Rudderless and in need of change
14 Feb 2008
South African rugby’s decision-makers have plenty to answer for. What follows is just one damning example of the lack of leadership.
Nick Mallett is making Italy competitive, Jake White is running between Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg as a marketing director and Heyneke Meyer’s only link with rugby this year will be watching his sons play.
Something has to be seriously amiss when you combine that intellectual capital and ask why it is not contributing towards the well-being of South African rugby.
Mallett coached the Springboks to 16 successive test wins at a time when Meyer was his forwards coach and White was the technical advisor. That was a decade ago. In the interim, White has gone onto win the World Cup with the Boks and Meyer is the first South African coach to win a Super 14 title.
These guys should be the leaders in our game. They should be sitting at the head table, with their only agenda the well-being of the South African game. The next generation of coaches, be it at Super 14 or Currie Cup level, should be benefiting from what these guys have to offer.
Each of them is a proven winner. And none of them is involved.
Why?
There simply isn’t a justifiable answer.
Each of them has been alienated, isolated or chased away. It is a disgrace.
Winning World Cups in 1995 and 2007 has taught our administrators nothing. There is still no value attached to rugby knowledge in this country.
The rugby aspect is secondary and the resistance to introducing rugby intelligence, by way of those who have succeeded, remains an enigma.
It makes no business sense, for example, to have allowed White and Meyer to walk away from the game. The shrugging of the shoulders from administrators is a cop out. There has to be accountability for the lack of planning when it comes to these individuals.
White, as an example, is a R20 million investment over the last decade. Meyer would be a good R10 million investment, yet no one blinked when both these guys, in the prime of their career, opted out of South African rugby.
You can look for reasons and, if you are a rugby administrator in this country, you can attempt to justify their departure. However, all that adds up is that between World Cup wins South African rugby has never invested in intellectual capital.
The game’s administration can’t put a value to intellectual capital and they can’t put a plan to it either.
Individuals, at various times, have spoken passionately of the need for South African rugby to be a leader. But the words have never been translated into substance.
And that’s a problem.
For the last decade South African rugby’s administrators have battled for power and waged internal wars. Presidents have changed, structures have changed and the marketing team seems to change every two years.
But what hasn’t materialised is a strong national rugby structure in which the prized assets are our very own coaches.
There has been resistance to a national rugby director. There has been a disregard for the technical value of these guys and there has been no investment in securing the rugby talents of these guys.
Private business snaps them up. European clubs and other countries benefit from their experience, but the same old faces within the South African Rugby Union are there to bore us with details of strategic planning sessions.
It is crazy.
This weekend brings new laws to the Super 14, new players and renewed hope.
But it is what’s not there in our South African game that should make more headlines.
Where is our rugby brains trust? Where is the support structure intellectually for a young national coach and five very young regional coaches?
Where indeed?
641 Comments
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14 Feb 2008, 16:14 pm
4man
beast, bizzie, bj, muller, ackers, botes, aj, kanko, ruan, freddie, mentz, barrit, waylon, JPP, steyn.
worries about freddie.
14 Feb 2008, 16:14 pm
4man this is the team off the SHarks site:
15. Francois Steyn
14. JP Pietersen
13. Waylon Murray
12. Bradley Barritt
11. Henno Mentz
10. Frederic Michalak
9. Ruan Pienaar
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. AJ Venter
6. Jacques Botes
5. Johann Muller ( Capt )
4. Johan Ackermann
3. BJ Botha
2. Bismarck du Plessis
1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements:
16. Craig Burden
17. Kees Lensing
18. Jannie du Plessis
19. Albert van den Berg
20. Jean Deysel
21. Rory Kockott
22. Adrian Jacobs
14 Feb 2008, 16:15 pm
skunk 4man and girlshark, gotta go. chat tom. skunk will try to find out his name. vaguely recall him.
cheers.
14 Feb 2008, 16:16 pm
GS
There are few typos in that article. Rory is a specialist and Adi is covering 10, 11, 13, 14. There is enough cover for Fullback on the field.
14 Feb 2008, 16:16 pm
CHCH
Southern Phillipines for the surf?
Is the diving good, I hear there are lots of Blacktips that throng in those areas.
I know Bali is pretty far from there, but if we go to that side of the planet, we will probably rush around for a couple of weeks, then stay in one spot for a couple of weeks. Whats your comment about Fiji?
14 Feb 2008, 16:16 pm
592 4man,
The New Peoples Army in the north (Luzon) of the Philippines are almost goen but the Mindoro Independence Liberation Front (MILF) continues to fight in the south (not helped by American and Australian death money).
True Philippine newspaper headline
Soldiers serch for MILF
14 Feb 2008, 16:17 pm
#602 girlshark
Thanks for that. How did you do that?
