The Springboks beat the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, finally getting a victory after three straight losses in the Tri Nations tournament so far. The Springboks will still remain rooted to the bottom of the Tri Nations log, and still a disappointing campaign after all.
So the Springboks managed to beat a B team of All Blacks, and the win will do them the world of good going into a World Cup campaign starting in three weeks’ time, but should we really get excited about what transpired yesterday.
Lets look at the facts other than the win achieved yesterday. In 160 minutes of rugby in South Africa, the Boks could not manage to cross the tryline. And to be quite honest, there were very few moments where the Springboks actually looked like scoring a try.
Now we all know that tries do not necessarily win you the World Cup, but it sure as hell helps to get there. Consider this, in the 2007 World Cup victory, South Africa scored 33 tries in seven matches, with an in form Bryan Habana bagging 8 of those.
Peter de Villiers was quoted as saying that Morné Steyn will be his first choice flyhalf for the World Cup, and that he had no doubt about this. It’s a shame that he did not put faith in his flyhalf all along, as the chopping and changing in this important position hampered the backline throughout the competition. His accurate kicking boot does not hurt the team’s chances either.
So what can we take from this victory, and what can be expected from the Springboks at the World Cup. If they can play at the same level as we saw yesterday, they will easily finish top of their pool and qualify for the quarter finals, after which it will become a little more difficult. They will have to step up a few levels as the tournament gets on, ask the All Blacks and Wallabies who both missed out on semi final spots in 2007.
At the end of the day, a victory over the men from New Zealand is a sweet one, whichever team is played, be it A, B or F, and the players needed this win more than anything else before the World Cup. We can only hope that the positives from this game be taken, the negatives worked on, and a well rounded performance be the end result at the World Cup. Go Bokke!
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Good game yesterday been sick in hospital for over a week now ,that win was definatly the high light of my week,having said that I’m worried about bissie’s open frustration at being subbed,I can understand being upset but to openly show it in front of the world and fellow team mates is a little scary and makes me wonder what’s really going on in that camp,I maybe wrong though he could have just been disapointed with his showing out on that field than the thing about being subbed but it looked like he was upset about being subbed to me
Anybody know what the score is with Pat Lambie? I just hope its somethng minor and he’s OK.
@Caratacus (Comment 2) :
No news yet..
I watched replays of the game, he injured himself pasing the ball.
Will report on anything that does come through on Lambie or any of the others..
@Poisy (Comment 1) : I was very disappointed in Bissie’s behaviour, it was childish and unprofessional. I have never seen Smit react like that when he has been pulled from the field for the likes of Shimange, Gary Botha, Chilliboy, etc. Even if Bissie thinks he is streets better than Smit, that reaction was unacceptable, Smit was clearly better than Shimange, Botha and Chilliboy, but he never complained about being replaced in a match.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 4) :
I hear you, and kinda agree..
One has to think what that reaction does to the camp.
We can only hope that he was disappointed in his own performance, more than the fact that he was being subbed..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) : I understand one being disappointed in ones performance, but once again, I compare him to Smit, who has had his share of poor performances and never reacted that way. It shows immaturity in my opinion. I remember when I was a teenager, I would sometimes throw a tantrum if I did not do as well as I thought I could in sports, but by the time I was in my 20s, I had outgrown this. The disappointment was still there, but the energy was used in a more positive direction, to fix the problems that caused the poor performance. I would venture a guess that whenever Smit hears the criticism of so many, he channels his frustration into something positive, like training! Just my opinion.
Pat will be asessed tomorrow.Bissie was a douche to go on like that.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 6) : And, I am afraid this is the reason that no matter what he does on the field, Bissie will never be as good a Hooker or rugby player as Smit, until he grows up (matures). He really does behave like a petulant little boy from time to time.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 6) :
Cannot argue with that!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 4) : Agree with you totally DB. It was disgraceful how Bissie reacted. Not a messeage one sends to youngsters playing the game.
It is a squad of 22 and of course most will come on later. So the swearing which you could read his lips and shaking his head to the camera, was out of order actually.
Look he played well but really not necessary to carry on like that.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wish Bissie harm in any way, I actually wish he would learn from this and grow, I’m not holding my breath, but I hope he matures. He is a superb specimen, physically, athletically, and with regard to skills on the pitch. If he could combine this superb physical ability with a mature thinking mind, we will have the best Hooker in the world by a long shot.
Anyhow first time on any of the blogs I blog since yesterday. Just been too hectic today.
Well done to our Bokke. A win is a win. Though I feel we will have to score tries if we want to get to the semi. Can we always expect the other team to be making mistakes? Getting our points from that? If they don’t then what? Do we drop kick all our points like JdB done in 1999? Doubt it.
They also found gaps very easy through us. We need to get first time tackles. Sure our defence was good but we scrambled back plenty for some.
