Rassie Assessment

After all that's been said, I think now is a good time to reflect upon the state of Bok rugby. 

Wales

This was a game for experimentation. One lost by two consecutive charge downs by du Preez very late in the game. A lot of good, as we dominated Wales for much of the game. 

England Series 

The England series was a success as far as results go, but the rugby wasn't very good. We were bettered by England in too many instances and rode our luck to stage two comebacks. We looked disjointed and relied more on moments of individual brilliance. It was largely scrappy, punctuated by a wayward third test loss. 

Rounds 1 & 2 - Los Pumas

I was pleasantly surprised by the improved play in the opening RC game. The Boks looked more purposeful, accurate and in control against a very good Puma side. We kept them shackled most of the game. The second test in Mendoza obviously didn't go to plan, our defence was shown up and we struggled to stop Los Pumas once they got an initial offload away. I was pleased with the opportunities created - we let three tries get away with some slight errors. It was a game of fine margins with big consequences on the scoreboard.

Round 3 - Australia (Brisbane) 

This was probably the most disappointing game of the season in my opinion. It was a great opportunity to score an away win and we just didn't look quite like taking control. Both sides were error-strewn. The positive was the goal line stand in the second half. Obviously the work being done behind the scenes was starting to come to fruition. 

Round 4 - New Zealand (Wellington) 

The famous away win against all odds. The highlight of the season, regardless of what occurs on the EOYT. They conceded 6 tries, but scored 5 of their won with scant possession. Those quick strikes rocked New Zealand. It wasn't perfect, there were numerous errors which helped New Zealand maintain pressure, one up to 18 phases leading to a try. More poor kicks. However, they showed some mettle. 

Round 5 - Australia (Port Elizabeth) 

The Boks stunned the Wallabies with early pressure, stalling their exit strategy and pressuring Beale into a reckless pass for an intercept try. Pocock prevented what would have been a considerable defeat, taking the sting out of several Bok attacks at critical moments, though it could be argued that our cleaners were sloppy to ineffective. Some more poor kicking. 

Round 6 - New Zealand (Loftus)

The most composed performance of the season, in spite of how it ended. They shackled the All Blacks, leaving them looking the most vulnerable since the 2015 RC Bok test. There are questions concerning Rassie's use of the bench, but the overall performance was a step in the right direction. Our front line players stepped up.

Conclusion

It was a success. An identity is beginning to emerged, combinations are settling. Our game has slowly developed and pride has been restored. We conclude the RC two places higher and a comfortable second in the RC. 

Willie was an easy choice to make. Faf wasn't all that hard either. He hasn't done well as far as the centres are concerned. I'll give credit to Kriel for his performance in the All Black rematch, but aside from that he hasn't been very productive. Damian over André is perplexing given how little Damian has produced. He does appear to have seen the light regarding Pollard, but maybe he is just biding his time for Willemse to play a larger role next year. The loose trio still has problems, and he painted himself into a corner by making Kolisi captain. A rather shortsighted decision. If we had to have a black captain I'd rather have chosen Beast. At least he could have waited before making a definite captain, like Meyer gave Jean a period to prove himself first. 

The point I was trying to emphasise, though, is that we have seen a progression. It has been far from perfect, but this RC could have been much worse. The step up from the England series to the Puma tests was significant, so the the latter half of the RC from the first. The EOYT will pose new challenges. Our coaches often work out a model for the SH sides, but come undone up north as they contest possession more fiercely. The 2014 season was a prime example. Meyer worked around our lack of resources in the RC, but it didn't work up north. Selections will be tested again. No Faf will test Rassie's coaching ability. 

The EOYT is our chance to make a statement before a world cup year. Wins against England, Scotland and Wales will be a great end to the year. I'll back Rassie to deliver. 

Dave

I compared the result produced by the Springboks under Meyer in 2012 and the results this year against the same teams.   The 2012 team results compared poorly with what happened this year,   

I think the losses against Argentina and Australia this year had more to do with the team selection and experimenting than with the real strength of the team.

My own impression is there are still some strengthening to come and the game plan is being developed and implementation is progressing well.   Whereas there never was a clear game plan of Meyer (some members dream there was one - but if there was it was never implemented) and none whatsoever under Coetzee, there is a clear way forward in playing 15 man rugby under Erasmus. 

I agree - there are still some improvement iro the loosies necessary and that two returnees (Serfontein and De Jager) will add more value to the team.

Dave

I compared the result produced by the Springboks under Meyer in 2012 and the results this year against the same teams.   The 2012 team results compared poorly with what happened this year,   

I think the losses against Argentina and Australia this year had more to do with the team selection and experimenting than with the real strength of the team.

My own impression is there are still some strengthening to come and the game plan is being developed and implementation is progressing well.   Whereas there never was a clear game plan of Meyer (some members dream there was one - but if there was it was never implemented) and none whatsoever under Coetzee, there is a clear way forward in playing 15 man rugby under Erasmus. 

I agree - there are still some improvement iro the loosies necessary and that two returnees (Serfontein and De Jager) will add more value to the team.

You can't compare either year. Not unless Faf, Pollard, Eben, Steph, Kriel, Mostert, Snyman, Marx retired at the end of 2016. Wer e that to be the case, then Rassie and Meyer would have been in a similar situation. Rassie could only have 3 sessions with the players ahead of the England series, and there would be no Welsh test to experiment.

Your analysis was thus conducted poorly. If at all. 

