It is clear that SARU is using window dressing to appease Springbok supporters. The next instalment of a “review” with PDV is most likely to add more frustration and disillusionment to loyal Springbok supporters.
It is hardly necessary to remind anyone about the farcical manner in which previous such “reviews” have been handled. Not once has any of these previous reviews led to any public declaration of solution or change.
There is no honesty left in SARU, they have made it clear that they will provide us with all the window dressing required, without the salad, and shame on them for believing it is working.
To add to this farce, Super Sport is losing all credibility as an objective broadcaster in a manner I can only describe as comical. The way they address or discuss any issues are usually handled by way of ignoring it as if it either doesn’t exist or will go away. Last week during Boots and All, it was very clear they were not permitted to discuss real issues. The manner in which Darren Scott sweet talked Oregan Hoskins and Peter de Villiers reminded me of a Q & A session you would have with an obstinate teenager who would refuse to tell you where they hid their cigarettes and would walk out if you asked any difficult direct questions.
The common response from SARU is “we will review it”, and PDV is “everything is on track”
I therefore have to assume that nothing will change and most of the concerns we have regarding Springbok rugby are unlikely to be addressed.
So the question which begs to be asked is: Can we succeed from now and onto the RWC in spite of the incompetence and denial that SARU and their cohorts have shown? There is a Grand Slam tour in the offing for the Springboks in November and then a home and away Tri Nation series before the World Cup. So there are 8 Tests in all before the world Cup with a possible of 640 minutes of rugby.
We also have the remainder of the Currie Cup and the contracted Springboks will be available for the Semi finals and Finals, a possible 160 minutes of rugby.
Then on to the Super 15 which equates to 16 round robin matches and a possible 3 matches during the finals, a possible 1280 – 1520 minutes of rugby.
That means with a possible total of 2080 – 2320 minutes of rugby until the rugby world Cup, there is an awful amount of rugby before then.
Taking into consideration the amount of rugby some of the stalwarts of the springboks have played this year alone, it might come down to individuals looking after themselves rather than hoping for some “managed care” by SARU.
We all know experience is key to winning a World Cup, and there is no doubt that there is plenty of that in the current Springbok squad.
These are the players who are either contracted or have recently been playing for the Springboks.
Gurthrö Steenkamp, BJ Botha, Beast Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis, CJ v d Linde, John Smit, Bandise Maku, Chilliboy Ralapelle, Bismarck du Plessis, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Andries Bekker, Flip v d Merwe, Danie Rossouw, Allistair Hargreaves, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussouw, Dewald Potgieter, Francois Louw, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski, Fourie du Preez, Ricky Januarie, Francois Hougaardt, Morné Steyn, Butch James, Adi Jacobs, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, JP Pietersen, Gio Aplon, Bjorn Basson, Jongi Nokwe, Zane Kirchner and Frans Steyn.
Assuming the same principal of selection in 2007, the most likely candidates for World Cup duty are:
Props: Gurthrö Steenkamp, Beast Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis and BJ Botha.
Hookers: John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis (unless he decides on Chiliboy Ralapele)
Locks: Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw and Andries Bekker.
Loose Forwards: Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brüssow, Juan Smit, Dewald Potgieter, Pierre Spies and Ryan Kankowski.
Scrumhalves: Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaardt (unless he selects Ricky Januarie)
Flyhalves: Morné Steyn, Butch James
Centers: Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Juan de Jongh and Adi Jacobs (he won’t take Wynand Olivier)
Wings: Bryan Habana, JP Pietersen, Gio Aplon, Jongi Nokwe (no space for Bjorn Basson)
Fullbacks: Frans Steyn and Zane Kirchner.
There is a good mixture of experience and young talent in this squad, and perhaps the only compliment I would give PDV is that he has exposed some exciting new talent in his tenure. There are however a few selections he may make that will not go down well with the rugby public, and those are Ricky Januarie and Adi Jacobs, and there will be some positions we will feel are weak such as Tight head prop, backup for Morné Steyn and Fullback.
