Nothing too special about this South African side despite their reputation, writes LIAM TOLAND
HOW MANY times have you seen David Wallace power into contact, hitting a weak shoulder, and offloading? Or when he hits a dead end, taking up a great position on the deck with excellent ball placement?
In all that time have you ever seen the opposition step over and steal the ball? Likewise the Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll has made thousands of ball carries and I can’t recall the ball ever being stolen.
The rules of the game have propelled the “jackal” into a fulcrum position. And at 5ft 11in (180 cms) Springbok openside Heinrich Brüssow is very much the jackal. However, I’ve revised my opinion on the great groundhog Brüssow. He is no Richie McCaw. And if he continues to exert an influence at the breakdown tomorrow it is the Ireland ball carrier that must shoulder the blame.
Brüssow does his fair share of defensive work and has a nasty habit of twisting the tackled player into a terrible position with the sole intent of stealing the ball. But he is more magpie than jackal in that his real influence arises from loitering in behind another Springbok tackler and biding his time for the unsuspecting carrier to hit the deck and then he pounces. Much like a support runner stays on the blindside of the defender that picks a great line to take the offload, Brüssow lines up the soon to be flattened man.
Yes the set-piece will be important tomorrow but the game will hinge on the flow of ball. The pre-emptive strike is therefore required. The ball carrier must dominate the tackle à la Wallace and O’Driscoll. Cian Healy’s cameo run into the heart of the Australians, dominated several tacklers, made yards and produced a very quick ball.
Throughout this passage Australian wonder kid David Pocock was nowhere to be seen. Where there is any doubt about the quality of the Ireland ball carrier then hands off, don’t give him the ball, it’s simply not worth the risk. Too often a brave-heart run can end in a penalty or turnover. Judging by the performance over Fiji Ireland are developing the diamond formation attack where several receivers are making themselves available for the pass. Allied with the combined activity of the Ireland wingers Keith Earls and Shane Horgan there was far more points of attack. For all his brilliance Brüssow can only be in one place at a time. So vary the point of attack.
Over the months since his debut he has been extraordinary on the deck but over the weeks I’ve watched him specifically. What else does he do? He’s a very solid defender, particularly when you run directly at him. However, he’s not that quick and there’s nothing special in the lineout. Although he gets on the ball he rarely provides a link preferring to go into contact giving him a 6 and a half position (neither jersey 6 nor 7). South Africa have many injuries for tomorrow but Juan Smith is a huge loss primarily for his athleticism and link play. Yes, Brüssow is a nuisance but only if the Ireland allow it.
What makes South Africa so special? Nothing really! Although they are World Champions, Tri-Nations Champions and have beaten New Zealand three times this year Ireland are more than capable of performing against them.
Their “special” factor is epitomised by Bakkies Botha. Botha is a real dog, an enforcer and highly disruptive in the lineout maul. Watch him closely, pulling the maul down and pushing players around. Against France Botha pushed Imanol Harinordoquy off the ball so hard that he knocked over another Springbok which resulted in the assistant referee flagging the French man and three points for South Africa.The big man in the middle of the row is liable to burst over, if given the right attention. So he needs to be targeted “old school”.
I think tomorrow will be Donncha O’Callaghan finest hour where he should follow Botha around poking him, pinching him, prodding and jibing him. With that in mind if Ireland intend mauling the lineout, which is very likely, then Paul O’Connell must keep in referee Nigel Owens’s ear. Botha will pull it down and must be punished.
Their loss of centre Adi Jacobs is a real plus to South Africa as coach Peter de Villiers has remained far too loyal to him. I was really looking forward to the activity down his channel. The Italian try last week resulted from terrible defence by Jacobs. Pity. Certainly Blue Bull Wynand Olivier offers far more in both attack and defence. Both Springbok centres are large athletes that must be met on the gainline.
Let’s be realistic, although the Springboks have frontrow changes they will target our scrum. I believe our scrum will surprise a few tomorrow. And from a more settled scrum I hope that there is far more activity around the 10 channel. This will provide another point of attack as both Wallace and Jamie Heaslip can make ground given the right angle.
Due to the Springbok kicking game turnovers are crucial to Ireland. France exposed the Springboks by shifting the ball and attacking space. Every player in a blue jersey was aware of actions on. Both the Argentine and French frontrows are the best in the world at adding value to the ball. French loosehead Fabien Barcella was magnificent and Healy can match his performance.
The secret for tomorrow is moving the ball away from contact and fast, changing angles and running at weak shoulders. Tomorrow will be a kicking fest where the set piece will neutralise itself. So the flow of ball is key. And while Brüssow is busy crawling around the ground David Wallace should be scoring tries.
