Springboks will 'come for' the British & Irish Lions at scrum time
The British & Irish Lions first hit out on South African soil against the Sigma Lions was a powerful display full of high tempo rugby, bashing over the gain line and swinging the ball wide with success.
Despite notching 50-points against the hapless Lions, South African journalist AP Cronje has not been impressed with the Lions at set-piece time, predicting that the Springboks ‘will come for the Lions’ at the scrum.
The set-piece was an important part of the Springboks’ World Cup final win over England, dominating them there after they lost their tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler in just the second minute.
Despite the Lions having vast front row resources to pick from across four nations, Cronje predicted that they would be ‘annihilated’ by South Africa.
Boks are going to come for the Lions at the scrum. Not seen anything in the Japan game or this one that particularly impresses me.
— AP Cronje (@rugby_ap) July 3, 2021
The Boks are going to annihilate this Lions front row.
— AP Cronje (@rugby_ap) July 3, 2021
However, it was the Sigma Lions whose scrum was as fragile as wet paper against the British & Irish Lions, conceding three penalties to zero while having six collapsed scrums and four resets.
Despite the frailty, the home side’s platform aided them by stalling for time to prevent the visitors from piling on the points.
The slow pace of the game on Lions’ scrums allowed the clock to dwindle and allow the players to get a breathe as they completed just six of 11 formed scrum attempts.
The stability was on the tourists side, with no resets and coming away with a clean sheet of no penalties conceded. The power of the British & Irish Lions pack gave the visitors complete control, although they did not rely on the scrum.
They had just four scrum feeds compared to 21 lineouts. What’s more, the British & Irish Lions forced two penalties on their four attacking scrums, a rate of 50 percent.
This was similar to their effort against Japan the week before, where they forced two penalties from just five attacking scrums, a rate of 40 percent.
The potency of their set-piece is beginning to show however some believed they will look for quick feeds, recycling the ball quickly, to counter the Springboks’ pressure during the test series.
The Lions have three Number 8s with the ability to pick up the ball quickly, in Sam Simmonds, Jack Conan and Taulupe Faletau and have picked fast loose forwards for a mobile game plan.
BI Lions intentionally breaking away from scrums quickly. They are practicing to take the weapon away from the Boks. Won’t be that easy, by the fact they picked quicker rather than stronger losies is telling.
— Johan Jordaan (@Johan_Jordaan72) July 3, 2021
Cronje stuck to his assertion, claiming the Springboks possess depth in the front row ‘that no international side’ can match or come close to, and that the selection of two entire front rows in the matchday 23 will act in tandem to ‘clean up’ the Lions.
Kitshoff, Mbonambi and Malherbe will more than sweat the Lions. Nche, Marx and Nyakane off the bench will clean up what’s left. No international side, or Lions side, can match SA’s depth in the front row. None come close.
— AP Cronje (@rugby_ap) July 3, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
You know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to comments