South Africa should hold their heads in shame as they kicked away any chance of victory

THIS YEAR’S Autumn Series could be renamed the Kicking Series, where monster kicking fests appear to have won out. In Europe the balance is still being sought after where there has been very unjust negativity.

However, it is the Springboks who should hang their heads in shame. As Jonny Sexton kicked Ireland to a thoroughly justified unbeaten run, the Springboks literally kicked away any chance of victory. In doing so Ireland’s back three of Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe and Keith Earls managed 155 metres with ball in hand.

Meanwhile, the Springbok back three carried a third of that, with 54 metres. Worryingly, Springbok left wing Bryan Habana, with 36 international tries to his name, managed a paltry 10 metres in 80 minutes of rugby. So what is so special about the Springboks?

Although the match statistics somewhat balance each other out Ireland, crucially, beat more defenders, carried more ball, won more rucks, made fewer tackles and as Brian O’Driscoll’s massive hit at the death highlighted, missed fewer tackles than their counterparts.

This was a superb victory for Ireland. The intelligence of their play was most significant. Although they outkicked the Springboks they brought much more variety to their game. Yes the scrum was under severe pressure. Fifteen minutes in and an old bullet stopper mate of mine reminded me of my “rugby player first and scrummager second” comment I had made last week; suggesting two Italian props might come in handy. Indeed the Springbok scrum was awesome in the opening quarter.

The force being generated through BJ Botha and John Smit from the front five had Ireland in terrible trouble. But it was early days and South Africa brought just one trump card to the table. After all Ireland had only six scrums in total and won four of them. Ireland, through Cian Healy and John Hayes, figured it out and surprised the Springboks by staying at it until the end.

For so long the Springbok brawn has pummelled the brains of the opposition. Throughout yesterday’s ebb and flow Ireland continued to recognise their strengths and minimise their weaknesses. Conversely the Springboks displayed no ability to think their way.

The Irish lineout, for example, was magnificent. From the off they shortened and attacked from deep inside their half. Conversely the South Africans’ opening five lineouts were a mess; losing their first two at the front and then two down the line before finally conceding a free kick for a slow put-in.

Their lineout has long been the world leader but it was an early snap shot into their overall negativity and the ambition of Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan. Time and again they spurned attacking field positions for conservative lineouts. Again Habana only carried for 10 metres. Extraordinary!

I was really looking forward to the meeting of Bakkies Botha and O’Callaghan but it wasn’t to be! With his and other absences such as Pierre Spies and Juan Smith, not to mention the energy levels of the Springboks, questions remain to be answered down the track. But facing this opposition the Irish clearly had a gameplan to expose the Springboks and from deep.

A great “mark” from Tommy Bowe resulted in a quick tap and counter through Keith Earls and co. But it wasn’t confined to the back three as Jamie Heaslip and Jerry Flannery got in on the act. Throughout the game the Irish looked full of running and remained on their toes, bouncing forward in both attack and defence.

Yes South Africa missed 12 points but they should have had a possible three yellow cards. Firstly to Habana for his work at the breakdown; secondly to Andries Bekker for his knee drop on David Wallace’s head and finally to JP Pietersen for his high tackle and foot trip on Bowe.

Conversely, what a year for Sexton who only left three behind. Again his kicking grabs the limelight but his five tackles with no misses were crucial, especially with his first, a big hit, being in open play. With some momentum, secondrow Victor Matfield was met by Sexton and stopped dead. A turnover occurred followed by fast feet from Stephen Ferris and down the pitch the Irish cantered. That hit resulted not just in a turnover but Ireland’s first three points. That one hit produced more than Heinrich Brüssow did over the 80 minutes.

As suspected, Brüssow has been living off the Springbok front five bully boy tactics. Although he remained a nuisance he managed only one steal at the breakdown. There were many reasons for this but the plaudits must go to the Irish ball carrier who dominated the tackle area, changed angles and moved the ball quickly.

Allied to this, the Irish secondrow pair were ferocious at the breakdown, squeezing any light between the ball and Brüssow. In many ways the Irish ambition neutralised the groundhog. Pace is a key component to any field sport and to see Rob Kearney round Brüssow from his 22 metres was very satisfying.

So where do Ireland go from here? Judging from yesterday’s performance there is a lot of ambition within the squad and clearly lots of brains in the management. Grand slams back-to-back? Yes please.