Now if Dagg never pass forward that too would have been a try. This is supposed to be their 2nd side. Which I think it is (9) players are missing from this AB side. Though think Dagg will make their 1st side. Remember too they never had a out and out fetcher yesterday. We had Brussow and he was at his absolute best.
Morne played a lot better yesterday too and his kicking as we know is always good. But we need to get tries.
@Puma (Comment 10) : Not to mention the complete disrespect he displayed towards the Boks World Cup winning Captain by acting the way he did. The implication that most will get from this is he does not think much of Smit since he clearly was very upset he was being replaced by Smit. This can cause a lot of problems within the squad in my opinion. Smit certainly does not need anyone undermining him at this point in the process.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 11) : For sure. He is a fantastic player. So hope he has learned from this. Not great to see a player in a Bok Jersey doing that.
Anyhow out of here now.
Once again. Well done to our Boks. Pleased we won no matter how. But come wc time think it won’t be just getting the penalties we have to get tries.
Keeping my fingers crossed that Lambie is okay. Felt really sorry for him hurting himself so early in the game. This was his chance and what a shame that injury happened so early.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 13) : I agree totally DB. It sent out a very bad message. Just not good enough from one of the squad players. Not great to see that. Was disrespectful. Not good for the team.
They should be working together as one really.
Going to watch All Out Rugby. Back later buddy.
@Puma (Comment 14) : Cheers Puma. I am very happy for the Boks win, but it is disappointing that the behaviour of one childish player can tarnish a win like this. Sportsmanship is something that is very important to me and what Bissie did exhibited very poor sportsmanship.
Cheers everyone, I am going to run and mow my lawn before it rains here.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 16) : DB, I am back…hehe.
That show only coming on at 5.30pm. Golf on at the moment.
I think it was out of order and really bad sportsmanship. He should be spokent to about it from the coach. But I doubt the coach will say anything. Had it been Jake he would have spoke to a player doing that.
Anyhow I am worried about us not able to get over their line. Or the Aussies the week before. We can’t only rely on getting the points on penalties and drop kicks. We won’t go far with that. Well I doubt it.
I feel for Bismarck. Frustration just boiled over.
He has been the best hooker in SA by a mile for some years but he still has to share game time with two other guys.
And I guess that theory of him being the problem at scrum time was put to rest also.
So was who should be 10 and 6. And 8.
@Puma (Comment 18) :
In most test matches kicks at goal are the difference between winning and losing. The Boks left 9 points on the table last week because Morne Steyn was not on the field.
His reaction not good for the team dynamics. But their can be no argument that he is the best hooker in the country and must be starting. With Matfield, du Preez and de Villiers [enough leadership in team]. Smit should be the team manager and someone like tiaan liebenberg must also be there.
@Gotti (Comment 21) :
Look, I hear what you are saying..
But I do not agree, Tiaan Liebenberg has done nothing to indicate he should be playing for the Springboks anytime soon!
Bismark acted like a knob.
@fyndraai (Comment 19) :
The AB front row yesterday was nothing close to their best: questions have not been answered yet. I do find it interesting that yet again, when a NH referee is around, we don’t see the normal AB free-for-all at scrum and ruck time. My opinion: Crockett and Franks bros are masters of the illegal scrum.
Rich, I really dont give a shit which alphabet AB team this was, or how we scored our points. We whipped them good and proper in the way we have whenever we dominate them: over-powering them, hitting them hard on defence, kicking the points and playing the territory game.
People complain when OUR D lost on the overseas leg, so let’s be consistent: beating these guys is a significant victory.
Should be “D team”.
one thing is for sure….. for us to win the WC we need Bissie in the team. JS is over the hill. They should make him Squad captain and Vic team captain.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 4) : Botha?
@fyndraai (Comment 19) : By that I sincerely hope that you don’t mean Steyn should be the 10?
Any of Butch, Lambie or Francois Steyn would have slotted most of those kicks and Butch and Lambie would probably have slotted all of them.
Steyn is useless and as I predicted before this game, now that he was the flyhalf when we played an AB team that most international teams would have beaten, he is now suddenly our saviour.
Some people, PdV included, will do well to remember this rant of mine WHEN he imitates a turnstile and loses a RWC match for us.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 27) : I agree. The Boks won’t win the WC.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 27) : @Ben (Comment 28) : I also saw this Steyn sage comming… But would still hope(and believe) that somehow we win the WC…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 27) :
You must be joking.
Those were not easy kicks.Last week the Boks opt to not kick 2 easier ones because MS was not on the field (Butch and FS was). Six points plus the missed DG and the Boks would have won.
Lambie’s place kicking will have to be more consistent before he can be the 1st choice kicker. Until then he’ll do fine at 15. Most likely that is where he will play for the Sharks also right now.
@Ben (Comment 28) :
@Franshark (Comment 29) :
Just so we are clear.
I’m not saying we won’t win the RWC because of Steyn, I’m not even saying we WON’T win the RWC, because a small part of me still believes, or hopes, that we will rise to the occasion when we are needed to.
