Naka nails Kabamba
24 Apr 2008
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has damned Kabamba Floors.
Floors had been outspoken about his non-selection for the Super 14 squad and his return to the Springbok Sevens, but Drotské called the player’s bluff and released a statement condemning the player.
“Kabamba has come to me twice during this Super 14 season to discuss personal problems at his home in Oudtshoorn,” Drotské said. “Twice, when he was in the 22 for matches, I sent him home and he missed training. I told him to go home and clear things up because he had told me on both occasions he was unable to function because his mind was not on the game.”
Drotské said he handled the situation internally out of respect for the player, but that he had no option but to reveal the accuracy of Floors’s omission after the player went public with his dissatisfaction at being overlooked.
“Hendro [Scholtz] played very well in Kabamba’s absence,” Drotské said. “I told Kabamba he had to prove in matches for the Vodacom Cup team that his head was clear and that he was eager to play rugby before he would be selected for the Cheetahs’ 22; something he did not do during the following weeks.
“On the contrary, he was negative about having to play for the Vodacom Cup team. He told me he thought his future was in Sevens rugby and that he did not want to play in the Super 14 any longer.”
Floors’s absence in the Super 14 prompted Bok coach Peter de Villiers to challenge Drotské.
“I told Peter I don’t have favourites in my squad,” Drotské said. “I select players who are committed and who give 100% for their team-mates. No player has the right to claim a place in the team. I also won’t allow a player to tell untruths in the media when he should be looking for the problem within himself.”
93 Comments
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25 Apr 2008, 08:14 am
#30
So what you are saying is that even though Sephaka scrummed Pieter De Villiers’ head up his arse in 2005, he is ****?
And that’s why Toulon signed him? Cos he is black?
Why would a French team like Toulon be interested in Sephaka?
Do you think maybe theres a chance that they might rate him as a good player???
25 Apr 2008, 08:19 am
Kabamba fell off the bus because of personal problems in Oudtshoorn.
What is racist about that?
He wanted to play 7′s, and Naka gave him the opportunity.
He has to win his place back against the likes of Vermeulen, Brussouw and Scholtz.
What is racist about that?
25 Apr 2008, 08:19 am
This reminds me of Brian Mujati’s time with the Lions.
Reports were made that Rassie ‘poached’ the player.
Did you know that when he arrived at the Lions as an U21 player, they were paying him R500 per month?
I wonder if his fellow U21 teammates would have accepted such a contract.
Guys like Jano Vermaak, Louis Ludik, etc.
25 Apr 2008, 08:21 am
And Floors went public.
Not acceptable, it was a private matter between him and Naka.
Afraid it is bye-bye Floors….
25 Apr 2008, 08:21 am
Hey Nakka is a pro
Personally I think he could have handle it better, the OVS has got a clean slate, but now for coaches and players to try and show each other up in the media and for us to question the status of 7’s because of this issue. Thanks Nakka, if we didn’t have enough matters to differ about.
25 Apr 2008, 08:23 am
Man that is sad as he is so talented. The president of the Cheetahs needs to take charge here, and sort this out.
25 Apr 2008, 08:23 am
Springbok loose forward Kabamba Floors is upset about not being given more game time in the Cheetahs’ Super 14 rugby team this year.
“I played for the full 80 minutes in only one match,” Floors said after he and Bulls wing Danwel Demas had joined the national Sevens squad here on Wednesday.
“I played as a substitute in only three other matches. I was injured for awhile on our tour abroad but when I recovered (coach) Naka Drotské told me the other guys were playing well and I would not get back into the team soon.
“I know (Springbok coach) Peter de Villiers called Naka to ask why I was not getting game time but I don’t know what Naka told him,” Floors said.
“So I decided to came and lend a hand with the Sevens squad where I know they will appreciate my services.”
Adnaan Mohamed writes in Die Burger that Floors played in the IRB Sevens tournament at George earlier this year and then decided to play Super 14 rugby for the Cheetahs.
The Sevens Springboks are preparing for the two remaining IRB tournaments to be played in London on May 24 and 25 and in Edinburgh on May 31 and June 1.
25 Apr 2008, 08:30 am
What is sad is that Floors is one of those players who can be a revelation with the new ELV’s.
I mean seriously now, the Cheetahs have been **** since the start of the season.
Kabamba definitely offers more than a guy like Scholtz (with the new laws)
A guy like Falie Oelsig’s performances have been downright diabolical and he is still in the squad.
Naka is not as good a coach as most people seem to think.
He should have recruited a guy like Conradie or Delport from WP as well as getting some depth in his backline.
25 Apr 2008, 08:31 am
Whatever we say now, won’t change a thing.
Die ding is klaar suur.
Kabamba moet of 7′s toe, of Oudtshoorn toe en SWD Eagles speel.
25 Apr 2008, 08:32 am
This is Loffie’s chance!
