Why didn't the Springboks take the shot?
Questionable game management in the dying stages has once again reared its ugly head for the Springboks.
After late-game execution cost them against the All Blacks in Pretoria, this time it was late-game decision-making that induced head-scratching in the 12-11 loss to England at Twickenham.
After 20 phases with possession down inside England’s 22, two minutes left on the clock, trailing by one point, the Springboks not only failed to attempt a drop goal, it didn’t seem to be in the thought process at all.
Owen Farrell’s controversial tackle has become the central talking point following the match, taking away from the fact that Springboks have proven once again they don’t handle pressure-cooker late-game situations well.
Incredibly, the Springboks’ last three tests have been decided in the final play and they have come away with one win.
A miraculous rush tackle by Aphiwe Dyantyi that caused Damian McKenzie to spill the ball in Wellington papered over the details in a frantic final two-minute period in the stunning upset over the All Blacks.
It was quickly forgotten how Francois Louw inexplicably dropped the ball cold on halfway with sixty seconds remaining, giving the All Blacks a lifeline to begin with. Handre Pollard then botched an exit kick, giving them another line out from five-metres out. If not for the All Blacks’ own mismanagement and Dyantyi’s clutch play, that game would have been given away as well.
In Pretoria, the Springboks conceded a holding-on penalty that Richie Mo’unga hammered over 60-metres into the corner. A review of the moments preceding that penalty will reveal a wild offload by RG Snyman and poor decision-making by reserve halfback Embrose Papier that left a runner on the next phase isolated.
For all the brilliance of Handre Pollard’s Twickenham performance, his non-involvement at the crucial moments left an opportunity begging. When the final moment was there to bring South Africa home, there was no one stepping up to plate.
It was a shrinking failure made all the more disappointing because both Elton Jantjies and Pollard’s sublime work in the lead up had been the catalyst for a potential last-minute game-winner.
Jantjies, in particular, had come on and immediately sparked the side into life, attacking with fearlessness. That same fearlessness disappeared when it mattered most, backing away from the chance to be the hero.
By the 8th phase, they were into England’s 22. By the 12th phase, they were down to the 11, just to the left of the sticks. All that was needed was one more carry and a shot.
Instead, the next couple of wayward phases left Pollard tackled, isolated, and in danger of getting turned. Jantjies and Pollard combined on a switch play with nothing else on, losing ground and nearly the ball.
Two phases back to the left through the forwards had re-earned the Springboks a position for another titanic ending. Jantjies is in the pocket but starts to walk away, uninterested in the three.
Pollard also looks uninterested in taking little more than a 22-metre chip shot from point blank.
Both keep pushing out left. There is no communication, no urgency and no call for the ball with 90 seconds left in the match. Neither player also seems to be providing direction to the side, leaving reserve halfback Embrose Papier to call the shots and distribute play from the ruck.
From 11-metres out, right in front, the Springboks instead play three runners around the corner towards the left edge off Papier, moving further and further away from the posts.
After only one try in nearly eighty minutes from both sides, what is to be gained by playing phase after phase when you just had two clear opportunities to ice the game?
On the 20th phase, Lood de Jager is stripped by Owen Farrell and loses the ball. Pollard and Jantjies don’t take two legitimate chances to snap a simple dropkick and steal the match.
Given the run of Springboks late-game calamities, the third in a row has highlighted a disturbing lack of late-game composure under pressure. There are questions about the on-field leadership that need to be asked following this collective stage fright. The Springboks need an honest review of this tape and take the learnings forward – it is better to take the shot and miss than not attempt one at all.
After benefitting first-hand from the same situation just weeks ago, it is astounding they didn’t know what to do, and that neither flyhalf wanted to step up and take the moment.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
GOTTA MAKE ‘THE GEORGE’ HAPPEN!!!! That’s a great idea! A trans Tasman midget battle on ANZAC Day. I don’t think the ABs Wallabies game should be a one off winner takes all though, just the first match with the other two later in the year with the RC. Reason being, no one will ever shut up about how aussies couldn’t win it when it was a 3 match series.
