Mac’s reputation as one of the world’s best coaches never reached it's full potential. PDV has had ample time and players but two thumpings by the AB’s and only the brave seem to be whispering that he should go and go quickly before the 2011 WC.
It is clear that the composition of the team is dreadful at the moment with some glaring problems that were not addressed since the first test match. Jean de Villiers is as much use on the wing as a chocolate teapot and is being made to look like a complete amateur who is repeatedly caught out of position. His addiction to prance around trying to intercept the ball is the stuff you expect in a touch rugby game played by surfers on Durban’s beaches and not by what was once one of the finest centres in world rugby. Frankly it is embarressing.
JDV’s replacement Aplon although full of courage was so easily taken care of by the AB’s that he looked like an accident waiting to happen. Personally I think if Aplon is going to play then he needs to stay at fullback because anyone is better than Zane Kirchner who only looks good playing behind the mighty Bulls team and is simply found wanting at the highest level.
Wynand Olivier was virtually nonexistent and how he manages to get picked week in and week out is a complete mystery! He is as much use as a glass hammer and along with the hot and cold Ricky Januarie the entire backline was rendered impotent with not even Habana able make use of the little ball that he received.
Then there is the ill-discipline and one would have believed that following the Bakkies headbutt that everyone would be on best behaviour. Yet the Springboks refuse to want to play with 15 men on the park and you can be virtually guaranteed that someone is going to punch or kick and get sin binned. Pathetic.
Many are calling for a new captain as if a team without John Smit is going to suddenly behave and play winning rugby, but I don’t see it. It is not the captain who headbutted or kicked nor is it the captain who is trying to intercept the ball on the wing. It is not John Smit who is only 70kgs and driven backwards with a sneeze. No it is PDivvy who has to answer just why the team is playing like they are.
If Ian Mac was fired for a series defeat to the AB’s only months before the World Cup why should PDV not be painted with the same brush?
