Much better Boks, much better
The Springboks looked like they were sleepwalking through most of 2016. They lacked energy and in all departments, and their basics were terrible. They looked like a team stuck in the middle of two game plans -- flirting with a new ball-in-hand approach, but still trying to hold on to a "survival first" strategy. But on Saturday against France, there was a purpose about the South Africans' play. They are still far from the finished product, but the Boks finally look like a team playing towards a certain plan. There is still lot of room for improvement, as this wasn't the greatest French team, but the signs are positive for South Africa.
Rookies impress on debut
The main reason for the Boks' newfound vigour is the introduction of new blood, which seems to have refreshed the entire team. The four debutants who started the match, scrumhalf Ross Cronje and the back three of Raymond Rhule, Andries Coetzee and Courtnall Skosan, together with the rookies off the bench, were really good on the night. Cronje transferred his Super Rugby form into the Test arena without any fuss, while the three newbies at the back looked full of running all night. For the last decade Springbok coaches have been loath to build for the future, and falling back on experienced players who have reached their sell-by date. It's a pity the rebuilding of this Bok team has come in Coetzee's second season in charge, but at least it has started.
The Bok bench has lot of firepower
What a difference a year makes. In 2016 the Springbok bench's contributions were almost non-existent, and nobody really stepped up to fight for a starting berth. However, the Bok bench did their job against France by providing a top impact, especially upfront where the replacement forwards kept the visitors out with some brutal hits towards the end of the match. It's also a great luxury to have the experience of Frans Steyn and Francois Hougaard coming off the bench, while lock Pieter-Steph du Toit is a world-class operator. The bench players will certainly keep the players in the starting line-up on their toes.
Elton Jantjies can grow in the Bok No. 10 jersey
The biggest criticism of Elton Jantjies last year was that he fails to dictate at Test level, while his tactical kicking and goalkicking is constantly under scrutiny. But in the first Test against the French he dictated proceedings really well, and his decision-making was really good. He was a little unlucky with some of his attacking kicks not going to hand, while one kick also went out on the full, but his goalkicking was superb. Jantjies also attacked the line nicely with ball in hand, and created space for the players on his outside. This performance will give him lots of confidence.
Malcolm Marx is a much more rounded player in 2017
The French will be soaking their sore bodies bubble bath after they got an absolute battering by the Boks' marauding hooker Malcolm Marx. The Lions star was almost unstoppable with ball in hand, breaking the line numerous times by brushing the French defenders aside with his powerful runs. He also was heavily involved for the Boks' first try, when he offloaded to Jesse Kriel to score. However, the most impressive part of his performance was his lineout throwing. It's not quite perfect yet, as the French still managed to steal a few balls, but he was lot steadier than in 2016. Marx is going to vital cog for the Boks over the next couple of years leading up to the World Cup.