Whisper it, but the super Springboks are hard to dislike. They are good for rugby, writes CHRIS FOY

The Springboks and their fans have embraced being the Millwall FC of rugby: ‘No one likes us and we don’t care’. Well, maybe it’s time to deprive them of that motivational tool, by learning to love them.

For neutral parties and rivals, this is a shocking concept. But there is a very real danger of South Africa losing its status as perpetual villains. All the haters will hate, hate, hate this, but the Boks are proving worthy of warmth and admiration, despite long tradition.

The immediate news is that they have just won the rugby championship in its entirety for the first time in 15 years. Rassie Erasmus’ side added that prize to a remarkable run over the past five years, with two World Cup victories and a Lions series win. They secured their latest trophy by destroying Argentina 48-7, scoring seven tries to one.

During their glorious campaign in the southern hemisphere, they extended their winning run over the All Blacks to four matches – a rare, cherished achievement – ​​and recorded consecutive victories in Australia, despite implementing a rotation policy designed to create a new generation of world champions. -knockers. That was actually a feature of Erasmus’ approach throughout the tournament and it worked extremely well.

So maybe they can be sweet, as standard bearers for their sport. It would mark a seismic shift in outside attitudes towards them, following previous outrage over cynical, antagonistic, perverting, loophole-seeking antics. Whether it was Rassie as a water carrier, traffic lights in the stands or shouting ‘medics’ sitting near the back of the mauls, South Africa was easy to hate.

Aphelele Fassi is one of South Africa’s deadly backs released

Formerly divisive head coach Rassie Erasmus hasn’t been in liquidation mode lately

Moreover, their tactics were boring and pragmatic for a while. But they are no longer limited to bashers with a deadly kicking game and a destructive ‘Bomb Squad’, as they were when the Lions visited three years ago. They now also have so many dashers for miles around.

The Boks’ lethal backs such as Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Canan Moodie, Jaden Hendrikse and Manie Libbok are not just picked, they are released. Moodie’s performance against New Zealand at Twickenham last summer was utterly enchanting, defying all the stereotypes about a team that simply runs hard and straight.

The peloton also remains supreme, led by a captain in Siya Kolisi who transcends the sport as a global icon and statesman. His moving example and his diplomacy serve as a beacon in his own country and far beyond. Then there’s the brutally incredible Pieter Steph du Toit, who could be on course to become World Rugby Player of the Year again – and Eben Etzebeth, who is still praised for his enforcers, and who has long since joined the pantheon has joined.

The previously divisive Rassie hasn’t been in liquidation mode lately; instead, he was full of gracious praise when he was defeated by the Pumas in South America a week before his team won the title. So perhaps it’s time for us skeptics in these parts to embrace the Erasmus team as the favored southern visitors, rather than the Kiwis, as has always been the case.

In South Africa, sport is flourishing despite extreme economic hardship, meaning success is not bought, far from it. They have a range of players with remarkable stories of overcoming real adversity, they are now a symbol of successful Rainbow Nation diversity – and they are not overly commercialized like the All Blacks, who have long been seen as a brand that was for sale.

Certainly, it’s best not to annoy Bok supporters, as that’s akin to taking a dip in a pool of piranhas; that is their fiery, unwavering loyalty and fierce rejection of all criticism. But the team they worship is good for rugby and deserves outside admiration. It’s time to love them, not loathe them.

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi transcends sport as a global icon and statesman

Owen Farrell’s troubles in France continue

It’s not yet the stage where Owen Farrell will be wondering what he’s done, but the former England captain is certainly not enjoying a fairytale start to life across the Channel at Racing 92.

On Saturday, the Parisians were condemned to an embarrassing home defeat to La Rochelle, meaning they are ‘one of four’ – as the Americans would say – and third from bottom in the Top 14. Farrell was left to the duties of kicking the goal handing over to halfback partner Nolann Le Garrec, in accordance with a well-known French custom. He doesn’t even have the consolation of performing in the futuristic La Defense Arena.

Racing currently organizes competitions in a much more modest setting at Stade Dominique Duvauchelle in the suburb of Creteil, south-east of the French capital, hemmed in by viaducts and railway lines. It’s not a spot on their covered house, where one end is dominated by a giant screen requisitioned for Olympic swimming events. Farrell will need to get his new team under firm control to ensure they don’t sink without a trace this season…

Owen Farrell continues to endure a difficult start to his time with Racing 92 in France

Concerns are emerging over England’s new defense coach

So England have a new defense coach – sort of – and a new head of strength and conditioning – sort of. It’s all a necessary mess, following the decisions of Felix Jones and Aled Walters to defect from Steve Borthwick’s management team in indecent haste.

Joe El Abd will oversee the defense while still in charge of French Pro D2 team Oyonnax for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season. Not ideal. He is also a close personal friend of Borthwick’s, which raises reasonable concerns that he will only be a yes man. I hope this is a wrong impression and that he brings a strong, independent voice. The head coach wants Phil Morrow – Saracens general manager and quality manager – to replace Walters, but this would require permission from other Premier League clubs. It’s likely that this will happen, but again it’s a difficult compromise.

Meanwhile, the RFU will maintain a reserved role in the recruitment of new coaches, leaving the decisions to Borthwick. The union seems content to just act as a check-signing facilitator, so to speak, but if there is more unrest in the near future, they may have to get more involved with hiring and firing.

Joe El Abd will oversee England’s defense while still in charge of French Pro D2 team Oyonnax

ITV’s new highlights show should be given a chance

Last Word – Last week ITV launched their new Premiership highlights show, hosted by a trio of oval-ball influencers. The predictable response would be to lament another insult to tradition and the demise of more comfortably familiar broadcast formats, but to hell with that prospect. Something has to change. The game needs fresh energy and a profile within younger markets, so these types of ventures require patience and support.

There wasn’t much analysis and more time was spent commenting on the quality of the kits in the competition, but the program contained plenty of match footage with explanatory commentary and expert explanations. Furthermore, Lizzie Musa – aka Ruck Star Lizzie – managed to create an atmosphere of feverish excitement and anticipation with her coverage of the opening match between Bath and Northampton on The Rec.

It conveyed the feeling of a grand event, which is essential. Meanwhile, it’s a great shame that Bristol vs Gloucester wasn’t shown live on terrestrial TV last Friday, as the classic match would have done wonders for the sport’s appeal to a wider audience.