Boks need to spark

I was surprised, I have to say, at the Boks’ performance on Saturday, and if I am being really honest, disappointed, as I was hoping for a full on battle of a test match. England had not managed to pressure the All Blacks for any great length of time, hence I am not sure just how good they are at the moment, and I was sure that the one thing the Boks would do was put them under pressure, severe pressure, for long periods of time.

Not so.

The Boks were lethargic, and for much of the first half, aimless and headless. They had, and in my view could still have, the best tight five in world rugby. On Saturday, that tight five did not front in any shape of form. Smit, dare I say it, looks overweight, something I came to terms with a long time ago! But not something you expect from a current player and one of his ability. Matfield, my player of the World Cup, was anonymous and a huge disappointment. Where the hell was he? What happened to the awesome player of the World Cup? They both seemed almost dazed. Now I know you South Africans are not the brightest, but bloody hell, those two looked worse than any of our titled families back here, and they at least have the excuse of centuries of in-breeding!!

Butch was out of sorts, and much as I like him, he seemed more intent on head hunting then using his head. At least he has a sense of humour, which I only know through meeting him last year. He was in with my company in our corporate facility at Twickenham for one of the Six Nations games. Alongside him was a line up of has-beens, such as Justin Marshall, Zinzan Brooke, Keith Wood, Dewi Morris, Dean Richards, Gregor Townsend, David Sole, Scott Quinnell, Scott Gibbs, Will Greenwood etc. I explained to Butch that all we really do is a piss take, rather than any formal / serious speeches, and I mentioned that I just had to mention his name ‘Butch’. It had amused me for ages, and I really had to know if he wore leathers and glued on a handle bar moustache for the weekend?

Anyway I asked him on stage in front of the 400 guests, and ended with the very direct question of, ‘so considering all of that (by this I mean that I had mentioned the motorbike, leathers, moustache etc), I have to ask you Butch, are you gay?’

He was brilliant, he just smiled, paused, and eventually said, ‘It depends who is asking, Will If it is someone as fat and ugly as you, then the answer is ‘no.’ He brought the house down!

The Boks need to have direction, pace and urgency about their attack, as well as working out a coherent and effective kicking strategy. If they can piece together phases of play and bring back the intensity to their defence that has been evident for the last few years, then they can put the All Blacks under pressure.

And it is under pressure, real pressure, that the All Blacks have shown vulnerability. If you let them play, forget it, it is good night, Vienna, and the fat lady is not only singing, she is roaring from the roof tops. But if you squeeze their tight five, pressure the 9 (whoever that might be), then arrive in greater numbers and with more physicality at the tackle, their supply of ball not only slows down, but starts to dry up.

Pressure defence on Nonu will allow us all to see if his decisionmaking has improved or not, and some fast quick ball to Habana is never a bad option.

So disappointed I was, but also convinced that the Boks can not be as lethargic and aimless as that again.