Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer pulled no punches when asked where things went wrong for his team as they drew the second Test in The Castle Rugby Championship, against Argentina in Mendoza, by 16-16.
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The Springboks fought back from a half-time deficit of 3-13 to pull level when Morné Steyn converted Frans Steyn’s charge down try in the 66th minute of a Test that was played in front of 40,000 loud Argentinean fans. Morné Steyn added three more penalty goals.
The Pumas scored their only try in the 17th minute when Santiago Fernandez crossed following a period of sustained pressure in the Springboks’ half. Fullback Martin Rodriguez added 11 points through a conversion and three penalty goals.
The Boks paid for ill-discipline, especially early in the game, but finished stronger although they could not pull it through.
“Firstly, all credit to Argentina. We were not good enough and they played very well, but we let our country and ourselves down tonight,” said Meyer.
“Our problems started at the breakdown, where we could not get any quick ball and when we did at stages, I thought we played good rugby only to lose the ball in good positions on the field. W
“We have a lot of inexperience and youngsters, but it’s not an excuse. For a lot of these guys it was their first Test away from home, but we talk a lot about mental toughness and we needed to make the step up.
“We always knew they were going to come out hard at us and that it was going to be very tough, but you can’t afford to give away all those penalties we did early in the game. That was unacceptable.”
Springbok captain Jean de Villiers said it was frustrating day out in the middle.
“Every time we got in their half, they gave away a penalty. We didn’t get a lot of ball out wide but when we did we made some metres. However, it was one of those games where we never got into it and it ended in a draw,” said De Villiers.
Tiaan Liebenberg replaced Adriaan Strauss late in the game to win his first Springbok cap, almost five years after making his debut for South Africa, against the Barbarians in London at the end of 2007.
The Boks travel back to South Africa on Sunday and will arrive in the country on Monday morning. They will reconvene in Johannesburg on Thursday to start preparing for the Australasian leg of The Castle Rugby Championship.
@ jan_vaaljan_die_springboksupporter_jan_uhm_jan!:
You just posted before me illustrating perfectly the point I was trying to make. That picture shows that we want Spies, this super strong monster, to break this tackle and just run over the opposition. We don’t want him to avoid or pass.
31 @ Gobble_BokJan:
Jeeez, Spies is copping flack and he did not even play… hehehe
But I agree, how we take ball into contact needs a whole new look and ATTITUDE
@ grootblouBokJan:
It’s mainly the attitude that I am criticizing. There are many people looking at the technical aspects and it does play a big role. But all the coaches and players from all the top teams know about and have access to all the top technical analysis. It’s their job and what they do every day. The technical analysis cancel each other out. What makes the difference is talent, skill and mentality. The attitude and mental factor is the biggest difference in elite sport because all these players are peak physical specimens.
33 @ Gobble_BokJan:
If it is ATTITUDE only, it can be turned around in 2 weeks…. but I’m afraid that’s not where it ends!
First thing obviously then is the ATTITUDE change
Second thing that MUST happen is a switch to something known (and not used enough) and that is the Ball-In-Hand game plan with less kicking.
Third thing to happen is the balance in the loosies and more EFFECTIVE personnel at the breakdowns
Fourth… all of the above in sequence… is to seek out space and going into contact better
This can all be achieved without too many changes in personnel.
First change, use Juandré Kruger in stead of Bekker
Second change, replace Jacques Potgieter… by moving Willem Alberts back to No 7 and by Picking a decent No 8 (Duane Vermeulen – might be a bit quick on him after injury OR Ryan Kankowski – not likely OR CJ Stander)
Third change, replace Mvovo on left wing with Francois Hougaard and bring Ruan Pienaar on at No 9 to start
Fourth change, replace Morné Steyn with Elton Jantjies and relegate Morné to the bench
Fifth change, replace Zane Kirchner with Patrick Lambie at fullback (I rate Lambie as a fullback and not as a flyhalf)
With Morné Steyn, Zane Kirchner & Lwazi Mvovo on the bench, it means only 3 full-on personnel changes in the total match 22… not too much disruption.
For a look at the lighter side of the weekends debacle, read this from spprtbilly.co.za.
In the scoop of all scoops, it has come to our attention that Heyneke Meyer sent Pat Lambie a letter ahead of the last Springbok game against Argentina in Mendoza. Give it a read, it explains a lot…
‘Dear Pat,
I write to you with some regret, Patrick. As coach of the team that was formerly a force in world rugby, I have the unpleasant job of informing my players who I pick on any given Saturday. The Springbuck (as Hugh Bladen calls it) stops with me you see.
I need to make a call this Saturday, as I know you were fairly pissed off (those were John Plumtree’s words) about not getting any game time against Argentina in Cape Town. It all comes down to experience Pat.
