The Springboks at the Rugby World Cup

[Lee Grant]

The Springboks at the Rugby World Cup

Use the Pool match thread for discussion of the Bok games and this thread for other matters pertaining to the Springbok squad. There will be similar threads for NZ, England, France – and the Wallabies, of course. If folks feel another country deserves another thread, or have a particular interest in that country, they can start one.

The idea is to avoid starting dozens of threads for such subjects as: “What a goose Fred Nerk is” and the like.

There will be some big news items or incidents that deserve individual threads – play it by ear. Don't be miffed though if you start a thread and it is later merged with another one.

 

[PaarlBok]

Dankie Oom Lee, you will be the Bokke good luck charm opening this one.

The Springbokke have a tough poll and important they start and keep playing their strongest match 22 from the start. Time for rotation and the likes is gone now. You need to be razor sharp going into each game and building momemtum towards the business end. Then its about 80 minutes and want to be really battle sharp and in peak form.

The Springbokke biggest asset this year is experience, the been there, done that experiense. They are in much better shape compare to 2007 and hopefull they will perform to this.

 

[tigerland12]

Despite having the toughest pool, I have no doubt they will make the semi-finals. They know how they want to play, and they can execute it. This is the type of rugby that can win World Cups (ie: England 03, SA 07).

But I can't guarentee I'll be able to sit through 80 minutes of a Bok game.....

 

[light]

Tigerland, you are 100% right.

They play very boring rugby, but highly effective. As for watching their games, I'll decide that when I see the line-up, if Morne is playing 10 I'm not even going to bother turning on the TV. Surely they won't be going for bonus points.

 

[DPK]

Tigerland, you are 100% right.

They play very boring rugby, but highly effective. As for watching their games, I'll decide that when I see the line-up, if Morne is playing 10 I'm not even going to bother turning on the TV. Surely they won't be going for bonus points.

But if you don't turn on your TV, you'll miss the league game with it's exciting tries!

 

[light]

But if you don't turn on your TV, you'll miss the league game with it's exciting tries!

That sport makes me want to throw my TV out the window.. Let's not mention it again

 

[Blue]

Tigerland, you are 100% right.

They play very boring rugby, but highly effective. As for watching their games, I'll decide that when I see the line-up, if Morne is playing 10 I'm not even going to bother turning on the TV. Surely they won't be going for bonus points.

Boring? For you maybe. Bok fans don't think so. Add the NH rugby fraternity to that.

I'll be watching every game and appreciating it for what it is: A wonderful game with the same rules but played very differently by many countries.

If you want to see gun slinging all day long then don't watch.

 

[da_grubster]

Dankie Oom Lee, you will be the Bokke good luck charm opening this one.

The Springbokke have a tough poll and important they start and keep playing their strongest match 22 from the start. Time for rotation and the likes is gone now. You need to be razor sharp going into each game and building momemtum towards the business end. Then its about 80 minutes and want to be really battle sharp and in peak form.

The Springbokke biggest asset this year is experience, the been there, done that experiense. They are in much better shape compare to 2007 and hopefull they will perform to this.

PB, I cant see how the Bokjs are in better shape. the big players are at the end of the road, the coaching is not of the same calibre (especially the late inclusion of eddie Jone in the set up), the results have been poor for some time. How are they 'in much better' shape?

 

[light]

Boring? For you maybe. Bok fans don't think so. Add the NH rugby fraternity to that.

I'll be watching every game and appreciating it for what it is: A wonderful game with the same rules but played very differently by many countries.

If you want to see gun slinging all day long then don't watch.

I won't be, not this world cup anyway.

I have nothing against the Boks, I respect the way they play the game and have a huge amount of respect for the discipline they show around the park. They are very good at what they do and deserve all the successes they have received. I just wish they didn't shoot for the sticks every long arm penalty within 60m of the post. For me, it takes away from the expansive style of running rugby that I enjoy watching when I see the likes of the Kiwis and Wallabies.

Just my personal opinion, take it with a grain of salt.

 

[PaarlBok]

PB, I cant see how the Bokjs are in better shape. the big players are at the end of the road, the coaching is not of the same calibre (especially the late inclusion of eddie Jone in the set up), the results have been poor for some time. How are they 'in much better' shape?

