Following 5 defeats in this year’s Tri-Nations by the most experienced side ever, how is it that the Boks are on a learning curve?

After the latest debacle in Bloemfontein where the Boks where beaten 41-39 by the Wallabies, and had to hand back their Mandela plate title, it’s surprising how the most experienced Bok side ever fielded, have not endured more criticism for being unable to close out the match when the Wallabies had to play most of the last 10 minutes with only 14 men.

After the match Springbok loosehead prop Gurthro Steenkamp said, “We can take everything this whole tri-nations as a learning curve, put it behind us and move forward.”

The full interview can be seen below courtesy of Supersport.





I struggle to comprehend what learning curve this Bok side needs to be on.

Every single player in the starting line-up has either won the Rugby World Cup or the Super 14 competition. Add to that most of them have won Tri-Nations, Currie Cups, multiple Super 14′s and a British and Irish Lions series.

It was the most experienced Bok side ever fielded. Why the need for a learning curve? Shouldn’t they know what and how to win?

The Wallabies by comparison are a young and inexperienced side and have had massive injury problems to many key players. They certainly learned a lesson pretty quickly from Loftus.

I am not having a go at Steenkamp, who is probably just repeating what is being said by the entire side. What I am having a go at is a side that keeps giving us excuses, fails to learn, and is alienating their supporters further and further every game.

It’s taken 47 years, but the Wallabies finally broke their run of 12 successive losses on South Africa’s Highveld.

Victorious Australian side

The Australians 41-39 victory was only sealed in the last minute with a Kurtley Beale penalty, but it is the mental victory that will hurt the Boks the most.

The Australians have played 18 previous matches on the Highveld, only winning twice. Firstly in 1933 in Bloemfontein, and 1963 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

The Aussies are spooked by the Highveld, usually basing themselves at sea level for their preparations, and more importantly, had not won at altitude since South Africa’s readmission or in the professional era.

The Boks had a mental edge, and only ever have to play at 40% at altitude to beat them. Even Harry Viljoen’s and Rudolf Straeuli’s sides didn’t lose to Australia on the ‘veld’.

That has all changed, and there is no covering up how ordinary the Boks have been this year.

Coach Peter de Villiers deserves to be fired for sub-standard results and if he truly believed in what was best for his side he’d resign.

The Springboks also lost their first test in Bloemfontein since losing 27-22 to England in 2000, losing just their 4th match in the city.





After the match Springbok prop Gurthro Steenkamp said, “I don’t think there will be any mental scars. We must give Australia their dues, they scored some great tries in the first half and cut us to pieces. But there’s no mental effect.”

However this victory was more significant than just the Mandela plate or avoiding the Tri-Nations wooden spoon.

It’s broken a long drought, and the self-belief and confidence it gives future Wallabies will be enormous.

de Villiers has the distinction of some unenviable records.  He’s now the first Bok coach to lose at altitude to the Wallabies in the modern era.

Following the Springboks 41-39 loss to the Wallabies, the Springbok Coach and Captain attempted to explain where it went wrong.

Captain John Smit said his side only had themselves to blame for the loss, “Everyone knows here we have players with experience. I told all the players that we have to get up tomorrow and have a good long hard look at ourselves in the mirror and see if we’ve brought everything we have got to the team” said a disappointed Smit.

Smit admitted he thought the side had it won once Saia Faingaa was yellow carded, and the most expereienced Bok side of all time should have been good enough to close this match out.

Smit also admitted it was disappointing to have to  have the same team talk at half time as the match at Loftus, and felt Jaque Fourie’s try just before half-time had kept them in the match.

“I really didn’t want to have the same team talk in the first half. We wanted to have a good start but we didn’t implement our defensive system properly. While we trained well all week, we made mistakes and we paid the price. We wanted to put in a decent performance but we only have ourselves to blame” said Smit.

Whilst Smit was honest in his assessment of the Boks shortcomings, it was worrying to hear Springbok coach Peter de Villiers once again fail to admit his side’s shortcomings as he said “If you look at how we started this one, I think we showed character to come back. Our structures are in place and they can take us to World Cup if executed properly.”

“If we execute our plans perfectly, it will be very difficult to score against us. We needed to show more character on defence” said de Villiers.

