Botha was found not guilty, with all charges dropped.
He will thus be available for the Bulls next match against the Lions at Loftus this weekend.
However no doubt he will be warned by his coaches to stay underneath the radar and keep out of trouble!
The giant lock faces a SANZAR judicial hearing after being cited for dangerous play during the Super Rugby match against the Stormers in Pretoria last Saturday.
The hearing, chaired by Advocate Jannie Lubbe (SC), will commence at 11:00AM on Tuesday 22 March, 2011 taking place at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Botha allegedly breached Foul Play Law 10.4 (e) relating to a dangerous tackle against an opponents neck or head.
The citing followed an incident in the 24th minute of the match in which Botha cleaned Stormers scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage at a ruck.
New Zealand referee Keith Brown saw the incident live, but decided further action was not warranted. However the citing commisioner deemed otherwise.
Whilst I am a big fan of the big enforcer, and anyone who know’s him knows he is a gentle giant off the field, he has become a liability.
This is the third incident in less than 2 years where Botha has been cited for dangerous play against smaller backline players. (Botha has been suspended for headbutting Jimmy Cowan, and foul play against Springbok and Western Province fullback Gio Aplon.
Botha swore after the 9 week ban for head butting that he had learnt his lesson and was a changed man.
Enough is enough. Words are hollow. If Bakkies is found guilty, Peter de Villiers and Frans Ludeke can no longer place their trust in Botha, no matter how good he is. For it simply costs his team mates and is not fair to them of the fans. Other players play on the ‘edge’, yet you don’t see them needing a lawyer full time!
Whilst I have yet to see the incident, it shouldn’t come as any surprise given Botha’s history with the judiciary.
It’s disappointing to see Bakkies in this (familiar) situation once more, and places the Bulls under even further pressure.
Matfields charity is The Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa, and this week the 2 paid the centre a visit.
Both are tremendous ambassadors for the game, and proud role models for the Bulls and South Africa. Despite Botha’s tough image, he is a gentle giant and these photos prove how much they do off the field.
Keep up the good work guys!
With so many large Afrikaners, South African rugby was able to use their tremendous physiques during the amateur era to outmuscle their opponents.
As professionalism has hit, other sides around the world no longer have to take a backward step as players can use science in their training and analysis to compete and in some cases overpower the Boks.
South African coaches still favour large, bulky players, and experience is highly valued.
A good case in point is at Western Province/The Stormers, where Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie are the preferred centre combination ahead of the exciting Juan de Jongh.
Both de Villiers and Fourie are big, strong and feared by the opposition. There would not be many critics around the world who would not select the two in almost any given side, but do they really provide a great return to their sides?
Jean de Villiers has often been very quiet over the last 12 months, especially in tight matches. Jaque Fourie is a great organiser of the defence, very strong in the tackle and capable of great runs. However he is also prone to slipping tackles, and making handling errors.
Juan de Jongh very rarely can exhibit the same physicality of Fourie in the tackle, or bust through defenders like his 2 team-mates. But he almost never misses a tackle, sets his backs away, and is capable of line breaks and stepping round defenders brilliantly. In short, he is consistent in the basics and has the ‘x’ factor, despite not having a large physical presence.
Francois Steyn and Butch James are 2 examples of players who are highly regarded by their peers (and hence almost guaranteed selection into the Boks) because they have a strong physical presence.
But do they offer more than a Gio Aplon, or a Patrick Lambie?
If players such as Matt Giteau or Aaron Mauger were South Africans, they’d most likely have not even been selected for provincial sides! We’ve got to stop looking at size, and base selections on consistent results, rather than possible potential.
Former Springbok coach and selector Ian McIntosh said you select on “potential to do a job”, but you also have to think of longer term consequences, and not just the next game.
We’ve seen ‘big’ guys like Braam van Straaten and De Wet Barry in the backline who could barely pass a ball, and they were selected for test after test when we could have been developing a longer term prospect.
