Opportunity knocks for De Allende
Damian de Allende must make the most of his starting opportunities in what should be a watershed tour for the 25-year-old, writes CRAIG LEWIS.
Boks in limbo
The Springboks continue to be hamstrung by the bizarre decisions taken by the coaching staff and the SA Rugby administrators, writes JON CARDINELLI in Dublin.
Duane, Steyn would bolster Boks
The Springboks have missed a trick by overlooking the value that Duane Vermeulen and Frans Steyn could have added to the end-of-year tour, writes CRAIG LEWIS.
Province slow poison killed off Sharks
What NICK MALLETT had to say on SuperSport about Western Province’s 33-21 win against the Sharks in the Currie Cup final at Kings Park.
Halfbacks hurting Bok cause
The Springboks will challenge the All Blacks at the 2019 World Cup if they persist with a traditional approach that is enhanced by a tactically astute halfback pairing, writes JON CARDINELLI. The Boks nearly beat the All Blacks at Newlands this past Saturday. To be at the ground in the final 10 minutes of the contest was to experience Test rugby… Read more →
Boks embracing proactive approach
The Springboks’ varied approach in the final two Rugby Championship Tests speaks to a tactical evolution that does provide cause for encouragement, writes CRAIG LEWIS. There was something brutal, but beautiful about the manner in which the Boks regularly manhandled the All Blacks on Saturday. To be at the ground was to appreciate the sheer physicality that the Boks brought to… Read more →
Bok defence was much better
The Springboks did not allow the All Blacks to play their best game at Newlands, writes JOHN PLUMTREE. The All Blacks said they expected a tough contest against the Springboks at Newlands and that proved to be the case. Most rugby folk in New Zealand were pleased to see that after the All Blacks’ 57-0 win in Albany. The world champions… Read more →
Coetzee failing left-field selection test
SIMNIKIWE XABANISA says Allister Coetzee’s decision not to recall Ruan Combrinck shows his inability to make sensible left-field calls.
Treat the cause, not the symptom
The Springboks’ blowout against the All Blacks on Saturday is simply a microcosm of a far greater problem facing South African rugby, writes CRAIG LEWIS. In the lead-up to the Test in Albany, there were some futile attempts to hype up the clash as a potentially competitive battle between two great rivals. Understandably, a passionate South African rugby public wants to… Read more →
Bok coaches in deep denial
Allister Coetzee and Brendan Venter’s comments since the Springboks’ record 57-0 loss to the All Blacks are as concerning as the performance itself, writes SIMON BORCHARDT. On Saturday, the Boks suffered their biggest defeat in 126 years of Test rugby. They conceded eight tries, and could not score any points themselves. They were humiliated. Yet in his TV interview directly after the match… Read more →
