Building a dynasty
14 Sep 2009
If Peter de Villiers wants the Springboks to build on their recent success he’ll need to develop a quality second-string contingent.
A year ago, South Africans had to endure Kiwi taunts about how the Boks’ 2007 World Cup win was a fluke. The Boks bombed out of the 2008 Tri-Nations when they diverted from a more structured approach, and the All Blacks finished the year top of the IRB rankings. The Boks finished that tournament last when they should have finished first.
2009 has been the year 2008 should have been. Superior personnel, superior tactics and just reward. The new Bok management should have built on what worked during Jake White’s tenure, and fortunately for the sake of Springbok rugby, they’ve learned their lesson.
The result is a win over the British & Irish Lions and a Tri-Nations title. In terms of ambition, it doesn’t have to end there. As long as these players are fit and available, the Boks are well capable of an unprecedented world title defence come 2011.
Peter de Villiers was humble following Saturday’s victory, and he and his assistant coaches will know they have plenty to do in the next two years. The Boks are blessed with a gifted match 22, but as the head coach himself admitted after defeat in the third Lions Test, they are a bit thin on depth.
The 31-year-old John Smit is yet to decide whether he will continue with the Boks. If he does commit to SA Rugby, he will command a larger leadership group that includes Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Juan Smith and Fourie du Preez.
That list of players inspires confidence, but to win big tournaments you need to have quality in reserve. To build a dynasty and sustain success, the management need to look at the alternatives and start giving them opportunities.
The Jean de Villiers move is a classic example.The Bok centre made a massive contribution to the Tri-Nations victory and will be sorely missed when he heads to Irish club Munster. He may yet return in time for the World Cup, but alternatives need to be identified, alternatives that can perform a similar role.
De Villiers’s World Cup dream was shattered when he tore his bicep in the first 2007 pool game against Samoa. Frans Steyn stepped in at No 12 and proved a great replacement.
Steyn won’t be available in the forseeable future so what are the other options at No 12? Wynand Olivier had a fantastic Super 14 and would complement Jaque Fourie well in midfield. Playing Adi Jacobs at inside centre would alter the Bok attacking dynamic as he’s a completely different player to De Villiers. Because of Jacobs’s suspect defence, the Bok midfield would also become a target.
This is just but one example. Who is going to replace Fourie du Preez if he gets injured? Ruan Pienaar is the second best scrumhalf in South Africa and would be the logical choice, while a player like Jano Vermaak must be close to joining the wider squad. Du Preez’s a class apart, but Pienaar and Vermaak have the kicking game to ensure the Bok gameplan wouldn’t suffer in Du Preez’s absence. There’s no longer a place for Ricky Januarie as long as the current tactics hold sway.
Pienaar has enjoyed mixed success at flyhalf, and is currently the alternative to Morne Steyn. Apart form his obvious goal-kicking attributes, Steyn’s all-round game has improved immensely since he played his first Test this June. He’s always been a good flyhalf when his pack is going forward, but he’s also learned to perform when his forwards are under pressure.
Pienaar’s opportunities have been limited by injuries, but time is running out. He needs to be afforded an extended run at Test level, and in two years the Boks may be in a rare position when they possess two great and experienced pivots.
There are players like Odwa Ndungane who can fill a gap, but the Bok management needs to seek out players who can offer as much as a Bryan Habana and a JP Pietersen. Pienaar has been mentioned as a fullback option, but what if he were to get injured? Conrad Jantjes will be back in 2010, but there needs to be a drive to develop an understudy. Zane Kirchner is one that springs to mind.
Peter de Villiers told the press on Saturday that ‘Players make coaches’. If De Villiers can keep a group of 30 players together in the build up to the 2011 World Cup, they might just make him the greatest coach ever. In developing that elite group, however, he’ll need to start cutting the dead weight and identifying the men to support players that have quickly become legends.
By Jon Cardinelli
154 Comments
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14 Sep 2009, 09:03 am
#46 stew:
Spite? Why do you say that Stew, what spiteful reason could Peter have for excluding Steyn? It was purely tactical
14 Sep 2009, 09:05 am
#42 Ruggaluvva: the Namibian, Sharks, Southern Kings & Wallaby supporter: Vermaak over Kocket because somewhere along the line Kocket lost his one and only marble and is now prone to brain farts occasionaly, who knows maybe he will find his marble one day when he grows up and realises that he is supposed to be a professional rugby player (ps i do like him, his brain farts not so much)
14 Sep 2009, 09:06 am
#51 Ruggaluvva: the Namibian, Sharks, Southern Kings & Wallaby supporter: Yes we all know Pienaar was a tactical choice – come on !