The Springboks under Peter de Villiers have less than a 65% winninng ration. This is despite having the most experienced squad ever.
The All Blacks have a 85%+ wining ratio over the same period.
If South African sides want to be more consistent we need to select sides based on producing results week in and week out, and that means being able to do a job, not just having the size to be able to do so.
We’ve all heard every coach talk about how long Super Rugby is. How it’ll require more depth, greater use of a squad system. But what does that mean?
In 2007, the All Blacks missed the first 6 matches of Super Rugby, whereas the top Springboks were rested for the away leg of the Tri-Nations.
In last year’s Super Rugby season, the Bulls ‘managed’ one of their star performers, Victor Matfield (amongst others) by not requiring him to train on Mondays. I’m not sure that is a strategy for long term success, for the team or the player.
With such an emphasis on squads, and giving younger and other squad members a chance, what have we seen so far?
We’ve seen the Cheetahs risk their lynchpin and as Victor Matfield describes, ‘tower of strength in South African rugby’, Juan Smith in a semi-meaningless game, where he suffered a ruptured Achillies that threatens his World Cup chances.
Almost every side is playing their top lineups, and substituting players late. Will the Bulls for instance give the likes of Francois Brummer a go for Morne Steyn? Should we be phasing some of the younger guys into matches with experienced players around them so the effect on the side is lessened (much like the Stormers have HAD to do).
Nothing I’ve seen so far makes me think that anything will be drastically different. It’s a long season, but the top guys will just play more games than ever.
There’s likely to be more injuries, and potentially less of the star studded players available for the World Cup. Depth will be tested, but for the wrong reasons. I’d rather we gave more opportunities now, and reaped the benefits later. I’d hate to see another ‘Juan Smith’, but then again haven’t we seen this before?
Smith had been under an injury cloud in the week leading up to the match against the Bulls, having been ruled out the previous week against the Sharks with the same injury.
He took to the field against the Bulls and limped off in the opening few minutes, with a diagnosis of a ruptured Achillies tendon.
Smith is expected to undergo surgery on Monday to repair the tendon, with the likelihood of a return to rugby in the vicinity of 6-9 months.
Dan Carter suffered the same injury in 2009, and was back playing in 6 months. In such a best case scenario for Smith, it could allow him to go to the World Cup, but it would take a minor miracle.
In all likelihood the talismanic Springbok is not likely to return to rugby this year, severely denting the Springboks chances or a successful world cup defence.
Whilst Smith’s loss will be a massive blow to the Cheetahs, and makes it twice as unlikely they will win a game, it’s his value to the Springboks that hurts South African rugby.
He is the unsung hero of the Bok pack. He is tough as teak, makes a gizillion tackles, and is always a willing ball carrier. When he returned to the Bok setup in 2010, he made an immediate impact on the Boks Tri-Nations home leg as they became competitive once more.
His Springbok team mate Victor Matfield emphasised how important Smith is to the Boks cause, saying it was a ‘sad moment’ for South African rugby.
“It will be very sad if it is a serious injury. Juan is a team-mate of ours and I’ve played more games with him than with some of the Bulls guys. It will be very sad if it is something serious because he is an icon in South African rugby” said Matfield after Friday night’s match.
Having had a claf strain, one has to ask, was Smith right to take to the field for Friday’s match?
Whilst a player can tear a muscle or tendon at any time, even when fully fit, when the musculotendinous unit is under increased stress, from a medical point of view it is important to ensure it is rehabilitated fully. Surely this injury indicates Smith was not fit to take to the field?
One can understand Smith being rushed back for an important game, but the second match of Super Rugby, in a long season where he has to be fit for the World Cup has to leave the question…why?
What were the Cheetahs likely to gain? If under any doubt, Smith should not have been risked. Now the Cheetahs won’t have him all season, and they’ve made the Boks task this year that much harder.
