More like mismanagement of available resources it seems.

Loosehead Prop

Os du Randt is the incumbent and rightly so, the man is not only experienced but also a legend to boot.
Gurthro Steenkamp – young and a huge talent needs to recover well from his long lay-off
Ollie le Roux – perhaps not a long-term option, but offers huge experience and is still a world-class player
Lawrence Sephaka – adequate if not spectacular player who has improved vastly as he matures
Deon Carstens – will have to do some hard work to recover lost ground from his drubbing in JHB vs the World XV.

Other contenders include Daan Human , Eduard Coetzee (both currently abroad), JD Moller leads the young turks and Heinke v/d Merwe will challenge in the future. Wessel Roux is a capped Springbok however dubiously and could be called on in extreme emergency as with Bok tourist Brent Moyle.

Hooker

John Smit is the incumbent and captain. There is a general consensus that he needs to lift his form at the moment.
Gary Botha – a solid hooker in the more traditional role and worthy back up to Smit.
Danie Coetsee – another old-school hooker with experience and solid presence
Hanyane Shimange – surely needs to play at some level and lose the Quota tag he represents

Other contenders include the exciting talents of Schalk Brits, Lukas v Biljon (former Bok), Tiaan Liebenberg who had such an impressive debut for the Cheetahs in Super 14 and the younger talents of Skipper Badenhorst, Bismarck du Plessis and U/21 star Chilliboy Ralepelle.

Tighthead

CJ v/d Linde is young, strong and immensely talented. He will look to secure the 3 jumper again this season after an injury lay-off.
Cobus Visagie – offers vast experience and is recognised as one of the worlds best scrummagers.
BJ Botha – can he reproduce his awesome Super 14 form at International level?
Eddie Andrews – hardworking and honest, but ultimately struggles on the highest stage.

In Richard Bands and Marius Hurter we have two capped tightheads who could both do the job, but age and form are their major stumbling blocks. In Jannie du Plessis, Daniel Muller, Danie Thiart and Sangoni Mxoli there are a number of good prospects coming through the ranks and it is up to them to step up and challenge in coming seasons.

Locks

Bakkies Botha – a legend in the making. A copybook enforcer that is vital to Bok success.
Victor Matfield – supremely talented yet often lazy player that has it in his own hands to decide how good he really can be.
Danie Roussow – has shown great form recently as replacement for Bakkies and is a great impact option.
Albert v/d Bergh – despite the march of time is still a very competitive player that can get the job done.

Other locks to be considered include the talents of former Boks Selborne Boome, Gerrie Britz, Jannes Labuschagne, Quinton Davids and legendary hardman Johan Ackerman. Add to this the emerging lights of Andries Bekker, Johan Muller, Ross Skeate and Francois van Schouwenburg and the landscape looks abundant. We can add to this department the likes of Barend Pieterse, Boela du Plooy, Corniel v Zyl, Trevor Hall and Willem Stoltz.

Loose-forwards

This is an area of riches and there is a surplus of talent to go around at blindside and number 8, but the lack of any true opensiders that can fulfil a fetching role is a concern.

Openside
Schalk Burger is a unique player and a massive cog in the Bok gameplan. Chasing Schalk are the specialised fetchers like: Luke Watson, Solly Tiyabilika, Cobus Grobbelaar, Kabamba Floors, Hendro Scholtz, Gerhard Vosloo and young Keegan Daniel. There is a lot of exciting talent, but are any of these players good enough to step up and go toe-to-toe with McCaw and company. Tim Dlulane may wear No.6 for the Bulls,but does not play in the classical fetcher role. Warren Britz is a quality player, but his best years are behind him now. Hendrik Gerber is another that has played either side, but specialises in the fetching role.

Blindsie
No shortage of candidates here either lead by Juan Smith, Jacques Cronje AJ Venter, Wikus van Heerden and the talents of youngster Pierre Spies. There are ample other candidates in: Jacques Botes (at 6,7 or 8), Nico Breedt, Braam Immelman, Warren Brosnihan and another versatile flank in Johan Wasserman. If one includes overseas based Marco Wentzel and Roland Bernard it seems there is plenty available and youngsters like Leon Karemaker, Hylton Lobberts and David Hendricks will maintain pressure.

Number 8
Joe van Niekerek, Pedrie Wannenburg and former Bok skipper Andre Vos are world-class and if you include Bobby Skinstad (given time to get fit) , Shaun Sowerby , Ryno v/d Merwe, Adri Badenhorst and relative new arrivals Frans Viljoen and Ernst Joubert there seems to be plenty of depth. Sevens star Johnathan Mokuena is another that would hope to improve his XV man prospects. Then what of Jake Boer a UK legend and eager to be Bok.

Scrumhalf

Fourie du Preez – good with the boot, but has his critics especially regarding the speed of service and passing accuracy.
Enrico Januarie – at his best a real terrier on defence and perfect for an expansive game.
Ruan Pienaar – Has the attributes to be the worlds best. A good all-round game and brilliant vision will see him go on to great things.
Bolla Conradie – Has lost his way a little of late, but is another fine half in the terrier mould.

