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'I'd like to apologise': Kiwi pundit on underestimating the Springboks

(Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

When the Springboks announced their split squad for the opening games of The Rugby Championship, there was no shortage of fans and pundits – not speaking in a South African accent – who thought they may be in for a tough night against the Wallabies.

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The panel on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod were no exception, anticipating an Eddie Jones rejuvenation to kickstart a wild World Cup year for the Australians. A win was never promised, but a tight match was predicted.

The result however was a tough night for the visitors, falling to a 43-12 loss at the hands of a ruthless and physical Springbok side.

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“I probably actually want to apologise to our South African viewers,” Former Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall said with a ry smile. “For me personally, I didn’t think they were going to be that dominant.

“The variety of the way they scored is something that I enjoyed. We know that they are going to be able to go to set-piece dominance, they got a lineout maul try which is going to be their stock-standard play. They did the front peel which is something that’s obviously a bit of variety.

“And I think even (Kurt-Lee) Arendse’s third try, they just folded around the corner, quick ball and then they saw an opportunity, a two on one, (Lukhanyo) Am puts him away.

“Then I think it was in the 75th minute, du Toit’s try. That was just kind of a statement for me, they just beat them into submission. They just went around the corner, in the 22 area, big men, going in low, going around the corner and du Toit just pops it over, just like that.”

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In Hall’s defence, he was not alone in predicting a closer contest and he followed up by adding how his familiarity with the South African game has been diminished since their exit from Super Rugby.

“We don’t see the South Africans that much, and for me that was just a reminder, rightio, this is what it’s all about. I think the All Blacks are under no illusions, I think the intensity is going to be right up there.”

The Springboks have since named a gigantic team to face the All Blacks in Auckland in round two of The Rugby Championship, including ten of the players who were sent to New Zealand ahead of time.

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4 Comments
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Bob Marler 481 days ago

The boks showed their hand in the Autumn series. They are a much better attacking outfit than in 2019 and have about as much depth in the back line as they have in the forwards. I’m not sure why there is so much surprise around the Boks evolving playing style. Rassie is an attack minded coach - and has been building towards 2023 since his appointment. That they won 2019 off great Defence and sound fundamentals just means that the platform for attack is set and ready. Watch this space.

K
Kenward K. 481 days ago

He was not the only one surprised by the springboks. A highly enjoyable display of attacking rugby.

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Johan 481 days ago

No worries buddy! As a rabbid Springbok supporter i also did not see this huge victory coming. I predicted the Boks by 7 points. So we here are all excited to watch the clash of the Titans on Saturday and my prediction is, it is going to be a very close game. The team that dominated the set pieces will win. We have huge respect for the All Blacks so we will not lead with the chin. May the best team win!

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JWH 38 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

Interesting take, crazy to see the amount of delulu NZ fans here. I am an NZ fan, but this is atrocious.


I am fine with 75%+, in fact I think that is excellent, but the main point of anguish is not IF we win or lose, it is how. I think that Razor has finally got us playing to our identity again; flowing, simple, and brutally decisive & efficient.


There are certainly some issues that the stats reflect, like the scrum and lineout. However, at scrum time, there isn't really much variation, in terms of attack, you can put on that. So at the end of the day, not much to do differently apart from 'scrum better'.


However, the lineout is quite interesting. As Ryan said earlier this week, the ABs have added a lot of depth and combinations to their lineout, with FOUR lineout options (Barrett, Vaai, Savea, Sititi). While they did only retain 80% possession from lineouts (not great), the stat line is actually 12/15, which is pretty good, considering Aumua did all those lineout with limited experience and tiredness after playing 75 minutes at Twickenham.


There are also some really good stats to back up the ABs. They managed to stay out of their own 22 for a lot of the game, however they also didn't set up camp in the opp 22 often either. They are also passing the ball a lot, clocking in at 211 passes, double that of England. These stats show a return to attacking, flowing rugby, and not playing your own 22, which is the ABs style.


What I think Razor wants to do is make effective use of draw and pass, simple rugby. This can be pre or post contact, but you have to draw more than 1 player. For example, that Sititi offload to Telea, or BB to Jordan. Those were excellent, yet overall simple passages of rugby This can be risky at times (just watch DMac play), but it is a medium risk high reward gameplan.


What we Kiwis want is exciting rugby. We want hard defense, big hits, cool plays, and quick linebreaks. I cannot imagine being an SA fan between 2018-2021, which was one of the most boring rugby teams of all time (respectfully). I also cannot imagine being an England fan right now, so dull. But the ABs are making rugby exciting again, playing like Scotland and Fiji, but better.

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