Earlier this year Springbok coach Peter de Villiers expressed his concern about the long season and met with the Super Rugby coaches to ensure they were on the same page.
“It is concerning and it is going to be more intense, which will mean players will suffer from more mental fatigue and everyone knows just how tough it is going to be in New Zealand. I am concerned that it could cause a total exhaustion of the players” said de Villiers.
“We had a meeting with the (Super Rugby) coaches and we know there are certain players who we have to manage differently from others and we will work together to get the best and to be at our best when we leave … for the World Cup.”
“We are banking on the integrity of our colleagues at the franchises and we understand they are also under pressure to produce results. The coaches know what we are expecting from the players. For the first time in the history of South African rugby the conditioning of players has been conducted at the same level at all franchises.”
“Our medical screenings and rehabilitation programmes are also the same and that puts the players in a better position. If we know that players are getting the same treatment at their unions it makes life slightly easier for us. We won’t have to do conditioning in the middle of this competition because we know everything is done at the same level throughout.”
Smith’s absence from the Boks will be felt as he adds balance, leadership and character that cannot be replaced. Let’s hope his selection on Friday has not lost us the World Cup!
Smith is likely to be replaced at blindside flank in the Boks by Schalk Burger or even Willem Alberts. Both are strong ball carriers, but in my mind lack the ‘x’ factor and intelligence Smith brings.
Botha was targeted by Toulon in 2009, but contractual obligations to the Bulls halted a move.
After a crack at defending the World Cup, Botha will be moving to Toulon to secure his future. The deal is rumoured to be worth €700 000 per season.
Botha had been linked to a possible move to the Lions in 2012, but surely they could not compete with the money that a rich club like Toulon possesses.
Botha’s move will be a big blow to the Bulls as he would still have been young enough to continue playing at a high level, but it was probably inevitable he’d move on given his range of accomplishments which include 72 tests, 87 Super Rugby matches, a World Cup, 2 Tri-Nations titles, A British and Irish Lions series victory, 3 Super Rugby titles and numerous Currie Cups.
The Bulls confirmed Botha had discussed the move with them, with Botha addressing his team-mates at a recent team session at Loftus Versfeld, telling them he would be signing for the French club.
Ian Schwartz, High Performance manager of the Bulls said, “Bakkies is a loyal Bull player and has always played open cards with us. He has always maintained that at the end of the 2011 season he wanted to continue his career overseas and we wish him well.”
“We know that he will continue to give his all and remain a loyal and committed player for the Bulls and Springboks until the end of the year.”
With his good friend Victor Matfield’s imminent retirement, 2011 will bring to an end one of the great rugby partnerships that rivalled the likes of Horan-Little, and Marshall-Mehrtens.
But before the blood brothers end their South African careers, there are the small matters of winning another Super Rugby title and Rugby World Cup!
South Africa tend to produce robots, players who need to specialise in one position, and play to a set pattern.
Several top Springboks have even suggested they prefer playing to a set pattern, because they know what to do. When it’s all you’ve ever known what to do, it becomes comforting to go back to the familiar.
The ability to be versatile and play multiple positions does not have to be a negative.
If you look at the most successful South African province over the last 5 years, the Bulls, you’ll notice how much of their success is based around the right mental attitude.
In 2008 they suffered as they did not want to adapt to the ELV’s (experimental law variations).
However in general, they promote personal development off the field, with Heyneke Meyer and Victor Matfield known to be greatly influenced by the teachings of the great NFL coach Vince Lombardi.
It’s this philosophy that has seen players like Danie Rossouw and Francois Hougaard embrace changing positions.
Rossouw has quite regularly changed between his preferred position of lock with that of flank and number 8.
Hougaard has had a more extreme change, playing between his preferred specialist position of scrumhalf with wing, a position requiring a completely different skill set and positional play.
He has embraced this challenge, welcoming the prospect of first getting game time, and secondly being able to learn from the master in his position, Fourie du Preez.
