Johan Ackermann: Du Toit, Pollard, Kwagga … so many Bok heroes!

Absolutely fantastic! World champions again. Congratulations to Rassie and Jacques and all the coaches and players and all involved in SA Rugby … what an achievement, and what a great leader in Siya.

It was not the prettiest game, but then finals seldom are. But a win is a win. And you could say it was written in the stars … three wins in the knockouts by one point each time. It just shows how small the margins are at the top.

The players on both teams were very nervous, you could see it, but I think the All Blacks more so. They made uncharacteristic errors in the early parts of the game, where I thought the Boks were very composed. We kicked our points and got ahead.

There wasn’t much in the scrums, while both teams struggled in the lineouts, but the Boks won the aerial game, critically. And that’s why I though Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe deserve plenty of credit; they were brilliant in the air and in defence and played big parts in this win.

Players

Then, I thought Pieter-Steph du Toit was outstanding. He really is the silent assassin. What a performance. And Handre Pollard was so cool and calm with his goal-kicks … and how crucial it proved.

We mustn’t forget the All Blacks missed a conversion and a penalty … the difference in a tight game.

I also want to mention Kwagga Smith again, he was excellent coming on and making some key turnovers and important tackles.

Also, as a former Lions coach, I’m so happy for him and Franco Mostert and Faf de Klerk; all three former Lions players who I brought into the set-up in 2014/15, who weren’t wanted at other unions.

Faf was stuck at the Pumas, Franco was playing for Tukkies and Kwagga was an U-21 player and with the Sevens who gave the senior Lions players so much trouble in a practice game I pulled him into the seniors … and the rest is history.

But there are many such stories in this Bok team.

Red cards ruining rugby

It is unfortunate the All Blacks’ Sam Cane got a red card and while I don’t want to go too much into it, I really think this is a matter that needs to be addressed. I understand it, but I don’t agree with it. This cannot be the future of rugby … decisions on the field happen in split seconds and there are so many variables when it comes to tackling, and we all want to see 15 versus 15.

I know how the All Blacks must be feeling. I was coach of the Lions in the Super Rugby final at home in 2017 when Kwagga was red-carded for a poor tackle. There’s never an intention to hurt someone and having a player red-carded takes away from the beauty of our game.

Lastly, well done again to the Boks, what a great tournament and incredible journey this team has taken under Rassie, Jacques and Siya.