It's not every day that the Springboks get a thumbs up from their most notorious skeptic, but former Scotland coach Matt Williams has just bucked that trend. Known for his relentless critiques and not-so-subtle jabs at South Africa’s playing style, the 65-year-old Aussie has often lambasted Rassie Erasmus for what he perceived as a brute force approach to the game. Accusations have flown from Williams's corner about the Boks' overreliance on their 'Bomb Squad' and a knack for turning the beautiful game into a dreary slog of scrums, mauls, and kicks.
However, in his recent column for the Irish Times, Williams pivoted to an unusually complimentary tone. As he set the stage for Ireland's upcoming battles in the Autumn internationals against New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia, he cautioned, “Ireland must be prepared to adapt to the rapid changes in attacking tactics we are witnessing in the Rugby Championship or risk being left behind.” He highlighted the Wallabies' knack for late comebacks and their expansive play as a sign of evolving strategies.
Yet, it was the Springboks' recent thrashing of the All Blacks, with a scoreline that read like a rugby masterclass—43 to 10 in Wellington—that seemingly turned Williams into a believer.
"Even the Springboks, the greatest scrum, maul and kick team in the world, have developed a spectacular running attack,"
Williams grudgingly admitted. He praised the selection of smaller, quicker, and more agile backs, a stark shift from their traditionally bulkier line-ups, accrediting the coaching staff for this progressive change.
Such praise from Williams is as rare as a quiet stadium in Wellington, making his words all the more impactful. This may very well mark a turning point in how the global rugby community perceives the Springboks' style and adaptability. As they continue to evolve, perhaps even Williams will keep finding more reasons to applaud rather than criticize. Meanwhile, the rugby world watches on, eager to see if this transformation is just a one-off or the beginning of a new era for South African rugby.
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It's not every day that the Springboks get a thumbs up from their most notorious skeptic, but former Scotland coach Matt Williams has just bucked that trend. Known for his relentless critiques and not-so-subtle jabs at South Africa’s playing style, the 65-year-old Aussie has often lambasted Rassie Erasmus for what he perceived as a brute force approach to the game. Accusations have flown from Williams's corner about the Boks' overreliance on their 'Bomb Squad' and a knack for turning the beautiful game into a dreary slog of scrums, mauls, and kicks.
However, in his recent column for the Irish Times, Williams pivoted to an unusually complimentary tone. As he set the stage for Ireland's upcoming battles in the Autumn internationals against New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia, he cautioned, “Ireland must be prepared to adapt to the rapid changes in attacking tactics we are witnessing in the Rugby Championship or risk being left behind.” He highlighted the Wallabies' knack for late comebacks and their expansive play as a sign of evolving strategies.
Yet, it was the Springboks' recent thrashing of the All Blacks, with a scoreline that read like a rugby masterclass—43 to 10 in Wellington—that seemingly turned Williams into a believer.
"Even the Springboks, the greatest scrum, maul and kick team in the world, have developed a spectacular running attack,"
Williams grudgingly admitted. He praised the selection of smaller, quicker, and more agile backs, a stark shift from their traditionally bulkier line-ups, accrediting the coaching staff for this progressive change.Such praise from Williams is as rare as a quiet stadium in Wellington, making his words all the more impactful. This may very well mark a turning point in how the global rugby community perceives the Springboks' style and adaptability. As they continue to evolve, perhaps even Williams will keep finding more reasons to applaud rather than criticize. Meanwhile, the rugby world watches on, eager to see if this transformation is just a one-off or the beginning of a new era for South African rugby.