While the New Zealanders have maintained their Rugby World Cup (RWC) conquering mode under a new coach, Heyneke Meyer’s Boks have stuttered along. In last week’s defeat to a lacklustre Australian side they showed virtually no improvement from the team that was bundled out in the RWC quarterfinals.

Our nation of armchair experts has decreed that Meyer lacks in imagination; that he’s stuck in the past; and that Morne Steyn is an incompetent flyhalf.

While Steyn does have his limitations, much of the criticism is unfair and irrational. Steyn holds at least 22 records, including the fastest Springbok to 400 points (33 Tests), the most points scored by a Bok against the All Blacks (31), and the most consecutive successful kicks at goal by any player in Tests (41).

Meyer has an impressive record as coach. Both deserve more credit than they have received in recent weeks. But in the unforgiving cauldron of top-flight sport you are only as good as your last performance. Fickle or not, fans want resu lts.