Other players that are available include ex-boks Neil de Kock, Dave von Hoesselin, Craig Davidson and young challengers Paul Delport, Janno Vermaak, Michael Claasens, Heini Adams and Tertius Carse.

Flyhalf

Perhaps the weakest link in SA rugby at present, much to do with our desire for a ready made hero that is better than Larkham and Carter.

Andre Pretorious – good all-rounder and incumbent. Not only injury prone, but often loses the plot when the heat is on. Best of the worst at the moment.
Jaco v/d Westhysen – has had a poor start to the international season, but is a creative player. His mental ability is the biggest question mark.
Butch James – Big on defence and a good distributor when in-form he can be devastating, but out of form is plain woeful.
Meyer Bosman – Will he make it his own? Has all the hallmarks of a good flyhalf and needs to be nurtured and managed carefully.

Peter Grant, Naas Olivier, Morne Steyn, Derick Hougaard and Willem de Waal have not set the world alight and none has put his hand up convincingly. Add to this the potential of Earl Rose, Ismael Dollie, Jody Rose, Scott Spedding and Brad Barritt (if not at centre). There are many options, but at this stage none have staked a decent claim.

Centres

In Jean de Villiers and Jacque Fourie we have a potential world beating combination the question what is left after that?

De Wet Barry, Wayne Julies, Marius Joubert and emerging youngster Wynand Olivier lead the charge and there are many talented youngsters coming through amongst which the following could really shine:
Brad Barritt, Ronnie Cooke, Andries Strauss and Waylon Murray. Add to this some experienced campaigners like: JP Nel, Dries Scholtz, Conrad Stoltz, Frikkie Welsh, Trevor Halstead, Adriaan Jacobs and others like Grant Rees, Barry Goodes, Gus Theron and former Bok Gcobani Bobo it seems we have midfield men to spare. This has however been a major problem for us early on in the season.

Wingers

Breyten Paulse, Bryan Habana, Andre Snyman, Gaffie du Toit, Ashwin Willemse, Thinus Delport, Henno Mentz, Tonderai Chavhanga, Brent Russell and Dean Hall are all Springboks. Then there are the challengers: Akona & Odwa Ndungane, Wylie Human, Jorrie Muller and Giscard Pieters. With Jongi Nokwe, Cedric Mkhize,Marius Delport and Gio Ap[on in the mix there should be no worry out wide.

Fullbacks

Percy Montgommerry is the senior man and is covered by Conrad Jantjes, Werner Greeff and Johan Roets. Add to this list JP Pitersen, Joe Pietersen, Earl Rose and Bevan Fortuin with Shaun Payne a candidate from abroad there is plenty to look forward to.

There are in each position a few others I may have missed, but if that is the case then all the better. We can add to this list the names of those representing other countries like:
Matt Stevens, Pieter de Villiers, Daniel Vickerman, Clyde Rathbone, Stuart Abottt, Mike Catt, etc.

In a country where controversy is a part of daily life and political sensitivity the order of the day it seems not even sport can escape the clutches of the power-mongers. SA rugby has once again this week been embroiled in crisis regarding the National team coach and his contract. This follows the unfortunate death of a club rugby player in a game marred by violence and the Boks first home defeat in 14 Tests. The poor turnouts at the Incoming Tour test matches and relative lack of interest in the Currie Cup competition should be raising alarm bells at headquarters.

It is the very administration of the game that seems responsible for the current state of our rugby. Decisions are not being made with the interest of the game or it’s many role-players at heart. Our continued failure to be competitive at Super 14 level should by now have resulted in a massive overhaul of our competition structures. For decades on end the Currie Cup remained largely unchanged and in the dark days of isolation gave us a dose of top-class rugby in place of the internationals we were missing. The past couple of years have seen continuous alterations to the structure of the competition and provided us with the entertaining Spears saga, somewhat of a rugby soapie.

It is high time long-term decisions were made and a plan drawn up to provide solutions for all stakeholders. The demise of Club rugby and proliferation of professional players has torn apart the very foundation of the game at grassroots level. There must be a well organised Club rugby structure at amateur level and steps must be taken to rid the club game of mal-administration and on- or off-field violence. It would not be completely impossible to replace the existing Vodacom Cup competition with a National Premier Club competition. The money made available to the Unions for Vodacom Cup rugby could be channeled into a broader audience and give club rugby the shot in the arm it so desperately needs.

With the removal of the Vodacom Cup at Union level the Currie Cup could return to it’s traditional strengths. A 6 team Premier division would play for Super 14 qualification and the last team relegated to be replaced by the First division champions. An 8 team first division would stand in place of the Vodacom Cup and be played in parralel to the Currie Cup. This would allow 14 professional teams in SA and limit the ammount of pro players in turn leading to an improvement of standards. The rugby season would look something like this:

Feb – May Super 14 featuring the top 5 sides in SA with a draft system in place
April – September Club season including National Premier league
July – October Currie Cup rugby Premiership and First Division

Springboks would be selected for the Incoming Tour and Tri-Nations and be withheld from other competitions.
The EOYT squad would be selected after the Currie Cup allowing for the inclusion of new talent etc.

