Following the Springboks’ dramatic victory over Ireland at Ellis Park, Jacques van der Westhuyzen analysis their performance.
The good
The bench: The replacements made the required impact and, again, it was the form players from Super Rugby who did the business – the Lions’ Ruan Combrinck in particular added spark and fire to the back three, Warren Whiteley brought an injection of pace and dynamism up front and Julian Redelinghuys steadied the scrum and brought stability and calm to the pack. Franco Mostert was energised and carried the ball strongly and was all-powerful in helping Pieter-Steph du Toit over the tryline. Trevor Nyakane also scrummed well when he came on to the field.
Set pieces: The Boks’ scrums and lineouts were generally good, even if they didn’t always secure clean ball all the time for Faf de Klerk, but the foundations are there for Coetzee’s men to be sound at set-piece time. The Eben Etzebeth-Pieter-Steph du Toit lock combination will be a great one in a few Tests’ time, if it isn’t already.
Intensity: When the Boks got on to the front foot and had momentum with them, in the final quarter, they looked like a team that couldn’t be beaten. They played with pace, energy and determination and Ireland simply had no answer for them; as their coach Joe Schmidt said: “They delivered an onslaught we couldn’t match. They were irrepressible... they well and truly earned it through their ball-carriers.” He singled out Damien de Allende, Ruan Combrinck, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Warren Whiteley for “outstanding performances” in the final 20 minutes.
Several players possessing the so-called X-factor qualities like De Allende, JP Pietersen, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies and Willie le Roux all looked so much better when the team played with confidence and pace in the second spell... and that bodes well for the future
The bad
Seasoned campaigners: It’s all well and good to pick form players in a squad, but it means little if those players sit on the bench, or don’t even make it into the match 23. Coach Coetzee backed the experience of men like Adriaan Strauss, Francois Louw, Duane Vermeulen, De Allende, JP Pietersen and Le Roux to start in Cape Town and Johannesburg, insisting everyone deserves a “second chance”. These experienced players and a few others failed miserably in their attempts to justify their inclusion in the first half on Saturday and will need to step up big-time this weekend. There are quality youngsters just waiting for their chance... among them Jaco Kriel.
Discipline: After losing in Cape Town, Coetzee lamented the conceding of seven penalties inside 22 minutes. It wasn’t quite that bad at Ellis Park, but the Boks still gave away several penalties which allowed Ireland to kick the goals and build the pressure. “It’s not a lack of discipline, or that the players don’t understand the laws,” said Coetzee, “but it’s typical of players who are over-exuberant. Compared to the Irish, there’s a lack of experience in the team. The over-eagerness will subside and the players will calm down. But yes, the penalties are breaking our rhythm.”
The ugly
First half shocker: Has there been a poorer 40 minutes by the Boks? They were desperate to hit back after the poor showing in Cape Town in the first Test, but were outplayed, out-thought and were their own worst enemy in a dire opening stanza. The Boks kicked poorly out of hand, the biggest culprit being Willie le Roux, they passed behind their teammates, which lost the side front-foot momentum, they knocked the ball on, they slipped tackles and they coughed up possession in contact; the Irish again ripping several balls out of the Boks’ hands. The home team also failed to secure the high balls kicked on them and allowed themselves to be pinned in their own half for long periods. It was an embarrassing showing. Former Bok winger Pieter Hendricks said at half-time: “I can’t watch this anymore.” The basic skills were simply lacking.
Decision, decision, decisions: The major problem facing Coetzee and the Boks right now is the health status of eighthman Duane Vermeulen (elbow) and Warren Whiteley (shoulder). Both were hurting after the game and Coetzee and the Boks will be hoping that both, or even just one, will be available to take to the field in the decider in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. What could be a tricky decision – picking between the two – could be made easier depending on who’s fit and who isn’t; but in other positions the decision could be a lot more difficult.
Will Coetzee opt for a new-look front row following the strong and well-disciplined performances of Julian Redelinghuys and Trevor Nyakane? Will Jaco Kriel get a run and will Ruan Combrinck come into the starting team, and if so, in place of whom – Pietersen or Lwazi Mvovo? Or Willie le Roux? - Cape Times