While South Africa finished the year second in the world, and the only side in 2014 to defeated the All Blacks, their two losses at the end of the year against Ireland and Wales exposed deficiencies that will be studiously worked on by the coaching team.
One thing is for certain, there is likely to be some changes to the portfolio after Heyneke Meyer admitted that elements like the team’s kicking weren’t working, while the usually reliable power game of the Springboks wasn’t able to rule proceedings in Dublin and Cardiff.
They did however, during that 27-25 win at Ellis Park over New Zealand, show that they have the breakdown belligerence and attacking sense to match any side.
Even if four losses in their last eight of the year came seemed to come from a lack of crystal concise mindset than anything else, at times kicking, running or passing seemed to come without the smart bomb like precision we usually expect from a Boks team.
The good, bad and ugly of the year…
Good:
The squad depth increases, led by the continued rise of Handre Pollard and Pat Lambie, while South Africa’s typically fertile production line produces talent, even though this is creating some questions over which players may in fact be the Springboks best.
Bad:
For a team and nation that tolerates defeat with the same benevolence at their counterparts in New Zealand, losing two in Europe will be a blow to the psyche, as was the worst incident of all…
Ugly:
The sight of watching Springboks captain and totem Jean de Villiers be stretchered off was something no team needs to see. With an eight month rehabilitation window set, the mercurial centre is now in a race against the clock.
Best players: Victor Matfield showed his qualities as a rugby immortal by forcing his way back into national contention, playing among what is arguably the best back forward five in the business. Eben Etzebeth, Duane Vermeulen and Marcell Coetzee were at their abrasive best. JDV cannot be replaced but Jan Serfontein and Damian de Allende had strong seasons in the midfield.
Tactical overview: For a side that possesses some of the most menacing ball carriers, the occasional insistence to kick caused some head scratching, their aerial pressure game isn’t the same without Bryan Habana screaming down the flanks. When a team matches the Springboks physicality their options seem to drop dramatically. Expect some tweaks from Meyer and his brains trust.
Biggest strength: Rugby is too complex a game to be won by might alone, but when the South Africans find their rhythm and snort steam from their ears no one, not even the All Blacks, can withstand their brutal beauty.
Potential work-on: Consistent and dominant displays throughout the season weren’t as regular as some would like, while ‘with’ the ball, sometimes their work didn’t produce desired results. Low body position, ideal for clearing out bodies which the team excelled at, but it didn’t always present speedy ball for a side that didn’t have a first choice halfback for periods of the year.
Next season? The Springboks will set their sights high, and rightfully so, even if they, as it will be with most, be judged on the Rugby World Cup. Beating the All Blacks is one thing, but maintaining form to win half a dozen matches in Europe based on 2014 results looks to be beyond them without some changes.
This won’t cause the coaching team much alarm, Meyer usually has a solid record in the North, but the second best side in the world will want to bring some momentum in, either from Super Rugby or The Rugby Championship.
The injury to de Villiers is a concern, but the depth is there, while the combination of Pollard and Lambie will want to be matched with some equal class next to them wearing the nine jersey. The back end losses blemished the overall ledger, but the collective health and look of the side is potent and at their superlative finest will back their chances.
Hope you like the 4 “2014 International Season” Articles… a very short and sweet summary of the year.
Not the best of seasons, not the worst of seasons.
Pretty average in the end of it all, but our average is slightly better than most sides (barring the All Blacks) would consider a successful year.
I would rather have beaten the Welsh and Irish and lost by a small margin to NZ than the other way around.
Nice photo above of Ritchie handing Sweet Jean a bottle of OBiKWA sparkling wine.
@ Loosehead:
Things are evening up Loosie.
Going to be a very tight Rugby WC.
All Blacks scraped through a couple of very tough games up North. Aussies not so lucky, as were SA. Argentina on the rise.
The Good, the bad and the downright Ugly………………..
The Good……………………….Bakkies has retired from International Duty. (Mothers around the World, give a huge sigh of relief.)
The Bad…………………………Home Team TV Broadcasters are beginning to influence the outcome of Test Matches.