Buy Floors as back-up for Baywatch. Grobelaar plays his heart out every match and deserves rest, not to mention some healthy competition.
The Lions should buy Mokuena too. He never makes the Cheetahs squad and is an exciting player. He can share the number 8 duties with Big Joe and Alberts can be moved to lock.
And how about getting Paul Delport and Ismaeel Dollie over to the Lions too?
25 Apr 2008, 08:34 am
now is the time for rassie to step in and pull floors into his squad as cover for outside center. he’s quicker, got a better step and better hands than most of the 13s in SA right now, and the size thing would matter a whole lot less.
25 Apr 2008, 08:36 am
Look in no way am I accusing Naka of being racist or anything.
Here in SA we coach the players to meet certain “standards or norms” if they don’t we pretty much discard them, the opposite of countries like New Zealand and Australia where they teach players to play to their individual strengths.
What I think the case is here is Naka is a old school coach with old school ideals, he takes a look at Kabamba and thinks the guy is too light, too small and not a lineout option
. As opposed to the other regular 100kg+ mammoth loose forwards we see in this country. He doesn’t care about the fact that Floors is more mobile and can run circles around some of these guys or his workrate and the danger on the fringes of the ruck he provides, no he doesn’t see the size or strength of a typical SA loosie.
That is why I believe so many undeniably talented black players fail to make the step up, we haven’t realized these guys have different body shapes and attribute to your traditional “dutchie” to be blunt. The sooner we do and start coaching to their strengths, the sooner we will see more successful players of ALL colours.
25 Apr 2008, 08:37 am
61#tough
Nou praat jy, Floors in die Kaap sal moerse wees.
Laat hom kom, maar hy sal daar ook eers VodaCup moet speel vir starters…
25 Apr 2008, 08:40 am
Kabamba, like Luke Watson is too small anyway for rugby at this level!
25 Apr 2008, 08:41 am
Not to worry, Floors can go and play for the Spears next year and Nakka will lead his bigger players to the Vodacom Cup. Hoskins promised if we vote for him he’ll make sure the Spears are up there next year.
25 Apr 2008, 08:44 am
puff#60 puff: where does that leave home grown talent?
25 Apr 2008, 08:45 am
#64 Potential Kiwi: I’m sure it hurts each time your girlfriend tells you that, that’s why she’s ******** your best friend, brother, daddy …….. cause they can perform at that level.
25 Apr 2008, 08:46 am
#64 Potential Kiwi: i take it, you think George Smith should not be playin Wallabies hey? come on…
25 Apr 2008, 08:50 am
SA Rugby has trapped itself between the two parties running the game:
1. At the top political level the game is run (read interfered in) by black politicians who are more interested in window dressing our teams than in investing time and money into developing black rugby players at a younger age. In my opinion no black rugby administrator should criticize a coach of any colour for not picking black players unless he is personally involved in seeing 8-12 year old black players getting the coaching they need. That’s where you develop future boks.
2. At the level beneath them – the coal-face of the game – SA rugby is run by Afrikaans coaches, many of whom (please note, I’m not saying all…) still have this subconscious belief that Afrikaans boys have a God-given right to be the world’s best rugby players. I refer to a Craven Week I went to a few years ago where 50 boys were picked for SA Schools and SA Academy sides, and apart from quota players who they were forced to pick, not one boy was selected from an English medium school.
And so these two parties to whom we have entrusted the game we love, are still busy fighting the boer-zulu war and rugby is the casualty.
25 Apr 2008, 08:54 am
# 4 keo
April 24th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Solly Tyibilika
Must be a color thing then hey Keo?
25 Apr 2008, 08:55 am
Floors should play hooker.
25 Apr 2008, 08:56 am
#62 Steel Shark: i agree with what your saying but, you need to understand that, you would have to change the whole face of SA rugga. by that i mean thier style of play and game plan just to accomodate trail and error.
25 Apr 2008, 09:23 am
“And how about getting Paul Delport and Ismaeel Dollie over to the Lions too?”
Ag nee man Puff.
25 Apr 2008, 09:31 am
Steelshark
I have met both Kabamba and Naka. They are both gentleman.
The way in which you are drawing inferences is laughable. Get real.
Lets talk facts. Kabamba,most people will admit is either a #6 or #8. It was quite difficlt for him to play when two of the most promising 20 year olds in SA Heinrich Brussouw and Dwaine Vermeulen were selected in the #6 and#8 jersey respectiveley. Each and every province is hunting for them at this moment. Every person with a bit of rugby knowledge will agree with me on this point. They are both youngsters and they will both play for SA sooner than later.
On the other hand Kabamba is a magnificent talent. BUT he is to small. He ios 28 years of age. He will never be a world beater in the 15 man game.
Hendro Scholtz is also-barring injuries, a very effective player.
Muir opts for Barret and not for Steyn. Is he a racist, idiot or anything else for making a call?
