Managing Great Expectations

"I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be."

The Boks face their first real test since the World Cup final. Four games away in Australia, two apiece against Australia and New Zealand. What will qualify as success? Two wins? Three or four? Sweeping the Wallabies? One win against New Zealand? Coming out all square? What expectations should we have for these Boks? Are those expectations realistic or emotional? Do we really believe the Boks are the best team in the world? 

Well we should win both games against the ABs because the matches are being played at a neutral site. I would have said 1/1 in NZ would have been a clear win….but at a neutral site we need both, especially given the loss to NZ at the WC.

And clearly given NZs drubbing of Oz last time out, the Wallabies are not a strong team. Our pack should crush them. Again we should win both against Oz, although oddly a break even away against Oz and beating NZ twice would establish us as the number one team.

Aus is definitely not neutral when it's a Saffa/NZ match, especially The Gold Coast...ever heard of QueeNZland? 

It's difficult to say what will be a "win" for us. It will depend on the "feel" of the matches. I hope we push them to the limit...I think we can beat them and I'm hoping for atleast one win vs the Allblacks.

We play the Ausies in Brisbane...very difficult to beat them there...even the Allblacks struggle there at times.

GO BOKKE!

Sorry,  but if we lose once  to NZ they will still be regarded as The Team. We have to do what Snor did in 2009.

It's a tough one. Covid restrictions affecting the continuity of the game may prove a factor for us, as New Zealand and Australia have had minimal contact with us for quite some time. That's the biggest advantage we have in my opinion. Neither opponent has had to deal with these shallow high balls and physicality at the set pieces on this level in the past two years. If we are in a position where we have to run or play a more complete game to win, we could be in trouble. Defence on the gainline has been an issue all season. We are not winning that battle on both attack and defence. If we have to attack to overcome a deficit, we carry that glass jaw. Fitness is another issue. Yet, to be successful, we surely must win both Wallaby tests and win at least one All Black test, preferably the second if it be just one, to end the competition on our terms. Winning back-to-back in 2006 had a psychological affect on the Wallabies and All Blacks - the latter clearly upset at ending on our terms as they displayed sour grapes in the aftermath. To be considered a great Bok side, they must win 3 in my opinion. If they fail that, the world will see us as merely a blip in 2019. 

Sorry,  but if we lose once  to NZ they will still be regarded as The Team. We have to do what Snor did in 2009.

It would be nice, but that's a tough ask.

I think winning game 2 is a must. We can be forgiven for losing game 1, especially given the chicken run last year. Losing game 2, like the All Blacks did against Australia always shifts momentum back to them. We have to win game 2. 

What happens if you win neither?

That is the big question.  

I think we can chalk up both victories against Australia. If the Boks can't beat Australia away in Australia it would raise significant questions. 

On paper the Boks are much better than the Australian team. If Australia could include their players at overseas clubs, they could put together a stronger team that would be competitive.
As it stands, Australia is not a top 6 team in World rugby. They have become Minnows. 
Our pack needs to teach them a lesson that if they want to compete on the big stage, they cant have test level players in Europe, while average Joe's are starting. 

For the All Blacks, winning one game for either team might not be enough to win the 4 nations.
 Maybe Argentina can pull off an upset win against the All Blacks, but I doubt it. 

Have to win both games which will be hard.

If Australia throw the ball around behind the advantage line again, Kolbe and Mapimpi will have a field day.