Having reviewed New Zealand, England , Australia and France, Cameron Gray continues looks at how the runners and riders are faring for RWC 2015 with South Africa.
2013 FORM
The Springboks took New Zealand to the brink at Ellis Park in an enthralling spectacle. Known for their conservative approach, South Africa cast aside the shackles somewhat in the search for a bonus point try which could have given them the Rugby Championship.
Only dropped two games this year, both to New Zealand, but they’re the masters at strangulation through their big and hostile forwards. Its unlikely much will change headed into 2015 given that their winning formula for years has been based on brutality and territory.
Having exited RWC 2011 at quarter final time courtesy of Australia Heyneke Meyer will be desperate to do well at the tournament. If his men play as hard as he sings the anthem South Africa should go a long way in RWC 2015.
Meyer drafted in Bakkies Botha to his team on their end of year tour and at 34 he could still make the cut for RWC 2015. History shows that you do need experienced men in your team if you want to win the tournament but at what cost? Fourie du Preez will be 33 at the tournament and Bryan Habana 32 if they both play on until then. Meyer will need to make astute and tough decisions to ensure his squad is bursting with enthusiasm rather than falling over the line in 2015.
KEY PLAYERS
Duane Vermeulen – this man can play the game. Puts 100 percent into everything and doesn’t mind popping up in the backline. Gave the final pass for Habana’s first try at Ellis Park versus New Zealand. A rugged customer who isn’t backward in coming forward.
Patrick Lambie hasn’t quite dominated the international stage as he would have liked but this kid has talent. Was the recipient of a forward pass from Jean de Villiers in the quarter final in RWC 2011 that would have led to a try and possibly victory if the pass was good. His skills don’t suit a conservative style but Meyer has gone on the record in saying he sees him as a key player leading into RWC 2015. Needs more minutes.
If Bismarck du Plessis can stay on the field until he’s subbed will be a colossus. His penchant to be at the centre of the centre of the battle has often cost him. Undoubtedly one of the most destructive forwards in the game but he’s probably worth as many points as he gives away. Needs to take a chill pill and calm down. Was unlucky with the first yellow at Eden Park but the second was madness, particularly for a player who’d already been issued a yellow that night.
STRATEGIC APPROACH
Territory – destruction – points. All in that order.
STRENGTHS
Where do you start?
Have shown they can play an expansive game – for sixty minutes, they need to get this closer to eighty.
Playing for territory with Morne kicking the goals has so often been the recipe for South African success. Definitely a game plan that holds up in the RWC kitchen but will need to do it well in the knockout stages.
Their young players like Siya Kolisi and Lambie will have had more experience by the time their RWC 2015 boarding passes are handed out which can only bode well for the knockout games.
Only played twelve games this year compared to Australia (15) and New Zealand (14) which should leave them fresher for 2014 and beyond.
WORK ONS
Hard to see them veering away from the kick, chase and destroy game, even if they did look spectacular at Ellis Park. This approach leaves them a tad predictable and easy to plan for. Their big forwards would probably prefer a more conservative approach.
If you match South Africa in the forwards, and that’s a big if, history has shown they can be beaten.
Teams will look to exploit their lack of mobility by playing to the edges and playing with pace.
2015 PREDICTION
Quarter finalist (This won’t make me popular with South African readers but a tough game versus Australia looms. Ewen McKenzie would have had two full seasons to move his team forward from where they are now.)
