Boks have a point to prove; Rugby 365

Following two narrow defeats in Australasia, Bryan Habana is expecting a major response from the Springboks on home soil. Habana's 100th Test ended in heartbreaking fashion as a late try saw Australia snatch a dramatic victory in Perth after the veteran wing had spent 10 minutes in the sin bin. They had a great opportunity the following week to notch their first victory in New Zealand under coach Heyneke Meyer, but the All Blacks held out to thwart them again. Whilst there could be some positives taken from their competitive performance in Wellington, their failure to close out tight games against top teams away from home remains a sore point. Habana said that whilst it was frustrating to come up short twice, it is vital for the Springboks to put those games behind them and focus on establishing dominance on home turf. "We will never accept losing in a Springbok jersey no matter how well we play. I think that Test against the All Blacks in Wellington was pleasing in certain aspects but to come away without winning was very disappointing. "As a team we lay down certain goals and certain things we would like to achieve. We are disappointed that we haven't been able to beat New Zealand in New Zealand in the last three years and last Saturday we had a fantastic opportunity to do that and we let that slip. "We need to learn from those slip-ups as soon as possible and when you get home you want to get on top," he said. Having had his 100th Test party spoiled by the Wallabies, Habana said that the Boks wil not be expecting to have things all their own way at Newlands on Saturday. "Under Ewen McKenzie the Wallabies are showing a bit of improvement, the Waratahs going on and winning Super Rugby this year has definitely laid a platform for their improvement. "They showed in that draw with the All Blacks that stopped them going on to become the most successful side in rugby history and then beating us in Perth in the last minute with their never say die attitude. "We are definitely going to respect them, and we understand that we haven't beaten them this year and we would like to go out and keep the Nelson Mandela Plate next week," he said. Having been within touching distance of victory in both their matches in Australasia, the Boks would do well to deny their opponents that privilege over the next two weeks. Defeat to the Wallabies in Cape Town would turn this from a disappointing campaign into a disastrous one, and they will have to show that they have the killer instinct required to finish off quality opposition. By Michael de Vries

Time for the boks to show what they are made of.

 JW
Meyer is his own worst enemey - he makes selections of players that should not be enar the Springbok squad and then expect mircales.   He has the selections all wrong at times and this was also the cae against Australia.
All signs indicated that Morne Steyn was a disaster selection - a disaster just waiting to happen - but he persisted with him.   He coist the Springboks that Aussie test and that is a fact.
His decision to start with Pienaar and have Hougaard on th bench was also a disaster.   Pienaar was poor in the Aussie game - but better against the All Blacks.   Hougaard was plain and simple poor a fter he came on as a result of the Pienaar injury.   After that showing - the million dollar question is - will he retain Hougaard in the starting line-up?   If he does half of the battle has been won by the Aussies and the AB's.
Meyer also persisted with players like Jannie du Plessis - way past his best and should be phased out.    
Then there is the Matfield situatoion.   Matfield is a player whose physicality is seriously questionable.   He never was a physicality player - but is much worse at present.   He was good in line outs - gained two throws from AB throw-ins - but also lost two throw-ins from pown throw.   He basically buggered up the potential driving mauls minutes befor ethe end of the Wellington test.  He makes enough tackles - but the tackle quality is low and he misses too many tackles altogether   Is he a good enough lock?  Meyer thinks so - but I seriously believe the contrary.   
I also have my doubts about the center combination.  De Villiers has not repeated his good form las year and Serfontein t 13 is about as effective on attack as Jacque F ourie is.   If I was Meyer I would stick with De Allende - the others are all worse than he is.   I guess Meyer would make the mistake of playing Pietrsen at 13 - which would also b a disaster.
If Meyer picks the right players - it could work - but I dout whether he will and that is a serious problem.      

 To be fair i dont think it has to do with who is selected. The team has had so many changes the past few years , i dont think anymore well change anything. Players like J Du Pleesi, Matfeild, Steyn etc. Well continue to keep their spots, as although other players like Malhebe, De Jager, Du Toit, Kolsi, Carr etc. Are probably more talented and better, but lack exp and are too green. They threw Pollard in the deep end, and he was solid. But as long as Meyers around he aint taking a chance on them. I said this before but at the top lvl, it comes down to the top two inches. SA had a chance to win, but lacked the mentle composure and perseaverence to win. Even earlier they should of gone for goal but they diddnt. Crucial decisions not made, its all about being proficient, and precise. Example Richie Try. Nz actually a few oppurtunities if better conditions would hv bn a larger margin to NZ. SA shld beat Aussie comfortably, but if Oz get some parity at the breakdown, they do hv better backs imo they could sneak a win. As for SA Nz, well reserve judgement until the week of the game. But based on previous history, ill say Nz should win. 

Example Ritchie's try - bwahahahahaha - achieved while the Boks had 13 men playing. Brilliant effort!! ou 3IQ hits gold! Hahahaahhahahaha
The Boks only have a point to prove on the scoreboard - they have been the better side in a number of tests but have lost the due to RAWS and others to just plain rotten luck - like the recent one.
RAWs are an abiding problem although there are some encouraging signs. Luck can change and the law of averages plays a role.
Lets hope Meyer gets it right and we should have little problem whipping the oaks and beer guzzelers from down under. Bwahahahahhahahaha
A huge ego balloon is about to burst.

 

 Sorry I have to correct myself. Mcaaaw should have card a yellow for his high tackle on Louw. Hence no try and abs to play with 14 men. 
What a huge swing on a refs poor decision that of course once again favours the wee abs. Inevitably.

  Sorry I have to correct myself. Mcaaaw should have card a yellow for his high tackle on Louw. Hence no try and abs to play with 14 men. 
What a huge swing on a refs poor decision that of course once again favours the wee abs. Inevitably.

 Beeno, fact is that most teams keep playing when there is a man down. I can recall numerous occasions in the past where the Boks have done the same thing.
We have on occasion scored tried when opposing players have been down too. 
So really we can't complain.
I don't feel we were the better side against the ABs last week. In fact i feel the scoreboard didn't tell the full story of the match, they could easily have scored two further tries. We were the better side against Oz though. Thanks Steyn.
Also, that hit on Louw. Who know's man. I've watched it and again in slow motion, and it is down to the refs "human brain"...Gosh i hate humans
What does suck major donkey balls to me is watching the CC and seeing how many players there are that are on form and ready for Green and Gold but seem to be snubbed. 
I look at Willie Britz and all i see is talent and heart! To me, that's all i want in a player. This past weekend, he was involved in three of tries scored. He has winner written all over him and yet...nothing! 
Of course he is just one example. But i do feel that before we blame refs and cheating tactics we need to look inward, firstly at selections, but then also at how we play the game and of course also at the schoolyard politics at play in our sport. 
Once we have sorted that stuff out we can look at other factors, but not a moment sooner.

 Beeno you seriousley need to accept the fact NZ are just simply on another level compared to SA, trust me you well feel better. As for Richie and 
Louwe so what, it is physical test rugby it happens. Not sure where your getting 13 men from, they weren't sent off, so that is no excuse. 

 They wuz tired from all that  flomping around trying to find a clue so hardly our fault now is it ? Beeno keeping it farking surreal [ and not in a good arty melting clocks kinda way either !]

 Hasbeeno, that's what happens when your unfit players attempt to slow down play by feigning injuries. Hello, are you getting it yet? Less players on the field gives the other team an advantage! Are you that thick?.....Probably....