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Rugby Championship: Breaking Down South Africa’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Published: August 2, 2013
While there is certainly no shame in failing to beat an uncompromising Pumas side making their home debut in the Championship, the result is relevant because it accurately reflects the Springboks’ unconvincing form over the last year.
Heyneke Meyer’s side may have won their last six matches—three last autumn in Europe and three at home this summer—but the reality is that they are still some way off reaching the standards expected of a demanding public still hankering back to the feats of the all-conquering 2007 World Cup-winning side.
Indeed, had it not been for a couple of contentious decisions in their summer clash with Scotland, the visitors would likely have recorded their first win on South African soil.
The Springboks were also held to a 14-14 draw at home last summer by an inexperienced England side and lost to New Zealand (twice) and Australia in the inaugural Rugby Championship. This year's Championship promises to be even more challenging due to the current size of the Boks' injury list.
Despite their strength in depth, South Africa have failed to properly replace the likes of John Smit, Victor Matfield, Percy Montgomery, Os du Randt and Bakkies Botha.
They also have missed the services of inspirational flanker Schalk Burger, now back in training after missing the whole of 2012 but still unavailable for the upcoming Rugby Championship along with a host of other absentees.
As Burger told the South Africa Rugby Union official website SARugby.net:
To give a timeline is quite difficult... I certainly don't want to over-commit.
The good news is that I can start to train properly and get the heart-rate up. That, in itself, is exciting n...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union
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