Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett suggested that the dramatic reshuffling of the starting lineup by Rassie Erasmus for the recent test match in Perth was indicative of the game's lower stakes. This came after South Africa's narrow 42-38 defeat to Australia. The game, which saw the Boks trailing significantly before a late surge, was discussed extensively on the "Talking Boks" podcast following the match at Optus Stadium.
The Boks found themselves behind 42-17 after two-thirds of the game had elapsed, but an astounding series of events, including four yellow cards handed to the Australian team, facilitated a late South African comeback. This set the stage for an electric conclusion to the friendly test.
Mallett was critical of the South African side's configuration, which underwent 13 changes from the team that triumphed in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series just two weeks earlier. "The reshuffle really cost us," Mallett observed, implying that the depth of talent could not match up to the first-choice players' performance.
"I didn’t think the balance of the loose forwards was great,"
"Elrigh Louw looks more like a lock playing flank. Marco [van Staden] didn’t have a great game; Cameron Hanekom would have made a difference."
Reflecting further, Mallett speculated that had the match been of critical importance, the stronger bench players would have started. "If this had been a really important game, we would have started with our bench, except for Quan Horn. Despite the travel, I still believe we would have been up at halftime against these guys," he said.
"If they had started the game, we would have seen Australia under the same pressure that New Zealand was under,"
Mallett also criticized the strategic choices made throughout the season, noticing a trend where Erasmus heavily rotated players during the Nations Championship and varied starting combinations. He equated the team selected for Perth to those typically facing Scotland or playing away games against Wales and Italy, suggesting it was not South Africa's top squad.
Rassie Erasmus also shared a brief, poignant reaction to the game's outcome:
"It’s sh*t to lose,"
Mallett further lamented the absence of top players like Ox Nché, Wilco Louw, and Malcolm Marx, emphasizing that their skills in their respective positions are unmatched worldwide. He acknowledged the quality of the replacements but reiterated the risks involved with such extensive changes against a robust Australian team, who were invigorated under their new coach, Les Kiss.
The match was not only a test of skill but also discipline, as emphasized by another commentator:
"Lack of discipline cost us,"
The defeat, while disappointing, was seen by some as a necessary wake-up call, as one analyst suggested:
"Bok defeat maybe necessary,"
Regardless of the experimental nature of the game, the narrow margin at the final whistle confirmed the never-say-die attitude of the Springboks, despite the earlier disruptions and the unconventional team selection.
