Oliver Reid of South Africa during the Rugby Championship U20 match between Junior Springboks and Argentina. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
Springboks South African Rugby team are going to bring home the Cup after winning the HSBC World Championship in Los Angeles in the early hours of Monday morning. The Springboks defeated upstarts Spain 19-5 in the final. While officially the Blitzbokke are declared “World Champions” – the irony of this in a country whose domestic sports are endorsed with the same label – the world renown triumph will suffice for them. Argentina deciding on a season ending format World Championship with the winners being given the label, but the league is seen as the tougher format to win.
Still, that shouldn’t take away from an incredible performance by the Blitzboks, who had to overcome Olympic champions France, Argentina and Great Britain in their pools and then put on a dominant day two display to down New Zealand 26-5 and then beat the most improved side on the tour, Spain, in the final. It was a weekend where everything went right, injuries stayed to a minimum and the Blitzboks played to some unbelievable potential to show just how good they were. For the first time this season Philip Snyman had a fully fit squad to choose from, and their preparations for the two-day tournament were perfect. Since Snyman’s arrival, the Blitzboks have restored pride in winning a bronze medal at the Olympics, being crowned champions in Cape Town in front of their home fans and now winning in Los Angeles.
This was their fifth tournament win in the USA, with three Las Vegas titles and the first LA Sevens title before this showing they clearly enjoy the tournament.
South African Rugby has once again had its golden moment thanks to the Springboks/Blitzbokke. The team had to overcome a gruelling struggle against teams that had trained to be just as well but they were just as tough on the pitch if not tougher to win. With steeply determination they were able to best the likes of Britain, Argentina, New Zealand, and France to rise to the top of the Championships. Spain is also a good team although the others are as tough as nails. The success of the Springboks depends on their training, talent and teamwork as well as keeping it professional. Philip Snyman as coach of the Blitzbokke is in charge of having the final say on who makes the team on the pitch. This is itself is a tough task. The Springboks are a strong and unified team under Snyman’s watch.
The Springboks will continue to score goals whether it’s at the Olympics, at the Rugby World Cup or the LA Sevens.
A second-half fightback allowed the Junior Springboks to beat Argentina 36–25 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, taking the lead after the first day of the Rugby Championship U20. The Junior Springboks made plenty of mistakes in the first half and showed little defensive structure to find themselves 25–15 down shortly after the break. They never improved in their lineouts – losing plenty of their put-ins to Argentina – but they gained momentum to control possession and territory, breaking the Argentina line repeatedly to score three of their five tries in the final 35 minutes. Credit must go to Argentina, who showed real flair and capitalised on any mistake offered by the home side in the first half. They scored three tries and slotted four kicks away from home. However, they were merely spectators once the Junior Springboks found their feet.
A Rugby match can be a battle of brawn as well as brain. The pressure to win and to keep remaining determined can be found in both opposing teams. The risk lies in overconfidence for one team that leads it give way to the other. The Springboks were in luck when the Argentines let their guard down due to overconfidence. Rugby can be ruthless as well as tough. For an opposing team such as the Springboks to break the Argentinians’ line of defence and sending them into disarray is like going into battle. The Argentinians were over confident in their abilities during the second round of the game and were caught of guard by the Springboks. The Springboks proved they can take advantage of their opponents’ weaknesses and win.
But they should be weary of their achievements. Overconfidence can be overwhelming.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
