Springboks Grind Out A Win

There was little to enthuse about in the tedium of South Africa’s 24-13 win over an injury-depleted Argentina to secure the World Cup third place, with the Springboks adhering stubbornly to their low-risk game plan. It came down to grinding out a victory that had even their own supporters in the crowd resorting, sadly, to booing their conservative tactics long after the win was assured.

Heyneke Meyer will believe the mission for the day was to earn a bronze medal in whatever manner, and they did that, albeit in an uninspired performance with no innovation and minimal enterprise, and with a group of players in the World Cup squad having continued to play a negligible role in the campaign. 

Winning only 35 per cent possession and 37 per cent territory (32 and 31 per cent respectively in the second half), and beating a mere 17 defenders to Argentina’s 32 defenders beaten, the Boks did manage to score two tries to one. A win is a win in the Meyer school of thinking, but there was nothing inspirational and little absorbing in a performance with multiple errors.

The bigger picture question is whether the Springboks have made any significant or substantial progress during Meyer’s four years at the helm.

With four of their best backs (Hernandez, Bosch, Imhoff, Tuculet) and four key forwards (Creevy, Ayerza, Matera, Senatore) not playing, Los Pumas were unlikely to beat the Boks, but they gave it a full go. They were hammered in the penalty count by referee John Lacey, whom they may believe officiated inaccurately and inconsistently.

In the end, the Boks beat the Pumas comfortably enough, but in one of the least memorable games of RWC 2015.

A few Springbok talking points:

*   Other than kicking at goal, the Bok kick execution was again poor – tactical kicking, relief kicking, and even penalty kicks for touch were yet again weak.

*   While flat-footed defenders got beaten a few times, commendations go to Eben Etzebeth for a remarkable 22 tackles, and to Francois Louw for 18, Frans Malherbe for 17, and Duane Vermeulen and Victor Matfield 16 each.

*   Bryan Habana tried desperately to score a record breaking try, but it was not his night, with unusual errors in skill. It was an anti-climactic conclusion to a wonderful Test career.

*   Schalk Burger gave another vintage performance in what looks to be his final Test.

*   Etzebeth and Malherbe and Jesse Kriel showed again they could be Bok stalwarts for the next decade.

*   Rudy Paige being sent on as a sub in the 78^th minute epitomised what must have been an utterly frustrating tournament for him, as exasperating as for Siya Kolisi, Lwazi Mvovo, Zane Kirchner, Schalk Brits, Morné Steyn, Coenie Oosthuizen, and for the under-utilised Pat Lambie and Pieter-Steph du Toit.

*   We all now await with bated breath SARU’s decision on Heyneke Meyer’s future – reappointment for another four years, or a new coach to rejuvenate Springbok rugby?