Ruan’s like gold
2 Jun 2006
Sharks scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar is worth his weight in gold, according to Bok coach Jake White.
Pienaar, who played flyhalf for the SA U21s last year, is probably the most versatile player in the Bok squad, which also makes him one of the most valuable.
“Ruan can play almost anywhere in the backline,” said White on Boots & All. “And that makes him like gold for a touring team and for a tournament like the World Cup.”
White said he had been left with no choice but to include Pienaar after the scrumhalf’s efforts in the Super 14 this year.
“If he’s good enough to go to the World Cup next year, then he should be involved with the side now,” he said. “The quicker I get him involved, the better. I want him to understand the ethos of the Springbok team and brand.”
Pienaar is on the bench for Saturday’s game, and should replace Ricky Januarie at some point in the second half.
94 Comments
2 Jun 2006, 06:26 am
So where are all the dragon bashers?
2 Jun 2006, 06:28 am
Just hope he gets a chance to actually settle down in A position soon, we do not want another Brent “Jack of all, master of none” Russell running around! Sort it out now JW!
2 Jun 2006, 06:44 am
Can’t wait to see how Ruan compares to one of the best scrumhalfes the world has ever seen, think Ruan will show the old dog a new trick
2 Jun 2006, 06:53 am
It is great to have players that can slot in in several positions, especially for tournamens like the WC, but you will always get the best out of a specialist. I agree Ruan should be settled into one position. And maybe flyhalf is that position?
2 Jun 2006, 07:00 am
Scrumhalf is his prefered position and he plays very well there, sure if need be have him on the bench as your backs cover, but most of the time, he should play scrummy, nice to see him getting a shot ahead of ‘slow service fourie’
2 Jun 2006, 07:09 am
He reminds me of a young and hungry Joost. at the time he was one of the best in the world. I am sure Pienaar will be able to follow. I would prefer to see him at scrummy. Imagine him against the likes of Carter & co at fly half, doesn’t have the bulk to stop the centre’s running at him
2 Jun 2006, 07:17 am
i dont care if mondays blue,tuesdays grey or wednesday too,thursday i dont care about you its friday im in love.
2 Jun 2006, 07:23 am
Going back a few years now but who can remember the try his Dad score for the Boks at the FS stadium (sh*t for brains can’t remember against whom!), the one he dived across the line and jumped up with his hands in the air celebrating.
Next day the Rapport had a HUGE photo of him on the front page with a broad smile and hands in the air…great memory!
2 Jun 2006, 07:33 am
9. ha ha. he is one of the best young talents. he should bump claasens, de kock and conradie out of the picture permanently. he has good spatial awareness, he can take it up himself, good pass and not scared of contact. why doesnt JW give him a full 40 minutes?
2 Jun 2006, 07:35 am
Shame Bliksem (7),
Someone busy breaking your hart?
2 Jun 2006, 07:36 am
comment 7 from a song
2 Jun 2006, 07:38 am
Would like to see him improve his kicking game though.
2 Jun 2006, 07:42 am
pity he ain’t black….
2 Jun 2006, 07:46 am
no jds.life is good.
2 Jun 2006, 07:48 am
TOMPIG Joost was ok, he had half a brain.
This guy is brilliant!
2 Jun 2006, 07:53 am
“Ruan can play almost anywhere in the backline”
he has excelled at srum half!!!
That is the problem with sa rugby they tend to play players out of position and when they dont perform they lose confidence.
Then what happens the coach put the player back in his preferred position and due to lack of confidence plays KAK.
They go overseas and coaches there give them free reign to get confidence back and they perform.
Tana give Jake a Handbag smack to wake him up.
2 Jun 2006, 08:03 am
fuzzbear I agree, but there was a time when Joost was brilliant, made Marshal look silly. Played a year or so too long and gave himself a bad name. you’re only as good as your last game.Pienaar just has the X factor that will make opposition nervous
2 Jun 2006, 08:06 am
I agree, he is way ahead of FOURIE who is over rated. We also have Vermaak from the LIONS, a really talented youngster.Go Ruuan, make us proud
2 Jun 2006, 08:07 am
Joost ‘moored” himself amoungst the eyes when he went to the last world cup!