I was watching a rerun of the 2007 World Cup match last week, and the one significant difference I saw during that match was the absolute focus and intensity in the eyes of the players, the way they were focused and lining up their opposing numbers and the ferocity in the tackles and breakdowns. As much as we have been disappointed by the lack of intensity during this Tri Nations, there were moments where the Springboks did actually play winning rugby. We know for a fact that they will not play the All Black style of rugby, but then again the Rugby World Cup is’nt won by helter-skelter play eiether, it is rather won by retention of ball, field position and deliberate, focused defence. Points come from penalty kicks and drop goals, with the odd try mainly from opposition mistakes and counter attack.
In this the Springboks are masters, and the All Blacks with all their class and flair will have to make the mind shift of playing finals rugby, something they have yet to adapt to.
Our pool matches should not be an issue, Wales would like to believe they can compete with us, but let’s be honest, 1 win out of 24 and dumping a 13 point lead against a half baked Springbok team in June does not suggest we should be worried.
Ireland is our most likely Quarter-final opponent, and they may have had the better of us at home, but as yet have not registered a win against us in the Southern Hemisphere. Their team is also showing a decline as many of their older players (and I include Brian O’Driscoll) seem to have gone past their best.
New Zealand our biggest foe and most likely opponent for the Semi-final will be the toughest challenge we’ll face in New Zealand, but even though it seems as if everything is in their favour, I have a sneaky suspicion that two factors may just be their downfall.
Fistly there will be an enormous amount of pressure on the coaching staff and players, because they need to win this trophy at home and they have the chokers tag sitting on their shoulders and they need to revenge 1995. Their second biggest problem is their pride and tradition of wanting to play running rugby, and in this lies our advantage, we know what is coming, we know how they will play, we know exactly how they infringe on the boundary of the law at breakdowns, and on top of that even though they won’t admit it, they will be over confident.
What everyone and his dog used as a reason for the Springbok’s poor performances in the last year is an outdated game plan, but therein lies our biggest advantage. Our players know they were below par, they know there was no focus and intensity, there were many issues in the media that had taken away from their preparation, and above all there are some big name players who has not taken part in our campaigns this year, who will make a tremendous impact on our team. Fourie du Preez, the world’s best scrum half, Heinrich Brüssow, Bakkies Botha (the “enforcer”), Juan Smith on our away leg, and last but not least, the form of Bryan Habana, John Smit, Victor Matfield and many more.
So I believe there is life in those old bones yet, a South African has a short attention span, don’t ask him to perform just because you want him to, tell him HIS Rugby World Cup trophy is up for grabs, and all he has to do is win 7 matches from 9 September 2011 to 23 October 2011.
This is when we will all once again see the infamous description of the South African mentality, of sheer bloody minded determination.
I no longer have any interest in Supersport.
Boots and all is in very bad need of a makeover.
Owen has always spoken a lot without saying anything.
John Robbie tells it a bit more than most but still makes sure he doesn’t go to far to keep his arse in the butter.
Skinstad is a joke.
He is simply creating a marketing/pr image for himself so that he can rake in the bucks in time.
He also only says what he thinks will make him popular and keeps out of contoversy.
As for the game commentators we have sunk to an all time low with people like Mathew Pearce who spends as much time as possible up Skinstads arse and singing the praises of WP.
The best of the lot is now Ashwin Willemse who at least talks about the real rugby issues and has an excellent technical and tactical mind for the game.
All in all Supersport has become extremely boring and that is simply down to the people they make us watch who are simply primed with PR and market speak and have no idea about rugby.
#1 I am SO in agreement with you, it is absolutely sickening!!!
@ tight head:
I do not watch any magazine shows in SA anymore, waste of time.
And just so btw, I heard a birdie tweeting that we might have seen the last of Muir and Gold at the Boks…
@ tight head:
Agreed, God forbid someone could say it like it is anymore..
