Why Springbok dominance has been cut short in the pro era

http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/08/30/why-springbok-dominance-has-been-cut-short-in-the-pro-era/

I have cannot paste the article so maybe one of you can do it. I have security controls on my office machine.

 Here it si JW.

What do you mean?’ is the outcry from all you fans from that very proud rugby rainbow nation. But let’s first look at what some of Test match statistics tell us before we go any further.

Since the dawn of the professional era – which commenced following the epic 1995 Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand – you can see from the chart below how much the Springbok winning percentage has declined against both of its Southern Hemisphere rivals.

Another interesting fact to know is that the Springboks actually had a better winning record (50 percent) against the All Blacks than the Kiwis had against them (43 percent) in the amateur era.

This was because of the high proportion (seven percent) of drawn Tests between the two teams.

In addition to this the Springboks remained the only one of the two rugby superpowers that won an away series between them in that period.

This happened after their 2–1 win in 1937 which prompted them to be called ‘the best team to ever leave New Zealand’.

But, if you ask most Springbok and All Black fans they will still tell you today that these encounters remain the ultimate rugby challenge for them.

Matches that are arguably the equal of an Ashes cricket Test series or a Brazil vs Argentina football international.

For the Wallaby fan, currently facing the prospect of yet another Bledisloe Cup whitewash and the continuation of New Zealand’s 69 percent winning record against Australia, the statistics against the Springboks provide some solace leading into the third round of this year’s Rugby Championship.

The die was cast in 1933 from the very first Springbok/Wallaby series, when the Boks proved that they were the strongest team in the world at that time by winning the series 3-2.

The pre-isolation period ended between the two adversaries nearly 40 years later in 1971, after massive anti-apartheid demonstrations in Australia during that tour.

Test matches with South Africa were then banned for over 20 years because of the Republic’s Apartheid policies, with the Springboks entertaining a convincing 75 percent winning rate.

In the meantime Australian rugby standards were fast improving.

The 1984 Grand Slam victory marked the watershed of this emergence and which was later followed by Australia’s inaugural World Cup win in 1991 at Twickenham against the home side.

In Apartheid South Africa, after the demo-ridden 1981 tour that divided the New Zealand community, Bok isolation was complete.

South African Rugby continued to focus its attention inwardly on its domestic Currie Cup competition, interrupted only by the occasional game against invitation or rebel teams.

And the South African rugby family understandably maintained its previous perception that the Wallabies were ‘easy beats’.

But this started changing in 1992 after Springbok legend, the Doc (Danie Craven), challenged the then world champion Wallaby side that they needed to beat the Springboks to prove that they were worthy holders of ‘Bill’- the nickname coined by the Wallabies to the William Webb Ellis trophy.

Nick Farr-Jones’ Wallaby side won convincingly 26-3 at Newlands in Cape Town in what was the Boks second game after readmission, having lost to the All Blacks the month before.

That set things straight with Craven and Co, at least until the Boks enacted their revenge during a 1995 Rugby World Cup pool game with a 27-18 win at that very same venue.

This pattern set the tone for the professional era where results have since been about even between the two sides, although at this point in time the Wallabies have an edge over the Boks with a 57 percent winning percentage.

A big contributor to this increase in the Wallaby winning margin has been its recent record under Robbie Deans, during which they have won nine out of the past 11 tests against the Boks.

Now for some of the theories why Springbok rugby has lost some of its gloss in the professional era:

After many years of isolation it was not unexpected that South Africa would at first struggle (which it did) to return to its pre-isolation standards, having been secluded from advances made in the international game for so long.

After that momentous 1995 World Cup win it seemed that the Amabokoboko (the Xhosa word for Springbok) were well on the road to reaching those pre-isolation levels.

Although many Kiwis may still feel a little cheated after the All Blacks were allegedly food poisoned before that final by a mysterious waitress known as ‘Suzie.’

One common reason given for the Bok decline has been the implementation of the racial quota system, where South African selectors have been required to appoint a certain percentage of non-white players.

