Smashed in Mendoza
The Boks lost due to an outdated game plan that relies on passion and physicality.
On that most agree.
Of course the Boks go into every game wanting to win and play for their country. But it is impossible to summon that extra amount of guts, commitment and pain required to beat superior tactics, guile and skill every match.
I am worried that Heyneke Meyer's solution is always to call for more passion and commitment.
I think the problem starts with a failure to recognise the elements of a winning game plan. Games plans are not as comprehensive or predetermined as prescribing what happens when. Nick Mallet did a good job of describing some elements in the Supersport studio after the game - structures around rucks, looking for the pass, etc.
I think the first element is to recognise the tackle contest as the cornerstone of the modern game. Recognising this then determines selections and style of play.
The Argentinians managed to get a player over the tackled ball at virtually every instance. It meant South Africa suffered slow ball at almost every point of contact.
Starting with selections - this means selecting players who are able to gain yards through avoiding contact and getting their arms above the tackle to make the pass. For defence, it means selecting players who get over the ball quickly - like De Jongh and Brussouw.
Further to selections, we cannot afford Spies or Bekker - ruck inspectors both. Players like Jacques Potgieter who take contact at every opportunity are also not going to win the battles against players like McCaw and Reid.
For style of play, it means choosing running lines very carefully to avoid isolating players. It also means shifting the point of contact to ensure supporting players can break into space. And it means ensuring players run supporting lines to the ball carrier.
I think the second element of the game is winning rucks. Winning a ruck to ensure quick own ball or quality turnovers is key to creating space and try-scoring opportunities. Of course rucks start as tackle contests. But they are extended by cleaners and pick-and-goes. This requires players who are quick to the point of contact and can impose themselves on the opposition. The Boks are a shadow of the team without Bakkies Botha.
The third element of the game is putting backs into space. There are no peers to the All Blacks in this regard. Williams, Dagg, Carter - they all play off one another, running angled lines after straight running that commits opposition defence.
I don't think the Boks can change their game in this Rugby Championship. Not substantially anyway.
I wish they'd change their selections. My team would be:
15. Frans Steyn
14. Bryan Habana
13. Jean de Villiers
12. Juan de Jongh
11. Francois Hougaard
10. Patrick Lambie
9. Ruaan Pienaar
8. Duane Vermeulen
7. Willem Alberts
6. Francois Louw
5. Bakkies Botha
4. Eben Etzebeth
3. Brian Mujati
2. Andries Strauss
1. Beast Mtawarira
The team lacks an out and out line out specialist, but has plenty of tall timber. All the forwards play to the ball with a good mix of cleaners and fetchers. If Brussouw was available, I'd move Alberts to the bench, Flo Louw to 7, and Brussouw to 6. The pack has a number of European-based players. Bakkies continues to perform and Mujati is the standout player for North Hamps.
Frans Steyn at the back punishes wayward kicks onto the Bok back 3. Hougaard and Habana provide running options. Juan de Jongh is South Africa's best player over the tackled ball and straightens the line. Lambie attacks the gain line more than Morne Steyn and is the form flyhalf in the country right now.
On that most agree.
Of course the Boks go into every game wanting to win and play for their country. But it is impossible to summon that extra amount of guts, commitment and pain required to beat superior tactics, guile and skill every match.
I am worried that Heyneke Meyer's solution is always to call for more passion and commitment.
I think the problem starts with a failure to recognise the elements of a winning game plan. Games plans are not as comprehensive or predetermined as prescribing what happens when. Nick Mallet did a good job of describing some elements in the Supersport studio after the game - structures around rucks, looking for the pass, etc.
I think the first element is to recognise the tackle contest as the cornerstone of the modern game. Recognising this then determines selections and style of play.
The Argentinians managed to get a player over the tackled ball at virtually every instance. It meant South Africa suffered slow ball at almost every point of contact.
Starting with selections - this means selecting players who are able to gain yards through avoiding contact and getting their arms above the tackle to make the pass. For defence, it means selecting players who get over the ball quickly - like De Jongh and Brussouw.
Further to selections, we cannot afford Spies or Bekker - ruck inspectors both. Players like Jacques Potgieter who take contact at every opportunity are also not going to win the battles against players like McCaw and Reid.
For style of play, it means choosing running lines very carefully to avoid isolating players. It also means shifting the point of contact to ensure supporting players can break into space. And it means ensuring players run supporting lines to the ball carrier.
I think the second element of the game is winning rucks. Winning a ruck to ensure quick own ball or quality turnovers is key to creating space and try-scoring opportunities. Of course rucks start as tackle contests. But they are extended by cleaners and pick-and-goes. This requires players who are quick to the point of contact and can impose themselves on the opposition. The Boks are a shadow of the team without Bakkies Botha.
The third element of the game is putting backs into space. There are no peers to the All Blacks in this regard. Williams, Dagg, Carter - they all play off one another, running angled lines after straight running that commits opposition defence.
I don't think the Boks can change their game in this Rugby Championship. Not substantially anyway.
I wish they'd change their selections. My team would be:
15. Frans Steyn
14. Bryan Habana
13. Jean de Villiers
12. Juan de Jongh
11. Francois Hougaard
10. Patrick Lambie
9. Ruaan Pienaar
8. Duane Vermeulen
7. Willem Alberts
6. Francois Louw
5. Bakkies Botha
4. Eben Etzebeth
3. Brian Mujati
2. Andries Strauss
1. Beast Mtawarira
The team lacks an out and out line out specialist, but has plenty of tall timber. All the forwards play to the ball with a good mix of cleaners and fetchers. If Brussouw was available, I'd move Alberts to the bench, Flo Louw to 7, and Brussouw to 6. The pack has a number of European-based players. Bakkies continues to perform and Mujati is the standout player for North Hamps.
Frans Steyn at the back punishes wayward kicks onto the Bok back 3. Hougaard and Habana provide running options. Juan de Jongh is South Africa's best player over the tackled ball and straightens the line. Lambie attacks the gain line more than Morne Steyn and is the form flyhalf in the country right now.
posted at 4:45 PM
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