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Tour of experiments or failure?
23/11/2006 22:08 - (SA)
Hendrik Cronjé
London - The tour of experiments could become the tour of failures if the Springboks lose their rugby Test match against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
After losing to Ireland and England on consecutive Saturdays, the South Africans now face the possibility of a 3-0 whitewash within three weeks.
Springbok coach Jake White said on Thursday: "We wanted to win all three Test matches. We realise winning is all-important to a rugby nation such as South Africa.
"If one judges 2006 in isolation, one would have liked a better finish to the year," he said.
"But all those who are involved knew what the purpose of the tour was and that it was always going to be difficult."
The second of the back-to-back matches against England may be White's last as national coach, according to rumours doing the rounds.
However, SA Rugby officials have denied all week that there are plans to appoint a new Springbok coach before the 2007 World Cup tournament.
Floors could bring a new dimension
White said: "I can't get involved in speculations about this."
It has also been denied from within the Springbok camp that White was forced by SA Rugby to call up flank Kabamba Floors after his fine performances during the Currie Cup season, as well as prop forward Cobus Visagie ahead of next week's match against a World XV.
"These decisions were taken by Jake and his co-selectors, Peter Jooste and Ian McIntosh," said Springbok media manager Vusi Kama on Thursday.
White's future as national coach may be saved by the decision to give Floors and Visagie an opportunity.
White conceded this week that Floors could bring a new dimension to the Springboks' game.
"If someone can add value to the Springbok team, I will select him," he said.
Despite the immense pressure on White, some positives have emerged from the tour as well as from the year. The Springboks can build on those aspects as they head towards the World Cup in France.
White scored good points by bringing in players such as loose forward Pierre Spies, versatile backline player Frans Steyn, tighthead prop BJ Botha and Floors. These players could all be stalwarts in next year's team.
Justly criticised
Others, such as lock forward Johann Muller and centre Wynand Olivier, have used their opportunities well.
These are indications that the depth of the pool of players is improving, even though the team has failed so far in European conditions.
White can be criticised justly for the team's poor performances during 2006, but the Springboks could develop into formidable World Cup contenders once all the injured players are available.
The question is whether SA Rugby and the supporters will forgive White for some of his decisions.
These include persisting with Jaco van der Westhuyzen at flyhalf, choosing Solly Tyibilika as fetcher flank ahead of Floors and Luke Watson, trying André Snyman at centre and selecting Albert van den Berg at lock ahead of Barend Pieterse.
Negotiating about his contract before the Cape Town Test match against France also did not enhance White's image.
- Volksblad
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