Sport

Springboks named IRB Team of the Year

Brad Morgan

30 November 2009

South Africa's tour of the northern hemisphere ended with a 15-10 defeat to Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday, but the pain of the loss was eased somewhat when the Springboks were named the IRB Team of the Year after the contest.

It marked the third time that the Springboks have won the award, after previously receiving it in 2004 and 2007. New Zealand is the only other team to win it three times.

South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins congratulated the team and its coaching staff on winning the award, saying: "When it really mattered in the biggest games of the season this team demonstrated that they were near invincible.

'Indomitable spirit'

"Their indomitable spirit and character saw them clinch some astonishing victories against worthy opponents to become the benchmark for world rugby.

"Peter de Villiers' preparation and management of the team was impeccable, while John Smit's onfield leadership was outstanding.

"On behalf of the South African rugby community, I would like to thank them and the rest of the Springbok team and management for giving us so much pleasure and returning so much silverware to our trophy cabinets."

After two defeats in three tests on their tour of Europe, the Springboks finished 2009 with eight wins from 12 matches. Those results included a series victory over the British and Irish Lions and a Tri-Nations title, after three wins over the All Blacks and two victories over Australia.

"Obviously the team is disappointed not to end the season as they started it but, considering the demands that have been placed on them at provincial and international level in 2009, we can be proud of them," said Hoskins.

"I have no doubt that with some decent rest and recuperation and careful management of playing commitments they will return to the heights they achieved earlier this year."

Player of the Year

While the Boks won the Team of the Year Award, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, who many considered the front runner for Player of the Year, along with Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll, missed out on the award as New Zealand's Richie McCaw picked up the award for the second time in a decision that left many scratching their heads.

McCaw played second fiddle to Heinrich Brussouw in the Tri-Nations and was on the wrong end of the result in three matches against South Africa. He was injured for part of the Super 14 and his team, the Crusaders, although they made the semi-finals, failed to perform up to their usual dominant standards. And the team that beat them in the semis? The Bulls.

Du Preez, by contrast, played a pivotal role in the Bulls winning the Super 14 title, and was also a key player in the Springboks' wins over the Lions and in the Tri-Nations.

South African and Irish rugby fans especially are unhappy with McCaw receiving the Player of the Year award. Some have suggested it was a compromise decision given how close the merits of Du Preez and O'Driscoll were.

Croke Park

But back to Saturday's clash at Croke Park, which was played in fog. The test brought the curtain down on a ridiculously long season; matches for the South African players began on 13 February in the Super 14, but preparations meant they had been playing rugby for a lot longer than that.

Their season included a three-test series against the British and Irish Lions and six big games in the Tri-Nations. Domestically, the Currie Cup season ended on 31 October.

It wasn't surprising then that the Springboks were not at their best. Indeed, they didn't find their form throughout their European Tour, finishing it with losses to France and Ireland, and a win over Italy.

SA skipper John Smit refused to blame the lengthy season for his side's sub-standard showing, saying: "Each season is the same and the Irish deserved their victory." It was plain to see, however, that the South African team lacked a sharp edge, something that has become a common feature on the Springboks' end-of-year tours.

Improvement

In Dublin, with Smit back at hooker and flanked by Beast Mtawarira and BJ Botha in the front row, there was a huge improvement in the South African scrummaging, with Ireland being shoved off the ball regularly.

However, the lineout, with Bakkies Botha missing after a late withdrawal, was way below its usual dominating form. One wonders just how much Gert Smal, who coached the Springbok forwards to victory in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, had to do with the South African struggles in the lineout in Dublin.

Morne Steyn, usually a devastatingly accurate kicker, was off target with a number of kicks from distance during the game, which would have given the Springboks victory, but the truth be told, it was Ireland who deserved the win. They dominated territory and possession and made some enterprising breaks during the contest, but determined defence by the Boks kept them from crossing the South African tryline.

Physical

From the start, it was clear that the contest would be very physical in nature, with an early bust-up resulting in a warning from referee Nigel Owens to both teams.

The Irish were first on the board in the eighth minute through a penalty by impressive flyhalf Jonathan Sexton, playing in only his second test.

South Africa's dominance at scrum time paid off eight minutes later when they won a penalty after driving the Irish back in the set piece. Scrumhalf Du Preez took a quick tap, forcing the home side onto the defensive.

Try

After three rucks, the ball was released to the left and Jaque Fourie put Schalk Burger, running an excellent line on his left shoulder, into a gap. The flanker broke through two attempted tackles and crashed over for what proved to be the only try of the contest.

Steyn converted the try to put South Africa 7-3 up.

O'Driscoll then made a sharp break to take Ireland deep into the Springbok 22. The home side, playing in white so as not to clash with the Boks, put Smit and company under pressure for a number of minutes, but resolute South African defence kept them out and finally forced a turnover when the Irish were penalised for holding onto the ball on the ground.

Flyhalf Steyn then struck for South Africa, snapping over a drop goal in the 24th minute to put SA seven points clear at 10-3 up.

Just before the half-hour mark, Sexton reduced the deficit to four points with a second sweetly struck penalty.

Opportunity

With two minutes to go to the break, South Africa had an opportunity to increase their lead when O'Driscoll shouldered Du Preez out of the way as the scrumhalf prepared to catch a high-up-and-under. Steyn took a shot at goal, but his effort was a little short.

A minute later Steyn aimed another kick at goal after the Irish were penalised again, but his effort, from an even greater distance than his attempt a minute earlier, was short once more.

Shortly after the start of the second half, South Africa were awarded yet another penalty, but again, and unusually for Steyn, he was off target.

When the flyhalf was penalised for a high tackle on O'Driscoll – a dubious decision which came on the recommendation of one of the assistant referees – Sexton made South Africa pay to pull Ireland within a point at 10-9 down.

Irish lead

Sexton then put the home side 12-10 in front with a fourth penalty after Andries Bekker was blown up for foul play at a ruck.

Ireland were dominating possession and territory and South Africa were making mistakes. In an attempt to wrest the momentum from the Six Nations' champions, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers sent on four players in quick succession in the 64th minute.

However, two minutes later the Irish lead increased to five points when Sexton slotted his fifth penalty of the game.

Miss

Ruan Pienaar, on at flyhalf, had an opportunity to reduce Ireland's lead shortly after that, but his kick at goal hit an upright.

With time running out, the Springboks forced their way into the Ireland half and worked their way into the Irish 22. Only five metres out from the tryline, they turned up the pressure, but the home side defended well and when Danie Rossouw was penalised at a ruck the result was decided.