If you believe a fat bloke in a red jump suits brings gifts on 25 December for those who have behaved all year, then you are among a minority who believe the Springboks going walkabout in Adelaide is part of the 2023 World Cup masterplan.

“This was disgraceful from a Springboks team that looked more chump than champ,” writes Mark Keohane in his Sunday Times column.

KEO: Something is amiss with the Boks

After the third Bok loss in six Tests, the decorated sports writer slammed selections and performance, mentioning Joseph Dweba and Handre Pollard, and questioned the quality of the management team.

“Once again, the Boks were out-coached, as per game plan, and the players were out-passioned.

“Just how the latter happens always perplexes me. How does a team spend a week preparing, smash the tackle bags for 40 minutes in a warm-up and then never get out of first gear for the opening 30 minutes of the actual match?

“How does a Test hooker continuously miss his first throw of a match?

“Handre Pollard, at flyhalf, was a horror show.

“Something is amiss with the Boks. The win against the All Blacks is the aberration to a season in which they have looked a mess too often. They have looked off the pace in conditioning, the selections have not rewarded domestic form, and the lineout has malfunctioned.”

Nienaber on the chopping block?

Photo: Twitter/@Springboks