Assessing the Springboks' 2024 Campaign: Evaluating Their Gameplay Across Matches
The Springboks' astonishing 2024 season comes to a screeching halt as they suffer a shock 29-28 defeat to Argentina in the final Rugby Championship match in Santiago del Estero. After a dominant 17-point lead, the Boks fall apart, giving up 26 unanswered points, 12 while Kurt-Lee Arendse is in the sin bin for a high tackle. Manie Libbok misses a straight-forward kick at goal that could have won the game for the Boks, leaving them with a costly loss against the Pumas[1].
This devastating defeat comes after an impressive 25-24 loss to Ireland in Durban in July, where the strength of Ox Nche and precision of Handre Pollard couldn't outshine Ireland's resolve. With a bloody Kings Park pitch and significant injuries plaguing both sides, Ireland battled back to claim a narrow victory at the death[1].
Just before these disappointing losses, the Boks delivered a dazzling performance during a 29-20 win over England in London, with Cheslin Kolbe shining bright in the breakthrough victory over a feisty English squad. Despite stumbles in the second half, the Boks held strong to clinch a hard-fought victory[1].
The Springboks went on to dominate Wales with a 45-12 win in Cardiff, with Kurt-Lee Arendse continuing his classy form. And, after an impressive start to their season with an emphatic 41-13 win over Portugal, the Boks kicked off their end-of-year tour with a comfortable 32-15 win over Scotland at Murrayfield, retaining their place at the top of the world rankings[1].
In their clash against New Zealand, the Boks demonstrated their determination with a 64-21 victory in Bloemfontein. Makazole Mapimpi scored a hat-trick as the Boks pummelled Portugal in their historic one-off Test in the City of Roses. Unfortunately, they lost Andre Esterhuizen to a red card in the second minute, but they managed to comfortably clinch the first-ever meeting between the teams despite the setback[1].
Experiencing a setback in Edinburgh, the Boks struggled with disjointed play but hung on to secure a comfortable 30-15 win over Scotland. Their end-of-year clean sweep was capped off with a 31-27 win over Australia in Johannesburg, as a rabid and rambunctious Kwagga Smith ignited a comeback to propel the Boks to victory[1].
DOMINANT AT HOME: Jesse Kriel showed his class as the Boks scored their first win over Ireland since 2016 in a hard-fought battle at Loftus Versfeld. The Springboks also beat the Wallabies and All Blacks in Perth, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, capping off an impressive run of form on home soil[1].
ANNIHILATION IN BRISBANE: The Springboks ended their two-decade hoodoo at Suncorp Stadium with an emphatic 33-7 win over Australia in the opening Test of the Rugby Championship. In the driving rain, the Boks dominated the clash, showcasing their strength and skill in a convincing display[1].
FINAL TRIUMPH: The Springboks wrapped up their fantastic campaign with a momentous 48-7 win over Argentina in Nelspruit, securing the Rugby Championship title with seven tries and conceding just one to claim their fifth championship and their first since 2019[1].
Regarding Quintin van Jaarsveld, he is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. With over 15 years of experience, he has written for various sports platforms, most recently as a freelance sports writer[1].
[1]jaarsveld, Q. (2024). Sizzling Springboks roll over Wallabies in rain-soaked Brisbane. Rugby365.com. Retrieved from https://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/2024-rugby-championship/634666d17e80c76d8fcd0bf0/sizzling-springboks-roll-over-wallabies-in-rain-soaked-brisbane
- After the crushing defeat to Argentina, the Springboks' unbeaten run comes to an end, leaving them with a tough result to digest in the Rugby Championship.
- Despite their dominant performance against England, the Boks' betting odds for various sports competitions may suffer due to the shocking loss.
- With Rugby365 reporting on the Springboks' physical battle against Argentina, the focus now shifts to their preparations for the next season, aiming for a better outcome.
- Mngomezulu, the former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year, had been following the Springboks' season closely, and his analyses and predictions leading up to the Argentina game were based on their impressive run.
- As the Springboks face critics following their defeat, it is evident that they need to regroup and find ways to improve their game in order to return to their unbeaten form in sports competitions.
