Being Bok coach is a poisoned chalice. Do well, and it's the players...do badly and it's the coach.
But in truth HM has made many superb decisions this RC. Robbed of Pienaar and FDu Preez, great kicking 9s....he switched to a ball in hand game, which suits Hougaard.
Let down at the death in Oz by an inexplicable Morne mistake, he sucked up his disappointment and brought in Pollard. After which we scored some great tries.
With no natural 13, he mixed and matched Jean and Steppie in a partnership which changed between defence and attack.
He had no hesitation in deep sixing the inept Lomp, in spite of all the howling. Burger came back. He used Strauss and Bismarck cleverly...although today subbing Bismarck seemed to slow our momentum.
He courageously brought back Victor to howls of mindless criticism, which he surely knew were coming. But Victor has been crucial in our revival....make no mistake who is leading the Bok pack.
Many youngsters have been given experience. We beat a great NZ team and nearly won both of our away tests. It was a superb blending of tactics, youth and experience....perseverance in the face of early adversity.
The coach gets an 8 from me.
