The Springboks thrashed Wales again, but their accuracy fell well short of the standards expected of the world champions, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane says the Boks were physically dominant throughout the Nations Championship clash in Durban, yet too often allowed that superiority to breed sloppiness against a Welsh side that offered little resistance.
“Collectively, the Boks were no better than a C,” he writes.
Keohane praises debutants Ruben van Heerden and Carlü Sadie for making strong impressions, while veteran scrumhalf Cobus Reinach stood out as his Man of the Match with an energetic and influential display.
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Despite securing the bonus point early in the second half, the Springboks failed to convert territorial dominance into points with the ruthless efficiency they had shown against England and Scotland.
Keohane notes they scored just once from 10 first-half entries into Wales’ 22, a sharp contrast to the clinical finishing of the previous two Tests.
“Erasmus got more gains from the combination of the three Nations Championship Tests than he got in Durban.”
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For Keohane, the bigger picture remains positive. Erasmus achieved his primary objective by giving every squad member game time, testing combinations and blooding new players, while the Springboks won all three July Tests to finish the month atop the southern hemisphere standings.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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The Springboks thrashed Wales again, but their accuracy fell well short of the standards expected of the world champions, writes @mark_keohane
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