Well duh…if any side can execute their plans they’ll win. The problem is for 5 game the Boks haven’t been able to execute adequately whilst the opposition has.

Smit also said, “I told all the players that we have to get up tomorrow and have a good long hard look at ourselves in the mirror and see if we’ve brought everything we have got to the team.” He’d do well to make sure he reminds his coaching staff of that fact!

The Springboks were a mixture of the sublime to the ridiculous as they lost 41-39 to the Wallabies at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Springboks 39

Tries: Jaque Fourie, Gurthro Steenkamp, Jean de Villiers
Conversions: Morne Steyn (3)
Penalties: Morne Steyn (5)

Wallabies 41

Tries: Kurtley Beale, James O`Connor, Stephen Moore, Rocky Elsom, Drew Mitchell
Conversions: Matt Giteau (4), James O’Connor
Penalties: Matt Giteau, Kurtley Beale


The Springboks were awful on defence initially, conceding a bonus point try after just 24 minutes.

The Boks then put up a strong fightback and second half performance before failing to put the Wallabies away, once the Wallabies were against the ropes.

Collectively and individually, the Boks were a mixed bag. One can’t help but feel that half the side is carrying the other half, and it has tended to be the same guys producing strong performances all season.

Springbok player ratings:

1. Gurtho Steenkamp – 8

Another determined performance from the front ranker. Took his try extremely well. displaying the determination and commitment missing from his teammates.

2. John Smit (c) – 7

His best performance of the season as the captain worked hard and led from the front. Earned a valuable tighthead, and carried the ball willingly, although initally didn’t make enough yardage across the gainline, got stronger as the match opened up. Not sure what happened with the lineout error that led to O’Connor’s try.

3. Jannie du Plessis – 5

Made some strong tackles, and solid at scrum time.

4. Danie Rossouw – 5

Inaccurate at times with ball in hand, failing to protect the ball or get across the gain line. Unable to adequately replace Bakkies Botha.

5. Victor Matfield – 9

A colosus all over the park. Brilliant on Bok ball in the lineouts, but strangely didn’t contest much on Aussie ball.

Was superb in picking up with one hand and executing a chip and chase any back would be proud of to get the Boks back in the match. Superb vision and skills all around the park.

However did he blunder as captain once Smit left the field when opting for the kick at goal in the last few minutes when a kick to the corner may have led to a winning try?

6. Schalk Burger – 5

Was not able to effect 1 steal and allowed Pocock to win the battle of the breakdown. Industrious on attack but rarely breaks the gainline which is just not good enough.

7. Juan Smith – 7

Does the bulk of the work for the loose trio on attack and defence. Missed an easy ball from Fourie’s break that should’ve led to a Bok try in the first half, but half-atoned for it with a great cover tackle on Matt Giteau.

8. Pierre Spies – 5

Much better with ball in hand initially, stepping intelligently to get the Boks going forward.

Became less of a threat as the match wore on, and anonymous on defence.

9. Francois Hougaard – 6

Unable to repeat his man of the match performance from a week earlier. His service was slower, and kicks from the base not quite accurate enough. However his decision making wasn’t as sharp at Loftus which blunted his attacking edge.

10. Morne Steyn – 8

Kicked superbly, keeping the Boks in the game with his 100% record. Took the ball to the line on numerous occasions and defended well for a strong all-round performance.

11. Bryan Habana – 1

Started off poorly giving away an easy penalty and never got into the game. Missed the tackle that allowed James O’Connor to set up Rocky Elsom’s try and should have been subbed much earlier.

12. Jean de Villiers – 8

Showed great strength to crash through 5 Wallaby defenders to score. Solid on defence and always a threat on attack.

13. Jaque Fourie – 6

Had one great run midway through the first half as he ran 50m upfield, but perhaps should have looked to outflank the Wallabies rather than opt to go down the middle. Offered little else on attack, and doesn’t bring his back three into the game.

14. JP Pietersen – 5

Had one chance on attack but unable to repeat his heroics of a week earlier.

15. Francois Steyn – 5

Poor positional play. Offers very little on attack and still hesitates as last line of defence. Needs to look for more work and join the line more often.

