Springboks are unconvincing

THE Springboks go into a four-Test home series against the All Blacks next Saturday, but on the evidence of this Tri-Nations Victory they will struggle to hold the tournament winners, New Zealand.

Although South Africa held off a late-charging Australia, the Springboks will still struggle to overcome the All Blacks during a torrid, four Tests in four weeks

South Africa were lucky to defeat the Wallabies, as the visitors were the more constructive.

However, the accurate goal-kicking of outside-half Joel Stransky, who tallied all of South Africa's points, and the Springboks' determined defence, particularly in the final minutes, enabled them to win their first match of the series.

South Africa were relieved, rather than rejuvenated, after the victory, realising their lack of attacking options will work against them when they meet New Zealand.

While the Wallabies have a two-month break before their end-of-season tour of Italy, Scotland and Ireland, the most bitter of rugby foes, the Springboks and All Blacks, are involved in a much-awaited, month-long battle.

South Africa will start the series under-strength, as they have widespread injury concerns, including full-back Andre Joubert and outside-half Henri Honiball, both of whom missed the Australian match, while prop Balie Swart (concussion) and lock Johan Ackermann (knee) had to be replaced on Saturday.

The frailties of their line-up was brutally shown against Australia, where South Africa were dominated in the line-outs, struggled to get more than 30 per cent possession at the break-down and failed to make any impact on the less-experienced Wallaby scrum, but still somehow won.

They also lacked vision, waiting for opposition mistakes to occur, rather than taking the initiative. Without Stransky kicking every penalty within range, South Africa could have been beaten by a wide margin. Considering that Australia only spent little more than three days in South Africa before the Test, it was an admirable effort by a young Wallaby line-up, who are in a rebuilding stage.

They blundered by giving South Africa too much of a start, with a poor midfield kicking game in the first half crucial in seeing South Africa ahead 16-3 at the break. It was too big a gap.