Not so long ago people would have asked…Heinrich Who? But it took the little terrier a mere six months to establish himself as the premier fetcher (no Jake, he fetches more than beers!) in South Africa, if not the world. Even the one-eyed All Black commentators had to admit he outplayed their own blue eyed boy in their last encounter.
Hard to believe he was initially omitted from the Springbok squad for the B&IL tour earlier this year. He played an incredible game for the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs against the visitors and with the suspension of Schalk Burger grabbed the opportunity with both hands…well, what else did you expect?! In the process he established himself as the number one fetcher in South Africa and ended up with a host of nomination including SA Rugby Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Vodacom Super 14 Player of the Year, Castle South Africa 2009 Lions Series Test and Provincial Player of the Year. Sjoe!
In a recent interview he had the following to say: “It’s certainly been a dream year for me and the Springboks … I could never have imagined things would turn out like this when the year started.”
“I was somewhat fortunate to get into the Bok side against the Lions, then we did really well against the Aussies and New Zealand and now, a few months later, I’m getting ready to play in the Currie Cup final.”
Brüssow kept an eye on the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs’ progress in the Currie Cup and unlike me remained confident in his team.
“I wouldn’t say I was worried … but I did keep tabs of what was happening. All the members in the Bok team followed the early rounds of the Absa Currie Cup and there was even a bit of teasing among the guys. But things worked out nicely in the end … the guys showed real character and determination.”
He has one and a half Currie Cup medals to show but Saturday’s decider will be a special occasion as it will be the first time that he is part of the starting XV.
“The 2006 final was the famous draw against the Bulls in Bloemfontein, I was still a kid, and then came 2007, again in Bloemfontein, when we fought back from 18-3 down against the Lions to win 20-18. I came off the bench with 25 minutes to go … it was a good day.”
“Next weekend though will be my first start. I’m really looking forward to it, playing against a number of players I’ve become good friends with in the Bok team. It’s going to be a great occasion.”
We know his capabilities and we know he will be a thorn in the flesh of the Bully Boys on Saturday but will it be enough? Only four more sleeps and we will find out…
Yes he’s the man, what I like most about him is that he’s not a one trick pony, he puts in massive tackles and is always there to support the ball carrier.
#1
Surely you are not suggesting Morne Steyn is a one trick pony? Can’t think of any other one trick pony’s. :Evil Smiley with a winking left eye:
Hehe, Isi……….well, being a WP supporter…….
Numbah 2
Isi go watch that 2006 draw
Morne Steyn came on as a replacement 12
He tackled
He ran the the ball- puLLing the line “reguit”
BuLLS were being outplayed in the back
He made the diFFerence- that and a buLLs pack that wiLL never quit- while stiLL on the field.
then watch his try against the B&I Lions
BRILLIANCE!
No farken way “Vogelstruis” is a one trick pony!
I am seriously woRRied about a 2010 combo of
8 Spies
9 FdP
10 Vogelstruis
12 JLP
13 Blondi
GoNNa be a handful Can play every game that there is to be played.
Ja, as MS nie DH vervang het in die 2006 finaal nie, het die Staat hom verseker gewen. Dink ook BB moes vinnig getik het, en probeer het om nog so 10 meter of wat te kry, en dan vir die pale te gaan.
Maar, dink so daaraan: hul kon dalk vinnig getik het, die ref (Kaplan …) gee strafskop vir Staat, omdat BB bal vashou … en daar het die Staat die kans om die wedstryd met ‘n strafskop te wen. So dinge kon na beide kante geval het. Maar ek is bly, na 2006 het die reëls so verander dat na ekstra speeltyd, en die telling is nog gelyk, die span met die meeste driee die beker vat, en as driee ook gelykop is, die span wat hoogste op die log ge-eindig het.
Wat MS betref: hy was nog altyd ‘n hardlopende losskakel, wat nou bygekom het, is sy briljante skopvertonings.
Nou dat hy so goed skop, kerm ‘n klomp oor dat hy nie genoeg drieë druk nie. As hy volgende jaar die voorste driedrukker is, dan gaan hul seker kla omdat hy nie goed genoeg verdedig nie. As hy dan die jaar daarna beter verdedig as Japie Mulder en Lem saam, gaan hul kla omdat hy nie soos Matfield hoog in die lug kan spring nie … en as hy dit ook reg kry om wel hoog te kan spring … gaan daar gekla word oor sy skrumwerk … 😉
Brussow is the man. Made all the difference to the Bok side this year.
5@bdb – Carlos Spencer is ‘n hardlopende losskakel. Daniel Carter is ‘n veelsydige losskakel, en Jonny Wilkinson ‘n skoppende losskakel. Morne Steyn was nog nooit ‘n hardlopende losskakel nie, en hy sal nooit wees nie. Sy skopwerk was nog altyd die beste deel van sy spel. Sy verdediging die laaste ruk was nie op standaard nie.
Saw Carlos Spencer play the other night, he seems to have bulk up a huge amount. Why did he stop play for the ABs i thought he was a really good player.
8@Treehugger – He was a show pony. Played some very good games, but overall I felt his kicking game was not up to international standard. He lost form during the 2004 season, and got injured in the 2005 Super 14, and wasn’t available for the All Blacks during the Lions tour, and we all know who put up his hands and became the best all round fly-half in the world. Carter raised the bar so high I think it will be hard for even himself to ever reach that kind of form again. Spencer then signed with Northampton Saints and because of New Zealand’s policy on not selecting overseas players was never selected again. He’s now 34 and will probably never play again for the All Blacks.
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