Ke nako. It’s time.
A article written by JJ Harmse, one i could just as well written. Yes the things said in this article was my view all along.
I know my view might be skewed because the Ralepele family is friends of me. But i saw and heard the comments around the rugby fields when he was in school with my own kids. The young man was talked of at primary school level as a future Springbok. Many other kids was future Springboks in their own community before. The Bulls saw this talent and he was given a bursary to go to Pretoria Boys High, the rest we know.
The fact is stated in this article by JJ Harmse, he did not have a dream path since he left PBH. This player is a fighter but his future is in his own hands. He will have to play from now on with a quota tag around his neck, anything he do now must be twice as spectacular than any other hooker in South Africa. I hope he can stand up for this challenge.
No, not to do with the World Cup, but a rugby article … Because that is how Springbok hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle feels about his debut against Italy on Saturday.
Debut for the starting team because, at last, four years after his first taste of test rugby, Ralepelle will run onto the field as Bok hooker.
He has had major struggles with injuries and the 23-year-old has also been used to score political points rather than secure turnover possession.
In his own words: “I hurt my body and tried too hard to fit 80 minutes of rugby into 20 minutes as a substitute.”
An honest conversation with Bulls coach Frans Ludeke earlier this year put Ralepelle on the right path, though.
“We decided that I would not play Super14 this year, but rather use the Vodacom Cup to get fit after my foot injury,” he said.
“It gave me time to play regularly for 80 minutes, get fit, adapt my playing style, strengthen my body and build my confidence. You could call it starting over, but this time in the right way.”
Ralepelle was selected as a 20-year-old by previous Bok coach Jake White.
The move may have assisted in keeping rugby bosses off his back, but did little for Ralepelle’s back. And knee, calf and foot.
The injuries piled up and every time the former pupil of Pretoria Boys High thought things were coming right, his body would not co-operate.
“It was because I was so desperate to show that I belong there. I tried too hard to fit a full game into the 10 or 20 minutes I was on the field,” he said.
The game time in the Vodacom Cup was a chance to regain confidence and to gain belief in his ability to play for 80 minutes.
“Things could not have worked out better for me,” admitted Ralepelle.
“This is the season that I have been treated the best to date at senior level.”
When he was sent on as a substitute in the second half on Saturday, Ralepelle knew that it would be an enjoyable experience.
“It was fun. I was just myself, played my own game and had the support of guys like Victor, Schalk and Pierre.”
He had also heard the talk of him being the Bulls’ No 3 hooker.
“You have to turn criticism around into something positive. You have to keep believing in what brought you to that point and use the criticism to motivate yourself and reward the coaches that believed in you,” he said.
Ke nako.
He suffered due to the mistakes of others. The natural progression that works is Vodacom, CC and then Super 14. Maku went that road and up till today he almost lost no game time due to injury.
The ball is in his court now. It is up to him to show what he is worth. All i wish for him is a injury free season. The rest he is capable to do himself.
Mallett admitted that he will take the Boks on at scrum time.
“We have a very good front row and it will be stupid not to utilise our strength. That is why we will look to pressurise their front row.”
Chiliboy Ralepelle did impress Mallett when he played as a substitute against the French, though.
“He will not let the team down,” said Mallett.
If he was that good, and the Bulls had that much faith in him, then why did they bring Gary Botha back?
The Bulls brought back Jaco vd Westhuyzen and Juandre Kruger as well.
I see this blog is as dead as a dodo today,hope you all had a great public holiday today 🙂
@ dWeePer:
Granted, but both got game time and neither have been fast tracked into the Bok team.
Chilliboy never selected himself and he did not asked to be selected. On the other hand, once selected why turn it down. After all, he did not created the motives of other people. In above article he mentions the real sin.
Unnecessary pressure was put on him when he was not ready for it.
“I hurt my body and tried too hard to fit 80 minutes of rugby into 20 minutes as a substitute”.
My own wish is that I will never hear these words again from a rugby player in the name of transformation.
@ Loosehead:
you must have read what the original writer said,
“Ralepelle was selected as a 20-year-old by previous Bok coach Jake White.
The move may have assisted in keeping rugby bosses off his back, but did little for Ralepelle’s back. And knee, calf and foot”
now take that and the injuries and you see the guy did not have such a plain sailing into the Team.
But then again i can go back to the Voldy days and tell you how much i opposed the inclusion of JS ahead off Gary Botha who was a much better hooker than John Smit. It took JS 30 matches in the Bok jersey to become a decent hooker. He was there for his captaincy role, something i moaned a lot about. So did GBS, K9, Supa and many many more older bloggers.
Also Frans Steyn was picked by JW after his school teacher told Jake of this wunderkint. His bench press stats his size his weight was the deciding factor. No real game time to judge him for his worth. And when did he bear fruits , after about 20 tests in apprenticeship.In witch position, center. Where do most want him at all cost in the team at fullback, how many games did he play in his career there? Less than 10.
Mmmmm
Al wat ek kan sê is: Kwota, kwota, kwota!!!
I think this guy has all the talent but other guys deserve to be there more than him.. I hope he does well but would not be suprised if he limps off the field after 30 mins with his track record..
@ dWeePer:
@ superBul:
He is 3rd choice at the Bulls after Botha and Maku. And last season he was 2nd choice [when not watching from the doctors room] behind Kuun. All of Smit, Botha, Bismark, Liebenberg, the WP reservre and the 2 Strauss’s are better hookers than him.
Matfield will be the next Captain when Smit retires. Will Ralepelle captain the Bulls after Matfield retires?
I don’t agree with this stuff about “he never picked himself” etc.
If your body is not ready than as a professional you should in the interests of your career you should just say no. Do you really want a Bok captain who is always injured?
If I go back to the Voldy archives I am sure that I could find just as many of the older bloggers who believed that Smit was [is] a better and more deserved hooker than Botha.
I fear that KP is correct and that Ralepelle is being unfairly fast tracked into the Bok team.
I wonder what the reaction would be should Januarie be selected above a fit and in form FDP?
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