Nations Series: Winners are grinners in the school of hard knocks
OPINION: To appropriate that famous 1989 song by Tina Turner: ‘They are Simply the Best’.
I am speaking about the Springboks and their unsaturated desire to continue raising the bar.
As we approach the halfway stage of the November internationals, ahead of the World Cup draw on December 3, it is a fitting time to look at the biggest winners and whiners of the Nations Series.
The Springboks are ranked #1 in the world, a position they have held, with brief interludes, for the past two years.
South Africa lost the No.1 ranking for the first time since being crowned back-to-back World Cup winners in 2023 after falling to Argentina by 28-29 in Santiago del Estero in September last year.
They regained the top spot after a successful, unbeaten year-end tour two months later.
The Boks slipped out of the top spot, again briefly, in August this year after a shock loss to the Wallabies at Ellis Park. They regained it a few weeks later with a record win over the All Blacks in Wellington.
That position they have cemented in the Nations Series.
They started November with 92.20 ranking points, and this past weekend’s epic win over France in Paris saw them lead second-placed New Zealand by nearly two ranking points – 93.06 to 91.35 – despite the All Blacks improving from 90.02 to 91.35.
Below that, there are some dramatic changes.
Ireland lost points (89.83 to 88.85), while England (88.96 from 87.64) moved into fourth place ahead of France (down to 86.95 from 87.82).
Argentina, sixth, opened an almost three points (84.30 to 81.69) gap over Australia in seventh.
Keep in mind, the rankings are relevant because the top six teams will be in Band One, with sides ranked seventh to 12th in Band Two, at the draw next month.
Even without the rankings, South Africa and New Zealand have been the big winners and are looking good for a year-end clean sweep.
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Under the guidance of the polymath that is Rassie Erasmus, the Boks have developed a resolve and purposefulness that is unmatched in any Bok era I have ever experienced.
There is never a sign of panic, even when going behind on the scoreboard or losing a player as a result of a disciplinary lapse.
Yes, there were the reversals against the Wallabies at Ellis Park and the All Blacks at Eden Park.
However, even with the numerous changes from the Japan demolition (61-7) to the French boilover (32-17) that same stick-to-itiveness, a firm or unwavering adherence to their purpose, shone through like a spotlight.
At Stade de France, the player who impressed me most was No.8 Jasper Wiese (with 18 carries for 39 metres, plus seven tackles), the grafter that does the hard work.
Another player who impressed and will be vital going forward is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who made 82 metres from 12 carries. It was actually Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s tactical kicking that reflected the Boks’ territorial strategy while down to 14 men against France.
The teams in dire need of a ‘pick-me-up’ are Australia and Wales.
Since their win at Ellis Park, the Wallabies have become erratic at best, with their 19-26 loss to Italy ringing the alarm bells.
Wales are just desperate, and after their 28-52 loss to Argentina, another defeat against Japan this week is not so implausible.
The big games this week start with Italy versus South Africa in Turin, two teams coming off impressive wins and having met twice already this year.
The All Blacks’ Grand Slam objective continues when England host New Zealand at Twickenham, also two teams in great form.
Wales against Japan in Cardiff will be intriguing and worth watching.
Ireland hosts Australia in Dublin in what could be a long day at the office for the visitors.
Then, on Sunday, Scotland hosts Argentina at Murrayfield in what will be an intriguing finish to the weekend.
@rugby365com