Compare this with the likes of Ruan Pienaar and Francois Steyn, who both came from the Sharks.
Both were unhappy with their playing positions, and felt they were harming their careers by not playing in their preferred positions.
The one guy at the Sharks who has bucked this trend is Bok captain John Smit who will play anywhere in the front row, or anywhere else he is asked I’m sure!
The difference between the Bulls and the Sharks is simply whether a player is prepared to put the team first.
It surprises me how so many critics heap pressure on the powers that be by constantly suggesting that certain players can only play certain positions.
Take young Juan de Jongh of the Stormers/Western province. We constantly hear how he shouldn’t be playing inside centre because he has played most of his rugby at outside centre.
He’s never looked anything but class at inside centre in my book (where he is currently needed and the best in the country), and has all the skills to succeed anywhere in the backline. What relevance does his age group rugby have on what he can do now? If he’s good enough, put him anywhere he is needed!
I don’t believe that playing multiple positions needs to be detrimental to a players career.
Brent Russell is often mentioned in South African rugby as an example of what happens when players are labelled as versatile, but I don’t believe that is justified.
It hasn’t hurt Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Jefff Wilson to name a few that have successfully played multiple positions, often week to week depending on the needs of the team.
One could question whether it has more to do with our coaches, and their views given the differences between nations.
However ultimately I believe it is down to the players and their attitude.
The ability to adapt to different positions, their different skill sets etc requires more mental application than physical attributes. Possessing a positive attitude, and being willing to learn and adapt is the key.
It’s not versatility that is the problem in South African rugby, it’s the attitude to succeed!
South Africa’s proud rugby history has largely been based on big, dominant forwards, with a good kicking flyhalf and pacy wings.
We have almost produced robots at times, playing to a strict game plan, wearing the opposition into submission.
It worked during the amateur era, when South Africa had the best playing record of any nation. It hasn’t worked during the professional era, because I believe it requires smarter players, and the right mental attitude is the difference between success and failure.
Players don’t necessarily play more games than ever before, but they probably play more high profile matches, with important titles and ranking points on the line each time they play. Whilst consistency is always important, this makes it hard to remain unbeaten. More importantly than in the past, it’s the ability to bounce back that is more critical than ever.
Our SANZAR counterparts grow up learning to back their ability, and trust their judgement.
South African players and coaches need to back their players. And trust their skill levels and decision making, from a younger age.
The Aussies and Kiwis are prepared to play their young talent early on, whereas in South Africa we often hear how a player needs to ‘develop’ before entering the top level.
This is especially the case with props. For instance the Aussies are happy to make 21 year-old James Slipper an international player, whereas we often say guys like Heinke van der Merwe and Coenie Ooshuizen need time to develop and learn their trade as props, and won’t mature until their late 20′s.
The Franks brothers in New Zealand are another example of, ‘good enough is old enough’.
Why is our selection criteria so contrary compared with different parts of the world?
Perhaps my biggest gripe however is, “Why can’t South African rugby players play multiple positions?”
“Rugby’s a journey, and I’ve had a great journey.”
In this interview one gets greater insight into Springbok legend Victor Matfield.
Matfield talks about the role of his wife in helping him to achieve so many caps for the Boks, his locking partners, winning the world Cup in 2007 and his relationship with John Smit.
He finishes by saying he will do whatever it takes to help the Boks win the World Cup in 2011. Let’s hope the most capped Springbok ever can finish on a winning note!
Springbok captain John Smit
He is the most experienced captain in World Rugby, and the most successful of his current international peers.
On top of that he is a model South African, magnificent role model and a damn good guy!
It’s the subject of intense debate, just who should lead the Springboks in 2011?
Just this week his former Springbok coach and past mentor Jake White admitted he believes Smit should retire, although he wouldn’t have the guts to tell him if he was the Bok coach!
