Clancey Clangers not the only reason – Paul Kruger
If the Springboks had the benefit of appealing against the result of Saturday’s match against Australia, their chances of success would be excellent if it was purely based on the poor decisions by the officials.
Unfortunately, Heyneke’s game plan also failed the test, and this is why we lost.
There was one lapse in concentration when the backs actually played the ball wide and scored a magnificent try. Willie le Roux was nearly decapitated whilst executing a brilliant pass which led to the try, yet nothing happened to the perpetrator.
Our tactical kicking was so predictable, it was nauseating. Even Willie le Roux appears to have been instructed to refrain from playing his normal game, and at one stage resembled a ballerina as he watched his attempted line kicks go out on the full.
The grubber has again found favour in the modern game, yet we prefer to rather make sure the opponents get enough time to counter-attack by kicking it long and deep.
In fairness, the kicking in the second half was better when we played against the wind, and hats off to Pienaar and Steyn for keeping the Wallabies stuck in their own half with the wind in their backs.
In most of the reports I read, commentators failed to mention the howling wind which also had an impact on the outcome of the match. Morné Steyn’s detractors were salivating at the opportunity of making him the scapegoat for that missed line kick from a penalty while forgetting so many other positive things he did.
Even the staunchest Aussie supporter will admit that they did not deserve to win the match.
The stereotype rugby dished up by the Boks did it for them.
Australia versus SA rivalry at a peak – Bobby Londt
Not enough can be said about the brilliant performance by Faf du Plessis. The Aussies had plenty to say on the field but were fairly quiet afterwards.
What was apparent is the blatant targeting of AB when he got to the wicket; a compliment to his abilities, I suppose, but still over the top as the motor-mouthed driven Aussies just kept the sledging going.
James Faulkner started it – for a medium pacer, he should rather stick to getting the balls in the right area. AB showed superb composure in absorbing loads of pressure at a vital stage of the run chase.
Initially, I was quite surprised at AB’s onslaught on Faulkner in those final moments, hitting the military medium pacer for 6, 6 and 4 which effectively ended the hopes of Faf being the first player ever to score 4 centuries in a series, but in hindsight I can only think that it was AB’s way of retaliating in brutal fashion to mar Faulkner’s match figures, and to remind him who is in charge.
There is niggle between the two teams and the Proteas are intent on reminding the Aussies that their approach to the series in SA earlier this year is not forgotten. Their aggression then overstepped the mark, and they were duly humbled on Saturday.
Dale Steyn was deservedly man of the match – he still seems to be smarting from the test series in SA, and he reminded all that he has not forgiven the Aussies skipper, Clarke, for the personal attack on him during the test at Newlands, effectively reminding the Aussie skipper that all is not yet forgotten, nor forgiven.
A last word on Faf – he set out to make number 3 his own and boy, did he do it with distinction!
Moonstone/Getwine Superbru Pool
Our weekly winner is Martin van Tonder who managed to get the result of the game in Perth spot-on, gaining himself 2.5 points. He also got the winner right in the other match, earning himself a total of 3.5 points, just half a point ahead of three other brus.
Baie geluk, Martin. Soos Jean de Villiers dit gestel het – ons sal hierdie een maar op die kennebak vat en aanbeweeg.
