‘Unbeatable’ Springboks have backs to the wall

Press, 19 August 1981, Page 30

‘Unbeatable’ Springboks have backs to the wall

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

History offers little comfort to teams that lose the first test of a rugby series, and there are other, more practical, reasons why it is hard to see the Springboks coming back and winning the current series against New Zealand. The tour is now at the half-way stage — seven games played, seven to go — and in respect, to. the tests the only salvation for the Springboks may lie in them finding, and finding quickly, a new tactical approach. They can look ahead with every confidence to winning the other five games outside, the tests. Their mid-week team is certainly beatable, but so long as they have the superior forward power, and consequently the bulk of the possession, it is unlikely they will stumble.' The New Zealand Maoris, whom the tourists will meet in Napier next Tuesday, are always an unknown quality, although there is' undoubtedly a great deal of strength and depth in Maori rugby at present and the XV Will, on paper, be a formidable one. However, whether it can beat the Springboks on just a few days' preparation is another, matter. Of the four remaining provincial matches, only Auckland poses a threat to the Springboks going through New Zealand unbeaten at this level.

. Auckland does , seem to be having one of its better seasons, four wins from five national championship games, and if it can steer clear of the petty politicking that so often bedevils Auckland sides, it might even have a championship-winning one.

With forwards of good size and pacy backs, Auckland is the sort of side which could run the Springboks close, especially as it catches them between the second and third tests.

But, what must the test thoughts of the Springboks be now that their dreams of winning the series by forward power have been’shattered?'

They cannot afford -to move too far away from this platform — it has served them so well' in the past — but they must be prepared to' chance their'arm, with more ball through , the backline, in the second test at Wellington on Saturday week. A lot will depend on what sort of ground, and day, Wellington turns on. A firm ground might persuade them to try once again for forward domination, in the belief that their big men will not be slowed down as they were by

the Lancaster Park mud last Saturday. The tourists’ problems are

compounded by the fact that if they do throw caution to the wind and opt for a running game their chances of playing it better than the All Blacks are slim. In Danie Gerber they have a brilliant attacking centre, but

whether there is the confidence.among those inside him and the speed among those outside him to complement his ability is open to question.

■The Springboks must surely change their test pack, if only in the search for greater mobility. Okkie . Oosthuizen is likely to re- . place Henning van Aswegeh • at loose-head prop, but this will only introduce a better mauler. ’ .'/.There are a number of avenues open to the Springboks if they are genuinely , interested in quickening their , pack. Either Thys Burger, ' who. has still to reach his best South African form, or Burger Geldenhuys, whose has slipped back after making a’strong start to the tour, could be included on the side of the scrum and Theuns Stofberg moved to lock. This would mean the departure of Hennie Bekker, who Was not the force the

Springboks had hoped he would be at the front of the line-outs last Saturday. There was a suspicion in the South African camp before the test that Bekker may be found wanting at the international level.

Another possibility, and one the Springboks will have to seriously consider, is bringing the touring captain, Wynand Claassen, into the test pack. • Claassen may not be. the best No. 8 in the world, but he is a toiler and he does a job which the Springboks needed done last Saturday — someone who can tidy up for them behind the advantage line. It might also be a morale booster to have the touring captain in the test side. Claassen does have a good rapport with his players and even from the-grandstand, it was plain to see that it was he who stirred the side that

played Wanganui into action, when, after the slow start, some of the best rugby of the tour was produced.

On the evidence l of their first seven games, these Springboks are going-to fall well short, of greatness, and greatness was predicted for them when they left South Africa.

Even in their provincial wins, their inability to achieve more with bountiful supplies of possession has been a glaring flaw. They may yet surprise, especially if they strike firmer grounds in the North Island, but the odds at present must be firmly on the side of the All Blacks winning all three tests.

If so, then the ghosts of the All Blacks’ 1949 whitewash in South Africa, when the Springboks won all four tests, can finally be laid to rest. ..