Dawn of a new era for the Boks?

The journey is over for Pieter de Villiers and the Springbok team of 2011, whose magnificent obsession with a second successive Webb Ellis Trophy ended in despair after Australia recorded a nail-biting 11-9 victory in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup. Maybe for the class of 2011 it was a question of a bridge too far.

It is not that the experienced team lacked commitment, poise, composure or temperament. Their inability to execute was the factor that denied them victory against a David Pocock-spired Australia.

South Africa conceded 10 turn-overs at the breakdown, and publicly bemoaned the interpretation by referee Bryce Lawrence.

Perhaps a more pedantic and accurate Northern Hemisphere referee would not have allowed Pocock such freedom at the breakdowns.

Respected rugby correspondent Mark Reason of The Telegraph wrote after the match that the South Africans had every reason to be furious at Lawrence, as he made a complete hash of the game.

Reason wrote: “And despite all the fantastic players on the pitch, the match became a farce because Lawrence had absolutely no control over the breakdown. Players were diving in on all sides. It became a free-for-all.”

Perhaps they should contemplate making Lawrence an honorary Australian, Reason added.

“What could have been a great game of rugby turned into a mess, because Lawrence did not rule the breakdown,” Reason said.

Let’s acknowledge the negative role of Lawrence, but perhaps South Africa should also look at some disturbing facts.

The handling errors at the gain line and inability to prevent ruck turnovers, came back to haunt the Springboks.

The Boks enjoyed 76% of the territory, 56% of the possession, and forced Australia to make 147 tackles while the Boks only had to make 53.

The Boks conceded three ruck turnovers within 10 metres of the Wallaby tryline between the 26th and the 35th minute. Between the 59th and 67th minute, reported www.keo.co.za, Pocock stole a ball five metres from his own line, while Fourie du Preez spilled a ball with the try-line beckoning.

Jean de Villiers, arguably South Africa’s best attacking back on the day, twice broke the line, and both times the Springboks could not convert.

There is a widely held mantra that kicks and defensive efforts win Rugby World Cups.

It is partially true, but let us look at the quarter-final victories achieved by Wales and France on Saturday, in which Wales beat Ireland 22-10 and France accounted for England 19-12.

Apart from an incredible defensive effort, Wales won because of brilliant individual tries. Mike Phillips scored one of them with his blindside dart, while Jonathan Davies waltzed past three hapless defenders for another five-pointer.

And, Vincent Clerc produced one of the tries of the tournament while Maxime Médard scored another beautifully crafted try for the French team.

Yes, it was excellent solo-efforts and individual excellence to breach defensive lines that won it for Wales and France.

South Africa’s failure to produce such moments and to utilise golden opportunities, might have contributed to their downfall.

But let’s applaud their heroic efforts. The Springbok pack was simply outrageously good against Australia, and the backs were valiant in defensive situations.

"It was a brilliant journey," said De Villiers, who took over from Jake White following the Springboks' 2007 World Cup win.

"There's a time to come and a time to go and I think the journey for me is over," he added following South Africa's loss to Australia that saw the 'curse of the champions' strike again, with no team yet to win back-to-back World Cup titles.

Whether this is a public announcement by De Villiers or just a hint of retirement as coach, is unsure.

Many depressed Springbok supporters might think in the aftermath of the heart-breaking defeat that this is the end of a golden era of SA rugby.

They are partially right. John Smit, Victor Matfield and Du Preez will all call it quits after the World Cup. What great servants of South African rugby they were.

Yet, if South Africa use their resources well, this could be the dawn of another golden era.

Apart from the lock-position, South Africa are extremely well equipped in every other area.

Johan Goosen is a gifted 19-year old flyhalf with the potential to become another Naas Botha and Elton Jantjies is a brilliantly balanced flyhalf.

In Frans Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie and Johann Sadie, there is enough depth in the centre position to break defensive walls at will.

Francois Hougaard, JP Pietersen, Lwazi Mvovo and Gio Aplon provide South Africa with several excellent options at wing. And, Bryan Habana is not a spent force yet.

At fullback, Patrick Lambie and the Lions player Jaco Taute are young, gifted counter-attackers.

There is depth and muscle among the forwards. And don’t forget that Andries Bekker is still young and competent enough to play another four years in the Springbok jersey.

South Africans need to change their mindset about the World Cup and the Castle Tri- Nations campaign.

Why is the World Cup our overriding ambition, while Tri-Nations titles hardly ever receive the recognition they deserve?

South Africa have won only three Tri-Nations titles since  inception, while New Zealand have dominated.

That is nonsense, and South African rugby should focus on changing that dismal record.

The Boks have enough depth and quality to dominate world rugby in tandem with New Zealand for years to come.

New Zealand, up against Australia on Sunday at 09h00 in one semi-final at Eden Park in Auckland, will be the favourites to win the Webb Ellis Trophy for the first time since 1987.

The Kiwi’s know that they will have to shut down the space of Quade Cooper, and ensure that they get quick ball from the rucks. Their tight five give them the edge against Australia, who were lucky to benefit from South Africa’s impotence on attack.

The game between France and Wales, also at Eden Park (starting time 09h00 on Saturday) could go either way.

France possess the forwards and the enigmatic flair to win it, but this Wales team have gifted forwards and possess excellent game-breakers like Jamie Roberts, Phillips, Davies and Shane Williams to silence France supporters.