In a stunning display of vulnerability, the Springboks were left reeling after a crushing 38-0 defeat by the Wallabies in Johannesburg, revealing glaring issues in their lineout that Schalk Burger, the former South Africa star, believes are a result of slipping training standards. With a rematch looming in Cape Town, the team is under pressure to rectify these errors and reclaim their renowned set-piece dominance.
The match started promisingly with South Africa initially leading 22-0, but as the lineout faltered, the Wallabies seized the opportunity to stage a remarkable comeback. The usually dependable duo of Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi struggled significantly with their lineout throws, contributing to the team's unexpected downfall. This led to Mbonambi being sidelined for the upcoming Cape Town fixture.
"We're functioning at lower than 70 per cent, which is not Boks standard. We'll go three or four games without losing more than one lineout,"
Burger commented on The Verdict podcast. He added,
"If you lose confidence in the lineout, this weekend's going to test you."
Indeed, the conditions forecasted for the game in Cape Town are less than ideal, with strong winds expected at the stadium, posing an additional challenge to the lineout’s execution. Burger’s theory is that a lapse in training rigour might have allowed bad habits to creep in, impacting the players' performances during the game. "You just get into little bad habits. Maybe you haven’t been pushing maximum height in the week and all of a sudden someone goes up in front and you catch the player in front because that bad habit has crept in," he explained.
Former captain Jean de Villiers and Hanyani Shimange, also a former Springbok, echoed Burger’s sentiments. Shimange expressed his surprise at one of Mbonambi’s errant throws that was called not straight, aimed at Eben Etzebeth at chest height.
"It was just another individual mistake. I promise you, you will only see that from Bongi once. He must have thought they're not contesting or something and chucked it in, and they went with a late lift and that’s where it caught him."
As the Springboks look to rebound in Cape Town, the focus intensifies not just on winning, but on perfecting the fundamentals that have historically set them apart as a formidable force in world rugby. The upcoming match is not just a test of skill but a moment for the team to regain their confidence and execute under pressure.
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In a stunning display of vulnerability, the Springboks were left reeling after a crushing 38-0 defeat by the Wallabies in Johannesburg, revealing glaring issues in their lineout that Schalk Burger, the former South Africa star, believes are a result of slipping training standards. With a rematch looming in Cape Town, the team is under pressure to rectify these errors and reclaim their renowned set-piece dominance.
The match started promisingly with South Africa initially leading 22-0, but as the lineout faltered, the Wallabies seized the opportunity to stage a remarkable comeback. The usually dependable duo of Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi struggled significantly with their lineout throws, contributing to the team's unexpected downfall. This led to Mbonambi being sidelined for the upcoming Cape Town fixture.
"We're functioning at lower than 70 per cent, which is not Boks standard. We'll go three or four games without losing more than one lineout,"
Burger commented on The Verdict podcast. He added,"If you lose confidence in the lineout, this weekend's going to test you."
Indeed, the conditions forecasted for the game in Cape Town are less than ideal, with strong winds expected at the stadium, posing an additional challenge to the lineout’s execution. Burger’s theory is that a lapse in training rigour might have allowed bad habits to creep in, impacting the players' performances during the game. "You just get into little bad habits. Maybe you haven’t been pushing maximum height in the week and all of a sudden someone goes up in front and you catch the player in front because that bad habit has crept in," he explained.
Former captain Jean de Villiers and Hanyani Shimange, also a former Springbok, echoed Burger’s sentiments. Shimange expressed his surprise at one of Mbonambi’s errant throws that was called not straight, aimed at Eben Etzebeth at chest height.
"It was just another individual mistake. I promise you, you will only see that from Bongi once. He must have thought they're not contesting or something and chucked it in, and they went with a late lift and that’s where it caught him."
As the Springboks look to rebound in Cape Town, the focus intensifies not just on winning, but on perfecting the fundamentals that have historically set them apart as a formidable force in world rugby. The upcoming match is not just a test of skill but a moment for the team to regain their confidence and execute under pressure.