Changing of the Bok guard
The Springboks’ narrow World Cup quarterfinal loss to the Wallabies in Wellington on Sunday signalled the end of the road for a few players that have been the heartbeat of this team for the best part of a decade.
Skipper John Smit, line-out king Victor Matfield and halfback general Fourie du Preez will never represent their country again after enjoying unprecedented success in the Green & Gold jersey, while it is also appears to be the end of the road for stalwart Danie Rossouw.
Smit will be furthering his career at English club Saracens, Matfield will retire from all levels of rugby, whilst Du Preez and Rossouw will earn one final cheque each as they play out their careers in Japan.
It also remains to be seen whether fellow veterans Bakkies Botha – who is off to Toulon in France – and Butch James – despite being back at the Lions – will play for the Boks again, with injuries and young pretenders putting pressure on them.
A bridge too far for the ‘old guard’
This group of players have won everything possible in their time at the top, and will all go down as Springbok legends, which makes their failed attempt at becoming the first team to successfully defend their World Cup crown all the more heartbreaking after their two-point defeat.
The reason that the Springboks broke the Test-cap record every time a team was announced this World Cup was because these players dominated their position for years and were the automatic choices for an extended period.
That continuity helped to form a valuable familiarity and understanding amongst the team which translated into positive results on the pitch.
The old guard, who made a decision in 2009 (after their series win over the B&I Lions) to push through to the 2011 World Cup, could not go out with the bang that they were hoping for but certainly gave a good account of themselves in their last game, dominating both territory and possession against the Tri-Nations champions although they were unable to capitalise fully on their dominance.
Some will suggest that this World Cup was a bridge too far for this group, but there is no doubting their commitment to the cause and they have also shared their considerable experience with the exciting young players who are set to take the mantle from them.
The next generation are waiting in line
Indeed, there are able replacements who will take their places and form the core of the new Springbok team, and they would have benefited greatly from working alongside these experienced veterans.
Bismarck du Plessis will now take over full-time at hooker, something that many people believe is long overdue, whilst lock Andries Bekker – who was sorely missed in New Zealand, after an ankle injury ruled him out – is set to go from apprentice to master in the absence of Matfield.
The electric Francois Hougaard is the obvious man to take over from Du Preez behind the scrum, whilst young guns like Johan Goosen (Free State Cheetahs) and Elton Jantjies (Golden Lions) have been setting the Currie Cup alight in recent weeks; no about champing at the bit to take over from James and put pressure on incumbent Morné Steyn.
So although the Springboks may not have the same amount of experience in their ranks next year, they will have plenty of enthusiasm and dynamism – not to mention a new coach.
A rosy future for the Springboks?
While this was not the fairytale ending that the team had planned, it would be foolish not to recognise the massive impact they made on Springbok rugby.
They served the jersey with honour and if future generations can emulate their level of commitment and pride then there will be much to celebrate in the coming years.
By Michael de Vries
* Who will the Boks miss more? Smit, Matfield, Du Preez… or the ‘rest’? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
