Joel Stransky asks: Do Springboks have variety to go all the way? 

World Cup winner Joel Stransky doubts South Africa can go all the way and lift a record third Webb Ellis Cup unless they can break free from their big is beautiful stereotype and find a Plan B.
After being out-witted by Japan‘s high-tempo game plan in their opening game, South Africa have used their big forwards to bulldoze their way to victory over Samoa, Scotland and USA conceding only one try in the process.
Whilst impressed with the way the Boks have bounced back from the embarrassing 34-32 loss in Brighton, South Africa’s 1995 match-winning hero Stransky has reservations about their ability to go all the way this year.
“Having now managed to win the pool we’re still in a decent position but I do think there are some worrying signs about how we play the game,” he told The Rugby Paper.
“We play a very physical, confrontational type of game, and when teams match us physically we don’t have anywhere else to go.
“We saw the US, for 40 minutes, tackle us backwards and stop us playing that sort of game we are accustomed to.
“They stopped us getting a second pass in and changing the angles and their line speed was fantastic.
“They chopped us down and stopped us getting over the gain-line which meant the forwards were going backwards and the backs were getting slow ball.
“As a result, we only scored a rather fortunate try from a scrappy break in play and a penalty try from a scrum.
“It was evident in the build up to the World Cup too,” Stransky added. “We’d be in the game hammering away for 60-65 minutes but it got to the point where the opposition realised they could absorb the pressure and go and win the game themselves.
“We lost in the last 15 minutes against New Zealand and to Australia and we had a bad result against Argentina who matched us physically.
“Sometimes you need to find the next level and more often than not we come a little unstuck when that’s the case.
“Having said that, when we are totally on song I don’t think there are many sides who can beat us.”
Stransky feels South Africa’s World Cup credentials will only be really tested come the knockout stages.
“I do think the rest of the pool is very weak,” he said. “The Samoan side is possibly the worst I’ve seen in a number of years, for all the fuss they made Scotland did not play their strongest XV and the US picked a B side against us and we still struggled so I’m not sure just how strong we are right now.”
South Africa are in a much better position than England though, and Stransky believes a coaching overhaul is due.
“I think England need a clean sweep,” he said. “There are times when a coach deserves a second crack at it but I don’t think this is one of them.
“I’ve heard Stuart Lancaster is a divine guy and a real gentleman but I don’t think we’ve seen enough from his set up to warrant a second go.
“There are too many question marks for me – from the Ford/Farrell debate and selection as a whole to the decision-making on the field.”
JON NEWCOMBE