So is a draw against Oz away a big step forward?

Here are the results since the HM era: . 2012 lost 19 to 26 . 2013 won 38 to 12 . 2014 lost 23 to 24 . 2015 lost 20 to 24 . 2016 lost 17 to 23 . 2017 drew 23 to 23. . Seems to me these games have been close.....we haven't lost by more than a converted try. And if you look at the HM era as a whole we outscored Oz at home by 100 points to 86. Furthermore the internals.....territory and possession were distinctly in Oz's favour yesterday. . Seems to me things, including the game plan, haven't changed much.

We had better outside backs in that time, to be factored in. We ha d an ageing but still excellent Habana, and an inform Willie Leroux.
I would like to see Leroux involved again in this open game plan that would suit his skills. Probably as a wing to avoid his chip kicks. 

 The open gameplan wasn't in evidence yesterday. . Foley kicked 8 times and ran/passed 30 times .. Jantjies kicked 19 times and ran/passed 17 times .. Faced with decent opposition we reverted to our traditional game, attacking only off turnpver ball.

True, the aimless kicking was still evident, and the ball did not go down the backline very often. Although having Jan Simpleton at 12 does limit the attacking options

I somethings think it would be better to make shorter kicks in some cases, to prevent the opposition taking quick lineouts and countering. 
Many of the attacking moves by Australia were counter attacks from quick lineouts.

 Moz, what's of paramount importance is that the Boks with a stutter are heading in the right direction. Thank F*%% that the days of one dimensional skiet skop and donner Boere rugby is dead and buried.....sure Jantjies kicked a lot in that last test but the intent to run the ball and score tries is not lost on the new look Boks.Jantjies, although our best flyhalf is an ordinary kicker and his aimless kicking down Falou's was plain stupid. The Bok pack showed the way forward even though some in that pack were MIA. The team is screaming out for a decent coach and selections with an enterprising pattern of play....we're in for a long wait.

Den the intent may be there, but to me we have been living off turnover ball so far....created by much more aggressive attacking of the breakdown, and of the carried ball. Unlike the Lions the Boks haven't produced much off their own ball, the way the Lions did with Vorster cutting onto the ball at pace, i think it's a centre problem...but also a more general confidence problem. Even the Bargies offl0aded more adroitly. .. And not everything that appears new is new...the try Kolisi scored after the short. Jantjies chip gathered by Kriel, is a replica of the try Reinach scored against Italy from a Pollard chip gathered by Willie. . We are winning, but I think for the most part it's because of better execution of the basics.

 Hey be thankful that our forwards slipped a ball while in contact.....Fok man that's unheard of....they even made meters forward by crossing the gain line.
Give up on our backs, they just there to make tackles.

 Oh for sure our basics have improved, mind you it's taken nigh on 25 years! The question remains....can they add some basics to the Boks backline play.

Very satisfying...wasn't far off when I called a marginal Bok win...and that AB/Puma game scores would be more respectable for Argentina. Hopefully this is because a new era is dawning and better rugby contests are looming up in sight...this the way I like it and good for the game as a whole....

 The skills look better to me but I really don't think we put our best team on the park.
Coetzee is not in the class of Le Roux. Faf is the most dynamic scrummie we have and should be in the mix. Janse van Rensburg and Combrinck also.Akkers should be in the mix at hooker. Both Du Preez brothers should be in the mix. Ruan Ackermann also is worth looking at. Dreyer unfortunately cant scrum (Best tighthead was Redlinghuys).   Wilco Louw at 133 kg looks to be a capable scrummager but not to good around  the park. Trim the oak down to 125kg and work on his mobility.
I see the Lions website gives Mostert weight at 112 kg. What has happened to the 101 kg Stokkies Hanekom? He was looking very good before injury. Whats up with him now.I also like the combative flyhalf Robert duPreez at 96 kg. What's up with this guy. 
There is a huge amount of talent but its not being recognised. Lastly please put Kolbe at scrummie - what a massive blunders this is. Best scrummie in world lost to a lack of vision.