“It’s very difficult because I’m really close to him. I told him to retire and he’s very cross with me because I tell people that he should retire, and he would be remembered for a lot more than if he goes (to the World Cup)” said White.
“But, saying that, if I was the coach, I would be begging him to come with, so I’ve explained it to him. I said listen, if I was the coach I would be begging you to play but now I’m begging you to stop.”
In his book ‘Captain in the Cauldron’, Smit states he believes first and foremost he should never be considered for captain unless he is worthy of holding his spot in the team based on his form/performance.
In 2010, I don’t believe Smit would even have believed his form was better than Tiaan Liebenberg or Gary Botha.
The Springbok end of year tour also highlighted how impressive Bismarck du Plessis is. Smit is likely to be the 4th best hooker in South Africa based on the last few years.
Given his premature end to 2010 from a neck injury, Smit has been training hard during the off season and has reportedly lost 7kg. He aims to have lost another 2kg before the start of Super Rugby in late February.
His assistant coach at the Sharks, Grant Bashford, say’s we should prepare to see a ‘new’John Smit this year, with a leaner physique.
It makes one wonder how his Bok coaches could constantly suggest Smit was not overweight, and was at peak condition/fitness. What would they say now?
Will this allow Smit to recapture his form of years gone by? Can he produce one last hurrah and lead the Boks to World Cup glory once more?
Smit will never give less than 100%. He is a true warrior and has tremendous pride in his country and the Springbok jersey.
He is always a willing ball carrier, and throws well into the lineout. As a captain he commands respect, is more experienced than any other, and galvanises the Boks.
However Bismarck du Plessis is a stronger scrummager, technically proficient in all the set pieces and also a strong ball carrier. It’s the fact he can act as an extra loose forward, and puts pressure on the opposition at the breakdown that sets him apart from his rivals.
His ability to compete at the breakdown contributed enormously to the Boks success in 2009, and could be a huge factor in the Boks defending the World Cup.
John Smit simply does not have the same skill set to be able to compete with Bismarck du Plessis, even in peak form.
In 2009 the Boks played Smit tighthead. Smit was good around the field in 2009, but suffered in his scrummaging. Smit was not the only culprit, but the Boks can not afford a repeat of a retreating scrum.
Whilst not a big fan of Jannie du Plessis, it appears he is the preferred tighthead selection.
Prior to Gurthro Steenkamp’s stellar season in 2010, I’d have said play Smit at loosehead prop. His scrummaging appears more solid on the loosehead side, and if fully fit he can perform adequately in the tight loose.
With Steenkamp in such great form however, a tough call has to be made.
I’d suggest if we want to retain Smit for his captaincy, he has to play loosehead prop. Otherwise we would be limiting the Boks potential by omitting Bismarck du Plessis.
Springbok points machine Morne Steyn
Montgomery averaged 8.75 points per match (he was not the goal kicker for many of his matches however).
Botha averaged 11.14 points per match.
Steyn averages 12.95 points per match.
Steyn has only required 2 seasons thus far to amass his points, and despite the poor season from the Boks, has still managed to score 174 this season (8th highest in a calendar year) so far which is not far behind the All Blacks Dan Carter with 182.
Steyn even set a new record earlier this year with 41 consecutive successful goal kicks in tests!
The run ended on 6 November 2010 against Ireland and beat the previous record of 36, held by Chris Paterson of Scotland.
Springbok wing Bryan Habana
Habana was ‘booed’ by the home crowd in Bloemfontein when the Boks played the Wallabies, an act he said hurt immensely.
During the test between South Africa and Wales, the respective performances of Habana and Williams highlighted just how out of form Habana has become.
Defensively Habana has always been a strong tackler. I’ve yet to see a player run through him. Habana is aggresive in the tackle, and not afraid to counter ruck which provides great value to his side.
However sides are attacking his flank and making great yardage, almost at will. It’s leaving the Boks exposed and a massive contributor to the porous Bok defence of recent times.
