Balie: Jake’s the man
26 May 2006
The Springboks’ forward specialist Balie Swart is hugely impressed with Bok coach Jake White.
Swart, who has only been with the Boks for just over a week says he sees similarities in White that compare favourably with erstwhile Bok coach Kitch Christie.
Swart was part of the late Chrisite’s 1995 World Cup-winning squad and is perfectly placed to make a judgement call like that. “I’m a fresh outsider, but what I have seen is that Jake is an open coach with a democratic approach. I see some of the late Kitch Christie in Jake,” Swart said.
It is a massive compliment for White who, despite hauling the Boks from the doldrums, still comes in for a fair amount of flak from media and public alike. “There is an aura around Jake, and the players are drawn to that. He is always open and understanding. He is the right man to lead the Boks, no doubt.”
“It was very humbling and a huge honour for Jake to approach me to get involved. But now that creates expectation and I hope we are on the right track,” said Swart.
Bok captain, John Smit, heaped praise on Swart: “I’ve been lucky to have Balie at the Sharks for the past two years. He has a new approach and works with specifics. From that we are getting composure and it will help unleash our potential.â€
Christie is hailed in parts as the finest Bok coach since re-admission and his record speaks for itself. Not only was he at the helm when the Boks incredibly captured the William Webb Ellis on home soil nearly 11 years’ ago, but in 14 Tests as coach of South Africa, Christie lost none.
Swart’s tenure as a consultant with the Boks lasts only another five days, but it seems his impact has been such that White may want to extend that contract for a few more months.
By Andrew Hollely, in Bloemfontein
32 Comments
26 May 2006, 14:38 pm
Balie is just sucking up for a job with the boks.
26 May 2006, 14:40 pm
The Media have to do their Jobs and we are a rugby mad nation, but it is a pity that such a great coach gets so much flak from his public.
26 May 2006, 14:45 pm
white is very much like Christie, its why the boks are doing well again.
26 May 2006, 14:53 pm
swart should be there for the rest of the season
he is a fine guy and very hard working having been in a job some years back for a friend of mine and was very well liked and did an excellent job
we can do with more like him
26 May 2006, 15:03 pm
was balie drinking in the pub when rated jake white ?
26 May 2006, 15:08 pm
There is a very good article by Dan Retief on the superugby.co.za website. It largely sums up the issues that need to be resolved for Sa Rugby to be at the top of the pile again. Good work Dan!
26 May 2006, 15:10 pm
Balie’s meant to be a bit of a character, he will fit in well…didn’t realise he was that renowned for his scrumming tho.
26 May 2006, 15:19 pm
I agree with wpw. Barlie’s been lurking around waiting for a break as a coach and he’s figured brown nosing Jake might do his coaching aspirations some good.
26 May 2006, 15:22 pm
I hope Jake will give Campese a call-up. We sorely need him.
He really made a difference at the sharks.
26 May 2006, 15:25 pm
what ever happened to campo helping jake out with the backs? And mendez with the scrums?
26 May 2006, 15:27 pm
Jake will only improve as a coach and I believe we are along way from seeing the best from him.
In three to four years from now he’ll probally hit his peak.
26 May 2006, 15:28 pm
voxi gatani and wpw. You are both idiots. Jake is a fine coach. Balie has also done a great job in Derbs. So shut it fools!
26 May 2006, 15:32 pm
ruppdogg, what a **** name. the first post i was taking the piss. balie is experienced enough to do well as a coach, espec in the scrums.he will be an asset to the boks
if you dont know me dont talk shite to me you prick!
26 May 2006, 15:33 pm
ag, come on. this is nothing new. how many times have we heard players and assistant coaches praising the head coach. this is not the first time and it certainly wont be the last.
what worries me is the timing of it all. just in a time when theres worrying signs that a few wheels might come off.
26 May 2006, 15:36 pm
**** south african rugby supporters are absolute morons some of them, Who shoild be SA coach if not Jake white Hyneke meyer? Dont be ridiculous Jake white took us from 6th to 2nd in two years in the worst rugby administration issues since Bafana and what more must the man do “handstands and whistle Nkosi sikeleli from his *** whole” **** give JW his deserved respect dammit.
26 May 2006, 15:38 pm
I apologise WPW. Did not know you were joking. You are very touchy hey. ***** cat!!
26 May 2006, 15:39 pm
i didnt say the guy didnt deserve respect, i said this is nothing new
26 May 2006, 15:44 pm
Balie certainly brings alot to the boks especially as he spent a few seasons in NZ , what i want to know is why do the boks need Gert smal and Balie ? Seems to me they have enough coaches for the forwards. If it was up to me I would go with Balie……
PS – I see Skinstad is playing in the Krige game along with Hottie Louw and maybe Visagie…..If only WP could sign these guys already Selbourne Boome is back. Glory days here we come again ?
26 May 2006, 15:47 pm
Im telling you did you hear the word sbobby udes “sabatical” as sabatical is like a break it ends Bobby wiil be in the Green and gold before 2009 Mark my words
26 May 2006, 15:51 pm
udes = used
26 May 2006, 15:55 pm
Is Balie working on his Boks’ contract exension?
I think it’s actually JW who is looking for some support from past Boks scrummers ahead of the Test season?
Reason: Inevitably, JW will be forced to field Andrews and Sephaka together in one test, so he needs to buy that support and credibility that comes with Bali and others
26 May 2006, 16:08 pm
its cool ruggadogg
26 May 2006, 16:10 pm
onlooker has a moerse chip on his shoulder! did a black oke marry your daughter or did you lose your job to a darkie? stop being a prick who only ever talks about quotas…
26 May 2006, 16:15 pm
wpw,
Sure not, but the exercise is too transparent, JW had avoided any help so far from past Boks’ greats, why starting it now?
Makes me thinking
26 May 2006, 16:16 pm
http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Rugby/0,,2-9-838_1940250,00.html Read this about the meeting that took place today in Cape Town. All about quotas.
26 May 2006, 16:18 pm
I’ts the weekend baby!
26 May 2006, 16:30 pm
onlooker, you seem to think too much. at the end of the day there are both white and black players in the bok squad who based on S14 form dont really deserve to be there. i dont hear you complaining about the white okes. gaffie, dwb, MJ ev4 tournaments and they got selected. the amount of time you spend bitching about it you couldve been doing something more constructive.
also, moaning about it is never going to solve anything…
cheers, enjoy your weekend everyone!
26 May 2006, 16:33 pm
28
26 May 2006, 16:37 pm
29 ?
26 May 2006, 16:37 pm
Forget about the World XV vs Boks game. The World XV vs Corne Krige XV at Newlands will be much better viewing. Bob Skinstad, Corne Krige, Braam van Straaten, Hottie Louw, Schalk Brits, Luke Watson, to name a few that will play for Corne’s team. This is gonna be so much fun.
Corne’s school, Paarls Boys High will play Rondebosch High in a curtain-raiser.
So, get down to Newlands on 9 June !!!
26 May 2006, 17:19 pm
Can we please forget all the nonsense about Bob coming back. His knee is damaged beyond repair. Not bad enough to stop him playing the odd game for Richmond (4 levels below premiership) and invitation games, but full time playing is totally out of the question.
27 May 2006, 04:04 am
It is good to read Balie’s views. I agree with them. Now can we please have a positive administration that is thoughtful, imaginative and enlightened? Frik Du Preez’s comments about fixing the system are exactly rigth. Let’s do it! We have so much to gain.
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