CJ fated to carry front row
CJ van der Linde, Wian du Preez and Adriaan Strauss have been gifted a fantastic opportunity to prove their front-row worth.
Injuries have robbed Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie Du Plessis and Gurthro Steenkamp of their respective chances to shine, and as fate would have it, three players who should always have featured now find themselves in line to battle the French.
Van der Linde’s move to Leinster was met with regret, Ollie le Roux once telling this website the incumbent Boks lacked a genuine tighthead who was as mean or versatile. It was a big disappointment of Springbok legend Os du Randt that Du Preez and Strauss failed to make the initial touring squad, as the Bok coaching staff obviously didn’t view the pair as long-term prospects.
Three injuries later, and Van der Linde, Du Preez and Strauss have the opportunity to alter perception. Those in the know reckon they deserve their Bok jerseys ahead of Du Plessis, Steenkamp and Ralepelle, and after being named on the bench, the weight of Test performance should be added to what would appear a one-sided debate.
The policy preventing foreign-based players from playing for the Boks is not set in stone, and this is why Van der Linde now finds himself in the mix. If he makes a big impact on this three-Test tour, how can the coaching staff continue to ignore his obvious talents?
It’s not as easy as rocking up and performing this Friday. The World Cup-winning tighthead hasn’t played for the Boks since the 2008 Tri-Nations and questions will be asked about his ability to perform in an altered South African set-up.
What’s in Van der Linde’s favour is his experience scrumming in front of locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha. He also has enjoyed many games alongside Du Preez and Strauss for the Cheetahs at Super 14 and Currie Cup level.
Peter de Villiers has named the Cheetahs trio on a Bok bench that sees five forwards and two backs. These forwards should be utilised as the Boks look to maintain their intensity over an 80-minute period. If they make an impact, they need to be rewarded. If it becomes clear they will contribute to a successful World Cup defence, then they will need to be retained.
Keo.co.za has it on good authority that the French Test squad took heart from the forward capitulation at Leicester. Perhaps France don’t know that South Africa are touring with a first- and third-string side, rather than the conventional first and second, and thus expect the Bok seniors to be only marginally better than the Leicester losers.
Marc Lievremont has talked the Boks up over the past month, and his selections are geared toward a physical bout, with emphasis on the set-phases. William Servat (hooker) and Romain Millo-Chluski (lock) are powerful scrumming options while aside from a dependable second row the hosts will look to Imanol Harinordoquy as banker at the tail of the lineout.
The Boks are favourites in every department bar the scrum. They’ve been inconsistent this season, and given the amount of rugby Beast Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis and John Smit have endured in 2009, they’ll be hard pressed to deliver a strong showing.
De Villiers has his bankers on the bench. If the Boks are looking to realise the dual ambition of an unbeaten tour and squad development ahead of the World Cup, they could do worse than invest in Van der Linde, Du Preez and Strauss.
All three have the pedigree, but the proof is in the performance. A strong showing and they should become the understudies to the incumbents and not return to club and domestic obscurity when Ralepelle, Du Plessis and Steenkamp return from injury.
Heinrich Brussow and Morne Steyn usurped Schalk Burger and Ruan Pienaar respectively when both fell foul to injury. As long as Van der Linde, Du Preez and Strauss perform, they should be treated exactly the same. Through the ill-fate of three others, they now have that opportunity.
By Jon Cardinelli, in Toulouse
November 11th, 2009 at 5:40 am
The 3 musketeers DRAGONS
November 11th, 2009 at 5:40 am
The Boks need a genuine world class tighthead to step forward. Let’s hope this is the time.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:59 am
#2 Gouelepel:
CJ isn’t exactly a “find”, considering he already has a WC medal.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:30 am
CJ can answer the questions surrounding his ability as 3.
Wian can prove he can make the step up from his form in the CC.
Strauss has never slacked since becoming a Bok.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Fellow Bok supporters living in Canada, the test will be shown live on TV5 (Channel 116) at 12:30 Mst (14:30 Est).
Cheetahs front row should by my estimation make their appearance within the first 30 minutes, with Barney and the she-Beast leaving Toulouse in body bags.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Maybe better front row than starting one he he
Anyway 200% better than last one
November 11th, 2009 at 6:56 am
“dual ambition of an unbeaten tour and squad development ahead of the World Cup, they could do worse than invest in Van der Linde, Du Preez and Strauss.”
how do u put CJ and the words “invest and development” in the same category Jon
CJ has already proved himself with a MEDAL!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Gauntlet has been laid down…PDV has to be ruthless….
We want to retain WC 2011….we cannot be bullied anymore come scrum time….
Invest in a scrum doctor full time…Os or the Frenchie PDV…..
This reserve bench front row is a far more powerful scrumming unit than the starters…time for Smit ,Bissy and Beast to get there act together in this facet of the game….what better time and place to start than France this Friday!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:11 am
#8 grant10:
Yes we agree
November 11th, 2009 at 7:11 am
CJ is based in Europe, so he won’t become a regular Bok unless he moves back to SA. Du Preez has promise, but he might still just be a flash in the pan – time will tell.
Strauss on the other hand has got Bok written all over him. When he got his chance last year he grabbed it with both hands.
Chili is constantly injured and Maku still has to prove himself, so for all my money Strauss is the next Bok hooker.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:15 am
#10 siener:
Remeber what the cheetahs front row did to sharks front row in semi’s
November 11th, 2009 at 7:16 am
It’s fantastic to see a bench without Januarie and Chilliboy. It’s also refreshing to have 2 props on the bench, but do we really need a hooker?
I’d rather see Deysel then Rossouw come on.
Having said that, this is the best bench PDV has picked all season, by far!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Both CJ and BJ will be back in SA prior to WC 2011 as to stake claims…JDV as well….
The concern if F Steyn….who is away for 3 years…!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:19 am
#11 CoachPete: and didnt fare too badly in the final either come scrum time!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:21 am
#11 CoachPete: Yup … they bloody destroyed the Sharks (and Bok) front row.
To be fair though Smit, Bismarck and Beast had by that time played so much rugby at such a high intensity that it doesn’t come as a surprise that they weren’t at their best. S14, Lions and then 3N with very little rest in between.
Even now I don’t think that they’ve had enough rest to really be ready for this European tour which is why the full front row on the bench makes sense.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:22 am
#13 grant10: If the Boks keep winning they won’t get in the team
November 11th, 2009 at 7:24 am
#15 siener:
yes true I see the changes coming early in 2nd half
November 11th, 2009 at 7:33 am
pdv doesn’t drop the incumbents willy-nilly he gives them a lot of rope…if he was prone to impulsive changes the habana & spies would’ve never toured to europe last year, they were waaaaay off-form.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:33 am
#8 grant10: They must make Os the scrumming coach for the boks – look what he did for the Cheetahs – not only in his technical abilities but the guys respect Os ( he has done everything and must be one of the only players in the world to have 2 gold WC medals ?) IMO this will be the right move before the WC
November 11th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Hey everyone, random comment, do any of you have any idea why there wasnt a nothern tour competition on testrugby.com?
November 11th, 2009 at 7:45 am
#19 stew: I think 4 of the Aussies have 2 RWC medals – Eales, Horan, Kearns and Jason Little.
Still agree entirely with you though.