I wonder who he had to fight against at camp staaldraad. Was probably him and Jorrie Muller with pillows on a greasy pole.
Do you remember the old nokia brick. Can you imagine hitting someone with one of those in your hand bag.
2 Jun 2006, 08:08 am
Yeah, when it comes to a World Cup, then you want 15 specialists and the rest can mix and match. You don’t want Jean playing on wing, Ruan at outside centre, AJ at lock, Percy at flyhalf and Jaco at right wing. That doesn’t sound like a winning combination to me. You’d want:
15.) Percy Montgomery
14.) Andre Snyman
13.) Jacque Fourie
12.) Jean De Villiers
11.) Bryan Habana
10.) Jaco van der Westhuysen
9.) Ruan Pienaar
8.) AJ Venter
7.) Juan Smith
6.) Schalk Burger
5.) Victor Matfield
4.) Bakkies Botha
3.) CJ van der Linde
2.) John Smit (c)
1.) Guthro Steenkamp
16.) BJ Botha
17.) Schalk Brits
18.) Danie Rossouw
19.) Luke Watson
20.) Fourie du Preez
21.) Meyer Bosman
22.) Brent Russel
2 Jun 2006, 08:11 am
Hey Fuzzy, nokia brick…believe it or not, still got mine at home and it is still working, had to use it a while ago, battery life sucks though!
2 Jun 2006, 08:12 am
I was just thinking, if SA could push out a non-white side – Boks included, who would be in it?
15.) JP Pietersen
14.) Aswin Willemse
13.) Bryan Habana
12.) Wayne Julies
11.) Akona Ndungane
10.)
9.) Ricky January
8.) Johnathan Makuoena
7.) Solly Tyibilika
6.) Tim Dlulane
5.)
4.)
3.) Eddie Andrews
2.)
1.) Guthro Steenkamp
2 Jun 2006, 08:14 am
Rugby Student
I would swop AJ for Van Neikerk,
Van Neikerk gives the boks an attacking option AJ is just an enforcer.
2 Jun 2006, 08:15 am
Sorry, almost forgot about splinters: Hanyani Shimange but I’d rather have
2.) Chilliboy Rallapele
2 Jun 2006, 08:15 am
Fourie against the crusaders, in the last game for the bulls in s14, was shocking to say the least! I think he lost them posesion about four times in the first five minutes. Thats unacceptable at his level.
Does he have a girlfriend cause thats generally half the problem sometimes with these guys.
There chick aint giving them head and it all falls apart.
Graham Smith, Jorrie Muller, DeWet Barry, AJ Venter, QDavids shame I dont think he’s ever seen a fanny before
You can see Habana’s chick just cant get enough!
2 Jun 2006, 08:17 am
BokinOzzie
Joe crabs sideways too much from the base, even when going forward. You don’t need your eightman to attack. Sure it brings another dimension but not at the cost of doing the basics right. And at the World Cup in the Northern Hemisphere, you need the basics first, getting go forward ball, rather than attacking. South Africa, anyway, aren’t an attacking side right now.
2 Jun 2006, 08:19 am
BokinOzzie
I believe AJ has as much skill as Joe. Right now, Joe isn’t good at eighth man and I wouldn’t pick him ahead of Juan and Schalk.
2 Jun 2006, 08:20 am
Rugby student
I see your point about NH game plan options and players to suit.
2 Jun 2006, 08:22 am
Rugbystudent,
Interesting that you say Vn neikerk is not a good 8 man.
I thought he brought options at the back of the scrum.
2 Jun 2006, 08:23 am
Juan does bring a leadership aspect to the base of the scrum, desciveness is needed here.
2 Jun 2006, 08:23 am
AJ Venter has as much skill as Joe.
Sorry have you watched AJ this past super 14, the guys been average if not very average and has made so many unforsed errors its ridiculous!