14 Sep 2009, 09:08 am
#51 Ruggaluvva: the Namibian, Sharks, Southern Kings & Wallaby supporter:
“Spite? Why do you say that Stew, what spiteful reason could Peter have for excluding Steyn? It was purely tactical” …..
Honestly … not the best tactical move ever…..
14 Sep 2009, 09:08 am
#48 DonutDunning:
Damn, Digby looked really good this past S14. I would have him at 13 though, he’ll be wasted on the wing
14 Sep 2009, 09:09 am
Well i got to go…. can i just say it again….
Ruan Woods is a 9
14 Sep 2009, 09:10 am
46 Stew – Fully agree with you there.
At 22 years old Frans Steyn has already played 36 tests and scored 86 points. He weighs in at 100kg. Given that he is not a main line kicker this is remarkable. He has also scored 5 tries. For some bizzare reason he has as many starts as he has had coming of the bench. It is quite remarkalbe how Steyn has been treated rather than being nutured. One of the issues has been where to put Steyn given his ability to play any position in the backline other than no.9. In my opinion he stands to be one the great Boks if injuries aside they let him settle at 15. This is seriously one of the most gifted players I have seen in a long time. I think his move to France will only improve him and he should be back in the Bok jumper soon. Hopefully PDV has realised that he is the only no 15 for 2011!
14 Sep 2009, 09:12 am
#56 Staal: lol and where is Earl Woods gonna play?
14 Sep 2009, 09:14 am
#57 kesbok: i agree, he has huge bmt kicking those penalties in the TriNations final, what a gem, he had me off my chair on Saturday and watching the kiwi faces as he slotted them priceless
14 Sep 2009, 09:15 am
#57 kesbok: I am hoping he is not playing for the Boks in 2011 – by then he will be able to kick from his own 22 !!! He he …. Amazing
14 Sep 2009, 09:15 am
#52 Wukong:
Please man Kockett is solid, granted he’s fiery, but solid nonetheless.
He can kick for poles, and is a better tactical kicker than Vermaak. Actually Vermaaks only better than him with regards to passing and if thats the sole criteria you are choosing to look at then I’d rather have Charl McLeod (sp?) in there.
#53 stew:
Lets not go on heresay Stew, Pienaar has all the attributes of a good 15 so why not give him a try in a position that is rather up for grabs (rememeber Steyn only started there this year too). It was an experiment that failed but you cannot be successful all the time. Tactical.
#54 Staal:
Agreed
14 Sep 2009, 09:15 am
E O Y T now apparently 5 matches with 2 midweek games….France and Ireland will be helleva tough….even Italy have a formidable pack so no gimmees…..Certainly Leicester will also pose a challenge.
Will be interesting to see who is affored rest opportunities…..of course being a WP fan i would hope the Bulls and Sharks rest there Boks but realistically dont see that happening….
With a view to the future i would like to see a 30 man squad as follows….
15….Kirchner…J Pietersen
14…JPP….L Mapoe
11 Habana….O Ndugane
12 W Olivier…P Grant
13 J Fourie….J De Jongh
10 M Steyn… B Francis
9 J Fourie….R Pienaar
8 P Spies….R Kankowski
7 J Smith….S Burger
6 H Brussouw….D Potgieter
5 V Matfield….J Muller
4 B Botha….S Sykes
3 J Smit…W Kruger
2 Bismarck….Chilliboy
1 Beast….W Blaauw
14 Sep 2009, 09:16 am
9 is FDP
14 Sep 2009, 09:17 am
#57 kesbok:
PDV was the best thing that could have happened to Frans – pity it happened a year too late for him.
He needed the right management to get the best out of him.
14 Sep 2009, 09:17 am
#56 Staal:
I disagree, play him at 10 and leave him there
14 Sep 2009, 09:19 am
Congratulations **** Muir and Gary Gold. YOU are the unsung heroes of ALL the Bok victories and achievements this year.
We all know who are the ACTUAL coached in the Bok setup. Just look carefully at the shots of the “Coach Box” during the game. Also look at **** Muir;s bodylanguage and looks of dismay/disgust when PdV starts celebrating 20 minutes early.
It is unfortuante that **** and Gary is ignored when the accolades start flooding in…without them the Bokke would be nowhere.
