Pure genius
10 Dec 2009
Fourie du Preez has established himself as the finest player on the planet.
Rugby genius. The concept is not easily defined, and should you arrive at a suitable definition, finding players who meet all the criteria is rare. It’s a relative concept, certainly, but there are attributes which are absolute. Fourie du Preez lists some of those when I ask him what he would define as genius.
‘It’s a player who reads the game and makes the right tactical decision 99% of the time after assessing the situation,’ he begins. ‘That said, you get some sharp decision-makers who don’t have the skills to execute what they see in their mind. Geniuses are able to do both, and their ability is amplified by the fact that they’ve studied their opponents.
‘Then there’s the issue of consistency. To be considered a genius you have to be able to deliver high-quality performances week in and week out against high-quality opposition.’
Du Preez has inadvertently described himself. To fully appreciate his genius you have to consider that he’s played at the height of his powers for most of what has been the most taxing season of his career.
Going into the end-of-year Tests, he had played 1 853 minutes of rugby in 2009 – the equivalent of around 23 matches – against the majority of the world’s elite players and teams. Not once has he looked like an impostor in such illustrious company. In fact, seldom have big-name players looked as ordinary as they have when pitted against the irrepressible Du Preez.
He has, however, omitted a couple of absolutes in search of a proper definition.
Geniuses have an aura about them that penetrates the opposition’s psyche, galvanises their team-mates and drives those men to a level of performance they may not have known possible. They also have the ability to change the course of a game, as Du Preez exhibited in the Super 14 and Currie Cup finals.
There were six decisive moments over the course of those 160 minutes. Du Preez was involved in all of them.
It was his try, birthed from a quick tap, against the Chiefs that signalled the start of the most emphatic performance by a team in a final in recent history. He then followed that up with another five-pointer to take his side into the lead, before threading through the most perfectly weighted grubber for Bryan Habana to score and seal the result.
To underline his aptitude for high-pressure matches, he mesmerised the Cheetahs at Loftus, directing the Bulls’ classic symphony with the skill of a master conductor – the build-up featuring an expertly executed cross-kick which sailed to the unmarked Francois Hougaard, a divine piece of handling to scoop the ball off his boot laces and send Habana away for a try, and the crescendo – a deft, looping kick into vacant space which Habana chased down to virtually assure victory.
‘I’ve seen enough talented players fold in finals or high-pressure games to know the difference between the genuine article and a pretender to genius,’ says former Wallabies, Brumbies and Reds coach Eddie Jones, who worked closely with Du Preez during their preparation for the 2007 World Cup and at the tournament itself.
‘Fourie has no equal as a scrumhalf in world rugby. No one is even remotely close. And although it’s hard to say who the best player on the planet is, because roles differ so greatly from position to position, I think if you were to consider a couple of candidates, you’d have to provide some pretty conclusive and strong arguments if you chose anyone but him.
‘The very best players in the world are those who give you an eight out of 10 performance for 80% of your matches in a season. I’d suggest Fourie is probably higher than that percentage-wise. George Gregan had some sensational seasons in the time I coached him, but he never came close to what Fourie has offered the Bulls and Boks in 2009, especially considering the amount of rugby he’s played and the intensity and pressure of those games. Just unbelievable, mate.’
Du Preez has, at times, looked like he was reading the game in a Matrix-type code, not dissimilar to the manner in which Keanu Reeves’s character in the sci-fi blockbuster did, and he seemed to have the ability to supernaturally elevate his spirit and make tactical decisions based on information attained via an aerial view of the action.
‘It’s definitely been my best season ever,’ says Du Preez, confirming what many astute commentators have acknowledged. ‘The 2007 season was a great one for me personally, but this season I’ve felt like my game has shifted to a different level.
‘I’m more mature now, with none of the insecurities I had in the past, and I know my game, my strengths and weaknesses, inside out. It helps that I’ve been playing in winning teams and with great, experienced players around me.
