Wow, what a final day that was! The result is in the bag and the Proteas have laid claim to that elusive Number 1 ranking they have been working towards for so long. Vernon Philander was sublime and deserved his man of the match award. The epic finale could not have been better scripted and to achieve what they did at Lords, and in the way they did it, is something that will be written and talked about for many years to come.
For the Proteas, mentally, this could have also been a major step in the right direction to shake this “chokers” tag that has been following them when they faltered in big games.
England fought hard and created a half chance on that final day. They did themselves proud in many aspects of how they battled. My dad always told me that there is no sin in losing – but in how you lose. They did it with dignity and a never-say-die attitude where many other teams might have just fallen away.
The hunter becomes the hunted – the Aussies are already gearing up for the test series in November and wants to claim that number 1 ranking. Mickey Arthur and Michael Clarke have been quoted in the press this week as saying that they can’t wait for the challenge. For the first time in my living memory, we will be going to Aus as the favourites and the biggest challenge now is to hold onto that ranking which history shows is easier to reach than to maintain.
The English tour is not over yet and there is an ODI and T2- series to deal with before we get to the Aussies.
For the moment though let’s enjoy the result and achievement by our Protea men – well done “manne”! – by Bobby Londt
Ons Manne in Mendoza
Die Springbokspan lyk bietjie anders as verlede Saterdag s’n op Nuweland, terwyl die Argentyne skynbaar sonder hul sleutelspeler op losskakel sal moet klaarkom.
Arme ou Keegan Daniel. Saterdag dop hy soos ‘n ertjie uit die losgemaal en kry boonop ‘n strafskop teen hom daarvoor, nou is hy sommer ook uit die beginspan gepos, waarskynlik vir dieselfde rede. Ek hou nogal van die idee dat hy as impakspeler heelwat meer vaart kan bring.
Die veld gaan blykbaar baie vinniger rugby moontlik maak as wat die geval op Nuweland was, so ons behoort baie meer van ons opwindende agterlyn te sien. Habana het van krukke en doekvoet tot beginspan gevorder. Kom ons hoop dis nie net oëverblindery nie.
Weens die fisieke aard van die Argentyne se spel was die normale kraglopies van veral Willem Alberts nie so opmerklik soos gewoonlik nie. Ek is baie bly dat hy kans kry op agsteman, waar ek glo hy die rol wat van Spies verwag word, tans beter kan uitvoer. Ek hoop ook dat Jacques Potgieter sy geleentheid sal aangryp. Hy moet net sy natuurlike aggressie binne die reëls gebruik. Dis makliker om ‘n reputasie te kry, as af te skud. Vra maar vir Oom Bakkies, as jy my nie glo nie.
Ruan Pienaar het die agterlyn baie vinniger weggekry toe hy op die veld verskyn het, maar Hougie se verdediging is weer baie werd vir die span. My teorie oor Morné Steyn se vorm is laas Saterdag reg bewys, en ek verwag dat sy bestendigheid sal voortduur. Wanneer laas het ons ‘n drie gedruk van so presisie skop soos wat hy vir Habana geloods het? Dit was regtig groot lekkerkry, daardie een.
Ons het werklik ‘n wêreldklas reserwe bank, en ek voorsien min probleme sou daar beserings opduik in enige posisie.
My wens vir Saterdag is dat ons die basiese dinge sal reg doen, en na ons potensiaal speel. Dit help nie Heyneke kies ‘n span wat die All Blacks kan klop, teen die Argentyne nie. Hy kies die span soos nodig vir die span teen wie hulle speel, en hiermee het ek groot vrede.
Sterkte met die laaste stuiptrekkings van die winter.
PK