I went to the site checked under S14 and couldnt spot it?
14 Feb 2008, 16:17 pm
AMATEURS ARE RUNNING THE GAME WE LOVE. IT’S THE SMALL MAN SINDROME. ALL THEY FIGHT FOR IS THEIR OWN AGENDAS, EGOS & BANK ACCOUNTS.
14 Feb 2008, 16:19 pm
WE ARE & WILL ALWYAS BE OUR OWN WORST ENEMY.
14 Feb 2008, 16:19 pm
Cheers Rangerman chat tomorrow!
Skunk thank you, I thought so! I forgot Adi also covers 10, too excited for tomorrow to think straight!
14 Feb 2008, 16:21 pm
#606 CHCH
Thanks for the info on MILF…I will do some research. Do they cause any problems for foreigners, or is their beef with local authority?
14 Feb 2008, 16:21 pm
605 4man,
yes, Southern Philippines (islands east of Mindanau) for surf (forget the name but I can find it for you another day). Very cheap and out of the way … more fun.
Southern Taiwan is another interesting surf spot
Fiji has become a not so popular place for both tourist and political reasons. Many of my friends holiday in teh pacific and they say that the Cook Islands are the best.
If you are looking for cheap and easy flights from Asia to the Pacific then forget it. Most airlines will only do Hawai or Gwam from Asia. Prices are only cheap between Asian countries too
14 Feb 2008, 16:22 pm
4man its on the blog go to w w w.sharksrugby.co.za and go to the article called “Fred will start” it lists the team there.
14 Feb 2008, 16:22 pm
Cheers rangerman.
14 Feb 2008, 16:23 pm
Ned
Why are you shouting?
14 Feb 2008, 16:23 pm
is you south efrikan?, ja well no fine, just now, it was a loooooooooooooooong time ago.
14 Feb 2008, 16:25 pm
Ok gentlemen I need to leave, as I need to get back to my neck of the woods and fight traffic, gosh I do tend to suffer from Road rage sometimes! Skunk will you be at the game tomorrow?
Otherwise cheers all I’ll chat again tomorrow
14 Feb 2008, 16:25 pm
611 4man,
Really you would be a bit crazy to go running around MILF controled territory (or NPA teritory for that matter) but these make up less than one tenth of the Philippines
Manila is the kidnap capital of the world but I am sure it is because beer is soooo cheap (people being silly) … Philippines is perfectly safe if you are just a little bit careful (probably no different to SA)
RugbyPrincess is also a regular visiter.
14 Feb 2008, 16:27 pm
Cheers people
14 Feb 2008, 16:27 pm
Thank you Skunk, you got him to turn down the volume a bit, I got a bit of a head ache with that screaming!
14 Feb 2008, 16:28 pm
Hi guys
I just found this article by Basil Bey on http://www.wpsport.co.za
Does it not just sum up the whole situation beautifully?
Walking around the fields at school the other morning with my border collie, Charlie, I was surprised to see the rugby posts going up so early and could not repress the tingle of excitement that travelled erratically down my bent spine. Then it all came back to me; the tingle became a shudder and the bent backbone a jelly. On my knees, I cursed this tsunami of associations that bore down so heavily on my bent shoulders. Charlie looked deeply into my eyes, then lifted his leg and pissed on mine (leg, not eyes!). I understood… and so did he.
Another bloody season of race squabbles, despicable quotas tied up with very sick inferiority complexes, ineffectual, meddling presidents, interfering loud-mouthed and thoroughly revolting politicians… oh God! Does our rugby have to suffer the way everything else in this country has, other than the Income Tax Department, that is, before we see the blinding truth? Damn it; I should be exalting – the rugby season is here again and we, we won the World Cup! Was that not wonderful?
The nation (yes, I dare to call it a nation in its unity) in raptures over our World Cup, deliriously joyful and overflowing with a pride, so strong shared by all – did I say all? All, that is, but for a very few paranoiac weaklings who haven’t the courage to come out from behind the protection of their hang-ups. The truth is that the nation supports its sportsmen – but for that tiny minority that is intent on undermining our unity for its own devious and rather sick purposes. Ironically it is these scheming weaklings who hold ‘executive’ posts in government and in sport, in provinces and in clubs. The real sportsmen get on with real sport and the love of it- the aforementioned get on with themselves.
They must bless apartheid, these petty officials, for had there been none, they would be nothing! They are just not good enough without it to lean on or hide behind. Before democracy South Africa was an abnormal society and now, after democracy, it has become abnormal again. We should be banned from all international sport until there are no reservations of any sort in our selection of teams. What we are doing to our children is abominable; we are, open-eyed, hastening down the road to disaster. Yet, ironically, we are so close to being the rainbow nation (as we saw when we won the World Rugby Cup!). Can we not root out these petty people (black, coloured and white) who cause such dissent and send them to Zimbabwe where they would fit in so well? Mind you, “coloured†people as opposed to “black†people would be less welcome there than the “whites†– something our coloured folk should ponder as they consider their future in South Africa!
