Springbok slip a sign of things to come

Whilst Australia are in the ascendancy, the Springboks are stuttering.

The last round of the Rugby Championship saw World Rugby’s former second highest ranked side slip to their third consecutive defeat in the competition at the hands of Argentina, leaving South Africa at the bottom of the Rugby Championship table, slip from second to fifth in the World Rankings and with a grim looking horizon as the World Cup draws ever closer.

Pool B of the 2015 Rugby World Cup is kind to South Africa. Drawn alongside Samoa, Japan, Scotland and USA the Springboks go into the tournament as favourite to top the pool.

However, their display in this seasons condensed Rugby Championship throws up serious questions for Heyneke Meyer. Nought from three is simply not good enough.

And things have gone from bad to worse for the Springboks as news broke last week that their talismanic captain, Jean De Villiers, who made his remarkable comeback from injury versus Argentina, was struck another blow as he fractured his jaw, ruling him out for four to six weeks.

The Boks seem to lack their edge. Last year they were a side that could always produce, the likes of De Villiers steering the ship; his experience invaluable.

Meyer started youngster Handre Pollard at ten throughout the Rugby Championship, a young fly half who could set the world alight. However, without the experience in their ranks to balance the exuberance of youth the Springboks could be vulnerable.

For the other sides in the Pool it still looks like a fight for second place, despite the Boks’ performance in the Rugby Championship.

After all the troubles off the pitch for Samoa, the pacific islanders are heading in the right direction. Runners up in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup, they have gone for an exciting squad for the World Cup. Rey Lee-Lo, Ken and George Pisi, Tim Nanai-Williams and Kahn Fotuali’i bring a spark and abrasiveness the big hitting Samoans are known for, balanced with experienced leaders in captain Ofisa Treviranus and vice-captain Alesana Tuilagi; both of whom also pack a serious punch.

Scotland will once again go into the tournament with high hopes, but the gloss of the Vern Cotter honeymoon is starting to rub off following another disappointing season last season.

With a backline that boasts talent such as Stuart Hogg, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Sean Maitland, on their day the Scots can match anyone. However, too many times the accuracy has been missing, desperation sneaks in and white line fever takes over. They need leaders, the big names such as Richie Gray, Ross Ford and Jim Hamilton who all have a wealth of experience need to provide a stability and level headedness for the flair to do what they do best.

But too often the leadership has been missing. Take Hamilton’s scuffle in the closing seconds against Wales last year following Scotland’s late try. The ensuing handbags resulted in no time being left on the clock after the conversion and thus ending the game, when in fact the try was scored the clock was still in the black and there was still a chance for a late winner.

A lack of composure at a crucial time meant there was no chance of a win. It is not fair to pin it all on one player and one moment, but it is examples like this that have cost Scotland so dearly in the past and something they need to correct if they are to stand a chance in the World Cup.

Japan and USA face the toughest test. Not long ago Eddie Jones’ Japan were building a reputation as a serious force to be reckoned with. However, recent performances have failed to match up to the 2013/14 standard. And for USA a real challenge still seems a little way off, still lacking in experience and participation.

Pool B looked like a two horse race for second place when the groups were announced. And South Africa are still expected to ease through leaving Samoa and Scotland fighting it out. However, with the Springboks’ performances in the Rugby Championship and the pressure of a World Cup, anything could happen.