Bryan Habana questions Bok selection tactics

Legendary Springbok winger Bryan Habana has hung a question mark over Jacques Nienaber’s decision not to start Malcolm Marx in the second Test against the All Blacks, even when would-be starter Bongi Mbonambi fell to injury in training before the match. Instead, Nienaber opted for Joseph Dweba, who did not display great form in the hooking role before he was substituted. 

The decision left many on both sides scratching their heads as Marx had a blinder in the first Test in Nelspruit – a constant thorn in the side of the All Blacks who could not fire a shot in the match. 

“I’m probably very old school,” Habana said, speaking on the New Zealand rugby show, The Breakdown. 

“I understand the ‘what’s the plan for growing the squad for a World Cup’, making sure everyone has a taste of international experience. 

“When you have the best hooker in the world on the bench having to come on after 30 odd minutes, does that deflate the energy? There was a real decrease in the energy levels from minute one. 

“Conversely, I really think the All Blacks just upped the ante. They weren’t in their shells, they had nothing to lose, backs up against the wall, four and half million people potentially against them.” 

Habana noted that, physically, the Boks did not display the same gusto as was on display last weekend. 

“I think last week what we saw was a Springbok team that physically dominated,” he said. 

“In contact, at the breakdown, won the contact in the air, were able to win the kicking game. 

“I think we saw a little bit of deflation in that energy level tonight.” 

Turning attention onto the victors, Habana heaped the praise. 

“We saw an All Black team that was wounded, had the backs against the wall, and came out here from the first minute put themselves into play,” he said. “Incredibly led, in my opinion, by Shannon Frizell getting over the gain line. Ardie Savea was immense at the breakdown. 

“It was a brilliant game of Test match rugby. There was ebb-and-flow but really the best team won on the day. 

“There was a lot of opportunities for both sides, but a classic test match between the Springboks and the All Blacks.” 

Pointing out some positives from the Boks, Habana observed: 

“For the Springboks I think they showed glimpses, if they could just get their game management right,” he said. 

“They have some phenomenal ball players, Damian Willemse at second receiver that pass to Makazole Mapimpi, Willie le Roux coming on and being an extra set of hands. 

“Luhkanyo Am on the wing was exceptional.”