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Final chapter of this Boks' era has been written
By Ben Smith
With just a month to go to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Springboks time as world champions will draw to a close unless they can defend their title in France.
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Looking back on this era, itâs now clear that winning the World Cup did not bring world dominance for South African rugby.
Based on the context that 2020-23 has since provided, they can be remembered either as the team that took advantage of a fortuitous draw in 2019 or, if you believed that they were briefly the worldâs best, the champions who quickly fell apart.
There is really no other option for them after three seasons without the big silverware and trophies that would validate anything different.
On the way up in 2018-19 it was easy for former coach and now Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus to be humble.
Without expectations to live up too, without a kingdom to defend, Erasmus was the likeable figure who coined the âwhat is pressureâ speech to keep his sideâs perspective in check.
They carried the hopes and dreams of a nation but were priced as underdogs heading into the Rugby World Cup final.
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Once they won the William Webb Ellis, a new beast emerged as egos became tied to the notion that the Springboks were in fact the worldâs best.
But getting through Italy, Japan, Wales and England in a tournament doesnât equate to world dominance. The shine of the Webb Ellis trophy only goes so far.
That kind of mantle would have to be earned by winning, winning and winning some more. A resounding follow up was required to stamp themselves as undisputed.
That should have been Erasmusâ own message publicly and privately to reset the bar and take South African rugby to new heights as they prepared for a new era as world champions.
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Instead the Lion was caught up in the hype himself, drunk on a bit of pride believing the superlatives that were gushing out.
The fervour behind the Springboks reached astronomical levels in 2020 as they became a mythical legend that oozed a level of greatness that had not been seen on a rugby field. Such was the hubris.
There was no Erasmus on Twitter before the Rugby World Cup, but it became difficult to resist having just catapulted to stardom.
Cashing in on the newfound popularity and the gloss of the spoils, social media gave validation they sought. It helped reinforce the belief that South Africa were now world beaters without having to beat the world.
It was a dangerous place for any leader to be. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Sitting out an entire year of Test rugby, when everyone else got on with it, the number one ranked side sat on a perch with the ranking frozen for them like a boxer trying to pick the fights to keep his belt.
The loss in the first Test of the British & Irish Lions series was a watershed moment. Itâs not worth rehashing, but it revealed a man with a different psyche, one that had perhaps lost perspective of his own âwhat is pressureâ speech.
Gatlandâs side took them out of the comfy sauna they had been enjoying and tossed them into ice cold water, sparking a reaction that was ugly from which the fallout continued for a long time.
The Springboks responded to claim the series with a clutch Morne Steyn penalty goal, just minutes away from what could have been a drawn series.
There was not much humility in victory, but that would soon come in defeat as they travelled Down Under to finally show face in the annual tournament against New Zealand, Argentina, Australia.
Facing off against the seventh-ranked side in the world, the Boks were stunned by a Quade Cooper penalty on the buzzer. The next week they were brought down again by Australia, this time by a wider margin. A third consecutive loss came when they faced off against New Zealand.
Staring down the barrel of four straight losses, the All Blacks coughed up possession as they tried to wind down the clock with 10 seconds remaining. The Boks pulled off a great escape to stop the bleeding.
But the reason why this matters and why they were scrutinized more than any other team was because they were supposed to be the team proving their dominance, no one else had that responsibility.
Becoming number one and world champions came with extra spotlight that they themselves didnât understand. The fans saw the criticism or questions from outside as an attack, rather than just a sign of being in a privileged position.
âFrom everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.â
The way they captured the crown left questions unanswered that they had the chance to answer. They wanted to ignore the house built on a foundation of cards and soon that house came crumbling down.
The Springboksâ world champion era from 2020-23 reads as follows; one Lions series, zero Rugby Championship titles, zero Freedom Cup wins, one Mandela Plate.
Against the big European nations England, France and Ireland they went one from four. Against close rivals Australia and New Zealand they went four from 10.
A return of five wins from 14 at 35 per cent against the other top five teams is not indicative of world dominance, far from it.
Over 29 Tests the longest winning streak was four, a long way off Franceâs run of 14 from 2021-23, and Irelandâs current streak of 11.
As the losses came in with regularity the source of blame became external, Erasmus prodding the fire occasionally on this deflection game.
The South African media and fans were all too happy to participate, instead of looking in the mirror to find answers.
But ultimately that didnât help the team get anywhere or win any more games, only creating division and poor PR.
If the Springboks can capture back-to-back Rugby World Cups in France, it wonât change anything about this period where they underdelivered.
It will put more pressure on them to deliver and prove to the world that they are the best, which they didnât do this time around.
Unfortunately this was a false dawn and SARU should be asking themselves why and how did this happen.
Don't you feel like a ripe old tomato now Ben. Could not have been more wrong even if you really tried even harder to write more crap.
