And the winners are …
2 Dec 2009
Keo.co.za picks the real winners and losers of 2009.
THE HEROES
Test Player of the Year – How the IRB overlooked Fourie du Preez for their Player of the Year award in favour of Richie McCaw is perplexing. He was the fulcrum around which the Springboks rotated in the British & Irish Lions series and in the Tri-Nations. Seven of the nine judges are from the northern hemisphere, where the All Blacks are revered, while selection convenor John Eales is known to be anti-Bok. Testament to this is that he wanted Juan Martin Hernandez named World Player of the Year in 2007 ahead of the irrepressible Bryan Habana. Thankfully sanity prevailed that time, but it seems he has had his revenge. Despite the unbelievable call, Du Preez should be content in the knowledge that we think he’s the business. That’s all that matters. Victor Matfield was phenomenal and Heinrich Brüssow established himself as the finest openside flank on the planet in 2009, but Du Preez’s consistent brilliance earns him the prize.
Test Rookie of the Year – Who else but the prolific Morné Steyn. One should never underestimate the mental strength it took for him to come off the bench in the second Lions Test, have a short while to settle, then kick a 50m series-winning penalty to banish 12 years of heartache. He then carried his form into the Tri-Nations and showed that he had the aptitude to not only survive, but excel, against the world’s best players.
Test Young Gun of the Year – Since his rise to prominence in 2008, Dewald Potgieter had Springbok written all over him. He resembles a rookie Schalk Burger – bustling, powerful and fearless – and looks the natural successor to the Springbok treasure. His debut against Ireland was too brief to establish his capacity to play at Test level, but he’ll get more opportunities in future, and will develop into one of the great Springboks. Francois Hougaard didn’t show the full range of his ability on tour, but be assured, he is a quality scrumhalf, one who Fourie du Preez has tipped to succeed him.
Mighty Mouse Award – The physique of a juiced-up dwarf but the heart the size of South Africa and wonderful skills to boot – Heinrich Brüssow turned in some sensational performances in 2009. When he was burning white hot he was unstoppable, and even when he was ordinary he still made his presence felt, particularly at the breakdown. By the end of the season, the France and Ireland players couldn’t stop talking about him as the primary threat, which bears testament to the telling impact he’s made in 2009. Schalk who? Nah, kidding, but if Brüssow is anywhere near as good as he was this season in 2010, there may not be so much jest to that statement when you read this awards piece next year.
Test Try of the Year – Jaque Fourie’s two-fingered salute to the Springbok coaching staff for omitting him from the starting line-up against the Lions. He came on, as a wing, and negotiated a number of defenders en route to the try that dragged the Springboks back into the contest, and ultimately saw them go on to win the series. Brilliant.
Coach of the Year – John Smit held the Springboks together and even made the substitution calls during the second Test after the coaching staff’s ‘mare at King’s Park. Read between the lines of his book and you’ll reach the same conclusion: without Smitty, the Boks are on auto-pilot.
With special mentions to: The Springbok Sevens side for winning their first ever title.
THE VILLAINS
The Foot in Mouth Award – He’s toned it down over the last six months, but the king retains his crown purely for the madcap utterances during the Lions series. From allusions to ballet to eye-gouging lions on the highveld, Peter de Villiers entertained as much as he embarrassed.
The Sultans of Spin – The British and Irish media for dubbing the Lions tour a resounding success despite a 2-1 scoreline in favour of the Boks. Those who are interested should visit their local newsagent for a look at tour books written by respected journalists that unequivocally claim the Lions so nearly won the series 3-0. Laughable.
The Wet Nappy Whinge Award – This accolade goes to a player referred to by some Boks as ‘The Wanker of the Tour’. Mike Phillips niggled on the field and was the sorest of losers off it after the Lions went down in Pretoria.
The Brain Explosion Award – Sireli Naqelevuki for his high-tackle in the dying seconds of the Currie Cup semi-final. When will he prove worth the money and effort Province produced to extract him from Fiji?
