Sowerby questions tardy arrival
11 Nov 2009
Toulouse-based Shaun Sowerby says the Springboks’ decision to arrive two days before kickoff amounts to ‘arrogance’.
The first-choice Bok XV has been training in Gauteng since the 37-man squad congregated on 2 November, and will only touch down in Toulouse on Wednesday. According to the Bok schedule, the match 22 will do some stretching exercises on Wednesday afternoon, followed by the Captain’s Run on Thursday.
South Africa haven’t won a Test against France since 2006, and haven’t beat the Tricolores in their own country since 1997. They travel to Europe on the back of an arduous season that saw them capture a series win over the British & Irish Lions as well as the Tri Nations crown. It’s been a prosperous year, but a taxing one, and Sowerby is right to question their preparation ahead of what’s to be the true barometer of physical prowess.
‘The conditions are going to be massively influential,’ the Toulouse stalwart told keo.co.za. ‘It’s a surprise that South Africa are only getting here on Wednesday afternoon. It’s a helluva risky if you ask me. I don’t want to say they’re disrespecting the French, but it’s kind of arrogant.
‘It sends the message that South Africa back themselves to win even though they are only going to be in the country 48 hours before kickoff.’
Sowerby earned his only Test cap in 2002 against Samoa before deciding to further his career in France. He represented the mighty Stade Francais from 2004 to 2007 before joining Toulouse, a club rich in rugby tradition. Situated in a region often called the hotbed of French rugby, Toulouse is a difficult venue to visit. For a group of players who’ve endured nine months of top-flight rugby, it’s a massive ask.
‘I’ve played in the South African competitions and toured Europe with the junior and A sides,’ remarked Sowerby. ‘I know how tough it is to finish your season and then come over to Europe to play these teams. The French have prepared well as the Six Nations is right around the corner. I don’t think the southern hemisphere teams are so well prepared for what lies in wait.
‘The Boks are the world champions and are comfortably the best team in the world. That’s indisputable, but they are playing away from home at a small ground. The conditions are difficult and they are at the end of their season.
‘It’s going to come down to desire. The Boks will need to want this more than the French. They will need to be at their very best both physically and mentally to beat the French on Friday.’
Toulouse has seen rain and overcast conditions since the beginning of the week; conditions that are expected to continue through to Friday. It’s going to be wet, but the Boks will need to ensure they’re burning white-hot.
France’s rugby pages have been inundated with images of the Springboks. Photographs of Bryan Habana and Schalk Burger have accompanied headlines that include the words “champions du monde”. The world champions are going to be on show, and there’s a great sense of anticipation as kickoff draws close.
France coach Marc Lievremont has spoken about the Boks’ brand of physicality, a theme that was picked up by loose forward Imanol Harinordoquy on Tuesday. The Biarritz flanker will start at No 7 alongside captain Thierry Dusatoir and No 8 Louis Picamoles. As a man who knows these players’ strengths intimately, Sowerby says the Boks are in for the scrap of the year.
‘I don’t think you have to be too intelligent to know that South Africa’s major strength is their physicality. Pre- and post the 2003 World Cup, South Africa lacked that element, but ever since it’s become a trademark. I know a lot of my French mates have been impressed with the physicality in the Currie Cup final, and the Boks will obviously take that to another level. Needless to say the team that wins the physical aspect will win the contest.
‘I play with Picamoles and Dusatoir at Toulouse, so I know what they’re capable of, and Harinordoquy has been a great player for France over the past six or seven years. It’s a pity Fulgence Ouedraogo is injured, as the Boks will fancy their chances with Heinrich Brüssow in the mix. That will be important when it comes to the battle at the breakdown, but there is also the set-pieces to consider where Harinordoquy will be a factor.
‘Picamoles is great in terms of breaking from the back of the scrum and providing the French with good go-forward ball, but Harinordoquy will provide balance to that back row and be the focal point at the lineout. Dusatoir is the tighter player, but expect to see Harinordoquy getting through plenty of work at the breakdown and at the lineout.’
The Boks are without Pierre Spies and Juan Smith, two of their best loose forwards, because of injury. Sowerby, however, believes South Africa boast a good back-row balance with Heinrich Brüssow starting alongside Burger, and expects Ryan Kankowski to benefit from their hard work at the ruck.