Australia exposed the Boks down Habana’s wing, part of the problem being his tendency to rush out of the defensive line in search for the intercept.
Although he possesses fantastic anticipation and spatial awareness, which has led to a large number of intercepts, it is being overdone and the opposition have worked out how to take advantage of Habana’s positional play. It needs to be used more sparingly, so the element of surprise remains.
It’s on attack that Habana has been most impotent. For all his brilliance, Habana’s main try scoring feats come from intercepts and turnovers.
Very rarely does Habana score because of well constructed moves. These limitations are largely a result of his teammates and not utilising the strengths of one of the games best finishers.
It’s a shame because Habana has largely become a kick chaser under the current Bok regime. Rarely will he receive the ball in space, and sadly he rarely uses ball received from kicks to counter attack, playing the Bok tactics of kick and hope/chase!
Conversely Shane Williams is a busy player. If he is unable to receive the ball in space, he gets himself involved in the backline, and around the ruck, getting his hands on the ball and making himself a threat to the opposition.
Wales are smart enough to recognise the game breaking potential he possesses and try to use him as much as possible. Skip passes, cross kicks, moving the ball wide etc.
Most sides try to use their attacking weapons as much as possible. It makes sense as the aim of the game is to score as many points as possible!
The Springboks must be the only side in the world that does not value Habana. Commentators and opponents worldwide are full of praise and admiration for the man. Yet we don’t value him enough to create space and give him the ball!
Granted the Springbok forward pack is world class, and a major attacking weapon. But why not have 2 strings to the bow instead of one?
Why are tries like the one at Loftus 2009 against the Lions where Habana was put into space from a setpiece so rare? It’s dented his confidence. He scored a magnificent try in 2007 against the English when he ran 50m through half their side. But when last did he score another like that?
Bryan Habana is currently tied with Joost van der Westhuizen for the all time try scoring record in test matches. He has been tied since June 19th this year, and has not scored a try in his last 8 test matches!
Habana’s try-scoring feats have dried up substantially since he scored a record breaking 8 tries at the 2007 Rugby World Cup to equal Jonah Lomu’s 1995 record for the most tries at the tournament.
Since the completion of the Tri-Nations in 2009, Habana has scored a paltry 3 tries, all against 1 opposition, Italy!
He has hardly looked like scoring against any of the top tier sides.
Interestingly Habana scored 30 tries in 36 test matches under Jake White. In 32 under Peter de Villiers he has scored 8! Does that tell a story?
With such lack of form and confidence I question the wisdom of taking him on tour, and even worse selecting him in the Springbok starting side. Surely he’d be better off taking some time off, getting in peak physical condition, and regaining his confidence in a happy environment.
I can see no value in taking him to the wet fields of Europe, where he gets little ball and little trust from his teammates.
Bryan’s Springbok coach Peter de Villiers offered his explanation this week, “Bryan is just trying too hard at the moment to get that one try that stands between him and the record.”
“He should just calm down, do the right things at the right times and be in the right positions, and then everything will fall into place.”
“That milestone draws so much energy out of you. I think everything will be back to normal if Bryan can just get one try. Just consider how well he played in the Currie Cup.”
Considering Habana only played 3 Currie Cup games, I find that statement hard to fathom, especially since he was poor in the final. I also don’t understand how he is supposed to get this elusive try if his teammates don’t give him the ball in space!
Can Bryan Habana bounce back to the form that saw him become IRB player of the year in 2007? I have no doubt he can.
He has the desire, and the skill to get back to where he was. A prolonged rest will do him good, (a return to the Bulls even better!) and hopefully in 2011 we’ll see just how good Habana is.
Earlier this year the Cheetahs wing went to the Sharks, believing his Cheetahs contract was not rewarding him fairly enough.
The Sharks paid for Mapoe to go down to Durban, arranging accommodation and paying for his injury rehabilitation.
