Sanjay's Rugby World

This week the Springboks have shown the sort of side they have evolved in under Peter de Villiers.

There has been no complacency, no high-fives for winning in Perth, and no talk about getting 2 log points to seal the Tri-nations. Instead the Springboks have shown they are simply strongly focused on winning their next test match.

In Brisbane, where there are rival football codes, and an AFL game across town on the same night, it must be a new sensation for the Springboks to escape some of the media spotlight. It has not taken from their focus or sense of occasion. This Springbok side simply goes about it’s business. It answers only to its teammates, its supporters and its country which it represents with enormous pride.

The Boks are on top of their game, and are brimming with confidence in their ability. Impressively they realise they are only as good as their next 80 minutes and start at nil-all against Australia on Saturday night. They’re immune to criticism about their tactics, preferring to focus on the aspects they can control, and then improve, improve, improve.

It’s hard to see where Australia can beat the Springbok side. Possibly by gaining parity in the forwards,if they spread the ball and create chances through Giteau and Barnes and finish accurately they might just get there. But they’ll have to start well, and go for 80, because this Springbok side has responded to everything thrown at in this year’s Tri-nations.

I’m picking the Springboks to win again, not because of their physicality, their brute strength, or their consistent team selection. The Springboks are better because they’re a champion side. Their determined, mentally strong, and have only 1 focus. To go for the kill and put away the Wallabies. The Tri-nations title for 2009 will be an added bonus.

Springboks by 12.

Jean de Villiers is happy. He’s in a winning Bok team, his form is great, and he say’s this is the happiest Bok side he has been part of.

Whilst he departs for Munster at the end of the Tri-nations, his departure from the Springbok side may only be temporary.

Jean has had a horror run at Rugby World Cups, sustaining a Shoulder injury prior to the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and then sustaining a shattering bicep tear in the Springbok’s opening World Cup fixture against Samoa. Jean told me that his involvement with the 2007 World Cup Winning Springbok side allowed him to have  “…been there but haven’t really experienced anything.”

He’s played for the Boks under three different coaching regimes, and states that this Springbok side is the happiest he’s known. With his departure to Munster, effectively ruling him out of Springbok selection due to Peter de Villiers desire to only select South African based players, is this Saturday his last game in Australia?

When reminded that it is likely to be his last game in Australia, Jean replied “Ja, obviously it is my last game this year, but hopefully not the last always. Hopefully I can be back and play again in Australia.”

With an International career that threatened to be curtailed before it began with a horror run of injuries, Jean has changed his approach these days and plays every game as if it will be his last, which has made every game mean so much more.

Jean clearly indicated that he desperately wants to fulfil his ambition of playing at a World Cup, in 2011, and experience the sensation of contributing to a Springbok victory on a Rugby players ultimate stage. Jean said  “I’ve got a contract for 1 year, with the option of another 2 years.” It clearly shows that no firm decisions have been made, and Jean doesn’t want to give up his Springbok jersey permanently.

He has also stated that he may still play in Australia, and New Zealand. Sometimes a change can do a player the World of good. A chance to experience a new culture, get away from the constant limelight and re-evaluate what is important. We’ve seen it with John Smit and Victor Matfield. The desire to play for the Springboks, in my view may simply be too strong.

Jean said “Especially with the team doing so well at the moment, it’s such a happy team, it’s such a great atmosphere to be part of, it’s definitely something I’ll miss if I’m not part of it anymore.” It shows how hard it’ll be for Jean to walk away from, and with further ambitions still to fulfil we may even see Jean return to South Africa after one season at Munster, in time for next year’s Tri-nations!

My gut feeling is that this isn’t the last time we’ll see Jean de Villiers playing in Australia, or for the Springboks. At only 28, there is a burning ambition to play at a World Cup and remain with an all-conquering Springbok side that none of the current players wants to walk away from. Expect to see a revitalised Jean de Villiers this time next year for the Springboks!

Springbok side to play Australia at Suncorp Stadium

The Springboks once again trained with great intensity, determination and focus as they prepare for their clash with the Wallabies at Suncorp stadium.

