'Mature' Springboks too clinical for England

Former Springbok centre and sport365 columnist Robbie Fleck gives us his exclusive and in-depth analysis on South Africa’s Rugby World Cup campaign – including the Boks’ 36-0 win over England at the weekend.

Well, what more can I say about Friday night that has not already been said?

The Boks were magnificent against England in a complete role reversal from the 2003 World Cup.

Back then, in Perth, we had a psyched up under-par Bok team banging their heads against the change-room walls before kick-off. England, however, just went out there and dealt with them in a calm and cool manner.

This year, in Paris, we had a cool and relaxed South African team ‘nilling’ England in the most clinical fashion possible. Whilst the whole team put their hands up; the most impressive thing for me was the Boks’ maturity – Fourie du Preez, Butch, Frans Steyn and Monty to name just a few; they were calm throughout and knew what they had to do out there. Not only were the Boks more convincing than England with ball in hand, but they also looked in a better physical shape, which is quite rare at this level of the game.

In my opinion this was one of the best Bok performances in the last 10 years. All aspects of their game came together nicely and, again, I must stress – Eddie Jones’s influence is there for all see once more… Defensively, I think Jones has also made a difference to the Boks and he has added something to our kicking game as well. Butch kicked brilliantly, Monty’s banana kick – when have we ever out-kicked an international team like that?

Fourie du Preez, for me, was the outstanding Bok player on the night in what was possibly the best ever display from a Springbok No.9. He was phenomenal… and at just 25 we can expect plenty more from him in the future. Again, I want to use the word ‘maturity’ here, just the way he took those three chances on attack and turned them into tries, his kicking out of hand and his service to Butch – he knew his job and he executed it so brilliantly on the night.

Another guy to impress against England was Wikus van Heerden. Schalk Burger is possibly the best player in the Bok team and even though he was sorely missed last year when he hurt his neck, Wikus has proved that there is life after Schalk. He effected two crucial turnovers against the English – both of which led to tries – but his maturity (there’s that word again) on defence saw just one penalty conceded in the first half.

The sad thing for me is that this Bok team doesn’t have that much long left together, with Jake White seemingly on his way out after the World Cup and John Smit and some of the other top players set to take up contracts abroad next year.

I have said it before, but it would make so much sense to retain Jake in some capacity and allow him to work with an understudy, who would be groomed as the new head coach of South Africa. Look at what Jake has achieved in four years – imagine what he could do in an eight-year stint, like Clive Woodward? At the same time the European-based players should also be allowed to play for the Boks next year. They can only improve by playing at the top clubs in England or France – against some of the best players in the world – and their experience would be invaluable to those younger less experienced SA-based players.

Unfortunately Eddie Jones had already signed on with Saracens before coming on board with the Boks, but his loss will also be huge. He is clearly serving as Jake’s No.2 at the moment – you can see at training, before matches and during matches how much Jake relies on him. His impact in the last few months has been more than Allister Coetzee’s over the past few years.

I had to laugh the other day when I read all the nonsense about Jones not being allowed to wear a Springbok blazer. Here you have a top international coach, who has achieved just about everything in the game, giving his best to the greater good of South African rugby, but he cannot wear a blazer because of what some administrators and politicians think.

The players should have the final say about who can or cannot wear a blazer; after all, they’re the ones who initiate their new team-mates – thereby giving them a right to wear a Bok blazer and cap. The senior players thought Luke Watson didn’t deserve a blazer, but you can bet your bottom dollar they would give Jones the opportunity to wear one with pride.

Looking ahead to this week then, the Boks will be up against Tonga in their third group match at the World Cup.

Tonga did well to beat Samoa, but they were dire against the USA and they will hold no fears for the Springboks, who will be too strong for them up front and too pacy out wide.

Whilst some might fear that the Springboks could perform like they did – or rather, did not! – against Connacht, but this is a World Cup match and likes of Bob Skinstad and Ruan Pienaar, to name just two, will be looking to strut their stuff and show what they can do out there. Like I said after the Connacht match, you’re only as good as your opponents allow you to be, so it will be interesting to see the Tongans’ approach on the day.

The Boks, however, will stick to the gameplan and go out there looking to score 100 points and emulate the ‘senior’ team’s performance against England. World Cups come around once every four years only – these ‘second string’ Bok players will be looking to leave their mark on the global stage (for most of them it will be their first taste of World Cup action), after being given a brief taste during the Tri-Nations away leg.

Everyone talks about New Zealand having a fantastic squad of 30 players. As far as I am concerned so do we and I am looking forward to seeing the guys in action.

Fleckie’s RWC predictions – Take III:

Italy v Portugal: Italy were not great against Romania, but I’m hoping they will be better against Portugal. Italy by 15 points.

Wales v Japan: Wales should take this one by 30, but Japan will score some good tries.

France v Ireland: This is the game of the weekend. France have been battling (after losing to Agrentina), but they’re at home and Ireland have hardly been in better form. France will secure the win late in the game, by 10 points at most.

South Africa v Tonga: I’m hoping for 50 points here, but I think we’ll take them by about 40 points.
England v Samoa: I know England are battling, but they will dominate up front and get through this.
Argentina v Namibia: Argentina will win this one.

Australia v Fiji: Australia just keep on improving and they were full value in their win over Wales. They will win this by at least 50 points.
Scotland v New Zealand: New Zealand will take this by 40 points against another one of the disappointing Six Nations teams.

Enjoy the rugby,
Robbie Fleck

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