‘The standard was shocking’: Springbok Showdown falls short of expectations as South African fans get a reality check

The Springbok Showdown was billed as South Africa’s answer to North vs South and an opportunity for Springbok’s new coach, Jacques Nienaber, to measure the readiness of the nation’s players after more than six months without playing.

The ‘Green vs Gold’ match ended with a complete 25-9 victory for the green team led by Siya Kolisi, but the show itself left much to be desired. The game was buggy and described as “hard to watch.”

In just the second week of professional rugby for the country, South African players struggled for combinations and consistency in renewed teams due to lack of time to prepare. The boring contest led to fans pouring water on the hopes of the Springboks Rugby Championship, with some suggesting that this demonstrated why the team shouldn’t travel to Australia.

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One Springbok fan online claimed that “the future doesn’t look bright,” another suggested that “the standard was shocking” in a game that “was never going to be a classic.”

the #SpringbokShowdown It was a tough watch, but it’s always good to have rugby on our screens. Are you looking forward to Super Rugby Unlocked?

– Brandon Lee Portnoy (@BrandonPortnoy) October 3, 2020

A Dog’s Breakfast, that’s what you get when your best players don’t play in your major competitions, Supersport infused for exposure and money compensation with SA Rugby, should have been a Barabarian match, not 2 Commissioners playing tiddly, but sold as a World Cup. Chess ending

– Schalk Burger (@skalabrak) October 3, 2020

Anyway, our players haven’t played for 6 months and this is only their second game in that time and the guys are already complaining and testing. rugby is really back 🙁

– Oom Rugby (@Oom_Rugby) October 3, 2020

I’m not happy with it #Springbok They showed no fighting spirit, but a series of mistakes. The future doesn’t seem bright #SpringbokVerde #TeamSiya #Springboks #CastleShowdown #SpringbokShowdown #

– Themba Kaebis (@Themba_kaebis) October 3, 2020

The “BokTrial” was never going to be a classic. 80 minutes of playing time under a lot of these player belts over the last 6 months, can’t wait long. It gives Bok management a chance to see what’s on locally, which makes it all worthwhile. #GREENvGOLD #BokTrials #good exercise

– Graeme Peacock (@ graemepeacock05) October 3, 2020

According to a very rusty and poor quality match, even with playing time not convinced enough? International level quality shown? It will probably take 30 high-level players playing abroad to compete against the Lions.

– Wayne Gabb (@ gabbo1961) October 3, 2020

Despite being a preseason game, the standard was shocking. A classic case of no combinations in key positions and a clear lack of practice time. Not convinced that it accomplished anything?

– Andrew Bradford (@ Andrew_B1971) October 3, 2020

The South African journalists offered some explanations to cushion the disappointment of the fans, and Brenda Nel compared the crash to a Super Rugby preseason match.

With more rugby under their belt, he wrote, the players will be better in three weeks. It seemed that many fans were expecting a North vs South type match that took place after 10 weeks of Super Rugby Aotearoa, which had created unrealistic expectations for players who had only managed 80 minutes of rugby the previous week.

Jon Cardinelli wrote that the game was “very much a preseason hitout” where players did not try and learn new combinations, while Craig Ray wrote that this is a confirmation that SARU needs to pull the pin at this Rugby Championship. year.

Anyone who has seen a preseason game for a super rugby franchise will know this is a familiar thing: these mistakes. Expect the players to improve a lot in two to three weeks.

– Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) October 3, 2020

Those who compare this to New Zealand’s north south play a bit of perspective. His at the end of 10 weeks of rugby. This after some, not all, have played 80 minutes of rugby in 6 months. It wasn’t a good first half, but it didn’t surprise me.

– Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) October 3, 2020

Very much a preseason hitout. Many untested combos, many mistakes. The scrums were a battle, and the pattern of pursuit of kicks and defense from both sides was evident. #GreenvGold

– Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) October 3, 2020

Conclusions of this game:

EVERYONE: ‘Boks can’t catch or pass’
RASSIE AND JACQUES: ‘We’re going to scrum and destroy everyone else!’#GreenvGold

– Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) October 3, 2020

It’s pretty obvious that seeing this, Boks shouldn’t go to the Rugby Championship. It is the confirmation that the coaches and the SARU hierarchy need. Wait for an announcement to confirm soon. #greenvgold #rugby

– Craig Ray (@ craigray11) October 3, 2020

Speaking on the post-game broadcast, Springbok legend Schalk Burger said “no one” stood out from the contest, which he found difficult to digest as a spectator.

“Nobody stood out, it was a tough surveillance at all times.”

“Siya and her guys defended well and the difference between the teams was that their team took advantage of their opportunities while their rivals did not.”

The number of kicks in the match was widely criticized by fans, but captain Siya Kolisi said the team performed as if it were a test match, leading to a score of 6-3 at halftime.

What’s the idea behind kicking the posts in a game like this? @Supercar #SSRugby #greenvgold

– Michael McLaggan (@MclagganMichael) October 3, 2020

Why do we kick for 3 points when that can be practiced on the field any day? This is a non-competitive match. Go for pieces from set pieces! #SSRugby #greenvgold

– Ricardo da Costa (@rgdacosta) October 3, 2020

Players will have a chance to find better form when they return to their clubs next week for the restart of Super Rugby South Africa.

Super Rugby Unlocked kicks off next Friday, including all four current Super Rugby franchises, plus the Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas to prepare for the proposed Rugby Championship, whose Rugby Director Rassie Erasmus said a decision will be announced no later than 10 October on whether to participate in.