You see you only have 13 Test caps and are 21 years old. Yes, I know you have 35 Super Rugby caps and have scored 344 Super Rugby points but that doesn’t count you see. Your 22 Currie Cup caps are also fairly irrelevant too as who takes that thing seriously anymore besides Kevin De Klerk? I know you are more experienced than players like Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith and Sonny Bill Williams but that’s not how it works here in South Africa. How many Bulls caps do you have Pat?
I would prefer to leave you on the bench Pat. Yes, for the whole game. You look like you could do with another 80 minutes of ‘chill time’ as you youngsters call it. What on earth you did for 80 minutes on the bench at Newlands, Naas Botha alone knows! While you’re on the bench his time Pat, take the time to read my game plan because after watching you in Super Rugby it is clear to me that you just don’t get it.
You persist on attacking the gain line Pat. Now anyone who knows anything about rugby knows that the best form of attack is defence! So kick the ball to the opposition and do some defending man. It’s pretty simple. Zane can explain.
Another thing you need to grasp, is this whole ‘tackling at the ankles’ thing. I know you do it but you really need to stop. Who is going to kick the next up and under if you’re getting involved in the dirty work? Beast Mtawarira?
So now you know what you need to work on, sit back and relax for another 80 minutes and watch Morne’s masterclass. See you on the flipside (isn’t that a cool thing to say to young okes?).
Cheers,
Heyneke Meyer (Unbeaten Bok Rugby Coach)’.
@ grootblouBokJan:
Yip all great suggestions. But won’t help that much if not matched by the coach adapting and learning to be flexible. HM talks a great talk but so far that’s what he has been doing too much of. Flexibility is recognising when things are not working and realising one’s own shortcomings. Just changing the players is not enough. You have to adapt the way they play too.
@ Just For Kicks:
So often there is truth in humour. I like the “Unbeaten Bok Coach” in particular
@ Just For Kicks:
The reality is of course that HM has no interest in any other fly half besides Morne, irrespective of his performance or form. Bambie was only there in case Morne got injured.
35 @ Just For Kicks:
Brilliant! hahaha.
On a serious note, damn sad to leave such talent on the bench.
Bring on SuperPat
35: LOL ! Beste een: “How many Bulls caps do you have Pat?”
Komaan Bambie, kom speel vir die Bulle … oppie bench ! hehehe
bidi @ 40
enjoyed that one too!!
34: spot on. Duane is oppad maar nog nie heeltemal daar nie, ‘n loosie combo van Marcel, Alberts en CJ kan werk !
CJ laat my dink aan Tiaan Strauss, en dit is ‘n groot kompliment, want as ek ‘n beste bok lostrio kan kies wat ek sien speel het, dan is dit die volgende:
6) Ruben Kruger
7) Andre Venter
8) Strauss
There are rumours flying around that HM is going to call up Vermeulan for the next round of matches. Whilst I really rate Duane, I think this is a crass mistake right now. I could be wrong, but after such a long lay off through injury, I don’t think he is ready or match fit yet. Yes, he played much better last week than the week before, but not great rugby, in my book. Also, after 60 minutes, he was shattered.
He should get fitter and get more game time in the CC before going on national duty again. Surely, if he is called up, the best he can hope for is the splinter role, and thats not going to improve his game time, and surely it is too much of a risk to start him if he is not fully fit?
see that rugby365’s team of the feature NO saplayers.
make up of the team: 3 wallabies from the 22-0 loss to the ab’s, 4 argentinian players, and 8 all blacks (as expected)!!
total saplayers nominated between the 4 guys deciding on the team of the week: 0!
#44
rugby365’s team OF THE WEEK, that is
Sal graag wil hoor of HM ‘n paar ouens gaan vrystel om bietjie CB rugby te speel die naweek, veral Dean, Vermaak, Juandre en Lambie, al gaan hul dalk saamtoer die week daarna. Die manne kort tyd op die veld.
hey gbs
ek hoor jy is sukke dik pelle met heyneke
how about ñ lekker artikeltjie oor die beplande structures wat hy en rassie in plek wil sit? wat is sy visie daarmee? wat is sy mening oor die skills levels (of lack daarvan) v sa spelers? is daar structures in plek (of word daar structures beplan) om dit reg te stel veral by opkomende spelers?
43: Jip, regte tyd vir ouens wat terugkom van beserings, soos Duane, Goosen (en later Brussow, Coenie, JP, Basson, ens.) is NA die 2 toerwedstryde. Help nie om hierdie ouens nou te gaan afskryf nie, of hul te laat duiksakke vashou nie.
Wonder of HM ‘n probleem het met CJ wat oorsee gaan speel ? Indien wel, wat soek Ruan Pienaar dan nog in die span ?