With special mention to: The IRB Awards panel – Honestly, what were you drinking when you named Richie McCaw the Player of the Year? He missed half the Tri-Nations through injury and was captain of a Crusaders side that bowed out in the Super 14 semi-finals. Fourie du Preez and Brian O’Driscoll were the only players in this race.
Worst boots-to-performance ratio - The most impressive thing about Lote Tuqiri’s rugby these days is his flashy boots.
Dirtiest attempt at a moustache – Matt Giteau’s was pretty gross and Drew Mitchell won’t keep any photos of his, but the dirtiest Movember effort goes to Corey Jane.
By Jon Cardinelli and Ryan Vrede
326 Comments
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2 Dec 2009, 06:41 am
@wallabie.: You have to play consistantly well for a long time to be considered like McCaw and George Smith, Brussow definitely the most dynamic loosie I have seen from SA tho
2 Dec 2009, 06:42 am
@poppa69:
watch Brussow…he will be lost in a year or two.
2 Dec 2009, 06:43 am
Test Young gun of the year is a player who played a fraction of one test in which he did nothing in particular?
How about Ben Alexander, who accepted the burden of shifting from loosehead to tighthead and has helped turn the Wallabies scrum from the laughing stock of world rugby to one that demolished almost every team they played against?
Or David Pocock, the 20yr old who was MOTM against the Grand Slam champions and only team undefeated all season?
2 Dec 2009, 06:46 am
The Brain Explosion Award – how the heck could Nakalauqu(sp) get this award ahead of the convicted face mugger Burger? Well I guess the WP spin doctors (JC and Ryan) will do anything to protect their golden boy.
Dirtiest attempt at a moustache – In my book this has to go to Habana for that hideous thing that he stuck on his lip.
2 Dec 2009, 06:47 am
@DonutDunning: Yeah in spite of Australia’s horrible year, the scrum has been a huge leap forward, not an easy thing to do changing front row position either.
2 Dec 2009, 06:48 am
who is dewald potgieter?
2 Dec 2009, 06:50 am
@poppa69:
He’s one of them. The Aussie scouts, though, have been attending our youth and age group touraments in their droves. Looks like they’re targeting young rugby players, as part of their immigration drive, in the same way as they are any profession where there’s a shortage.
2 Dec 2009, 06:52 am
@wallabie.: I should have said potentially… like all newcomers the rest of the world are now aware of his talents, and its always harder the 2nd year at this level in any sport…
2 Dec 2009, 06:55 am
@David: Hes a big boy too… never seen him play… I guess with this age of professionalism we are going to see more and more of it… especially Aussie raiding NZ and SA… it is not one of their main sports here, so they do punch well above their weight…
@wallabie.: I watched Potgeiter in the S14 this year, he looks very much a talented player the few times I seen him… is a strong runner with vision and links really well.. a player of the future for sure..
2 Dec 2009, 06:56 am
@DonutDunning:
He also captained the emerging Boks when they drew against the B&IL.
Brussow still has a way to go before being compared to McCaw and Smith at their height. He’s a different type of player though as the other two are both distributors and link men as well as consumate ball stealers.
2 Dec 2009, 06:56 am
Dirtiest attempt at a mullet – Pick a kiwi from the hills
2 Dec 2009, 07:03 am
@poppa69:
Potgieter is going to pose a problem for us. He’s a lot closer to a George Smith type of player than he is a blindside. His prefered position is 8th man, where his skills really stand out. The problem is fitting him in to a balanced loose trio where there are so many contenders of differing skills and physical attributes. Dewald is a shade on the small side compared to most of todays international 8s and blindsides, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was played more at openside.
2 Dec 2009, 07:04 am
@RedLion: Clint Newland, hands down
2 Dec 2009, 07:30 am
@David: I didnt know his preferred position was 8… agree he is a little small for that role, seems as a whole players are getting bigger..
2 Dec 2009, 07:35 am
No credit to PDV eh? I wonder if thats because this site has no business connection to him…
2 Dec 2009, 07:40 am
There is no doubt that “Dewald Potgieter” has talent but is he really better than the likes of Duanne Vermuelen, Jean Deysel or Willem Alberts who are all currently much stronger than him as ball carriers and at the breakdown point.
