Springboks on a slippery slope

If one were to “looks at the scoreboard,” to call on the immortal and pragmatic words of that great Springbok forward Boy Louw, there can be little doubt that the Springbok no longer belongs among the top four of world rugby.

In the past two years the record has been no better than 50% against all comers and pretty perilous against the top four, Australia, England, New Zealand and France.

Thanks to the “new beginning” afforded by re-admission in 1992 it is quite simple to provide a pitted record of Springbok performance.

South Africa won the Rugby World Cup in 1995, went on a record-equalling run of 17 consecutive test victories from 1997 to 1998, won the Tri-Nations in 1998, lost to Australia in extra time of one semi-final in RWC ’99 but beat New Zealand in the third place play-off.

Since Cymru ’99 however it has been a very different picture and my view, although some might disagree, is that Springbok rugby is in a deep crisis.

In 2000 and 2001 the Springbok contested 23 internationals (eight under Nick Mallett and 15 under Harry Viljoen) and compiled a disquieting record of won 11, drawn 1, lost 11.

Mallett, before he was forced out for making his only uttering that all of the people agreed with, had a tough final year; winning only three of his last eight internationals and suffering through a run of four successive defeats against England, Australia (twice) and New Zealand.

He managed to beat New Zealand 46-40 at Ellis Park in August 2000 (Robbie Fleck’s miraculous test at inside centre) and went down 18-19 to a penalty by Stirling Mortlock in the very last second of what turned out to be his last test against Australia in Durban.

Mallett had, however, got on the wrong side of too many factions within Sarfu and rather than go through the charade of a trumped up disciplinary hearing he resigned; leaving the way clear for Harry Viljoen to take over and set in motion a magical mystery tour of odd selections, ill-defined processes and more crucial defeats.

Viljoen’s tenure has produced a record of played 15, won 8, drawn 1, lost 6; but with just one win “of substance,” 20-15 over Australia at Loftus Versfeld in July.

Disturbingly the problems that Mallett pinpointed – player fatigue, chronic injuries, the lack of a goal-kicking, play-making flyhalf, too little time to prepare – have remained in place under Viljoen while that intimidating “presence” the Springboks used to have has all but disappeared.

The record in the last two years has been as follows:

Nick Mallett (all in 2000)

10 June East London beat Canada 51-18

17 June Pretoria beat England 18-13

24 June Bloemfontein lost to England 22-27

08 July Melbourne lost to Australia 23-44

22 July Christchurch lost New Zealand 12-25

29 July Sydney lost to Australia 6-26

19 Aug Ellis Park beat New Zealand 46-40

26 Aug Durban lost to Australia 18-19

Harry Viljoen (4 in 2000, 11 in 2000)

12 Nov Buenos Aires beat Argentina 37-33

19 Nov Dublin beat Ireland 28-18

26 Nov Cardiff beat Wales 23-13

02 Dec London lost to England 17-25

16 June Ellis Park lost to France 23-32

23 June Durban beat France 20-15

30 June Port Elizabeth beat Italy 60-14

21 July Newlands lost to New Zealand 3-12

28 July Pretoria beat Australia 20-15

18 Aug Perth drew with Australia 14-14

25 Aug Auckland lost to New Zealand 15 – 26

10 Nov Paris lost to France 10-20

17 Nov Genoa beat Italy 54-26

24 Nov London lost to England 9-29

01 Nov Houston beat USA 43-20

As previously stated, that adds up to played 23, won 11, drawn 1, lost 11.

The most disturbing statistic, however, is when you look at the countries we have beaten and those to whom we have lost.

Our wins have been against Canada, England, New Zealand, Argentina, Ireland, Wales, France, Italy (2), Australia and the US Eagles.

Against this the Springboks have lost to England (3), Australia (3), New Zealand (3) and France (2).

Add in the poor away record against Australia, England and New Zealand and you can come to only one conclusion… and I leave it up to you to make up your own mind for fear of again being accused of being negative.