Dawn Dunn on Boks win over Wales
What a thoroughly entertaining spectacle between the current Six Nations Champions, Wales and world’s number 2 team The Boks! I know that I wasn’t alone in my excitement and anticipation waiting for this match to start.
In 107 years, out of 26 tests, Wales have won 1 test and that was in 1999 at the opening of the Millennium stadium.
The Bad
The Welsh media had quite a lot to say about the Boks and how Wales was going to show us how to play rugby! (Ja right!)
A lot was said about Wales fielding 10 players from the successful British and Irish Lions Tour against the Wallabies, in the team that was to face SA.
What Wales have conveniently forgotten, is that the Wallabies have been truly awful this year. I really do not enjoy the media having a go at the boys, and Warren Gatland needs to learn to zip it!
The Weird and ugly
Scrums were absolute rubbish. We have to work on our set piece for next week.
2 yellow cards for Coenie and Jenkins for collapsing the scrum. Fair enough, they were on a team warning, however the conditions were horrific. The yellow card for Louw was harsh. It was an idiotic move by him as he was on top of the player and there are cameras everywhere. The supporters then proceeded to put pressure on Rolland with prolonged boos, jeers etc.
Needless to say, I do not recommend an extended holiday in Wales for him..
The ensuing uncontested scrums provided much needed comic relief.
The Good and truly awesome!
We just smashed them in the collisions. I just loved it. Wales had 3 injuries in the first 20 mins.
Brian Habana’s line break in the 10th min was like poetry in motion. His wonderful offload to Bismarck (aka Bliksem) Du Plessis, was perfectly timed. In true Bizzie style, he proceeds to literally bulldoze over Williams( who I really felt sorry for), as he now understands exactly what it is like to be run over by a Mack truck.
Jean De Villiers (aka Captain Fantastic), continues to build onto his personal legend by seamlessly catching the pass from Bismarck and going over to score the really sweet first try. All without breaking a sweat. By this time of course , I was dancing around with the kids singing “Hier kom die Bokke pas op, woohoo arara!”
Bismarck showed sheer strength and determination when, 2 mins. later, he rolled over Welsh defenders to score the second try. Cue more dancing and singing…
I really think that Lambie (Mr Cool), did well to adjust from fullback to fly half and I hope that he gets more game time next week. Willem Alberts, Siya, Eben, Beast and Bismarck were absolutely outstanding on defence. All points scored by Wales were through pen kicks by the very gifted Leigh Halfpenny.
I am convinced that Fourie Du Preez is ‘Die Man van Staal’, he seems to be faster now (No, I’m not complaining, in fact, please can we have more)!
The offload by Jaque and subsequent try by Fourie, was absolute genius and sealed the match for the Boks.
Pieter-Steph du Toit’s had a huge smile on his face as he ran on to replace Eben, and start his own personal Bok history.
Strangely enough, not really the best effort we have seen from the Boks this year, however, they capitalised on every opportunity presented to them and the defence was like a brick wall. There were moments of true brilliance. I am delighted that we have maintained our record against the Dragons and the coaching team can give themselves a high five. I am very proud of the boys.
(Above: Dawn Dunn with Sharks and Boks front row, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis and Beast Mtawarira).
- Dawn Dunn
- Twitter - @DawnDunnRugby