‘Every No 8 would love to play behind guys like Burger and Brüssow who both play to the ball. They will free up Kankowski to play looser.’
Sowerby said he enjoyed watching the Boks when they played at the 2007 World Cup in France, and will relish the opportunity to watch them live this Friday. As far as a return to the South African scene is concerned, Sowerby will play out his career in France.
The 31-year-old is presently enjoying a break from rugby with no Toulouse fixtures scheduled until late November.
‘I’m fine where I am, I’ll be here for the next two-and-a-half years and then I probably won’t play again. The French have a bad reputation for being rude perhaps in places like Paris, but here in the south, there’s a more laid-back vibe where folks are a lot more friendly. It’s a great place to live and it’s a great place to play rugby.’
By Jon Cardinelli, in Toulouse
121 Comments
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10 Nov 2009, 22:06 pm
#50 grant10: ME ALSO !
10 Nov 2009, 22:06 pm
#45 rugbygenius:
silly comment.
you misread the quote
10 Nov 2009, 22:07 pm
#44 Die_Valk: no sweat my dude…don’t get churlish now, that was just a bit “friendly fire” from my side nothing to worry about…i don’t pay attention to bheki cele.
10 Nov 2009, 22:09 pm
#52 charo: Huh ??
10 Nov 2009, 22:10 pm
#52 charo: What I am saying is that it is not arrogant . Its the right time to go because PDV is right !
10 Nov 2009, 22:15 pm
#46 Die_Valk: you’re right, remember the presser after the 2nd lions test, sherbert! All the journos were breathing fire after he told them he is not interested in their jobs but he is happy to know they have an interest in his!
And that he is bound by a system of rules unlike them that can write about anything they want.
I sure miss the old pdv with the parables & obscure metaphors!
10 Nov 2009, 22:18 pm
#55 rugbygenius:
no, just the last part about how many trophies
10 Nov 2009, 22:19 pm
#57 charo:
actually, the rest of the post was good – just spoilt by the last lines.
moenie worry nie boet
10 Nov 2009, 22:20 pm
#48,
Your logic makes Archimedes seem like a Bulls supporter.
10 Nov 2009, 22:21 pm
#56,
I think they were obscure even to himself.
10 Nov 2009, 22:28 pm
I’m predicting a shock loss by the Boks for this one…
10 Nov 2009, 22:28 pm
#57 charo: I was meaning to say that PDv is more of a rugby hero than this Sowerby man can ever hope to be.
10 Nov 2009, 23:42 pm
#62 rugbygenius: i agree
11 Nov 2009, 00:06 am
#63 fantasticbarnsmell: Thank you sir for agreement.
11 Nov 2009, 00:23 am
#62 rugbygenius: lets not denigrate Sowerby further, he wasn’t being disrespectful in the article.
was a good oke. played hard and fair (and probably still does)
11 Nov 2009, 00:48 am
#65 ali: um he called them arrogant, that’s pretty disrespectful isn’t it?
11 Nov 2009, 01:04 am
#65 ali: How can he come from nowehere and call our bokkes ‘arrogant’? No he must keep such comments to himself. I dont see why he has been given a chance to speak to the press anyway .
11 Nov 2009, 08:03 am
and these are reasons pointing to the fact that we wont be prepared for them weather wise and will probaly still not beat since way back when
11 Nov 2009, 08:57 am
sour be Shaun…!!
11 Nov 2009, 09:00 am
He has a point though. The climate has always been the Bok’s Achilles heel; you’d think they’d want to spend more time there getting used to the conditions and wet, heavy fields. Ultimately the playing surface might have them rethink their strategy; no use going there with a strategy based on the fields of SA
11 Nov 2009, 09:05 am
“South Africa haven’t won a Test against France since 2006, and haven’t beat the Tricolores in their own country since 1997.”
No, JC, South Africa haven’t won a Test vs France since 2005.
2005-11-25 Stade de France Paris 20-26
2006-06-24 Newlands Cape Town 26-36
11 Nov 2009, 09:25 am
rugbygenius …ek weet nie…vir my lyk pdv p&*( dom … kyk hoe het hy laas vrydag gelyk … nee wat my bra
11 Nov 2009, 09:27 am
Shaun is Sour. Remember the Kiwi’s moaning regarding Hamilton and we not staying there, and then got on their arse!!!! Sour P*es
11 Nov 2009, 09:28 am
#72 Julius:
ek verstaan nie BRA
care to explain?
