The reason can be given as -
* very poor defense, especially by the backline players;
* deficiencies iro the Tight 5 forwards preventing domination by them as expected; and
* too many possession turovers as a result of poor ball handling and aimless kicking.
The main reason is the poor backline defense - the missed tackle ratio of the backline players were chronically poor as is evidenced by the following table:-
* 42 tackles made;
* 27 missed tackles;
The problem was that Coetzee missed 50% of attempted tackles - Mahuza 40% - Mapoe 38% - Van Rensburg 44,5%, Nvantyi 43%, Jantjies 50% and Cronje 30,7%. Lets face facts there is no player in the world who does not missed tackles but missing more than 15% of attempted tackles is what can best be described is regarded as unacceptable - 40% is a disaster and totally unacceptable. When key players like Jantjies amd Janse van Rensburg failed by 40+% it can be best be regarded as a total disaster nullifying their other exploits on the field of play. It is always nice to see speedy players scoring tries or assisting in such scoring it is always a pleasure to watch - but to see teams losing games ad then analyzing why it happened it is clear what impact the far too many missed tackles had on the final outcome.
The second problem relates to the deficiency of Dreyer as a Tighthead in this case also added to by Van Rooyen having a poor day at the office, Even Marx was not up to his normal high performance record - the locks were not all their either. The idea to play Mostert as a loosie should stop and he should return to his natural lock position - as a loosie is just not producing the goods.
Ball possession losses (16) came about as a result of poor ball handling and aimless kicking - too frequently the balls were lost in tackle situations or kicked away aimlessly - while the team also gave away 7 penalties - two each by Mapoe and Marx.
Marc is a player who plays on the edge in covering breakdown ball protection and recovery - but there can be no excuse for Mapoe.
I think by now Rassie has analyzed the situation and the above would represent a black mark against especially the backline players. A repeat of such failures will mean the end of their test aspirations this year and there is indeed a good chance that the teams the Lions play on their upcoming away matches in NZ will optimize the situation in their favour.
