How fickle we are! We often take away from our victory by over analysing the match or circumstances. Ever heard the saying, a near miss is as good as missing it by a mile? In other words, winning by one run or by 300, remains a win.
When we win as emphatically as we did in the recent test series, we tend to regard the opposition as being poor – I even read comments about mismatched test sides etc.
Now, the Black Caps may not be on top of the world in terms of rankings, but they did beat the Aussies in Hobart, little over a year ago. They also won a test in Sri Lanka to share the series, which in itself is a very difficult thing to do prior to coming to SA. Fact is, they can’t be that bad!
There may be some issues in terms of their management, but every country has that. Take our own CSA board – they have been in a mess for years – yet we were able to produce the goods. (At test level, at least).
Evaluating the test series in retrospect, I am of the opinion that we just didn’t give the Black Caps a chance to play! The approach from Smith and his men was clinical, brutal, intensive and unforgiving. Traits very similar to what the great Australia side in the late nineties and early 2000’s portrayed with the likes of Warne, McGrath, Lee, Ponting, S Waugh, Langer, Hayden etc.
If we reflect on series played at that time, Australia quite often won with huge margins against SA, similar to how the Proteas recently fared against New Zealand. Did it make the Protea side “poor”, or was the Australian side just that “good”?
I am of the opinion that the current Protea side is just that “good”. The test achievements of the last 4 years have been nothing short of the sublime and awesome. Pakistan will be a new test, but if the same aptitude and attitude is displayed, don’t be surprised if the results are the same.
The one day series lie ahead, and I expect a better challenge from the Black Caps – this is, after all, the format in which New Zealand quite often cause the Protea fans heartbreak in World Cup events.
Watch this space.
Belangrike boodskap aan alle gades
– By Paul Kruger
Met apologie aan alle dames wat wel die spel ken en volg.
Komende maand is die begin van die Super-Rugby reeks van 2013. Tydens hierdie belangrike gebeurtenis is daar ‘n paar dinge wat julle moet weet en verstaan.
- As jy ‘n Mmm hoor na ‘n vraag wat jy gevra het, beteken dit – Gaan, geniet dit. Moenie die kar stamp nie en moenie meer as R500 spandeer nie. Maak gou. Bring klam biltong met ‘n vetjie, tesame met 12 koue biere, rooi wyn, ‘n pak chips, rump steak, wors(bykos), skaaptjops(bykos) en charcoal. (duidelik ‘n man wat jare laas self in die winkel was)
- Skuif vroegtydig die meubels sodat jy glad nie tussen die rugby-kenner en die TV stel verbybeweeg nie. Om dit poedel-nakend kaal te doen gaan geen verskil maak nie. (Goed, vir party kan ons ‘n uitsondering maak)
- Hou jou “opruim” gedagtes vir na die wedstryd. (Ook die onreines)
- Halftyd, beseringstyd en tussen wedstryde is bedoel dat die man ‘n draai kan loop. “Piepie”. Moenie dan kom onbenullige vrae vra soos: “Moet daar water by die ceiling uitdrip?” of “moet daar vlamme by die kar se dashboard uitkom?” nie. Los dit tot na die game. (Al uitsondering is as die yskas lol, wat kan beteken dat die bier nie meer koud sal bly nie)
Baie dankie byvoorbaat vir julle samewerking. Ons is lief vir julle, julle lyk great in daai nuwe rokke en nee, jou ma kan nie kom kuier nie. Sien julle weer raak in November as die rugby replays vervelig raak.
Liefde
Skattie.