‘Last year wasn’t particularly memorable for me,’ Du Preez continues, lamenting a season where the Bulls and Springboks were infuriatingly mediocre. ‘I struggled for form at some stages, so I appreciate what it’s like to be back in the groove now.
‘Those things that weren’t going for you when you were struggling, suddenly do. You try things that were failing and they come off. You start reading the game better, seeing spaces in the opponents’ defensive line or areas you can kick in to that aren’t marked. It just all fell into place for me this season.’
Du Preez is less analytical than team-mate Victor Matfield, who studies lineouts with religious devotion. He relies more on experience and instinct. In preparing for matches, he spends the bulk of his time looking at how his opposing scrumhalf defends around the scrum and ruck fringe. The rest, he says, comes naturally.
Jones once told the media that former Wallabies flyhalf Stephen Larkham had the ability to read how a passage of play would unfold two phases ahead, and would be prepared when it did. Du Preez humbly denies that he has such foresight, an assertion some would disagree with, but concedes that his positional sense is the facet of play that he has made the biggest strides in.
‘I play more on feel than I do relying on pre-match analysis,’ Du Preez explains. ‘When I’m out on the field I get a sense of what my opponents are likely to do and try to position myself accordingly.
‘It’s not that hard, we play against the same guys every year,’ he adds, again displaying the now familiar trait of self-deprecation. ‘So I wouldn’t make too much of it. I’m just like any other player, really.’
However, with every touch kick fielded and accurate counter-kick launched, every box kick that is suspended in the air just long enough for the chasers to contest and every punt that rolls into touch in an attacking position, every snipe around the blindside that leaves the opposition bewildered and every zinging or popped pass that finds its intended target, Du Preez’s claim to mere mortality is rejected.
‘He’ll never admit to it, but those of us who work with him know that he is a once-in-a- generation player,’ says Bulls backline coach and former Springbok wing, Pieter Rossouw.
‘There’s nothing you can teach him technically because he’s the complete player, and he’s also so strong mentally. When he isn’t around, the Bulls and Springboks don’t have the same threat. That’s not a criticism of the second-choice players in that position, it’s just that Fourie is a special, special player.’
A special player the Bulls and Springboks have to start contemplating life without. Having won all he can with those teams, Du Preez admits that he is thinking about challenging himself afresh.
There is, of course, no shortage of European suitors wanting to ensure that the next phase of his career plays out in their club’s colours. His contract with the Bulls ends in October 2010, and he hasn’t yet made a decision about whether or not he will continue playing in South Africa. Losing a player of his quality would be the equivalent of losing an organ in the human body. Functioning would be adequate for survival, but you wouldn’t be firing at optimal potency.
‘I have a big decision to make in the next couple of months,’ Du Preez says, driving home the possibility that South African rugby could lose one of the jewels in its crown.
‘I have to weigh up whether I want to have a chance of defending the World Cup in 2011 or whether I should move on. I’ve spent my whole life in Pretoria, next year will be my 10th at the Bulls, and I feel like I have to get out of my comfort zone. I don’t want to be stuck in the same routine for the rest of my career.’
Du Preez, however, rejects the suggestion that his departure would see a dramatic capitulation of his teams.
‘If the succession planning is right I don’t think that would be an issue,’ he argues. ‘Sure, there’ll be a rebuilding period for the Bulls and Boks because I don’t think many of the senior players in those sides will continue to play beyond 2011, at least not in South Africa. But we have some special young players in this country.
‘Francois Hougaard [Du Preez’s understudy at the Bulls] is one of those, and I think he’ll be the Springbok scrumhalf for a long time. There are others like him in different positions. So if we plan well, there’s no reason to think it will all fall apart because we have an abundance of class youngsters.’
Class is a widely available commodity in South Africa. The genius that is Du Preez is a scarce one. Let’s appreciate and celebrate that we’ve seen genius in our generation.
By Ryan Vrede
– This article first appeared in the December issue of SA Rugby magazine. The January-February issue goes on sale next week.
