Marx and the Maul: A Winning Combination for the Boks

In the decisive moments of the Rugby Championship final, South Africa turned to a tried and trusted combination: Malcolm Marx and the driving maul. This brutally effective partnership delivered the two second-half tries that broke Argentinian resistance and secured a historic title for the Springboks.
After a tense and even first half, the Boks came out for the second period with a clear plan: to use their forward power to squeeze the Pumas into submission. The driving maul, launched from lineouts deep in Argentinian territory, was the chosen instrument of this plan.
With Marx at the helm, the Bok maul was a picture of controlled power. The hooker’s low body position, strength, and expert navigation allowed him to steer the collective might of his pack over the try line on two separate occasions. It was a tactic that Argentina seemed powerless to stop.
This reliance on the maul is a hallmark of the current Springbok team. It is a low-risk, high-reward strategy that plays perfectly to their strengths in the tight-five. It may not always be pretty, but it is devastatingly effective.
As the Springboks celebrate their victory, the image of Marx emerging from a pile of bodies with the ball will be one of the enduring memories of their championship campaign. It was the perfect illustration of the simple, powerful formula that has made them the best in the world.