Statistics: Passes surpassed
Last week we looked at the difference between New Zealand backs and South African backs in passing. This week we look at the difference between Australian backs and South African backs in the nine-try Test at Loftus Versfeld. This week the South African backs passed more often than they did last week.
We have already given the statistics of getting possession; this is about using it. Tomorrow we shall give some forward statistics which may well have surprises.
In this Test at Loftus Versfeld, South Africa scored five tries to four in a match which produced five tries in 11 amazing minutes. The player who sparked three of the tries was scrumhalf François Hougaard.
Against the All Blacks, the Springbok backs passed 41 passes to New Zealand’s 171. Against Australia the Springbok tacks passes 82 times, Australian backs 140 times. (Amongst the forwards the score was 32-20 to Australia.)
We are grateful to Fikasms for providing the statistics.
Scrumhalves:
François Hougaard: 60 passes
Will Genia: 72 passes
Flyhalves:
Morné Steyn: 12 passes
Quade Cooper: 29 passes
Centres:
Jean de Villiers: 3 passes
Matt Giteau: 11 passes
Jaque Fourie: 0
Adam Ashley-Cooper: 4
Wings:
Bryan Habana: 2 passes
Drew Mitchell: 4 passes
JP Pietersen: 2 passes
James O’Connor: 7 passes
Fullbacks:
Frans Steyn: 3 passes
Kurtley Beale: 13 passes
If you total that, you get:
South Africa: 82 passes
Australia: 140 passes
At the same time, let’s look at kicks in play (i.e. not restart kicks)
For South Africa:
François Hougaard: 4
Morné Steyn: 7
Bryan Habana: 2
Jaque Fourie: 0
Jean de Villiers 0
JP Pietersen: 1
Frans Steyn: 4
Butch James 5
Total: 23
For Australia:
Will Genia: 3
Quade Cooper: 5
Matt Giteau: 1
Adam Ashley-Cooper: 0
Drew Mitchell: 1
James O’Connor: 1
Kurtley Beale: 3
Total: 14
Times backs ran with the ball
For South Africa:
François Hougaard: 8
Morné Steyn: 6
Bryan Habana: 4
Jaque Fourie: 4
Jean de Villiers 7
JP Pietersen: 4
Frans Steyn: 3
Butch James 0
Total: 36
For Australia:
Will Genia: 12
Quade Cooper: 14
Matt Giteau: 6
Adam Ashley-Cooper: 12
Drew Mitchell: 12
James O’Connor: 6
Kurtley Beale: 10
Total: 72
Metres run
For South Africa:
François Hougaard: 53
Morné Steyn: 30
Bryan Habana: 18
Jaque Fourie: 59
Jean de Villiers 60
JP Pietersen: 51
Frans Steyn: 12
Butch James 0
Total: 283
For Australia:
Will Genia: 36
Quade Cooper: 78
Matt Giteau: 40
Adam Ashley-Cooper: 75
Drew Mitchell: 94
James O’Connor: 38
Kurtley Beale: 143
Total: 504
The Australian backs did more running and more passing than the South African backs.
Tackles by backs
For South Africa:
François Hougaard: 6
Morné Steyn: 5
Bryan Habana: 3
Jaque Fourie: 4
Jean de Villiers 6
JP Pietersen: 3
Frans Steyn: 0
Butch James 3
Total: 30
For Australia:
Will Genia: 5
Quade Cooper: 4
Matt Giteau: 8
Adam Ashley-Cooper: 12
Drew Mitchell: 8
James O’Connor: 1
Kurtley Beale: 2
Total: 40
Tomorrow we shall look at the stats for forwards. There may be some surprises.
