Mehrtens: Beware of Might Boks as World Cup looms

The All Blacks may march on undefeated but the weekend demonstrated palpably that South Africa are going to be big-time World Cup threats.

Maybe bigger even than the hosts who are also going to take some beating at Fortress Twickenham.

Sure, the Springboks weren't able to get up and end their five-year losing streak on New Zealand soil, but boy did they get close. I actually believe they were the better team and New Zealand were lucky at the end. And a year out from the Cup it's significant that they're knocking on the door.

They continue to play with so much physicality across the board but we're also seeing their skilful guys - like Willie le Roux - come to the fore and look to spark things.

I thought it was a good old-style test - with a referee, for a change, who displayed a respect for the players and for his own (background) role.

I don't mean old-style in terms of drudgery and predictability. It was good intense rugby, and low-scoring because defence overshadowed attack.

In fact this was a test similar in intensity to that great match in Jo'burg last year. It was just that back then it was attack that overshadowed defence.

The Springboks' try on Saturday came when they exposed the All Black defence with a well-worked decoy and there was a loss of connection with the inside defender.

It only takes the outside man being a step or two ahead, and the result is a gap which we have seen in recent tries against the world champions.

To their credit the Boks moved quickly and decisively and it was all over before our guys had a chance to scramble.

Despite what many people believe, South Africans like to play. They are also more physical than our guys.

We saw England come out in June and pressure the All Blacks, but they don't yet have the collective skill requited to play the high-tempo game.

South Africa have similar physicality, but a lot more attacking nous. I can vouch for the fact they've had it for a while too.

In 2000 we thought we had them at Jo'burg but they played some incredible rugby we just couldn't keep up with in a 46-40 loss. And that test last year at the same venue was great rugby from both teams.

Anyone who writes the Boks off as boofheads who have always played a one-dimensional game just doesn't get it, and hasn't seen centres such as Danie Gerber, Andre Snyman or Marius Joubert. They can play.

They've just battled the world champions, unbeaten for the last two years, on their home ground, and lost by four points.

It was telling they were able to exert more pressure than others on the All Blacks at ruck time.
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They were smart on defence too, varying their speed nicely and making big, strong hits that disrupted the New Zealanders' flow and tempo.

The Boks will clearly fancy their chances back at Ellis Park on October 4, and may even be the more motivated side.

In a funny sort of way this may not be a bad test for the All Blacks to lose. I wouldn't even mind seeing them play a completely different sort of game.

Maybe muscle up in the forwards, and see if they can win one by means other than running a team off its feet at the end of matches.

In our 1995 World Cup campaign in South Africa we played high-tempo rugby that other teams couldn't live with; then got to the final and confronted a different style.

South Africa stood up physically, were motivated, and contained us. We kept trying to play our game, but it was not quite enough.

It would be nice to see these All Blacks adjust, and show more versatility than we did when we were poisoned before the match.

All teams need to go through adversity at some stage, and you just wonder when the All Blacks' is coming. Better this year than next.

It's good, too, the All Blacks are looking to bring Dan Carter back through the provincial competition. Clearly Steve Hansen is a fan of this column after I called for that a while back!

That's exciting for the provincial game and exciting for Carter who will have some fun in different positions, playing alongside some young guys.

The All Blacks don't necessarily need him back, but he is still our best and deserves a chance for one more crack.

He's more than earned that.

 Mehrtzy Mehrtzy Mehrtzy what an idiotic article

"Anyone who writes the Boks off as boofheads" this from someone who gave both fingers to SA fans in SA

"In a funny sort of way this may not be a bad test (Ellis Park) for the All Blacks to lose" sorry Mehrtzy but we have had enough loses when you were number 10 to last us a lifetime PLUS how could you teach Foley to kick and knock the Crusaders out in the Grand Final --isn't that treachery at the highest level???

"In our 1995 World Cup campaign in South Africa.........It would be nice to see these All Blacks adjust, and show more versatility than we did when we were poisoned before the match" I think that poison is still in your brain. What an idiot. Ian Jones steals a Bok lineout and he couldn't even kick a drop goal.

"it's good, too, the All Blacks are looking to bring Dan Carter back through the provincial competition. Clearly Steve Hansen is a fan of this column after I called for that a while back!" Yep it is all about you Mehrtzy and "clearly" Hansen hangs on your every word.

*Here is a suggestion for you Mehtz - why don't you and Justin Marshall formally name your association "Former Jealous All Blacks who have never won a RWC with hugh chips on their shoulders"

Merhtens rand Marshall are a breath of fresh air. Some useful commentat ors indeed. 

 @hakwa...
Mate i actually thought it was well written.
Not sure why you are so anti?

Merhts like to present the other point of view.

 

Of course we are not taking the Boks lightly - nothing new about that we have all seen them struggle to get variation in their game plan by using the classic muscle and not more skills in the backs.

 

ABs are also trying to add bigger guys to the forwards in prep for the RWC in NH & trying to improve the set piece. Of course we know we can't always rely on speed. skills & fitness to win games.

 

So nothing new there.

 

On if Boks were the better team in the last test. I don't think they were but we were clinging on to win in the last 10 or so minutes. The main point is it gave us another wakeup call without a loss. I'll take that any day.

 

 lol the RWC is a whole different kettle of fish.Its then when you realise how small the margins really are.

 Hacked waaugh listen to the voices of reason - Merts and of course that unique fellow Justin marshall who gets it right 90% of the time.Of course we were the better side - I mean didnt I tell you that. Now an honest nz oke agrees with me.
Beeno hitting the bulls eye again and again.