A narrow Bok loss = shattered confidence

A miserable Juan Smith after today's loss to the Aussies. The Australians beat the Boks 20 - 18 Picture from News24.com

Clear the rucks, clear the rucks, clear the rucks! Maybe that should be as much as I write, hoping Jake will read this and take one message away.

The Boks are criticized for many things. But mostly for lack of creativity and penetration on attack. So many South African faults stem from there. Today's kicking game certainly did. The overdone tactic marked the Boks inability to cross the gain line through multiple phases. It appeared that they went into the game believing that kicking for position was their only option in gaining ground. This is not to say the tactic did not work - the Boks shaded the Aussies in territory and possession going into the second half. But kicking for position is one thing. Kicking everything is another. It was a tactic born out of over a year of poor quality possession and resultant blunt attack.

That the Boks "kick-everything" tactic worked to the extent that it did was testament to the cluelessness of the Aussie counter. They seemed bewildered.

The kicking was clearly part of a plan, as was the shut-down of Larkham. I know this because the Bok coaching squad had told us before the match. Nevertheless, the Aussies looked rattled at the success of the Bok pressure. Kudos to the close-in defenders for that.

While the aerial ping-pong was part of the plan, Monty missing poles was not. His two misses (and a missed drop) were ultimately costly, but they are an accumulation of four poor matches. Monty is a confidence player, and the first place his lack of confidence shows up is in his kicking - something that has existed since his school days. It was not part of this script - if you're going to kick for possession, you need to come away with points every time you come within range.

Perhaps attempting to expose Monty under the high ball was the reason for the Aussies returning as many kicks as they did. After spilling the first catch, at least Monty caught the rest.

But back to the Boks attacking desperation. Poor quality ball from rucks (poor equals slow, possibly back-foot ball) results in each stage of attack looking more and more hopeless. The latest Bok remedy, when in position to launch an attack on the line, is the cross kick - hoping to outpace the defence and put a wing into space. It worked for Fourie du Preez and Breyton Paulse against the All Blacks, and Butch's first banana-kick would have done Carlos Spencer proud. The thing about surprises though, is that they generally work well when used sparingly and when the opposition are not expecting them. Mark Gerrard clearly was on guard and attacked Butch's second attempt, snaffling the ball and running in the Aussies' first try. Butch is an infinite improvement on Jaco van der Westhuizen at flyhalf, but his missed line kick (together with Du Preez') against the All Blacks and this cross kick were poor.

The second half saw less kicking but brutally exposed just how poor the Boks are at crossing the gain line. The Boks had a number of multi-phase plays but seldom looked capable of threatening the Aussie line. The root cause of this remains slow ball due to lack of quick clearing at rucks. One commentator's description of why this match continued to show up Tyibilika blamed him for lack of clearing. Wrong. Tyibilika played well today, and clearing is not the fetcher's job. The fetcher must contest the ball at opposition rucks and secure own ball by being first at the breakdown to assist his own players. Clearing is the job of the next wave - led by the blind-side loosie and eighth man, and then locks and front row.

While Matfield played well as a jumper, Smith and Cronje tackled and carried, and the front row scrummed, they remain culpable in being slow to the breakdown. While Luke Watson should replace Tyibilika, even he will struggle in the fetcher role with lack of support. Further, the Boks pick-and-goes and forwards running off ruck ball were poorly executed. The All Blacks are the best in the world at pick-and-goes, showing the ball carrier and support player breaking together from the base and quick clearing of the hit through either repeating the tactic or spinning the ball wide. The Aussies showed how to run off rucks in the latter part of the second half, passing to a player at pace in the close-in channels - they gained metres at each phase. Bok players typically pick up slow ball from the base and run it up independently, resulting in further contested slow ball and ultimately penalties and turnovers.

During his time, in order to ensure quality possession, Woodward divided the field in half to commit some forwards and backs to breakdowns on each side of the field. It was designed to preserve energy and ensure role clarity. One thing is for sure, the Boks have no clarity of their role at the rucks. The last truly commanding performance from the Boks at the breakdown was their win over the All Blacks at Newlands last year. The difference? Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield played like men possessed and ignited the forward pack.

