The South African teams’ attempt to match the Kiwi sides for tempo and intensity may backfire in the long run, writes JON CARDINELLI.
In the past, a win in a north-south derby would be cause for celebration. These days, the respective coaches are more honest about their ambitions, as well as those of the national fraternity. A win in a Bulls-DHL Stormers clash means little in an era when South African teams make up the numbers rather than offer a significant and consistent challenge across Super Rugby playoff matches.
For those with short memories, the Springboks lost eight of their 12 Tests in 2016. The Boks conceded 15 tries and nearly 100 points in the two matches against the All Blacks, while the South African Super Rugby sides struggled against their Kiwi counterparts during the conference stage. The Lions were the only local franchise to advance beyond the quarter-finals.
In the buildup to the game at Newlands in round one of the 2017 instalment, Stormers coach Robbie Fleck and Bulls mentor Nollis Marais spoke about the north-south derby in general terms.
Fleck and Marais appeared to be more interested in improving handling and breakdown skills with the aim of preparing their respective teams for the challenge of the five New Zealand Super Rugby giants. Those matches would, according to the coaches, reveal how far the South African teams had progressed.
ALSO READ: Breakdowns key to slaying Kiwis
So where do the South African teams stand after round one? The truth is that no one knows as the Sharks played the Reds in Brisbane on Friday and two South African derbies took place in South Africa on Saturday. We will have to wait until a South African team meets a Kiwi side in battle to make a definitive judgement.
The Stormers beat the Bulls at Newlands 37-24 in round one. Afterwards, Marais and Fleck made it clear that they had bigger fish to fry in the coming months.
Marias pointed out that the Bulls had scored four tries against a good Stormers defence. He spoke about the Bulls’ intent to play running rugby in 2017 and, unprompted, stated that the improved tempo and intensity of the clash proved that South African rugby was moving in the right direction.
Fleck said that the game at Newlands served as an exhibition for the South African game, 'if not where we are, then where we are going as a collective'. Fleck failed to hide his delight when he was told that former Bok coach Nick Mallett had praised the Stormers as a Kiwi-type side following their performance against the Bulls.
Both coaches spoke at length about tempo and intensity. The game at Newlands was played at a frantic pace. More often than not, it was the Bulls who failed to adapt to that speed. That said, the Stormers rarely looked in control. They won the set pieces and collisions, yet failed to put the Bulls away completely.
VIDEO: Stormers vs Bulls highlights
The New Zealand breakdown performance in round one was nothing short of outstanding. The aggression of the individual players, as well as the intelligence shown in subsequent phases, has been something to behold.
Compare the Crusaders and Brumbies clash in Christchurch or the Highlanders and Chiefs match in Dunedin to the Cheetahs vs Lions game in Bloemfontein. The first two games are replays viewed at twice or three times the normal speed. The latter unfolds in slow motion and, sad to say it, ends in disappointment.
Some have asserted that the Lions and Cheetahs are moving in the right direction because of the similarities between how they and the New Zealand teams play. Yet, on the basis of recent performances, it’s clear that the Kiwis sides have forged ahead and taken their breakdown prowess as well as the tempo of attack to a new level.
To follow New Zealand rugby is dangerous. This course of action presumes that South African teams can adapt to Kiwi methods and then beat the New Zealanders at their own game. It doesn’t take into account the inferior skill levels and conditioning of the teams based in this part of the world.
The South African franchises in the Africa 1 conference will attempt to play a more expansive brand in 2017 in order to compete against the crack New Zealand franchises. While an improvement of attack is desperately needed, so too is a healthy dose of reality.
Attacking rugby alone doesn’t win big matches, and all the truly successful teams in professional rugby – from the All Blacks to the Hurricanes to England – are testament to the fact.
There will be no consolation prize for the team that plays at a high tempo, but does not win the big game in 2017. Intensity and tempo will always be paramount at the breakdown, but the reaction that follows the tackle will separate the contenders from the pretenders.
South African teams such as the Stormers and Sharks have rattled overseas teams with their defence in recent seasons. If these teams were to combine their attacking strategy with their existing defensive strength and drive towards dominating the territory stakes, they could edge closer to a formula of success.
– Cardinelli is Highbury Media's chief rugby writer
Photo: Betram Malgas/Gallo Images
