Disgraceful De Villiers
29 Jun 2009
In a surreal press conference, Peter de Villiers continued to deny Schalk Burger was guilty of eye gouging and delivered some of his most sensational rubbish ever.
De Villiers on Monday held court with a room full of journalists, the majority of those from the foreign press, and proceeded to spit the most ridiculous nonsense, and display an incredibly pompous and dismissive attitude, particularly towards the foreign contingent. For those present it was obvious that he has a very low opinion of them.
The questioning predictably centred around Burger’s eight-week ban for eye gouging Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald, an issue that the Springbok media team tried to dodge by saying that they would only comment after they had received an official report on the incident. You didn’t need an official report to know that Burger is unbelievably lucky not to receive a longer ban.
On Saturday De Villiers left the press incredulous by saying that Burger didn’t deserve a yellow card for the incident, let alone a citing. On Monday the coach had an opportunity to retract that ludicrous statement and concede that he was wrong. Yet he remained resolute in his flawed view.
‘I stand by Schalk, I’m still convinced he didn’t do it,’ he told keo.co.za. ‘When you watch the footage closely and if you know the nature of Schalk, you’ll know that he will never go to those measures to impose himself. Schalk certainly didn’t do anything on purpose. He watched the TV footage and was taken aback himself.
‘I am against anything that is against the spirit of the game. If we want to eye gouge lions, we’ll go down to the bushveld and eye gouge them there, then see if they can haul us in.’
When one of the travelling pressmen continued the line of questioning, De Villiers snapped, ‘Some of us seem to have a hearing problem. We’re waiting for the official report and we’ll see what that says. If they find him guilty of something we’ll abide by that decision.
‘I’m not ducking the issue, I’m working within a system. I’m not like you [the media] who don’t work within a system.’
De Villiers said he doesn’t condone foul play [the likes of which Burger was clearly guilty of], yet continued to inadvertently justify the incident.
‘Rugby is a contact sport and so is dancing,’ he said. ‘If you guys [the media] were clued up you’d know that there were so many incidents that we could have complained about, like the incident where a Lions player maliciously jumped into one of ours with their shoulder.
‘But we didn’t do it because this is a contact sport. If you are going to complain about every incident we might as well go to a ballet shop and all get tutus.’
Despite the series victory, there is a widely held view that the Springboks beat the Lions despite of their coach and not because of him. De Villiers’ rebuttal, ‘Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don’t react to opinion, I react to fact,’ he said.
‘If I’m the weakest link then we are bloody strong. I’m a God-given talent. I am the best I can be. I know what I am and I don’t give a damn.’
He continued by saying he didn’t read the papers, and therefore didn’t know how he was perceived in the media.
‘I don’t care. I don’t take an interest in your job, but I’m glad you take an interest in mine.’
Any preceding Springbok coach would have been seriously taken to task by the administration, but De Villiers gives one the impression, through his attitude and unbridled hogwash that he delivered on Monday, that he believes he is a law unto himself.
The reality is that he was an embarrassment to South African rugby, as he was when he offered his racially loaded views relating to Ricky Januarie, for which he will have to answer to the president’s council.
The same president’s council who appointed him based on his skin colour and not his rugby credentials (they confirmed this themselves when announcing his appointment), are now pointing the finger at him when they should be held partly accountable for the perception he is creating of himself, and by association, the Springboks, and South Africans in general.
De Villiers considers himself to be an ambassador for South Africa. He has said so on numerous occasions. But he is doing anything but creating a favourable impression of this country.
He needs to be reined in immediately. Word from inside the Springbok camp is that he just refuses to listen to any advice offered by his media managers, and as a result he is destroying any credibility he might have left.
Today he was a disgrace and he’s single-handedly detracted from the wonderful achievement of winning a Lions series. Hopefully it’s the last time we’ll have to endure a senseless rant like this from De Villiers. Don’t hold your breath though.
By Ryan Vrede, Johannesburg
859 Comments
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29 Jun 2009, 20:05 pm
#419 skopskiet: Evening Skop, what a pleasure it was to meet the Keo firebrand…..Thanks for coming to see us!
How have you enjoyed the last two matches?
