Seven minutes of magic: Super sub Brent Russell

BOKS - WAKE UP!

"I am fortunate to watch schools rugby most Saturdays - I have seen better general skill and vision displayed at Under-14 level.

"It is extremely disappointing to watch SA rugby - it has been this way for the past couple of years. I certainly have wasted enough money in support of Springbok rugby and am sure many people share my sentiments. I don't think any regional radio station would be able to fill a local rugby stadium currently.

"My advice to Rudolf for the Newlands Test - select 22 Stormers/WP players. Firstly, as a combined unit they cannot be worse than the current 26 (or is it 45, who knows?) Springboks and secondly this approach might just entice some WP supporters to attend the game. Rudolf should do himself a favour and attend a couple of school boy matches - I am sure Bloemfontein can be fitted into his busy schedule - however it might be a bit embarrassing for the national coach to observe the wonderful rugby display that a team such as Grey College produces week after week. Even Rudolf's former High School Menlo Park, although they do not have a great team this year, is capable of more entertaining rugby than the current Springboks.

"Enjoy the rest of the rugby season and best of luck for the RWC. I will be trying to think as little as possible of Springbok rugby and will be enjoying myself mountain-biking or horse-riding with my kids."
- Tommie Potgieter, South Africa

"Yes, they were very lucky indeed. But so was the All Blacks victory over the "no name" young French side also an unconvincing victory? This shows that the nh has caught up with their sh counterparts."
- Frans van der Westhuizen

The springboks were incredibly lucky. There was in no time superiority by them and it was the refs bad calls that caused the Pumas to lose this game in which their defence was unmatched. This comes to show that the Pumas are on par to play the Tri-Nations with the other southern hemisphere teams."
- Francisco Andrieu

"Without Koen, we wouldn't have needed to rely on that last-ditch penalty kick. He must go! And take with him Rossouw!! They played so badly that Stefan Terblanché even looked better than they did, and that is saying something. And give Russell some playing time - did Straeuli fall asleep in his little box in the stands? For the rest of the side, they should really just knuckle and do what they are being paid to do. Otherwise, I know some chaps who would have given a better showing."
- Finn Elliot

"Hopefully this weekends display finally signals the end of Pieter Rossouw's Test career. SA did not deserve to win and maybe their place in the Tri-Nations should be given to Argentina."
- Daniel Grossman

"They were extremely lucky to win. My sympathy to the Pumas who played with guts and determination. This must be so hard to see for the past Boks who wore that jersey with pride and you had to earn it and not just play in the Bok jersey so that we can see what you can do! So that heritage of pride and invincibility is broken down. You know what, the less said the better."
- Gerrie, Cape Town

Yes, they were lucky. The punch that called back the tri by the Pumas was typical [frustrated referee] sideline judge. When will the referees realise that they shouldn't change the outcome of a game? The players involved both punched and had no bad blood with each other, let the players work it out in that circumstance."
- Philip Olson

"I wonder what Brent Russell has to do to be recognised as our best backline player. Score more tries than anyone else in the last season and a half [only coming on as a sub most times]. The only game SA won last year against decent opponents [Australia] Brent was in the driving seat for the whole game. And last but not least his little bit of magic on the field against Argentina. Yes, Rudolf you are lucky to have Brent Russell. Please use him!!!"
- Clive Stephenson, Mallorca

"They are one of the poorest Springbok sides in the history of SA rugby. I would coach that side for free, and still do a better job than Straeuli. Where is the passion and pride of the Green and Gold gone. Why is AJ Venter playing No.7 when he should be at lock? Cobus Visagie took a hammering from Grau. Pieter Rossouw is too old and slow. Bobo played well in the centre, so did Van der Westhuyzen at fullback. God help us in the Tri-Nations."
- Gareth Anthony

"Lucky is not the word. My oh my how SA rugby has crumbled. A once-great rugby nation needs a last-minute penalty at home to beat Argentina. It would have made a nice quartet for the Bok coach. Consecutive record losses to France, Scotland and England and then the first Bok team to lose to Argentina. And they keep him on as coach??? If someone had told me 20 years ago that SA rugby would concede 50 points in Tests, not once but twice, and then take solace from beating the likes of Scotland on home turf, I would have laughed. South African rugby has now become a sick joke."
- Robert Redgwell, NZ

"How can they possibly think that they will win the 2003 World Cup? Come the first round, SA will get slaughtered by the top-ranking side of England. What a poor performance, we have gone back 10 steps instead of going forward. The worst mistake was getting rid of Nick Mallett for his comments."
- Trev, London

"Were the Springboks lucky??? Of course they where! I watched the game on Sky Sports over here in England and I think that South African rugby is in a bad way at the minute. The Argentina coach said that the Pumas are at the same level as Ireland, Scotland and Wales just behind South Africa and France. I think differently, I think that the Pumas are on the same level as the Springboks and France. Nobody can say that after beating France twice and running the South African hard away from home, that they are not on the same level.

