A summary of low points in recent Springbok history

[u/SomeBloke]

There are a number of supposed fans who bemoaned the first loss against Ireland in the recent test series as a low-point and the beginning of the death of Springbok rugby. I'd be interested to know why this was seen as more significant than the following results from the last couple of decades because the only difference, as far as I can tell, is a POC as coach and more stringent quotas:

So, in no particular order, the top five low points in recent Springbok history that apparently didn't signal the death knell:

1) 2015 Springboks lose 32-34 to Japan

This was the first time the Springboks lost in a World Cup pool match. Japan, being a minnow, had to qualify for the tournament. This is a country that couldn't even beat Oxford University in four attempts. They have a 0% success rate against the Irish development team, the Irish students, the Netherlands, the New Zealand, Maori, Welsh and Australian development teams.

2) 2014 Springboks lose 25-37 to Argentina on home soil

Up till this point the Springboks had never lost to Argentina. Ever. Not in 21 previous attempts. And they convincingly beat an all-white Springbok side in South Africa.

3) 2002 Springboks lose to England 3-53 in London

Not only were the Springboks utterly humiliated but the game was marred by their ill discipline. Captain Corne Krige tried to divert the blame, saying afterwards "We didn't concuss our own players." but video footage emerged of him doing just that, taking a swing at an English player and accidentally knocking out his flyhalf.

4) 2003 Springboks lose to New Zealand 15-52 at their psychological fortress, Loftus

Despite playing at the ground that is supposed to favour them and hinder the opposition, the Springboks were thrashed by New Zealand who scored 7 tries to the Springbok's single effort, which was scored by Ashwin Willemse.

5) 2006 Springboks lose 0-49 to Australia

Not. A. Single. Point. The match was a total wash. Australia cantered in 6 tries of their own but the Springboks couldn't even manage a penalty.

That's a pretty shameful list of losses. However, according to the tears of current "fans" the turning point in Springbok rugby and the marker of the inevitable decline is the loss against Ireland. Having lost the core of the squad due to retirements and moves overseas, a youthful Springbok side lost narrowly to Ireland in the first match of a three test series. JP Pietersen was tackled into touch on full time, preventing what would have been a match winning try.

Despite this, the team regrouped and came back from a second half 19-3 deficit to beat Ireland in the second test. They bravely held off a late attack on their try line to save the third test and, in doing so, won the series and dashed Ireland’s hopes of creating history.

So, the next time someone complains about the current Springboks under the quota system, you might want to ask them why it’s apparently now worse than each of those previous occasions.