29 Jun 2009, 20:05 pm
Has it gone unnoticed that the general stance of the various rugby unions is to defend their players no matter what! Drug allegations, assaults, taxi driver incidents and the like. And de Villiers, do you want him to crawl up to the squawkers and the vitriolic British gutter press.
I have no argument with penalizing offenders in the game of rugby but I am reminded that the deserved hidings that the Lions (Seemingly extinct) suffered,has degenerated into an argument about one players transgession.
IT SMACKS OF DENIAL – BUT LETS FACE IT THE ***** CATS LOST – AGAIN!
29 Jun 2009, 20:05 pm
#438 namakwaland: That would be bout…..huhhh…
Smit
Victor
Bakkies
Juan
Spies
Du preez
Bismarck
Schalk
De Villiers
Habana
Yep, 2 thirds thats more loyal to Smit than to De Villiers in starting 15.
Rest follows like ducks!
29 Jun 2009, 20:06 pm
#443 skopskiet: Heini Adams is being wasted.
He could be our next great scrummie after Fourie.
29 Jun 2009, 20:07 pm
Skop and Namakwaland here together. More confusion than I can handle.
Bye.
29 Jun 2009, 20:07 pm
#429 Isigidi:
No perfect world anywhere, except over here every tooth fairy and his dog reckons PdV is out on a limb, knows f’ckal about coaching rugby and its only these Jakey Boy glory fellas holding this team together, meanwhile it was 2 Rookies that baled all their asses Saturday, not Schalk Jakes Mr. Perfect, or Juan, or Spies, or John, or Bakkies or Victor,
it was 2 players that Jake probably never would have picked, Brussow an out and out fetcher, and you know what our hero Jake thinks about them, and Morne Steyn who Jake I doubt would have played with his penchant for picking guys he ‘believes’ in like Pienaar and WO and Frans Steyn.
29 Jun 2009, 20:08 pm
#447 Bul-a-Bhloo: **** excuse because you Agree with the Rumours.
29 Jun 2009, 20:08 pm
#447 Bul-a-Bhloo:
Professionalism aint going to bring home **** at test match level.
You want players running into each other at 100 miles an hour not caring for life or limb, you dont pick the professionals, you pick the players who do it for their teammates and what the Springbok should represent, solidarity and loyalty.
Loyalty is a very fine quality, and one of the reasons i like Coach Pete is cos he has that coming out of his ears. He aint looking for his next paycheck. Anyone who doubts his passion just go watch his reaction when januarie goes over for the test in NZ. thats all you need to do, actions speak louder than words.
29 Jun 2009, 20:09 pm
#443 skopskiet: Interesting Skop, Adams certainly would not let the team down, the problem is that he has not been part of any training squad and will not be familiar with the set up, however with Spies and Morne around him he could adjust easily enough….going to be very intersting to see what they do, Pienaar/Steyn ??
29 Jun 2009, 20:09 pm
I still believe the players are supportive of PDV …perhaps the odd 1 or 2 may have there dislikes….but the team seems content….and are winning.
29 Jun 2009, 20:10 pm
#459 grant10: Agree !!
29 Jun 2009, 20:10 pm
#455 skopskiet: Selective When it suits Their agenda.
29 Jun 2009, 20:11 pm
#431 The-Pill: Why thank you, actually GBS will tell you I was wearing my Springbok T shirt under my Lions top!!
Huge respect for your Boks, not keen on Scalks tricks on Saturdy though, not what I would consider normal Bok behaviour!
29 Jun 2009, 20:12 pm
#422 Isigidi: #435 Isigidi:
Workrate, tackling and heart. He gives everything, just like Juan used to do pre 2008
29 Jun 2009, 20:12 pm
#459 grant10: Apologist for the *************?
29 Jun 2009, 20:12 pm
I hear Victor has the flu !!! hope he recovers in time !!
29 Jun 2009, 20:12 pm
#458 justrugby: he has been with the e boks and made a very decent contribution off the bench…
With spies at 8 and perhaps Morne and wynand at 10 and 12 may be a great option
29 Jun 2009, 20:12 pm
#447 Bul-a-Bhloo:
Bulldust professionalism never won no real contest ever, only committed enthusiasm and guts, and that you only get with pride and belief in each other, let those ‘professionals’ like Victor and JS et al that went and played ‘professional rugby over in France teach you the difference between playing ‘professional rugby vs playing under a committed coach for your own country, you ain’t got a clue, you and 99% of all bloggers on here, why don’t you ask these senior players who they prefer being coached by, c’mon I dare you to, go ahead and ask them, tomorrow.
