Wallaby loss not end of the world

Yes the Boks shouldn’t have lost on Saturday. Yes they performed poorly. Yes they let Australia off the hook with some poor decisions after great work in midfield. Yes they didn’t bring their usual fiery intensity to the match. But no, this is not the end of the world. In fact, it may well be what the Boks needed.

The Wallabies performance was one of those back to the wall last-stand performances that go down in legend, but such has never made for a great team. Just as losing to them does not make the losers a bad team overnight. Though Saturday was a high point for the Wallabies, for the Springboks it really should not be treated as anything more than a bad day at the office. Any reaction besides that would be irresponsible.

What the Boks should do is remember that what got them to the pinnacle of world rugby was a mentality that approached every match as a chance to lay down markers and send out a strong statement. Saturday saw a team run out that believed a “par” performance will do. That is not the Springbok way and the score line showed why. The Boks still have the class and talent to smash the All Blacks next week. But they need to bring heart to the party. And it is a lot easier to motivate a talented team than to do the opposite.

The All Blacks will be driven by the same fire that drove the Wallabies on Saturday. They have the chance to avenge humiliation against their biggest foes. The Boks must remember this and treat the match like the once-off chance at glory it is. Indeed what could be sweeter than winning the Tri-Nations IN New Zealand?

That would be a massive statement to make. But the Boks must bring fire to the table. I’m backing them to win by seven on Saturday.