Swallow your pride, Pete
29 Jul 2010
JON CARDINELLI says the Bok coach won’t find a better fullback than Frans Steyn between now and the 2011 World Cup.
The Springbok coaches, selectors and Saru bigwigs will meet to discuss the Frans Steyn issue next week. I have to wonder, what is there to discuss? The Boks can no longer afford to ignore his talents and, as Steyn’s stated on numerous occasions, he’s keen to rejoin the side.
Steyn started the one-off Test against Wales in June. He’s since been cast back into the international wilderness. What was De Villiers’s reason? Steyn was off the pace because he’d played all of one season in northern hemisphere club competitions for Racing Metro.
Meanwhile, De Villiers has failed to find a good option at fullback. Zane Kirchner was ordinary on the 2009 end-of-year tour to Europe, and while he’s produced some determined showings in the 2010 Tri-Nations, it’s clear he’ll never be a factor at Test level.
At 23, Steyn has won a World Cup, a series against the British & Irish Lions, a Tri-Nations crown and a Currie Cup. He’s played 37 times for South Africa, starting 20 Tests. In the matches he’s started, the Boks have won 17 and lost only three. Included in those starting wins are the last six 2007 World Cup Tests, four 2009 Tri-Nations games and the first two Lions fixtures.
You can’t compare Steyn to Kirchner or any other South African fullback option. He has the all-round game the Boks require. His powerful boot has become so vital to the Boks’ line-kicking game, and he’s able to kick those record-breaking penalties from within his own half. As seen by his recent exploits in France, he’s also capable of nailing some outrageous drop-goals from 60m out.
Jake White deployed Steyn at centre in the 2007 World Cup in order to extract value from his formidable stature, but the man also provides a useful running option from the back. While Kirchner lacks attacking incision, Gio Aplon is renowned for those gliding runs from the deep. In comparing Aplon and Steyn, you have to ask whether Aplon’s primary threat trumps Steyn’s all-round value. And can you ignore the fact that despite his age, Steyn has won the big Tests for South Africa and has an overall win ratio of 75%? Obviously not.
Conrad Jantjes recently began his comeback to rugby, and after speaking to him, I don’t think the Boks should expect him to be Test ready until 2011. He suffered a broken leg in May 2009 and is still not completely over his injury. He spoke about this year’s Currie Cup as part of his rehabilitation, and it may be some time before he can go flat out.
Perhaps a strong showing in the 2011 Super 15 will bring Jantjes back into Bok contention, but for the moment, it wouldn’t be fair to consider him and option.
If De Villiers needs to make a rugby decision, he should bring Steyn back for the home leg of the Tri-Nations and pick him for the Grand Slam tour. Steyn’s spent a year in northern conditions and his knowledge thereof will be an asset.
But the relationship between the Bok coach and Steyn has been on the rocks since the player announced his move to France last year. There’s been little communication between the two, and although De Villiers released a statement this May claiming they’d resolved their differences, his claim that Steyn was off the pace and his refusal to pick Steyn for more than one Test speaks volumes.
Three consecutive Tri-Nations defeats, however, could lead to that pride being placed on the shelf. De Villiers is desperate to save face in this tournament, which is now New Zealand’s to lose. He must reinstate South Africa’s best fullback option, and invest in him for next year’s World Cup.
So come on Pete, stop wasting time. Give the kid a call, and show the faith in him that you showed in 2008 and 2009. Think 17 wins from 20 starts. You won’t be disappointed.
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210 Comments
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29 Jul 2010, 10:44 am
What about that cute little mini Monty, he looks ok.
Think the Boks could do with a few more Stormers to be honest.
29 Jul 2010, 10:45 am
Add Steyn,Brussow,FDP and Smith back into the mix and it’s a different team.
29 Jul 2010, 10:47 am
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-1:
Joe P had a good season. Is he Bok material? I’m not sure.
29 Jul 2010, 10:49 am
Stop the co-ordinated media attack on the Boks by fighting back.
Groundhog day 2006.
Thanks Transformation in finding that article written in 2006.
What pisses me is the Fox machine
could not find any new material.
Shame on the Fox rubgy twats including Marto the ****** and their dirty bok comments.
What was the aussie player doing with his elbow in Schalas throat in an off side position?
I can compliment them on showing Mcacaw kicking Januarie with the studs up and his kick on Danie after he was penalised for off side play.
