Time running out for Springboks?

With their 26-0 win over Six Nations bottom-enders Italy at Newlands on Saturday, the Springboks have now achieved their third consecutive victory under new coach Peter de Villiers — but we still are none the wiser about the much vaunted “revolutionary” or “new philosophy of play” he apparently has in mind for the world champions.

What is clear, however, is that time has run out for them to experiment with anything new, and that they are in for a tough time in the Tri-Nations against the All Blacks and Wallabies unless they are able to improve vastly on their performances so far. To add to their woes, they do not have another match to do this. Last Saturday’s Test against Italy was the last before they start their campaign in the tough southern-hemisphere competition.

Their victories against Wales on the previous two weekends may have been encouraging to those who are satisfied merely to “look at the scoreboard” or to whom “a win is a win” — but they were not convincing at all and, most importantly, certainly did not instil much confidence for the Springboks’ prospects in the Tri-Nations.

I would, therefore, have expected De Villiers to use the match against Italy to play his strongest available line-up — even if it was only to create more confidence by achieving a comprehensive victory. There simply cannot be anything better than the competitive environment — the real thing, regardless of whether it is against the minnows of the Six Nations — to create that confidence and iron out any problems. The coach squandered that opportunity.

Let’s face it, the Springbok team against the Italians did not look like world champions and this surely could not have done their confidence any good. The visitors, on the other hand, came out of this clash with their reputation and confidence enhanced.

One aspect of the play in which the Springboks did, however, impress was their driving mauls, winning long stretches of territory at a time although these mauls sometimes developed into what seemed to be “truck-and-trailer” situations to which the visitors objected once or twice. But, as captain Victor Matfield quite rightly said after the match, they would be unlikely to “get away” with those drives against the All Blacks.

All eyes were on Francois Steyn being tried out at flyhalf. Although he showed some sporadic flashes of brilliance, he did not convince as a playmaker. He kicked far too often when he could have distributed the ball, and tried to go on his own too often when there were better options with teammates on his outside.

Ironically, one such instance was when he scored the Springboks’ first try. It eventually turned out to be a brilliant move although it could so easily have gone horribly wrong. But the angels seemed to be with him because he simply should not have been able to scoop up that wet ball with one hand from his own kick ahead before diving over for the try. This could, of course, have influenced the rest of his play. The success of his solo effort could have had the psychological effect of him trying to go on his own just a few times too many later in the match.

While on the subject of flyhalves and the Springboks’ readiness for the Tri-Nations: Dan Carter sounded warning bells with a superb display as the All Blacks rounded off their preparations for the Tri-Nations with an excellent victory over England on Saturday. He was certainly a major contributing factor to the All Blacks’ excellent showing.

In the past, the Springboks have been able to contain Carter, and I only hope that they do so again on July 5 when the Tri-Nations competition starts.

There is also the possibility that this game will be played in the same appalling, wet conditions the Springboks experienced on Saturday, which possibly resulted in the Boks committing an unusually high number of handling errors. Similar errors could cost them dearly against the All Blacks.

But all is not gloom and doom. The Springboks are known for their resilience and all depends on how they manage to prepare and plan in training to move up their performance a few notches and so counter the expected onslaught from the All Blacks.

A lot is at stake! Apart from competing for the Tri-Nations, they will not only be defending their reputation as world champions, but also their number-one position in the IRB world rankings. The All Blacks are second, only about one point behind the Springboks (according to the latest IRB rankings).

Roll on, July 5!