I can’t remember who it was (an ex Wallaby player I believe), but he said while the Springboks had one of the physically strongest forward packs, the All Blacks had the most dominant scrummaging unit.
Os seems to have turned the Cheetahs pack from 8 strong guys into a powerful unit, with cattle like Bismark and Beast I have no doubt he could do the same for the Boks.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:47 am
If Boks can at least get parity we will see a whole new dimension to Spies in particular [ when he plays again ].
And Brussow on the front foot will wreak even mors havoc at the breakdown. The positive for me is PDV seems to be fronting up to the problem….not sweeping it under the carpet for sentimental reasons…..and in this criticism i i nclude Beast and Bissy!!!
No more excuses Guys….time to get this facet of the game radically improved.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:48 am
#19 stew: That would make sense….especially in view of the improvement shown since he joined up with Cheetahs
November 11th, 2009 at 7:51 am
#22 grant10: Is Bismark completely untouchable for some reason?
Beast Gurthro Jannie and Smit have all been under fire for their scrummaging, even if they do offer a lot in the loose (except Jannie maybe).
There have been quite a few players/coaches remark that Bismark is a terrible scrummager, is his contribution in the loose so much better than the props above that his spot is unquestioned?
November 11th, 2009 at 8:01 am
#24 DonutDunning: Good question
November 11th, 2009 at 8:03 am
#24 DonutDunning: It aall stems back to when Smit was brought back from Clermont to Sharks…. a lot of deals were made…bearing in mind Jannie Dup and Bissy are very close brothers and wanted to play together at sharks…..
Drama only recently concluded in a renewal of Jannie dup and Bissys sharks contracts as Jannie felt he wasnt getting enough game time as he was having to accomodate Smit. And Bissy was going wherever Jannie was ….hence the WP and Bulls overtures to the brothers…..
That is the quandary….if one is perfectly honest Smit is by no means the premier 3 or 2 in the country…..especially now with CJ back in the mix. Yet he does provide a seemingly impossible to discard leadership function.
Personally i see J Smit now as the perfect bench option ….he covers 1 …2 and 3 ..if neccessary.
As for Bissy….you are correct…a lot of criticism at his ‘too upright stance’ come scrum time. But he does add a real physicality and with A Strauss in the mix he will have real competetion so that may bring out the best in him.
Beast too has been questioned come scrum time…Wiaan Du Preez is a real force at 1…and Heinke will hopefully revert to 1 …i do hope they shelve the Heinke switch now that CJ back in the mix.
A complex situation….but PDV has acknowledged it with his selections for the test.
Wait and see……
November 11th, 2009 at 8:04 am
CJ funny Linda is a wet spaghetti scrummager.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:04 am
The front row is only one problem that has been addressed, my worst fear is that Morne gets injured in the first few minutes…………a fragile Ruan against a French team applying pressure and it all goes pear shaped !!!
We need to address the lack of backup at 10 !!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:08 am
#21 DonutDunning: Yeh forgot about the Aussies winning it twice – still a great achievement – but you are completely right technique is all important when it comes to scrumming… 8 men need to be as one …..
But you would believe that as world champions the Boks would be pros at this , they are not the smallest of boys – has the development in more versitile, more mobile props overshadowed the primary role of props to scrum ?
November 11th, 2009 at 8:09 am
but this brings into question that the best performer barring uncapped players running the springboks need to be given the opportunity to show their worth in RSA colours so that they have the drive and hunger to continue with them in the future dont discard foreign players give them something else we will lose them for good as well,
November 11th, 2009 at 8:10 am
#28 justrugby: Wise words….and if truth be known i would rather have a 12 like JDV or F Steyn than Meisikind and Adi ….particularily as Adi has not played there for a while.
My man if MS is not there the cats among the piegons….
Or should i say cockerils?
November 11th, 2009 at 8:12 am
#27 TheTackler: Cause he’s got the meatballs, baby.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:13 am
#27 TheTackler: I also thought that but his last display for the Boks in the WC final , showed his class when he destroyed the almighty Sheridan
November 11th, 2009 at 8:14 am
#24 DonutDunning: Bismarck is a great scrummager, and while Smit was still at Cleremont, the Sharks’ scrum was never pushed backwards, and the difference was always felt once Bissie left the Sharks to play for the Boks! He also adds physicality and defence and probably steals as much ball as a loosie! The person that has criticised his scrumming was Schalch Brits who is a hooker’s arse! I am sure you remember the sterling performances of WP and Stormers’ pack with this hooker come centre/Flyhalf in last year’s season!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:15 am
#29 stew: Stew….my take is a prop must first and foremost be able to do his primary function. But i agree…the more mobile prop is in vogue….
We need a specialist Scrum coach….thats the first step.
Also we have an ex 8 at 1….
And a converted 2 at 3…the most demanding position in rugby….
Effectively a retreaded loosie and 2 x hookers in the front row vs France….a gamble.
But i also have no doubt that the Bok management realise the situation is not ideal…and will remedy it if results come scrum time dont improve over next 3 tests….
PDV has shown his willingness to act decisively….good enough for me.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:15 am
And we all know the best tighthead in the world – Big Carl – cant wait for his return to the men in Black
November 11th, 2009 at 8:21 am
#36 stew: Thats exactly right Stew…and Jack and A Williams will add grunt to the Kiwi scrum. Also we have shown ad nauseum that we cant handle pesky Aussies in scrum…Gary Gold speaks a lot about CJ and BJ being back in the mix and a horses for courses selection policy.
This i am a big advocate of….perhaps if saffa fane would not be so hard nosed about the possible benching or exclusion of Smit for certain games PDV life would be a lot easier!!
I am relieved that ‘adult’ debate can be had about this pressing issue…there were times when the slightest mention of the weak scrum resulted in lynch mobs!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:22 am
fane is fans
November 11th, 2009 at 8:23 am
#35 grant10: Agreed Pdivvy has been decisive by bringing IMO an even better front row on the bench – Strauss has had an awesome season and should of been there in the first place … Du Preez , although promising , might be over awed by his first test especially against the French – remember they are dirty scrummagers , hard but dirty ….. I just hope CJ makes a good impression , his last game for the Boks against Sheridan was inspiring and with 53 test caps he must make a big impact.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:34 am
what a load of bollocks.
grant, once again you are on your hobbyhorse.
keep rocking mate, let JS do the talking on the field…like he did in hamilton.
by the way, all the “deals” and backroom talks you allude to are a cobbled together mix of rumour, hearsay and opinion.
but dont let that stop you
November 11th, 2009 at 8:38 am
The lynch mob has arrived…all adult debate grinds to a halt so i have better things to do…
Cheers all.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:40 am
For those that are interested Loffie is now Director of Rugby at Boland.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:41 am
#40 rangerman: amamzing how they forget lol and good day ranger mate ^5
gary gold wants bj or cj??
firstly a bad wokman always blames his tools
gary gold was coach of WP when their forward pack were the worst in the country
now under a better forwards coach that same pack are performing ? i wonder why??
but dont worry about grant ranger he a good fella with a perminent hard on for john smit lol
hey everyone is allowed their fantasies
November 11th, 2009 at 8:42 am
November 11th, 2009 at 8:46 am
#43 sharks_lover: i dig grant sharkie, i just think he is deluded.
then again, he is flyhalf and i am a wing.
hardly top level qualifications for this debate
November 11th, 2009 at 8:47 am
See the sharks brigade has arrived !!