Morné wrote:
That is the best thing I have heard this month, any rumours on who could replace them?
you’re teasing us, aren’t you?
Biltonge, a very patriotic Article… and if ALL falls into place, then only it is possible.
But to my mind just too much has to align perfectly, including the moon and stars… and then for fate to conspire against the All Blacks, for this to happen.
What will we see in half the remaining Tests (End of Year Tour)…. a mix and match side with a lot of Bokke resting… Additionally, will we see continued experimentation in the Tri-Nations just prior to the World Cup… because we certainly do not know who our best candidates in certain positions are or will be?
It most probably boils down to 1 game… that against the All Blacks at home…. big hurdle!
GBS, think about it this way. The All Blacks aren’t unbeatable, they have already shown their hand.
Look at the things that went in their favour this year, we often talk about the luck that needs to go your way, they havw used up thier luck.
@ Morné:
Ja Morne, just like I said in the Divvie thread below.
Easy to fire Muir and Gold, keep Div and tell everyone that all is now right.
PDV doesn’t have such a bad job after all!!!
3@ Morné:
It would be a step in the right direction to get rid of Muir and Gold…. but the question that will then nag is, what makes Divvie unfireable if these 2 get the chop and Divvie does’nt… surely the same apraisal measures and rules of engagement applies to all 3… or does’nt it.
If Muir and Gold gets the chop, what then prohibits them from arguing (even in a Labour matter in Court) why there was no even-handed approach?
In fact, the opposite is true, neither Gold nor Muir made themselves guilty of wayward Media Statements… but Divvie did.
@ grootblousmile:
Komaan GBS, jy ken die antwoord op daardie vraag.
11@ biltongbek:
I do… and that’s the problem….
@ grootblousmile:
I smaak the lawyer coming out of you my friend!!!
13@ tight head:
Look, if those 2 get the chop and Divvie not, SARU will cook some explanation up like there has to be continuity… yada-yada-yada…
… but the real facts are that there is a much stronger basis in Law for getting rid of Snorrie than there would be of getting rid of Muir and Gold.
In fact, depending on the actual wording of the performance clauses, I think this will cost SARU money whichever way it is played….
@ grootblousmile:
Sadly in SA politics don’t pay much attention to law.
@ tight head:1 – TH, I say so too. Boots and All Out rugby is just a waste of time to watch. Have said it for a very long time now. Also said last week Ashwin is the the only one I enjoy listening too. The rest are a waste of time. Boots used to be very good years back. Supersport made a effort then to get some of the best on the show. Now really hardly watch it. Pity it has slipped so bad. Need new faces on that show and on All Out rugby.
@ Morné:3 – Morne, That would be good news if Gold and Muir were to go. I somehow doubt it. But if they did I would be pleased. Probably most rugby supporters would be.
Who would you have in their place if they had to leave?
Cheers for eers friends, squash is calling…
I loved this article.
Money talks and Dicky and Goldie walks. That simple.
No one will get fired… the media surrounding the Boks is already a shit storm, and firing half of the Bok coaches could create a shit typhoon.
SARU is now truly in sy moer, and Hoskins are GREATLY to be blamed.
I actually cannot wait for this World Cup to be over. In fact, I wish we play and lose against the All Blacks in the semi-final. It will be hugely disappointing, but then again, it should be the final straw on the Camels back.
The best thing that P.Div can do now for SA rugby is to keep on bleeding/playing young guys. Basson, Elton Jantjies, Doppies Le Grange, De Jongh, ven Der Heever, Hargreaves, Lambie, Bekker, Brussouw ect.
November 2011 he will be out, along with the rest of the circus. J. Smit, Matfield, Du Preez, Habana and a few others will hang up their international boots by 2013, or would simply not be as good as the next best contender.
I for one would be happy if we make the semi’s against the AB’s. After that… well, we will have to wait and see.
@ Greenpoint-Gunner:
On that point how many of the current old guard got picked by Strontli, and were developed by White? Same should happen.