"South Africa have gone from being on of the top three teams in the world into the top five and if they are not careful then they are going to fall even further, Great to see Argentina improving all the time. It is about time the men at the top of International Rugby get them into the Tri-Nations. Hopefully it will improve them even more, you only have to look at Italy to see what a improvement it has made to there rugby playing regular world-class, top-level rugby."
- John Bell, Newcastle, England

"What a horrible performance by the Boks and a marvellous game by Argentina. Neither teams played up to par, but SA was lucky to pull it out with poor ball play and ill-timed kicking decisions. I was wanting Argentina to pull it out."
- Casey, North America

"Damn right they were lucky. They have been lucky in their last three internationals. Not one backline player ran straight and a scrum with a far superior weight-advantage were embarrassed. I bet the Aussies can't wait for the Tri-Nations."
- Clinton, UK

"Yes! SA were lucky combined with some unfortunate 'whistle-blowing' from someone unknown from one of those non-contending rugby nations. Perhaps it is time to review the laws and selection for referees again. A neutral foul play infringement with no impact on play caused the declination of a perfect try for Argentina. Later on, a 'phantom' obstruction resulted in another possible Argentine try. Nigel Williams got himself in the way a few times and reassured myself that although there is northern dispute over the best three rugby-playing nations in the world, there is no dispute that the refereeing in 3N countries are by far and away better.

"Having said that, Argentina once again looked shy in winning - reminiscing the period of their '95 RWC campaign and quite a few games thereafter. They had three scrums with a minute to go and only had to kick the ball out on the full. Argentina are a good side but really need to explore other elements in the game than just the link from No.10 to the sky. 

"SA lacked uniform once again; Koen saved them once again! Their backs are unimaginative and despite a weight advantage in the pack, they were outworked. Argentina scored a few tries from long-range, one-phased support attack/counter-attack. This should propose an alarm-response in planning their 3N's campaign."
- Stuart Smith

"Why, oh why must we insist on using Louis Koen in a position that clearly demands a player with at least some semblance of foresight. Someone, perhaps, who has met Bobo, Russell and Terblanche and realises that they too play for South Africa. Someone who understands that kicking the ball down the Argentine fullback's throat is one of the worst attacking options in a 22, ever witnessed on a rugby field.

"Well at least we have our lanky speedster Rossouw, who [let's face it] couldn't outrun a baby hippo born in the dry season. This mans lack of vision went out with stilettos, and clearly this man should have left with them. For Pete "Van Zyl's" sake, why on earth can a team so brimming with raw talent, not harness their potential power and use it constructively to destroy opposition like Scotland and Argentina?

"I don't think that this team can play together and that responsibility falls squarely on Straeuli's shoulders. How can a team learn how they play together if they get swapped around whenever the coach decides to change his rods. Straeuli needs to coach the team through the world cup and beyond, but he needs to settle the team and must look to his more experienced players like Joost, Corne, Stefan and Robbie to pull the team together.

"There is hope yet, but the shenanigans and player swapping needs to stop now, and whatever happens, Louis Koen has had his chance and failed, dismally. If we have no more options at fly-half in the entire country, I would put money on Lawrence Sephaka doing a better job than our current player of choice."
- Jason Foster

"When Straeuli first took over as Springbok coach, there was a tremendous amount of optimism and excitement around South Africa, as the prospect and promise of exciting young players and a diverse game plan were hinted at. This excitement only grew through the Tri-Nations, as South Africa performed far beyond their expectations. It climaxed at the final game against Australia with 'that try' by Werner Greeff and a win.

"Then came the end of year tour, and Rudolf Straeuli was exposed. The spotlight fell on him to make some tough decisions and to alter game plans. He failed dismally. We became the laughing stock of world rugby. So the public became understandably upset, but awaited the 2003 and World Cup year. What has changed? Straeuli is still making absurd team changes, playing to a game plan that only he knows about, because I certainly cant see any evidence of it, and his team selections give me the impression he is extremely misguided in his views of certain individuals potential.