411 Comments
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10 Dec 2009, 07:56 am
pump up the gas. . . bags
10 Dec 2009, 08:04 am
one dimensional “i don’t like playing the elvs, i don’t like watching them” dragon!
10 Dec 2009, 08:06 am
slowest service behind the scrum I’ve yet to see, slower than a cat on an ice cold roof in winter, . , and a prima donna deluxe to top it all off.
Overrated by all and sundry.
10 Dec 2009, 08:06 am
Good player,but in the Baa Baas leonard found so much room around the ruck/maul areas he was having a field day. As they said to be a genuis you have to be that every game,he is not. I believe Du Preez was outplayed in that game by leonard. BUt during to 3N he was head and shoulders above any of the NZ halfbacks
10 Dec 2009, 08:09 am
Best in the world? That’s McCaw. Or Dan Carter.
10 Dec 2009, 08:12 am
single reason we had a kak 2008 alongside BJ and a lousy outing in the Eoyt against France and Ireland, largely responsible for the Irish loss alongside his BB stable mate MS
10 Dec 2009, 08:13 am
@skopskiet: @Transformation:
Absolutely, bring back Bolla Conradie i say.
Jokesters, you lot are.
10 Dec 2009, 08:14 am
@Hurricane: cant comment on the baabaas game as we werent able to watch it here in south africa.
10 Dec 2009, 08:15 am
Ewww, some of my least favorite bloggers have all posted on here one after another.
The jealousy shines through. Skopskiet, I assume if FDP was a man of color you’d be chanting his name with pride? what a silly little quota you are.
FDP = PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
10 Dec 2009, 08:17 am
“Du Preez has, at times, looked like he was reading the game in a Matrix-type code, not dissimilar to the manner in which Keanu Reeves’s character in the sci-fi blockbuster did, and he seemed to have the ability to supernaturally elevate his spirit and make tactical decisions based on information attained via an aerial view of the action.”
Once again I hear choirs of angels singing!
10 Dec 2009, 08:18 am
@Hurricane:
Baa baas game is an entirely different ballgame to test rugby Hurricane. Its a lot looser and free and there little wonder he found some space around the ruck area.
I would like to see Leonard have an exteded run in the AB side though, i think he is the best you guys have.
10 Dec 2009, 08:19 am
@rangerman:
Watch it on you tube Ranger.
10 Dec 2009, 08:19 am
@rangerman:
that is a shame,Habana was in one of his finishing everything with a try mood.It was a good game. I like Du Preez,i wish we had a halfback that plays well most of the times. Cowan is a clown,to much agro,always pushing and shoving players of the ball etc. Leonard was the only one that shows any promise so far,and being a Hurricanes fan,give Weepu another go. Send Andy Ellis on an early retirment,i dont care pay the man off as long as he dosnt wear that black jersey again.
10 Dec 2009, 08:20 am
FdP is for me the finest scrummie in the world, but i tend to agree with critics who feel he does not vary his play enough of late.
he is no kick and chase specialist though, just look back to england getting hammered 36-0.
10 Dec 2009, 08:22 am
@John Galt:
True John. It is looser,maybe not Du Preez style of rugby. But another thing to look at Du Preez didnt find hardly any space. Maybe it was just one of those games for the halfback,but one thing is for sure the rest of the Bok players played very well.
10 Dec 2009, 08:23 am
@John Galt: i will try it thanks man!
@Hurricane: always rated piri. but i also rate cowan though he needs to sort out his discipline, agreed.
10 Dec 2009, 08:24 am
@Kobus Kitty:
hmmm you said bloggers,who are the others?
10 Dec 2009, 08:25 am
FdP is the best scrumhalf of the professional era by a mile! There has not been a more complete scrumhalf!
10 Dec 2009, 08:29 am
@skopskiet: @Transformation: Hey guys, never get involved in anything that involves tactics or strategy, predictability is your first name.
10 Dec 2009, 08:31 am
@Sonito:
Lets not get too carried away.
