Baa-Baas bash Boks
World champions South Africa have been beaten 22-5 by the Barbarians at Twickenham.
By Michael Wise
Last Updated: 01/12/07 6:42pm
Jake White's tenure as South Africa's coach may have yielded a World Cup, but his last match in charge hardly produced the intended result - the Springboks being handed a 22-5 defeat by the Barbarians at Twickenham.
In contrast, Jason Robinson's last competitive match was one to remember; the full-back may not have scored - indeed, he was substituted to a standing ovation after 67 minutes - but he played a full part in a contest brimming with the expansive rugby for which the Baa-Baas are acclaimed.
They scored twice in the opening period through man-of-the-match Matt Giteau and Martyn Williams but two more could easily have been added. After two whole training sessions during the week, what was perhaps more surprising was the solidity of the Barbarians' defence.
But they were helped somewhat in this regard by opponents who, in the six weeks since they triumphed in Paris - and in the seven days since they dominated against Wales - seemed limited in attack when compared to their usual lofty standards.
Style
The style was set by the Barbarians in the opening exchanges but there was still an element of caution from controversial captain Mark Regan, who, after Ryan Kankowski was penalised for coming in from the side after two minutes, elected to go for posts - Giteau converting for a 3-0 lead.
The young Springbok number eight almost made amends - and then some - on 13 minutes after Regan's pass failed to find its target at the lineout. Kankowski showed his pace with a break for the line, only to be tackled by Joe Rokocoko just one yard short.
Subsequently handed a penalty for not moving away, South Africa went through the phases but Bryan Habana's pass failed to find Andre Pretorius. The Baa-Baas then broke but, tracking back, Ricky Januarie seemed to have the ball covered.
However, he failed to control it and, with Ma'a Nonu pouncing, the right-to-left move turned into a counter-attacking effort fully redolent of the club's reputation - Giteau eventually touching down emphatically in the left-hand corner.
More chances came for the Baa-Baas: following a turnover, inspiration from Rokocoko and Nonu left Giteau sprinting towards the posts after 25 minutes. However, his square pass back to the centre was intercepted by Habana.
Nonu and Giteau were looking particularly dangerous and the world champions were certainly being shown the way during the latter stages of the opening period - Robinson throwing away a guilt-edged chance just past the half hour when, in front of the posts, his final pass was intercepted.
But then, and against the run of play, the Springboks were back in it when, following a break from Habana, Barend Pieterse emerged from the resulting ruck to touch down. Steyn missed the conversion, however, and the centre was also found wanting with an attempted drop goal moments later.
The respite was brief, with half-time bringing a second Barbarians try made by Robinson, who took advantage of a poor clearance to make inroads in staccato style before Williams - aided both by a Federico Pucciarello offload and a slice of luck - touched down his chip and run.
Giteau converted for 15-5 lead at half-time and did once more after countryman Rocky Elsom extended the gap yet further with a break and try in the very first minute of the second period. Another attempted Steyn drop goal - seemingly from another time zone - did well to fall just short, but it did suggest that South Africa were short in the ideas department.
Panic
Lack of imagination then gave way to panic when Habana tossed the ball straight to Williams right in front of the 'Boks line. Nevertheless - and with heavy rain now falling - they at least managed to staunch the flow of points.
But they also lacked the capability to add any of their own and, with multiple changes for the Barbarians - including the departures of Regan and Robinson - having been made, the game had lost much of its spark as the hour passed.
With Ben Cohen finally making a competitive appearance, fellow replacement Michael Owen was penalised for illegally using his hands in a ruck. The beginnings of a South African comeback were anticipated but, after about five minutes of siege, the ball was eventually turned over.
A rare moment of blatant indiscipline entered proceedings with 10 minutes left - Troy Flavell being sin-binned for a high tackle on Habana. But South Africa could not capitalise, their best chance coming after 74 minutes when Juan Smith's offload to Habana was gathered instead by Justin Marshall.
