After winning everything they could in recent times one would ask where to next for these Springboks?
They have set the standard exceptionally high and anything less than a win in the future will be disappointing for their followers. They do however have room for improvement and this is good news as questions have been raised over whether or not they have peaked to soon before the World Cup.
A major area that needs work is the scrum. Although good enough it is not outstanding and just imagine if the Boks had "the best scrum in the world" added to their arsenal. John Smit and co. need to do some work in this department to make sure that their technique is spot on!
Two other exciting challenges is to find able replacements for Jean de Villiers and Frans Steyn as the pair head off overseas. At inside centre, de Villiers is in a class of his own and to replace him in the Bok side will take some doing. Jacobs and Olivier are great Super 14 players but haven't been in the same class as de Villiers on the international stage. They have lots of work to do if they want to gain the same repertoire as de Villiers. This might sound like a long shot, but I'd keep an eye out for Bradley Barrit. He may yet return to South Africa and make a big claim for the No.12 Bok jumper.
Frans Steyn has matured into the fullback position this season and is the best candidate for the role. As he is still young and full of talent, he would be my bet for the No.15 jersey in 2011. In the interim however we need someone to come in and keep the momentum going. Allowing Pienaar to settle in a position might be an answer but when Steyn returns what do you do with Ruan? Zane Kirchner is also knocking on the door but has to add a lot more to his game to make any real statement.
They have set the standard exceptionally high and anything less than a win in the future will be disappointing for their followers. They do however have room for improvement and this is good news as questions have been raised over whether or not they have peaked to soon before the World Cup.
A major area that needs work is the scrum. Although good enough it is not outstanding and just imagine if the Boks had "the best scrum in the world" added to their arsenal. John Smit and co. need to do some work in this department to make sure that their technique is spot on!
Two other exciting challenges is to find able replacements for Jean de Villiers and Frans Steyn as the pair head off overseas. At inside centre, de Villiers is in a class of his own and to replace him in the Bok side will take some doing. Jacobs and Olivier are great Super 14 players but haven't been in the same class as de Villiers on the international stage. They have lots of work to do if they want to gain the same repertoire as de Villiers. This might sound like a long shot, but I'd keep an eye out for Bradley Barrit. He may yet return to South Africa and make a big claim for the No.12 Bok jumper.
Frans Steyn has matured into the fullback position this season and is the best candidate for the role. As he is still young and full of talent, he would be my bet for the No.15 jersey in 2011. In the interim however we need someone to come in and keep the momentum going. Allowing Pienaar to settle in a position might be an answer but when Steyn returns what do you do with Ruan? Zane Kirchner is also knocking on the door but has to add a lot more to his game to make any real statement.
With the trophies safely in the cabinet, PdV still has his work cut out. It will be an interesting end of year tour as we might unearth another Frans Steyn or Bryan Habana when blooding some new personnel.
The days are now here when it's exciting being a Springbok supporter, savour them!
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