29 Jul 2010, 10:50 am
call him back pdv and we get walloped again, send his arse back to france! I don’t get why some people are fixated with the idea that because steyn is in the team the Boks will suddenly tackle more, clean out rucks, string a few backline moves that involve the wings coming in at angles to deceive the opposition….
29 Jul 2010, 10:51 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-4:
If the Boks win 3 from 3 on home soil (which they should), the media will back off.
It won’t make up for the overseas leg, but it will help.
29 Jul 2010, 10:52 am
Add those players, a ‘WC panel’ to assist the current management team, and we shall have a chance.
29 Jul 2010, 10:53 am
Piet Snor keeps proving he is just another political pawn.. Let’s be serious.
29 Jul 2010, 10:55 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-5:
I think we talking long term Transie.
We need him at 15 for the WC. Trust me, we going to need a couple 55m in the wet to beat NZL/Aus etc in NZL.
If we don’t get him back in the mix now, it’s going to be tricky for him to gel in 2011.
29 Jul 2010, 10:56 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-5:
Exactly!!!!
29 Jul 2010, 10:58 am
6. CenturionShark they wont win or back off
You know in 2006 the quality of the reffing was so poor in the Trinations I nearly had a stroke shouting at the the ref and Richies offside play.
I rememebr 2006 very well cos 1 I broke the remote on my head and secondly I promised and would not watch the SANZOO **** again.
My theory: Ireland to get votes for the next hosting of the WC.
29 Jul 2010, 11:00 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-3: Thank you for his name, I couldn’t remember it.
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-4: Getting a bit toey with the big game this weekend and no one to cheer for eh?
What did you think of Kafer’s analysis re Schalla?
29 Jul 2010, 11:00 am
Boks are missing
Beast
Bismark
Bakkies
Juan
Brussow
Du preez
De Villiers
JPP
AND
Frans Steyn
Perspective people.In that list is the world best 2,4,7,9,14(defensively at least with JPP)
29 Jul 2010, 11:00 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-10:
Yeah look, he won’t make a difference if Smit and co carry on as they are, but let’s get the guy back into the Bok mix.
Zane will never let you down, but will also never win you a WC/3N. An international fullback needs to be a gamebreaker (IMO).
29 Jul 2010, 11:03 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-11:
LOL, good points. I think the Boks need this wakeup call. Better now than next year I guess.
The best way to shut an Aussie up is to beat them, 53-8 comes to mind.
29 Jul 2010, 11:03 am
Who said that Transformation?? Who said if Steyn comes back on his own the boks will win? Who said they will tackle better And clear out more ricks etc???
The point is He is an improvement on any 1 currently playing in that team at 15 especially with coaches trying to play a kicking game. He has better defence and is a MUCH harder player to stop or slow down as a ball carrier & ha better overall ball skills.
The point is, in all his time playing fullback or centre he was one he’ll of allot better than the current 15 & 13 at test level.
The poin if ur still battling to grasp this is – he is part of the solution not THE Solution.
29 Jul 2010, 11:04 am
McCaw admits to ‘cheating’
2010-07-28 22:30Email | Print
Richie McCaw (Gallo Images)
Hendrik Cronjé
Bloemfontein – Richie McCaw admitted on Wednesday that he had operated outside the laws of the game against the Springboks on several occasions, but said that it’s all part of rugby.
The All Black captain was penalised five times against the Springboks in Wellington according to website ruggastats.com. This infuriated coach Peter de Villiers and a number of his senior players.
Irishman Alain Rolland was the referee who failed to punish McCaw with a yellow card for his transgressions at the breakdown and will again be the referee when the Boks play the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld on August 28.
“I made a few mistakes. I think the important thing is to know what you will get away with. But I undoubtedly made mistakes,” said McCaw.
He says he will continue playing his way as long as it does not place pressure on the team.
McCaw also admitted prior to Saturday’s Tri-Nations Test against the Wallabies in Melbourne that he was fortunate not to concede more penalties in Wellington.
He said he would be wary of South African referee Craig Joubert in the weekend’s match against Australia.
McCaw and his counterpart from the Wallabies, David Pocock, nevertheless showed that there is still place for fetching flanks in the mould of Heinrich Brüssow in Test rugby irrespective of law changes.
Brüssow looks set to be available to join the Boks on their end-of-season tour to Europe.
