Springboks shock: South Africa A beaten by Bulls in final warm-up
The Springboks completed their match preparations ahead of next weekend’s Test series opener versus the Lions with a shock 17-14 loss versus the Bulls in a Cape Town clash that took place at the same Green Point stadium that was later hosting the tourists’ in their final preparation game against the Stormers.
Lining out again as South Africa A having defeated the Lions 17-13 in midweek, a matchday squad featuring nine 2019 Springboks World Cup winners led the Bulls 14-0 at the break despite a first-half yellow card for Wandisile Simelane – but they collapsed in the second half rather than pulling clear to secure an expected comfortable win.
Similar to Wednesday, when they failed to build on a 17-3 interval advantage, South Africa A were again held scoreless for an entire second half and were suckered by a late 17-point power surge by the Bulls, who just last month lost heavily to Italian side Benetton in the final of the Rainbow Cup.
The Bulls, whose match versus the Lions last Saturday in Pretoria was cancelled due to a virus outbreak amongst Jake White’s squad, were called on by the Springboks to play in a hastily arranged game to try and ensure Jacques Nienaber’s squad were more battle-hardened before taking on the Lions.
Nienaber expected a lack of South Africa A cohesion, stating on Friday: “With several changes to the matchday squad, there won’t be much continuity from Wednesday’s match, but the game time and the chance for these players to show what they can offer on the field will be invaluable with an eye on improving our match fitness and building momentum before we enter the Test series.”
"We didn’t do any analysis on them…"
– The Springboks fallout has begun after shock South Africa A loss to the Bulls, while there is also an update on the venue status for Tests two and three versus the Lions#LionsSA2021 #LionsRugby
https://t.co/HAsnoua8ib— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 17, 2021
However, he couldn’t have envisaged losing to a local South Africa franchise just seven days out from the Springboks’ first Test versus the Lions. Just three players – midfielder Damian de Allende, hooker Joseph Dweba and flanker Marco van Staden – were asked to start again three days after their midweek win over the Lions and South Africa A did start promisingly, Cobus Reinach embarking on a powerful 13th-minute run that set up Aphelele Fassi to score a try converted by matchday skipper Elton Jantjies.
Simelane was yellow-carded soon with the Bulls attacking the try line with repeated pick and drive and it wasn’t until the 38th minute that South Africa A increased their lead, Simelane making up for his earlier sin-binning to score with Jantjies again converting.
The expectation was for South Africa A to go and dominate the second half but they miserably failed to build on their interval lead and were caught napping by two tries inside three minutes which levelled the scores at 14-all with 13 minutes remaining.
Johan Goosen was the creator-in-chief, providing the assists for Keagan Johannes and Johan Grobbelaar to score tries that Goosen himself converted. Replacement Chris Smith then fired over a long-range 75th-minute penalty following a scrum infringement to claim a famous victory that will now create further concerns about the Springboks’ readiness for the Lions Test series.
It was July 2 when the Springboks defeated Georgia 40-9 in Pretoria in what was their first Test outing in the 20 months since they defeated England in the November 2019 World Cup final in Yokohama.
Their second match versus the Georgians was scuppered by a virus outbreak in both camps and after training was also shut down for a week, the Springboks re-emerged at the start of this week deciding to organise a second South Africa A game to ensure as many players as possible in their squad had match practice heading into the Lions series.
Townsend made himself very busy during his week in Lions self-isolation and it should concern the Springboks ahead of the Test series #LionsRugby #LionsSA2021
https://t.co/xoQrCjyPQJ— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 16, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Word in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
1 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to comments