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Mon 11 Jun 2012 | 03:54
Springboks go one-up in the series with Durban win over England

28
Comments

The Springboks beat England 22-17 in a bruising encounter in Durban on Saturday, going 1-0 up in the three-test series and pleasing new coach Heyneke Meyer. The match had it's casualties, with players from both sides unavailable for the next test.

After a tight and tense first half, the home side had the better of the second, scoring tries through Morne Steyn and new captain, Jean De Villiers. Ben Foden scored a consolation try for England on full time, ending the game on a positive note ahead of the Ellis Park clash next weekend.

New Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer was happy with the result considering the short amount of time they had to prepare. "I'm just happy we got through the first one," he said.

"I must say there were a few nerves in the beginning. Defence on both sides was unbelievable. The difficulty was just having the three days. It was a new start and a totally different game plan.

"A lot of these guys played tough Super Rugby a week ago and we knew England would be fresher and better prepared. There were a few things I was not happy with, especially in the first half, but I was very happy when we got quick ball and quality ball in the second half.

"You could see then that we could be a dangerous side," the former Bulls coach added.

Injuries

England fullback Mike Brown has been ruled out of the rest of the tour with a hand injury and is replaced in the squad by Nick Abendanon, who was already in his former homeland for a friend's wedding. Centre Brad Barritt will miss the second test after he took a bad knock to the eye.

South African fullback Zane Kirchner has been ruled out of the second test with a knee injury. Gio Aplon has been drafted into the squad as cover, and there were also concerns with Coenie Oosthuizen's shoulder, so Bulls front rower Dean Greyling gets a call-up.

England face a South African Barbarians team in a midweek fixture in Kimberly on Wednesday. 

You can view the full match post from South Africa vs England, 1st test, here

Credit: BradleyMcknab

Posted By: Grant Constable

28 Comments

  • reality
    8:25 PM 15/06/2012

    I don't know; I don't think not missing any tackles should be enough to win the award. I don't recall Ferris (among others) missing any tackles either, and the thing about Ferris is that he puts in these massive, momentum-stopping hits every so often after rushing out of the line, the kind where the commentators sort of gasp in appreciation of how effective they are, which really lift a team, whereas I think Lydiate is just a bit anonymous. Maybe he does make his tackles, but so do many, many others, and I don't think he offers much in attack.

  • gunshowmckenzie
    7:38 PM 14/06/2012

    Are you kidding? I am a Wales fan, but I think even impartial rugby fans have to say that, defensively at least, Lydiate was the best 6 in the 6 Nations. I don't remember him ever missing a tackle, and he tackles in such an aggressive (or active is maybe a better word) manner than it stops the opposition getting over the gain line.

    Offensively Ferris is a better ball carrier IMO, and I do rate him very highly, but I thought Lydiate's award was fair, and in the Wales - Australia game last saturday I thought he was one of the best Welsh players without question.

    As for another flanker... Willem Alberts, what a tank! I don't know if I've even seen a ball carrier that destructive and dynamic. How come he only has about 10 caps? I suppose he was kept out the squad by Burger, and Brussow?

    It will be difficult for any of the northern hemisphere teams to get a win now I think. I don't think any of the 6 nations teams would win against NZ, Wales will think they can win the series, maybe they can, and if England get one win now I think that would be a good effort.

  • guy
    12:16 AM 13/06/2012

    Excellent! I did miss that link. Thats going to be one and a half hour of quality time this weekend.

    Last saturday I was actually sitting with my back turned to the television, trying to get the rugby updates on my mobile phone. Compared to the level of commitment these teams play and the amount of blood they spill for their respective countries...football is just pathetic.

    Thanks for that link. I will read the intros by RD a bit better next time ;-)

  • pretzel
    9:06 PM 12/06/2012

    I think its a tough one... I started writing out a reply which was in total agreement with you, but then part of me thought well its not quite right really... Part of me said drop goals should stay as 3 points but penalty kicks should be reduced to 2, but then the other part of me said that in some ways that is rewarding the offending team... it is a lesser punishment for being an a-hole... I think maybe the focus should be on punishing offending players so that they do not behave in such a manner...

