The Boks: Today and Tomorrow
September 16, 2012 in Uncategorized
The Bok forwards performed well for 51 minutes until Dean “Brainfart” Greyling came on to single handedly destroyed all their hard work. The Bok pack, bar Greyling, performed well but we had the same old dross dished up by the backs.
And why did the pack perform well? So, what was different, apart from the players showing a bit more commitment?
A fetcher
Backtracking on his previous stance of “no need for a fetcher” Heyeneke Meyere selected a specialist open side flanker giving the looseforwards a bit more balance. Fetchers tend to be penalty machines as they live on the edge but apart from their value in securing turnover ball their presence prevents the opposition from having a free go at the ball and with Bismarck out the Boks was in serious need of one.
A proper lock combo
In the combination of Juandre and Flip the Boks had a lock pair who did the job that locks are supposed to do. Locks aren’t blindside flanks or eighthmen and neither are they centres or wings, locks are supposed to work in the lineouts, scrums, mauls and rucks. In Bekker, and even Etzebeth, we have locks who do not always focus on the primary tasks of locks and it doesn’t help if they run all over the field (or sit on top of the mauls) when they are supposed to do the hard graft.
At the back
The impotence of the backs to do anything constructive with the good possession they got must have been very frustrating for the forwards. And our backs have been ineffective in their use of possession and territory and that’s where the HM Gameplan falls apart.
With Heyneke Meyer still regarding Morne Steyn as a great flyhalf, even without his goal kicking, unfortunately I cannot see much changing at the back. Meyer will continue to hope that Morne’s goal kicking comes right, and if it doesn’t we might see Ruan Pienaar taking over the kicking duties a bit sooner or even seeing Goosen coming on at half time.
The Gameplan
Heyneke Meyer will have us believe that the Bok forwards’ good performance was due to “The Gameplan” but it was not. Control of possession and territory is not a gameplan, how you use that possession and territory that’s a gameplan and as long as the Boks employ a gameplan that primarily suits one player they will struggle to make the best of their possession and territory.
Yes, they will win some games when Morne’s kicking is on song but that doesn’t mean the gameplan works. We have better flyhalves who are also accurate goal kickers, flyhalves who can play a more versatile game but unfortunately the only two flyhalves whom Meyer has in his vision are Steyn and Goosen with Steyn being his first choice at the moment.
The future
From the 2009 EOYT the Boks have only won 17 from 33 tests (54.44%) and only three from seven in 2012 (57.14%). It cannot be a good thing for the Boks to be so dependent on the performance of a single player. In fact, the Boks are currently struggling because of this dependence on Morne Steyn.
Compare this to the All Blacks who have a world class flyhalf in Dan Carter but they are not solely dependent on his performance to win. They have a number of alternative flyhalves with Cruden currently the first choice backup. This type of depth applies to virtually every position in the All Black lineup.
For the Boks to become a real force again they need to become less dependent on any one player in any of the positions. It is vital to build depth and that suitable backup players be given opportunities to gain experience.
Two Cents said on September 18, 2012
I see not many giving Jean de Villiers a chance. I think a change at flyhalf will make the backline look very different. If Goosen is given the chance to start and allowed to play his game the two centres might look more like they did when Butch was at 10, more dynamic.
I think Jordaan will be a Bok soon, de Jongh plays better at 13 than 12. Whitehead, Ebersohn for me not that good. The issue is not just that some of these youngsters might be a bit green, its combining experience with youngsters. An example would be playing Goosen between Pienaar and F Steyn/de Villiers. Or Jordaan between de Villiers and Habana/JP. The player is allowed to express himself with the knowledge that the senior guys has his back if he tanks.
I think the frontrow that started the test is world class and youngsters like ginger and malherbe from province will make their way into the Boks in time. I would like to see if Coenie will be able to make a comeback. Neck injuries are mental as well as physical.
powa said on September 18, 2012
There is an akismet widget available on your dashboard which will allow you to switch off this captcha box thingy.
Youngsters will only grow if given game time. Sitting on the bench and lugging water and gear doesn’t help.
powa said on September 19, 2012
That’s true.
Zed said on September 17, 2012
12.Frans Steyn the best but De Jongh is a 12. Alister Coetzee plays him at 13 because JDV plays 12. But he is better at 12 (Super 14 2010). His attacking skills, defensive skills…
13.Jordaan an bit green ? LOL When Jake White had called Frans in 2006, he was green… So no, Jordaan can be the 13 Bok.
H&P said on September 18, 2012
Hey Zed.
Lets agree to disagree.
Agreed , if JP comes back Habana will go back to the left wing.
HM seems to play on the right wing when Mvovo or Hougaard plays wing.
I don’t rate De Jongh at 12, his passing game is not great, but he is a good runner thus my 13
Jordaan is good but not in Frans’ league, (Goosen in the same mould and should be a bok starter soon (hopefully))
As for Captaincy……. that could be an issue, with Burger fit he would be my captain with Albert’s going to the bench….until then I suppose JdV comes back and De Jongh goes to the bench.
Zed said on September 17, 2012
Strauss is a bench player who is in the XV Bok because Bismarck is injured… Si no, not Strauss to captain the side… Maybe JC who is a great leader. Or Vermeulen who was the Stormers skipper against the Reds this year. Or… Bismarck when he will be back.
Zed said on September 17, 2012
1.JC is a world class scrummager, and scrum is very important at international level… Beast is one of the better in the loose. Strong in the game but not a good scrummager. So Heyneke should call JC. This man can destroy Owen Franks and get penalties for springboks.
3.Jannie… Not international prop. Coenie Oosthuizen is the best sa tighthead prop. He is a world class fetcher, and his play in the loose, just amazing. He scrummed very well on the tight against England. With WP Nel in Europe, he will be the Cheetahs regular tighthead next year, with Caylib Oosthuizen or Nyakane loosehead. So future tighthead, loosehead = past for him.
6.Minnie overrated ? He is underrated… What a player. But his problem : Discipline. Cost a lot of penalties. If he solves this problem, he can be the 6 Bok.
7. Why not ? Marcell Coetzee is not a fetcher, and every teams has a fetcher. Australia with Hooper, NZ with McCaw… Coetzee, my 7. The guy is a strong ball carrier, largely better than Willem Alberts. Willem Alberts is overrated and irregular. An impact player, no more. He is a bad defender, misses a lot of tackles. Just take a look at Super statistics.
9. Okay, I understand but Pienaar… Hougie not a 9, maybe Piet Van Zyl…
11.Hougie, SA best winger with Le Roux and JP. JP Pietersen is a 14.
14.Habana plays 11.
15.Le Roux, this guy just impressive like Taute or Andries Coetzee who performs very well with the Lions at Fullback. These 3 men and Joe Pietersen from Stormers are surely better than Lambie. Lambie is not a fullback, he is a flyhalf. He is better at 10. With Michalak in Toulon, Lambie will be back for Sharks at 10. Don’t select player who don’t play at their regular postion. So Lambie, NO. Perhaps, future 10 Bok but with Goosen…
Wozza said on September 17, 2012
“Cant go on form in a very watered down CC”
What makes this CC very watered down? Are you comparing to last years, which in my opinion was more watered down.
H&P said on September 18, 2012
yes it was watered down , just like this years,….. with all the top player not taking part, it’s not a true reflection of union or player ability.
Lions won the CC last year and proceeded to fail spectacularly ion Super Rugby.
Zed said on September 17, 2012
1.Janse Van Rensburg
2.Strauss (1st choice : Bismarck)
3.Cilliers (1st choice : Coenie)
4.Etzebeth
5.Kruger (Bekker 1st choice but not in good form)
6.Brüssow or Fourie (Possible 1st choices : Kolisi and Minnie both injured)
7.Coetzee
8.Vermeulen
9.Pienaar or Pretorius (back in form with Free State)
10.Goosen
11.Hougie
12.Frans Steyn or De Jongh or Whitehead
13.De Jongh or Jordaan or Ebersohn
14.Aplon (1st choice : JP Pietersen)
15.Le Roux or Taute or Andries Coetzee
H&P said on September 17, 2012
mmmmmmm
1.Janse Van Rensburg – no better than Beast
2.Strauss (1st choice : Bismarck) – OK
3.Cilliers (1st choice : Coenie) – Jannie srummed well on Sat, better TH than Pat,….Coenie not a TH, ask his neck surgeon
4.Etzebeth – OK
5.Kruger (Bekker 1st choice but not in good form) – OK
6.Brüssow or Fourie (Possible 1st choices : Kolisi and Minnie both injured) – Fourie?, Kolisi is good but his time will come, Minnie is tappet and overrated.
