Springbok's chance of redemption

We turn to the second week of Autumn internationals and its pretty much the same story….

Wales are still talking the talk about putting together a performance to be proud of but always failing at the final hurdle. They'll need more than just a Kiwi coach to edge the big teams. Maybe the future selection of Gareth Anscombe (the Chiefs fly-half/fullback, eligible for Wales, who won a Super Rugby title with the Chiefs in 2013), could bring a new energy to the team. A player who is a proven winner.

Scotland managed to shock Argentina, who failed to build on their Wallaby slaughter as they fell at BT Murrayfield, and will now face New Zealand in what's destined to be a massive game if the Scottish feel that there's a momentum swing in their rugby.

The referees will face further scrutiny, although they can't seem to win! We either chastise them for breaking up the momentum of the game with countless TMO referrals or in the instances they're two feet from the action and go with their instincts, we wish they'd sent it to the man in the box. These men in the middle have proven to be the difference in most occasions, and some seemingly have a desire to be the main act when they actually should be taking more of a supporting role.

South Africa tried to give the contracted Springboks a short 'sabbatical' which backfired and their strength of depth in the squad was thrown into question. I even look at the New Zealanders who took sabbaticals for six months and I am met with the picture of a process that really hasn't worked. Carter, McCaw and Smith are suffering niggles and injuries upon their return, the work-hardened nature of rugby seems to promote 'game time' when it comes to the more casual knocks. Time will tell whether they benefit the player or not, but it looks dubious.

England vs South Africa

The media up north have managed to talk up the Boks, pre autumn internationals and they continue to do so. Rightly so I guess, they are the second best side in the world; but the decision making showed their over confidence. In situations where the old-Springbok side would have taken points, they backed their driving maul and dominant lineout which resulted in a solitary try. They face an English side that pushed the All blacks to the wire, and for the  fourth game on the trot, losing after a valiant fight. The Springbok 9\10 axis will decide the game and will need to better than the show over the weekend. The control of Fourie du Preez is greatly missed and the veteran, I feel, will be key in 2015! England's injury woes are not as evident as earlier suggests with a decent display this weekend. Will the scarred South Africans have more wounds to lick or will they add more misery to next year's World Cup hosts?

Scotland vs New Zealand

Scotland have grown 10 feet tall since their victory. The brave Scots continue to improve and provided quite a shock by beating the Pumas of Argentina.  Putting in phases of exciting rugby together, with the Gray brothers working diligently at both the set-piece and in the loose. Their growth will be tested once again as they face a side that seldom loses. What will be examined will not be the nature of their loss, how they steam the formidable tide and a finisher like Savea. The New Zealanders know how to win and its etched in their minds that they are destined to. They will look to add to their tour scalps, and we could see a rotation in their squad, as if their class throughout the squad is being questioned.

France vs Australia

I still am never sure what French side will decide to pop up on game day. The match this weekend will tell us what the tricolours are thinking. What we know is that there will be yet another half-back pairing, a new concoction of talent squished together, hoping for it to stick. How, if selected, will Rory Kockott fair for his adopted country on residency rules. Will he add a different dimension to the hapless French who got mauled in the Australasian continent months back? The Australians need to keep turning corners, they have strength on the pitch, but the marriage just isn't apparent. Their win against a mentally weak Wales side will not be considered. Australia require stability in how they approach this match, Cheika continues to mould the Aussies into a style of play that could see them far in the RWC 2015!