2010: A year to forget for Boks

2010 will in South Africa be known as the year of Ayoba! (The marketing person who latched on to that one should either be stoned or applauded.) The Soccer World Cup came to the shores of the Republic, and for once, the country didn’t descend into its usual cynicism to host a tournament that was successful for all the right reasons. It was a triumph for South Africa, and deservedly so.

Springbok rugby in comparison would have been expecting another fine season, and they weren’t alone in doing so (guilty as charged). Perhaps we made the mistake of thinking about international rugby as an extension of the Super 14, where the Tri-Nations teams simply give the players a different coloured jersey above and beyond what they wear during the Super season. South Africa was represented by both of the finalists, so surely the Springboks would by extension dominate the Tri-Nations, right?

Oh, how silly we were.

Peter de Villier’s side was white-washed by the All Blacks (the Kiwis never forget years like 2009), and beaten by Australia on the Highveld for the first time in 47 years. They lost to Scotland in Europe but afterwards slapped around an English team that fancied their chances because they beat the Wallabies the week before. If a word can describe the Springbok’s 2010 season, inconsistency would be the bookies favourite.

First half collapses, second half rallies and fighting talk from the coaching staff continued throughout the season and frankly I was quite glad when the European adventure came to an ignominious end against the Barbarians. The same headlines have been everywhere since June, and enough is enough. A break was indeed called for. Peter de Villiers isn’t the best coach the Springboks have ever had, and he should be questioned about some of the decisions he has made during his tenure, along with some of the colourful statements he has made, making the media manager’s role folly. However it isn’t unrealistic to suggest that there are certain voices within the South African media landscape that have always had it in for De Villiers since he was chosen for a position that many thought was Heyenke Meyer’s by right. Those who call for his head are showing a lack of pragmatism, wanting to wreck a trip that though could end badly, will at least end in some form of a definable result. Who knows, it could end in profitable circumstances.

To have removed De Villiers would have equated to the build-up of the 2003 World Cup, and we all know what a load of Kamp Staaldraad that turned out to be. A change of management isn’t going to radically alter the Springboks fortunes or ensure they defend their world title. Ironically, consistency is what is needed. Will the Springboks play the sort of rugby we expect from New Zealand or Australia? No. But that hasn’t stopped them from etching South Africa on the Webb Ellis trophy twice in four attempts.

While they haven’t tactically been as dynamic as their Antipodean rivals, it’s too late to turn back. Besides, a World Cup tournament is a very different beast in comparison to a typical Test match. Seasons offer players chances to atone for their sins, and to set a high watermark. The World Cup doesn’t offer that comfort and as we’ve seen before, the fear of losing can become crippling. Just ask the All Blacks. If there is a style of rugby built for substance over style, the Springboks have it imprinted into their DNA. They know how to cross the finish line. There will be eight players, barring injuries, which will start the 2011 tournament with the 2007 final being their previous World Cup fixture. The line-up would be close to something like this:

15. Frans Steyn 14. JP Pietersen 11. Bryan Habana 13. Jaque Fourie 12. Jean de Villiers 10. Morne Steyn 9. Fourie du Preez 8. Pierre Spies 7. Juan Smith 6. Heinrich Brussow 5. Victor Matfield 4. Bakkies Botha 3. Jannie du Plessis 2. John Smit 1. Tendai Mtawarira.

22. Gio Aplon 21. Juan de Jongh 20. Ruan Pienaar 19. Schalk Burger 18. Danie Rossouw 17. Bismarck du Plessis 16. Guthro Steenkamp.

John Smit isn’t the best hooker in the country, with Bismarck du Plessis’s rampant performances in Europe proving to be a tour de force. But his experience in the tight situations, as he demonstrated against Fiji in 2007, will outweigh or at least equal what the Springboks lose with Bismarck du Plessis on the bench. Some may argue against that, but the question is this: would you rather have John Smit or Victor Matfield manning the helm with four minutes to go and a one-point lead to protect? Playing Smit at tighthead or loosehead was in retrospect a very silly thing to do, stifling a player that was the best hooker statistically at the 2007 tournament.

The All Blacks also reminded us that they are as scary as ever, and this wasn’t surprising to some. Their victory over South Africa at Soccer City was the year’s most deserved, since that Test match should be rated as the best of the year. No other fixture this year in the international calendar matched Soccer City for intensity, physicality and balls-to-the-wall grit. South Africa played their hearts out, and if it wasn’t for the All Blacks showing us why they are so special, that would have been one of De Villiers’ finest victories (or tacit “successes”). After the match the TV cameras went into the All Blacks dressing room, where they were ecstatic about their victory, and when asked by the media, rated it as their finest performance of the season.

And Australia? They have the easier route to the final, and all things considered, could go all the way.

Next year will be interesting for two reasons. One, the Super 15 will get under way. Will the conference system work? Second, will the Tri-Nations sides be more battle-hardened as they enter the World Cup having concluded a shortened Tri-Nations just weeks before?

The Springboks didn’t perform that well on the pitch this year, but next year begins afresh with new opportunity and if the injury devil is exorcised, if key players stay fit, the Springboks should be facing the All Blacks in the semi-finals next year. In a one-off like that, anything can happen. If this season has proven anything, it would be that.