Well, the biggest issues for the Boks are:
Ruan Pienaar. While I have always been a huge fan of him, he just doesn't have what it takes to win at international level against SH teams. The style of play really shows his weakness. He is too slow off the ball and his recycling from the ruck doesn't cut it.
Handre Pollard. What has this boy ever done to deserve a call up? He was good for the Junior Boks at the u20 World Cup a few years back, but that's about it. It looks like yet another player who was selected mainly due to Meyer's familiarity with the Bulls style of play.
Which brings me to the 3rd and most important flaw. The game plan. When you have teams like the Lions, Cheetahs, Stormers and even the Sharks in previous years playing a freeflowing style of rugby, how is it possible we end up playing an outdated style that is based on kicking? The reason the Boks lose games, is because they are unable to switch to a different style of play. The team is a one-trick pony. When it works, things are looking great and the confidence is there to play with a bit more flair, but the moment it doesn't work out the team just tries it over and over and over again. That's the definition of being an idiot. Trying the same thing over and over and over again and expecting different results. This team is flawed in its gameplan and with the player management at the provincial level it seems it's not getting better any time soon. What needs to change?
- Change the way the players are divided among provincial teams at Currie Cup level. Look at the structure of the ITM Cup. Younger players will develop better when they play with experienced guys. Make it appealing for players to represent teams like SWD, Border etc. The emergence of the Pumas is a great example of how a team can be built. Second, get out of the comfort zone when it comes to squad selection. Too often we see the same players being picked again and again even though they perform awful at the international level. Players aren't picked on merit anymore. And stop selecting overseas players! If you cling to the players who moved to Europe, how are young players ever to develop at all? The lack of talent among the current Boks is the result of several mistakes made in the past. It's not just Meyer, but he is responsible.