Salta could be our best indication yet of how the Springboks will look at the RWC, not to mention providing an opportunity for the impressive players in Johannesburg a week ago to force their way into Erasmus’ plans.
WATCH: The insightful RugbyPass documentary with Nemani Nadolo, the Fijian playing at Montpellier
Comments on RugbyPass
“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.
9 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.
22 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.
9 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 commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments