https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-bite-dont-match-the-bark/Rugby pass, bark
In this article they claim that bok supporters over hype there team and that we don't have the talent we claim we have. Some hard truths in there.
But what they miss is that the Boks travel more than any other team. Maybe Argentina more now.
That the Boks played the 1 and 2 teams more than any other teams over last 20 years. NZ and when Aus was good.
Where as they north sent week teams
KC
From what I can see happening in the past two tests indicates that the Springboks are developing a new approach ttacking rugby - but got headache through poblems attached to players accustomed to the previous style.and found not having their own adjustment of play reasching desired levels,
I think that the firs two tests played is nt really making the Statement in the ehading.
Our defense is still our major winning asset, but it's starting to creak. Ireland found a lot of space by putting a man wide of our narrow defense and feeding him with long passes.
Look at the WC - against France we had to make double the French number of tackles. Against a 14-man NZ we had to make 246 tackles vs NZ's 106. NZ dominated that game with 14 men in possession and territory and rucks and meters - everywhere but on the scoreboard. We grafted them to a standstill on defense. That's how we won.
Our attacking game is still very much a work in progress, and when under pressure we seem to revert to the old box kick, tackle tackle tackle strategy. Sometimes it works, until you meet an outfit like Ireland who can pull out slicks and smarts if they keep their heads .
Despite that, we're as competitive as any of the top teams out there. Bok fans should just get off this idea that we have a divine right to be better than anyone else.
You know what I think Corn. I have made all of the points about the Boks many times before. The loss to Ireland at home drives home the reality.
The biggest thing out there is the age of our team, it’s like the government deficits that just keep piling up.
I see New talent in the backs, almost exclusively players of color. In the forwards none of the new locks strike me as being in the same league as the Bakkies/Victor/Etzebeth level. Ox is the only relatively new player who is a dominant force.
If we drift back to parity up front we are going to need the Zulus in the backs. But our head coach really doesn’t believe in back play, so any transition will be painful.
Yes.
The moment Moster was injured the game changed for the Boks.
Just goes to show what he adds to the Springbok game when he is fit and free from injury.
Rassie wasted an opportunity to school some new young blood, stuck with the older players and got nothing to show for his poor selection.
Really poor performance all round from Rassie his assistants and the players.
Thankfully and fortunately Pollard made the last few games of the 2023 RWC and saved the Boks and brought home the RWC.
Yes, lucky for the Boks, Rassie and us supporters.
We'll, as the article stated. We need to start from our schools. Grey College is suppose to be the best college in SA and the world, but no global titles.
Our u21 team is getting worse by the day.
I know quotas play a big role in school teams. Those targets were forced ages ago. So our school teams will never do well.
Yes, these players have speed and flair, but have no hard edge. As we saw with Fassi. Fantastic attacker but can't tackle and becomes invisible the tighter the game gets.
All these players want to show off, dancing around but no thought of role or function
You know what I think Corn. I have made all of the points about the Boks many times before. The loss to Ireland at home drives home the reality.
The biggest thing out there is the age of our team, it’s like the government deficits that just keep piling up.
I see New talent in the backs, almost exclusively players of color. In the forwards none of the new locks strike me as being in the same league as the Bakkies/Victor/Etzebeth level. Ox is the only relatively new player who is a dominant force.
If we drift back to parity up front we are going to need the Zulus in the backs. But our head coach really doesn’t believe know back play, so any transition will be painful.
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Good post.
Like a leopard who can't change his spots Erasmus has one foot stuck in the Laager.