OK so Ive thought about our performance this weekend and some thoughts:
Our team is missing a few key players.
We need a good 8th man
We need a good Scrumhalf.
We need to consider playing a different fly-half
We need a fetcher (Not only to fetch BUT to slow down opposition ball which is the other half of the equation).
Bismark used to do fill in on some of the duties of a fetcher, but in his absence we really need to look at a player along the lines of Brussow, Francois Louw, Deon Steggman. Keegan is not this player. Sorry.
Our scrumhalf should be a passing and sniping scrummie, not a kicking one. I vote for Jano Vermaak as he actually does those things well.
I would be inclined to look at a different fly-half. I just don’t think Morne is up to it at the moment. Lambie? Elton? Goosen? Not sure really.
I also think that we are lacking a quality 8th man at the moment. Alberts is a 7, where he competes with Coetzee IMO. That does pose a selection conundrum BUT if you had a player like Brussow you wouldn’t need Coetzee IMO. He will be unlucky to be dropped as he’s been one of the better loosies but Alberts takes the ball up better than anyone in SA and we really need that. Who should we pick at 8? Id be considering giving Danie Rossouw a call. Honest. Maybe Stander? Duanne needs more game time before he’s fit enough, we just risk him relapsing if we pick him too soon.
Ace All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter wasn’t buying into former Crusaders coach Robbie Deans’s line that no side in the world would have competed with New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.
According to the allbacks.com website, So far as Carter was concerned New Zealand still had to get better and it was still early in the season.
“We’ve got to get better each week, teams are going to analyse it a lot,” he said.
Carter said the All Blacks were happy with the effort but they realised they could still improve.
“If we were a bit more patient with the ball we could have scored a couple more tries I think so the boys were in good spirits on Saturday and pretty keen to attack with the ball in hand and I guess at times they were a little bit guilty of trying to push it a little early and we bombed a couple of tries because of that.”
Carter added that there had been a lot of attention paid to the side’s defence and to keep such a dangerous attacking side scoreless was a credit to that defensive effort.
“Your attack is only as good as your defence because you have got to keep teams out,” he said.
Carter said he still couldn’t work out why he passed a ball to wing Hosea Gear which resulted in a try being lost when Carter, had he gone alone would have had enough momentum to get across the line.
“It would have been nice getting a wee five-pointer there at the end but that was one of the couple of tries that we bombed tonight. It’s not a bad situation to be in where we have that much room to improve,” he said.
Carter said the game had been open and fast and the lungs were blowing a lot more than in the first Test between the sides the week previous.
And Carter was again impressed with the performance of his halfback Aaron Smith.
“Everyone knows the quality of his distribution skills but I think we saw his running game on Saturday. He’s very fast and sharp, an attacking player around the rucks and mauls and I thought he did extremely well tonight and showed dimension to his game,” he said.
superbokspringJan wrote:
jj.maritz.1 – August 27, 2012 at 14:46
Most probably the scariest thing here is that the All Blacks actually do have the ability to improve on their current game. Yeesh, these guys just have so many play makers….every single one of them a game-breaker. Most probably the weak point in the team is probably the grass they run on.
48
1
jj.maritz.1 – August 27, 2012 at 14:57
Ek kan nie verstaan nie….. volgens Google het Suid-Afrika ‘n bevolking van 50,586,757 en New Zealand 4,405,200. Liewe hemel man, die wiskunde maak nie sin nie…..tussen al daai klomp mense kan ons nie erens ‘n Israel Dagg of ‘n Sonny Bill Williams of ‘n Dan Carter kry nie.
jj.maritz.1 – August 27, 2012 at 15:03
Ek gaan sommer my eie vraag antwoord. My opinie is dat rugby vrek op die platteland. Ek het saam met ouens gespeel in die Noord-oos Kaap (ou NOK) wat binne in ‘n Bokspan kon inloop (ek natuurlik was boktjol)…..maar het nooit die exposure gekry wat hulle moes nie…..1 maal ‘n jaar op Boet Erasmus stadium gespeel met 12 mense in die stands. Ek was op skool saam met ‘n ou van Adelaide wat vir Os du Randt op marlow se veld gedruk het dat hulle hom met ‘n stretcher moes kom afhaal…..waar is daai manne vandag???? ons verloor so baie talent op die platteland dis nie eers snaaks nie.