Ben is a idiotâŚ..this article proves itâŚâŚback into your holeâŚ..SHEEP
Famous last wordsâŚ..back into your holeâŚâŚBen the sheepâŚâŚlolâŚ.what a fucking idiotâŚ.
BS, take that Mr Hate Speech
35-7
BS - đŠđŠ
Winners know that winning is winning no matter the route⌠only losers think that winning can still look like losing⌠while the Boks might not to be the best, they still won the World Cup. Only a loser thinks thatâs not worth anythingâŚ
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Dear Ben, I'm afraid you and I have got it all wrong. We're confused, deluded even. Clearly, The Mighty Springboks are the greatest rugby team of all time. Their fans are the greatest and least arrogant of all time (especially when their fat, drunken ones invade the pitch). Their refs and officials are the greatest of all time (especially when reffing SA against NZ in the amateur days). Their administrators (especially Louis Luyt who at the '95 final post-match dinner proclaimed SA to be the first "true" world champions AND gave the ref a$1000 watch) are the greatest of all time. Their water boys (Rassie) are the greatest of all time. Their "leaked" videos to World Rugby (Rassie again) are the greatest of all time. Their coaches are the greatest of all time (especially Coetzee & Nick Mallet who is already blaming the refs for SA not retaining the Cup). Have I left anything out? Oh, yeah, their rugby stadia, which are actually the greatest collective rugby stadia of all time!
Hope the transition from menopause to complete idiot is not too hard on your brain pips Dave
Ben was definitely cuckolded by a South African at some stage. I've never come across a writer with such obvious hate for 1 team and so little concern in hiding that fact - he doesn't even pretend to be a professional, objective journalist. Look at how he tries to cover his arse too - writes a whole article about how bad SA are, and then sneaks in the caveat "if they do win back to back world cups it still doesn't change the fact that they were bad inbetween". It's such a rubbish, nonsensical statement. Who was good in that period inbetween? NZ certainly weren't, they lost to Aus, to Argentina and to Ireland. France and Ireland both had shit world cups and have only come into form recently. So who was consistently good over this last 4 year period Ben? Nobody ya muppet. SA are are already the most successful team in WC history and the 2nd most successful team in Test history, stats don't lie, so maybe give them their due and stop getting egg on your face like you did last world cup.
The Boks shouldn't be paying for hotels in France. They've lived rent-free in Ben's head since 2019.
Just a mindset thing. South Africans only care about the World Cup, it doesnât matter to them what happens in the years between.
Other teams want to win then try and dominate as world champions.
Each to their own.
Jeesh!! Get over it Ben! Your distaste, almost hate for anything Boks is so evident in this article! They have medicine for this mate, go see your doctor.
The worst form of bad reporting I have ever seen. No balanced view, childish high school reporting bordering on "Karen".
Ben Smith's article on Final Chapter couldn't be more wrong. Remember with great power comes great responsibility. Or is it your intention to deliberately make comments that you know will attract heated responses. If so then you have succeeded. One of my many jobs is being a labour law specialists and the focus I bring is not only on what is being said but how it is being said. The Springboks are the World Champions, that is the fact. Yes there are good days and not so good days. Even on the not so good days, we still leave the field as World Champions. The SA team is one of the most real teams out there today. Give the team the credit they deserve. There are enough nay sayers putting the SA team down. They don't understand what it's like to put on the Springbok jersey and represent a country like SA. We who live here , we understand it all too well. Russia and Co have pulled off miracles on a world stage. You should be grateful and thankful for what has been achieved. Let's not over analyze every fault along the way, let's enjoy the fact that we are the World Champions. Let's stand together and support the whole team as once again we enter the arena to bring back the Trophy.
Hey Ben, how many times did the Boks win the WE? You know and I know stats means zero bro. It's only figures on paper. Your report smell rotten of envy
Ben Smith writes like an angry toddler who lost his dummy and is blaming everybody else for it
What a biased load of cr*p
They won the world Cup without playing New Zealand which they would have lost
If NZ hadn't got stuffed by England. You must make a lot of money on the bookies with your crystal ball John? No? What you lack in understanding you more than make up for in confidence.
I fully agree with Ben that we are busy writing last chapter, and then the book is done. As it should be in the 4 year WC cycle. The Boks book had a few exciting chapters, a few crap ones, and a few that maybe made no sense. But still a book worth picking up and reading. The few good chapters were the WC, the Lions tour, and the odd game against the ABs which were thrilling. Otherwise we did muddle along with a few poor chapters. But Rassie is no John Grisham, more a Jack Reacher novel. The nice thing about this game we love is that all countries get to start a new novel the day after the WC is done. Maybe Eddie has started writing his a few months early, but he always was a story teller of note.