10 Dec 2009, 08:32 am
great player no doubt…
but nothing mentioned of the CC semi-final where WP had his number sewn up nice and tight…
10 Dec 2009, 08:33 am
@Sonito:
I reckon there would be some fierce debate over that. He is a very good player,we all know that but to says hes the best ever in the professional era says alot.I think Greghan playing at his best is better than Du Preez so far.
10 Dec 2009, 08:35 am
@NZINCHINA:
Just my opinion, but he would be my first player I would put on my team sheet.
10 Dec 2009, 08:35 am
@Kobus Kitty: hey kobus p*ssy, this was the write-up after the 19-0 @ newlands last year
“Most of the critics backed Peter de Villiers’s decision to start Fourie du Preez ahead of Ricky Januarie. Du Preez is a tried-and-tested decision-maker, but failed to have the desired affect against the All Blacks. His box kicks were well marshalled by the All Blacks back three, and he offered very little else on attack.
All in all the backs never combined as a unit, and seemed to lack both direction and leadership. The scrum was solid and the lineout dependable for the most part, but why was the overall synergy so noticably lacking?
The unstructured approach can be blamed for this defeat, but the players need to stand up and be counted. James and Du Preez were so vital to the Boks’ triumph in France, and with the change of laws and the change of strategy they are battling to adapt.”
By Jon Cardinelli
This entry was posted on Saturday, August 16th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
10 Dec 2009, 08:36 am
@Hurricane:
Yeah I would go for Gregan and FDP as best scrumhalves of proffesional era but I would pick FDP any day of the week.
10 Dec 2009, 08:37 am
He had a great 09′ pre the end of year tour but was nothing speical before that, the Cape Town test in 08′ is a perfect example.
10 Dec 2009, 08:37 am
“the unstructured approach”
what a joke.
10 Dec 2009, 08:38 am
I fail to see the need for this article. Most people would agree that Du Preez is currently the best scrumhalf in the world but this type of hero worshipping is way over the top and is only setting him up to come crashing down.
Few would dispute that individual sportsmen like Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Hussain Bolt and Valentino Rossi are the best in the world in their respective disciplines because there is a system or formula that can be used to prove it.
No-one can say or say or prove with any certainty that Fourie is for example better than for example Carter – it is just not possible – there is no system available to measure it, so why even bother to try?
10 Dec 2009, 08:39 am
@Sonito:
lol course you would. But nothing wrong with that.
10 Dec 2009, 08:40 am
like I said pump up the gas baggs this genius lost us tri nations 2008 and Eoyt 2009 almost single handedly. Keep singing his immaculate praises and keep on losing. Slowest service I’ve seen and don’t know sh’t about incorporating a variable backline strategy. Kak swak.
10 Dec 2009, 08:40 am
Completly off the topic but have you guys seen that the Protea is missing off the replica bafanna soccer shirts! Why?
Because SAFA does not want to pay royalties to the sports ministry! I always said that battle of the bok emblem was about nothing more than the sports minsitry wanting to get royalties and this proves it.
10 Dec 2009, 08:41 am
@NZINCHINA:
You can look at any player career and pick out games when they have been completly ****. Even the great Carter has had a couple of shockers!
10 Dec 2009, 08:43 am
keo you should take fourie du preez on a date. fourie is half dimensional you should make a carbon copy of him to make him one dimensional. he can only play good when the boks adpots a blue bull type of game otherwise he is pretty much useless. pieter must put ruan pienaar at ten and ricky januarie at nine to play a more complete game, becuase i am sensing the the nz and uas players are going to evolve and outsmart the boks current playing pattern before the world cup. what is fourie gets injured then the boks game plan disapears and morne will also be reduced to a quater dimensional useless kicking machine. put morene on fullback and let him take the goal kicks but let the creative natural more complete flyhalt pienaar do his thing at number ten. fourie du prezz also nevfer gave pienaar the quality service he gives to morne steyn, that is why he needs to be uprooted. he is HUGELY overated. keo you make him sound like a demi god when he is actually useless. the flyhalves in sa can never dictate and take control of the game becuase you are sitting with srumhalves like du prezz who forever want to be the general and contol the gam, when he should focus on what he should do, which is good fast and clean ball to his 10, something which mkaes ricky brilliant, not to mention his attacking and defensive abilities. ricky will always be a legend, abd fourie should have never been given back his position, if he was made to fight for it he would have gotten it back. ricky is your boss keo, so too is adi jacobs the best inside center in sa. i would like to hear you for a change highlight the weaknesses, which a numerous, of you demi gods in the form of jean de villiers and fourie du preez. you are one track minded, one dimensional and pro white players, you unashamed freaking rugby racist!!!!