It was very evident on this tour how easily we were out muscled at the breakdown and I’m afraid Dewald was one of though who would appear needs to allot of gym work before he can honestly claim to be of true international standard, mainly because of his size and upper body strength. There is nothing wrong with his commitment or efforts but his effectiveness is found wanting.
I agree with most the comments before that his only real chance is at 6, unfortunately for him there are heaps of very good young number 6′s around in this country which may hinder his international aspirations.
2 Dec 2009, 07:41 am
@RedLion: I also thought so, but fortunately I was listening to the commentators he did it in support of Movember month in support of I think it was cancer month (maybe I should have listened better
) it should be off by today 
2 Dec 2009, 07:46 am
@Sharksgirl: movember was for mens depression this year I believe
2 Dec 2009, 07:52 am
@poppa69:
Yeah, when you consider the guy is 1.90m and weighs 108kg and is still considered a bit too small for a flank, it makes you think. Thank god I’m not still playing the game.
2 Dec 2009, 07:57 am
@iceman:
Dewalds main strength, over the others, is his intelligent play as a link man and ability to find space. Which is something we’ve sorely lacked since the loss of Big Joe and Bobby.
2 Dec 2009, 08:08 am
@poppa69: Men’s depression? is there such a thing?
2 Dec 2009, 08:09 am
@Sharksgirl:
yeah, its living with woman that drives us to it lmfao
2 Dec 2009, 08:15 am
@poppa69:
What can I say, you can’t live with us but you can’t live without us! And then who sais its a mans world? 
2 Dec 2009, 08:20 am
So many ANZACS on, go blog on your own sites. Wallabie, you are a convict.
2 Dec 2009, 08:26 am
Brussow is a tremendous fetcher a skill that SA hasnt had a lot in supply over the last few years. He still needs tpo develop to be considered better than McCaw or Smith who have played at the highest levels for a long time.
FDP simply got tripped up in the home stretch by being involved in a dreadful november test series while McCaw started slower but came roaring home . I can believe iyt simply because evry year McCaw has been involved in international rugby he has been in contention for player of the year. he is a phenomenon.. a force of nature , George is bloody excellebnt as well and a credit to Tonga and australian rugby.
2 Dec 2009, 08:34 am
Test Player of the Year – FdP
Test Rookie of the Year – Heinrich Brussow
Test Young Gun of the Year – Heinrich Brussow
Mighty Mouse Award – Earl Rose
Test Try of the Year – Jaques Fourie
Try of the Year – Fabian Juries (Cheetahs vs Bulls)
Coach of the Year – PdViva!
The Foot in Mouth Award – Jake “I wouldn’t pick Heinrich Brussow!” White…
The Sultans of Spin – Keo & Co’s Winning Ways…
The Wet Nappy Whinge Award – The Bills…
The Brain Explosion Award – Schalk Burger
With special mention to – Paddy O’Brien…
Worst boots-to-performance ratio – Frumpy Robbie Deans and Jim (gone blank) in their ill-fitting gray suits and tan shoes…!!
Dirtiest attempt at a moustache – Stephen Moore’s Hitler impersonation
2 Dec 2009, 08:35 am
got my brain back in my head…
Jim Williams…
2 Dec 2009, 08:37 am
One of the worst articles I’ve ever seen on this steadily declining blog.
Morne Steyn had a mare during this End of Year Tour and showed himself to be a very limited player. Potgieter did notghing of note in the dirt-trackers outfit so for him to be named as “test Young Gun of the Year” for a brief cameo against Ireland is equally laughable.
Francois Hougaard single-handedly lost the dirt-trackers game when he came on at scrummie for Heinie yet he gets a special mention. The insinuation that John Smit has coached the Springboks this year is insulting and gutter journalism of the highest order.
2 Dec 2009, 08:41 am
Burp!
2 Dec 2009, 08:47 am
Why is there so much fuss always made about Richie McCaw?He often does illegal things on the field, but does not get penalised for it.Does that make one a great player,when you can cheat and get away with it.Same with George Smith.
2 Dec 2009, 08:52 am
Coach of the year: Paul Treu.
