What a load of bollocks

I was at the World XV vs. Springbok XV match. The problems started when the World XV set out determined to be the first such team to beat the Springboks. And the Springboks set out determined to defend an unbeaten home record. It made for dour uninspiring stuff. A level of ineptitude added to the occasion. And having paid R300 consigned it to the scrapheap of things I wish to forget.

Let me get this out of the way. Deon Carstens must never don a Springbok jersey again. There is no defence of his drilling at the hands of Cobus Visagie. 20 minutes into the second half, he required medical attention, such was his annihilation. Cobus Visagie was impressive. None more so than when his enormous effort set up the World XV's first try. To fail to recognise this is to ignore the sight of the entire World XV high fiving Visagie as he retreated from the scrum that set up the try. Hats off sir. Jake White's arrogant remarks on Boots & All were a shame and you showed that.

On the subject of those remarks, Jake should learn. I was taught that if one has nothing good to day, rather keep quiet. Jake, you should learn the lesson. Your pre-match commentary has attacked Bill Young, the Irish and the World XV. You appear to have the makings of a great coach. But keep your trap shut. I would have no compunction in telling that to your face. Why could you not merely have said, "I do not believe Cobus is one of our best props at this stage, but hey Cobus, prove me wrong." Instead you said, "I am right and you are wrong" in so many words when you said, "I will not be watching Cobus this Saturday, I'll be watching Deon." Sheer arrogance and pride. As the saying goes, "Pride cometh before a fall."

Enough about that rant. Let's move on.

As much as Carstens' drilling was complete, I must come to the defence of Eddie Andrews. Many have jumped into the fray to criticise his performance after this match. Many have named each black player. Shame on you. I sat on Eddie's side of the field during the second half. Tappe Henning paid complete attention to the other side of the scrum where Visagie continued his showing against Sephaka. Sephaka was an improvement on Carstens, but certainly also suffered. But on Eddie's side, Dave Hewett refused to bind, and all things considered, Eddie stood up well. Further, he was one of the few forwards committed to ruck time and cleared the ball very quickly twice in one move during the first twenty minutes. Given my passion for quick clearance at ruck time, that brought tears to my eyes.

Which brings me to Januarie. Jake betrays his teaching past by making selections based on history or favouritism (teachers pet?). Januarie is low on form and fitness. Further he was low on spark and one has to question his lack of attack around the fringes of a scrum against a team with limited time together and as such, suspect defensive patterns.

Jaco van der Westhuyzen looked similarly poor. His kick straight up the middle of the field towards the end of the first half brought back memories of his poor tactics against the Crusaders. He continues to blow hot and cold as he has done in the Springbok jersey. We cannot afford to alternate the jersey between Pretorius and Van der Westhuyzen just to motivate the guys. It is time to move beyond them.

On the subject of moving on. Players with records who continue to misbehave must be told they have no future in the game. AJ and Roussouw's truculent behaviour is tiresome and could have cost us the game. On a purely sporting note, anybody who strikes a blow from behind deserves to wear yellow for the rest of their playing career - not merely receive it as a card. What is with South African players - Burger Geldenhuys, Kobus Wiese, AJ and Danie Roussouw: I'd rather go down in a losing heap than lose my honour by taking a cheap shot. If you're cowards in a fight, you're probably lacking in values and effort in other areas of the game too.

Now, somewhere Jake was right. Jean de Villiers looked a different player today than in the Super 14. Granted it was a small step up, but the making his tackles and looking to be involved as captain was a pleasant change. He made one or two breaks but failed to set anything up due to the generally slow play from his half backs. Big Joe and Jaque Fourie made some good runs. Fourie suffered for the same reason De Villiers did, and Big Joe lacked support runners.

Big Joe makes a run for the Springbok XV Photo: Getty Images

Monty kicked well. Apparently he did not make a tackle on Nacewa to avoid giving a penalty. I'd have rather seen him give the penalty. Watching the tape, it was a piss-poor effort, and if he'd timed his tackle, there would have been no problem at all.

I cannot judge Gaffie or Snyman on the basis of today's performance. Given the style of the game, it was not possible to draw any conclusions. However, SA teams do not chase kicks, and fullbacks look silly when their wings do not drop back on the assist and chase a upfield kick. This can also be said of today's game. Nevertheless, I remain to be convinced that either Snyman or Gaffie deserve their place ahead of the Ndungane brothers.

Wannenberg made a big difference when he came on today, and between him and Van Niekerk, we have two fine runners with the ball in hand. However, loosies must hunt in packs and today we were shown up for failing to do what the Kiwis do so well - running support from pick-and-goes, rucks or scrums. This invariably results in turnovers or slow ball.

Shimange was average - his throwing in was good but it was difficult to assess his scrumming inside of Carstens. Van den Berg looked similarly average, and it boggles my mind that a player from the Sharks reserve bench was elevated to the starting line-up. Surely this was an opportunity to blood Johann Muller - who played ahead of him for the Sharks.

For the World XV, I was disappointed. I would have expected them to throw the ball around a bit more - in pursuit of a win but with less caution regarding a loss. It was truly a great team and I doubt we'll see another like it for a long time to come. I am looking forward to the match against Krige's WP XV next Friday - I believe we might see more of the festival rugby we missed today. All of that said, the World XV were good on defence and in rucks and mauls when considering they don't usually play together. Chabal was very impressive.

But there was one moment I jumped out of my seat in appreciation of skill and vision - Carlos' banana kick 26 minutes in. The man is sublime and I wish he'd finished his rugby in SA rather than the UK.

Carlos Spencer for the World XV Photo: Getty Images

Now onto what to take away from this match. Not a lot. The Boks will make a lot of changes. So would I. And more radical ones than Jake is likely to make. Monty has slowed up with age, but is wiser and the general the Boks need at flyhalf. Put him there.

Further the Boks look as creative as a white-painted wall. We need more tries. Put Habana in at outside center. Put Fourie inside him. Believe me it will work. It gives us crash ball at 12 and creativity at 13. Further, both Fourie and Habana run good lines.

It won't happen, but put Akona Ndungane at wing and if Jean de Villiers decides to play, him on the other. Otherwise Odwa Ndungane.

Bring Bevin Fortuin in at the back. Now that's a line that would run many sides ragged.

Since my previous selection, I've made a few changes based on form in the final few matches of the Super 14 - and some changes in thinking. We need more on attack. My team (free of injury):

First Choice	Second Choice
15. Bevin Fortuin	Brent Russell
14. Akona Ndungane	Giscard Pieters
13. Bryan Habana	Jean de Villiers
12. Jaque Fourie	De Wet Barry
11. Odwa Ndungane	JP Pietersen
10. Percival Montgomery	Jaco van der Westhuyzen
9. Ruan Pienaar	Fourie du Preez
8. Joe van Niekerk	Pedrie Wannenburg
7. Juan Smith	Tim Dlulane
6. Schalk Burger	Luke Watson
5. Victor Matfield	Ross Skeate
4. Bakkies Botha	Johann Muller
3. Cobus Visagie	Eddie Andrews
2. John Smit	Schalk Brits
1. JD Moller	Lawrence Sephaka