It is clearly the end of Kabamba’s stay in the States. He was highly succesfull-at times in the Cheetah setup. Next year he will be eligible for another S14 franchise. Continue this debate and follow his career. Unfortunately, due to his small body he will always remain a second Brent Russell.
25 Apr 2008, 09:39 am
Jan
Sela.
Dit is die feite.
En klaar.
25 Apr 2008, 09:45 am
I can not find fault in the way that Naka handled the situation.
I any organisation, team, friendships and as can be seen daily here on KEO… people disagree. But what intrigue me most about this whole thing… is this:
Floors admits that his “game” will be influenced by personnel problems and asked Naka for leave to solve the troubles, got the leave without even KEO and co picking it up or maybe they just didn’t bother to mention.
Then Floorsie returns and Naka, through the implicated player’s own admittance, is in doubt about the player’s standard of play and hands him the “phone-games” to prove himself.
Then Floorsie becomes suurgat, started moaning in the media he doesn’t get game time. Surely it wasn’t done for some “race leverage” on the coach, well who will know? But then, in the same breath says… he RATHER wants to play 7’s???
What I hate about these “professional players” nowadays… is there unwillingness to prove to a coach and supporter that he deserves a place in the team!!!
Floorsie… you are talented merit player, get the spider webs out of your head before you get all tangled up and bitten by the black widow!!!
Get your bloody act together!!!
25 Apr 2008, 09:45 am
#73 Dawn: Someone with a bit of common sense at last.
25 Apr 2008, 09:46 am
#74 Jan: Sorry, was meant to be Jan – no offense Dawn, you talk sense too
25 Apr 2008, 09:47 am
#74 Jan: I think you’ve hit the nail on the head!!
25 Apr 2008, 10:04 am
69
Please put the facts on the table with regard to your absurd claim that “not one boy was selected from an English medium school”.
You are referring to which year? Eighties, Nineties or beyond?
Not a single selection from Bishops, Maritzburg College, Grey PE, Pretoria Boys High, Hilton, Selbourne, Queenes College or from the parralel medium Grey College, Paarl Boys High or Paul Roos?
I beg to differ. My info is to the contrary. The old tie schools are playing an ever increasing role within SA rugby. In essence 10 -20 schools are the backbone of SA Rugby. Please differ from me.
This is just another (amateurish) attempt to be-little blacks and Afrikaners. And this from the holier than though English Community. The mere fact that there is sub standard Afrikaners, amongs others, involved in rugby is a fact. The very same is appliccable to the English speaking community, blacks, coloureds and any other community.
25 Apr 2008, 10:28 am
# 53 – yes but thats a billion zim dollars
25 Apr 2008, 11:02 am
I think it is sad that we keep getting back to players who think that they are owed something. They have no respect for the game and are not willing to put in the hard work.
25 Apr 2008, 12:05 pm
Floors has hit the ceiling of his fifteen-a-side game.
25 Apr 2008, 12:30 pm
Naka lavuki het die aangeleentheid reg hanteer…
25 Apr 2008, 12:32 pm
Same as the All Blacks has hit the ceiling at World Cups…
I am afraid 1987 is as good as it is going to get for them…
25 Apr 2008, 12:39 pm
PA
My point exactly.
I have been vehemently attacked and criticised for mentioning that the humiliation of the (All) Blacks just continue.
Maybe you and I just cannot comprehend the depth of the pain right now
25 Apr 2008, 12:44 pm
Must be Sheriff.
25 Apr 2008, 14:32 pm
How can Kabamba not make that kak cheetahs side. Even when Smith is injured? Naka is a dinosaur.
25 Apr 2008, 14:49 pm
#87
Like the nick dude…
25 Apr 2008, 16:13 pm
sounds like floors should play for banana banana, maybe then can he not practice and think he will make the team
25 Apr 2008, 17:05 pm
#46 GirlShark: Call me a pessimist then, but I sure hell am not a bulls fan. I was heartbroken after the final last year, and that stupid knockon/playing the ball on the ground that led to the winning try plays in my head over and over again.
I hope something works out for kabamba I always liked him. if the cheetahs don’t want him then let him play 7′s, like I said before it would be great for the team.
25 Apr 2008, 17:58 pm
Watch this space. Kabamba as sure as hell a Stormer next year.
The qustion is: had Naka been the Stormers coach, would their have been 6 black players in his side every time?
Two wings. And that is it. Those coaches who doesn’t want to transform are normally stuck with the two-black-wings-syndrome.
Remember Habana? He was a brilliant centre. I sometimes wonder what quality centre Habana would have been if he was given the opportunity to develop in that position?
25 Apr 2008, 18:02 pm
Oh yes. The two most transformed teams, Sharks and Stormers are doing quite well in the S14. And don’t forget Boland.They are performing extremely well over the last couple of seasons with more then the so-called qouta or target of Black players and without a sponsor.
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