Knowing their history, this is understandably a very sensitive subject for South Africans of all persuasions.

Another theory that abounds is that South Africa’s dominance at home in the amateur era was curbed with the introduction of neutral refereeing.

Many visiting teams to the Republic during the pre-isolation era often highlighted questionable home-town decisions that went against them.

This change to using neutral officials by IRB may have also made a contribution to a declining Springbok winning ratio when it came out of its isolation.

Others point noted has been the the Springboks’ inability to adapt its traditional ten man game plan that proved to be so successful in the amateur era, to the modern game.

“You pick your tight head prop first and then the rest of the team,” was Doc Craven’s well-known selection philosophy.

Huge Bok packs are traditionally supported by superb half back pairings with a penchant to kick instead of involving its back-line.

Successful Bok sides almost always include excellent place kickers who are capable of converting from anywhere in the opponents’ half.

And once the team works itself into the opposing 22 by mostly tactical kicking, it is not unusual for Bok sides to prefer to set up a drop goal attempt before sending the ball out wide.

The Springbok 2007 World Cup winning coach, Jake White, has had the ACT Brumbies playing in a similar fashion with notable success.

If White has done anything for Australian Rugby, he has identified a dead-eye goal kicker in the African mould in Christian Lealiifano.

Wallaby fans can also now hope that he can assist Ewen McKenzie with finding the Wallabies a Danie Craven-inspired elusive tight head champion prop it so desperately requires.

For the Springboks – I suppose, if it aint broke, don’t fix it.

And who can argue with two World Cup wins in 1995 and 2007 – equal to that of New Zealand (1987 and 2011) and Australia (1991 and 1999).

When trawling though the Test records, I discovered some other interesting anomalies that deserve further forensic examination.

One such stat that struck me was the high proportion of drawn tests South Africa was involved in the amateur era compared to modern times, but that may be a conversation for another time.

I would love to hear what you think about all this stuff.

As 19th-century British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881) famously quoted:

“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”

See you at the game – in spirit or otherwise.

Go you good thing!

But as you can see, during the professional age (which includes all of the Boks’ post-isolation participation apart from the period 1992-1995), the All Blacks have unmistakably turned this statistic around with a convincing winning 70 percent record against the Springboks.

Thanks beeno ;)

This article puts things in historical perspective and raises some points bought up in this forum, e.g. refs :); style of play, race (unfortunately), etc. We will see if any discusson results. Probably each person will think it confirms their current view on things.

 Its because not many Moari's and Islanders player rugby but rugby leage. Rugby in the amateur era was only for certain classes. That is why the Kiwi's claims of not allowing Moari's to play vs SA in the twenty's and later utter BS. None of them couldn't afford to be 3 months away from home. So most made carreers in rugby league

South Africa is still a great team and currently ranked number2 in the world.  

However South African rugby has 2 key weaknesses. 

1. The passing skills of the backline players is not at the required standard

2. The rucking (quick recycling of possesion at the tackle area)

of the forwards, and the loosies in particular is not at the required standard.

The Boks have purple patches through games where everything clicks and then we can score lots of points. When our strong ball carriers can run at fullspeed onto quick recycled ball we dominate the collisions. 

This draws in the opposition defence and creates space either outwide or straight through the middle.

This allows our speedy backs space out wide, and their individualistic skills makes up for some of their poor passing skills.

The All Blacks can get ball on the back foot and still beat the defence 

 through effective team play due to the passing skills of the backs.

 Sharkbok name me anyside who has put 32 points on the Kiw's with just 43 passes. Any team

Really good commentary and there are a few good things that need to be discussed.

Yesterday i was lucky enough to have dinner with amd IRB Ref on the circuit. I foolishly attacked him on his interpretation of the laws and especially the Kiwi cheating tactics.

This was not recieved politely. He clearly explained that untill such time that one team can dominate his decisions like the All Blacks do you need to look at thier interpretation of the law. The All Blacks have interpretated the laws spectacturally. This is one of the many advantages they have and is the reason why they are the best team in the world.