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle – 5

Unable to create the impact at the breakdowns of a week earlier.

17. CJ van der Linde – 5

Minimal impact, and unable to carry the ball strongly like he has in the past.

18. Flip van der Merwe – 5

Minimal impact. Gave away the penalty that allowed Kurtley Beale the match winning kick.

19. Ryan Kankowski – 5

Very little chance with ball in hand.

20. Ricky Januarie –

Not used

21. Juan de Jongh –

Not used.

22. Gio Aplon – 6

Minimal chances, but showed he is always a threat with his pace and running skills. Displayed great courage on defence, including stopping a Wallaby attack when they had an overlap on his wing.

Man of the Match – Gurthro Steenkamp

Had a strong work rate over the full 80, and for the second week in a row was rewarded with a great try that typifies the hard work he has put in this year. Has been consistent all year and developed into the player that had raw potential a few years ago. A pity some of his teammates haven’t done the same!

Power Player – Juan Smith

Like Steenkamp, Smith puts in a consistent effort over the full 80. On attack and defence Smith soliders on and on. Makes the odd mistake like droped balls, but simply puts it behind him and carries on again. Has been the rock in the loose trio over the last few weeks, doing the hard yards that Burger and Spies are often absent from.

The Wallabies were deserved victors 41-39 over the Springboks in their Tri-Nations test at Bloemfontein

Springboks 39

Tries: Jaque Fourie, Gurthro Steenkamp, Jean de Villiers
Conversions: Morne Steyn (3)
Penalties: Morne Steyn (5)

Wallabies 41

Tries: Kurtley Beale, James O`Connor, Stephen Moore, Rocky Elsom, Drew Mitchell
Conversions: Matt Giteau (4), James O’Connor
Penalties: Matt Giteau, Kurtley Beale

WALLABIES DOMINATED EARLY

In what was almost a replay of the opening at Loftus just 7 days earlier, the Boks fell behind early as they conceded a bonus point try (again) after just 24 minutes.

The match was fairly even, but the Wallabies capitalised on their chances better, and errors from the Boks continued to gift the Australians points.

The Boks defended well for extended periods before one or two vital missed tackles allowed the Wallabies to finish off attacking forays and build a commanding 31-6 lead.

The Wallabies then had numerous opportunities to score what I believe would have been a match sealing try, but just came up short as the Boks finally displayed some desperation on defence.

BOK COMEBACK

With half-time looming, it took a brilliant pickup, and chip and chase from Victor Matfield to allow Jaque Fourie to narrow the gap and give the Boks a sniff at the half-time break.

The Boks dominated the third quarter of the match, as it was one way traffic with the crowd and momentum firmly behind the Boks.

Closing the gap to 1 point with 26 minutes to play, the Boks had the game for the taking.

It took a further 7 minutes for the Boks to edge ahead, and the green machine seemed to lose it’s intensity as the contest started to become more even again after the Wallabies looked dead and buried.

The sinbinning of Saia Faingaa, should have allowed the Boks to cruise to an easy victory as altitude and playing with 14 players took effect.

IT WASN’T BEALE’S KICK THAT WON IT FOR THE WALLABIES

Many will lament a last minute penalty that won the test and the Mandela Challenge plate for the Wallabies, but that’s not where the game was won and lost.

The Springboks had engineered a most unlikely fightback. 30 Unanswered points gave them all the momentum, and the age old conservatism that dogs Springbok rugby re-surfaced.

Rather than going for the win, for the killer blow when the Wallabies were down on the ropes, the Boks boxed unintelligently.

Penalties in the 61st and 76th minutes gave the Boks a narrow lead. Indeed some would say you always take the points on offer in a test match.

A try in either situation would’ve knocked the stuffing out of the Aussies.

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE

Compare this to the Bulls approach earlier this year. In their match against the Hurricanes at Loftus, the Bulls were 1 point ahead and had a kickable penalty with minutes remaining.

Matfield opted for the kick to touch to deny the Hurricanes a chance to get their hands on the ball and maintain field position.

Had the Boks done the same, and scored a try with their 76nd min penalty, they would’ve won the game.

