Expectations were always gonna be high for the Springbok class of 2008. They came into the Tri-Nations campaign as the World Champions on a 13 game winning streak, with a large majority of the players that were involved in the Rugby World Cup in 2007 retained.
Everything was looking good for the Boks, and some pundits even gave them the favourites tag to take their first Tri-Nations since 2004.

The only unknown entity was newly appointed coach, Pieter de Villiers. And what an entity he turned out to be.

This would be the first international played under the IRB's new experimental laws, with the Springboks facing off against a new look All Blacks in Wellington on the 5th of July. It was a scrappy affair from the kick-off as both teams tried to keep up with the physicality and intensity of the game on a typically wet Westpac turf.
Springbok - All Blacks games have always been coined 'The Clash of the Titans' and this game was no different with controversy striking within the first 20 minutes of the game. After a few minor push-abouts, tempers flared when All Black lock Brad Thorne unceremoniously dumped Springbok captain John Smit from shoulder height in an off the ball incident, and more shockingly after the whistle, subsequently causing injury and ending Smit's Tri-Nations.

The Springboks had lost their inspirational leader.

The score line flattered the Springboks who eventually lost 19-8 to the All Blacks in an unconvincing performance, but John Smit's injury would see promising Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis take up the number 2 jersey and would later prove to be one of the best performing Springboks of the campaign.

The next Tri-Nations Test would be in Dunedin. The convincing All Black victory the week before saw the All Blacks extend their record 30 home game winning streak, with the Springboks having not won on New Zealand turf in 10 years and having never tasted victory in Carisbrook, the odds would surely be stacked against them.
It would turn out to be another thrilling, intense, physical affair but this time both teams were on top of their game. The Springboks would eventually come out 28-30 victors, after going in at half time in front 15-17, with Ricky Januarie scoring a brilliant individual winning try in the 75th minute. The Springboks would hold the dangerous All Black backs out and snuff out any desperate drop goal attempts with only 14 men after stand-in captain Victor Matfield received a yellow card in the 73th minute for a high tackle. Fittingly Ricky Januarie would have the final say, kicking the ball into touch, and sparking mass celebration amongst the South Africans.

History was made.

South African rugby was on a high, the biggest high since the World Cup in France last year. Hopes of Tri-Nations glory would be slightly dashed when the Springboks lost to Australia 16-9 in Perth the very next game, in their third away game in a row. With one vital away win in New Zealand, pundits put the Springboks in the hot seat to win the Tri-Nations. Surely this Bok team would be even stronger at home, or at least be tagged favourites in their own backyard?

However it would not be so.

Three defeats in a row would follow, and more importantly two successive home defeats in the Republic , would see the Springboks knocked out of contention and bumped down to 3rd on the world rankings. The manner of the 0-19 loss to the All Blacks in Cape Town and the 15-27 loss to the Wallabies in Durban caused great concern from the South African public, and the eventual criticism of Victor Matfield for his leadership skills and Pieter de Villiers tactical prowess. The loss in Cape Town would see the Boks being held scoreless at home for the first time since 1928, and the first time ever against the All Blacks. The Cape Town crowd left Newlands in silent disappointment. The blue plastic bongo drums handed out before the game, and that were beaten with enthusiasm and venom throughout the duration of the match, would be silenced.

The scrappy loss at Kings Park, Australia's first victory on South African soil since 2000, would see the Durban supporters turn on the under pressure Springbok coach and the stand-in Bok captain, booing them off the field. Pieter De Villiers said afterwards that the booing was understandable.

Springbok rugby hit a low.

The media had a field day writing up the possible demise of Springbok rugby and the demise of De Villier's international coaching career. The public wanted accountability for the performances, wanted to see results, and wanted to see them immediately. No excuses.

The Springboks and Pieter De Villiers would oblige.

The next, and last, Test match was to be played in Ellis Park. South African rugby's hallowed ground. The Wallabies hadn't won in Ellis Park since 1963 but there was an air of uncertainty throughout the week as until then, the Springboks had been in a slump ever since the historic victory in Dunedin. What happened next stunned everybody.
The Springboks came out firing on all cylinders blitzing the Wallabies to go ahead 27-3 at the break, with 2nd capped winger Jongi Nokwe scoring a hat-trick and becoming only the second South African to do so against the Wallabies. Shortly after the break he would add to that record with a 4th try before going off injured, that effort would eventually contribute to a 8 try to 1, 53-8 thrashing, and posting the Wallabies biggest ever defeat.

Pride was restored.


To say this season has been a roller-coaster ride, is a gross understatement. The only 2 victories the Springboks have posted, have been first a milestone and then a record breaker. That however swings both ways as 2 of the 4 Springbok defeats have been record breakers and milestones too.
That's how the season can be described. Inconsistent. Too inconsistent to be of any real benefit. When you look at the cold hard facts the Springboks are rooted to the bottom of the Tri-Nations log with 2 victories and 4 losses. A failure. Simply not good enough for the World Champions, and certainly not good enough with the wealth of talent South African rugby is currently experiencing. Pieter De Villiers' new gameplan has been on a whole a major let down for the Springboks. Whether this style we've been hearing about was applied in the 53-8 victory is debatable. Both of our Tri-Nations victories this season have been based around a territorial kicking game, commanding the set-pieces, dominating or fiercely contesting the tight exchanges and rock solid defence. Good old fashion Springbok rugby.

Those two victories can simply not overshadow a serious problem in our mental and tactical approach to Test rugby currently. Whether those issues have been resolved in the wake of our emphatic victory in Jo'burg is yet to be seen. The jury is still out and all eyes will be on the end of year tour to see if any progress has been made.

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