I think our backline play on attack this year was poor, bar a few exceptions for a few reasons.
1. Morne Steyn- when he is out of form he is woeful. We still persisted with him and made the pay the consequences. His standing in the pocket was deeper than any flyhalf in SA and was 10 man rugby for much of the time.
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2. Three other flyhalfs, all new a test level in the 10 position were rotated much of the season. This created very little continuity. Goosen the best of all 3 after just regaining his confidence was injured again and things really fell apart after this with Jantjies. Lambie got stronger in each test he played this year.
Goosen and Lambie take the ball flat and run into the ball at varying angles to create space for the centers and outside backs.
We cant be worse at flyhalf next year with a Fit and more conditioned Goosen and Lambie after another season of SuperXV. If they are both injured then we are in major trouble.
Goosens performance against Australia in Pretoria is what was the highlight of the year to demolish the Wallabies.
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3. Centers.
Only Jean Devilliers was consistently played. Had a good game outside Goosen against Australia in Pretoria but was average for many other tests.
Although in 2012 I do not think we had much better options at center to take from the talent pool(SuperXV experience- not Curry-now Vodacom cup with boks for most games).
Frans Steyn played well in his first 2 tests against England, but I think he fell victim to playing outside Morne Steyns declining form.
I think Frans will be back at 12 next year and the realy competition is going to be for the regular number 13 shirt will all the new players getting SuperXV experience. The rest will do him good, and I think he will be fitter now that his shangles have been fixed.
Jean will still be a useful outside center, and backup at 12 until we are certain we have better. Although Paul Jordaan will have another season at SuperXV level and will be outside Lambie and Frans Steyn.
4. Wings-
not getting enough oppertunity, but that was caused by problem 1, 2 and 3. We have got maybe the top 2 wings in World Rugby.
5. Fullback-
Typically I would have blamed Zane Kirchner, but he was one of the more solid players in the backline on defence and attack. Although I think he did squander some good oppertunities to draw players and make the last scoring pass. Not that bad and not the root cause of the problem.
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On defence the backs worked better as the year went on.
I could blame the backline attack coach and Meyer, but perhaps with their 2nd year of international coaching and more continuity with the best players available will see a Springbok backline attacking to potential. Can only get better for next year.