10 Dec 2009, 08:44 am
@graeme1:
Looser and idiot! Sums up your comments!
10 Dec 2009, 08:45 am
@Robzim: hussain bolt?
has he converted to islam?
interesting.
10 Dec 2009, 08:45 am
@graeme1:
Oh oh
10 Dec 2009, 08:46 am
It is easy to find a kink in any rugby players armor if you look at their performance in individual games, but considering PdP performance over the past 3 years he must be right up there.
Brussouw owned Richie McCaw for most of the 3N, does that mean that he can no longer be rated as one of the best players in the world?
Every era will produce rugby excellence and taking history into account the next generation will produce better versions of the previous era.
10 Dec 2009, 08:46 am
CORRECTION: fourie would NOT have gotten his position back was he to fight for it.
sorry for the bad spelling, in a bit of a hurry…!
10 Dec 2009, 08:47 am
best scrum half SA ever had.
and one of the most humble blokes you could hope to meet.
another one of those players with a talismatic influence on those around him.
….just 12 months after bitching about the effect of ELV rugby, he was part of a unit that frikken destroyed the top Kiwi side.
what a champion.
10 Dec 2009, 08:47 am
@rangerman:
lol
10 Dec 2009, 08:48 am
“ricky is your boss keo, so too is adi jacobs the best inside center in sa”
this is hilarious
graeme, you are a bit of a dumbass man, but i like a good laugh as much as the next oke.
you can stay but try limit it to five silly comments per thread or you will get stale, ok?
10 Dec 2009, 08:49 am
@graeme1:
Go spit polish the nearest door ****.
10 Dec 2009, 08:50 am
to think that there are some “rugby fans” who can’t recognise this player’s influence is laughable. almost as funny as Mcaw receiving that award this year.
10 Dec 2009, 08:50 am
@graeme1:
You mut have the runs to be in such a hurry.
Must be all that **** coming out your mouth.
10 Dec 2009, 08:51 am
@graeme1: Ricky is good for one thing, dancing lessons, nobody two steps like Ricky.
Drank is ‘n lelike ding!!
10 Dec 2009, 08:53 am
What is not mentioned in this interview is how Fourie thought about leaving SA rugby after 2008, and how the current Bok setup inspired him to stay saying it is the best setup he has ever played under.
10 Dec 2009, 08:55 am
@graeme1:
ricky januarie?
that must be some sort of joke.
he’s a fat tub of lard. good for nothing other than pushing and shoving.
adi jacobs the best inside center? funny that, until this season, he has actually been playing 2nd center for the past 7 seasons?
it enough to get an honest bloke thinking “quota”.
I can only assume that you are anti-south african with the daily abuse and ravings at white or black non conformist?
ps:this website is free….if you don’t like, just leave.
PS(try not to show your class to often,ne?)
10 Dec 2009, 08:56 am
@graeme1:
Any valid points you might have raised are completely neutralised by your absolutely moronic method of conducting an argument.
You are making a public fool of yourself.
10 Dec 2009, 08:56 am
@kesbok:
The IRB should award a player of the decade next year, put McCaws name on it now to save time.
10 Dec 2009, 08:56 am
@graeme1:
“you are one track minded, one dimensional and pro white players, you unashamed freaking rugby racist!!!!”
KEO … this one’s for you!!!
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