NEIL DE KOCK
THE FORMER SOUTH AFRICA AND SARACENS SCRUM-HALF
Two rounds into the Rugby Championship and each team has won one and lost one.
Argentina lead the standings on points difference after crushing Australia in San Juan, while the All Blacks bounced back to win at the spiritual home of Springbok rugby.
The Springboks were outstanding in the first Test but, with the All Blacks' backs to the wall, they managed to get a win at Ellis Park which is no mean feat. The Boks made a significant number of changes for the second Test and many felt we should have started with our strongest team. For me, it was a bit of a gamble but had it paid off it would have been genius.
A lot of people were of the opinion that the All Blacks were vulnerable, at a low point and were there for the taking. The prevailing sentiment was that the Springboks should have really driven it home.
The question I would ask is: Had we started with our strongest players would we have had the necessary ‘Bomb Squad' that we normally have to come on for the last 30 minutes to finish it off ? We might not have had that and therefore I feel we should rather focus on the fact that we exposed some players to a top Test-level match, which will be required in the next year. All is not lost and Bok fans shouldn't be too bleak about it. But it was disappointing not getting back-to-back victories over the All Blacks.
I agree with Bok coach Jacques Nienaber in terms of holding back some information from the media and broader public regarding his plan for the players. Why would he want to allow everyone into the brain's trust in terms of what's being planned for the middle to end of next year? The public and press have to understand that players are picked for certain matches, for specific reasons and there are certain roles they need to fulfil.
Malcolm Marx has been absolutely incredible at hooker but if we keep playing him every single match and expect him to perform at that level for 60-70 minutes a game, he will be hard-pressed to maintain that form right up until the end of next year. I don't think it was a bad idea to blood Joseph Dweba in the second Test. I don't believe it's a depth issue but rather the fact we haven't had many hookers exposed to that high level of play on a continuous basis. With Marx and Bongi Mbonambi having been standout players, in excess of 50 caps, it just hasn't allowed much opportunity for numbers three and four.
In terms of the wing berth, the Boks are light due to injuries and 19-year-old Canan Moodie joined the touring party to Australia. There is no doubt that there is heaps of potential when it comes to Moodie. The Bulls flyer is young and raw, which is sometimes a very good thing. When you put a bit of raw talent in and amongst the experienced heads and you allow him to unleash, it can be something special. In terms of the way the Boks play the game and how important the aerial contests and exits are, they will introduce a player who is able to tick those boxes and then the rest is a bonus.
As far as the Wallabies, 71-Test veteran Bernard Foley has been recalled for the first time since 2019 and he will pair up with Nic White. To have Foley back is pleasing but to see James O'Connor out of the mix is an interesting call because he's a great footballer. I thought O'Connor would be utilised because he's such a versatile individual.
When it comes to White, he is a good general of the Wallaby team and is an old head. In the Bok setup, you have the calm, cool head of Handre Pollard at 10 managing our game like White does for them. I would expect Faf de Klerk to return to the No.9 jersey for the opening Test against Australia after getting knocked out so early in the game against New Zealand. As such, the Boks will have their normal 9/10 leading the charge.
The Wallabies are missing their regular captain Michael Hooper, who isn't set to feature in the two Tests against South Africa. I'm amazed he has as many as 117 caps – of which 111 have been as a starter – at the age of 30. The amount of rugby he has played at such a young age is an incredible effort. He is not the biggest guy but he is highly combative. He needed a break both mentally and physically to re-energise and I take my hat off to him for saying he wasn't in the “right mindset” to lead his nation.
