Schalk Burger, a former Springbok player, offers a unique perspective on the recent Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test match between South Africa and New Zealand. He highlights a critical aspect of the Springboks' performance: their attack is still faltering and needs improvement before the third Test in Soweto.
Burger acknowledges that the Springboks secured a victory in Cape Town, but their success was partly due to the pressure of the scoreboard. He notes that the All Blacks dominated the statistics, including more running meters, possession, and line breaks. This raises an interesting question: How did the Springboks win despite the All Blacks' superior performance in these areas?
Burger attributes the Springboks' success to their ability to create pressure and force the All Blacks to play from deep. He highlights the exceptional performance of Malcolm Marx, who made crucial turnovers and contributed to the scoreboard pressure. This pressure forced the All Blacks to panic, especially after halftime, and play from a deeper position.
However, Burger also emphasizes the areas where the Springboks need to improve. He points out the inaccuracies in their attack, both in possession and with turnover ball. He believes that the team lacks fluency and struggles to set up fast transition plays. This is evident when they try to pull it out the back, leading to errors.
De Villiers, another ex-Springbok player, agrees that South Africa is making 'a lot of handling errors' and concedes 15 turnovers in Cape Town. Shimange, a former hooker, explains that the difference in tactics between the two teams contributes to the disparity in statistics. The All Blacks are willing to keep the ball in hand in certain areas, while the Springboks are more likely to kick contestables.
In conclusion, Burger's analysis provides valuable insights into the Springboks' performance. He acknowledges their strengths, such as creating scoreboard pressure, but also emphasizes the need for improvement in their attack. The team's ability to adapt their tactics and address these weaknesses will be crucial in determining their success in the upcoming Test match in Soweto.
