The International season is done for the Southern Hemisphere and for Springbok rugby for 2014 and the only rugby of real importance left for us southern rugby junkies, are the 2 remaining HSBC Sevens World Series Tournaments in 2014 – the Dubai Sevens this coming weekend and the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens Tournament the week thereafter.
In the meantime the Southern Hemisphere Super Rugby sides are extremely busy with their preparation work, conditioning and getting ready for Super Rugby 2015.
The question is, what has the Springboks learnt from the year of 2014 and from the End Of Year Tour?
Will we see a total change of tack and a move away from the high-ball kick and chase bombs from the Springboks? Very few International Tests remain before the start of the Rugby World Cup 2015 (18 September 2015) in England, however a full season of Super Rugby and the abbreviated Rugby Championship still loom in 2015 before the World Cup starts.
Is that enough time to put things right as far as the Springboks are concerned and is there enough time left to find critical answers in the midfield as well as cementing selections in other toublesome positions, like the front row props?
The other lingering question is who will capatin the Springboks, should Jean de Villiers’ injury be serious enough to keep him out of The Rugby Championship and the Rugby World Cup? Will it be Fourie du Preez or Victor Matfield or perhaps Adriaan Strauss or Bismarck du Plessis – only time will tell but with Victor Matfield already having acted as Vice-Captain in 2014 and specifically on the End Of Year Tour, surely he has to be regarded as the favourite at this stage!
Lessons learnt:
SuperSport reports that South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer is not going to hit the panic button despite suffering a second November tour defeat when they went down 12-6 to Wales on Saturday.
The Springboks also lost to Ireland in Dublin, although they responded by beating England at Twickenham, and then Italy.
In a game in which South Africa had overseas-based players unavailable because it fell outside the test window, Meyer said his side had not had sufficient strength in depth.
“I know we are much better than this. All credit to Wales, they played well, but this being the fourth game on tour, and with some players unavailable, it was always going to be tough and we were always going to be under pressure.
“Every single loss you have to look in the mirror but, saying that, we always knew our depth was going to be under pressure, a lot of youngsters coming from the bench today.
“You don’t want to use that as an excuse but you have to have these games, outside of the window. We said we wanted to play this game with a lot of youngsters to see what they can do. But it’s never great to lose,” he added.
Meyer said the defeat for South Africa, who could meet Wales in the World Cup quarterfinals if they both get out of the pool stage, would have no bearing if they met in the tournament.
“I still believe we’re on the right track and I believe we can win it (the World Cup),” he said. “Usually we have a very experienced bench come on to help win the game for us. But it won’t have any bearing on the World Cup.
“We have a lot of great players to come back – we’ll have an unbelievably strong squad. We’ll be well prepared.
“We’ve learned a hell of lot (on tour). You have to lose games unfortunately and you have to learn from that. We learned a lot of things after (defeat) by Ireland, and against England.”
Death of the high bomb:
Rugby365 reports that Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer says that he might have to change tactics after another costly yellow card conceded under a high ball.
The visitors went down 12-6 to Wales on Saturday in a tryless match at the Millenium Stadium to finish the year with a whimper having lost two matches in Europe under Meyer.
Wing Cornal Hendricks was sent to the sin bin in the 63rd minute after competing for an up-and-under, which left them with little chance of overhauling the home side.
This was very similar to what happened in the Boks’ other defeat on this tour against Ireland in Dublin, when hooker Adriaan Strauss was sent to the sidelines and Meyer said that he would have to consider whether kicking and competing for the high ball is worthwhile going forward.
“We said we have to learn from this and we have to look hard and see where we can go from here.
“We need to look at our tactics, I don’t know if it is worthwhile going in the air anymore because it is always a 50/50. We are very big on discipline and in the Rugby Championship we gave away the fewest yellow cards,” he said.
Meyer admitted that the loss of Hendricks effectively signalled the end of their chances of winning the game, and added that the lack of clarity on what is legal when competing in the air is problematic.
“The yellow card for Cornal was probably the end of it because we were six points behind and needed to attack but you have to go into defensive mode.
“I am not saying it ws the wrong decision and I am not saying that we lost because of that, but it is a grey area in the game I believe.
“We play by the laws and we work really hard on that, the referee is always right.
“Up in the air it is always going to be a 50/50, it is not for me to decide so in future we might have to let the guy go down and then tackle him but worldwide everybody goes up for the ball and I think it is a grey area that they need to sort out in the game,” he explained.
Meyer said that his team had been frustrated by the quality of possssion they had on attack and simply made too many errors to caitalise on their opportunities.
“The main thing we find is that in the northern hemisphere we don’t get quick ball and it is frustrating at times when we are on the front foot and don’t get quick ball
“It is obviously very disappointing, I always said that our character and depth was going to be tested. We always knew it was going to be tough and I just think in the end there were too many mistakes,” he said.
Who will capatin the Bokke?
Sport24 reports that Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez are the favourties to captain the Springboks if Jean de Villiers fails to recover in time for next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The 2015 Rugby World Cup only starts in September, but De Villiers’s injury appears to be so serious that it could force him to miss the showpiece event.
In that case, Matfield appears to be the favourite for captain, while Du Preez is also a candidate.
Other likely candidates are Adriaan Strauss and Bismarck du Plessis.