29 Jun 2009, 20:14 pm
#464 namakwaland: apologist for no one my man!!
29 Jun 2009, 20:14 pm
Every single one of the Boks got stuck into this second test, they were down and out, and pulled it back, both the older member and the youngest additions, it was a great team effort.
The real difference why this Bok team won was there hunger, as it was always going to be. Last week they slipped off, and this week they did the opposite and player for the full 80 mins. You cannot motivate players to do that if they unhappy with the coach or something else.
29 Jun 2009, 20:14 pm
#454 Bul-a-Bhloo: Catch you again !!
Hey I am the proud owner of a Bulls shirt!!
29 Jun 2009, 20:14 pm
Blek Panter,
I think GH jolly well deserved the fair play award – after all that’s all he got. A good loser or just a loser?
Four more years (well about 2 now).
Nzinchina,
didn’t see your coaches come out criticising Umaga or Throne’s cowardly and premeditated early assualts on BoD & Smit; effectively ending their campaigns. Jolly good sports all those NZ’ders. Schalk’s “gouged” Fitzy needed only a tear or two wiped and on with the game. No signs afterwards. Hardly “gouged” except by the media.
Please man, don’t be precious little hobbits.
29 Jun 2009, 20:14 pm
#465 justrugby: oh hell!!!
29 Jun 2009, 20:14 pm
#459 grant10: Magic word is “winning”. If PdV is taking so much flack while winning, imagine when he starts loosing.
29 Jun 2009, 20:16 pm
#462 carol: I am impressed that you wore the boks shirt Carol. By the way i think Grant has a little crush on you, r u a super model?
29 Jun 2009, 20:16 pm
#469 cab: a great test and one of the all time great comebacks….3 stunning boks trys….
29 Jun 2009, 20:18 pm
#473 Isigidi: yes…it will be HECTIC!!….OUTTA here …cheers all..
29 Jun 2009, 20:18 pm
#462 carol: You turncoat you! Just kidding.
I never liked Schalk. One dimensional dumb player. Huge work rate, but i rather have someone with more skills.
Have a pleasant evening.
29 Jun 2009, 20:18 pm
#459 grant10: Mc Geech impressed the guys here, he was out last night withthe lads being very positive…..however Shaun Edwards was in a very dark mood!!
The players were being so great to the supporters and appologised for letting them down….and thanked them for coming so far to support them!! That was appreciated!
29 Jun 2009, 20:19 pm
#475 grant10:
too right, a great test and an unbelievable achievement for this SA rugby team that have yet again shown tremendous guts, which has unfortauntely largely been marred by a whole lot of rubbish reporting.
29 Jun 2009, 20:21 pm
#435 Isigidi: wat krap jy so oor Potgieter , natuurlik is hy beter hy is dan n Blou Bul.
As hy beseringsvry bly gaan hy nog beter word watch hom. Juan is regtig n yster maar wees eerlik nuwe bloed is soms goed al is dit net om druk op Juan te sit.
29 Jun 2009, 20:21 pm
I may not be his biggest fan but right now I back everything PdV said.
His stock definitely rose in my books. The “gouging Lions” thing absolutely killed me, I cant stop laughing.
The loyalty he’s shown to his players may be blind but it can be commended. And I for one admire him for it.
No man left behind!
29 Jun 2009, 20:22 pm
#463 bluruggaguru: He still do. What are you saying? Play the shiners of the last weekend/tournament into Bok team? Jeez, we’ll have a different Bok team every year!
Potgieter is good, and that’s all.
29 Jun 2009, 20:22 pm
Naand, naand, naand!
Firstly, we had a marvelous time at the Test on Saturday, a few of us Keolings, my son BonzaiGBS and Carol, WRS, Richard and Jane… we had a blast afterwards as well…. hell Carol & Co even tasted PAP & SHEBA….
