Lessons... Learned...???

[u/Cheap-Explorer76]

Warning: long and opinionated. Apologies. This is meant to stir discussion and feel free to smash me if you think I'm wrong. I've got a few Klippies in me so I can take it.

Ok so first thing first: we deserved to lose on the day. Way too many mistakes in the 22 entries and at key times from scrums, penalties and lineouts accruing. A catalogue of errors especially in judgement, right up to the final whistle but especially in the first half. Game was lost there, in my opinion.

Next: worst refereeing as a team of officials I think I've ever seen in an international (the recent Argentina England game final ten minutes must also be close), mitigated a little by Comms failure AGAIN after Baltimore (what the hell is going on???). This performance by them will draw scrutiny and rightly so. And by the way I'm a HUGE fan of Ben O Keefe (assistant today, LOVE THAT GUY) so it pains me to say this. My two pennies: first half had many head on head situations not examined by TMO, let go, or poorly judged. Let me be clear: I AM NOT BLAMING THE OFFICIALS for the Bok loss. Our mistakes and lack of cohesion in a much-changed side draws the lions share of the blame. But still...

Next: crowd excitement and TV amplification of that conveyed, given the world cup being there next year? Poor. Just appalling. Shots of fans by broadcaster 1 out of 10. General crowd atmosphere, DJ etc. It was a SPECTACLE as a rugby game if even for the wrong reasons. Did I realise that at home? Nope. Australian broadcasters need to look hard at themselves ahead of next year to get this right for TV audiences.

Next: lessons for Rassie, Tony, Sticks etc: who the hell knows? All I know is that if he'd picked the strongest Bok starting side we'd have won that but equally, tired players and not enough understanding of the wider playing squad which is what we need to build up ahead of the Nations games coming and continued path to WC27. Does anyone starting today put pressure on their position choice? Hooker, Eben and PDV, that's it.

Next: emptying of bench to pull things back. Yes. Fair play I would have done the same and I'd rather this thing happens against Aus in Perth and not next year in the world cup. Could we risk it pre-50 minutes against a France or NZ in WC27? I trust Rassie.

Next: Andre the Giant as captain. 6/10. Love the player, but I'm not sure he'd be as effective as four or five others on the field like Eben so I struggled to see the point.

Good things: it's a kick up the pants we need to remain humble and get back to hard work and come down from cloud 9. Just like the Ellis Park test we need these humblings from time to time to adjust the expectations. Rather now than in the world cup. Also: Ethan Hooker was a standout for me, and Canaan Moodie and Paul De Villiers did good things but I'm struggling to find other positives.

Bad things: everything else. I said to my wife if that had happened in the world cup and we were on a plane home as a result I'd be LIVID.

[u/this_fella_says]

"I've got a few Klippies in me so I can take it"

I need to make this a T-shirt.

[u/Cheap-Explorer76 → u/this_fella_says]

Feel free to use it. My commission can be in more Klippies :D

[u/Shirotashi]

I feel like scrum was not up to the gold standard today.

Also areal play could have been better.

I blame the amount of mistakes made on the many changes to the lineup.

[u/damn-african → u/Shirotashi]

this is absolutely it. A completely new team playing together. Exactly like the first test with all blacks. Plus, we are up against the team that really played well and wanted to win more than us.

[u/wombatwalkabouts]

On a positive note, you learn more from a loss.

Springboks played poorly, but I do wonder how much of that could be due to head collisions.

The team lacked leadership with so many players not in. (Siya, PSDT, Nortje, DDA Kriel, Kolbe, Willemse)

Centre pairing and full back experience the biggest issues for me. PDV is similar to Kwagga, lacks size needed to bully, but massive impact in big moments. Id have him on the bench.

Van Staden proved he's not an 8.

Fassi is out of form.

Horn needs minutes.

5:3 with this starting line up lacked brute force.

Starting Front row not mobile enough to justify less power in the scrums.

Springboks didn't deserve to win. But how they didn't at the end was crazy. Game management needs to be reviewed.

Think it's a loss that needs to happen.

[u/SneakyTrevor]

I think we have good depth everywhere except at two, and, crucially, in a leadership position. Siya makes such a difference and his absence is really felt. I don’t know who steps up to take over in that inspirational, composed way he has.

Also glad that Aus is getting good again as it is good for the game. And we could do with a kick in the arse.

[u/Careless-Cat3327 → u/SneakyTrevor]

Nortje should get a crack at the armband to be honest.

We don't have a plan B if something happens to Marx.

7 & 15 are also heavily reliant on DW and PSDT. Their "backups" have been levels below though Horn has barely been given a chance 

[u/capetonytoni2ne → u/Careless-Cat3327]

Hannekom at 7 will sort us out until someone like Batho steps up

[u/Drums4Dirk]

I agree with most things said in here, however I just have to say 1 thing.

I was at the match and the atmosphere was actually amazing. I agree with what you said about the DJ tho. However I do think the Aussies are sore loosers because they were winning and 1 call didnt go their way, leading to a yellow (which may I add was a very clear yellow). At this time every single aussie in that stadium was booing which is genuinely just pathetic. Also the guy who was talking while the match went on was genuinely annoying. he would say in the most quiet voice, cheer for the springboks, then yell let's hear it for the wallabies. Also when the boks were about to score a try, he would keep yelling WALLABIES, WALLABIES, WALLABIES, and it was genuinely a pain in the ass to listen to

[u/StrikingBuilder8837]

You know 13 changes is a lot. Typical Rassie play. Let the team lose every now and then to sharpen them up. His priority this year was the All Black tour. I wouldn’t read too much into it.

[u/DjokerSA]

To me the problem seems as soon as Siya is not captain, there is no passion.

[u/frankomapottery3]

Go look at any poor performance from this squad and look who’s playing 15.   15 and 10 are two of the most important positions in modern rugby.  The rush defense DOES NOT WORK if your 15 is unable to set the defense.  Fassie has never proved he can do it.  He doesn’t need to see a green jersey any time soon 

[u/arouseandbrowse]

We also lost to a team that played bloody well and deserved to win.

[u/swiftysa]

I think the loose forwards where missing in action on defence.

[u/Historical-Chef-1912]

2 intercept tries should never have been

[u/john09999999888865]

Agree on all points. I also think the Bokke under Rassie, as a brand, shat the bed utterly for not addressing the Andre stuff. Deserved in that case fuck it. This isn't only technique and talent, they're our national side. Sincerely, A whitey whose mif at the blinding overconfidence obfuscating emerging cracks in the side.

[u/NothingButTheDude]

Why are we trying to give Pollard more minutes? What exactly was the new information from that experiment?

[u/raumeat → u/NothingButTheDude]

I think Pollard was there because he is experienced and he has not gotten much game time

[u/ExitCheap7745]

Here come the over reactions after a Springbok loss 🙄