14 Sep 2009, 09:20 am
64 – let’s hope so and let’s hope PDV selects him notwithstanding his French commitments. That will be a real boost for the player and the team
14 Sep 2009, 09:21 am
#61 Ruggaluvva: the Namibian, Sharks, Southern Kings & Wallaby supporter: why in the bok squad would he kick for poles? ever? you have Morne point machine there for that, his fieryness as you call it has the potential to cost you a test match, if he sorts this out we on the same page if not then we will not agree on this, also would like to see Vermaak in a winning team, if he can shine for the Lions what would he do for the boks under P Divvy tuition?
14 Sep 2009, 09:21 am
#66 MightyQuin:
Mangement TEAM.
14 Sep 2009, 09:22 am
Why doesent someone just ask Ruan where he wants to play ? Players have preferences….and Ruan has always maintained he is a 9 that can play elsewhere.
Ruan wants to play 9….always was a reluctant utility player.
14 Sep 2009, 09:24 am
#62 grant10:
Also a fan of J Pitersen but he wont cut it at international level and you cannot not include Deysel. Stegmann should be backup for Brussouw. Rather Swanepoel over Grant at 12 behind Wynand. Bjorn Basson should also be included somewhere there.
14 Sep 2009, 09:25 am
I hate Marius Jonker and I hate penalty tries and I hate teams that don’t play for 80 minutes.
14 Sep 2009, 09:25 am
#69 PissAnt: Hu? What’s your point? Then PdV should be lauded as the Manager of the Year…not coach. Why are the rest of the “Team” then ignored? I think it’s time that terms like “coach” get revisited. IS PdV a coach? What is a coach? etc etc
14 Sep 2009, 09:26 am
#71 Ruggaluvva: the Namibian, Sharks, Southern Kings & Wallaby supporter: Ja….its tough hey!! Deysel, D Vermeulen, Steggmann, Dewalt…hell i am glad i am not a selector!
14 Sep 2009, 09:27 am
#73 MightyQuin:
Coach is nothing without his players, and players are nothing without their coach.
14 Sep 2009, 09:27 am
#68 Wukong:
Not saying he would, just saying he can. Like I said I think Vermaaks only beats Kockett when its comes to the pass and Kockett has looked selfish of late but when on song there is no scrummy in SA better than Kockett (barring FdP)
14 Sep 2009, 09:28 am
PDV is the man….no question about it….detractors eating loads of humble pie…like i have over J Smit at 3….
What more must PDV do….cmon…the mans a LEGEND.
Check the scoreboard.
14 Sep 2009, 09:30 am
#66 MightyQuin:
he was celebrating a penalty at a crucial point not a win…numbnuts…
14 Sep 2009, 09:31 am
#66 MightyQuin:
Is it cos he’s black?
14 Sep 2009, 09:31 am
#62 grant10: A Jacobs at 12 in place of p Grant…messed up there.
14 Sep 2009, 09:32 am
#73 MightyQuin:
I am actually to afraid to explain the point to you.
The article reads the ‘management’ (inclusive) and does not single out any one person in particular.
Any international setup has a head coach, with assistant coaches who forms part of the management team, or coaching team.
Otherwise there would be no point in appointing them don’t you think?
If anyone thinks the success is only down to ONE man he or she is dellusional. Same as the success of a rugby team never coming down to ONE person alone even if he kicks 60 meter penalties.
Having to thank EACH individual involved in the setup individually seems a bit insecure to me if that is what you want. Simply because this TEAM and its management are always first to acknowledge each other and not the individual.
Lastly, if we have to ‘coach’ players at this level we are in serious ****. At test level you manage processes as management and leaders (captains) which include strategies, game plans and selections.
14 Sep 2009, 09:33 am
#75 Dawn: i agree, i have immense repect for pdv. HE is the man!!!!!.
14 Sep 2009, 09:34 am
#75 Dawn:
Some comments dont need a reply, its clear MightyQuin is just looking for trouble. Ignore him and he’ll soon go away.
#74 grant10:
Now imagine waht Plum must be going through;
Where to play Ruan? 9, 10, 15?
9: We have Kockett and McLeod (who should be our first choice scrummy at this point) who are both quality
10: Ruan surely wants to play 9 but he can play 10 then we have JMH and Monty who can play there
15: Stefan is irreplaceable at the back imo
12: Swanepoel adds a lovely crashball alternative, JMH can add flair, horses for courses
13: Adi, Murray, Strauss, Vulindlu (in that order)
Wings: Mvovo looks exciting indeed, pace galore. Jordaan also pretty good. Odwa and JPP.
