Time to freshen up!

After each of the first three Springbok Tri Nations matches everyone, including myself, has been writing and asking questions about how bad the matches were from players to management to game plan. The finger pointing surely must end somewhere, but knowing ourselves like we do, we won’t stop until we start winning and winning convincingly.

After our first Tri Nations match this year against the All Blacks, I wrote an article called “Is the Bok Ship sinking?” where I asked some concerning questions and got criticised heavily for my supposed negativity. Although no finger pointing was done, I hit a nerve among the avid Bok fans as the questions being asked could surely not be valid! Up until then the Bok machine was unstoppable with only a few minor blips since 2007. After the first defeat to NZ, surely the mighty juggernaut just had a bad day at the office? Three games later, three similar results later and those critics are now asking the same questions.

I am not about to say “told you so” nor am I seeking reprisal, what I really want to point out is that the early warning signs were there and yet we as fans built ourselves and our team up for 2 more big weekends of Tri Nations triumphs only to be let down like a fat kid in a fake candy store.

Now that the Boks are where they are, let’s try to be positive and look ahead to see what we can possibly look forward to. There are still 3 Tri Nations matches left for the Boks to gain some experience and momentum. New Zealand are now looking like the favourites to regain the Tri Nations crown and Australia have some exciting talent in their young ranks. Everyone supporting South Africa will now settle for 2nd place, but let’s look at the bigger picture.

A big question we should ask is, “Is Jake White remembered for the terrible year he had with the Boks in 2006?” The answer is a categorical NO. The reason is because he learnt from his mistakes. He realised that things weren’t going well and he learnt from his players and took advice from outsiders. The word in the Springbok camp now should be FRESH. Let’s get some fresh ideas and some fresh players in. Give the older journeymen a rest like Jake White did with Os du Randt. John Smit, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger and Pierre Spies all need a rest. They need to forget about rugby for a good few months to renew their hunger.

Let’s speak to our Super 14 finalists and see if the brains at the Stormers and Bulls can share some ideas to bring onto the Test arena.

Let’s bring in the talent knocking on the door and if they perform well then this will only be good for the Springboks on the whole. Added pressure on the experienced guys will only bring out the best in them or be the cue to retire – either result is good for Bok rugby.

The younger guys deserve to know that they have a chance and the experienced guys need to be kept on their toes and not become complacent. No one should be guaranteed a place at next year’s World Cup – bar none.

Is Springbok rugby is disarray? No.

Is Springbok rugby in need of massive changes? No.

Is the Bok ship sinking? NO.

Can the Boks FRESHEN things up? YES.

My squad for the home leg of the Tri Nations:

Forwards:

Tendai Mtawarira, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ vd Linde, BJ Botha, Chilliboy Ralepelle, Gary Botha, Danie Russouw, Flip vd Merwe, Steven Sykes, Juan Smith, Jean Deysel, Francois Louw, Dewald Potgieter, Ryan Kankowski, Duane Vermuelen. (15)

Backs:

Ruan Pienaar, Dewaldt Duvenhage, Butch James, Morne Steyn, Juan de Jongh, Jacque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Bjorn Basson, Gerhard vd Merwe, Francois Steyn, Gio Aplon. (13)