It is good to see the cricket selectors telling their president to get lost; it is good to hear of the players objecting to his interference. In Zimbabwe (a very similar country to ours) the cricketers rebelled. That took courage – time we showed some courage and told our various presidents to get lost, told the politician loud-mouths to go swim (preferably under water without a snorkel). We sportsmen do not need you paranoids, riddled with inferiority complexes as you are, interfering in our sport. Get out. Leave the game to sportsmen who respect one another’s ability more than they do their own skin colour (sadly I do not include all Western Province clubs in this general statement).
All the goodness of the World Cup triumph has been lost, all its potential dissipated by the likes of Hoskins, the Stofile brothers, the so-called Presidents’ Council (useless bunch) who spend their lives pursuing selfish agendas. It is time the coaches and the players stood up to them even if it does cost them, temporarily, if they all stick together, their livelihood. In what way, if I may ask, has SARU ( SARFU? SNAFU, perhaps) built upon the World Cup success? Has it promoted rugby in any way through it? Did the way they treated Jake White help rugby’s cause. Does the disaffection between Hoskins and Stofile help rugby’s cause. Do we players and lovers of the game actually care what happens to these “officialsâ€? Would we cry if they disappeared from our scene forever? Not I.
Western Province is a copy-cat – it behaves exactly as SARU does and is just as, if not even more, incompetent. Western Province as a rugby union spirals downwards at an alarming pace! The result of the recent W.P. Vodacom game played Wednesday week ago has been kept a closely guarded secret – quite rightly. The press seem to avoid reporting such games – why? Tell the public who humiliated us and why we put such a feeble side into the match in the first place. Any decent 1st Division Club side would have beaten them.
Grow up and face reality – you are not playing with dinky-toys. If you do not pick the best players and the best coaches, you will inevitably fail- inevitably! But perhaps that does not worry you too much, for you have other agendas. When are we selling Newlands?
By the way, it does not take 13 years to coach a person to be a good rugby player – it does not even take a year or, sometimes, even a few weeks! Talent will out!
I am almost sorry I saw those posts going up!
14 Feb 2008, 16:30 pm
Cheers fellow Sharks supporters and those who admire from across the Juskei.
14 Feb 2008, 16:36 pm
Balikibaba
Ah you’re in business again.
How are you doing mate?
14 Feb 2008, 16:38 pm
Hahahaha!!!
Sheriff! How you doing, man? Been very busy. Close to S14, so decided to banter a bit here again. remember I told you you would enjoy Basil’s column? What you think?
14 Feb 2008, 16:40 pm
chch
Interestingly enough I have a friend in Manila who I will stay with, Romeo Valdehueza, who is a skipper on merchant ships. I once did him a favour when he was in a spot of bother in Cape Town when they were on one of their trips. We have remained friends ever since. He has some interesting friends to say the least, but I know we are safe in Manila with him around, but thanks for the heads up, I will obviously take care when there and will get advice from Romeo and others.
14 Feb 2008, 16:41 pm
Yeah had a look soon after you told me about it and liked. Will check out again.
Been on and off here as well.
So you think Rassie’s got us on track – I’m cautiously optimistic.
See my other post here 460.
14 Feb 2008, 16:45 pm
what amuses me are the comments from the okes complaining of all the ‘political’ articles, while the thread grows steadily to the 1000-mark.
if you cant look at the policies being discussed and get personal, it already means your argument is strenuous. the government case for transformation has always been that and its now bordering on being very dodgy indeed esp with massive majority rule.
14 Feb 2008, 16:49 pm
KEO
Is your book Springbok rugby revealed still available?
14 Feb 2008, 16:50 pm
OK boys and girls…good luck for your various teams for the S14. I am betting the Sharks will be there at the death.
cheers
4man
14 Feb 2008, 16:53 pm
Sherrif
1. I think Rassie can only be an improvement on Fester (hell, I’d be an improvement!!!), but only time will tell. Looking forward to Saturday though!
Nice viewpoint @ 460. I guess we live in a very abnormal country. I just wonder how long it will take for us to get normal. Very depressing, especially because political decisions are blatatntly being made for personal gain.
14 Feb 2008, 17:04 pm
Baliki
Nice chatting; have to go and hit the traffic mate.
Yeah I agree. Hence my suggestion that the only way we can get to normality quicker is through a split of that nature.
I suppose the reason that it has not happen thus far is concerns around branding. For instance, what will the newly established entity call themselves.
Seeing that they follow pretty much the Nats’ lead on many things- probably New ANC?