Suspect positions in the Bok squad…..JS at TH, Beast at loosehead, Kanko at 8, Adi at 12, Ruan as cover for 9 and 10…….what’s the common denominator ???
Could it be that they are all Sharks ?
November 11th, 2009 at 8:48 am
anyways, i too must go and make moola.
have a great day all!
and grant, dont take it personally man!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:50 am
#45 rangerman: lol boet true
November 11th, 2009 at 8:52 am
lol ranger , tc mate catcha laters
November 11th, 2009 at 8:53 am
#46 justrugby: Oh well there is nothing for you guys to defend since you only have one player starting, and then he will probably be off for 10 minutes of the game, easy peasy JR
November 11th, 2009 at 8:54 am
2 people keeping talking **** about the sharks players , they both support WP, i wonder what their common denominator is ????
November 11th, 2009 at 8:54 am
#49 sharks_lover: Hi there Sharks_L see that Boyd is back as BackLine coach at Sharks? Don’t know if I am happy or not, its not as if we did so well this S14 with him? Players or coach
November 11th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Players going abroad should not be in the Springbok team. How else are we gonna maintain our high standards in Currie Cup & Super 14
November 11th, 2009 at 8:57 am
#52 Sharksgirl: gm sharksgirl hun hope you are well
yes i saw and not sure either, must be honest he didnt make much impact when last he was here
i think the sharks coaching are looking to much at all the scientific ****
they should get in a carel duplessis type backline coach and run the ball like the sharks used to in the old days
to me there is to much over the top planning and players not knowing their roles
November 11th, 2009 at 8:57 am
#51 sharks_lover:
LOl !!! On a serious note I think that both Kanko and Adi are going to step up for this game, I am predicting big games for both of them !!!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:59 am
#53 The Dude: Ja…its a complex issue…problem is a lot go anyway….despite the threat of non selection.
It is a dilemma.
Perhaps a limited amount of selections of overseas players….like 3….
Then we add JDV and F Steyn…pronto!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Schalk must ‘hou kop’…Dont need any 10 minute rests…not against then crazy Frogs.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:00 am
#50 Sharksgirl:
2, if you count Jaques, although things have gone very quiet there.
I wonder when Keo and his team of bloodhounds are going to find out whether he’s signed for WP, going to sign or decided to join his mate Loffie at Boland instead.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:00 am
#53 The Dude: only so many can go over and that cup is alreaday starting to run over
if you can be open about professionalism as a sport then dont call rugby a professional sport
i have no problem with them recalling players from anywhere to play for the boks
if it needs that you have a trial system withing the squad to see the players form so be it
but rugby is very far from being a professional sport
November 11th, 2009 at 9:01 am
#46 justrugby: haha, they are only suspect to some JR.
only to some.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:02 am
#55 justrugby: just mate i hope so kanko derserves his chance but also has to take that chance
it is in his hands
adi i hope finds form because even as a sharks supporter i have to admit he has been woeful of late
November 11th, 2009 at 9:03 am
#56 grant10: On the whole I do agree with you, but playing for the SB is a major draw card that keeps many of our best in SA or if they go they go on short contracts. If we did select from overseas, there would be a majour exodus of our best, not our good player and we would lose all our quality for S14 and CC. That is the reality, so on this I have to stick to PDV’s policy of only choosing SA based players.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:05 am
#58 David: oops forgot about Jacques!!! and Habana
I doubt he would have gone to Boland, though stranger things have happened 
November 11th, 2009 at 9:05 am
grant gm and i think schalk will be fine
the blokes a great player
and he is nowhere as over zealous as he used to be
November 11th, 2009 at 9:09 am
#61 sharks_lover:
Hopefully Adi is over his injury and as a result more confident with himself.
He is still one of the cleverest players in the squad and could bring out the best in Jaque Fourie.
Do agree he has struggled this year but it is time for him to recapture the form that we all know he is capable of.
I think Friday night he is going to deliver, WO good option though if it does not work out for Adi !!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:13 am
#64 sharks_lover:
I do not think there is a team in the world, if given the option to pick Schalk in their side, that will say ‘no thanks’.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:14 am
#59 sharks_lover:
I assume you’re taking soccer as the model for professionalism. Even there, there’re moves to reduce the number of foreign players in national club sides. Cricket and rugby national unions are also trying to fight against it, which is why they’re supporting an EU attempt to overthrow the Kolpak ruling.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:15 am
#54 sharks_lover:
Watching England play is a prime example of what you are saying, if ever there was a team that has been overcoached and is over “structured” and plays without any flair or “instinct” it’s the England team !!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:16 am
#63 Sharksgirl:
I doubt whether Tacitus and the like will ever consider Habana anything but a Bulls player.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:20 am
#69 David: Shame I think Tac will have sleepless nights come S14. Seeing Habana in hoops. But there is always a silver lining on every cloud at least it is not Spies turning out in hoops, that would have been a blow from which he would never have recovered
November 11th, 2009 at 9:22 am
#68 justrugby:
It’s an historical trait. England has always favoured the yeoman infantry over the more dashing cavalry. That’s why even the famous Light Brigade was treated as mere cannon fodder.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:24 am
#70 Sharksgirl:
Yeah, he’d have to completely re-decorate and repaper his bedroom.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Adi Jacobs at 12 and Zane at 15.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:32 am
#71 David:
This is true !!
I remember a great line from the movie “Charge of the Light Brigade”, ammo was an issue and the order was not to shoot until you see the white of their eyes…..classic !!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:41 am
#56 grant10: You’re an obvious admirer of both JdV and Steyn. I think Juan Smith is the greatest rugby player on the planet but I wouldn’t want him in the team if he plays outside South Africa. If you’re not good enough to be a Bok then by all means go to Europe. Despite professionalism I feel the top Boks incl. Bok hopefuls have an obligation to the supporters
November 11th, 2009 at 10:01 am
#42 Sharksgirl: wot happened to chester?
November 11th, 2009 at 10:03 am
one thing i dont uderstand , why do we have bekker on the bench we all know bakkes is going to get subbed around the 65min mark to keep him fresh but why have bekke when matfield stays on the whole game .instead we should have a loose forward like jonson on the bench or deysel or another back
November 11th, 2009 at 10:05 am
#57 grant10: this game will be the true test as to whether schalk really is a 9 pt giver, cos of penalties, and 70 minute player, cos of sin binning
some people here might have to eat some real humble pie come friday night
November 11th, 2009 at 10:11 am
#77 mbaxman93:
Remember that the substitute bench is there as cover for injured players, not just tactical reasons. Besides, with both Danie and Bekker there, more positions are covered in case of emegency. Danie can cover 4,7 and 8 if needed and Bekker 5 and 4 at a push.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Damn weather
November 11th, 2009 at 10:22 am
#76 Papoose: He was given the boot apparently. A bit unfair to judge him though on a 4 game performance really imo
November 11th, 2009 at 10:22 am
#80 Dawn: yes it’s raining in CT today isn’t it. There was a segment on GMTV about Cape Town this morning, I didn’t realise you guys had penguins, cool as hell!
