Assuming that SAF and our defence aren't complete morons then, Chief, what is the benefit of the defence sitting deeper and leaving this 'chasm'? They can't just be doing it by mistake, surely, so there must be some tactical advantage to such a system, right?
Perhaps it's the most effective way to play against an inferior team, because though we leave ourselves open to the counter, two deeper lying CB's will make a much easier target to play back to should our wingers/fullbacks run into a dead end; keeping possession should therefore be easier as there will always be a safe get-out clause waiting deep in the centre of the field to receive the ball when needed so we can go forward again having stretched their shape a little. Obviously the risk then would come from any misplaced passes when attacking; losing possession would be costlier (as we're wide open to counte-attack), but keeping possession should be easier (as there will always be an easy option should we run into trouble whilst attacking the wings), so it's an intentional trade-off. Unfortunately we've lost possession far too much this season and it's cost us dearly.
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