Dont get me wrong, I wish the Boks would dominate World Rugby, but if we win the WC, SARU would have an excuse to keep Div. The question should be, is the pay-off of a World Cup HIGH enough, if it means we have to sit with Div for 4 more years?
of course we can succeed
we succeeded in the past
in spite
of
jw, allistair coetzee etc etc etc
..
and before anyone counter this with the greatness of the jw plan etc etc etc
fact is
EACH AND EVERYONE OF US (yes, we who believe we know so much better than anyone else)
wanted, at this stage in jw’s career, to get rid of him, his coaching staff, and most of his players!!
…
funny thing is
we’re like pavlov’s dogs … ring the bell and we start to salivate!!
@ Ashley:
Ashley I think the two biggest reasons PDv cops a lot of flak(And Jake White did in his time too)is because he doesn’t verbalise any solutions to the rugby public, and then his media persona just doesn’t work.
Add to that the way SARU is managing SA rugby at the moment and fans just aren’t happy.
You just cannot keep on saying everything is on track, act as if you are in denial and refuse to admit there are problems.
Agreed Ash, everyone says Jake White had a plan at least, while all Divvy says is, everything is on track…what about 0-49?
All Jake White said is, “Judge me at the World Cup.” He never explained a plan at all…Jake White never won the World Cup, the Springboks did, have those guys suddenly forgotten how to play rugby?
@biltongbek…what solutions did JW verbalize?
@ The Saint:
Saint, It is to long ago to give you specifics, but when Jake White was interviewed on supersport the issues were addressed and discussed, openly.
Have you watched Boots and All last week. PDV and Regan Hoskins was there, and not one issue is discussed or sommented on.
I don’t want to get into politics, but when PDV was appointed, Regan hoskins said it wasn’t for pure rugby reasons only, and that we all understand. but he is now the coach.
The simple matter of the fact is, when you are the coach of the springboks, it doesn’t matter your race, creed colour. You must be treated the same as any other international coach.
biltong @ 23
funny thing is
in 2006 (year before the wc) and 2007 jw’s boks also ended up bottom of the 3n log
most guys at the moment are RESPONDING as if we’ve never been there before … or that we’ve been there only under the likes of strauli etc 😯
saint @ 24
All Jake White said is, “Judge me at the World Cup.”
… exactly!!
the saint @ 25
think biltong is refering to the jw interviews with dan retief … funny thing though is, most of those interviews came in times when jw was under some kind of pressure
with
dan retief doing his utmost to try and paint a positive picture around white!!
@ Ashley:
Remember in the beginning of the year there were rumours that PDV is fedup with dick and Gary. There were obvious problems then, why did he not use the opportunity then to get rid of them, they are as responsible as PDV.
I bet you if PDv got rid of them then, new ideas and new blood would have made a difference. There are also rumours that the players were lacking motivation. PDV wanted to inroduce exciting running rugby, but gave up on the idea because of the players fighting it. All this tells me he could have had new ideas with new coaches and motivated the payers by saying this Tri Nations and EOYT we will be introducing a new style of rugby and in that would lie their motivation.
So far, PDV has given up on his ideas, an opportunity to get new coaches, and nothing has been solved.
biltong @ 29
1. i’m not sure about the “fed-up with muir and gold” situation … as long as none of those involved confirm this, i’ll just have to take it as a rumour and no more than that …
2. on the giving up on the running style he wanted to play .. he had to that as his team (in that first year) were not winning and all indications were that if he didnt produce results soon, that he wouldve been replaced!!
3. on your suggestion that he shouldve gone back to the running style in this 3n … can you imagine what the response wouldve been if he even suggested something like that before the 3n? (if you keep in mind that we won the 3n last quite convincingly on a very simple gameplan!!). poor guy wouldve been crucified for moving away from a successful formula. not that it matter though, now he’s just crucified for NOT moving away from it!!
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