BlueRaven.01 – August 27, 2012 at 15:43
jj hoeveel van ons bevolking speel rugby?
dhirshan.gobind – August 27, 2012 at 15:56
carter is not buying it coz he know the boks wouldv competed!
jj.maritz.1 – August 27, 2012 at 15:57
@BlueRaven Die punt wat ek net wil maak is dat, maak nie saak hoeveel van ons bevolking speel rugby nie…daar moet seker erens ‘n flippen ou wees wat soos Lomu 120kg is en die 100m in 11 dood hardloop? Ek wil nou nie weer die Kings hier inbring nie, maar Cheeky het van die begin af gemoan dat dis een van die maniere wat hulle plattelandse rugby wil bevorder, maar nou sing hy die “7 ouens van oorsee en 8 ouens van ander unions wat onder kontrak is” tune, so die OP ouens kan maar hulle kanse goodbye soen om groter rugby te speel. Die jong ouens op die platteland worry nie eers meer oor klub rugby nie, veral in die oosKaap….en flip, ons het al groot name hier gekweek. Ek moan al amper net so baie soos Cheeky vandag…eks seker net suur oor die Bokke verlede Saterdag. Hoop dinge lyk beter die naweek.
jaco.groenewald.731 – August 27, 2012 at 16:06
Agreed JJ if this was 2nd gear, we are in for it. But wait, the Boks will come right
razz.tazz.9 – August 27, 2012 at 16:35
JJ. Maritz. Ek kan nie meer saam met jou stem nie. Die destydse plattelandse spelers was ware Bokke. Daardie spelers was manne van formaat hulle kon enige span ore aansit. Vandag is dit heel anders, hulle is kantoormanne en nie plaas boere nie. Die destydse manne het `n liefde gehad vir die spel maar vandag gaan dit net oor die geld.
SA is `n sterk rugby nasie en behoort `n leier in die spel te wees, maar die spelers kan nie die mas opkom nie. Die ABs is by verre beter atlete as sommige Bokke, hulle dink vinnige op die veld, skep geleenthede op die veld en is innoveerd. Dus waarom hulle werêld rugby tans domineer.
sean.wolf.3388 – August 27, 2012 at 18:56
jj.maritz.1 – Maybe we should ask ourselves , why are there so many good young players leaving SA to go play abroad ??
ckrohne1 – August 27, 2012 at 21:08
jj.maritz.1 @ Daar is ‘n hele paar Sonny Bill’s and Dagg’s in Suid Afrika, die probleem is die coach het nie ‘n oog vir ontluikende talent nie. Ek dink hulle moet soos in sokker ‘n “scout” aan stel. Die ouens se werk is om jong potensieele spelers vir die coach te identifiseer.
Meyer must fight his instincts, by Rob Houwing
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/RugbyChampionship/Meyer-must-fight-his-instincts-20120826
Elton tops hit parade
August 27 2012 at 11:49am
By Jacques van der Westhuyzen
Did one man play himself into, and one man play himself out of, the Springbok team on Saturday?
That’s what plenty of rugby fans will be asking themselves after Elton Jantjies’ solid outing for the Lions in the Currie Cup and Morné Steyn’s less than satisfying performance for the Boks in Argentina?
Whatever Bok boss Heyneke Meyer decides going forward there can be little doubt Jantjies is getting closer and closer to winning a first Test cap. He was again hugely instrumental in the Lions getting the better of Western Province in a round three Currie Cup match at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday and afterwards his coach Johan Ackermann was full of praise.
“He’s just a great footballer and to perform at that level after being out of the game for some time (while with the Boks) shows you just how good he is,” said Ackermann. “He’s a great attacking player, but he’s also solid in other areas as well.”
Jantjies knocked over seven penalties for a haul of 21 points, but it was the danger he posed with ball in hand and his strong defence that caught the eye.
Bring back PDIVY!
@ superbokspringJan:
Oom Super, the truth is not hard to find re grass roots development mentioned by jj.maritz above.
Having been involved with a former “coloured” club in JHB for nearly 6 years, I can tell you that the total funding amount received from SARU in the community (including all schools and the club) amounted to a grand total of R 0.
F ALL, ziltch, niks, call it what you will.
SARU can place as many adverts on SuperSport as they want, but the glossy productions of intergrated school sports do not tell the whole picture.
Perhaps next time Hoskins is JHB he can venture out of his 8 room SUITE on the top floor of the Michaelangelo in Sandton and go and see the difficulties that clubs in “previously disadvanted areas” have to contend with.
Then again, it wouldn’t help ’cause he’d just lie about doing things to help the situation (as he did to my face previously) and would then just sit on his hands.
Oh, and by the way, the total received from the GLRU for development (above any normal club allowances) during the same time period also amounted to the same figure.
For a clear perspective on the potential of SA’s Rugby population I would suggest that anyone interested go and read the last chapter of Francois Pienaar’s autobiography, Rainbow Warrior.
loosehead @ 54
no
i miss strooili!
#56
ek dink nogal die huidige klomp bliksems makeer ñ kamp kaalp**l. sal sien hoe vinnig kom hulle reg!!
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