November 11th, 2009 at 10:24 am
#66 PissAnt: agreed PA and gm mate ^5
i would love to see schalk , deysel and alberts together as a unit for the rugby up north
of course i am a brussow fan , but if there refereeing is like it was last friday night and the northeners seal of the rucks as they were allowed to i cant seen brussow being effective
a more physical aproach is needed and lots of ruck cleaning out
November 11th, 2009 at 10:31 am
#82 Big Hit:
Yep.
Penguins live at Boulders beach.
We also have big sharks. National Geographic loves them.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:35 am
#82 Big Hit:
Not THOSE Sharks.
The ones with teeth that swim.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:41 am
dawn we are the cute sharks
November 11th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Big Hit,
Its easy to identify the Cape sharks from the Natal ones: the Cape sharks have had their top teeth removed and have ended up with winegums as a consequence..
November 11th, 2009 at 10:43 am
#86 sharks_lover:
S true.
Natgeo had a programme on a coupla weeks back about one of our sharks called “Haai”.
I can imagine where that name came from. Local fishermen at Kalkies!
Was strange to hear the American narrator say Haai every 5 mins!
November 11th, 2009 at 10:44 am
#87 bloukie: hehehehe
November 11th, 2009 at 10:44 am
#87 bloukie:
So not true.
We jump out the water and chomp everything.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:44 am
And the penguins at The Boulders sound like donkeys…hence the name jack-*** penguins.
Cape Town can be a very confusing place…
November 11th, 2009 at 10:45 am
#91 bloukie:
Racist.
There. I used the R word.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:45 am
#88 Dawn: lol
November 11th, 2009 at 10:46 am
#91 bloukie:
And Natgeo loves our penguins too.
So there.
Don’t see them running after bulls in Tshwane.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:47 am
#91 bloukie:
In fact, the water is lovely around Fish Hoek this time of year.
Fancy a dip?
November 11th, 2009 at 10:49 am
#90 Dawn
Last thing that “chomped” anything was Bertha (can’t remember if that was her name) the hippo in Seekoeivlei.
Different animal to a Cape shark, but same set of of top teeth.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:49 am
#91 bloukie:
It’s called civilisation.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:49 am
#66 PissAnt: same story isnt it
prophet is without honour in their own land
November 11th, 2009 at 10:50 am
#94 Dawn:
November 11th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Daai hippo het selfsie gangsters nervous gehad innie Lavender next door..
November 11th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Saracens scrumhalf Neil de Kock has issued a rallying call to all Springbok fans in London – come and support your team at Wembley next Tuesday evening.
The Boks, who play a Test against France this Friday, will play a midweek game against Saracens – the Guinness Premiership pace-setters, their second non-Test encounter of their end-of-season tour.
“We’ve played at Wembley once before this season – against Northampton,” De Kock told rugby365.com, “the ground was half full, but it was still a great day out.
“As we all know there are plenty of South Africans living in London and they like nothing more than getting behind their national teams when they play here – hopefully they will do the same come next Tuesday and fill the stadium.
“Wembley is a great stadium and not many rugby players will have the opportunity to play at this historic venue – of course, it would be an even more amazing occasion were we to fill the ground.”
Thirty-year-old De Kock played 10 Tests for the Springboks between 2001 and 2003, but – interestingly – never once had the opportunity of playing in a non-Test (or midweek) game for his country.
“When I was growing up I loved watching those midweek games when the Boks toured places like Australia and New Zealand in the early 90s,” he said.
“It’s great to see the Boks taking the game to clubs like Leicester and Saracens and it’s also a great opportunity for us South Africans in the team to play against the Boks – something that doesn’t exactly come around more than once in your career.”
Of course, De Kock is just one of many South African players set to turn out for the Men in Black against the world champions on Tuesday, November 17.
Centre Brad Barritt (who has thrown in his lot with England), lock Mouritz Botha, hooker Schalk Brits, fullback Michael Horak, flyhalf Derick Hougaard, loose forwards Ernst Joubert and Justin Melck, hooker Ethienne Reynecke and flanker Wikus van Heerden – all of whom hail from South Africa – have all played for Saracens this season and look set to feature, in some way, against the Boks.
“It’s quite bizarre, actually, to be playing against the Springboks,” said De Kock to this website, emphasising his thoughts from earlier.
“I guess everyone will have something to prove – the so-called fringe members of the Bok team and certainly all of us in the Saracens team – but this fixture is a win-win affair for everyone; the Boks can test their ‘next best’ players, whilst it also gives us another opportunity to see just where we stand as a team.”
De Kock, who turns 31 just three days after the Saracens-Springboks fixture, has been at Saracens since the start of the 2006/07 season.
Having played all his Super Rugby for the Stormers, and most of his Currie Cup rugby for Western Province, he is familiar with many players in the Bok squad – but, as he is quick to point out, certainly not everyone.
“I played with a guy like Andries Bekker (at the Stormers) and against Gurthrö Steenkamp and Ruan Pienaar, but – without trying to give my age away – I haven’t played against many of the guys in the midweek squad,” said De Kock with a chuckle.
“But these players are the future of Springbok rugby, and certainly the purpose of playing fixtures like these… These guys will hopefully be pushing the Test incumbents in the not-too-distant future – even if they make me feel old!”
November 11th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Neil looks good in a fez.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:07 am
#96 bloukie:
and her calf….rikki….
November 11th, 2009 at 11:15 am
#102 Dawn
Fez or no fez, dit sal great wees om Neil weer te sien uitdraf op Nuweland..
November 11th, 2009 at 11:16 am
#104 bloukie:
Te oud en koud
November 11th, 2009 at 11:19 am
#105 Dawn
Nog nooitie, girl….
November 11th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
morning all.no more accidents involving shark front-rowers?
November 11th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
No one is giving the French a chance according to the poll. I am just as hopeful , but geeze man , with Jacobs at 12, Kichner at 15 and Spies/Smith out im not overconfident.
Wynand Olivier should be starting ahead of Jacobs , they are gonna take a look at how Jamie Roberts powered through Jacobs’s channel in the British Lions series and do the same.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
**** these white knights in shining armour. Its more like a KKK meeting than a frontrow.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
#108 wp_boytjie: lets be hopefull!positions are at stake and a chance to prove ones worth is a huge motivator…adi at 12 may work ,closer to the forwards -not a huge concern imo
November 11th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
#110 bolandboy: another point, good to draw defenders closer to our forwards now with brussow ,may they target adi, loose the ball close to the set piece and have it turned over -trojan horse ,what may seem as a gift is a tactic instead??
November 11th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
#111 bolandboy: attackers
November 11th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
#108 wp_boytjie: jamie roberts,your hero,looked rather ordinary against the all blacks on saturday!
November 11th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
#108 wp_boytjie: ya, just look at how wonderfully WO performed in the 3rd test against the B&I Lions
November 11th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
#5 kwas: Kwas, as jy so oor Bokke spanmaats, en veral die kaptein praat, dan is dit n goeie ding jy bly in kanada and jy moet daar bly ou maat.