AJ breaks from base of scrum and drives up and attempts back pass to Brits, pass goes haywire and Brits falls on his face, scrum down oposition ball. He did this atleast once every game and I never saw it once work. AJ is now were close to Joe in pace or skill period!
2 Jun 2006, 08:25 am
Rugbystu
(29)
Sorry I did not read your post (27) correctly.
Read it with my eyes closed.
2 Jun 2006, 08:27 am
BokinOzzie
Don’t get me wrong. Joe van Niekerk on form, focused and without any injury is probably the best man at eight in the country. He’s the complete footballer, he’s as fast as the backs, skilled, strong and explosive. Right now, he’s just got the wrong game in his head. He plays too much on his own. The crucial positions for leadership to me is no 2, 8 and 10. When you’ve got that right, then you are on a good track. I haven’t seen AJ let any team down yet!
2 Jun 2006, 08:28 am
If I was coach I would struggle to put Brent russell in the side considering the world cup is in the NH.
2 Jun 2006, 08:29 am
Anybody seen Jake`s commenst re Cobus Visagie. What is it with Jake these days? Want to tell me that Eddie is better than Cobus? Care to remember who our tighthead was when we went on the record equalling winning spree?
2 Jun 2006, 08:31 am
Venter is a fool!
http://www.ajventer.com
I would play Juan Smith or Joe at 8 never Venter, he’d be my fifth choice maybe.
2 Jun 2006, 08:31 am
Fuzzybear
That was under **** Muir’s gameplan. You wouldn’t see that under Jake White. Jake has a structured plan for his eigth man. When Joe came into Jake’s squad the first year, you could see him do much more of the basics right. Remember that game against New Zealand during the tri-nations?! He was awesome. I think he has forgotten those finer points. I do hope he gets back cause the man can be as explosive as Habana.
2 Jun 2006, 08:31 am
Rugbystudent, I`ll have Joe at 8 and Petoors at 10. Otherwise a very good side.
2 Jun 2006, 08:31 am
Well done Jake, well spotted you crafty eagle eye. When all the srumhalves were injured last year, the whole country was begging you to take Ruan, but instead you took Classens, who played like a tosser.
This guy should already be a bok.
GO SHARKS
2 Jun 2006, 08:33 am
Rugbystu (33)
Good post.
Crucial positions to me are
1. Where ever the captain is
then 8, 9, 10 and 15.
Why 15 is important – in the attack and defense setup if he does not read the game right and does not link up well the fullback will be in for a long day.
2 Jun 2006, 08:33 am
BokinOzzie Russell is an impact player, he’s guy you bring on to turn game on its head, thats all, he’ll never start and he is a very usefull sub as he can play five different positions in the backs!
Cobus Visagie RIP, and move on, please !
2 Jun 2006, 08:34 am
Tony Moneo
Jake is trying to justify, having Eddie Andrews in the squad. He’s under political pressure. Eddie Andrews is probably 6th in line when it comes to tightheads that can play for SA:
CJ van der Linde
Cobus Visagie
Faan Reutenbach
Pat Barnard
BJ Botha
Eddie Andrews
2 Jun 2006, 08:36 am
Oh yeah on 35,
the record equalling winning spree of 17 was primarily done with Robbie Kempson, James Dalton and Adrian Garvey, with Olie le Roux coming in during the second half
2 Jun 2006, 08:37 am
RS (42), but I thought quotas in the Bok team belong to the past
2 Jun 2006, 08:38 am
Fuzzybear (41)
Russell is an impact player but in the NH the game plan could be tighter.
2 Jun 2006, 08:39 am
PB, yeah, you`re right, my bad…
2 Jun 2006, 08:40 am
Tony Moneo
There’s not much to pick between them. In that case, it comes down to personal choice.
For me:
Petoors’ head sometimes goes in the clouds. I get the feeling he tries to be too spectacular. If I remember correctly, we scored more tries when Jaco played at 10 than Petoors. That too me is where we are lacking.