McCaw also noted that Pocock had frustrated the Boks a lot at the breakdowns.
“He had a big impact there. The Springboks were also not as accurate as they would have liked to be,” said McCaw.
Pocock was penalised three times according to ruggastats.com.
29 Jul 2010, 11:04 am
RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)
Kafe should be a coach, he is smart, unbiased and makes the rest look foolish.
I think Ritchie will get some working over this weekend as his former coach knows all the inside stuff.
I need a break from the footy mate, its reducing my lifespan significantly
29 Jul 2010, 11:05 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-13:
Good points. We always seem to forget how good JPP is for the Boks (he goes up and down with the Sharks but really steps up for Boks).
He holds his defensive line brilliantly (unlike Habana)and is still quick (unlike Habana).
29 Jul 2010, 11:06 am
16. Guns(Guns) that is one of Tranny weak points
29 Jul 2010, 11:07 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-5: I agree 100%.
I think your buddy Rossi touched on the area that needs improvement… Fitness! The boks look as though the conditioning phase was on the ‘lite’ side and the ‘taper’ was given the nod.
29 Jul 2010, 11:08 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-3: i think he is. great defense, good under high ball, great tactical kicking and a strong, elusive runner.
29 Jul 2010, 11:09 am
Fitness? Fatigue more like it!
I think the aussies might roll the Abs this weekend.
29 Jul 2010, 11:09 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-14:
Fair enough.
But Steyn is NOT a gamebreaker(in its purest form) from the 15 position.He is a traditional SA 15,brave under high ball,big boot & can kick 60m penalties(that is his unique atrribute).
BUT
He is not a running 15,ala Mils Muliaina-who is the best exponent since Cullen/Latham.He rarely takes ball up to line,breaking tackles,offloading etc.He stands up in tackles well & uses his size well when in trouble in physicality at the back.
But using GAMEBREAKER to describe Steyn at 15 is a wee bit far fetched.
29 Jul 2010, 11:10 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-9: new zealand are blikseming us without carl hayman, greg somerville, aaron mauger (retired) and a whole host of other influential players, but in south africa all you ever hear is “oh if fransie was there”
“we need fransie”
29 Jul 2010, 11:11 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-23: The Wallabies will give it a good shake. Im sure they would prefer playing at the G. Now that is a stadium.
29 Jul 2010, 11:12 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-25:
No no no Transie, like another blogger said. We are just saying he could be part of the solution, not the solution itself.
29 Jul 2010, 11:13 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-13:
thats a fair call, within boundaries….
Presumably J.Smith is a ‘blindside flanker’ ?!
and JPP at 14 ?!
BaXXies cant be considered, surely. THIS year ?!
eish.
29 Jul 2010, 11:14 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-24:
Fair enough,. His 60m kicking is for me his “gamebreaker” skill.
But you right, he’s no Cullen in terms of running.
29 Jul 2010, 11:17 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-29: Hmmm, the other day a fellow keolite reckoned Frans kicking 1 in 5 drop goals was enough of a reason to have him in a team. Sorry, I don’t believe the ABs or Wallabies would play him at 15.
29 Jul 2010, 11:18 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-28:
Yes of course within boundaries.
Smith as a BLINDSIDE(7 in SA,6 in NZ)
JPP-the state of 14 play worldwide isnt high enough to not have him in conversation plus defensively I think there is no better winger than JP.All round ability & when on form,he is in conversation.
Bakkies,this yr has been rough.But only a fool would discard him when on form.The best 4 in the last 4-5 years EASILY.
29 Jul 2010, 11:20 am
@Guns(Guns)-16: you’re asking me who said it? Jon Cardinelli said dumbarse! Read the fc.king article again and tell me what does “17 out of 20″ imply!
29 Jul 2010, 11:21 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-20: YOU are a weak point mate
29 Jul 2010, 11:24 am
I am not sure about Steyn. I think his attack is from the back a bit one dimensional ….
I think Aplon is a better option BUT, will the ABs etc. kick at him?
Also, I think they will hesitate to kick at F Steyn if he hoofs it back and puts REAL pressure on the return counter i.e. they have to start from deeper.
I think a significant factor is the Du Preez/ F Steyn kicking abilities – I do not think we realise HOW good and accurate they actually are are – and also that there was MASSIVE pressure on Morne both from the opposition as well as Januarie – as he was the only recognised kicker.
