What an amazing game of test cricket Perth delivered! It once again proved why test cricket is the pinnacle! Turning points were Dale Steyn leaving the field injured, 100’s by Elgar and Duminy and Bavuma’s run-out, fifty and awesome runout!
Next up is Hobart – this will prove a different test as the conditions will be quite different to Perth in terms of weather and pitch conditions, with Hobart being much cooler and the wicket slower.
I suspect Morkel will get the nod before Abbott to replace Dale Steyn. Morne, returning from injury, will have lots to prove, but Abbott has never let the Proteas down either. He will be a good selection in my view.
The Proteas are in the fortunate position that they do not need to chase the game or a result. With morale high after their recent success, they might just edge the Aussies, as Smith’s men seem to lack self-belief.
Complicating Australia’s predicament is that rain is forecast for the first three days in Hobart in a game they must win to take the three-test series to a decider in Adelaide from November 24.
Domingo has been under pressure for some time but it seems he might just be onto something with his team focusing on pride and playing for their country. This team is being well led by the stand-in skipper, Faf du Plessis and they seem really comfortable as a unit.
That, in Australia, is a tremendous feat as it is arguably one of the hardest tours to have in terms of crowds, press and opposition.
Irish Inspiration for the Boks? – by Paul Kruger
The Irish win over the All Blacks last weekend was almost as big a surprise as the Japanese victory over the Springboks at the last RWC.
One must also remember that this was not in Dublin, fired up by a lunatic crowd of Guinness swilling Irishmen, but in Chicago, far, far from home, as David Bowie’s space oddity put it.
This historic win can only be ascribed to the incredible motivation provided by the memory of “Axel” Foley, the beloved Ireland and Munster player who recently passed away at the age of 42.
The Springboks are facing an almost equally daunting task against England on Saturday.
What will it take to get them equally charged up?
Ongelukkig sal die Boere-oorlog nie, soos in die ou dae, werk nie. Daarvoor is die samestelling van die span net te anders.
Stehen Nell skryf in Media24 dat dit dalk kan werk as Schalk Burger of Franco Smith die manne se truie oorhandig, en hul ervaring van speel teen die Britte met die span deel.
Ek vermoed dit sal te laat wees. Die manne moet die doepa inkry soos buskruit saam met hul ontbytpap elke oggend.
If it is true that there is nothing as dangerous as a Springbok rugby player with his back to the wall, then our “kopdokter” needs to use this to get them fired up, and keep them there for the full 80 minutes.
The Irish were ahead by 30 – 8, only to watch the best comeback kids in the world claw their way back to 33 – 29. They did not falter, and kept the All Blacks at bay until the final whistle.
Dis moeilik, maar dis moontlik. Elke tree vorentoe sal hierdie mantra net meer en meer versterk.
Ek vermoed ons gaan die pyp rook, Saterdag. Nie omdat ons beter spelers het as die Engelse nie, maar omdat ons weier om verneder te word.
En omdat ons Eddie Jones iets verskuldig is na die vorige wêreldbeker.
If anybody had told me that we would thrash the Aussies, without de Villiers, Amla making 1, and short of a fast bowler, I would have said dream on. I never thought that that the full attack could bowl anybody out. Steyn is finished, and up to Perth I thought Philander was too. Additionally they played a debutante spinner, when Shamsi had totally bamboozled the Aussies before. Du Plessis(not my favourite player) has been a superb captain, bringing in the ruthlessness and toughness last seen with Smith.Morkel(the most overrated bowler ever to play for the Proteas) would be a poor choice. Very little brain or skill, the only asset he has is height. Perth was one of the greatest victories of all time. Take a bow, Proteas.