When it comes to player contracting all Super 14 players (that is 5×28 man squads) would be contracted at National Level. Currie Cup players that are not selected for Super 14 duty would be free to take up contracts with their respective Unions. These players could be loaned to Super 14 squads if needed with the National Body reimbursing the Union for the players services. Careful consideration must be given to players welfare, they are after all the asset that the product is based on. There must be a cap to the number of games a player can play in a season and this must be set in stone. For example Jack is a key part of his Super 14 teams line-up and plays in 12 games, as the cap is 30 matches he is left with 18 matches for the year. Jack gets a Bok call up for the Incoming Tours and plays 1 Test before being dropped for the Tri-nations. As a nationally contracted player the coach decides he will be needed for the EOYT and as such is released to play a maximum of 12 matches to allow him a possible 5 Tests/matches on tour. This is an concept rather than a solution, but hopefully illustrates the idea.

The SA Rugby Union would need to be streamlined into an umbrella body for the greater game. They would oversee the running of the game, be responsible for rugby at National Level and provide guidance for the greater administration structure. A body like the Presidents Council could be placed at the head of the game at Union level and report to the National Executive. Their responsibilities would entail the 14 professional Unions, Currie Cup and all representative rugby at Union level. In parralel to this professional arm would be the National Amateur Rugby body that would control rugby at Club and School level. They would be responsible for all issues pertaining to the amateur game, the SA amateur team and encompass everything to do with schools rugby.

At National level more must be done to prepare players for the rigours of International rugby. Having just the Springboks is not enough and we desperately need to re-look the Junior Bok concept. With the end of touring and demise of the “dirttracker XV” there is no stepping stone to full-blooded international competition. With the right competition structures in place and a clear path for aspiring players to follow this is a logical step and serious thought needs to be given to a SA “Maori” type side. If we are indeed serious about transformation then a representative team could be entered into an African competition or similar to expose promising players of colour to top-class rugby and grow the available resource base.
I would love to see a 6 team National setup as follows:

Boks – the elite national squad to play in Tri-nations and full Internationals
SA A – This team could get involved in a competition with second-tier nations eg Churchill Cup
Jnr Boks – this team would comprise players of colour (a’la Maori) and could compete in the southern
six nations involving said Maori team and teams from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga etc.
SA Amateur – to compete in an African competition as they do at present
SA U/21
SA U/19

The development of coaches is another area needing major attention. All coaches must undergo periodic National assessment by a body put in place to serve the coaches. This body would provide the coaches with a forum for airing their concerns and allow for greater co-operation between coaches at different levels. We must identify the top coaches in SA and give them the best possible chance of becoming top professionals in their field. The day would come when having a South African coach would be a major step towards success, much like the proliferation of Dutch caoches in international football.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks in this country is fear of risk or failure it seems. At some time it will be realised that only by tearing down and re-building can the damage we have done be removed for the long term. Our unreasonable demands and hopes have seen many talented youngsters fall by the wayside or worse yet opt to persue their careers elsewhere. We demand instant results and instant heroes, but are not prepared to put the hard yards in nurturing talent at the bottom of the ruck. There is a distinct lack of succession in any area of SA rugby and everything is done with short-sighted decisions that secure the current status quo. A player of 21 might be good enough regards skills, he may even have the physical prescence, but I assure you he lacks experience. No team of 20 – 25 year old wonderkids have won anything of importance and frankly never will. We have lost our respect for experience and “coming through the ranks” is relic of a much more honourable past.

All said it seems a lot to do and some changes are major overhauls of long-held and outdated beliefs. The older heads may find change disturbing and be reluctant to let go of the plum jobs and easy gravy of the present, but the future will come and with it a revolution of youth that may yet correct the ongoing wrongs of those that have failed to grasp the New South Africa.

Feed them to my tarantula

Same thing happened to me. Took me 2 weeks on my annual trip home to convince them I was me. They seemed a little surprised that I still wanted my money. So they “unfroze” my accounts.

Went home a year later… account frozen again, despite me having deposited around R10,000 in it every 3 months.

actually the banks back home are kak, i’ve accumulated more interest to pay then money in them.

Gecko

Change your bank…

Dawn, i am naive in that area, a couple of beers is enough for me.

You gotta start calling it by its name!

I understand your predicament and wont antagonise you any further.

Just think, there are those worse off than you by being stuck in Pretoria and having to go to Eastwoods for a Friday afternoon ale…

If you’re going to live in my beloved Cape Town, then you are going to have to learn to have sympathy for us Capetonians stuck in the insufferable heat of Mud Island, with not a decent La Med or Blues in sight…

the capetonians are extremely laidback…the only okes that can compete are the zimbos who take the proverbial cake.

Vetkoek

Dont make your problems mine…