Voice says...

I was fortunate (or not) to be at the game and had a few words with Jean de Villiers. I can tell in his own words, the Bokke were poor. Alberts was missed badly and Francois Steyn would have made a difference. Coetzee played like a trojan but is just too small to get over the advantage line but is still one for the future.

There were numerous times that the ball could be spread and was aimlessly booted away by both Hougaard & Steyn! Hougaard does not possess a kicking game and should perhaps stick to his strengths, running and darts around the fringes. As for Steyn, I have always maintained that penalties will win games and have given Steyn the nod ahead of others because of his kicking ability but this guys form has been so poor thins year it's a joke! Sitting in the stands, one could hear the clear disgust by the fans which eventually turned into boohs and one has to ask why Jantjies was not given a crack?

This being said and done, us ever perfect SA rugby fans can sometimes simply not see the wood for the trees and forget that we won the series with a young side who only got together 4 days before the first test. We beat the team that came second in the 6 nations who hammered Ireland who narrowly lost to the AB's 2 weeks ago!

Do we have the right combinations and players yet? I don't know but it's clear to me that some of the senior guys need to pull up their socks or leave. Perhaps Alberts at 8 would be an option

Posted 08:19 26th June 2012

deprop says...

It is quite amazing that the Boks do not have a consistent, world-class kicker. They left so many points on the field during this series. Amazing.

Posted 17:53 25th June 2012

bokbevok says...

@melkdave, England never adapted to power game because boks left it in the locker room and allowed game to become to loose. Complacency was there down fall so hopefully they have learnt from that.

England definitely wanted it more than boks so deserve there plaudits.

Posted 14:12 25th June 2012

melkdave says...

I know his echoing HM,but the fact was England adapted better to the power game in the 3rd test ,and thus coped a hell of alot better with the SA attack England deserve credit for that at least,It also explains why when they wherent getting much from it .the bokkes reverted to the 07 Bulls /Bokkes style of hoof it high ,and hope for a penalty or turnover..I know the bokkes ae going to need to add some variation ,to their running power game ,but please not that old and easy countered chestnut.At least HM and his staff will have learnt that i hope ,and will be looking for something new to add to the power game .If J.Gooson is fit i would start him at flyhalf ,as he does seem capable of adding a wide passing game to the already outstanding running power one.Also given how Habana and J.P.Pitersen performed over the 3 tests ,it might be a very good option ,espically if you factor in Aplon or J.Piterson /Lambie at full back,and 2 good back up wingers in Mvov and Basson

Posted 12:57 25th June 2012