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CRAIG LEWIS reviews some of the positive and negative points Springboks will take away from the 2018 season.
The 20-11 loss to the Springboks in Wales allowed them to finish the year with a record-breaking 50%. In some respects, however, this is an end result that pretty much sums up a year of ups and downs.
There have certainly been some encouraging signs during the season, but there are also elements of the Boks game that they will know will need to be fine tuned before entering the Cup. of the world. Here we look at three advantages and disadvantages of 2018.
Good points
1) Progress against the All Blacks
When the Springbok started their first All Blacks clash in September, they had suffered two consecutive defeats against Argentina and Australia.
The Boks were generally expected to be hiding in the hands of world champions they had not beaten in New Zealand since 2009.
Instead, this undesirable record would be banned from history as the Boks produced one of the year's performances to win a superb 36-24 victory in Wellington.
Equally important, the Boks reinforced this performance by posting an impressive performance in the return leg at Loftus, which allowed them to defeat New Zealand strongly in the first hour of the proceedings.
Unfortunately, after a capitulation in the fourth quarter, the Boks recorded a two-point loss, but the fact remains that on both trials against the All Blacks, the combined score was 66-66.
2) Selections that have borne fruit
Pieter-Steph du Toit's personal progress, which has redefined himself as a blindside, was one of the most enjoyable dishes of the 2018 season, where his performances were often outstanding this year.
In addition to this important development, Rbadie Erasmus has also been extensively rewarded by the internationally based Boks that he has recalled to Test Action. Faf de Klerk and Willie le Roux provided answers to the key scrum and half back positions.
Duane Vermeulen added valuable experience and leadership, while Cheslin Kolbe was one of the discoveries of the season.
Erasmus was also expected to essentially roll the dice on two young wingmen, with the performances of Aphiwe Dyantyi and S'bu Nkosi which were very profitable.
3) Clarity of the game plan
Although the Boks fought against the inconsistencies in 2018, they showed encouraging signs of recovery from a strategic identity.
In many ways, the Springboks have regained the traditional strengths of a powerful set, solid defense and solid typing game.
This has not always been consistent with the scenario, but at least there seems to be a safer play plan that the Boks are trying to enforce.
Indeed, many Bok players have spoken at length about behind-the-scenes technical work that gives them the power to make key decisions, while instilling confidence in what they are trying to achieve.
The negatives
1) Problems starting the defensive system
There has been a lot of discussion around the aggressive offensive defense system of Boks, which aims to empower players to make big decisions.
This is a high-risk, high-cost approach that will take players – especially young wingers – to get used to, and on several occasions the Boks have been exposed in wider cbads.
The Springboks know that patience is needed, but they also need to be more specific in their defense decisions when preparing for the World Cup.
2) Incoherence and poor finish
The Boks have been looking to evolve their attacking game this year and after scoring seven tries in the three-test series against England, they have ambaded a total of 21 points at five during the rugby championship.
During the end-of-year tour that just ended, the Boks' attack actually only triggered. While the Erasmus charges are starting to create many opportunities, their finishing often leaves something to be desired.
It's something that haunted them in their first game against England, as well as last Saturday's Test against Wales. They will be fully aware that their opportunity conversion ratio in points will need to be improved in 2019.
3) Midfielder not yet settled
Although Erasmus seems to have a pretty clear idea of what his starting lineup will likely be at next year's World Cup, the midfielder is an area in which some question marks may still linger. .
It seems that Damian de Allende has the inside lane of the No. 12 jersey, but his impact has varied from one match to the other, while André Esterhuizen continues to fight his way to the Test level. .
Although Lukhanyo Am is highly rated, injuries have unfortunately limited his participation in Test this year, while Jesse Kriel, a hard worker, has provided the only real alternative.
With a time frame as short as that of the World Cup, the Boks hope that these centers will find excellent form in Super Rugby, otherwise they might be tempted to consider options based abroad such as Frans Steyn or Jan Serfontein.
Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung / Getty Images
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