    Scenario: My team is playing your team, we have great runners, but our discipline is appalling, whereas your team has a fairly average player level, but you have brilliant discipline... So my team goes up 12-0, but our lack of discipline kicks in and we start slowing down your well worked ball... you get into decent positions and we f it all up for you by lying in the way and slowing it all down, would it be fair for your team (which is 12 points down) to be almost coerced into going for the lineout because you know that a 2 point kick is not really worth it? So basically my team can play around all day and you guys suffer as a result?..

    I'm not saying your alternative is a bad one, just throwing a little something into the mix to consider...

  • fatprop
    4:43 PM 12/06/2012

    I have heard some pundits sying that tuilagi should be playing 12. I just dont think that it would be a good idea, he always rushes out of defence and would leave the 10 wide open. The team I would like to see

    1. Marler
    2. Hartley
    3. Cole
    4. Parling
    5. Palmer
    6. Haskell
    7. Robshaw
    8. Morgan though i would like to see waldrom at international level

    9. Youngs
    10. Flood
    11. Foden
    12. Allen
    13. Tuilagi
    14. Monye dont know if he is fit ?
    15. Abendanon

  • silky
    4:14 PM 12/06/2012

    didnt see the game cos of work. looking forward to seeing Abendanon have a run out. hope he makes a good impression, he works really hard on and off the ball

  • pretzel
    12:31 PM 12/06/2012

    Lol brilliant spot!!! I like how he was a bit slow to get up, but then gave a scoring pass...

  • katman
    11:43 AM 12/06/2012

    For SA, Kirchner is out injured. Gio Aplon of the Stormers has been drafted into the squad, so it looks like Lambie to start at 15 and Aplon to cover wings and fullback from the bench. He can be devastating when running at tiring defenses and many (including myself) feel he should have been there from the start.

    Also injury doubts over Coenie Oosthuizen, so Dean Greyling from the Bulls has been called up to provide front row cover. Not as mobile and destructive as Coenie in the loose, but arguably a stronger scrummager.

    Other than that, same team as last week.

  • stroudos
    11:02 AM 12/06/2012

    Is there a more stereotypically South African looking bloke than Jean de Villiers? You could put him in a crowd of 2,000 people and a game of spot-the-Saffa would still only last a few seconds.

  • stroudos
    11:00 AM 12/06/2012

    Gets my vote.

  • stroudos
    10:58 AM 12/06/2012

    anonymous no7: "what sort of fascinates me is how you never really notice Robshaw unless you properly watch him".

    Perfect definition of an effective openside, no?

  • stroudos
    10:54 AM 12/06/2012

    Flood/Farrell/Tuilagi definitely gets my vote, with Joseph coming on later in the game. I don't agree that Farrell lacks creativity. On the other hand, he is extremely reliable.

    Totally agree on Habana - he was awesome.

  • facepalm
    10:50 AM 12/06/2012

    Mike Brown being out is not Goode. See what I did there?
    If England want to avoid humiliation this is the team they need to field.

    1) Marler
    2) Hartley
    3) Cole
    4) Botha
    5) Parling
    6) Haskell (He will be better at resisting the South African attack than Johnson)
    7) Robshaw
    8) Morgan

    9) Youngs
    10) Flood (Can actually play attacking rugby)
    11) Foden
    12) Farrell (Kicks the goals)
    13) Tuilagi
    14) Ashton/Joseph (Not sure who I would pick)
    15) Goode

  • stroudos
    10:47 AM 12/06/2012

    Guy, I know exactly how feel mate. I keep forgetting what game I'm watching and thinking "shit, is he all right?" when I see blokes rolling around on the ground. I used to like both sports roughly equally; these days I just can't stand the roundball shit.

