The difficulty with writing about this Springboks team

In the 80's the Springboks were protested due to apartheid. In New Zealand's dominant years they kept quiet about the non-merit players (like Ashwin Willemse) in the Springboks team, because it was nice to win. It took this country and it’s proud rugby heritage years to catch up. We arrived where we belong in 2018, although non-merit is still to today driven by the South African government in team sports.

Just imagine Rassie being able to pick a 100% merit team.

Just for the record though, all the current Springboks are there on merit, but team selection is still non-merit based.

I would love to see the world and especially New Zealand protest that.

A very well written article. Some would say it's blowing smoke, some would call it fan boy dreams and some would call it insulting. However, I see none of the above. I see a journalist who is frankly exasperated. Everything that can be said has been written and covered. The Boks make extraordinary looks ordinary. Repeating the same excellence every week is getting repetitive and blends all journalists articles covering the Boks into one. Makes for the same repetitive reading, no matter which journalist publish what about the Boks. I see this journalist being frustrated at other teams falling behind. Is DG a lover or hater of the Boks? Who cares? He is at least not blind to brilliance when he sees it. He is giving the dues he should when teams play well, yet that is not enough. Trolls will try and make everything about themselves. I found this a very well written article, unlike some of the articles that is forced down our throats by wannabe journalists who writes opinions instead of solid facts.

Dealing with a the SH thickos who spew ignorant shite all the tkme?

Us too, brother.

The Boks are truly top notch and truly deserving number 1 in the world. Unparralled strength in depth and scrum no one can compete with. However let's not get carried away, Siya (who I love) is regularly subbed off early, so the early shower isn't unexpected.

The French team on Saturday is far from full strength, a very callow front row, no Aldritt, Dupont, Mauvaka or Ollivon.

This teams greatness will be confirmed if they win the third world, but look at what happened to NZ in 2019, odds on to win it, but taken down.

France should not have made a mockery and blasphemy of the Last Supper at the Olympic opening ceremony! (Deut 28:15-68). Just saying!

Nice piece. as a Saffa of course loving this time - we know how kak it can be and how bad things can get before it turns so we appreciate this time in the sunshine. No doubt we’ll see the ABs, England etc challenge for the crown in time to come - right now though, it’s time for a big big drink or 20.

I’ve noticed it’s so difficult writing about the Boks that Ben Smith has just decided to shut up - thank the heavens for that!!!!!

Kof kof, all the smoke up our butts is making me green at the gills

Maybe its premature, given the swansong has not been sung yet but it can be that at these junctures, a fitting and permanent moniker for a team who has reached the heights that they have, should be bestowed. An everlast that does the work for you while returning to reporting on what worked well and what didn’t and in so doing, reliquishing you from the burden described.

Loved this report. Very well written. As a Saffa away from home, your words made my heart sing.

22-0 up at their “fortress” to the 7th ranked team and loses. “Innovation”

Supposedly the greatest bok team of all time was going to storm Eden Park

Add in the loss to Ireland that's incoming, they really aren't ahead of anyone

“Platitudes”, “usual lines”, “frequently heard yarns”? That is unworthy of you. You're implying with your use of language that what they say is not genuinely meant. There is nothing I've read or heard from Kolisi or Rassie that suggests they're not being genuine energy time. If that's not what got meant, it's sloppy journalism. If you meant what you said, I take issue

Well, a promising start would be to get your hyperbole under control.

South Africa are on a 5-game winning streak at the moment, which includes some impressive victories. Their squad depth is enviable, Rassie’s ability to rotate players is something other coaches long for and the team’s ability to still get a win while spending nearly half the match with a player in the bin is enviable.

But they’ve [checks results] lost two of their last 8 matches, and they’re 1.2 points clear of New Zealand in the world rankings. It’s good, but it’s a long way from “redefining what the summit looks like”.

To be worthy of that epithet, they’d need to be a bit more like the team at the top of the other side of World Rugby’s Rankings page.

One game at a time. When you are at the top every game is a bananna peel to be avoided.

As a NZer I pay homage to this wonderful Bok team. Congrats to Siya on his milestone. And Rassie must be not only the greatest

coach in history but a true nation builder.

Beauty of a read DG. Can’t wait to see where this team will be come 2027.

Why had Ben Smith Been pulled of Bok assignment?

Great article - just lovely prose; “when a jersey carries the weight of a nation and somehow turns it into energy”. There are many factors contributing to the Boks success - a diverse nation naturally imbued with physical specimens, a very strong school rugby system, and now a well-developed pathway from school to international level. Layer on this a certain mentality that comes from having to work incredible hard to achieve success in SA. And then put a humble talented man, who came from nothing, in as captain and a master magician as coach. Rassie is the magic that gels it all together - he chooses carefully, lets his coaches and staff get on with their job, does not micromanage, is incredibly smart and attentive to detail and has the courage of his convictions. Above all he is authentic which inspires people and has the wand to strip a man of his ego. And hey bingo - you have a great sports team … a bunch of talented people who will run through brick walls for each other and for their country.

DG, let’s be honest, the “envy brigade” sat there waiting for Rassie’s great team of 2019 to age and then decline, hence all the hype about it at the start of the year and then Rassie has done his best ever job and created a new team from the old one . . . . and made it even better.

Nobody saw that coming, nobody expected the change in attack and now we sit here with potentially Rassie’s best ever team of all the years of his tenure and “triple Champions” looks like a tag they are going after and remain the team to beat.

Great job, very impressive indeed. Let’s just marvel in the glory and enjoy it whilst it lasts. 👏👏👏

DG, you are starting to sound like a fanboy, but if one sets aside bias and vitriol, perhaps the Boks are on the verge of the kind of greatness associated with Barcelona, Brazil and of course the ABs of old.