BS skunk time

It's all correct. You tell me you conducted an analysis of the seasons, but couldn't point out the variables which make them distinct from one another? You actually expect me to take that seriously? You are either biased or sloppy. I'll leave you to decide. 

Rassie is undoubtedly improving the Boks step by step. Those who made fun of Rassie, couldn't stop criticising Allende and argued that Du Toit cant tackle are busy eating a huge plate of crow! Hahahahahahahahahaha

Herr Sitzsack, I wasn't making fun of Steph, I merely pointed it out. It's a fact, a reality. A tangible output. Something that cannot be refuted. 

As for Damian? What did he do? Grab ankles, get run through like an open highway, eat up space for the rest of the team whilst looking for space himself. Poor skills. Poor reading of the game. Slow and languid movement. 

Nope. Damian gets no pass. He was bettered by every opponent. Sonny's no show was bad, but excusable considering his injury layoff. He also committed far fewer errors. In spite of all this, Damian couldn't impose himself. Where were these powerful surges? André does them in every game. André tackles crashballers without giving a millimetre. Why not Damian? 

It's all very embarrassing for the groupies. Give me another week and I'll make it even worse for you. 

Organhuffer the EGG has landed. Sorry forgot to mention you rediculous take on Lood!

You should have taken heed to what Beeno was telli ng you.

As for Willie and Faf guess who consistently called for their recall - Beeno. Now we have some wise guys saying it was an easy call etc etc. Oh my aching sides! What they actually were saying back then was Willie was too erratic, Faf also and that they should not be part of the Bok setup.

Willie has been an integral Bok for five years. It was a very easy call to make. Faf was a little more difficult as he isn't the most accurate player you'll see. However, he is a competitor and tough. Able to apply considerable pressure with disruptive defence. We don't have anyone else like that, or who can generally play better. Ergo, it was largely an easy decision.

Good to great players deliver positive contributions in big moments. Where was Damian in that goal line stand? He could have stopped that attacking move, but haphazardly rushed out exposing the inside and the All Blacks got the momentum for a critical try. André makes the stops. Damian was too lateral, which left Kriel cramped for space throughout the first half. Where was the attacking nous? He made alot of bad decisions and errors. His defence deteriorated at the game progressed. Nobody can ever point out the great play of Damian with any tangible. Just bluster. He is a 13 doing a very poor impression of a 12. It cost us again. He has yet to deliver at any point this year. 

That's a good summary Moz. I didn't pay any attention to the media last season, so I don't know what was said. It doesn't really surprise me though. 

What amused me is that we are seeing more. Kicks from 9 than  at any point during Meyer's reign, but that's okay. As soon as there is slow ball in our half, it's a box kick. Some said the play for territory was dinosaur Jake ball. Any kicking From Meyer's team was Bulle ball. What's this? To add insult to injury are the ball that was run back for tries. All of Lügnerin's worst nightmares realised in every game! 

Bloody iritating...still at junior or prep school..SA has the3 ingreadiance but fools who cannot recognise it...still repeating non-sense and bullshit because they are psychogically damaged by failure and zero other accolades...perhaps the past which means zero.

It appears that Rassie has some balls which Saffas dont recognise because nackers get snipped in this country along the way ...Selah.

Bloody iritating...still at junior or prep school..SA has the3 ingreadiance but fools who cannot recognise it...still repeating non-sense and bullshit because they are psychogically damaged by failure and zero other accolades...perhaps the past which means zero.

It appears that Rassie has some balls which Saffas dont recognise because nackers get snipped in this country along the way...Selah.

Chabal, Rassie is doing nothing spectacular. He has done nothing revolutionary. I'll credit him for the good work that he does do, but this is not some bold visionary. The Rassie that people were programed to believe by our thoughtless media doesn't exist. There is always a disconnect between reality and fantasy because people don't think for themselves in SA. 

What good summary was Mozart capable of doing?  Like AO - never objective and always BS 

Where have I been wrong? In fact, it's very telling that you failed to note the kicking by Rassie's Boks. I don't necessarily disapprove of the tactic, but you said these kicks break the golden rules of what a good kick is. So, by your definition Rassie is playing an aimless kicking game that is resulting in tries conceded. Why do you fail to criticise what violates your rules of how rugby is to be played? You speak of being unbiased, but here you are, turning a blind eye. The very pinnacle of bias.

When in Meyer's entire tenure did the Boks kick every slow ball away throughout an entire season? 

Our blindside defence is terrible. Our ability to back kicks with a string press is also terrible. The transition from attack to defence is also poor. However, there have been some notable improvements. We know Nienaber can improve a defence, he changed our patterns with immediate effect in 2011. However, he was working with some of the greatest Boks of all time. This is a tougher challenge. I think their are players who are making it much harder to hold teams out. Kriel, Dyantyi at times, Kolbe, Willie, Kolisi, ans Steph in certain instances. I think this will inevitably be ironed out before the World Cup though.

Overall, I'm happy that the team is improving steadily. It just isn't some kind of Golden Dawn. Far from it. 

Sharkbok, Coetzee's Boks were terrible. Granted, there were personnel issues, but he exacerbated the problem. His Boks were sloppy. They conceded 26 tries in 4 tests against New Zealand. That's roughly 4 years of tries against an All Black side. Jake's Bok concedes 22 in 9 tests. Even with a fodder team they still did better than any of Coetzee's Boks. They help them to 12-6 until the 69th minute. Three late tries sealed it. Meyer's Boks conceded 24 tries in 8 tests.