The 37-year-old Matfield has made a stellar return to rugby this year and captained the Boks when De Villiers was injured at the start of the Test season.
Du Preez has been sidelined with an ankle injury but should be back in action next year.
“Fourie could also be captain. I hope he’s going to be fit for the World Cup, because we’ll definitely need him if Jean is not going to be there,” Meyer said.
@ Stormersboy:
He has the talent. He just needs to believe in himself.
Interesting take on 2016’s Super Rugby. Its simple, and definitely not as convoluted as the current SANZAR proposal.
@ Lion4ever:
Oops. Here is the link:
http://www.futureofsuperrugby.com/
Lion4ever wrote:
I have always thought that Elton has one of the most complete games of any 10 in SA. He handles well, takes the ball up better than anyone, and his kicking game used to be great. He lost confidence during his Stormers stint and hasn’t looked the same since. Who knows, its not as if any other 10 has made the position his own…..
Stormersboy wrote:
😆
Well fARK Frankie Steyn has lost 10 kgs in Japan ( that’s like an entire Sormers Backline player) and has lost his appetite and rediscovered his hunger.
Let’s throw him into the pot.
😆
@ Lion4ever:
Excellent video
Saw this on the message board over at RuggaWorld:
“Jacques(Bunny) : We are shocked to hear the news that ’95 Springbok Hannes Strydom is in ICU after a hijacking yesterday… from @BallzRadio”
Here we are:
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/Ex-Bok-in-ICU-after-hijacking-20141202
19 @ MacroBok:
He would also have to start playing very soon to get back into shape and find a team to play for.
Hi MacroBok, if you are suggesting bringing Johan Muller out of retirement I think you will find a lot of groans around of not another oldie
@ Bullscot:
haha oh gosh I thought he was still playing for Ulster 😳
22 @ MacroBok:
Will there be no warm up matches ahead of the World Cup for the Boks? Some of the teams here have about 4 arranged (if I’m correct) but I suppose that is because there is a bit of a gap between 6 Nations ending and World Cup starting with no summer tours in between next year.
40 @ MacroBok:
Ah ok, no worries, he retired at the end of last season up here, maybe the Boks didn’t use enough once he had left SA, initially I wasn’t that impressed with him but as time went on he seemed to play better and was a really good captain both on and off the field for Ulster in the end.
@ Bullscot:
We only have a warm up vs Argentina, but we also have the Rugby Championship leading to the world cup
Johan Muller.
Let’s not reach for the lifeboats just yet.
😆
Make Thor captain
Shit one about Hannes Strydom. Hope they get the fuckers. That’s my backyard.
@ Stormersboy:
Time for them to say hello to your little friend.
ohann Muller is not the answer. We have a bunch of players better than him, but the problem is that they are not getting Springbok game time and you cant go the wc with too many inexperienced players. I rate Paul Botha but he needs a good season. PSDT shpuld play at 5 this year, see how it goes . great partnership with Eben He could form a
gunther wrote:
Exactly. Both my friends, Mr Smith and Mr Wesson.
Hello fellas & flatties,
Today was a funeral day for me.
My lovely old Stepmom had a good 80 years…
But damn, is it just me or do you guys also think that funerals are becoming so hollow & empty these days… as if we almost don’t even cherish and revere those who go.
Promise me, when I go one day, aged 145 or more hopefully… that you guys will all wear your rugby shirts and caps, watch rugby and have a blast on me that day… and have a few toots dedicated to me!!
I will chase you ALL in your dreams if you don’t!
Actually I have a Remington semi auto shotgun that would be perfect for the job No ballistic evidence…
@ Stormersboy:
This got out of hand. I only mentioned muller as an option with the other number 5 locks. Seeing as he is retired there will be no ways he will play.
The problem is that guys like psdt is not getting game time due tonconstantly being injured.
MacroBok wrote:
I know.
grootblousmile wrote:
Tough day for you mate.
To be honest i would rather have a drink WITH my mates when they are alive than drink to them when they are not.
😉
@ grootblousmile:
HAVE A DRINK(QUIETLY AND RESPECTFULLY)TO HER MEMORY.
54 @ Stormersboy:
True…
But I’d also like to be remembered for the fun I had, the zest for life… the dedication… and the real me. The one who drinks far too much condensed milk, enjoyed jeagie bombs & tequilas and really enjoyed my rugby.
Anyway, enough of the somber shit… the funeral was there in your neck of the woods, from NG Church Lynnwood, burial at Pretoria East Cemetry.
Damn, think I should hastily do a PUB NIGHT thread… what will I dedicate it to? Something like: “PUB NIGHT: Thanks for the memories – comedy and music night”
Actually I am sitting in a pub at the Valley of 1000 hills as we speak having a (few) drinks on all of you at the moment…….
@ Stormersboy:
57 So why didn,t you say.? I would have lumbered out of my
chair to share a dram with you.
Typical arrogant Stormer.
@ grootblousmile:
Please.No pub night before at least 2 days reflection on the
ladies life.
So Thursday it is???
Stormersboy wrote:
On the contrary they can, especially with a semi auto
You leave the empty shell behind, the can compare the fired primer for toolmarks and match it to your firing pin
Use a double barrel or a pump and keep the empties, that way they have no link
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