I don't know if it’s just me, but this week’s build-up to Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final has been a bit meh.
Come on guys, we in the final! Let’s get excited.
What’s was that?
We stand no chance? Ja nee.
Seeing England destroy New Zealand last week has many fans spooked.
The Roses completely dismantled the All Blacks in that semifinal. I have never the Kiwis look that ordinary, brought down the level of the rest of us.
England made a massive statement.
FAVOURITES: England destroyed the All Blacks. Picture: Issei Kato/Reuters.
And I think it kind of stole the Springboks’ thunder.
After all, we were all psyched up to face the defending champions in the final.
Now that is not going to happen and there is a new threat.
This confident England come armed with the same set piece weapons, the kicking of Owen Farrell and George Ford and and a powerful backline.
Their biggest weapon though is the man in the booth - Eddie Jones.
The last the Bokke lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy in 2007, it had the maltrap Aussie’s fingerprints all over them.
Jake White’s soundboard now makes England a bigger threat than the All Blacks.
STRUGGLING: Willie le Roux has been a liability. Picture: Mark Cristino/Reuters.
He and Rassie Erasmus’ game of chess this Saturday is going to be one for the ages.
And to anyone hating on the Boks for their game against Wales: suck it up, there is more from where that came from.
That is how they are going to beat England. It will also be the way they lose.
I would have loved the Bokke to go into the match with Damian Willemse at 15 instead of tethand Willie le Roux.
But hey, we aren't going to get what we want selection-wise.
Rassie and his team have got this far, I guess they’ve earned the right to play in the final.
The match against Wales was uninspiring and does nothing for the confidence of those watching.
Faf de Klerk ran the show from No.9, kicking for his chasers to pressure the opposition fielding.
The Welsh never shied away from those battles, pushing the Boks all the way.
BOOTIFUL GAME: De Klerk launches a box kick. Pictures: Franck Robichon/Reuters.
In fact, the momentum in the final minutes was with Dragons until Frans Louw heroically won a penalty at the breakdown to help the Boks through to the showdown with the English.
And that against-the-odds type of wins appeals to the Springboks.
They will love the fact that they are the underdogs in Yokohama on Saturday and that will no doubt be as fired up as they would against New Zealand.
The Bokke will see no difference between the All Blacks and England.
I guess we just have to trust the team to bring back the trophy, even if we just don’t see it happening.