South African rugby fans can be thankful that the Springbok bench managed to burgle a victory against the touring Ireland Rugby team.

It was a far from acceptable performance by the Springboks, but supporters will at least take some solace in victory after the Springboks were humbled last weekend by the Irish for the first time on South African soil.

South Africa 32 Ireland 26

South Africa – Tries: Ruan Combrinck, Warren Whiteley, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Damian de Allende. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (3) Penalties: Elton Jantjies (2)

Ireland – Tries: Devon Toner, Jamie Heaslip. Conversions: Paddy Jackson (2). Penalties: Jackson (4)

Springboks poor in first half

The first half was a torrid affair for the Springboks. They were outclassed by a much sharper Ireland team and spectators cannot really be blamed for booing them of the pitch at half time. They were trailing 19 to 3 and were not in the game at all, facing a big hiding at Emirates Airline Park.

Their error count was far too high, with numerous handling errors, 12 in total as well as 11 knockons , especially when on attack. They were also guilty of not protecting the ball in the tackle and the Irish continuously targetted the ball and managed to rip the ball out of the ball carrier’s hands on a number of occasions. Their kick in restarts were also poor, being far too deep and allowing the Irish to exit their quarter with very little pressure being applied.

The Irish fed off the Springboks errors and simply did not allow them into the game in the first half. The Boks back there were poor under the high ball, with Lwazi Mvovo in particular being targetted by Paddy Jackson. The breakdown and each player’s role at the breakdown remains a major problem for the Springboks and they were dominated during this phase of play, losing the turnover count 10 to 2. The Springbok scrum was also under pressure, with both Frans Malherbe and Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira having relatively poor games.

Springbok bench makes the difference

Coach Alister Coetzee made a big call at half time, replacing the struggling Malherbe as well as Mvovo for Ruan Combrink who made his Test debut. Not long after half time, Duane Vermeulen, who had started the game under an injury cloud and did not take part in contact sessions early in the week, was pulled from the field to be replaced by Warren Whiteley. Trevor Nyakane also made an early appearance in the second half and it was with the new front row of Nyakane, Adriaan Strauss and Julian Redelinghuys that the Springbok scrum held its own against the previously dominant Ireland scrum. Hopefully Coetzee takes note of this for the third Test in Port Elizabeth.

The South African rugby public has been calling out for Combrink to be included in the Springbok team and he did not disappoint them, scoring a try and earning a Man of the Match medal after one half of international rugby. His first Test try came after Willie le Roux at last made a line break by straightening his line and passing to him. Combrink still had a lot of work to do and a strong hand off saw him clear of the Irish defense to score in the corner. The pace and power he injected into the game every time he touched the ball should send a loud and clear message to Coetzee.

Springbok pack shuffled

There were two further substitutions that made a huge impact on the game that will have the Springbok brains trust scratching their heads over the next couple of days. Lock Franco Mostert earned a well deserved first Test cap when blind side flank Siya Kolisi was substituted, allowing Pieter-Steph du Toit to move to the blind side flank, the position which this scribe believes he is most suited to and he became more effective with his ball carrying.

Inside center De Allende was uninspiring in the first Test, as well as during the first half of the second Test. He approached the second half with a lot more determination and although it was not pretty, his determination to make a difference by dropping his head and shoulders and powering through tackles made huge difference to the Springbok effort and should also make a massive difference to his confidence levels.

The Springboks were very poor in the first half and this victory should be more of a relief than a celebration, but four second half tries after early replacement were made will make their brains trust sit up and take notice.

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