14 Feb 2008, 18:07 pm
load of bulls in this site if you sak me.
14 Feb 2008, 19:57 pm
Hate to break it to you Keo, but this kind of thing is prevalent in most large private organisations. I work for a major credit card company and If I had to bore you with the amount of internal fighting, backstabbing and general negative politics that goes on you probably wouldn’t believe me. And guess what….our product sucks, many of the best people within the business have simply left in search of a better work life…and there’s no sign of change anytime soon.
You see KEO, its the way of human existance to crave power….
14 Feb 2008, 20:00 pm
DAMN, I see people had fun on the site today. Katman and Saffa Guy, much respect.We have many evils in this country. Corruption, crime, self enrichment etc. But let us not forget racism and I love how keo.co.za always manages to show us the kind of people that still reside in our country. I was watching Gangs of New York the other week and it made realise something, a society takes time to evolve. Maybe if we accept the pains of change as exactly that, pains of change, we will stop always reverting race to for human flaws. On that note, heres to a great S14 for all South African teams. Shark to make finals. Stormers to suprise everyone and make the semis.
14 Feb 2008, 20:05 pm
Howzit guys!
I am so glad I missed all th!s **** here today! When are those guys understand that Verwoerd is long gone and buried?
14 Feb 2008, 20:31 pm
Just to set the Mallett record straight. BBF, you are wrong. BMM is perfectly correct.
Mallett won 16 consecutive tests. The team won 17 in a row, and were going for THEIR 18th, and Nick’s 17th, when they lost 13-7 to England at Twickenham.
Pieter Rossouw scored the Boks’ only try, and Jeremy Guscott scored England’s solitary try.
The rest of the pointscame from a conversion and 2 penalties by Mike Catt, of all people.
Hope that resolves this debate.
14 Feb 2008, 21:12 pm
This Basil Bey Icon sounds to me like he’s had a couple too many slaps on his bent back?
Why don’t he just wake up and smell the coffee, otherwise its too late already, old dogs and new tricks, dinosaurs are fit for extinction.
14 Feb 2008, 21:21 pm
Still the age old us n them syndrome, when will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?
14 Feb 2008, 21:34 pm
‘Rugby ambassadors of apartheid’
14/02/2008 18:44 – (SA)
Johannesburg – The Minister of Sport Makhenkesi Stofile on Thursday slammed the “re-emergence of the erstwhile ambassadors of apartheid” in South African rugby.
Stofile was responding to a public campaign launched by AfriForum and a group of former Springbok rugby captains on Tuesday when they handed over a petition to the SA Rugby president, Oregan Hoskins, calling for an end to political interference in the sport.
Among those participating in the campaign were Wynand Claasen, Theuns Stofberg, Hannes Marais, Abie Malan and Johan Claasen whom the minister described as “beneficiaries and ambassadors of apartheid”.
“… all of them have willingly wheeled and oiled the apartheid wagon.
“Their campaigns in New Zealand, South Africa and elsewhere, especially the 1981 tour of New Zealand, caused unforgettable pain and rupture in countries of the world. It prolonged our suffering and segregation,” Stofile said in a statement.
“We regret this apparent rattling of the skeletons in the apartheid cupboard. Their gaunt eyes of injustice seem jaundiced in their interpretation of issues and in their selection of battlefields.”
He said they would not be allowed to re-impose their political will on South African rugby in their attempt to protect the benefits of apartheid bequeathed to their children.
Stofile added that anyone implying that newly appointed Springbok coach Peter De Villiers was hired because of the colour of his skin was either an “imbecile or a down right mischief maker”.
“They must be treated with the contempt they deserve,” he said.
AfriForum on Tuesday told Hoskins that “political interference and race-based policies in rugby” contravened the rugby union’s constitution as well as regulations of the International Rugby Board (IRB) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
15 Feb 2008, 11:57 am
When Stofile is finished he is going to make Apartheid sport look like a party!
19 Feb 2008, 16:02 pm
Ah South Africa, Ah South African sport politics. If South Africans could ever work together as one patriotic nation and leave the festering past where it belongs, we would be a something to be truly respected. But then Hell may freeze over and there would be no controversy.
You effing whites and blacks of the “rainbow nation”. You embarrass yourselves, you embarrass me. Being a South African these days becomes more of a joke everyday. SA rugby is the complete reflection and story of this nation. So capable of achieving great things, but just as capable of completely imploding. Keep your Springboks and keep your country. So much bitterness and resentment, no body helps each other here. Everyone is threatened by everyone and no one thinks long term. They only look to the immediate future. It is so terribly sad. South African success is like a shooting star, you only see it once in a while. Change your mentality and maybe success will become a habit, a way of life. Why can’t there be at least some sense of harmony, some kind of attemtp to build and maintain bridges? Too much bitterness here, too much resentment.
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