'Suicidal management' to blame for Boks' nightmare tour

Tuesday 24 November 2009
Published By: Ben Welch
International Rugby > South Africa

The management of South Africa's tour to the northern hemisphere has been blamed for a dreadful run of results.

Many have attributed losses to Leicester, Saracens and France to fatigue at the end of a long season, but Stephen Nell of scrum.com argued that the trip has been a disaster for other reasons.

Lack of preparation was a major problem, with front rows not having time to gel before being thrust into difficult battles, he suggested.

"South Africa made some key logistical bungles, the main one being picking an unwieldy squad of 37 players and additional management members to be able to handle the additional games," Nell said, adding that having a separate 'A' side to play domestic games would have made much more sense.

The world champions did manage to beat Italy on Saturday and will go up against Cardiff Blues tonight, before what most expected - and perhaps still expect - to be the toughest Test in the form of Grand Slam champions Ireland.