The Boks did however play with heart and their pressure in scrums and on defence was good. This allowed Du Preez to hack ahead a Gregan mistake and the chase from Ndungane and Jaque Fourie allowed a further hack ahead by the winger and the try to the outside center. It was a fitting partnership by two of South Africa's two best players on the day.

The Wallabies should have come right back, but for a knock-on in the gather by Gerrard as he went over. To say the Boks just lost this match is to forget that Australia should have scored. It was a poor mistake and marked a very poor Aussie effort.

Despite the lack of penetration, Monty's try followed ten phases and partially redeemed his two misses at posts. It was good to see him driven over by his two wings. It was good because it showed Habana looking for work across from his wing - something he seldom does these days. James was unable to convert the try from the touchline.

John Smit described the team's heartbreak at Matt Rogers' late try that drew the Wallabies level and allowed a Mortlock conversion to win. It is sad to see the Boks down and dispirited. While this year's losses have exposed faults in the Boks game, they have damaged the team's morale and belief.

Jake White blamed Butch James' missed touchline conversion for the Bok loss, but the reasons are deeper and more systemic than missed Montgomery penalties and James conversions. The Boks issues start with poor basics at ruck time, continue through to drawing of defending players on attack, running on and off the ball, have a base in lack of depth and extend to unbelievable ineptitude in administration and management.

There is a lot of work to do. It starts by rebuilding a shattered team confidence and morale. Administrators and politicians need to join in a commitment to putting the game first. It requires resting of players like Montgomery, Du Randt and Smit. It needs some adventure in moving Habana to outside centre and Jaque Fourie to inside centre. We need to build the confidence and depth in reserves by bringing in Bevan Fortuin and Odwa Ndungane. Jake needs to swallow some pride and select Luke Watson and possibly Tim Dlulane. There was brave talk of sacrificing Tri-Nations wins in the interest of building for the World Cup. The three home matches are possibly our last chance to make that a meaningful goal.

Player ratings

15. Montgomery - 5

Monty is a tired player. After carrying the Boks through the games against the Scots and unfairly baring blame for the loss against the French, his confidence is shot. He has now had four genuinely poor performances. He remains crucial to the World Cup effort and needs some time off.

14. Ndungane - 7

Looked for work, including a role in Fourie's try. Looked a working part of the defensive pattern.

13. Fourie - 7

Not enough chances but crucial part of the defensive lineup and made the most of Du Preez's hack ahead to score.

12. Olivier - 6

We have yet to see a match where the distribution skills of Olivier are tested. However, he has become very effective in the defensive pattern and ran a good angle on one occasion.

11. Habana - 5

Wasted skills and pace. Did not look for work and neglected as part of the game plan. South Africa need Habana involved and unleashed - outside centre gives him that opportunity.

10. James - 6

An incredible improvement over Jaco van der Westhuizen. Made good tackles including one massive hit - using his arms! Kicked well at poles. Overused the cross-kick resulting in Gerrard's try. As a result of the game plan and poor quality ball, didn't get the line away.

9. Du Preez - 5

Despite the game plan, overdid the box kick and was slow to clear. Can do better.

8. Cronje - 6

Worked hard but a loosies did not work as a unit. As a result was isolated on occasion.

7. Smith - 6

Looked better but still not the force he was at the beginning of the Super 14. Needed to be on Tyibilika's heels at the rucks.

6. Tyibilika - 7

Great workrate. Made a number of tackles (bounced off one), and contested the breakdown. While Luke Watson should be in the side, Jake White is right to question Tyibilika's lack of game time for the Sharks.

5. Matfield - 6

Fantastic in the lineouts, but his commitment to cleaning out rucks must be questioned.

4. Muller - 6

Added a lot to the Bok pack. The scrum looked more powerful as a result of his inclusion.

3. Van Der Linde - 6

A far better scrumming performance. Does not look fit though and needs to improve work rate.

2. Smit - 6

Made the right decision to change kicker at the right time. Not the player he was last year where he lead his players in the tight-loose.

1. Du Randt - 7

Scrummed powerfully. Made some good tackles as usual. Overdue for a rest.