I am so pleased that Ben has written something, as we donât have much time before WC, and we need Ben to get us all emotionally involved. Lekker. Ben does have the fortunate position to live in the country with the best side year after year, and we from Africa as they call us, always respect the ABs as our biggest opponent. Nothing has changed, and they are agin favorites to win the Bill Ellis. The Boks are a side that has been in evolution for the last 25 years as we merge our DNA of the different groups. Takes time. But we will tap into the genetics of the Afrikaners, the skill and stepping of the â colouredâ group and the unknown skills and wonder coming from our black population. Going to be a ride. We do have a place though in World rugby, whatever Ben states. If one took all players going to the WC this year, and grouped them by country of birth, the result would be interesting to see which country contributes the most. We donât bring in any Pacific Islanders, we donât have northern hemisphere or Anzac or Asian spending a few years to gain a passport. None. All our players are born here, schooled here, and then proudly represent their country of birth. This years WC is very open, the ABs are the favorites followed by France and Ireland. Going to be fun.
Call it a hollow victory if you like, but we still won the world cup. What you also failed to mention is an entire year lost to Covid. That is where the momentum was lost. Ignorant doos.
Ben Smith! You think we have a short memory. In the 2019 RWC England played fantastic rugby, the unforgettable semi-final. One of the best teams in the world. Would you care disecting Eng. rugby with the same vigor. Arguably a far greater bismal collapse when compared to the Springboks. But Springbok bashing is more fun.
Ben Smith! You must be an Eng. supporter, as only a bad looser will call the Springbok's 2019 RWC victory a hollow victory. What's that I see some sour grapes? This chaps journalistic prowess is as good as Eng. World Cup preparation.
Puff piece at best... One thing Ben Smith forgets to mention is that when Rassie took over a broken team which had fallen to 8th in the world rankings, no one in their right mind gave the Boks any chance of winning the 2019 WC... Write off the Boks at your own peril... SA has proven throughout history that when it's people have their backs against a wall, they are at their most dangerous! When you have nothing to lose, it's easy to fight for all you can gain!
They must have run out of steroids. It's an open secret SA rugby has a drug problem.
Yho WR should put a disclaimer that winning the World Cup doesnât actually mean youâre the best. What a load of drivel. Do better.
Writing this might well come and bite you on the butt sir.
What a load of crap. Who hired this guy!??? đ¤Łđ¤Ł could bloody well work for THE SUN spewing this nonesense, pointless opinions and embarassing journalism.
Here are some facts Ben.The Boks have only played in 7 World Cups,2 less than any of the other top tier nations.They have won 3 of them 1995,2007 and 2019 ,2 of them they were losing semifinalists 1999 and 2015 and both times they claimed 3rd place.They have only ever lost to a Northern Hemisphere team once and that was to England in the RWC 2004.They are also the only team to lose in a pool match and then go on to win the tournament.Also to note Ben that New Zealand were on the same side of the draw
as the Boks in 2019 so they also potentially had
an "easy" route to the final.The Boks like the All Blacks and the Wallabies have historically been the most mentally tough teams in the tournament and that is why all 3 they have been so successful.What happens in between World Cups is now for the Rugby gods to discuss but come September it's all about World Cup fever and performance .By the way Ben, as passionate as I am about the Boks,I predict the All Blacks to win it and I would never knock them because I have to much respect for the beloved game.
"Once they won the William Webb Ellis, a new beast emerged as egos became tied to the notion that the Springboks were in fact the worldâs best." Those are your words. And you went on to say the winners were lucky because they had a favourable draw.
Hey there Ben.
I once coached an U 12 rugby team to a regional championship win. The coach of the team that was hot favourite to win said to me at the prize giving:" You were lucky three of my best players couldn't play." I said:" I'm so sorry. I can only play the team against me on the park. I can't play hypothetical permutations."
Perhaps you should persuade world rugby to make up another way of deciding who is the No 1 team for an Olympiad (four years). And that's the point. The RWC and FWC and the Olympics are competitions which decide the best at that time and they are the best for the next four years. It doesn't matter who runs the fastest 100m time at the Diamond Athletics championships. Ask that person if they would trade sixteen Diamond Series win for one Olympic Gold. Perhaps you think the best should be decided on the basis of round robins or points awarded for the most tries - I don't know. But if I were the coach of the RWC winning team and you told me I was lucky because I had a favourable draw and the only reason why we won was because the team that had stuffed you was so stuffed they couldn't compete ,my answer would be - "I can only play what you put on the park in front of me." Your assertion that any team is lucky to win the RWC is quite frankly not very well thought out. Not only would they have to be lucky once or twice but over an extended period - getting into the right pool getting the other teams to do the job for them do I really have to go on or do you get it? If that team is that lucky perhaps your team is praying to the wrong rugby Gods. This RWC is probably the best opportunity for a team win without having to play their way through the top four teams in the world. But no matter what the outcome, the team that is crowned RW Champions in three months time will be worthy winners. The RWC is one of the most demanding competitions in sport. And for you to denigrate it as you have in this article is not only disrespectful of the winning team but of the competition itself and of all those who have played this glorious game. As a very old rugby player, coach and administrator I have word of advice for you. Be respectful of those who have achieved what you can only dream of.
