Even though we may not wish injury upon players, it can be a blessing in disguise.
Often coaches have favourites and they stubbornly hold onto a belief that no other player is equal to their incumbents.
These favourites can often dictate the manner in which a coach sees the game plan, and that in turn influences their back-up players and limits their willingness to look beyond the scope of the requirements.
In the previous two seasons Heyneke Meyer has stubbornly held onto the belief that his 9 must be able to control a match, have a sound kicking game, a decent clearance from the ruck, and not necessarily have to be the greatest attacker of the defensive line.
Added to that, Meyer utilises his 9 (as most do) to be a sweeper in defence to secure any kicks they may be put behind the rush defence and also serve as a cover defender. Base kicking is therefor a requirement and not a luxury.
For these reasons Fourie du Preez has been the incumbent 9 for South Africa, regardless of the fact that he has seldom been available for the Springboks.
In his place Ruan Pienaar – equally adept at controlling the direction of play, but seen by many as too pedantic to really impact a match – was the go-to man.
In a similar fashion Meyer believes in a kicking flyhalf first and foremost. Territorial control has been a mantra that has been part of Meyer’s game plan ever since the early 2000s when he took charge of the Bulls.
The kick-and-chase game plan has subsequently become an indoctrinated mindset for all South African coaches, Jake White embraced the kick-and-chase to create ‘Jakeball’.
Initially Pieter de Villiers wanted to change the mindset, but player resistance convinced him to continue on the same path as his predecessor. South Africa saw a period of play best described as pedestrian and uninspiring for the better part of the last decade.
Appointed coach of South Africa early in 2012, Meyer seemed ready to continue with this playing concept and just add improved execution, stubbornly keeping Morne Steyn as his incumbent, only relinquishing the position to Patrick Lambie for the November tours after Steyn’s main strength, goal kicking, failed completely.
In 2013 Meyer continued his selection of Steyn in spite of Steyn failing to become the regular starter at Stade Francais. Meyer publicly stated that club form didn’t mean much, as he knew what Steyn offered at international level. Sadly, so did most Springbok supporters.
Meyer’s stubborn belief caused much frustration for many rugby fans the world over as Meyer neglected the development of younger talent specifically for the reason that they did not fit his list of requirements.
Granted there were a few experiments during the past few seasons, but nothing substantial enough to truly allow any other players to make an indelible mark in Meyer’s mind.
The injuries of Fourie du Preez and subsequently Ruan Pienaar meant Meyer had no choice but to give Francois Hougaard a run, and Cobus Reinach became the bench player. This situation caused some concern as neither of these players were suited to the kick-and-chase game plan.
As for Steyn, even the most stubborn of coaches has to eventually acknowledge when an incumbent’s strengths are outweighed by his weaknesses. The loss in the final minute to Australia in Perth was such a moment for Meyer.
Enter Hougaard and Handre Pollard, with Reinach and Lambie as the impact players.
During the past two seasons the Springboks have started dabbling in the art of expansive play. Meyer would select certain games (mostly dry conditions) for these ball-in-hand forays. At times it was exhilarating and at times frustrating as the execution failed more often than not.
It stands to reason that the wet conditions that prevailed in the first few weekends of the Rugby Championship had influenced the game tactics, however it is important to note that it did not stop Australia or Argentina playing ball-in-hand.
The big challenge for the Springboks though, was finding space in attack with a pedantic halfback and deep-standing pivot, neither truly creating doubt in opposition defences which created little space for the outside backs. Hence the necessity for crash-ball running to get over the advantage line.
The second half of the Rugby championship saw a significant change in the Springbok play. Hougaard is a sniper, nuggety and tough, he has great pace and has used his kicking sparingly. His pace and strength has proven valuable in the last few matches.
Pollard is still green – truth be told, he has a lot to learn – but he naturally plays flat, draws defenders, and has an eye for a gap. He has good hands and understands space better than his predecessor. Pollard is big and strong, and can tackle as well as he can break through the line, with an educated boot that will only improve over time.
Both these players have the opportunity to build a partnership as they play for the Bulls, importantly though Frans Ludeke has to be on board and not stifle this partnership with a kick-and-chase game plan, encouraging them to play with natural instinct.
The backup pairing of Reinach and Lambie has a similar opportunity as they both play for the Sharks. Plus Jake White has left the Sharks, which hopefully suggests a change in game plan for them as well.
Reinach may not be as physical as Francois Hougaard, but a less predictable player, faster and equally as dangerous in attack. Reinach is a match winner, and has proven he can change the course of a match in a moment of brilliance.
Lambie may not be as physical as Pollard, and for this reason Meyer will stick to Hougaard and Pollard as his first-choice pairing, but with a natural footballer in Lambie and exciting youngster like Reinach, the Boks may just have found the players that can usher an era of space for their backline to attack from.
A word of warning though, earlier I suggested Meyer is a stubborn man, and for that reason Fourie du Preez, Ruan Pienaar and Morne Steyn are still in the picture.
I therefor beg Meyer to think long and hard about the future. The Springboks have shown with these youngsters that they have more space, more finesse, and importantly can hold their own against the best teams in the world. Please, do not fall into the trap of bringing back your seasoned players.
Now is the time to be bold and stick with these players, they will only get better given the chance.