I’ve already explained why I’d pick AJ. I seriously want Joe in but I want him on form, injury free and focused. Just imagine a back row that’s in form, focused and injury free of: Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith and Schalk Burger. Wouldn’t that be a great battle against: Mose Tui’li, Richie Mccaw and Jerry Collins!!
2 Jun 2006, 08:40 am
Doesnt matter who’s flippin game plan, a pass is a pass, a flip is a flip, you do is correctly and as a profesional. I actually doubt that was Dicks game plan anyway, Venter and Britz to me are like two pea’s in a pod and probably room togther, anyway the execution of that was so poor. The execution of a lot of the things he does is shocking as a loose forward. Play AJ lock yes but not a loosie, as JW did last year.
2 Jun 2006, 08:42 am
Tony Moneo
We all know what the real deal is. Its no coincidence when everybody was fit, there was a quota system. Suddenly when a few non-white players get injured, Jake carte blanche to pick whoever. I must give it to Jake, he covers his backside pretty well.
2 Jun 2006, 08:42 am
I`m gonna start a petition which will go to the highest authority in the land.
The bring back Schalk Naude Petition
That guy had a beard that will make Chuck Norris cry…
2 Jun 2006, 08:44 am
I think as we have seen over the past two years the players under JW are actually much different, and play much more different game plans.
You cant compair that to current S14 form, sorry rugbystudent.
2 Jun 2006, 08:45 am
RS, don`t believe it, Petoors is forced into a gameplan and not allowed to deviate from it. Trust me on this…
If he was allowed to play he normal game, it`d be a different ballgame.
2 Jun 2006, 08:46 am
Fuzzybear
Well, I certainly hope so. Otherwise Jake is sitting with half of his squad that’s seriously below par and he has a problem at the very crucial eighth man position!
2 Jun 2006, 08:47 am
Van neikerk has been in the same situation before where he was injured for the super season – jake picked him and all hell broke loose.
Long story short – Joe came to the party and was sublime against the all blacks. If I remember correctly.
2 Jun 2006, 08:48 am
RS, when Joe pulls on the Bok jersey, he never plays a bad game. Look at Trinations last year, he was awesome after being pretty average in the Super 12.
2 Jun 2006, 08:49 am
BokinOzzie, (54) spot on.
2 Jun 2006, 08:50 am
Fuzzybear, i spat my coffee all over my.
Classic
I’d rather have AJ at 8.
You have fetchers in Juan and Schalk, you need a strong carrier.
AJ’s presence scares the **** outta opposition,
It’s going to be very interesting to see everyone fit again. By the world cup I would like to see this team.
1.Os du Randt
2.John Smit
3.CJ vd Linde
4.Bakkies Botha
5.Victor Matfield
6.Schalk Burger
7.Juan Smith
8.AJ Venter
9.Ruan Pienaar
10.Jaco vd Westhuizen
11.Bryan Habana
12.Jean de Villiers
13.Jacques Fourie
14.Akona Ndungane
15.Percy Montgomery
2 Jun 2006, 08:51 am
Well, the statistics don’t lie. When Jaco was playing at 10, more tries were scored. Simple as that. I don’t believe the gameplans are THAT much different at 10. And I don’t think you should tell any number 10 before a game how to play. A number 10 should ‘feel’ the play on the field. That’s what separates great 10′s from good 10′s. I can’t think of any coach that’ll tell Dan Carter, Stephen Larkham or the rest, they should play in only a certain way.
2 Jun 2006, 08:54 am
Jake_White
I’d love to see Akona get a run! He certainly put his hand up to be ‘developed’. He’s a good, honest player!
2 Jun 2006, 08:56 am
I dont see a problem at 8 RS, and AJ is for ****** sure not the answear if there was one!
I liked your team though post no.20, everyone other than AJ, Id play Joe, he compliments that side.
2 Jun 2006, 08:58 am
Just remember I picked that side for NH conditions. As I said, on form I’d pick Joe any day! But you can’t win on potential.
