Where the Boks Slipped: Defence Errors vs Australia (16 Aug 2025)

 


The Springboks kicked off their Rugby Championship campaign against Australia with one of their most dominant starts in recent memory. For the first 20 minutes, they looked every bit the number one team in the world. However, that intensity was short-lived, and the momentum quickly shifted.

In this breakdown, I’ll be focusing on the defensive lapses that proved costly for the Boks, specifically looking at the three tries they conceded. Other aspects of the performance will no doubt be addressed by the coaches, but here we’ll zero in on the defence.


The Boks always pride themselves on how they defend and have been consistently the top team in the world for the last six years. No doubt that some of these errors will be looked very closely by their defence coach Jerry Flannery.


Clip 1

In this clip, we see the outside rush in play — a defensive tactic aimed at shutting down width and forcing the attack back inside. One effective way to break this down is by playing through the line with short passes and late options at the gain line. Here, Ox (circled in black) is caught ball-watching and gets beaten on his outside shoulder.


https://youtu.be/rOtrG_5kR9M?si=562dq1sWvkcdqnor


Clip 2

In this clip, we can see the outstanding work rate from Canaan Moodie as he tracks hard to connect and catch up to Jesse. That effort is exactly what we want to see. However, the missed tackle that follows highlights how important it is to finish the job once you’ve put yourself in the right position. At this level, a single missed tackle can turn great effort into costly points — as we see here with the linebreak and the eventual seven points conceded.


https://youtu.be/pJUYu4adLIg?si=cs9f3Ru60XnQyV80


Clip 3 

In this clip, we again see the outside-in defensive system at work. For context, Australia is renowned for their attacking DNA and ability to create and finish tries. Here, Kurt-Lee Arendse finds himself caught in two minds. In situations like this, the defender must either commit to the read or make the tackle — but neither happens in this wide channel.

One way to unlock this type of defence is through the skill to deliver a pass over the final defender and into the space. We should also not underestimate the quality of James O’Connor’s pass here — a perfectly executed “bridge pass” that puts Max Jorgensen (circled in black) into a one-on-one. From there, he easily beats Manie Libbok to finish the try.


https://youtu.be/6a2rHZCyoO8?si=BzfcrwnYChUlXVhy


Conclusion

Test matches are unforgiving — one missed tackle can mean seven points. Misreading your system or failing to identify the likely ball carrier can also cost seven points. A great coach once reminded me: on defence, we must always use our eyes to guide our decisions — Where is the probable ball carrier? Where is the ball coming from? By sighting both, we put ourselves in the best position (BAM).

Uncertainty in your system will be punished. But clarity, trust, and commitment to defensive principles can shut teams out and protect your tryline.

I have no doubt the Boks will review, adjust, and come back stronger. Expect a big statement next week — the Rugby Championship is far from over.


Katleho Lynch

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