These guys have thrown out a challenge. Now lets go and figure out how we are going to beat them.

 There is no intrepertation when it comes to proffesional fouls for which they gewt not binned. Its the clear and obvious and they are allowed to do it and we get binned. Simple go check who gives away the most penalties year by year?> The All Blacks so where is the spectacilur interpertation? Who gives away the least amount of penalties? Springboks. 

AB breaks teams momentum with cheating. When they get pinned for it they get beaten like against England last year

Spooney, yes it upsets me too. The blokes cheat and are always offsides. We bitch and moan about this but have done nothing to fight back,.

Lets now go to work.  The All Blacks are the best team in the world. Lets dethrone them.

 Well said rugganut. Whatever the ABs do u have to counter (even though they r not cheating), lol

 Just finished typing my earlier comment, had to take a phone call. 

@Mozart you have also mentioned a valid point that I was about to come onto.

NewZealand now seems to have many more players of polynesian decent, 1st generation and 2nd generation decendents from places like Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. Some of these backline players are phenominal.

Many other countries struggle to find backline players that are as big- but also fast and skillful at passing. 

Big backline players often have no passing skills and are only creatine crashballs in other countries

A smaller skillful player is better than a big player without skill, but a big skillful player is better than a smaller player with the same skill.

 The boks have played some fantastic rugby in the modern era, but when things don't quite work out the always go back to plan A. What Nz does well is that the can absorb pressure or even concede two tries but strike back with quick brace of tries. On pushing the rules to the edge, South African players always try to play to the letter of the law, this go back to our strict decipline schooling and coaching. Can't comment on the NZ schools, but I do have first hand experience of Playing under a kiwi coach that would constantly look at how the team can bend the laws. Best example was the blood bin, he would encourage players to  cut themselves on the head and then pick the scab during the game. This was a guy that got his coaching certificates in NZ. The guys didn't buy into it but I pretty much hot what they were trying to do. England did the Same, they had codes for killing the ruck , the refs gives them a warning and then they stopped only to try later in game.

refsmshould stop coaching, one strike and your out. Why does ref have to give running commentary.

 Spooney your talking out your arse when you say not many Maoris Or PIs used to play Rugby back when.Being only for certain "classes" was a Saffa trait [s and Aussiesand POms too back then ] Ever hear of guys like Nepia? The first bok side to tour England refused to do so unless the POms removed their black player .

In the 56 bok tour the Maori team was told to throw the game else the boks would refuse to allow a tour of SA .

I was involved in some of those clashes in the 81 tour, I had gone home just to watch those games in person and being politically naieve and rugby mad I did the wrong bthing and fought against the protesters . Still regret doing that ,and I know people who are still bitter and divided about that tour.

Anything during the Apartheid era is tainted by the reffing and boks interfering in other nations player selections .

"Honorary Whites " still makes my skin crawl.

Given that I am impressed by a lot of people from SA who despite the most heinous of crimes commited against them still manage to forgive and move on ,as it seems most Saffas have ,most saffas.

Boks are still the side we measure our team against ,we never feel all that confident of beating them pre-match ,never .

Actually in the proffesional era the Boks ,Wallies and ABS have increased their winning % especially against the NH ,thats some dominance right there and the SH hates it ! 

The ABS though have redressed the slight historical anomaly the Boks had in double quick time !

Neutral refs ,more away games and a prediliction for resting on laurels and harkening back to some rose tinted past is pulling the Boks back somewhat  ,or so it looks from here .

Boks are still boks and nobodys easybeats .

Wardad: yeah I remember those bad days too mate. Do you remember Ken Gray? He was a fantastic lock that was picked to be one of the best (even Meades level of best). He refused to go on tour to SA and was never again given a shot at All Blacks again.

I was a kid of course and we were all mad at Gray, how could he jeapodize our chances of beating the Bocks? Yup, I was on the wrong side of that argument. He went on to be a real good citizen

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Gray_(rugby_union)

Spooony, there were many Maori All Blacks that were around during those days, one that comes to mind was Sid Going - a fantastic half back. He was made an "honory white".

