Keyboard warriors meltdown: The context 'pundits' are missing

OPINION: The outrage among fans has reached a fever pitch following the Springboks’ narrow 38-42 defeat to the Wallabies in Perth last Sunday.

While it’s not uncommon for emotions to run high after a loss, some of the criticisms directed at individual players are not only excessive but also lack the necessary context.

Coach Rassie Erasmus stepped up and took full accountability for the outcome, admitting that his decision to make 13 changes to the starting lineup – a significant risk – proved to be a tactical blunder.

His no-excuses stance is commendable; this experience, though painful, could be invaluable as we gear up for the World Cup in Australia next year.

Let’s be clear: not every player lived up to their usual standards – some are out of form, while others simply lack match readiness.

In a pre-match discussion, Erasmus expressed a hope that the team wouldn’t be “too sticky” in the early stages. As it turned out, the match was definitely stickier than he, or any of us, anticipated.

This isn’t the first time we’ve found ourselves here; it’s a troubling feeling of déjà vu.

Cast your minds back to the Test match against Argentina in Buenos Aires on August 8.

Nine players were making their first appearance of the year against Los Pumas, including stalwarts like Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth.

That match was also fraught with challenges, but somehow the Boks managed to scrape through with a 17-10 victory.

Fast forward two weeks to the clash with the All Blacks at Ellis Park, and the Green and Gold were still refreshing their rhythm, ultimately suffering their first loss of the year.

The Wallabies were far more ruthless in Perth than the Pumas were in Buenos Aires, capitalising on those “sticky” moments – of which there were regrettably too many.

Yet, the most significant issue was the lack of game time among a large portion of the squad – a crucial piece of context that many critics seem to overlook in their knee-jerk reactions.

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Let’s delve into the front row of the Boks, especially since the expected scrum superiority was notably absent in the first half.

Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Zachary Porthen made their presence felt after coming off the bench in the opening Test of the Greatest Rivalry at Ellis Park.

With Wessels at 25 years old and having played 14 Tests prior to this match, alongside 22-year-old Porthen with just seven Tests under his belt, it’s clear that they’re still finding their footing in the international scene.

After this encounter, neither saw game time again until Perth – a whole month spent without action.

Hooker Johan Grobbelaar, while more experienced at 28 years with 10 Tests, faced an even longer absence from the game, starting against Los Pumas in Buenos Aires and again in Perth, resulting in a seven-week gap without play.

It’s hardly surprising that this relatively inexperienced front row struggled against a seasoned Wallaby scrum.

On the other hand, the locks present a stark contrast in experience.

Eben Etzebeth had been out of action since last November leading up to the Buenos Aires Test, yet he participated in all four Tests against the All Blacks.

However, he appeared fatigued in Perth, although his performance in Baltimore was a display of raw, unyielding physicality.

To claim he’s “past his prime” is ludicrous – and a testament to the keyboard warriors who love to jump to conclusions. It’s conceivable that the intensity of the All Black series took a toll, leaving him less than sharp against a vibrant and revitalised Wallaby pack.

Franco Mostert, meanwhile, had played just 57 minutes against the Barbarians in June before sustaining an ankle injury.

The end of his Japan season in May means that he’s essentially had minimal action coupled with limited training over the last four months.

Yet, you’d think he should be written off based on the opinions of a few ‘experts’.

Then there’s Paul de Villiers, only 23 years old and with a mere four Test caps before Perth.

His performances in July during all three Nations Championship Tests showcased his immense potential. At Ellis Park, he demonstrated hunger that carried over into Perth a month later, and he emerged as the standout player this past Sunday.

As for Elrigh Louw, another player who has been sidelined since his start at Vélez Sarsfield Stadium, he finally saw action again this past weekend in Perth after a seven-week break.

Marco van Staden, typically utilised as a back-up hooker but more often as a flank, made an impact by coming off the bench at Ellis Park and starting at No.8 in Perth, despite being inactive for five weeks.

In summary, the Boks’ front row faced formidable challenges amidst a backdrop of players who have had varying degrees of playing time and injury rehabilitation.

The lack of experience and game time was bound to create hurdles in their performance against a tough Wallaby side.

Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies made his return to the field as a substitute against Wales in Durban on July 18, before taking the starting role in Perth. It quickly became evident that he had been absent from competitive action for nearly three months.

Flyhalf Handré Pollard, despite boasting the impressive experience of 87 Tests, faced significant challenges upon his return from a seven-week injury layoff – he lacked the rhythm needed for top-level competition.

Young Ethan Hooker, positioned on the left wing, was among those who notably gained from recent match experience, being one of only two players who contributed to the victory in Baltimore.

André Esterhuizen, honoured to captain the Boks in Perth, has oscillated between the roles of inside centre, flank, and No.8 throughout the year. Despite ample playing time, he seemed adrift and unable to find his footing.

Outside centre Canan Moodie also found himself in a similar predicament, having sat out for seven weeks leading up to the match in Perth. His partnership with Esterhuizen is indicative of the need for more cohesive game time together.

On the right wing, Edwill van der Merwe may have been absent since August 8, yet he managed to showcase his undeniable talent, emerging as one of the few starters who truly made an impact.

Fullback Aphelele Fassi, on the other hand, desperately requires a resurgence in form. His own seven-week hiatus between matches – from Buenos Aires to Perth – has not served him well.

By the time the replacements were unleashed in the 47th minute – all eight of them – the match already seemed beyond reach.

However, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, and Wilco Louw stepped in and began to rattle the scrums, injecting much-needed energy and altering the trajectory of the game.

While Lood de Jager struggled to find his rhythm, Jasper Wiese emerged as a beacon of vitality for the Bok side.

Morné van den Berg further solidified his standing within the No.9 hierarchy, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu exuded enthusiasm, albeit with a tendency towards individualism.

As for Quan Horn, he appeared out of sync, with the last competitive game he played being on July 11 against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld.

It’s worth noting that while they all trained with the squad since June, there’s a vast difference between training and the unforgiving nature of match pressure, which ultimately made things precarious on the field.

One can’t help but wonder if Australia would appear so ‘impressive’ had they faced this Bok combination after four consecutive weekends of Test rugby.

@JanDKrugby
@rugby365com