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Boks lead RWC tackle tally

Cape Town - Post-tournament statistics add fire to the argument that the Springboks were not potent enough on attack during the Rugby World Cup.

South Africa’s World Cup dream ended with a 20-18 semi-final defeat to New Zealand and while the scoreline reflected a close match, most of the playing was done by the All Blacks.

The Boks never looked like scoring and pundits afterwards were critical of the team for not showing enough impetus on attack.

The Boks made 131 tackles in that match and enjoyed only 33% territory and 43% possession.

Statistics derived after the World Cup reveal that Heyneke Meyer’s Boks did in fact spend a lot of time on the back foot.

According to the tournament's official website, South Africa made more tackles than any other team at the World Cup.

The Boks made a mammoth 913 tackles in seven games - 70 more than second-placed Australia (843). Argentina made 751 tackles, Scotland 702 and New Zealand 665.

It’s therefore no wonder that the top four players in the most tackles made category are all South Africans.

Francois Louw and Lood de Jager both made 77 tackles at the World Cup, followed by Eben Etzebeth (75) and Schalk Burger (75), while Scotland’s Jonny Gray is fifth with 67 tackles.

Burger also stood out in other departments, making the most carries over the advantage line (38), with New Zealand No 8 Kieran Read and Japan's No 8 Michael Leitch second on 36 each.

Burger also holds the record for the most carries over the advantage line in World Cup history with 95.

ALL BLACKS DOMINANT ON ATTACK

Not surprisingly, champions New Zealand dominate most statistics on attack.

The All Blacks scored 290 points in seven matches, followed by Argentina (250) and South Africa in third spot on 241.

The Kiwis also scored the most tries (39), followed by finalists Australia (28), Argentina and South Africa (27).

All Black wing Julian Savea scored the most tries (8), while his compatriot and fellow wing Nehe Milner-Skudder made the most metres on attack (561).

It reflects well on the game that the team who won the tournament did so by playing the most enterprising rugby...

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