Jy vergeet baie vinnig die goeie spel wat Smit en Beast aflewer vir die Bokke ne?
skaam jou
I can translate that to Canadian if you need me to
November 11th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
why in heavens name do we still persist with wynand olivier?he has been given numerous chances in the past and time after time he has proven that he is at most an average s14 player.i really do believe that he would struggle to get into an english premiership team…maybe leeds because they are **** in any case.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
#114 AndrewBK:
Not to mention how he was manhandled by Tuilagi in the Leicester fixture.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
#117 Vetkoek: Tuilagi is a big boy – is he the one selected for England ?
November 11th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Not sure if he’s been picked. He’s a beast, but he’s as predictable as they come. Catch, bash and go to ground. He may be difficult to bring down, but 8 out of 10 times, you don’t have to worry about him offloading in the tackle.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
#116 Valkyrie:
It will probably just take as long as it took people to realise how **** Jannie Dup is. The fact that WO is playing in a successful BB and Bulls team is currently helping him to gloss over his weaknesses.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
#116 Valkyrie: Spoken like a true non-Bull. If Olivier was merely average how did the Bull backs manage to outclass almost all of their oposition in the S14 2009? How did he manage score a telling try by wrong-footing the Cheetahs in the group stage of CC? You can’t expect a guy to shine by giving an odd game and using him as a replacement at #12. Even Juan de Villiers was so-so before he established himself.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
This should be interesting if CJ starts, Healy(new Irish Prop) apparently was CJ’s understudy until he got injured. Actually Healy attributes most of his skills to Springbok props. He considers Ollie Le Roux his mentor and now CJ. Should be great fun to see them up against each other.
This is from a piece from Scrum.com
He continually credits ex-Leinster and South Africa prop Ollie le Roux with teaching him the intricacies of loose-head play.
“It was brilliant training with Ollie. He’d straight up tell you when you’re doing something wrong, and say ‘maybe if you tried to move your foot that way, it might work better’,” says Healy.
Now the apprentice has become the master and though Cian Healy remains unheralded on a global stage for the time being – that should all change when Australia’s put-upon scrum comes to Croke Park in a few weeks’ time.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
#117 Vetkoek: Please if anyone was man-handled it was little De Younge, he kept bouncing off tackles like a ping pong ball.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
now that must be something to behold,to see ollie moving his leg that way,because the man is a serial pie-eater and normally goes around at night-time locking-up spur restaurants!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Oh the great scrumming force that is CJ. He’s very dynamic and can play both tight and loose-head, but I’m not sure I’ve seen him demolish international front-rows.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
And that’s why CJ has a win record of 58%. He destroys teams at scrum time and they can’t recover, teams like Fiji and Scotland!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
#125 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): but he gains parity….better than the turbo reverse front row we got right now…
November 11th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
haven’t blogged in a while but it amazes me how as soon as a player steps out of the scene for a while, upon his return he’s suddenly made out to be so terrific. CJ never did anything special for the boks when he was last playing for them. He’s suddenly got this folklore status simply coz he’s been out of the picture for a while and we are desperate to try and find saviours for our scrum
November 11th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
#127 grant10: I think we’re failing to show a little respect for the efforts of beast smit and bissie over the last year…theyve been immense in their allround game and have played double the amount of rugby as some of the rookie names being touted around from the cheetahs and WP…to have the same intensity for test rugby all year round takes a lot more than playing currie cup for a few months in the middle of the year
November 11th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
yeah, ppl getting ahead of themselves if expecting cj to push the french scrum, not going to happen, he’s as powerful a TH SA have, but what he brings is alot of physicality to the tightloose.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
#127 grant10: When you mean the “turbo-reverse front-row” are you actually talking about the 4th most used combination in bok history (10 tests starting, the record at 14) and of the 10 tests they have started the boks have won 9. That probably the most successful bok front-row of all time. But never mind. You know best. CJ, Strauss and Wiaan are much better? Are they, moron?
November 11th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
#129 flanka: Agree and well said.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
#127 grant10: Get some respect for the team you claim to ’support’, before you come here talking trash about players with proven records.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
#129 flanka: Exactly.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
#127 grant10: By the way ***-burglar, the “GREAT” scrumming combo that was Os, John, CJ started 12 together and lost 6 of those. That’s 50% genius, now compare that with the current front-row record of 90%. By your logic, we are more successful with a ‘weak’ scrummaging unit.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
#135 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): what the hell is a ‘*** burglar’?
November 11th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
#136 grant10:
If its what I think it is, it could be a good thing as long as your blonde doesn’t find out 
November 11th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
#136 grant10: Its similar to an oxygen thief. You stole your mothers milk, hanging on her breasts like an overgrown cuckoo. Hence the word ***-burglar.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
#137 Sharksgirl: #138 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): Good heavens!!
Thats a low blow…i think i prefer Sharksgirls definition!
Hell you would sware its my fault J Smit cant play at 3!
November 11th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
#126 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
actually watch him against argentina at the world cup he got nailed….
November 11th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
#139 grant10: You did ask….
November 11th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
#140 gunther: That’s what he meant…the sarcasm card
November 11th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
#138 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): LOL! Boardshorts
November 11th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
#140 gunther: Sorry, sarcasm is the limit of my ‘humor’.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
#143 Mutant: Overboardshorts!
November 11th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
#139 grant10: Sorry mine wasn’t meant to be a blow, was trying to tease you
November 11th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
#133 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): you are really some tough keyboard gangster hey!
November 11th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I understand the sarcasm I was just pointing out a specific instance I watched it the other day and it struck me…
I have always thought bj botha to be very ordinary in the scrums he slips his bind and gives away penalties like a paedo gives candy…we were never convincing at scrumtime with these guys..
November 11th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
#147 Valkyrie: No just fed up of Grant and his cronies tuning the bok front-row without any shred of evidence.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
#148 gunther: Exactly, now everybody wants to make changes and bring back these guys. Why?
November 11th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
#148 gunther: Please don’t tell Grant that.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
#128 flanka: i know wot u mean
same with gary botha
sumtimes i think its better for some players to go play overseas
as it might actually help with springbok credntials
that way there’s no spotlight when u perform badly but u still master ur trade
November 11th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
credentials nt credntials
November 11th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
#147 Valkyrie: Actually it was Grant who started with the insults, my posts to him had been purely rugby based, then after the Leicester game Grant got boozed and whined about his hang-over, taking it out on me with his senseless insults. He lost the plot, its not my fault his body can’t handle booze the way it used to.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
#154 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): LOL
November 11th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
#131 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): well said!!
its th catch 22 situation because when the boks are picked and they performed the way they did..every1 knows they’re the best internationally
then we expect them to show the same class and intensity in the domestic competition
its not going to happen
but what then, do you rest the boks? do you nt get a good chance to see whose next in line?
tough questions
November 11th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
#152 Papoose: the CJ that returns will be the same CJ that left us and from what i remember he wasnt shoving anybody into the ground before he departed, but suddenly he’s being treated like some kind of hero while beast bissie and smit have toiled the last 2 years to help bring back fear of the green jersey. Smit is internationally respected, Vickery still has nightmares about beast (that performance by beast set the trend for the BI Lions tour i might add), and bissie is a tireless mongrel…so im not buying into all these outsiders trying to waltz into the team now that all the hard work is done and we’re the undisputed world number 1 ranked side
November 11th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Why is it that we are now OK with parity in the scrums? I thought as South Africans we always look to DOMINATE the scrums. Or at least, that was the view when Eddie was the TH. Double standards? (smilie)
I have to agree with you Ratel and Gunther. I can’t remember BJ and CJ dominating a scrum. I can well remember our scrum get stuffed with either one of them in the front row. At least CJ’s presence give us a much better option on the bench than Jannie, (Die Bielie van die Sharks) du Plesis.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
#130 cab: But he’ll probably score a brace of tries off the right wing to make up for the pooopy scrums.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
#135 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
Thank you Ratel for putting this argument to rest once and for all.