1 Go to comments@Ben smith. Thats knock out rugby. So honeslty who cares?
145 Go to commentsIt will interesting to know which Irish players said that…
1 Go to commentsNaaaww boys will be boys! Now run along ya wee scamp! Don’t let us catch you at again😏
1 Go to commentsGreat to have Ethan Blackadder back in the Crusaders in the last few weeks. One of the best all round loose forwards around. He played so well last week against the Rebels. Fantastic attitude Ethan has and his comments are spot on.
2 Go to commentsThe author is 100% right. The Springboks know that they don't have near the natural attraction, mana, skill and mystic the All Blacks have. So, Chasing the sun 1 & 2 was concocted to overblow the Boks image on the back of a corruptly obtained “win". It's marketing ploy to force the Boks delusion as the World's Best. I guess World Rugby is also not to be believed when it came out with an apology about how the final was officiated. And if the 2023 final such a superb game by the Boks, then the Boks crying about Referee Bryce Lawrence for decades is also deserves a laugh. Chase the sun and get burned like a moth. A very well written literary piece that tore the Boks and Chasing the sun farce to shreds. 🖤All Blacks🏉
145 Go to commentsI’d say France was far more hard done by in the 2011 final than the All Blacks in this game. Joubert simply refused to call a penalty against the All Blacks in the last quarter even directing an All Black to drop a ball he picked up in an offside position rather than penalizing him. This article also totally discounts the efforts of PSTD. Ask Jordie how well he played. Or the backup flank who played hooker for the entire game. Siya was also a brilliant tackle by Richie from scoring a blinder. Pollard was also fantastic. Look I don’t like the boks style but the only thing more questionable than the content of this article is the timing of it. Get over it already
145 Go to commentsDad Marty was also a handy rugby player for Linwood back in the day. Great bloke. Sensational softball career.
2 Go to commentsWhat ifs are always dangerous. If you look at the game before Sam cane got sent of SA was dominating. You could make the argument the going down to 14 men rallied the troops and made them have to play to win which is always dangerous.
145 Go to commentsOmg… you are bruised And battered Benny. Stop crying … the scoreboard speaks. What a pathetic lover you are.. 🤣🤣🤣
145 Go to commentsPacific Lions, cry me a river
145 Go to commentsThis is the single worst piece of journalism I have ever seen since your last one. As a neutral, who really states that there should be an asterisk next to a win? You are an utter embarrassment to real AB fans, journalism and that joke of a house which pays you for this nonsense. Get a life, Ben.
145 Go to commentsGuys. Cancel the World Cup champions after this analysis. It changes everything. Ben knows. We’ll have to unengrave the Bokke off the trophy and hand it to the ABs, now that I’ve been enlightened about this illegitimate win. This needs to be done. Now!
145 Go to commentsBen is right here though, Springboks were woefully poor with the advantage they had throughout this game. The France match was heroic because that was an even contest this match had it taken place in Rugby Championship would have been an easy win for NZ. If anything this match should tell the Bok coaches that a lot of this team should be changed. They beat this same NZ team by record margin with the same circumstances but with a different core. They bring back the tried and tested guys and they nearly botch this game.
145 Go to commentsI knew who wrote this article from the first few words in the headline…lol. The red card actually did the ABs a favour. It galvanized them, only then did they step up a gear. Before that there was zero momentum.
145 Go to commentsFirstly the foul on Bongi was a planned move just like the NZ master plan with Bryce Lawrence you kiwis are filthy fux perhaps try to play a cleaner game next time I doubt that’s possible tho but don’t worry world rugby is on yr side they trying to take away all the BOKS strengths to help all you weakling as Jeremy Clarkson would say LA OO ZA ERR..🤣
145 Go to commentsAbsolutely spot on Ben. I certainly wouldn't gloat over a win like that. Frustrating as it is it's done and dusted and history will forever show the result.
145 Go to commentsHo hum.
145 Go to commentsNo question they were the better team. But that is the beauty of sport isn’t it!
145 Go to commentsEveryone is into Hurling in Ireland according to Porter, but only 11 of Ireland's 32 counties enter a team into the national competition. Same old blarney.
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