Plumtree says we don't have the defence to contain the ABs

This is an interesting take on our defence....not enough line speed, too much hanging back says Plum. Although it's interesting how he has identified the choke tackle as our main defensive weapon. In truth I think the Aussies figured this out as well and it wasn't the same factor that stopped the Bargies. Still if the Bargie pick and go defrocked the ABs they best watch Stepanie and the twins who use this tactic a lot: ... 'The Springboks don't have the defensive system required to shut down the All Blacks' attack, writes JOHN PLUMTREE. The All Blacks haven't played well in patches during their last three Tests, against the Wallabies (in Sydney and Dunedin) and Argentina (in New Plymouth), and the opposition were able to capitalise on that. The problem for the Wallabies and Pumas is that they couldn't sustain their effort for a long period of time, which allowed the All Blacks to win those matches. It's all well and good to have a great 20-minute patch against the All Blacks, but to beat them, you need to have a great 60 or 70 minutes. You always know the All Blacks will come back at some stage of the match, and you have to be able to defend well enough when they do. When Beauden Barrett was yellow-carded against Argentina, the All Blacks shifted into another gear and played their best rugby of the game with 14 men. Argentina's defensive strategy was very efficient as they applied pressure on Barrett and Sonny Bill Williams, and their linespeed gave the All Blacks a bit less time in which to play. The Pumas forwards made good use of the pick and go to get behind the All Blacks pack and create momentum. But Argentina couldn't sustain that effort. For the Springboks to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand they will have to produce more than a great 20 or 30-minute patch. They will have to play very, very well with and without the ball for a long period of time, and I'm not sure they are capable of that, to be honest. They're not good enough. I read that Nick Mallett said the Bok defence is too passive and they sit back too much, and I agree with that. If you sit back against the All Blacks attack and allow them to play, they will find a way to break you down eventually. The problem with that defensive system is it allows the opposition to keep the ball for a long period of time. The All Blacks will be ruthless if the Boks' numbers are down on defence. Against the All Blacks, you have to take a few risks defensively and rush them. But that's not the Boks' defensive system and they won't be able to change it in a short space of time. The Boks will defend without coming forward on Saturday, so the All Blacks will be wary of the choke tackle (it's the Boks' strength to choke the ball-carrier). New Zealand's game will be all about building pressure by holding onto the ball and creating a mismatch. The breakdown is going to be an interesting battle. Losing Jaco Kriel to injury is a big blow for the Boks, because the Du Preez twins, if they do start, are in the same mould as Siya Kolisi. The twins would have to work really hard around the field and it would be a big test for them, especially for Dan on his Test debut.'

 Knocking on an open door. The biggest difficult for the ABs is to find a way to win without hurting too much SA's feelings, as they are volatile and quick to throw a tantrum.

The backline is flimsy as I have noted. Kriel was needed to cover the backline. I am also worried about the scrum. We don't have a class tighthead. Wilco Louw appears to be the best scrummager but is untested - also will they start him.
The wee abs are beatable as we saw with Oz looking the better side. 

 AB's are beatable, but I'll look for evidence of bribery if the Boks manage to do it this week.

I don't think the Boks will beat the All Blacks in New Zealand- even though the All Blacks of 2017 are not as good as the 2016 team, or the 2015 world cup squad. 
This years squad is not as settled as in previous years- some combinations could get better, with more time, or be changed. aka. The Bharat/SoneyBill combination. 
However, it is more likely the All Blacks will up their tempo by 20% this weekend- and build on this during the course of the tournament.  
If the All Blacks do not improve over the next few games, the Boks may be able to win in SA. 

Next, to the Lions series, this is the most important game for New Zealand.  A win means is pretty much the curtain closer for the tournament. 
New Zealand by 13. 
The only way South Africa will win or make it close is hold onto the ball to starve New Zealand outside backs. No kicking unless space opens up. No aimless kicking period.

The Kiwis will punish Jantjies's out of hand school boy kicking and out wide Raymond Rhule's and Skosan's lack of physicality and poor defence. The Boks will be alright out in the middle until they tire but if they meander in patches of the game like they did last week and I have no doubt they will, then expect the AB's to slice and dice and then some. Quota selections will be under scrutiny and won't have a place to hide.

 I for one never take a Bok team lightly when they play the ABs. We all want to see a competitive game... well in my case maybe not, I would be very happy with a 50 margin of victory.

Raymond Rhule is a disaster waiting to happen. This wont survive, so why are we wasting valuable test experience on this flimsy chap.

 Well JW Bok fans naturally hope for the best but one can only call it on the evidence thus far, no sense in deluding or deceiving oneself although these days that's a norm in regulatory play.  The current Bok team has a long way to go......quotas and the whole dumb race thing is a Hurricane Irma stumbling block.

 
I am aware that the All Blacks have a fallen away quite a bit but to think that we're able to present them with a challenge is laughable.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are going to spank us by another 20 - 30 pts ... especially in their own backyard.

If the All Blacks do win, it will be by no more than 10 points  

 
What do you mean "if" ... ?

They have a better half pair ... a better midfield ... a better back three ... a better back row ... a better front row ... and a better bench.

They also have a game plan and are probably very keen to receive all the ball Jantjies kicks away in his usual panic strickened state.

The only place where we can compete is at lock. It's not enough.

Put a dollar on the ABs & if they win  NZ bookies will pay $1.11 ........ Boks victory pays $6.00. Says it all.

CleanCut

Status: Rugby Legend
Posts: 5939 RE: Plumtree says we don't have the defence to contain the ABs
September 13, 2017, 08:56:07

They also have a game plan and are probably very keen to receive all the ball Jantjies kicks away in his usual panic strickened state.

 

This is my constant gripe, which never changes unfortunately

 The boks like every team will try the rush defence... That's the latest fashion so everyone is doing it, but not every team can use it to their advantage. The ABs look as if they're using it as a training tool by not using the ball as much or not kicking as much, like the limited use of the box kick lately. Like the ABs want the opposition in their faces so they can adapt to these tactics and use it to their own advantage... The end product isn't here yet but something's cooking. This rush defensive system will only last until it's countered and becomes a weakness.... Anyway, the Boks will use their bulk up front to pick and go. The one place that concerns me is the lack of attention the ABs have when a player is tackled and the we're outnumbered at the breakdowns, we have to sort this out or we will be back peddling. Eben is great in this area, can't wait for this lock battle