Performance against New Zealand proved that while the South Africans lost a year to Covid they have not lost ground
Springboks player Eben Etzebeth in action against All Blacks players in Gold Coast, Australia, October 2 2021. Picture: AAP IMAGES/REGI VARGHESE/REUTERS
The constant carping in the Kiwi media about the Boks playing style was getting tiresome. And some New Zealand rugby luminaries obviously thought so too, including All Blacks coach Ian Foster, who in the build-up to this most recent Test described criticism of the Boks as “a bit over the top”. “I think the Springboks are missing the creative genius of Cheslin Kolbe because he has the capacity to unlock games, but I don’t agree with the narrative that there is a specific way that you should play,” Deans told the New Zealand media. “What makes rugby is the ability for teams to choose a way that suits their DNA and gives them the best chance of succeeding. It’s very important.”
The Boks could have put Ardie Savea’s team away in both games and probably would have won both had they been more willing to attack with turnover ball in the first clash. The “what ifs” and “what might have beens” are now irrelevant though. Getting across the line as winners in this last game was hugely important for the Boks in that it took away any justification for the negative narrative.
That the Boks need to evolve their attacking game is not something Nienaber would deny. He readily admitted after the victory over the All Blacks that his team was a lot closer to getting the right balance between kicking, passing and running, but were still not quite there.
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