Eish, but we have a surplus of options
14 Sep 2009, 09:34 am
#77 grant10:
how does it taste…
14 Sep 2009, 09:36 am
#82 Martin:
Naah. Please attend to the Mighty Quin!!!!
“All kudos to Gary Gold and **** Muir the unsung heroes of all our victories!!!!!!!!”
14 Sep 2009, 09:37 am
Jeez I hate Marius Jonker and I hate penalty tries and I hate teams that don’t play for 80 minutes.
And I hate the weather.
14 Sep 2009, 09:38 am
#85 Dawn:
Stop being so bitter. Be happy…for a change.
14 Sep 2009, 09:39 am
#80 grant10:
Why would you play jacobs at 12? Then he comes back and plays 13 for the Sharks. Do you “other franchise supporters” enjoy making our players play out of position?
Smit from 2 to 3
Beast from 8 to 1
Ruan from 9 to 10 to 15
JPP from 14 to 15 (as was being touted earlier in the year)
Adi from 13 to wing to 12
Steyn (not ours anymore though) from 12 to wing to 10 to 15
Kankowski from 8 to 7
14 Sep 2009, 09:39 am
And who the heck are Nick and Norah!!!!!!!!!!!
14 Sep 2009, 09:40 am
#85 Dawn: its not worth the energy…really….and it will spoil my positive karma for this week.
14 Sep 2009, 09:41 am
#87 Predawn:
Broer, I’m very happy.
14 Sep 2009, 09:42 am
#79 Dawn:
Pete de Villiers is black….I thought he was afrikaans, I thought that Luke was talking about him when he said dutchmen were running rugby in sa?
14 Sep 2009, 09:42 am
#83 Ruggaluvva: the Namibian, Sharks, Southern Kings & Wallaby supporter: Ja…..horses for courses the way to go…That Jordaan winger impressed me a lot Sat, as well as Pat cilliers.
14 Sep 2009, 09:43 am
It’s just I have a beef with my team(s) who only played for 40 minutes this weekend.
Valid, I think.
14 Sep 2009, 09:44 am
#88 Ruggaluvva: the Namibian, Sharks, Southern Kings & Wallaby supporter: I always thought Adi was better suited to 12….but …you 100% right, best not to play players out of position.
14 Sep 2009, 09:44 am
#92 gunther:
Course he is.
What’s your problem.
14 Sep 2009, 09:46 am
Where’s bloody Keo.
Tipping Australia for Tri-Nations.
Come out and eat crow.
14 Sep 2009, 09:47 am
#26 Breakdown Boy: hello breakdown boy, no, pdv hasn’t “proved us all wrong” he has proved YOU & the likes of mark keohane, gavin “you’re not close enough to the team” rich, some rent-a-quote former springboks who wrote about “seven lean years” wrong! some of us have been behind him through the “moerse lot of k@k” that the south african media put him through…welcome to the pdv supporters club, note, all new applications have to be approved by the current president, the honorable Saffa Guy.
14 Sep 2009, 09:54 am
#62 grant10: I would like to see the following players “groomed” into this GREAT BOK TEAM and mentored by the Matfields, Bakkie’s, Smits, Juans, Du Preez’s, Fourie’s, Habana’s, etc….
Props – C. Oosthiuizen / W. Blaaw / W. Du Preez / WP Nel / F. Kirsten
Hookers – T. Liebenberg / A. Strauss
Locks – J. Kruger (come back to SA) / M. Muller / S. Sykes / W. Steenkamp /
Flanks – J. Deysel / D. Vermuelen / F. Louw / J. Van Deventer / D. Stegmann
No. 8′s – N. Koster / CJ Stander / D. Potgieter
Scrumhalves – J. Vermaak / C. Hoffmann / R. Kockett / F. Hougaard
Flyhalves – B. Francis / F. Brummer / L. Cronje
Centres – J. de Jongh / R. Ebersohn / P. Snyman
Wings – L. Mapoe / JJ Engelbrecht / G. Van Den Heerver
Fullbacks – L. Ludick / W. Pieterson
14 Sep 2009, 09:55 am
#66 MightyQuin: thank you to Allister Coetzee & Gert Smal for the Rwc 07 win, without them we wouldn’t have won the cup, goodness knows where would’ve been without them, seeing that we entered the competition as no.4 in the world! the journalists on this site should include “world cup winning coach” every time they write a story about allister & his WP team in the currie cup!
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