Springbok Worshippers Need to Put It in Perspective

In a few months, South Africa could hold all of the significant notches in world rugby, but back-to-back victories over an All Black team in 2009 may have created a mirage for the side now ranked as the No. 1 team in the IRB rankings.

It is certainly a trophy cabinet that is burgeoning at SARU headquarters.

They have now added the Freedom Cup (for matches against the All Blacks) to their collection, which will sit proudly next to the Super 14 trophy, the IRB sevens series title, a Lions' tour success, and of course, the William Webb Ellis Cup.

Only two titles of significance are missing, the Tri Nations and the Mandela Plate (for matches against the Wallabies).

Coach Peter De Villiers and Captain John Smit must now set themselves the goals of winning these last remaining titles, to truly quantify their eminence on the global stage.

One, or even two wins, do not anoint a team as the best in the world, though.

But they certainly appear to be close.

Victory over any All Blacks team is an achievement, irrespective of the quality of the side or their shaky execution of an admittedly high risk game plan.

However, the 2-0 whitewash of the current Tri Nations champions comes with a number of simple facts that even the most obstinate Bokke supporter must grudgingly admit.

The match was played at home, where the Springboks are a far different side. In the professional era, the Springboks have won 58 matches and lost only 19 for a near 75 percent winning record. 

Away from home, the Springboks are a much weaker side, having won 49, but losing 41 for a slightly better than 50 percent winning ratio. In the Tri Nations, it's abysmal reading, with South Africa having only won four matches in New Zealand or Australia and losing 23 for a 14 percent winning record.

Back-to-back matches against the Wallabies in Australia, and a game in Hamilton against the All Blacks—where they haven’t lost a test match—could derail the Springboks.

As for the All Blacks themselves, they are a transitional side.

They are transitioning in depth. So long spoilt for choice, it's probably the first time since the late nineties that there has not been at least two test quality XV’s in New Zealand rugby. 

There are many new faces in the side, in key positions, and they are making slow inaugurations to the test stage. This is in stark contrast to the Springboks, who have unearthed two stunning test debutants in Morne Steyn and Heinrich Brussow.

Has a team ever had two new players make such profound impacts?

While there are still some quality players on the All Blacks side, there are two problems with this. They are either short on match practice, or even worse, could possibly be past their prime.

Will Henry begin to wield the axe, as he did stunningly in the 2004 end of the year tour?

But most importantly, the All Blacks are transitional in style. 

Last year they dominated with a conservative and simple game plan, said to be necessary after their "flamboyance" was said to be the architect of their destruction in the 2007 World Cup.

This year, it's almost as if Graham Henry, Steve Hansen, and Wayne Smith wanted to up the ante, implementing a classic attack at all costs strategy.

True or not, history shows that any rugby team struggles when varying their approach. This applied to the All Blacks in 2004, when they looked to execute a flat backline attack (the famed Randwick system).

As for the Springboks themselves, their style is simple, almost open to criticism.

But how can we pass judgment on a team that did the most important thing of all? Win.

Its effectiveness is unquestionable, a wonderfully oppressing game plan that is very much tailor made to shut down a team that played like the All Blacks.

As it was shown but three South African test matches ago (third Lions' test), the Springboks can be shut down effectively if played at the right end of the field, and attacked through the heart of their defense with effective support.

The All Blacks looked to go wide, and often lacked running support.

Did we ever see Jamie Roberts make a break without Brian O’Driscoll, but a few metres behind?

The risk moving forward is that the De Villiers or the Bokke may tinker with a style that is working magnificently. It certainly is not broke, so it does not need any fixing.

Sometimes though, it's too compelling to want to mix it up. 

Talk of players like Bryan Habana being underutilised will continue, but the temptation must be resisted, for if the Springboks add risk to their conventional approach, this early season dominance may come unstuck.