The Ugly………………………..I know, I am not the most attractive person in the world……………………….but don’t stone the messenger.
@ cane:
“The Bad…………………………Home Team TV Broadcasters are beginning to influence the outcome of Test Matches.”
Caner, don’t you know that you are not allowed to say that here?
@ nortie:
Nick Mallet said it,
Voldy (Keo) said it,
Jonny Kaplan said it.
I am in fine company Nortie.
😕
And if I am no mistaken…………………………………………………..Nortie said it. 😀
Pieterman takes a ride in Pops cab, circa 1983:
8 @ cane:
Yes they did, but surely they to are wrong?
Beating the AB’s sometimes clouds the judgement, the euphoria is just too great.
cane wrote:
Well, we know he is wrong 😆
@ nortie:
NONE of us are ever wrong Nortie.
We just see things differently sometimes.
13 @ cane:
Very differently at times
Hahahahahaha the Korporaal didn’t have much to say about it when we played the All Blacks at Eden Park last year.
Not a word.
😆
And might I just say kudos to certain Stormers forwards putting in the hard yards on a public holiday.
😆
What is with the dot on Victors forehead in the photo above.
Is he Hindu?
17 @ cane:
No, seems he’s growing a cyclops eye, like you… hahaha
gunther wrote:
I had a lot to say, but it was a completely different scenario.
Poite asked for a replay, and got it, then got the call wrong.
That’s a different scenario to a ref seeing play live, not seeing anything wrong, then during a break the play is shown numerous times over the big screen, invoking the ire of home supporters, and then the ref after being swayed by the repeated showing of the footage and the calls from the home supporters, goes against his initial gut feel.
I know it’s complicated for you to understand, and I’m sorry I can’t explain it with pop up pictures so you might understand, but hang in there sunshine 😆
@ nortie
Bullshit.
They replayed the hit before he even asked for it.
They have been doing it in Pongoland for ages.
As they have at Twickers.
Don’t start getting above yourself station just because you’ve joined the private sector.
Once a plod always a plod.
😆
@ gunther:
And I am against it whether the producer in Pongoland, Twickenham or Jo’burg influences the outcome. At least I have an actual opinion about it. To brush it under the carpet just because it gave us a win over the AB’s doesn’t make it right.
But, having ones own opinion is not something you are too familiar with, is it? 😆
Easier to latch onto those opinions of others and then just insult those that differ.
@ gunther:
Agreed on the replays issue.
The NZ media deliberately blow up any incident that can be used to stir up crowd and ref opinion in their favour and never ever show any replays of their own team doing anything wrong.
It’s an old trick and they use it well.
We should learn from this.
Sometimes our biggest fault is that we try to be too respectful of the touring/away teams assuming that the same thing will apply when we play there, which is obviously never going to happen.
@ nortie:
Like I said you only started moaning about it after the New Zealand test.
Don’t confuse having an opinion with being a whiny twat.
You are always bleating about something.
😆
@ Stormersboy:
Indeed.
Unless you are whinger and an apologist.
😆
That mark on Victor’s fave looks suspiciously like a kiwi stud mark.
😆
@ gunther:
Of course….like you whining like a girl with a wet pants when the Bulls were getting klapped at Newlands.
Rich coming from you
@ nortie:
I remarked on it at the time.
Whining is carrying on about it six months later.
Like yourself.
Twat.
Speaking of the Bulls getting klapped….
Pierre and Flip’s whiney “please buy our season tickets” radio promo must be one of the more desperate things the Bulls have done lately.
And also speaking of teh Bulls getting klapped….
I see the opening game of the S15 will have the Stormers (Champions elect for 2015) facing the Bulls at “Vol Belfotes” for their opening game.
Lets get a crowd together, whaddaya say??
@ Stormersboy:
Very irritating ad that, even the Steve ads are better.
Sounds like a plan, always nice being at Loftus when the Stormers/WP win
@ Stormersboy:
That’s your fault for living in Pretoria.
😆
I’ve seen some of the Stormers forwards putting in the extra yards looking focussed.
😆
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