2 Dec 2009, 08:52 am
KEO and your evil minions
You bunch of unadulterated racists.
Where are the black people in your so-called “best” list.
2 Dec 2009, 08:53 am
Fools.
2 Dec 2009, 08:55 am
Agreed on the moustaches though.
SOOOOO last century.
2 Dec 2009, 08:56 am
@PissAnt:
True… I forgot Paul Treu…!!
2 Dec 2009, 09:02 am
Now I know why I dont read SA rugby mags anymore. The regular propaganda-like garbage in would put you completely off… I’ll use the extra R23.95 for some fish ‘n chips instead!
2 Dec 2009, 09:02 am
@Dawn: Do you want another category then? Quota player of the year?
2 Dec 2009, 09:02 am
@Dawn:
Hehehe,,,
Please Kinddly notice: Keo talks rugby proper here for a change
2 Dec 2009, 09:05 am
HAHAHAHA. The funniest thing written there. Coach of the year: John Smit.
lol, but sooo true. I salute you John, you make helium moustache face look good.
2 Dec 2009, 09:05 am
hahhaa
week in week out it seems we the bloggers are getting more and more fed up with the trash being dripped out by Keo and his scribes
yet we keep coming back for more
i dont know whether thats a good thing
maybe it is so that the truth comes out ..cos lets face it, if it wasnt for us..this gutter journalism would fly unchallenged
if a coach allows input from his world cup winners and captain..then coach of the yr is John Smit???
BLASPHEMY!
2 Dec 2009, 09:11 am
@Papoose: There’s only one thing that PdV is good at, and that’s creating a relaxed ad happy team environment. At all other levels, he’s hopeless. His tactics are naive and inflexible; his selections are questionable; his player management is dreadful; and his public profile is embarrassing.
2 Dec 2009, 09:12 am
@Sidewinder:
Why not?
There have to be a couple out there.
Obviously Keo and his fools missed them.
2 Dec 2009, 09:13 am
@Hondo:
Yes.
I kinnddly noticed.
White people rule rugby.
2 Dec 2009, 09:15 am
Why don’t they have the best and worst bloggers.
I would be proud to count myself among the Villains.
2 Dec 2009, 09:15 am
Test Player of the Year – FdP
Test Rookie of the Year – Heinrich Brussow
Test Young Gun of the Year – Jonathan Sexton
Mighty Mouse Award – Earl Rose
Test Try of the Year – All Blacks (against France) take your pick
Try of the Year – Spies (Bulls vs Chiefs)
Coach of the Year – Snor
The Foot in Mouth Award – Graham henry (Boks play boring rugby-then lose 3-0 and Boks only team in tri-nations to get bonus pt for 4 tries LOL)
The Sultans of Spin – Keo,his scribes and JWWW…
The Brain Explosion Award – Schalk Burger
With special mention to – BIL’s whining (very very poor)…
Dirtiest attempt at a moustache – Pdv, Pdiddy,Piet Snor,Helium,wee Maestro hehehehhehehehehehe (evil Laugh)
2 Dec 2009, 09:17 am
Anthem singer of the year :
Ras Dumisane.
The sole cause of the downfall of Springbok rugby into perpetuity.
2 Dec 2009, 09:17 am
@iceman:
Potgieter has some brain work that makes up for the 5 cm and 5 kg he gives away to Albert and Dyesel, not sure about Vermulen, his extra speed counts in too
I would like to add F louw from WP to the list.
Guess what? it were Ashley Johnson and Ruabenheimer who made the tour ahead of Albert, Vermulen and Louw, isn’t it wonderful?
2 Dec 2009, 09:18 am
@Dawn: Yes, but the whole point of quota players is that we must pretend that they are not quota players. We’re always expected to convince ourselves that players chosen for their colour are in fact chosen for their talent. A category called “Best quota player” kind of defeats the purpose.
2 Dec 2009, 09:20 am
@Sidewinder:
As Bob says ….. If The Cap Fits …….
2 Dec 2009, 09:26 am
@Dawn: They’ve got a separate list. And the cullerds got no list because of the Delicious Ceres and Rawsonville shitstorms.
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