Meyer suffers first loss as Springbok coach

Yet another sub par performance by the Springboks, this time against the Wallabies, saw Heyneke Meyer suffer his first defeat in charge as coach. Meyer has had an easy run so far in his coaching career, facing a rebuilding England side in three tests and Argentina in two test before the Wallabies today. His record is currently 3-2-1 (W,D,L) giving him a 50% winning ratio. The road from here on doesn’t get any easier, in fact it just gets tougher as the Springboks next test is against the All Blacks in New Zealand next week.

The Springboks started the game pretty well and lead 13-6 at halftime. A perfectly placed up and under from Zane Kirchner saw him recollecting the ball and eventually Bryan Habana went over for the Springboks only try. The rest of the game saw them merely kicking the ball away without much purpose or intent. Australia started the first half in the same manner and kicked more than what they retained the ball. That changed after the break and they retained more possession and tried to build phases. The end result: 2 tries and 20 points against 6 points from the Springboks.

Meyer said after the match that two soft moments cost them the game. This seems true, but the two soft moments came as a direct result of aimless kicks down field that could not be chased successfully. Captain Jean de Villiers puts the loss down to inexperience and inability to execute the game plan. Ill discipline is also a big factor. Eben Etzebeth has been cited for his attempted head butt on Sharpe and Beast was off the field for 10 minutes. This all adds up to a poor showing.

How to rectify this: Well Nick Mallet might have the right idea and advice for Heyneke Meyer. It is not so much chancing of personnel as a chance in how we play the game. True we have a problem in the back line on attack. We can’t play attacking rugby with 3 guys in Morne Steyn, Frans Steyn and Jean de Villiers trying to bash their way across the advantage line. Kicking will only work if the kick can be chased effectively and at the moment we are kicking to deep. It is time to make some changes and here is my view on what can be done.

If Jean is to stay in the team as captain, move him back to inside centre with Frans moving to full back. Bring Juan de Jongh in at 13. The alternative is to get a new captain and drop De Villiers to the bench for De Jongh. Lambie to play at 10 then and get the back line moving. Other than that no changes in persnnel. Stop playing kick and chase rugby and start using the ball in the back line. After 5 phases it should go wide. More than 5 phases and the defence starts standing off to defend around the frinches.

We have some electric wingers and they are not seeing enough of the ball. Against the All Blacks the current game plan will not work. Watching the Lions vs Bulls game last night showed that if you run the ball it pays off. Kicking works only to a point and then it becomes to predictable. Predictable rugby will see you lose more games than what you win. Meyer is a good coach, but it is time to rethink his strategy.

As always this is just my view……….