"The best way for me to illustrate my point is through an example from this past weekends game against Argentina. Straeuli openly admits that he wanted the team to score tries, and to try and be creative. Is Koen creative? Is he the playmaker we've been searching for all these years? NO! Yet Brent Russell sits patiently on the bench, while South Africa squander chances for kicks at posts and fall back on Louis Koen's creative abilities as a fly-half. It's up to Straeuli to make these changes. Am I the only one confused? I don't believe so, I feel I'm joined by the South African coach. There is little doubt that I could select a better side then he has done over the past three Test matches, and that is just pathetic."
- James White

"Yes, the Boks were lucky to win and certainly should have lost by 15 points. The Springbok defence is appalling, almost non-existent. They are making average teams like Argentina and Scotland look like world-beaters. Rudolf is not a dumb guy, so I can't imagine why he is persisting with such poor tactics and even worse selections. Defence, defence, defence! It's the way every World Cup has been won and this year's will be no different. Being unable to make a tackle rules the Springboks out of even being considered for this Cup. I think the current odds of 11/1 are generous [even as a South African!]."
- Justin

"All the Pumas had to do at the end was re-cycle the ball and they would definitely have won. Why they kicked the ball away I will never know I guess. The Boks obviously have a lot of work to do. Their backline is slow, the passing ponderous and Louis Koen does not have a clue as to what to do unless he is kicking. he takes too long to pass, telegraphs his passes and does too much sideways running. In fact the whole line does too much sideways running."
- Ralph Cockrell, NZ

"Yes we were lucky. The question is, why are we always playing experimental teams? Hopefully there will be a regular team during the Tri nations to build in some consistency before the World Cup. Surely, Joe van Niekerk, Labuschagne, Robbie Fleck, Van Straaten and Butch James should be in the regular line-up? Also, what has happened to Ollie, he is now playing Baa-baas. Is he not worth a recall?"
- Shukokai Karate

"What an absolute shambles! Once again we were forced to watch our national side humiliate millions of supporters in SA as well as around the world, with a display of rugby that can only be classed as archaic. But for the last-gasp attempt by Brent Russell and a late Koen penalty, we were soundly beaten by the ARGENTINIANS! Yes, the Argentinians nearly defeated the mighty Boks. We don't need a miracle to do well in the World Cup, we need 15 miracles! Straeuli pick a team and stick with them. Chopping and changing every damn week is not the way to build unity and confidence in any side!"
- Bryan, Ft Lauderdale

"Does it ever rain in Cape town? The Boks are inept. And once again it's not the players so much as the coaching. No one on the Bok side knows what he's supposed to do. There's no initiative or enterprise on attack ( except Brent Russel), the backs are confused, there's no organisation among the forwards, and an alarming lack of handling skills. Why is it that the Boks only look for a team mate to pass to once they've been tackled. Every other side drills their team to look for players to link up with and then to unload when the tackle is inevitable. Best example was the bone headed lost opportunity by winger Rossouw who never looked before being tackled and giving away a certain try. Maybe ball-handling and basic skills need to feature higher on the selection criteria than they apparently do. It really is time for the coaching staff to step up to the plate and coach and stick with a core group of players. For the first time in history we must have about 50 current Springboks. We only need 22 good ones who know each other well."
- Ian McGregor

"Rudolf Straeuli should have been fired after South Africa's three record defeats at the end of 2002. SA Rugby can blame only themselves for the terrible state of SA Rugby after firing Nick Mallett, he was a coach who mastered the basics and brought a gameplan to the table - the Boks miss him. I think that this is the best Straeuli can do which means only two things, a bloodbath in the Tri-Nations and a bloodbath in the World Cup for the Boks. I can't wait for the RWC to be over when hopefully Straeuli will lose his job and SA can start rebuilding again."
- Jonathan Butler

A WIN'S A WIN!

"No, it would be more correct to say that they would have been unlucky to lose. Being able to snatch a match from the jaws of defeat is what all the top teams of any era of any sport have been able to do, the ability to have done this both in the first Scotland Test and the match against the Pumas is something to be commended for captain courageous and his men. Also don't underestimate the ability of a Pumas team that beat a French team, two weeks in a row, that were probably unlucky to lose to NZ today. SA, need to keep working at it, but at the end of the day the best team always wins!"
- Brett Hagen, Grahamstown

"It is unfortunate that Rudolf Straeuli seems to be very closed-minded with the approach that he wants the Boks to take. The constant crash-ball against one of the best packs in the world showed very little effect. I forgot that Marius Joubert was in the match until 30 minutes in. But were South Africa lucky to get away with a win? NO. They played well enough to win, and despite making it difficult for themselves, they came through when the chips were down. I also find it intriguing that no-one seems to be giving Argentina the credit they deserve. This is a team that just beat the French 2-0. It doesn't matter that they played in Argentina and the French were playing an experimental side. Argentina are missing some key players too, but they managed to beat last year's Six Nations champions and the World Cup runners-up two straight. Not many teams can claim that. And then to suggest that the French played infinitely better this week because they held the ABs close, just isn't recognising how good the Pumas have become.