Today, when seeing Carol & Co off at the Airport, it was with a heavy heart…. we will miss our “Honorary Saffa friends from Mud Island”…
Secondly, the Snorrie apologists are as nuts as their hero… and Saturday proved once and for all that a pure fetcher (Brussouw) is an essential element for the future… also Saturday proved that Morne Steyn is a PURE BOK and certainly wayyyyyyyy better than Ruan Pienaar.
If anybody doubted who the better outside centre is, go look again at Mossie’s try….
Mossie, Morne, Brussouw and Habana are “The Manne” !!
Wonder if Pismier and KingPaul still thinks Schalla is better than Brussouw??
29 Jun 2009, 20:22 pm
#478 carol: Shaun Edwards was down? He doesn’t take defeat well. Probably why he is so successful.
29 Jun 2009, 20:22 pm
#469 cab:
Thats right, each and every one of them put it all out there for the team, and for the coach and for each other, and when the last kick by the new kid on the block went over, each and every one, from the last senior player to the first reserve hooker who never even ran on the field were up in joyous celebration about the very fact that the TEAM was successful,
and that kind of unilateral combined cohesive unity you don’t get with money sport professionalism, you get it only when it really matters, when there is far more at stake than the self centered individual, but when its all for one and one for all.
29 Jun 2009, 20:23 pm
#476 grant10: Night gorgeous, think of us on the plane whwn you are tucked up in Clifton!!***
29 Jun 2009, 20:25 pm
#480 superBul: Loved the Loftus vibe Superbul!!
29 Jun 2009, 20:26 pm
#485 skopskiet:
yep, its the only way to build the truly great teams.
29 Jun 2009, 20:26 pm
#480 superBul: Kuk verskoning om ‘n Bul te druk. Nuwe bloed om druk op te sit? Nee wat. Daai bulletjie moet nog verhoring. Beteken nie as jy shine in ‘n S14 kampioen span jy moet ‘n Bok word nie.
29 Jun 2009, 20:26 pm
#483 grootblousmile: Hi GBS!! Long time no see!
Yea, the Snor apologists are out in force and hanging on by their nails hehehe
29 Jun 2009, 20:27 pm
#184 grant10:
Just another day at the office Grant10, but noted thanks.
I am a bit perplexed with people talking of “admiring” as I really have not been doing anything unusual.
I mean it. Maybe the circumstances are different.
Or people are using me as a means to communicate their own message. Who knows, maybe people are conspiring to manipulate me?
29 Jun 2009, 20:27 pm
later old skoppa, u have been right about many things.
29 Jun 2009, 20:29 pm
#483 grootblousmile: Titanium Broer, thanks for coming to see us off. What a fantastic time you and Grant have given us.
I should have sneaked you on the plane!!
Battery getting low I may just vanish!!
29 Jun 2009, 20:30 pm
#485 skopskiet: Well said !!
29 Jun 2009, 20:32 pm
#490 SA Barbarians: Hello, your mates have treated us like royalty! Hsve met K9 his two boys, Truspi (spelling) and his brother and Fern!!
29 Jun 2009, 20:32 pm
#493 carol: I trust your flight to Nairobi on the plane with the roofrack was OK ??
29 Jun 2009, 20:32 pm
#355 skopskiet:
Skop, the campaign is on. They want to get rid of PdV, mark my words. Look at the shifting excuses week after week. This coach is winning and has he been congraculated by our “journalists”? No, because that is against their agenda.
Never heard of a coach being sacked because he cannot express himself in the Queen’s language. Must say though that he is nobody’s yes man and he speaks his mind. He does not have dinners with these typist ala Transformation. That is what galls them, they have no hold on him. Forget the fact that he has a 75% success rate.
Like the one about him not reading what they write and yet they, the scribes, are highly interested in his job. Talk about showing
one the mid finger in your face.
29 Jun 2009, 20:33 pm
#488 cab: #494 justrugby: #485 skopskiet:
Bullsh*t generalisation. Do you all believe in the tooth fairy as well?
29 Jun 2009, 20:33 pm
#195 St.Petersburgbok:
St P
Where do I start?
PdV is a very spontaneous and sensitive indiv.
I think he needs to learn to speak with the mind and not the heart. But the man knows his rugby.
Everybody wants a fair chance. He is not afforded that fair chance and the journos represent the voice that does not want him to succeed. Just take the time to read their k*k.
So it’s a bit of a difficult situation, but my sympathies are not with the white journos.
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