Sanjay with Springbok Physio Rene Naylor

At the Springbok press conference, John Smit and Peter de Villiers once again impressed with their humility, and desire to win on Saturday. Unlike Robbie Deans and the Wallabies, Peter de Villiers has a winning side, and has once again maintained consistency of selection.

Sanjay with Springbok captain John Smit

With the Tri-nations almost in the bag, de Villiers has learnt valuable lessons from the British and Irish Lions series where he made substantial changes in the third test. He won’t make the same mistake again. By playing his strongest side he has sent a clear message how important every test match is to the Springboks, and that is reflected in the improved results and attitude compared to previous Springbok sides.

I look forward to Saturdays game as we look for a clean sweep over the Aussies, regaining the Tri-nations, and with it every single trophy and series we play for. It will mark an amazing season and classify this Springbok side as one of the greatest ever.

Sanjay with the Beast Tendai Mtawarira

1. Beast Mtawarira
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. John Smit (c)
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield
6. Heinrich Brussow
7. Juan Smith
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fouire du Preez
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bryan Habana
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Jaque Fourie
14. Odwa Ndungane
15. Ruan Pienaar

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle
17. Jannie du Plessis
18. Danie Rousouw
19. Schalk Burger
20. Ricky Januarie
21. Adi Jacobs
22. Francois Steyn

Monday’s Springbok training session highlighted to me the strength of this Springbok side.

Their practice at Brisbane Boy’s College may have been short and sharp, but they are on a mission and got the job done. They are focused, hungry, humble and definitely not complacent.

This is the happiest Springbok side in a long time. The players have mentioned as such, and it is evident in their demeanour. It makes a huge difference in their on-field performances, but more importantly the psyche.

Springbok forward pack practices lineout

Too often in the past, Springbok sides have lost the mental battle. This side has only gone from strength to strength since winning the World Cup. There are extremely talented individuals. Pace. Power. Strength. This side has all the physical elements necessary to be successful. Mentally as a unit they are so hungry. Not to simply be the best. But to perform to their potential.

At it’s potential this Springbok side is unstoppable. The first 20 minutes against Australia showed that. The remaining 60 minutes highlighted they are not the finished product. Through their training, their focus, their coach, it is plain to see this Springbok side is striving to aim higher. As Peter de Villiers say’s, they aim to win every little battle on the field. Every collision, every breakdown, every scrum, every lineout. Total rugby. It’s what it is all about.

The training session was run very much by the players. Springbok manager Arthrob Petersen told me that he’s so impressed by how motivated this side is, and how they almost run themselves. Everyone knows their job, they don’t need to be told what to do, they simply go out and do it. There was very little words from the coaching staff, the players were shouting encouragement at one another, motivating each other, and showing the urgency of a side that has much to prove and improve.

Sanjay and Springbok manager Arthrob Petersen

From the side of the field, and at the Springbok press conference, Peter de Villiers has shown he is developing into the World’s best coach. He is a character. Enjoy’s a laugh, but has a focus and a plan, to make the Springboks unstoppable. His philosphy is total rugby. Empowering the players. That he has done.

Tactically he knows what he wants. He may be a small guy, but he’s a strong man. Strong enough to know his game plan. Strong enough to let the criticism of the media, the public (most of from Australia and New Zealand), and the style of play pass him by, and focus on what his job dictates. Ensure the Springboks win. Each and every game.

Sanjay and Springbok Coach Peter de Villiers

During the British and Irish Lions series, I mentioned that I thought he got a few things wrong. de Villiers has recognised this. He has learnt, and is learning from his mistakes. He won’t make the same mistakes twice.

There are injury concerns to Bakkies Botha (knee) and Bryan Habana (groin), but it will take more than that to derail a Springbok train that is looking to smash the Wallabies to smithereens this Saturday. They’re taking it one game at a time, and in the process, becoming one of the greatest Springbok sides of all time.

Bakkies Botha and Bryan Habana