s africas springboks begin journey of discovery
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

S. Africa's Springboks begin journey of discovery

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today S. Africa's Springboks begin journey of discovery

South Africa launch their Rugby
Johannesburg - Arab Today

 South Africa launch their Rugby Championship campaign at home to Argentina Saturday knowing they have not convinced everyone a new chapter has begun following a horror 2016 season.

After a calendar-year record eight defeats in 12 Tests under new coach Allister Coetzee, the 3-0 series whitewash of France two months ago was warmly welcomed.

But while Coetzee spoke of "setting the record straight", sceptics noted that France were average at best and dismal at worst during the tour.

Were South Africa good or France awful or was it a mix? The answers concerning the Springboks should come during a Rugby Championship that includes New Zealand and Australia.

Argentina at home is, theoretically, the best bet for a South African win in a six-round competition crammed into eight weeks with long westward and eastward flights for all.

After Port Elizabeth this Saturday, the Springboks play Argentina away next weekend, then have a one-week break before tackling Australia and world champions New Zealand on the road.

Another one week break follows before home fixtures against the Wallabies and the All Blacks, who scored 57 points in South Africa last year.

"It is going to be tough," conceded Coetzee, whose successes over France offered breathing space after incessant social and traditional media calls for his dismissal.

"We have learnt from last year," he stressed, referring to two victories in six matches, including a lucky win at home to the Argentines.

"Our successes against France were very sweet. It was a good start to the year, but we have not achieved anything yet.

"Argentina are a proud rugby nation with a number of world-class players in their team," said former provincial scrum-half Coetzee.

He avoided names, but was surely referring to the likes of full-back Joaquin Tuculet, fly-half Nicolas Sanchez, scrum-half Martin Landajo and skipper and hooker Agustin Creevy.

"They have an excellent set piece and strike from first phase -- securing turnover ball and launching attacks involving backs and forwards."

But while South Africa were proving too good for France, Argentina twice lost at home to what was largely an England "C" team before overcoming less intimidating Georgia.

The British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand robbed England of virtually all their first choices and there were injury-induced absentees as well.

The Pumas will certainly be underdogs in Port Elizabeth, but two wins in their last three Rugby Championship matches against the Springboks can only embolden them.

Coach Daniel Hourcade must have noted how France exposed defensive deficiences in Springbok wingers Raymond Rhule and Courtnall Skosan.

Fortunately for the pair, who were capped for the first time against France and have been retained, team-mates repeatedly got them out of trouble.

Fly-half Elton Jantjies can keep a scoreboard operator busy, with unorthodox attacking moves and goal-kicking, when not under undue pressure.

But the All Blacks and New Zealand Super Rugby teams have regularly nullified the threats from the playmaker by keeping him on the back foot.

There was, however, also encouragement for Coetzee in the French series, particularly from lock Franco Mostert and scrum-half Ross Cronje.

Mostert made the team ahead of former South African Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit, and excelled as a lineout winner, ball carrier and fearless tackler.

Cronje likes to keep it simple and possesses an uncanny knack of knowing when to pass and when to kick.

It is unthinkable for South Africa that they will fail to win this weekend, but far more difficult tasks lie ahead in a journey of discovery

source:AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

s africas springboks begin journey of discovery s africas springboks begin journey of discovery

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

s africas springboks begin journey of discovery s africas springboks begin journey of discovery

 



GMT 23:50 2017 Monday ,20 November

Bahrain Bourse daily trading performance

GMT 01:34 2017 Wednesday ,13 December

Bahrain condemns New York terror blast

GMT 10:18 2017 Saturday ,16 September

Iraqi troops destoyed ISIS camp in Anbar killing dozens

GMT 13:00 2017 Sunday ,24 September

Saudi intercepts ballistic missile fired from Yemen

GMT 20:40 2016 Sunday ,20 November

Ministry keen on upgrading pharmaceuticals industry

GMT 19:34 2017 Saturday ,12 August

IEA raises oil demand growth forecast for 2017

GMT 18:02 2017 Wednesday ,04 October

Jordan’s Eurobonds enjoy strong demand among investors

GMT 12:02 2016 Thursday ,24 November

Qatar’s Ajyal festival to celebrate Meg Ryan

GMT 12:59 2016 Monday ,26 September

Asia scoops top honours at San Sebastian film festival

GMT 03:11 2017 Saturday ,15 April

IS used Mosul museum as tax department

GMT 13:04 2017 Wednesday ,27 September

Saudi king says the kingdom will remain a Strong Fortress

GMT 17:58 2018 Sunday ,25 November

Amman stock market wraps up trading at JD2.6 million

GMT 10:58 2018 Thursday ,22 November

Capital governor meets Hubei province governor
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday