Does the Springboks' good result last weekend mean they're on the top of their game – or have the team's selectors and spin doctors merely papered over the cracks of a fundamentally bad team?
After the Springboks' 18-5 victory in their Tri Nations match against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, many fans were asking that question, and many were surprised at the squad chosen earlier this week. The cheesy squad announcement on Tuesday – many felt it was over the top – saw Odwa Ndungane's inclusion at the expense of Sharks winger Lwazi Mvovo. But the really big surprise was the recall of flanker Francois Louw in place of Cheetahs loose forward Ashley Johnson.
Does the Springboks' good result last weekend mean they're on the top of their game – or have the team's selectors and spin doctors merely papered over the cracks of a fundamentally bad team?
After the Springboks' 18-5 victory in their Tri Nations match against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, many fans were asking that question, and many were surprised at the squad chosen earlier this week. The cheesy squad announcement on Tuesday – many felt it was over the top – saw Odwa Ndungane's inclusion at the expense of Sharks winger Lwazi Mvovo. But the really big surprise was the recall of flanker Francois Louw in place of Cheetahs loose forward Ashley Johnson.
Grocott's Mail picked the brains of a few well-informed rugby enthusiasts on the Springboks' readiness for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, from 10 September to 22 October.
The man many feel should replace the current national coach after the World Cup, Grahamstown-born WP coach, Alister Coetzee, was the first to share his thoughts.
"Saturday's victory against the All Backs shows we are heading in the right direction, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The warm-up matches between now and the World Cup are very important in the bid to gain confidence. "We could have thrashed the All Blacks on Saturday, but then do badly in the World Cup," said Coetzee.
Graeme College pupil Tyrone Rankin, who represented the Eastern Province Country Districts at the recent Coca Cola Craven Week, agreed that the Boks' performance last weekend showed promise.
"Saturday's performance showed the Boks are on the right track. A lot of work still needs to be done, but our chances are good and always have been," he said. "The Boks won't disappoint us."
Rankin also touched on the surprise inclusion of Odwa Ndungane.
"He is a safe option. He is good under the high ball and he works hard. It's sad for a guy like Mvovo, but Ndungane is more suited to the Boks' game plan."
Lara Rall, journalism student during the week and Bok super-fan on the weekend, believes South Africa's rugby team has what it takes. "We have the players and we have the experience," Rall said, "But the Boks can only successfully defend the cup if they score tries.''
The general feeling seems to be that Saturday's performance showed the cracks are not as bad as they seemed and that if all goes well, the Bok structure will stand firm.
