Are we creaking?

I remember about six'ish years back. The ABs and Boks had just finished a match and people were discussing it, as always.

Specifically, I remember myself saying that it felt like the ABs were creaking. It turns out that post was relatively accurate because since then they have been on a slowish downward trajectory. I'm not saying that they suddenly turned into a bad team or started losing every other game. More that they began losing games that they would previously have won without too much trouble. Since then, they lost a series to Ireland in NZ, the Argies beat them a few times, the Boks have had more success against them too.

The Boks have now experienced a similar, if not as dominant, period as the ABs had with Hansen. The questions is, are the Boks creaking?

I think the big difference with that AB side and the current Boks is that replacements for the AB greats weren't necessarily forthcoming and obvious. For the Boks, unless I'm totally misjudging the picture, it really does appear as though there are sufficient and perhaps better replacements in some positions. I was previously concerned about our front row when Malherbe, Kitshoff and Koch left but they were replaced and the pack appears to have gotten even stronger. And as you look through the list of guys that are on their way out, there aren't really too many alarm bells ringing in terms of where to find replacements. As mentioned on another thread, we won't ever find like for like replacements for Cheslin or Eben, and that's just how it is, but there are much more than two players in a squad and for most of the oldies there are very worthy replacements.

The guy that will be the most difficult to replace, in my view anyway, is going to be Marx. Not that he's necessarily a better player than Kolbe or Eben, but he is in the mix and gets his hands on the ball much more than they do, and his impact on games in massive. How crucial were those steals of his yesterday? How about that tackle to end the half?

So, i do wonder, looking from the outside, as i looked from the outside at the ABs, is there a feeling that the Boks might be creaking?

I guess one just never knows until the oldies are actually gone. We can look at individual performances, but trying to divine synergy when you are not literally inside the team is almost impossible.

What do you guys think, how is are the next five years looking?

Dave, try to put together a squad of about 45 players for the 2031 WC, let's see where we are.

We were undercooked and lost 1 match vs the no 2 side who've had a string of proper warm up matches...why do you insist on looking for weaknesses? Replacing a great team is a gradual process and Rassie has been looking out for and grooming the replacements for a long time...I don't get the constant demand for instant renewal while we've been winning most of our big matches.

The ABs enjoyed a relatively easy three-game warm-up while the Boks stayed idle, and no team can simply switch on at will—training and practice are nothing like the intensity of an actual game under real conditions. Rust or a lack of game time sealed the Boks’ fate in the first test.

Slightly hysterical, Draad.

Nobody wants instant renewal. Nobody is looking for weaknesses.

I was simply drawing a comparison between two teams that had long spells of dominance and then a bunch of the guys responsible for that dominance retiring.

And perhaps if you actually read the post you would have noted that I placed the Boks and ABs on different trajectories where I say that the ABs didn't really have the replacements while the Boks seem to.

So, tell me, what exactly is your problem?

Should I just shut up and not make posts? Perhaps, be like you who barely ever starts a thread?

Should I just shut up and not make posts?

Your best idea ever.....tx in anticipation.

The Boks are struggling to score backline tries at the moment, other than on counterattacks.
The Springboks are missing Willie Leroux. At his best, he was the chief playmaker, being a 2nd or 3rd receiver on multi-phase play. This created space and brought the outside backs into the game.

Our centres are good on defence, but limited playmaking ability on attack. Good runners, but they do not organise the backline on attack

However, I do think the Boks will play better as the year goes on and they settle on a first-choice team.
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Plumpster I just want you to know you are highly appreciated and don't take notice of the very naughty Draad! Hahahhahahahahahaha
As to Eben, Cheslin and Marx we will be extremely lucky to unearth players of this caliber in the next say five years or longer. All three are all time greats. You must though add in the remarkable PSDT. Who is the only on of the 4 to win the coveted World player of the year an did it twice.
Yes we should be fine in the front row and lose forward. The end of Eben, Snyman and Lood leaves a hole. Don't see another Snyman coming through either. That said South Africa has a habit of producing great locks. What we don't want is another Matfiled. We want the Eben/Bakkies types.
I just hope there is enough in the tank to win another Rugby World Cup. I am though perturbed by the anti Bok spirit being fanned by the wee abs. Their attempts to take away of the scrum, accuse us of slowing the ball down and other snide comments. One has a feeling that not only people like DUD Mozzie, Deus etc don't want the Boks to win the RWC for a third consecutive time. My word what would the very DUD Mozzie say then!!!!!

If you ask most of us, I would say our backs and definitely our knees are creaking.

Jokes aside, hard to tell when Rassie play a bloke that is nearly 40 and then he gets stepped on the inside channel by Ardie then cuts straight trough and get the ball wide.

Or if the old hips don't. move quite as they used to. That lateral step making it very easy for them beat us on the wings.

Cheslin for all of his Brilliance, intercepts, no one in front of him and all he can do is hoof the ball because he has no acceleration or step left.

Our next boys are riding the pine or carrying bags.

Porthen and Jan Hendrik, the next Gen props can't get a crack and rightly so.

Nortje is hanging in there by a Bal hair as Lomp is winding up on the sidelines.

How many of the starting 15 are over 30?