Anyway, IMO enough said about those bad old days (politically). Rugby-wise they were epic battles & we look forward to such tough games in the future.

SpoonY would love to know how you known the numbers of Maori or Polynesians playing pre isolation in rugby and rugby league, an uneducated guess?  If you want to believe the AB cheat but somehow manage a 90% success rate in last 50 test then by all means go for it, but some posters who try to label the boks as being lily white and who play "clean" rugby obviously see their rugby through mud splattered glasses.

 Just-win bro ,yeah I remember him and I remember having the same feelings about it you did but WTF would a dumb arse kid know eh ? And do you remember bob Burgess ? 

Too true Polyboy , Bok fans have a bit of a nerve talking about cheating given their history .According to all the wallies and boks fans their boys are angelic little choirboys who would never ever do anything naughty or against the laws of rugby ! But those narsty All Blacks have been getting away with it for 100+ yrs now !

Fark me all this whining like little gurly men is shameful and I thought at least Bok fans knew enough to know better ,but they are just as big at being whiney little sheilas like reds-neck and piggy face Mackenzie and his little lap dog .Shameful carry on from a national coach and his Vice cap and cap to whinge about the ref in that revolting fashion .

All the whiney little gurley men should just have a night in with the other big girls blouses and eat a shit-load of ice-cream and watch " sleepless in Seattle" and cry it all out ! Then they can take the advice them and their fans were so fond of dishing out after the 2007 RWC and just STFU and man up about it .

 Wardad: Bob Burgess, a very distant memory now. Don't know why I remember Ken Gray more clearly but I still remember the "conversation" my dad and I had about him. Dad was spitting mad, lol

It is because Saffex the great was not appointed as coach and wasn't allowed to use his 130kg per man under 9 squad for the Springboks!

And we all know that is the only reason!

@hooperdaman, This thread is referring primarily to the once great competition between the All Blacks and the Springboks.

Last time I checked Australia was 4th in the world rankings, and South Africa is 2nd.

I like the "convenient" usage of the word Antipodeans. 

However lets be honest it is New Zealand that are the world power house of rugby, not Australia. (Is this a convenient way of associating Australia to the sucess of NewZealand?).

Robbie Deans Wallabies had a good run against the Boks coached by PDV, but their record against other teams is far from great.

The Wallabies record against the AllBlacks over the last 6 years is so poor it is a joke.

The AllBlacks dominance at the top of the sport is better than what it has ever been in history, but at least the Boks have the best record against them than any nation. (Not great losing more games than winning against them, but the only conselation is that it is better than any other nation).

The great Australian teams around the start of this century that included the likes of Larkham, George Gregan, Joe Roff, Ben Tune is far better than what is available today.

Do you watch the SuperXV in 2013. South Africa has 4 out of the top 8 teams. What made this possibale was the points gained against Australian teams.

South African teams routinely beat Australias teams in the SuperXV in 2013. Look at this years stats and it clear who is superior. 

The Melbourne Rebels have lost everygame to SA opposition since they have been in the competition, except for one home game this year.

The Force have decided they need to recruit players from South Africa that are not good enough to make it here in South Africa, basically players that cant even cut it in the Curry Cup.

The only saving grace in the SuperXV in 2013 was the Brumbies due to coaching by Jake White, who allmost or should have taken over from Robbie Deans.

The weak pack of Australia usually gets their arses handed to them in the Northern Hemishpere. 

Again this thread was more about the AllBlacks dominance, not about "Antipodeans.

South Africa still has a good record against the Northern Hemishpere sides, I imagine in recent years better than Australia.

Australia were just recently the first team from the Southern Hemishpere beaten by the Lions in like 15 years.

What a joke the game was last year in South Africa vs Australia, the biggest thrashing in sometime

I am looking forward to the scrums against Australia, with the new scurmming laws. Your girls in the tight 5 are in for one beating.