Springboks: What we have learnt and what we don’t know after the Rugby Championship

What we have learned:

• The Springboks have a game plan that is beautiful in its simplistic brutality and effective against any opposition when it is executed correctly. The pressure is ratcheted up through suffocating defense and constant peppering of contestable kicks until the chink in the armour appears. This wearing down of the opposition might take 40 minutes, 60 minutes or even 80 plus minutes but has put the Boks into position as the number 1 team in the world. The game plan strongly aligns with the mindset of South African rugby players and the talent pool available for selection which means that it should have the legs to take them to the next World Cup. The spine of the team that will need to execute this plan in France in 2023 will be there barring injury which bodes well for another stab at the crown.
• South African rugby is not very popular outside of South Africa. One would expect some sneering from jealous onlookers at the current trophy cabinet but the constant venom from analysts, journalists and ex-players alike has been toxic. We do live in a world of clickbait journalism where the most outrageous sound bite gets the most coverage but the hammering the Boks have had over the game plan is excessive. One can only assume that it comes from a place of jealously because I very much doubt the debate would be raging on if the Boks keep losing big matches. The attacks on the team will only harden the Boks resolve to go deeper into the plan and hit harder so be careful what you wish for when you poke the bear.
• The tight five has enough depth for two world class teams and looks to be in great health going forward. It is amazing how quickly things change with people often forgetting how we struggled to have depth in the front row and lock outside of the starters a few years ago. The Boks have 8 front row forwards (Nche, Kitshoff, Malherbe, Marx, Nyakane, Koch, du Toit and Mbonambi) that are pushing each other very hard for the starting jersey. The third choice hooker hasn’t been answered yet but there is plenty of young talent waiting in the wings.  At lock it is more of the same with De Jager and Etzebeth amongst the best in the world with Mostert and Snyman more than capable replacements. The nature of the Boks style means attrition in the tight five is very high so backups become vital going into the ever longer international seasons.
• The mental strength of the players and coaches is at the highest level with the most testing year the players will have in their entire careers. The pressure and expectations on the squad has never been higher which adds to the pressure cooker that is Test match rugby. Yes they will get it wrong sometimes and they have all admitted it when they do but to beat the Lions and beat NZ away from home after an arduous bubble life away from family and friends is monumental. This pressure falls on the shoulders of the team leaders and coaches which was very apparent with how they responded after winning this past weekend.

What we don’t know yet:

• Who is coaching the Springboks? Is it the coach Jacques Nienaber or director of rugby Rassie Erasmus? These two roles are very popular overseas but in South Africa it is not widely used and the roles are blurry at best. My understanding is that the director is behind the scenes working on the overall strategy of the team and the succession planning for youngsters/coaches coming through the ranks. Not that he was breaking the rules but Rassie the director of rugby as a water boy hardly speaks to a strategic behind the scenes role. If he wants to hands on and it works with Jacques than the roles and responsibility need to be laid out clearer because it comes across as coach and assistant coach with different job titles. I am sure that the players know who is who in the zoo but for us on the couch it is mightily confusing.
• Whilst the depth in our tight five is world class some positions are a worry should the front line go down through injury. What happens at centre without De Allende or Am? No go forward and no rush defense that is what happens, which puts the Boks in a big pickle. The only way to know if the replacements are good enough at international level is to give them the chance on the big stage and the end of year tour has to be the best chance to try some alternative centres like Esterhuizen, Kriel and Simelane. Equally worrying is the fullback position as Willie Le Roux blows so hot and cold he is responsible for more heart disease than Famous Brands. His frailties under the ball and questionable decision making at times make him a liability to carry and bringing in new blood is vital. I expect Fassi and Willemse to be given the nod to see if they can sit at the big boys table. Lastly flyhalf is and isn’t a worry at the same time, Elton Janjies proved he belongs at international level even if he is relegated to a permanent backup role. Johan Goosen provides the best option as a like for like replacement to Pollard so the Boks should be okay in theory.
• I left Pieter Steph du Toit as his own category because the role he plays in the team is immeasurable. He is a two players rolled into one: he is a lock who is as physical as any lock in world rugby and equally proficient in the lineout and he is also a power house loose forward who can carry, tackle and keep up with play like the world’s best loosies. This is the problem when we try to replace him when he is injured, we simply can’t. Mostert is more lock than flanker and a Dan du Preez is more flanker than lock. The gaping whole he left in the team was evident but it is better to try replace his abilities across a few players than one all-rounder. More power in the loosies and some more mobility in the locks is the best you can do because he is irreplaceable.
• Can this team take the step up and grab the title of world’s best by the scruff of the neck? The Boks have shown signs they can produce the goods under intense pressure but winning as consistently as the All Blacks did when they dominated is another story. The ability and determination to succeed is there and they have youth on their side but to hold onto the number 1 ranking will be tough. Should they win all of the end of year tour matches it will setup a tantalizing 2022 when hopefully crowds are back in attendance.