You probably havent watch Springbok rugby pre WC 2007. We won one Tri Nation match at home against the Wallabies 22-19 at the start of the Tri Nations season. Lost against the All Blacks 33-6 in the last one. This team will approaching with a win against the best team on the planet.

Coaching wise, if Jake White would have been in charge we wont had Brussouw in our squad, the only thing he would have done differently.

In 2007 we havent won in France since 1997, we go to NZ with wins in 2009 & 2008. Our players play year in and out in NZ. You call our players at the end of the road? The All Blacks squad average age is 27.56, Bokke 27.93.

Dont let short memories get in your way.

 

[Braveheart81]

What are your thoughts regarding the John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis issue?

How much game time do you think Bismarck will get? Surely he's one of the best players in your squad.

 

[PaarlBok]

What are your thoughts regarding the John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis issue?

How much game time do you think Bismarck will get? Surely he's one of the best players in your squad.

Think they will rotate them. Wales we will start with Smit.

 

[Athilnaur]

You probably havent watch Springbok rugby pre WC 2007. We won one Tri Nation match at home against the Wallabies 22-19 at the start of the Tri Nations season. Lost against the All Blacks 33-6 in the last one. This team will approaching with a win against the best team on the planet.

Coaching wise, if Jake White would have been in charge we wont had Brussouw in our squad, the only thing he would have done differently.

In 2007 we havent won in France since 1997, we go to NZ with wins in 2009 & 2008. Our players play year in and out in NZ. You call our players at the end of the road? The All Blacks squad average age is 27.56, Bokke 27.93.

Dont let short memories get in your way.

Fair points PB but prolly worth noting that BBBT is a pretty heavy skew on the AB age avg, and the man is a bloody legend.

 

[undercoverkiwi]

It's not the age of the Bok team that is the issue, it's that they're dated. They play outdated rugby that worked well under previous law interpretations, they haven't been coached properly in years, haven't moved their game on in years.

I will of course eat these words when they steamroll us in the semis. But I owuld be concerned if I was a Bok fan.

 

[PaarlBok]

Fair points PB but prolly worth noting that BBBT is a pretty heavy skew on the AB age avg, and the man is a bloody legend.

Ditto Matfield for the Bokke but hey dont this prove the point about a few past their best as kak?

Myself are pretty sure the WC will bring out the best of this Bok group. They dont have the choke fear factor, more the been there, dont that, in the bag.

Regarding the oudated play from them.

Look at the All Blacks last two test. They kakked in the scrum and the reason why they lost. Good on them trying to play league rugby.

Look at the Wallabies, they scrummed well in their last two outings and surely the solid reason for their wins.

Playing touch rugby will never win WC tournaments, only need a single brain cell to realize that. It all starts with first phase, control it there and you'll win 80% rugby matches from U7 to test rugby level.

Thats why its called rugby union and not rugby league.

 

[PaarlBok]

Bakkies Botha say
Sport24

Boks aren't that old - Bakkies

Wellington - According to Die Burger’s Stephen Nell, emotions will be put on the back-burner for rugby’s most experienced lock pairing, Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield as they head into the twilight of their careers.

“I don’t think it’s emotional. We know that this is our last Rugby World Cup and we are simply doing what is best for the team - Victor in the lineouts, while I sort out the physical aspect,” Botha told Die Burger on Sunday.

“We are not viewing this as our final World Cup or our final matches. We will approach the match (against Wales this Sunday) as if it is our first.”

Botha is in his last season with the Boks before he joins French club side, Toulon in France while Matfield will retire after the tournament.

Botha dismissed the notion that the experienced South African team are too old to successfully defend their title.

“England won the World Cup in 2003 with team which had average age older than ours.

“We know that we have an experienced team and the guys will still give it their all.

“Age is not a factor. The most important thing is that you are eager to make a difference for your country.”

 

[Athilnaur]

BBBT is two years older than Matfield and at that stage of a career that's an eon in elite sports, but agree totally that Matfield is a great of the game.

 

[whatty]

Boring? For you maybe. Bok fans don't think so. Add the NH rugby fraternity to that.

I'll be watching every game and appreciating it for what it is: A wonderful game with the same rules but played very differently by many countries.

If you want to see gun slinging all day long then don't watch.

I equate it to watching a test match compared to some 20 20 biffathon

 

[PaarlBok]

The WC count down began!

 

[light]

Knock out the Poms for us and we will take care of the All Blacks for you, sound like a good deal?