The Springboks are Creating History
Captain Read of the All Blacks
Photo Taken: All Blacks Instagram
Rugby World Cup 2022
Are viewers around the world witnessing history in the making? A raging war taking a new turn?
After years of being the dominant power in the rugby world, the New Zealand All Blacks have been dethroned! In the recent pre-ranking of the Rugby World Cup, the South Africa Springboks came out with a huge win against rival New Zealand All Blacks. But this brings up a question that many have been asking ever since the upset…. Who are the new kings of the rugby world, the Boks or the All Blacks?
After watching key players for both teams, I believe that New Zealand will fall short to the Springboks in the upcoming World Cup. The 1-3-3-1 Offense that the Springboks run is innovative and allows for all players to make a difference during the game not just a select few. Along with this, the aggressive press defense that they like to run, similar to the blitz in American Football, causes teams to make mistakes. The Boks are also loaded with offensive weapons such as number 10 Quade Cooper who often utilizes his kicking ability to flip the field and create chances for his teammates and number 12 Damien De Allende who is simply a wonder in the open field and the ball in his hands. Not many opponents can keep up the with the defensive pressure put on by Kwagga Smith as well.
Faf De Klerk gazes over the pitch before starting the attack
Photo Taken: Evening Standard
However, the All-Blacks fans may bring the up the long history of continued success against the Boks. Owning the record of 59 wins and 40 losses in the last 99 tests. All Blacks have been the more experienced team based off average player age. Adding to this, experienced rugby coach Steve Kuhlman, who has a state championship and many more runner ups, was quoted saying “With Faf De Klerk being hurt, I fee like the Boks lose much more than the All Blacks do with the current injury of their Captain Kiernan Read”. Essentially saying that the pure talent of Faf is a greater loss the Boks than that of the leadership of Reed.
What is to be argued is that the All Blacks are a team who have many on their side based purely off their experience in big games compared to that of the Boks. However, with the current injury of star player and reigning captain Read keeping him off the pitch the All Blacks are at a significant loss of experience as they have many new younger players. Along with this, the depth of the Springboks in their forwards is something the All Blacks are unable to match. Evidence of this showed in the most recent games amongst the club when all 3 front row forwards were subbed out for the Boks which completely shifted the momentum as the All Blacks couldn’t handle the size of the green machine. The Boks made a 14 point run which led them into the half with all the power. The subs of the All Blacks continued to make blunder after blunder while the subs of the Boks were discipline and collected in their endeavors.