2 Jun 2006, 09:03 am
jaco at flyhalf, u okes crazy, that little poof allows more people thru than the gates at great wall of china… he cant tackle, tripple tripples on attack, and in general is a bit of a joke… he should become spokesperson for the michale jackson foundation, he has the voice..
2 Jun 2006, 09:05 am
im a a big aj fan but will find it hard to leave joe out, he is a special talent… aj on bench will be great tho..
and would start snyman on wing… he’s a demon!!
and maybe just maybe we should start replacing percy and just maybe shift fourie to fullback…
2 Jun 2006, 09:10 am
RS, you`re not hearing me. Petoors IS forced into a gameplan, like I said, trust me on this!
2 Jun 2006, 09:12 am
Who would win in a game between……
Team A
Forwards:
1.du Randt,2.Smit,3.vd Linde,4.Botha,5.Matfield,6.Burger,7.Smith,8.van Niekerk
Backs:
(9.Pienaar,10.vd West,11.Habana,12.de Villiers,13.Fourie,14.Snyman,15.Monty)
Against…..
Team B.
Forwards:
(1.Steenkamp,2.Shimange,3.Andrews,4.Rossouw,5.vd Berg,6.Tyibilika,7.Venter,8.Cronje)
Backs:
(9.du Preez,10.Pretorius,11.Gaffie du toit,12.Barry,13.Olivier,14.Paulse,15.Jantjes)
And what would the score be?
2 Jun 2006, 09:13 am
big g (63). I`d hate to break up the JDV and JF midfield partnership.
2 Jun 2006, 09:22 am
Tony Moneo
id like to believe u too but the thing is in all the games ive never seen Pretorious play 4 both sa ,cats and the lions ive never seen him play differently so i cant see how its coaches instructions.
2 Jun 2006, 09:23 am
Agreed Tony, but if god forbid one should get injured would you put Snyman in ?
2 Jun 2006, 09:24 am
Id play Bosman at flyhalf
2 Jun 2006, 09:26 am
Redox (67), cannot agree with you there. You cannot compare the way he plays for Lions and Cats to his Bok play. Have you ever seen him take on his opposition flyhalf when playing for the Boks? He`s not allowed to…
2 Jun 2006, 09:27 am
Dont know if you guys heard but I read on news24 that the handbag that Umaga used to hit Masoe is being auctioned off over the internet! What the hell!
2 Jun 2006, 09:27 am
Fuzzybear, (68) NEVER!!!
2 Jun 2006, 09:29 am
Fuzzybear, Bosman hasn`t got it just yet. He`ll be a good player but is way too rough around the edges at the moment.
2 Jun 2006, 09:32 am
supa, a few hours ago the bid was at NZ$6,250!
2 Jun 2006, 09:48 am
newsflash; bidding on tana’s handbag has now reached nz$12,000 !!! on trademe.co.nz
2 Jun 2006, 09:49 am
HAHAHAHAAA
you lot must be joking, bosman at 10, joe at 8.
Whatever, joe and bosman are overrated! Joe used to be a special talent in the days when he was with the lions. These days, he just crashes it up, no skill from him anymore. Even his great tri nations game last here was only good because he made some strong runs. No great skill involved, just alot of strenth. When is this guy gonna start performing like we all know he can. Every CC and Super 12/14 and EOYT he plays kak. Then he has one, maybe 2 good games during the tri nations and he’s a super hero again!!!! Give me a break. Look at the other guys who play good rugga every week in and week out. Enough of this pri madonna ****!
Bosman could become a good player for our next WC but he is nothing special right now, and there is no way he is better than Jaco or petoors, or even butch for that matter. He got lucky last year when everyone got injured for the EOYT. And played ONE good game this season, and the rest was KAK!
2 Jun 2006, 09:52 am
Koos – Gysie scored that try against the Lions in 1980. Famous photograph with Bruce Hay on his knees in the background.
2 Jun 2006, 09:54 am
ricane
who wants to buy that thing for that much money!!! rather use your money on something that is truelly historic(on the field) and worth it!
