This is a great RWC

The 2015 RWC has been really good for spectators and fans of rugby so far as we reach the halfway point of the pool games. Past World Cups have had a type of feeling surrounding them. Like the 1995 RWC where the dreams of a fledgling New South Africa were realised or in the 2011 RWC where after so many disappointments there was the constant question were the All Blacks going to win it or not? This RWC seems to be one of positive rugby will make you a winner.

It all started with that historic victory for Japan over South Africa. Other matches have given us unexpected results. Georgia getting the better of Tonga, Namibia scoring a really good try against the All Blacks, Canada very nearly beating Italy, The U.S.A going into half-time ahead against Scotland. Maybe less unexpected, but probably just as dramatic as any of the aforementioned games, the injury hit Welsh’s come from behind stunning win against England.

Mike Brown sparking mayhem in the England v Wales match at Twickenham RWC 2015

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Heyneke, Victor it’s a conspiracy

I don’t trust all the goings on in the Springbok camp. Jean de Villiers latest injury has ended his RWC campaign and his captaincy is expected to be handed over to Victor Matfield.

After 20 seconds in the Test between South Africa and Samoa in the 2015 RWC, South Africa were awarded a penalty. Victor Matfield not Jean de Villiers who was the Springbok captain on the day, indicated to referee Wayne Barnes for a shot at goal. A pretty inocuous event or is it an indication of Victor Matfield undermining Jean de Villiers?

Victory to Victor Matfield

Scotland overcame first half threat and beat the USA

Scotland showed composure to comeback from being behind at half time and record another 5 pointer to top pool B after two rounds in the 2015 RWC. This was a stern test for the Scots. Vern Cotter, Scotland’s head coach, must be pleased with the win and his charges comeback plus the U.S.A test couldn’t have provided better preparation for the big showdown with the Springboks.

In the first half Scotland endeavoured to play with width to provide opportunities for their outside backs Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland and Tim Visser. Maybe Scotland’s ambition never accounted for the physical assault first from the American forwards and then from the press defence. Scotland definitely were not in charge up front. So going wide off ball, provided from a losing forward battle, plays into the hands of an aggressive press defence.

Ross Ford with WP Nel in support

Ireland are slowly revealing their hand.

Ireland’s victories against Canada and Romania were expected. That is without disrespect to either Canada or Romania but a tier one nation should expect to beat a tier two nation. Ireland ticked the check box for wins against these two teams ticked the check box for 4 try bonus points too. Although so far have got maximum points that is not what has impressed most about Irelands opening two games of the 2015 RWC it’s the manner in which they have gone about getting those victories. From the performances on the pitch to the attitude of the players to the management of the squad right through to the style of play.

Simon Zebo was very impressive playing at full-back for Ireland against Romania at Wembley RWC 2015

Excellent Boks steady the ship.

South Africa’s performance against Samoa at Villa Park in the 2015 RWC was outstanding. It steadied the ship after the Springboks had lost 34-32 to Japan a week earlier. It was a step in the right direction, not atonement. They are still in the cup and if they were going to lose any match it’s better to lose a pool match rather than in the knockout stages.

Damien de Allende had an excellent game for the Boks v Samoa

Duane Vermeulen will give everything for South Africa the problem is he just might.

Duane Vermeulen’s nickname is Thor partly due to his resemblance to the actor Chris Hemsworth who played the superhero and partly due to is superheroics on a rugby pitch.

Duane Vermeulen when fit is one of the best rugby players in the world. Is he fit though?  He hasn’t been playing rugby since he went for surgery on his neck back in July. Is he matchfit?

South Africa’s next match is against Samoa on Saturday 26th September. Samoa are big hitters and against them you are garaunteed a high level of physicality. So a guy coming back from a neck injury without any games to build him into this bone-jarring test may be susceptible to further injury.

Duane Vermuelen against England

Unlike ficticious characters, real life superheroes are made of flesh and bone. I fear the expectation of a nation and the emotional intensity attached to the wounded pride of the Springboks will contribute to this cocktail of influences coming together at one point and affecting this one specific player. I fear we’ll end up seeing Duane Vermeulen wheelchair bound like Andre Venter.

Who is considering the man? Has hunger for success blunted South Africa’s better judgement? Does South Africa expect too much from this player? Doesn’t he need to be eased back into rugby? Isn’t South Africa depending on one man too much?

Heyneke the weatherman

It was reported that the Springbok coach and his coaching team  had left no stone unturned in their preparation for the 2015 RWC. To demonstrate just how thorough they had been it was reported that the Springbok coaching team had even researched the last 30 years of weather in the uk, to try workout what kind of weather conditions they’ll be playing in.

Heyneke Meyer ” It looks like its going to rain to me”