Would have loved to see, Lambi or Butch start a game behind this forward going pack…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 31) : Yes I know…
@fyndraai (Comment 30) : So you’ve spoken to John Smit and he told you that was why he didn’t kick at goal?
And Steyn didn’t miss any Drop goals Yesterday?
We would have won yesterday with either of Butch James or Patrick Lambie at 10. That is something nobody can argue, but some will.
hey hey… Anyone hear a comment from Bissie post match regarding his reaction? (Think it would make an awesome animated gif)
Any news on Lambie and Steyn’s injuries?
How many tests has Steyn played against the All Blacks?
And how many of those has he been on the winning side?
Bismarck’s reaction was poor form.
He should go and join the soccer fairies or the glee club if he wants to perform like that.
Smit is not nearly as bad as some would like to make out. Any team would be happy to have him as hooker, be that 1st choice or on the bench.
When he came on the scrums still funtioned as normal or not?
Also not one point conceded while he was on the field.
He did a perfect job as a sub.
@fyndraai (Comment 30) : we hear and know that what u say about Steyn kicking, but we are concerned that with steyn that’s all he brings, we need to have the ability to score tries…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 34) : Quite easy to argue with that last statement, seeing as it didn’t happen and never will.
@McLovin (Comment 36) : Against the AB in NZ… Non I think…. Steyn is a save call now, the mistakes is already made with not giving someone els a chance….
@McLovin (Comment 39) :
Steyn vs NZ
2009
Home 28 – 19 (9 points as a sub) Win
Home 31 – 19 (World record 31 points) Win
Away 32 – 29 (13 points) Win
2010
Away 17 – 31 (9 points) Loss
Home 22 – 29 (17 points) Loss
2011
Home 18 – 5 (18 points) Win
So that’s 4 wins out of 6 against NZ.
@McLovin (Comment 42) : ja that will make me comfortable, one win THERE, 2 years ago…. I Still Believe we can…
@Franshark (Comment 43) : I can’t be NZ.
Not winning the world cup is their punishment for all the cheating and forward passes they get away with.
KSA Shark
As much as I dislike the current game plan the Boks are using one has to admit that Steyn is the best option at flyhalf going into the RWC.
He has a good goal kikcing record and has won some big tests with his reliable boot. He is a must if we stand to regain our title as RWC Champs!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 31) : For sure. My heart says we will win the WC but my head says we won’t with Morne as 1st choice flyhalf. He has more con’s than pro’s imo.
So I just wanted to ask, have anybody asked Bizie why he was upset…. It was according to Owen and Skaapstad that he was upset about getting replaced… Could have been upset about his own performance… Or somebody chocked him…
@Franshark (Comment 47) : Or he could have been upset about being replaced…
Or maybe it was a secret sign to his loved ones…
Or maybe he didn’t like being on the big screen…
Or maybe he thought he got a yellow card….
Or a red…
Or maybe he thought the coach thought he was injured….
Or maybe its because Jannie told him he’s kak and he’s being subbed.
Precisely
@Franshark (Comment 38) :
If the Boks scored a bunch of tries last week with Butch there then it would have been settled. They did not, they chose quick taps and lost. This week the Boks chose to kick at post and played an aerial game because Steyn was there and it worked. You guys may not like it much but at this point it is SA’s only option.
Fourie needs to find some form sharpish – he will have to play out of his socks this RWC. I like the idea of Lambie and Hougaard in the team, Lambie can play first receiver and be direct with the quick ball from Hougaard – Lambie at FB; Hougaard at wing – Steyn FH for his boot – sorry JPP, but you’re on my bench…
@fyndraai (Comment 55) : yes I don’t like it, but I do relies that its a bid late to get Lambi in @ FH, Butch maybe…
Just remember I respect your opinion al thou I do not agree…
Well done to the Bokke – much improved performance. So much better when NH refs officiate an AB game – the Kiwi’s don’t get away with a fraction of their tactics. Still cynical in the red zone though, preferring to give away the 3 rather than the 5 points. Notice how Paddy only comes out against his refs when the AB’s are on the “wrong” end …. Great balls from the TMO and the Ref. as well as Kaplan.
How great was the TWB 13 and Brussouw. None of our boys lacked in the heart department, and whilst still missed tackles, their defense was obviously much improved….Smit makes me proud to be a player 23, Bismark could learn a lot from him. Hope Bismark gets hauled over the coals from his bosses and his parents for hos petulant, bratish behaviour – he was an embarrassment to them and us.
How AWESOME was that crowd at Mandela Stadium – LOVED LOVED LOVED, the way they took up the challenge and drowned out the haka, and the chants of “Bokke” during the match were inspiring. I think they played a part in our victory.
Get well soon SuperPat.
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 56) : Fourie and JDV – definitely both had a case of the dropsies….
where to from now
well my guess is back to the basic and the way of wining thats is just what the Dr orders
well done BOKS that is what we want to win and play like Springboks