Sometimes to win, you have to risk losing. Fortune favours the brave, on this occasion the Boks weren’t brave enough.

INCONSISTENT TEAM EFFORT

The Springbok player ratings for Bloemfontein reflect the inconsistent individual performances across the team.

Some players are carrying others who are either grossly out of form, or just not able to compete at this level.

As John Smit said a week earlier, this sort of rugby will not allow them to win next year’s Rugby World Cup!

Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir is interviewed by Supersport ahead of the clash against Australia in Bloemfontein.

Muir discusses how the Boks were able to come back and the role that self-belief played by the experienced guys.

He also talks about the Wallaby approach and the threat of their game breakers.

Springbok assistant coach Gary Gold is interviewed by Supersport ahead of the clash against Australia in Bloemfontein.

Gold discusses the omission of a fetcher and how the Boks can cope at the breakdowns.

He also shows how highly he regards Bok captain John Smit, and discusses what position he should be playing.

The Springboks and Wallabies are fighting to avoid the Tri-Nations wooden spoon, and lift the Mandela Challenge plate.

Wins for the Wallabies in their final two matches would see them relegated from final position, and a morale boosting second spot.

To do so they’ll have to win at altitude for the first time in the professional era, and break a 47 year drought on the highveld.

HIGHVELD ADVANTAGE

In the 18 Matches played on the highveld between the 2 sides, the Wallabies have only ever won twice. The last time was 47 years ago at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

The Wallabies have won 1 of the 3 encounters in Bloemfontein, however that victory was 77 years ago!

The Boks have yet to lose a test to Australia on the highveld since re-admission, and the only places they have lost home test matches to the Wallabies in this period is on the coast, at Durban and Cape Town.

It’s a strange decision by the Wallabies to base themselves at sea level, this week they are in Durban. They will only travel to Bloemfontein on Thursday. I would imagine the Wallabies will once again run out of puff, and provided the Springboks can at least stay close, they should be able to overpower the Aussies in the last quarter of the match.

MILESTONES

The 71st Test match between the two sides, and their 34th Vodacom Tri-Nations match with South Africa leading 42-28, and 18-14 respectively.

Since 1992 that record stands at 21-20 to Australia.

A total of 750 caps among the starting XV makes this the most experienced Springbok side of all time. The previous record was the 700 caps shared by the starting XV for the Test against New Zealand in Wellington earlier in the tournament.

Victor Matfield plays his 42nd Tri-Nations match, makeing him the 2nd highest capped player in the tournament behind George Gegan (48).

The Boks have played the Wallabies 3 times in Bloemfontein, for 2 wins and 1 loss and an average winning score of 16-14.

The Wallabies have only ever won twice on the highveld, 1933 in Bloemfontein, and 1963 at Ellis Park.

The Springboks have played 17 times in Bloemfontein, winning on 13 occasions, drawing once and losing just three times.
Their average score is 27-16.

South Africa hasn’t lost a Test match at Vodacom Park since 2000 when it was edged out 27-22 by England.

John Smit leads the side for the 76th time, and for the 28th time in the Tri-Nations making him the most capped cpatin in the competition.

If John Smit scores a try, he will be equal the Springbok try scoring record for hookers in a test match, held by James Dalton and Bismarck du Plessis (5).

Bryan Habana is currently tied for the most Springbok test tries (38) with Joost van der Westhuizen.

Jaque Fourie and Jean de Villiers will play in their 22nd test as a centre pairing since their first test together in 2005 against Australia at Ellis Park, extending their Springbok record as a centre pairing.

Wayne Barnes of England will officiate as referee in his sixth Test match involving South Africa. Of the previous five tests South Africa have won three and lost two.

TEAM SELECTION

Springbok coack Peter de Villiers predictably kept changes to a minimum after his sides first win in this tournament.

Flip van der Merwe and Danie Rossouw trade places after van der Merwe needed time for a neck strain to recover, whilst what looks like a serious shoulder injury to Butch
James brings Gio Aplon onto the bench in his place.

It’s time for this Bok side to show what it can given the largely settled nature of the side and ability to make excuses gone.

WALLABY CHANGES

Australian coach Robbie Deans has made 3 changes to his forward pack, opting for bigger, more physical men to match the size of the Boks.