    By the way, in case you missed the link to the full game in RD's write-up above - http://www.rugbydump.com/2012/06/2630/south-africa-vs-england-2012-1st-test-full-match.

  • stroudos
    10:44 AM 12/06/2012

    Not sure why everyone's suggested England teams for next test on here seem to all involve dropping Farrell, who in my opinion thoroughly deserves his place in the starting team.

    I do think, however, there's a strong case for starting the 10-12-13 axis that finished this game - ie Flood at 10, Farrell 12, Tuilagi 13, (with Barritt's unfortunate injury this combo seems to pick itself anyway). To my mind, this offers just the right blend of creativity, physicality, solidity in defence and pace. Definitely keen to see Joseph have a run but I suggest bringing him on after about 55 minutes to inject a bit of extra pace at a time when it will make the most difference.

    I want Farrell to have kicking responsibilities too. Don't know the stats but I reckon he's slightly more consistent than Flood. He doesn't seem to show any nerves either. More importantly I love that psychotic dead-eye stare during his set-up, such a refreshing contrast to that dreadful "I'm taking a shit in the middle of the pitch" pose Flood has picked up from his mentor King Jonny.

  • stroudos
    10:31 AM 12/06/2012

    Good spot! That is brilliant. "Out the way mate, we're doing forwards shit here".

  • stroudos
    10:28 AM 12/06/2012

    Lydiate was awesome in the six nations. Haven't seen such a comprehensive tree-cutting performance since Melonhead Worseley was tasked with shutting Jamie Roberts down a few years ago. Difference here was Lydiate was chopping players down throughout the game over the course of the entire tourny. Whether he's better than Ferris or not, I don't know - but he's definitely a cracking player.

  • 5:50 AM 12/06/2012

    haha, sa scrumhalf caught some friendly fire at 4:12...never knew what hit him, good for him for getting up from that one

  • pretzel
    4:24 AM 12/06/2012

    definitely look the part :)

  • thamesrowingclub
    4:12 AM 12/06/2012

    Those old school green Springbok blazers with the yellow piping are sweet!

  • 2:34 AM 12/06/2012

    Again like Robshaw and Warburton I think they are very different, Lydiate is deceptively good at the breakdown and he's actually quite mobile and I can't remember him missing a tackle. I think he offers a lot when things are tight and hes another player thats always doing the simple stuff well. He bossed the French in the 6N and they haven't got a half bad back row..

    Ferris is definetely more dynamic and I think had the highest tackle count for the Irish but I still don't think we saw him in the kind of form he's been in in the past, he wasn't helped by some dodgy decisions and his teammates at the 6N and it meant we didn't actually see much of his attacking game which is beastly (Lions 09 comes to mind). Based on that I just see Lydiate as the favourite right now although my mind may change if the wales back row fail to contain the aussies in the two games.

  • reality
    11:46 PM 11/06/2012

    I have to disagree there about Lydiate. I actually didn't even realise he was playing in the Six Nations, and then he was voted Player of the Tournament; it was a travesty. Stephen Ferris is by far the best blindside in Britain and Ireland, and if he's fit he'll surely start, unless Gatland picks Lydiate out of loyalty. I'd say he'd be a terrible captain, but he's undoubtedly better than Lydiate.

  • 11:35 PM 11/06/2012

    Interesting stats, what sort of fascinates me is how you never really notice Robshaw unless you properly watch him. I remember when he first hit the scene for Quins thinking he doesn't really do much but noticing just a general solidity to him. You sort of barely notice him but if you watch him he is always there doing the basics very well, all of the time.

    Warburton is a very different type of player and captain, he just appears to be more explosive and noticeable (at least in the WC) but recently he seems to be shut down defensively when players start sniping and picking and driving around the fringes - kind of makes me wonder if teams have begun to figure him out? I think we need to see how the respective series progress - I can see SA improving massively now that they've been together and the same for Wales so I think we need to wait and see how it pans out.