7.Coetzee – if you playing Brussow at 6, I would go with Alberts
8.Vermeulen – OK
9.Pienaar or Pretorius (back in form with Free State) – Cant go on form in a very watered down CC, Sarel not that flash yet
10.Goosen – OK
11.Hougie – OK, JP when he is fit
12.Frans Steyn or De Jongh or Whitehead – Steyn by a mile (De Jongh is a 13 and Whitehead not there yet)
13.De Jongh or Jordaan or Ebersohn – Ebersohn does not defend well enough for test rugby, Jordaan still a bit green
14.Aplon (1st choice : JP Pietersen) – Habana
15.Le Roux or Taute or Andries Coetzee – Lambie better than all 3 , but Le Roux would be in my 22.
powa said on September 17, 2012
Can live with that. Who to captain….. Strauss?
GEN DE LA REY said on September 17, 2012
Agree Flip surprised me by not giving to many penalties away. And he maybe showed the young Etzebeth up on the finer parts of lock play.
But also think the presence of Flo and Vermeulen(getting back to full fitness) were the biggest controbuters to keeping the Blacks in check.
For me we need 3 changes at the back. With Steyn, Zane and Div making space for Goosen, Lambie and De Jong. Why not we have nothing to lose now.
Baylion said on September 17, 2012
I am not a Flip fan but he played well on Saturday.
That’s the point, having a more balanced loosie trio and locks prepared to do the hard graft meant the ABs and McCaw didn’t get a free go at the ball like the Wallabies and Hooper had last week.
Etzebeth will learn that lock play is not about flash but he won’t learn that from Bekker.
Hanjo said on September 17, 2012
Bay, what many forget about Eben is that he actually started his ‘professional’ career as a #5 lock, playing alongside Quinn Roux for the U-21 WP team, he therefor is used to playing a more loose game(as the #5 lock usually does) , he was however ‘converted’ into a specialist #4 this year, due to his brute physicality… I actually believe it is still a bit of a learning curve for him…
I agree with Gen on Duane but not so much Louw, for me Duane was exceptional at the breakdowns and great in all aspects of the game. Louw struggled a bit, although he did get some valuable turnovers. The loose trio finally has a balanced feel to it. Alberts also had a decent game.
Hanjo said on September 17, 2012
Eben is actually a #5 lock who has been converted to the #4 jersey in 2012 due to his physicality. so I think it’s still a learning curve for him perhaps.
Baylion said on September 17, 2012
Definitely, he is still young and youngsters learn from their seniors. I just think that Bekker isn’t one he should try to emulate.
powa said on September 17, 2012
Agree with you 100%
Paul said on September 17, 2012
Mostly agree with everything you wrote except that 3/7 is a 42% win ratio in 2012 and NOT 57% which is of course even more shocking. I have maintained that Lambie should be starting and Steyn and Kirchener need to be gone. Will see what happens at home and who is selected. It is a joke putting Lambie on for 5 minutes before the end of the test – why not just keep Kirchener on. Lambie deserves far better treatment than this.
Baylion said on September 17, 2012
Statsguru factor the draws into their percentage. I agree on Lambie. Wonder if the Boks will be released to their unions this weekend as Lambie needs some game time, he had very little recently and his confidence must have taken a knock from his treatment by HM.
byron said on September 17, 2012
Meyer is now treating Lambie like he treated Jantjies. I will pick them to shut supporters up and then never play them. soon we will hear about Lambie failing to take the chances he has been given by some supporters. 5 minutes! Drop him to the Sharks and at least let him play a bit before his inevitable move overseas
Baylion said on September 17, 2012
A fan of Patrick Lambie asks “So how much can you bench?”. Patrick answers “Well thanks to Heyneke Meyer, all 80 minutes!!!”
powa said on September 17, 2012
Is Lambie another Brent Russel??
Baylion said on September 17, 2012
Lambie is getting nearly as much bench time as Gerald Venter got for Transvaal in the olden days – 100+ games as reserve hooker