Well said.
What a load of old tosh. How is it possible to be paid to write such drivel? The Boks have probably only ever won it once as nominal favorites and that was in 2007. Even then they were at best co-favorites. The favorites seldom win this thing. This kind of tournament is very different from any other. Right now i dont see any favorite. Any one of five or even six could win it. But...those who have done it before, in this case the ABs and Boks certainly have the edge. Good grief but this is pitiful journalism.
What an absolute pile of dog shit this article is. "The Boks had a favourable draw in 2019" ? They smashed England in the final... Its not the Boks fault that NZ couldn't do the same in the semis against England. In the famous words of William Shakespeare "You my friend, are a cunt"
Clickbait article. Complete garbage.
SA and NZ have been making the Southern Hemisphere proud for generations, winning. For this clown to come out swinging like this for no apparent reason other than to stir shit.
The ABs, SA and OZ have consistently been amongst best teams in international rugby. Bar none. This article makes no sense.
What a load of cack! So the Bokkes are not the favourites to win and Ireland are the one of the so called best teams in the world. My partner (English) and I get into regular "discussions " about who the best team in the world. He is taking great pleasure in telling me how Ireland are top of the world and World Cup figures mean nothing. I don't agree in the slightest, but remind him how we beat England twice in the semis and we have the biggest ratio of wins to number of tournaments played. We've never been the favourites and quite often get underestimated or snide comments, but, at the end of the day, we are currently the World Cup holders and have every chance of retaining that. Personally, I'm gutted that Pollard is not match fit, but we have some great up and coming talent who are able to shine for us. We've made mistakes in the past where a "regular" squad was relied on too much, not any more! In the spirit of good sportsmanship; may the best team win and all the teams and fans have fun along the way. From a personal point of view, regardless whether we retain the Cup, I am Bokkes til I die!
This is the same guy who said the boks won't win the 2019 recently, this is the same guy who saaid Sa won't win the lions series. Ben what you fail to mention is nz lost worse against France and Ireland than the boks did. Ireland game boks made a mistake not playing a recognised kicker ans Ireland only won by six points when Sa missed over 11 points use to poor goal kicking.
Against France Sa played with 14 men for almost 31 minutes and still lost by four points because of try that should never have been awarded. Right Sa off as have done then once the world Cup is over you will come up with some excuse.
Here is some news for you.
Sa rwc squad for 2023 is more balanced and the cohesion is better than the squad of 2019. In the rc this year Sa used three different game plans in all the games.
Their friendly against Argentina they used another game plan now imagine you have to defend against a team that has four different game plans they can implement at any time.
Ben as a writer what happens between world cups means very little what the world Cup will be for teams.
Huge amount of denial by Bok supporters here. Excellent article. RWC is of course the most important competition in Rugby - but only just. In the NH certainly, the 6N ranks just behind it, and a Grand Slam is second only to an outright RWC win. Don't tell me Bok supporters don't rate their rivalries with NZ, Oz etc in the Rugby Championship? Yet if they do, they have to concede that Ben White is spot on!
Of you believe Rassie and them don't have a plan you are in denial and delusional
Geez Ben - Rassie really got under your skin? đ
Jeez...what a poorly-written, one-sided hatchet-job of an article. Did a Springbok piss in your porridge? Let's see how it stacks up after the finals.
Ben Smith never has been a Bok supporter the way he goes about writing his article he never has a kind word to say about the Boks and continously puts the boot in....always take his articles with a pinch of salt.
What a poorly written piece of work.
South Africa never dominate. We play emotional rugby and can score big wins against big opponents in big games. We didn't dominate after 95 or 2007 either. We are not this professional outfit like Ireland and AB's, but we can turn it on and tend to do it every 4 years. So Ben is kind of right, but wrong if he thinks that South Africans see the Boks as this perpetual dominant force in world rugby.
Sustained test rugby success is about a structured long term build, and that takes years, even without a Covid interlude. As long as Rassie is allowed to keep doing that the score will take care of itself.
In the mean time there will be some wins and losses, hopefully the wins will be the big ones (RWC, Lions tour, etc).
I don't expect "dominance", but I do expect the Boks to keep improving.
Ben Smith is always going on about South Africa, has he got something against them? Why cant he just focus on something he actually knows something about like the All Blacks rather than bashing South African rugby which seems to be a favourite past time of his
He's actually smitten by the Boks but hasn't come out yet,think it's called a non binary or they or them