During Mapoe’s time at the Sharks, I questioned the integrity of the Sharks management for signing Mapoe and trying to win the legal battle for a fight I thought was morally wrong.
Now the Sharks are feeling aggrieved at Mapoe’s decision to move to the Lions, and plan to take legal action against Mapoe for the move.
Sharks boss Brian van Zyl has questioned Mapoe’s integrity and ethics, “We have spent months rehabilitating him here in Durban, paying him substantially more than he was being (paid) by Free State and ensuring that he would be fit and well by the time he was able to play for us when we finally had a clearance certificate.”
“Last week I heard rumours that Lionel was talking to another union. We sent him home to Queenstown at the weekend to see his partner and their baby, but it later emerged he’d met with Lions shareholders Robert Gumede and Ivor Ichikowitz at his flat in Durban.”
“We are going to sue Lionel for his wages, costs and damages. I don’t know who will pay, whether it will be the Lions, the shareholders or the player, but someone is going to have to pay up.”
“John (Plumtree) is very upset after all the hard work we put in. Lionel has used us and there is a lot of animosity towards him.”
The Lions negotiated with the Cheetahs for his contract. Whilst I am by no means a lawyer, I gather they have gone through the right channels, whereas the Sharks contracted Mapoe whilst he already had a legal contract with the Cheetahs.
It’s not the first time the Sharks have operated in this manner (they did the same thing with Willem Alberts and Louis Ludik), and it has come back to bite them.
It is clear that Mapoe will get a hostile reception whenever he plays against the Sharks, and off the field he has done himself no favours with his attitude, commitment and reputation sure to be permanently damaged.
Whilst in no way do I advocate that Morne Steyn is not a great player, it is just that South African rugby, and especially the Springboks, struggle at flyhalf.
Since Since 1995, we’ve struggled to find long term solutions at flyhalf, with injuries and temperament being major problems.
Joel Stransky aside, Henry Honnibal was fairly good, but Gaffie du Toit, Braam van Straaten, Andre Pretorius, Derick Hougaard, Jaco van der Westhuysen and even Butch James have not been good enough.
Morne Steyn needs backup, and Patrick Lambie and Elton Jantjies are the future. A key point being they have different skills and strengths to Steyn.
Whilst Jantjies provincial coach John Mitchell has said he is not yet ready for test rugby (and needs to allow his ankle injury time to heal sufficiently), and should have had a season of super rugby, Jantjies was selected for the Boks anyway (does anyone really care about the players best interests?).
However in my mind the 20 year old SARU young player of the year and under-20 player of the year Jantjies has the skill set, and more importantly the attitude to succeed and ensure he is not another Gaffie du Toit or Ruan Pienaar.
Earlier this week Jantjies said the following in an interview, “I was so surprised and happy and I really didn’t expect it after everything that was said in the newspapers, but it is a great opportunity and I have to use it” said Jantjies.
But his maturity shone through as he continued, “I don’t feel any pressure as it is still an opportunity and I’m looking forward to the challenge. Pat (Lambie) and I played together in the SA schools team as well and we also have a great friendship. He is very composed and we communicate well on the field so we are learning from each other.”
“Percy (Montgomery, the kicking coach) was a good kicker and he is also left-footed so he can help me a lot.”
Jantjies is confident in his own ability yet willing to soak up as much knowledge as he can whilst in the Bok camp and not threatened by the competition around him as he will take his opportunities when they arise.
“When I see an opportunity, I will take it, no matter what and the team has to benefit when I do it. I won’t do stupid things that will be negative for the team.”
I have no doubt that we will be seeing a lot more of Jantjies, if not on this Springbok tour, then in the 2011 Super Rugby competition.
Deon Stegmann
I rate him right up there alongside Heinrich Brussow, with very little separating the two. I don’t believe Francois Lous is too far behind, and all three deserve spots in the Springbok squad if fit.
