Hits and Misses: Boks grind it out, Stormers unearth gem and Bulls hit rock bottom

OPINION: Rugby365 contributor Wynona Louw dissects some of the biggest talking points over the weekend.

With the Springboks, Stormers, Springbok Women, and Currie Cup Premier Division teams all in action this past weekend, it was sure to deliver at least a few talking points.

From the Stormers holding the All Blacks until the 65th minute in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series-opener at Cape Town Stadium, to the Springboks’ struggles against Argentina in Buenos Aires, we look at the best and worst moments from the weekend.

Hits:

Stormers’ Opposites: Young Yaqeen’s Composure and Fourie’s Fantastic Comeback

Given all the subplots, nobody would have blamed Yaqeen Ahmed if he struggled.

The Stormers’ clash in Cape Town on Friday night was massive for all involved, but particularly so for the Wynberg Boys’ High product.

Not only did he make his Stormers debut, but he did so against the All Blacks, with Beauden Barrett his direct opponent. Add in there the fact that he is already in Bok-flyhalves-for-the-future discussions, and the occasion was amplified. So too, of course, was the pressure.

Despite it all, despite facing the haka and running out in his first senior match for the Stormers, he appeared remarkably composed in his performance.

You never want to put too much pressure on a young player by expecting too much too soon, but how can you not after that display?

Another standout Stormers player in that battle was Deon Fourie, who was incredible as he returned to action for the first time since sustaining a knee injury in May.

He was an otherworldly presence on defence, making a string of hits in the span of a few seconds numerous times during his 62-minute shift, while he also won a couple of turnovers. His try and the way he set up Seabelo Senatla’s score-equaling try-line visit were the cherries on top.

If anybody embodies the phrase “aging like a fine wine”, it’s him.

*Continues below…

Boks’ Ability to Grind out Wins

The Springboks simply had no business winning that game.

Their kicking game misfired, their scrum was challenged in the first half, their maul was defended well, and they were just too messy at times, while Los Pumas, on the other hand, never really looked in trouble as Santiago Carreras steered the ship superbly in the absence of Tomas Albornoz, who copped a four-match suspension for his behavior towards Australian referee Angus Gardner after their chaotic Nations Championship match against England.

Scores were locked at 10-all until the final 15 minutes, with the Bok bench and their second try proving decisive in the 17-10 win.

While there is no doubt lots to fix ahead of their colossal Test against New Zealand in two weeks, there is something to be said about the way this team can find a way to win.

They also sneaked a victory against Scotland at Loftus, with Gregor Townsend’s team the better side on the day, but the Boks broke free from a 14-14 stalemate at half time to secure a 42-28 result.

Character like that is as important as any physical or tactical weapon.

Springbok Women’s Fiji Demolition Job

The Springbok Women handed Fiji a 55-12 thumping in Suva on Saturday in the first of two Tests, and of all the good they did, the tries that were on show was probably one of their finest productions.

From the set-pieces, with the scrum, lineout, and maul functioning smoothly, to the physical exchanges, they used every area as an opportunity to create something.

The latest result comes after they tied a historic two-Test series against the USA in July, outplaying the Americans to claim the first Test and following it up with a disappointing display to lose the second.

Swys de Bruin’s team next face the Fijiana in Lautoka next Saturday.

Misses:

Boks’ Kicking and Struggle to Adapt

It certainly feels odd listing the Boks under ‘Misses’, but they were off the mark in some areas – at least by their own standards – and the kicking game was one of them.

The South Africans’ kicking was frustrating, even more so because they could not seem to adapt to the windy conditions. Things looked better in that department when Handre Pollard took to the field as he sent his kicks low to combat the swirling gusts, while the starting half backs, the returning Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach, struggled to assert control with the boot.

It’s highly unlikely that it will be a recurring issue against the All Blacks, not just because the conditions might not be the same, but also because they didn’t become world champions by allowing themselves to make the same mistake twice. Feinberg-Mngomezulu will also be sharper once the rust comes off.

It wasn’t pretty, but they got the result and that push from Argentina was perhaps just what the Boks needed going into the next few weeks.

If anyone can turn a negative into a positive, it’s them.

Bulls XV’s Rotten Discipline and Continuing Currie Cup Woes

You can’t be dirt poor when it comes to results yet still go and throw away a real chance at victory when you get the chance.

The Bulls XV, however, managed to do just that against the Pumas.

They are winless after four rounds of Currie Cup Premier Division action and right at the bottom of the table, and while they came close to pulling off an upset in Round Four and did well to fight back from being 19-0 down despite their numerical disadvantage, they are effectively out of playoff contention with three rounds of regular-season action remaining.

The Pretoria outfit suffered a 33-31 defeat at their home ground, with their ill-discipline a key component in that loss.

They were shown three yellow cards and a red, with flank Abongile Nonkontwana’s yellow card for a shoulder tackle upgraded to red.
Hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele and replacement loose forward Cephas van Biljon were also sent to the sin bin for cynical play.

At one stage, they had just 12 players on the field, and while they can take consolation from the character they showed to fight back and have also had to deal with the disruption brought on by injuries, they need to handle what’s within their control better.