Grant10, respect your opinion and rugby knowledge but get annoyed when you keep repeating yourself about how weak our front row is AND its wrong!
Ratel, please do us all a favour and counter Grant10 everytime he posts his nonsense on here.
Adios amigos!
November 11th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
#160 UKBokSupporter: Thanks, I’ll try, but its hard as Grant seems to shy away from facts and when he can’t back-up his arguments he starts to rant!
November 11th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
cj plays both sides good in the loose not especially strong at scrum time…
bj is a penalty machine completely anonymous in the loose….
how on earth could either of these be remotely better than Barney?
November 11th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
You okes and your sentimentality…makes you weak …
There are a handfull of bloggers on this site i value….bloggers who are not blinded by provincialism or race bias….independent thinkers….
And then there are the Ratel Msiurs of the world….Rangerman i see falls into that trap as well…..sentimental…blinkered and never open to debate…..
Now …to be frank….i care not a jot about there views or perspectives…cool guys and all that…but from a rugby perspective….light weights….absolute persona non gratas…..
Thats my best insult .
November 11th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
#162 gunther: Wynberg girls u 15 tighthead a better scrummer than Barney.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
#163 grant10: Most of us old-school keo muppets have learnt to take with a pinch of salt the comments of posters with player-adulation nicknames. It’s quite a teenish fad.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
#163 grant10: This from the man who ate humble pie how many times this season? FS not a 15. NZ will kill us in scrums. Morne not the real deal. Have I forgotten any of your other brilliant prophecies Nostradamus?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
#165 katman: When i want your opinion I’ll ask the one chap sitting in the stands at Ellis park.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
#164 grant10: And what do you know about tighthead from 15 year-old school girls anyway? I’m sure they great scrummages but 16 is the legal age Grant.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
#165 katman: LOL…ja…okes probably 23 years old….started shaving last week…digs Britney…
November 11th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
#167 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): Does your dad take you to Ellis Park?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
#168 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): LOL….i have a 25 year old son and a 13 year old daughter…sis man!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
#163 grant10: or maybe they just a player who has led their team to a World Cup, Lions series and second Tri Nations victory?
come on grant, just because they have a different view doesn’t mean they’re wrong
November 11th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
#172 Big Hit: just rate*
November 11th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
#166 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): i got it wrong with F Syeyn at 10….i never said he would be a poor 15…just that he wanted to play 10 so give the lad a fair shake at it…
Interesting that F Steyn left to play in France because he wanted to ‘be closer to the action’ at 12 or 10….But you sharks do well…lose a lot of players by stuffing them around the backline….better be careful with Ruan!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
#170 katman: Why would he do that, I can buy my own drugs?
#171 grant10: Cool, I don’t have any kids yet, but was just joking.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
#172 Big Hit: i was joking with them…
November 11th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
#174 grant10: And now he is playing 15 in France.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Ons voorry is skitterend — dis die kameraman wat die kamera vinnig vorentoe beweeg dan LYK dit of ons agteruitgaan!!!!
ons vermorsel eintlik almal innie skrums.
Mettie CC finaal was die Bulls se skrum skitterend…. en in Durban die Skarks sin ook….. die probleem was dat SSport dieselfde blêddie kameraman gebruik het!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
#175 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): LOL…no sweat…cant fault your passion….i think you as thick as a telephone pole…but you certainly passionate…
November 11th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
#176 grant10: to be fair to you, you got the Brussow call right, but I’m not sure you’re right about Smit and Pienaar. Could never understand the Steyn at 10 call, what was your thinking behind that one?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
#177 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): 13 last week boet…and 12 before that.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
#176 grant10: Whateva, you think you know best, somehow your self-confidence is undentable. Facts are facts, and you don’t deal in them.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
#181 grant10: and 15 before that, where he slotted some winning DPs.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
#178 Staal: LOL…die ouens dink dis n probleem wat ek het met J Smit….WTF….Ek dink net die ou is nie n 3 nie en ons kry swaar en moet iets doen….
Jy sal sweer ek is die Duiwel!!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
#157 flanka: couldnt have put it better
check post 156
November 11th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
#180 Big Hit: reality was Boks had no 10 at the time…R Pienaar was a reluctant candidate…i knew that so had my misgivings from day 1…..F Steyn wanted the job and i thought well why not give the lad a shot?
But he struggled there….i think he will be a legend at 15….but i certainly would be happy with him at 12 too….
November 11th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
#182 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): Its only my opinion….being honest about opinions has nothing to do with confidence…everything to do with being honest.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
#179 grant10: We’ll see. I think your rugby knowledge extends to knowing which bok was last spotted on Clifton. But hey who can blame you, you only have that trashy Argus to read. Anyway I’m out of here, have to go enjoy the 38 degree heat. One day, when it is safe, you can finally crawl out of your blinkered little rugby bubble.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
#183 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): He is a legend F steyn…my favorite back…happy that he plays 12…13 or 15…thats how good he is.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
#186 grant10: We had Morne, but apparently according to you, he wasn’t up to it.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
#188 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): cheers
November 11th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
#189 grant10: Whateva, I’m sure he’ll end up in CT anyway.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
#178 Staal: Hahahahaha dis nou die waarheid!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
#186 grant10: hmm you really were never a Pienaar at 10 fan, he started so well too on the EOYT.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
#190 Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): He wasnt being punted at the time…i believed he had some limitations…i was gratefully wrong…the best 10 in the land…class…
November 11th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
#194 Big Hit: Not true really…i think he could be a class 10…problem is he didnt want the switch…ever…now that is the truth of the matter…he was never happy at leaving 9….
This he has made crystal clear….not anyones fault…he wants to play at 9….
Now with that mindset its always a matter of time …doomed to fauilure…also i believe he is a damn good 9 anyway…
Just not a 15 or 12 or something stupid!
10 only if he agrees!!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
#194 Big Hit: Now justrugby certainly had his reservations …from day 1 …RP at 10 was bad news to him…and he was proven right.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
#196 grant10: I think without the goal-kicking load, it would ease a lot of issues. Might be difficult finding another spot for M.Steyn though, and he deserves his place atm anyway.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
#197 grant10:
… until now that is anyway
i do believe (and i might get stick for thinking so) that ruan WITH ENOUGH TIME mightve (yes, i said … mightve) developed into a class 10.
problem is … i cant see ruan get that needed time behind morné at the boks
or even at the sharks … which means that he should be allowed to go back to 9 (now that kirchner have been selected to start at 15)
November 11th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Ah well, at least they didn’t pick “show’n'go” Olivier who spent much of Friday night on his ar$e wondering what just ran over him. Not to mention the time he tried to run through Tuilagi and ended up looking like a crash test dummy.