24 year old Stegmann was not in the original Bok touring squad, only being called up after an injury to Schalk Burger (who ironically does not really perform the fetcher’s role).
However Stegmann has been waiting for this opportunity for some time and is ready to seize it with both hands. Playing for the Bulls has pushed him hard and given him the tools to succeed.
“I don’t know yet where I fit in, but I’m ready for anything. I do see it as the next phase of my career but I know it’s important not to lose sight of what brought me here” said Stegmann.
“At the Bulls you are told all the time that you have to become fitter and stronger every year.”
Stegmann is not a tall flank, but he has great tenacity and heart. He works hard and I am sure he will give nothing less than 100% in whatever jersey he wears.
He led the way in producing turnovers when this year’s Super 14 started, showing he is a smart player and able to adapt to the situation.
“I set myself the goal to concede fewer penalty kicks, to be fitter than the next guy and started focusing on learning to read the referees and adapt my game accordingly. I am very proud of not having conceded a single penalty kick in the final of the Super 14″ said Stegmann.
Considering he has only ever been on a schools rugby tour in England, the foreign conditions will test Stegmann who will have to be mentally and physically at the top of his game come Saturday’s test.
A detailed report can be found here on the www.Rugby15.co.za website.
Goosen is a former Grey College star flyhalf, and was named Craven Week Player of the Year at the SA Rugby Awards banquet in Midrand on Monday night. He is one of the country’s most promising young players.
Earlier on Monday however, Goosen appeared before a SARU judiciary committee and was found guilty.
It is believed that Goosen unknowingly took the stimulant. Apparently the use of PVM supplements was made available for the players at Grey College, and Goosen continued using them and the substance was contained within the supplement.
Whilst the stimulant has not been named, it is believed to have been on WADA’s lists of banned substances, taken off it, and reintroduced!
The usual penalty for this sort of offence is 2 years, but due to the extenuating circumstances this was reduced to three months.
It is not unusual for players/athletes to plead their innocence. Almost every athlete does. If Goosen was guilty, I believe he deserves the full two years. It is cut and dried.
Whilst I feel sorry for him, how can the public ever know if he took it intentionally. After all he has admitted what every guilty athlete has admitted, and ignorance should not be an excuse.
Whatever the circumstances, I fear his career will never be the same, and he will never be viewed in the same light. Guilty or not guilty, unfortunately that is just the way it is.
Blood Brothers - Matfield and Botha
The giant Bulls and Springbok locking pair have played together a record 56 times for the Springboks, and many more for the Bulls and Blue Bulls.
This bonus year is designed to honour the ‘World’s best’ locking pair described as, “Possibly the best there has ever been” by South African businessman Johan Rupert who is Chairman of the testimonial.
There is no doubt in my mind, Matfield and Botha are the best lock pair that the world of rugby has seen to date. They compliment each other beautifully, have a strong relationship both and off the field, and always produce the goods.
The testimonial recognises their outstanding service and contribution to South African rugby on many levels, and allows Matfield and Botha to thank the fans and rugby public for the huge support they always engender, especially amongst the Blue Bull and Pretoria faithful.
I am sure Springbok coach Peter de Villiers echoed the sentiments of many when he said, “It’s one thing to see them play, but another to get to know them. They are guys with character and integrity.”
Ever the proud and willing amassadors for their country, Matfield and Botha will be raising funds for two worthwhile causes:
“I had heard many great things about the Walter Sisulu Foundation and the life-saving heart surgery that it delivers to underprivileged children from all over Africa. What is even more amazing is the 95% success rate that the Foundation has, even when operating on babies only a few weeks old.”
In addition there are a series of events to support the Blood Brothers testimonial and interact with Matfield and Botha.
Pierre Spies in the gym performing power cleans, the shoulder press, bicep curls, tricep extensions and ab work.
The specific training for each position and the benefits of training hard and not taking shortcuts if you want to get to the top.
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