11 Nov 2009, 10:07 am
#73 wp_boytjie: Sour pies suck…
11 Nov 2009, 10:45 am
The boks did the same thing in the first away test against Auz and it worked well, the boys were fresh from altitude. Good idea i reckon.
11 Nov 2009, 11:08 am
#56 Transformation: I actually do miss the old PDV, myabe he might just pull a rat out of the hat on this tour
11 Nov 2009, 11:30 am
Certainly won’t be any jetlag. What’s he on about?
11 Nov 2009, 11:31 am
Seems like many are just negative in what PDV does, but when it comes to the positve results, the assistant coaches and senior players get’s the praises…As the Word states, no prophet are acknowledge in his own land…Amen
11 Nov 2009, 11:39 am
#71 Nils: Not to mention the 32-23 loss to the French at Ellis Park in 2001. They showed that last night on ESPN Classic. Not happy viewing on the eve of our big game. Merceron took us apart.
11 Nov 2009, 11:42 am
What gives here
11 Nov 2009, 11:43 am
Ja and Joost was in that game. I didn’t recognise him at first with his dignity intact.
It was kinda sad to see Venter in perfect health. What an nergetic player he was.
How young was John Smurf.
11 Nov 2009, 11:43 am
#71 Nils: yes, we lost 26-20. so we haven’t won in France since 1997.
11 Nov 2009, 11:48 am
#82 Predawn: And the much maligned Eddie Andrews did far better against a potent French front row than our Larry, Darryl and Darryl did last Friday against Leicester B.
Also, tales of Japie Mulder’s “fearsome tackling” clearly grew in stature since he actually played. He was piss poor.
11 Nov 2009, 11:50 am
#80 katman:
Baas het nou DSTV gekry.
11 Nov 2009, 11:51 am
#84 katman:
Yep there was some real blasts from the past. Mr Krige pulled off some brilliant tackles I noticed.
So how do we all think our imitation Boks will do against Saracens?
11 Nov 2009, 11:53 am
#85 Dawn: Ja, vandat ek jou gefire het is daar nou weer geld in die huis.
11 Nov 2009, 11:57 am
#87 katman:
Ai tog.
Die abuse wat ek kry.
11 Nov 2009, 12:03 pm
#80 katman: I was there at Ellis Park to see that game. Not happy that night can tell you. Was the first time I saw Boks lose at Ellis Park then again this year when we played a Under Strength side to the Lions there.
11 Nov 2009, 12:14 pm
we should not take sowerby too seriously.strange chaps those durban boys.look at kp and that aussie rugby fella(can’t even remember his name).looks like ****-talking is the national sport down there in dirtbin!…just ask puma and sharkslover.
11 Nov 2009, 12:20 pm
#90 Valkyrie: Return to your Laager and stay there please instead of invading our beaches and space every holiday and then calling our city derogatory names! Not like the North is any cleaner, recently been to Pretoria and JHB both very dismal looking places
11 Nov 2009, 12:20 pm
#77 XhosaKid:
hi mate.
without trying to be picky, the term is “pull a rabbit out the hat”.
as in the old magicians with their top hats.
only trying to help
11 Nov 2009, 12:23 pm
#91 Sharksgirl:
the bloke is a narrow minded simpleton – don’t feed him and he will sulk off somewhere else.
11 Nov 2009, 12:24 pm
#91 Sharksgirl: Lager ? I thought it be Brandy. “bruin wyn” , Branna.
11 Nov 2009, 12:24 pm
#93 charo: Yes Charo, you are quite right! Sorry I even entertained his post.
11 Nov 2009, 12:25 pm
#94 wp_boytjie:
11 Nov 2009, 12:29 pm
#91 Sharksgirl: why so agressive “tannie”?
11 Nov 2009, 12:32 pm
#97 Valkyrie: Because oom I am a proud KZNer and do not take kindly to anyone denigrating my Province/City! Every town has their idiots, the rest of us should not be tarred by the same brush
11 Nov 2009, 12:38 pm
#91 Sharksgirl:
ignore him….
11 Nov 2009, 12:42 pm
some sensitive dirtbinners on here this morning!i understand they have major problems down there with nothing working there as well as having to deal with the highest aids-rate in south africa,corruption and murder rumours regarding there world cup stadium…dark days indeed for dirtbin!
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