"As they say, a win is a win, and while there is obviously room for improvement, one thing has become very clear in the last three weeks. When their backs are against the wall, the Boks have risen to the occasion and come out victorious. That shouldn't be overlooked. I think they will be pleasantly surprising in two weeks time."
- Andrew McMaster, Canada

"No! The team started with eight changes from the side that beat Scotland at Ellis Park. Two players were playing their first game in two months. The Pumas had just come off a series win against France (who were rather unlucky to loose to New Zealand). The Springboks were going through the motions - you could see they were not overly committed. If anything Argentina fed off scraps in the second half and were lucky to score points.

"What the Test did show is that certain players will not go to the World Cup as part of the South African set-up. Most noticeable of these was Pieter Rossouw. He conceded a try and should have off-loaded for a certain South African try. Just take this 14-point reversal and the world would be saying Boks blow Pumas away."
- Hugh Hendry

"Yes we were lucky to win, hey after all you create your own luck!"
- Ben Myburgh, Durban

"Luck is never a factor in a Test. Rather give SA credit for coming back at the end. Good Test for both countries."
- Daniel Loots

"Were the Springboks lucky? No, they weren't lucky, they should've added at least two more tries, it was I want to be the hero from lack of team play experience from Rossouw despite the number of Tests he's played, please Ashwin get well soon, what is it with the poor ball-handling skills, Rudolf take these guys onto a basketball court for the next two weeks and let them practise they need to improve if your are to take on England, All Blacks and Australia and expect to win, one more thing what is it with Cobus Visagie and those stupid penalties [wake up man] Hats off to Los Pumas for playing a very tactful game of adapting very quickly and changing play by stealing the ball. In a way it is a good thing the Springboks have not won by larger amounts because they tend to slack off the minute they are ahead and that team concept thing still needs a lot work, good luck on July 12 against Australia You can beat them even if it is by one point, you must believe in yourself and in your team."
- Booysen Hugo

PUMAS WERE UNLUCKY ...

"It's not a matter of luck. They played with 15 players plus a touch judge plus a referee. They cancelled a legitimate try and then ended the match immediately they Boks got the lead [only two minutes of injury-time?!!]. It's always the same, remember the 10 minutes injury-time added in the last RWC match Ireland-Argentina."
- Roberto, Argentina

"I so the in my very own home in Buenos Aires. I think that the Springboks were lucky to win, cause the pumas had all the sprit and with talent and team work they nearly beat the Springboks we should enter the Tri-Nations Cup, that way we can earn experience in a Competitive Cup, cause we know our Argentinian team can beat the All Blacks, we just need the chance, against South Africa we showed what were capable of."
- Abel M. Sainz

"The referee undoubtedly helped with his dubious judgement disallowing Contempomi's try. The touch linesman even worse. Both see the tree but can't see the forest! Hope they don't show at the RWC!"
- Roman Santini

"Justice was absent in what would have been one of the most important Pumas' victory. Contempomi's try was not conceded in a ridiculous decision. Anyway Pumas improvement in unquestionable and they will probe it in next World Cup at Australia. Beware of brave Pumas!!!"
- Pedro H. Delfino

"Hello, I'm from Argentina and I think that Springboks were helped by that decision [Contepomi's try] and the Pumas played better."
- Martin

"Were they lucky? Definitely. What a theft mate. Why did the referee disallowed Contepomi's try? It was clear that a Springbok forward was holding Fernandez's neck before he punched him back. Everyone who saw the whole match knows that the referee was partial and that Argentina should have won. Pumas could have made history in SA, I'm so mad! Anyways, the match shows that the Argentinian side is getting better day-by-day and that they must be included in the Tri-Nations. Vamos Pumas!"
- Javier Bourgnoux, Buenos Aires

"The Boks stole the game, the referee didn't gave the Pumas a try. Argentina won the game, at least for me."
- Agustín Vidal, Buenos Aires

"I would have over-ruled my touch judge on the denied try. It seemed the handbags flew out in both directions. Yes, the Boks were lucky. And, yes, the Pumas' negative play near the end, the stalling, the bunker mentality, were to blame. But Quesada's bumbling of the ball in his own end on what might have been a break-out counter looms large - as well as his missed conversion and penalty."
- A Keeley, Renfrew Ontario, Canada