21 caps without a try? Disgraceful.
P.S. I’m just kidding before any Bulls fans jump to Fabio Olivier’s defence. He’s not that bad. Unfortunately he’s also not that much better than Jacobs. Personally, I’d rather we put aside the “overseas ban” on JDV and start looking at some youngsters to take over from him.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Sorry if someone posted this already, but does anyone know what channel is showing the game in UK?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
#201 umfolozi:
ESPN… Sky are a bunch of losers and would rather show some **** tennis than the world champs in action.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
#198 Big Hit: ja…thats the dilemma….if you a RP fan that is….to me RP is a serial under deliverer…wiyth a fragile mindset…leave the oke at 9….give him a break….he sees the no 10 and starts an anxiety attack…
#199 ashley: Hi…agree 100% Ashley.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
#203 grant10: being fair though, which game did RP underperform in for the Boks?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
#203 grant10:
sorry that i couldnt post much yesterday … wouldve looooooooved to be here after the announcement of the team …. i gather you were in your normal happy state of nervousness?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
#200 Vetkoek:
post 2011 ebersohn (sp)
November 11th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Sylvain Marconnet on the French bench… massive scrummager, though I havent seen him play much since the neck injury which ruled him out of the 2007 World Cup. Is he still the same player he was back then?
I hope CJ returns to play rugby in SA next year, so he can play for the Boks in the 2011 World Cup, then people wouldn’t worry so much about John Smit at tighthead. A good 60 minutes by John on the field would be good, and he would have a quality replacement to replace him. Victor Matfield is a good enough leader to captain the Boks in the closing stages of matches.
#203 grant10:
I agree with you about Ruan having a fragile mindset. The kicks he has fluffed for the Boks are a testament to that. But then again does brilliantly when he comes on from the bench for the Boks. Maybe he will be resigned to becoming an impact player for the Boks. I also think he’ll play scrumhalf for the Sharks, with Juan Martin Hernandez being pivot for the SHarks next year. So all buttons point to him being a utility back for the Boks in the forseeable future – that’s if Kirchner performs well at fullback for the Boks.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
#204 Big Hit: I certainly felt he was under par at 15 for Boks….and the missed penalties at 10 a huge no no for me! Seemed to lack the real ice in the veins….Justrugby has for a long time questioned his mind set….I struggle to see the huge talent some see in him…yes…he is a talented player….byt is the hype really fulfilled?
#205 ashley: Nervous as all hell Ashley…the French beating those war drums…but CJ back…so i feel a bit better….
Brain still says French by 12 though!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
CJ and Jannie have never been awesome srummagers like say Visagie. I hope CJ’s time overseas has improved this facet of his game
November 11th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
#208 grant10:
noooooooooooooooooooooo, you peanut brain!!!
..
anyway
out of here
see ya!!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
#207 Mbhubesi: Agree…Ruan a great player to have on the bench with the versatality…
I would have it the other wat around with J Smit…have him as a supersub…he covers 1…2 and 3…
Bring him on with 30 to go….
November 11th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
#208 grant10: ruan is a great talent ,mentaly fragile though
November 11th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
#209 Bok fan: ja…me too…i am sure he would have improved in Ireland.
I saw the dvd of the boks game in 2008 in Dunedin….Boks scrummed a lot better than this year…CJ was at 3….
Lets see…
November 11th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
#210 ashley: Cheers my man…chat soon!Dont be so scarce!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
#212 bolandboy: Agree…a superb player.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
#215 grant10: maybe see him move to a province like the bulls ,i see him at 10 ,must be said morne steyn ,a great as he is, owes half his succes to du preez …pienaar just maybe needs some sought of familiarity
November 11th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
#213 grant10:
than we did against nz this year?
no way jose….
November 11th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
just to chuck a couple ha’penny’s in here.
Pienaar started brilliantly against Lions then 2 of his spot kicks hit the uprights. Then Morne came on and slots his. So they drop Pienaar and Morne has a bum third test behind a losing pack with JS and Jan Dup propping. Pienaar gets relegated to back up boy or full back, which he isn’t, or scrum half make shift at Sharks. All this contributing to an incredible amount of self esteem oozing out his self confident psyche. Pdv still wants to prove to him and everyone that he got what it takes at Fh so he starts Fh vs Leicester and starts well. Then front row start collapsing and Pienaar’s confidence takes some more battering cause some his out of hand kicking goes awry.
Bottom line, Pienaar’s still class at a running game pivot only he got to start believing it again.
As regards front row discussions here between some Sharks supporters and others, I can guarantee you that the two people most grateful for the fact that its CJ and W. Du Preez on the bench and not J. Dup and G. Steenkamp backing them up, is actually J. Smit and Beast, cause now at least they know after they get pumped solid by Frenchie for 40 min they can go off and have a rest instead of back peddling a further 30-40 min in reverse gear.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
On the contrary Mr Sowerby the arrogance is not in arriving so late it is in believing that Adi Jacobs is good enough to play test rugby!!! If we lose this and with Adi in the team our chances of losing increase by about 3000% the blame will lie purely and only with Puppet De Villiers and Adi Jacobs for not having the strength of character shown by Charl Langeveldt to say I refuse to play as a quota player, cos if truth be told Adi has only ever been a quota and a very poor one at that!!!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
#216 bolandboy: stormers??
#217 gunther: 2 swallows do not a flock of birds or a summer make….personally since 1976 never seen such a consistently kak bok scrumming performance….1 st test vs B Lions and last test vs Kiwis the exception…
The norm was turbo reverse…and this Bok front row repeated the action replay in thew CC….
Slao snoek i tell ya…
Cheers G…function on…gotta go don the suit and influence people…tell them i think J Smit is a legend at 3….need there business…so gotts wear the corporste mask…
Outta here
November 11th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
#219 bluealligator: ha ha ha upset becuase youre lil mana aint in the team ??;D
November 11th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
#218 skopskiet: That all be the truth, cheers Skop!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
#218 skopskiet: generous in giving them 40minutes.i think they will be replaced after 20minutes after having their arses melted into victor and bakkies faces!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
#208 grant10: definitely not a 15, needs to practise his kicking
#218 skopskiet: agree skop, needs game time at 10. Hernandez there now though
November 11th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
#221 bolandboy: no just getting sick of a quota coach and his quota players getting the recognition for success’ achieved by ignoring the puppet and Adi is without doubt the single worst player ever to wear an international rugby jersey for any country I would rather Balie swart played at 12 on friday at least he was a rugby player
November 11th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
#220 grant10:perhaps
November 11th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
#220 grant10:
cheers you nutter…
November 11th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
#219 bluealligator: to be honest,charl langeveld made a big career blunder there because he was actually better than that clown of an overrated fast bowler(forgot his name).
