Innovative Boks mastering balance between brute force and skill

It was a display of brute physicality and beautiful innovation that laid the foundation for the record-equalling victory that included five well-crafted tries after some typical Bok rugby.

Independent Newspapers looks at five talking points from the match ahead of the second clash this Saturday in Perth.

Kolbe at scrumhalf, double line-out pods, innovation galore

When Cheslin Kolbe popped up at scrumhalf at the first scrum, there was a sense that the Springboks were cooking something up not seen by their opponents and supporters before.

What a feast was it not to see the innovation coming from the South Africans, especially with the double pods in the line-out that led to the first try, where the Aussies did not have an answer for their creativity.

If Saturday is anything to go by, more is set to come as doctor Rassie Erasmus blends his methods with attack coach Tony Brown and the rest of the coaching staff.

Flyhalf stocks in a healthy space

Just under a year ago, the Springboks went to the World Cup with one fit flyhalf, and things looked a bit bleak in the group stages with just Manie Libbok holding the fort.

Now, the Boks are spoilt for choice and could choose between any of Libbok, Handre Pollard or rookie Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and they can still execute what they set out to do.

There is no doubt the 22-year-old Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the future flyhalf after a commanding display against the Wallabies. He can kick, run and tackle, and for the first time, it looks like the Boks have found an all-rounder at No 10.

Mastering the balance between brute force and skill

The building blocks are quickly falling into place when it comes to the Boks varying their style of play at will.

Five tries, two among the forwards come set-piece time and then three after the backline made magic on the attack, shows it. After being criticised for not scoring any tries against Ireland in the second Test, the Boks used most of their opportunities but still left tries out on the field.

But they are slowly starting to master the art of striking with their backs as much as they do with the pack of forwards. Erasmus will be very happy with this progress as they try to find that equilibrium.

Another defensive masterclass

With 13 players on the field, somehow the dam wall had to give, but the Boks can pat themselves on the back for the outstanding defensive effort they put in.

Australia never really looked like they were going to score a try in the game, and when there was a line break here and there, the Springboks’ scramble defence stepped up to stop the onslaught on their tryline.

Credit must go to the defensive plans of the Boks, but also to the commitment the players make to each other and the trust they have that they will be backed up by a teammate when needed.

Discipline must be better

The three yellow cards on the day did not sit well with Erasmus and he lamented the lack of discipline from his side afterwards.

Yes, the game had been won by the time the cards came out, and there could be a complaint about one or two of them, but a squeaky-clean disciplinary record is what the Springboks chase in every game. Yes, there will be the odd penalty here and there when they are under pressure, but a yellow and red card against Portugal, and now three yellows in the latest Test means five cards in two games, which is not a good sight for the reigning world champions.