2 Jun 2006, 10:02 am
Thanks Gecko, that will be the one, they have a poster size one, framed and all, at the FS offices.
2 Jun 2006, 10:05 am
I totally agree, kiwis are crazy!
if you want a good laugh read some of the questions and answers about it though!!
It has had over 360,000 views which is almost 1/10th of our population!!!
2 Jun 2006, 10:07 am
Koos – some people might not know, but Gysie only made the Bok team due to Pierre Edwards being injured in the second test vs South America just before the Lions series – and then got voted by the Lions as the player that had the biggest influence in that series.
Is does seem trange that although Pienaar played 1st class rugby till ’87, after ’81 he never got a sniff of the Bok team again.
2 Jun 2006, 10:28 am
rugbystudent, there’s very little separating Andrews, Barnard and Rautenbach, all kak. Sephaka’s a better scummager.
The best TH’s are: CJ, BJ and Visagie.
The best LH’s are: OS, Lensing (Nam) and Guthro.
2 Jun 2006, 10:33 am
rugbystudent, nice side at 20, leaving out Os is a big call tho.
2 Jun 2006, 10:42 am
im a sharks man…but credit where its due, aj will get his arse handed to him on a platter by joe.my bok team on form and fit would be
1) Os
2) smit
3) CJ
4) Bakkies
5) Matfield
6) ME!!!jks schalk- i play fullback
7) Juan
8) Joe
9) Ruan
10) Butch (i said i was a sharks man)
11) habana
12) de villiers
13) joubert
14) willemse
15) fourie-we could make him something special at fullback
2 Jun 2006, 10:54 am
now scahlla, if you were to replace willemse with snyman and joubert with just about anybody (maybe cook, barrit or olivier and maybe move jean to outside) i’d give stan’s lefty to watch that team play!!!
2 Jun 2006, 11:00 am
ja big g, point taken. Joubert these days is pure KAK…but the truth be told, i still have dreams about the way he shredded those all blacks at ellis park.other then that, we get that team or a team close to that, and those all blacks could have a thing or two to worry about.
2 Jun 2006, 12:54 pm
fuzzy 25,
Habana’s chick has never gotten anything. Waiting for the big day he says.
2 Jun 2006, 13:06 pm
HMMM … me thinks thats very sad, she must be or have one hell of a kisser then.
2 Jun 2006, 13:14 pm
FUZZY
Do not agree though, Habana has skill and was my favourite player at a stage. But he is surely the laziest winger in world rugby.
I would think she gives him nothing.
2 Jun 2006, 13:15 pm
FUZ,
Can I post you stats later on loose forwards later, since you have brought up that argument several times on various threads.
2 Jun 2006, 13:19 pm
Further to 89, I think his buck teeth surely makes kissing difficult.
2 Jun 2006, 13:36 pm
gecko,
1981 demo tour of NZ. Enter Johan Heunis. Came on as a sub, without a no. on his back, courtesy of coach Nelie Smith, who had allegedly seconded a whole set of rugby jerseys for his private use and distribution. Heunis was an instant success. Safe as houses under the high ball (Gysie’s downfall) and pulled off a front-on try-saving tackle on Andy Haden a few metres from the line. Thanks for coming, Gysie!
I played against both, and also in the same team as JH. Gysie was special. Heunis was a genuine great. Ask Ray Mordt.
2 Jun 2006, 13:49 pm
Can any one please tell me why Boots & All is not on CSN at 19:30 on a Thurday night any more? And when and where it now showing?
It still shows in the MNet guide that it is showing in the above mentioned time slot.
What is going on?
3 Jun 2006, 02:38 am
I would prefer young Pienaar to be groomed as a fly- half where he played quite brillinatly in the World Under 21. S A already has a couple of really good srumhalves with strong back ups. In my opinion not one fly-half of International standard compared to New Zealnd who have five or six. Lack of a good number 10 has been the Springboks downfall for some years now. Quite extraordinary. Any reasons? Hamba Kahle
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.