    Also I'd throw in a dark horse candidate for Lions captain, someone who I think has been one of the best rugby players over the last 18 or so months - Dan Lydiate, surely the favourite for the no 6 jersey?

  • 10:39 PM 11/06/2012

    Robshaw for lions 7, and captain?

    I think he stands a chance, i mean he is a proven great leader, and actually looks to be the makings of a really good payer, 21 TACKLES AND 4 TURNOVERS against SA in first test, more than any other player ! (this is not the first time either that he has led the turnover, tackle stats)
    I do accept that Warbuton is the front runner, but he was outmuscled by Pocock ths weekend, perhaps a won off, but I have yet to see Robshaw put in a single bad performance, for England and Harlequins.
    Definalty the right man to lead england forward to the world cup! only 26, but the experince of a 35 year old veternan, 100 cap international.

  • 10:27 PM 11/06/2012

    the england pack could be great with experience, hopefully come the autumn internationals a few players will be fit again, perhaps looking like this, I hope.

    1. Corbisero
    2. Hartley
    3. Cole
    4. Parling
    5. Lawes
    6. Johnson
    7. Robshaw (c)
    8. Morgan

    and then u have substitutes like Marler, Webber, Botha and Armitage.
    Looks good, no?

  • 10:23 PM 11/06/2012

    I agree that Botha brought a physical presence, but somethimes he is left trailing back leaving holes in the defense, whereas Palmer (perhaps not as physical) is much more relible in defense and brings a lot more experience.
    Its a risk briging on Wade i know, but he is the perfect man to run the tired sprinbokes ragid (I do though accpept that they will no doubt be the fitter of the two sides, but nevertheless) and to be honest we dont have that many options on the wing, I would prefer Monye to start because he has had a lot more experince of SA rugby, on the lions tour, but he is injured.
    I do feel though that it is a big move to start Abendanon at full back, as he has only just joined to squad, however i do agree that Foden was good on the wing and I really liked the back three combinatin.

  • guy
    10:08 PM 11/06/2012

    That looked like one hell of an intense match!

    And I am sitting here in Europe with all weekend nothing on tv but that bloody Euro 2012 soccer opera...

    So: thanks RD, for posting the highlights! I guess this is the next best solution for rugby starvation.

  • 10:02 PM 11/06/2012

    BRUTAL encounter!
    I new South Africa were physical, but they were possesed on saturday, hitting everything with legs. However I thought England more than stood up to the challenge, but the pressure towards the end of the game was just to much to handle (as it would be for most teams). South Africa did miss the presence of a flanker who could disrupt the breakdown, they needed Brussow!. Players that stood out - Alberts, Bismark (absolutly awesome - perhaps the best hooker of all time!), de Villers and Habana (almost as good as his old self, perhaps better with his new found phyicality) for SA and Marler, Cole, Parling, Johnson, Robshaw, Brown (I liked the new back three combination), Tuilangi and Foden.

    If England our to beat SA, they must not fight fire with fire (Physiclaity with Physicality) as the SA's are the masters of Physiclaity, instead they must suprise them, perhaps using pace not brawn, therfore reason for the inclusion of Wade and Joseph. The subistitutions are key they must make a huge impact and compensate for the tired legs of the rest of the team. Its gonna be tough, but irrespective of the end result, England will have learnt so much for it (more so than Ireland and Australia) and I am aleady looking forward to the autumn internationals, where I belive England could really push the SH teams, perhaps winning 2 form 3 with home advantage.

    Team for the next test, taking into account new injuries.

    1. Marler
    2. Hartley
    3. Cole
    4. Parling
    5. Plamer
    6. Johnson
    7. Robshaw (c)
    8. Haskell
    9. Care
    10. Flood
    11. Strettle
    12. Tuilangi
    13. Joseph
    14. Ashton
    15. Foden

    16. Corbisero
    17. Mears
    18. Botha
    19. Dowson
    20. Dickson
    21. Farell
    22. Wade

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