“All three of the players coming into the pack will offer us energy. They know what to expect and – perhaps even more importantly – know what is required in order to be successful” Deans says.

The opening stanza at Loftus showed that the Wallabies can take the game to the Boks, and by reacting to the Boks lineup, they are trying to take the Springboks on at their own game.

That is a recipe for their disaster, and I suspect they’ve already lost the game before it is played. Add to that the decision to base themselves down at sea-level, and it’s evident the mind games have the Wallabies spooked.

PREDICTION

The game is probably as good as over. The Wallabies won on South African soil in 2008 to take the Mandela plate, but at altitude, with this squad, I can’t see them getting close.

The Boks will be looking for a massive performance before the core of the side earns a rest.

Scrum half Francois Hougaard gave an indication of how important a big win is for the Boks in their last Tri-Nations test. “I don’t think we’re going for 17-10, we want to crush them this time” said Hougaard.

If the Boks get away to a good start it could get ugly, otherwise it’ll remain close until the last quarter similar to Loftus.

Boks by 11

Go Bokke Go!

Springboks:

1. Gurtho Steenkamp
2. John Smit (c)
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Danie Rossouw
5. Victor Matfield
6. Schalk Burger
7. Juan Smith
8. Pierre Spies
9. Francois Hougaard
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bryan Habana
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Jaque Fourie
14. JP Pietersen
15. Francois Steyn

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle
17. CJ van der Linde
18. Flip van der Merwe
19. Ryan Kankowski
20. Ricky Januarie
21. Juan de Jongh
22. Gio Aplon

The Wallabies:

1. Benn Robinson
2. Saia Faingaa
3. Salesi Ma’afu
4. Dean Mumm
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Rocky Elsom (c)
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Matt Giteau
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. James O’Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Stephen Moore
17. James Slipper
18. Ben McCalman
19. Scott Higginbotham
20. Luke Burgess
21. Berrick Barnes
22. Anthony Faingaa

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

The Wallaby side for the Tri-Nations and Nelson Mandela Plate clash to be played at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Australians have made 3 changes to their forward pack as they look to match the Springboks physicality. It may limit their mobility slightly, and play into the hands of the Boks however who would prefer a slower, more structured game.

The Wallabies:

1. Benn Robinson
2. Stephen Moore
3. Salesi Ma’afu
4. Mark Chisholm
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Rocky Elsom (c)
7. David Pocock
8. Ben McCalman
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Matt Giteau
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. James O’Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Saia Faingaa
17. James Slipper
18. Dean Mumm
19. Richard Brown
20. Luke Burgess
21. Berrick Barnes
22. Anthony Faingaa

The Springboks resisted the temptation to make major changes for their last Tri-Nations encounter against the Wallabies in Bloemfontein.

With little riding on this game other than the Mandela challenge plate, Bok coach Peter de Villiers could have used this opportunity to test some players at International level, given that so much of the Bok focus has been placed on the World Cup.

Instead we have largely the same side, even though de Villiers has said many of his more experienced players are tired and need a rest.

In Smit, Matfield and Habana, de Villiers knows he has. Why not test some new players?

The Springbok coach sees it differently, preferring to focus on his responsibility to field the strongest side for the nation.

There are 2 changes which see Flip van der Merwe and Danie Rossouw change their posittions between the bench and starting lineup due to Flip van der Merwe straining his neck in the test match at Loftus Versfeld, and being given extra rest time.

The other change brings Gio Aplon on to the bench for Butch James who has dislocated his shoulder and will be sidelined for several weeks. James is seeing a specialist in Pretoria, and until then the full extent of the damage is unknown.

This is the side that was named on Tuesday at the press conference.

Springboks:

1. Gurtho Steenkamp
2. John Smit (c)
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Danie Rossouw
5. Victor Matfield
6. Schalk Burger
7. Juan Smith
8. Pierre Spies
9. Francois Hougaard
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bryan Habana
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Jaque Fourie
14. JP Pietersen
15. Francois Steyn

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle
17. CJ van der Linde
18. Flip van der Merwe
19. Ryan Kankowski
20. Ricky Januarie
21. Juan de Jongh
22. Gio Aplon