November 11th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
#225 bluealligator: adi isnt that bad his defence is to be questioned -but on the otherhand wynand ,imo doesnt quite have the distribution ability that adi has ,wynand is a typical bull back -hard big one dymensonal -like i said earlier ,let them target adi ,bring the ball to that chanel for brussow
November 11th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
can’t wait for friday!just hope that the wp/stormer winger gets enough ball,but with the one-dimensional blue bull flyhalf it probably won’t happen.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
#230 Valkyrie: one dymensonal
November 11th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
PdV’s front row has never had a tougher test. Make or break time for them as a unit. Kanko has never impressed me in the tight, physical match-ups and we will miss Jean’s ability to make something out of nothing. Zane is a risk, not to say anything about Adi. Burger must stay disciplined. I hope to see a few Chabal monster tackles and runs.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
just won a motza online playing the GGs in the UK from a laptop in Aus.stoked ekse cause I had no idea what I was doing. as much analyzing you okes do this game is going to be a cracker with the “french as favourites”. ok I’m lekker dronk but BAKKIES YOU BEAUTY THIS IS YOUR GAME CHINA! ffffuck I’m so proud of the bokke at the moment…sooo much o tlak about and while we’re winning. I love red fire engines and kiff racks.swallow my ****
November 11th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
oke walks in to a shop and says, “can I have a kitkat chunky”, the lady at the shop reaches back and puts a kitkat chunky on the counter. the oke says, “I wanted a normal kitkat you fat b*tch!”
salt..pinch
November 11th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Does anyone know what time this game starts? It is not being broadcast in the US and I want to get it on Justin.tv maybe?
November 11th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
a tip… never wash your windows with a half-brick
November 11th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
just a something for some of those that have no idea what smitty means to the bok team
and this comes from a player and he aint a shark
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Friday, November 13:
Wales v Samoa (19.30)
France v SA (19.45)
Saturday, November 14:
Italy v NZ (14.00)
England v Argentina (14.30)
Scotland v Fiji (14.30)
Sunday, November 15:
Ireland v Australia (15.00)
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England 9-18 Australia
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Canterbury 28-20 Wellington
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Leicester 22-17 SA
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Blue Bulls 36-24 FS Cheetahs
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South AfricaNews | Profile | Anthem | Fixtures | Results |
Habana: ‘What Smit means to the Boks’
Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:46
Bok flyer: Bryan Habana and his mentor Peter de Villiers
The world of rugby will only truly appreciate the value of Springbok captain John Smit once he retires.
This, along with other plaudits heaped on Smit and Bok coach Peter de Villiers come from record-breaking wing Bryan Habana in the third and final instalment of his chat with rugby365.com editor Jan de Koning.
(For Habana’s views on his much talked-about move to Cape Town, CLICK HERE, or get his thoughts on the Boks’ year-end tour by CLICKING HERE.)
Habana regards it as a privilege to have been mentored by De Villiers, while Smit he regards as a “very special person”.
“The results [of the Bok team] in itself probably say what they mean to the team,” said Habana about his coach and captain.
“For me, personally, I have had a relationship with Peter [de Villiers] since 2004, when he was my Under-21 coach and we [South Africa U21] went to Scotland,” the 26-year-old Bok flyer added.
“What I have been able to learn from Peter, not only on the field, but off it as well, the relationship I have been able to build with him over the last five years has been special.
“When I first became a Springbok [in 2004] he was one of the first guys I SMS’d; to give him a call and have a chat to him about all of it. He is a fantastic person.”
Habana feels that the Bok coach’s strong principles have also contributed to the success of the team.
“He really stands by what he believes in and that lends itself to the success of where the Springboks are at the moment,” said the new WP signing.
“I am very fortunate and privileged that he has always backed me – when he could easily have let me go or not picked me.
“I’ve been privileged to have been part of his plans and I really do owe him a lot to where I am now as a rugby player. I really am appreciative to what he has been able to lend, not only as a coach, but as a person as well.”
Habana said Smit – the captain, player and person – has been a success in every team he has been involved in.
“I don’t even know where to start with John [Smit],” he told rugby365.com.
“The world of rugby will only fully understand what John Smit has meant to the Springbok side when he hangs up his boots one day.
“I’ve been able to become a friend with John off the field as well. The other day he was on his way to Pretoria Boys [High School, Smit's alma mater] and we had about a 20 minute chat just about life.
“John is a fantastic person and the way he has been able to bring this side together is great. It is not the easiest thing to bring a Springbok side together – where you have players from different unions, players from different cultural backgrounds, different diversities, to bring them together, to form success,” added Habana.
“The way John has been able [to do that], since 2004, is probably something that not many people would have been able to do.
“He has been through four Springboks coaches [Harry Viljoen, Rudolf Straeuli, Jake White and Peter de Villiers]. Throughout his reign [as captain] he has been able to be succesful.
“The reason why he is the most capped Test captain of all time is because he has values and principles that he lends towards the success of any team that he is involved in.
“You look at the Sharks, their success – getting close to winning the Super 14, winning the Currie Cup last year.
“He is a fantastic guy off the field, probably one of the most well-spoken players you will get in world rugby.
“I definitely take my hat off to both of them [De Villiers and Smit],” Habana concluded.
* For Habana’s full bio, CLICK HERE!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
#237 sharks_lover: love your work. smit has earned respect..and especialy from people who live their lives angry – either liking or disliking everything they see…who the sooner they realise..to accept most things just how they are …will live a richer life.
A suicide bomber runs in t a shop and yells, “you”ve all got 30 seconds to get out!!”, the tortoise at the back of the shop shouts, you C*****NT!!.
sorry still dronk
November 11th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
#236 sharks_lover:
No one has ever doubted his qualities as a leader and as a person…..he is phenomenal.
The question is purely around his technique/ability as a TH, nothing more nothing less !!
I also believe it is an unhealthy situation to have the side so dependent on one persons ability to lead the side.
JS the man….. his ability at 2, the leader and gentleman has never been disputed !!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
#238 justrugby:
JS should rather have moved to LH tha TH. The only problem was Beast. Even before the WC Regan Hoskins reckoned that was his best position. I think the fact that he’d played TH at Claremont and we were short of a TH influenced the decision.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
#239 David:
Spot on David !!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Kings lost bid.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
#241 gray:
What a surprise.
So now SARU have got to finally make some tough decisions.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
#241 gray: that’s no suprise…
November 11th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
True. No surprize. But would have been very good for SA rugby imo.Now there will probably be alot of infighting. SARU promised kings will play. One of the other unions will most likely have to go. Truely Sorry.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
The French will drill the starting Boks’ front row, even the fumes loaded head of FdV suddenly realised it
And then they have Marconnet and Swerzsky on the bench.
Wayne Barens is a good technical referee imo, if the Boks scrum faltered as many expected, the bench front row will have to be hurried on, question is how soon will take place the demolition job by the French.
Another issue is that Botha is not playing more than 50 minutes and without him the Boks scrum not the same.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
so after all this debate and consternation about achilles heels in front rows and inside centers and full backs, not to mention 8th men, what everybody going to cry about if we lose? Who’s gonna catch the chop if in spite of all the snot n trane, all the re treading of front rows, full backs, centers and 8th men, we still come a cropper, then who gonna get it in the neck.
Well your guess is as good as mind. . . Right?
November 11th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
#244 gray:
Any change will need the approval of the ANZAR Partners
And the big money sponsors
There will be a lot of 3rd world rethoric in the next few days to hear but my guess the TV sponsors will not agree to a further diluting of the competition, i.e: the Kings to replace the Cheetahs
Someone already tried it before
November 11th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
#247 Hondo:
Do you know what you’re talking about? So long as SA field their top 150 players, SARU can do whatever they like to the identity of the teams.