Where to now, Boks?

[caption id="attachment_101369" align="aligncenter" width="599"] TOUGH ENCOUNTER: The Springboks will face a massive physical challenge on Saturday when they play Samoa in their second Pool B match, which for them will be a must-win affair. Here Teofilo Paulo of Samoa claims a high ball during their Rugby World Cup victory against the United States in Brighton yesterday. GETTY IMAGES[/caption]

Coach Meyer has few options as he tries to salvage RWC hopes

THE Springboks face a period of such pressure and introspection in the coming five days that they will either collapse or be galvanised as they attempt to salvage their Rugby World Cup campaign.

Former leading lights in the game have expressed horror at the Boks’ humiliation by Japan at the weekend and say coach Heyneke Meyer has much to answer for.

How deep the mental scars of Saturday’s shock 34-32 loss to Japan in their World Cup opener in Brighton run will only be evident after the Boks’ next Pool B match against Samoa at Villa Park on Saturday.

Meyer admitted he had never been as low as after the Japan fiasco, but he, his management and the player leadership will have to find a way to look forward. -Tremaine van Aardt and Craig Ray