Januaries selection was probably the single biggest blunder this season …. Pienaar should have played there from the start.
IT would have been a VERY different story in my opinion.
YEP, coaches squarely to blame ESPECIALLY PdV WHO PICKS THE TEAM …..
29 Jul 2010, 11:25 am
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-30:
Yeah look, he works for the Boks. The way the Boks play the game, he’s our perfect 15.
As for Aussie/NZL,I reckon he would make their starting 15′s (but I would play him at 14 for the All Blacks, Mil’s is playing some brilliant rugga!!!).
He’s the only guy who can give a team 6-12 ‘free’ points per game. (his drops are 1 in 10, but his long range place kicking is worth its weight in gold).
29 Jul 2010, 11:25 am
F.Steyn is a great FH, but I’m definately for keeping it local. Joe Pieterson is miles ahead of 1 dimentional Kirchner. Yes he is no F.Steyn. If we look @ the bigger picture we’ll realise that picking overseas players wnt do SA rugby any good coz youngsters wont have reason to turn down lucrative contracts for not so bad provincial contracts which will impact on all levels of local rugby from varsity level to S14.
What will stop these europeans from takin these boys while they still @ high school like the soccer teams do in S. America.
29 Jul 2010, 11:26 am
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-21: precisley rulz! But, you tell me where are the articles discussing john’s putrid fitness, his poached lineouts – which last year were the team’s primary source of attack.
All we ever get is how evolved spies is cognitively and how much we need fransie
29 Jul 2010, 11:27 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-32:
17/20 = the number of wins compared to the number of games he’s started for the Boks.
29 Jul 2010, 11:29 am
@Mczana(Mczana)-36:
I hope it is a typo error. You mean a great FB not FH! He is a terrible FH – slow and clumsy.
29 Jul 2010, 11:29 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-35: As far as Australia, no way would Deans sacrifice a wing for Frans. The only possible option would be if he was utilised as a crash ball runner… ala Mortlock. But still I don’t think he suits our current game.
The ABs wouldnt entertain the thought of running him on the wing. The loss of pace would stifle their options.
So nope I cant see him making either team, possibly the bench and thats about it. I am dead serious… ask BP if he thinks the ABs would select him.
29 Jul 2010, 11:30 am
Laterz folks
29 Jul 2010, 11:31 am
so a gamebreaker is someone who can “brake” the game by running/attacking only…..
ya right…..
tell the AB’s that….
FS broke their spirits with 2 monsters last year…
(above was posted regarding the “running/attacking gamebreaker” theory)
cheers – i’m out.
Pecanwood here i come.
29 Jul 2010, 11:31 am
Bok XV
1.Guthro
2.Smit/Bismark
3.BJ(dont give him ball to run,assist him in cleaning-too small)
4.Bakkies
5.Matfield
6.Brussow
7.Smith
8.Spies
9.Du Preez
10.Steyn
11.Habana
12.Jean
13.Fourie
14.JPP
15.F.Steyn
16.Bismark/Smit
17.Beast
18.Rossouw
19.Burger
20.Januarie/Pretorius/Pienaar
21.De Jongh/Butch
22.Mapoe/Aplon
-That XV can take on anyone.Any day.
29 Jul 2010, 11:31 am
I think Steyn could become a running fullback. His days playing at centre in the world cup proved how great a runner he can be (and some of his performances over in France). For those that forget, youtube “frans steyn tribute”, should be the top link by CombatBok.
29 Jul 2010, 11:33 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-39:yeah meant FB.
29 Jul 2010, 11:35 am
Will Steyn want to come back. He must be having the time of his life, earning Euros and pomping the French stukkies.
29 Jul 2010, 11:35 am
@The Analyst(The Analyst)-34:
Fair enough about Januarie on some points,but Pienaar arguably kicked MORE and WORSE vs Aussie in Brisbane.Add his misses for poles when we were 10 points down(4 points lost).
He isnt exactly the answer neither.
29 Jul 2010, 11:39 am
JC you seem to have conveniently omitted the well known issue between PDV and Steyn’s agent?
29 Jul 2010, 11:40 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-27: okay sure…pdv bring him back
29 Jul 2010, 11:43 am
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-46: I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. Personally, I think he was smart enough to see where Bok rugby was heading and didn’t want to be a part of the mess.
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