Taking centre stage
10 Jun 2008
Jean de Villiers is determined to become the axis around which the Springboks revolve.
In the latest issue of SA Rugby magazine, on sale Wednesday 11 June, the Bok centre talks about the pain of missing the 2007 World Cup, what he has that Frans Steyn doesn’t (and vice versa), and why he’d be happy to wear the Bok No 13 jersey even though he prefers 12.
He also expresses his burning desire to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand this year. ‘It’s still a huge goal among the senior players,’ he says. ‘We achieved a lot under Jake [White], but the fact that we’ve never won in New Zealand has always bugged me. After this year’s Super 14, I’m confident we can head over there with a very strong side and pick up the win.’
Also in the latest issue:
– Ian McIntosh on the ELVs: the former Bok coach (who was on the IRB’s Law Group Project) gives unique insight into how they were conceived, why they were supposed to be adopted as a package, and the ‘orchestrated’ effort to undermine them
– Seven steps to glory: former Bok mental coach Henning Gericke on how to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand
– The key to Robbie Deans: why he’s the right man for the Wallabies job
– Frank Bunce rates Anthony Tuitavake, while Stirling Mortlock aims to bury the Wallabies’ World Cup ghosts
– Jeremy Guscott on why Ian McGeechan will get the Lions roaring in 2009
– Former Bok centre Joe Gillingham left South Africa for France and never returned. Keo finds out why
– WP scrumhalf Paul Delport has suffered more setbacks than most, but he hasn’t given up on his Bok dream
– Currie Cup preview: Can the Sharks win first title since 1996?
219 Comments
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All
10 Jun 2008, 08:11 am
Jean De Dragon!
10 Jun 2008, 08:11 am
In the centre – Dragon
10 Jun 2008, 08:11 am
Oh Shucks – beaten again!!!
10 Jun 2008, 08:14 am
“what he has that Frans Steyn doesn’t (and vice versa), why he’d be happy to wear the Bok No 13 jersey even though he prefers 12.”
Speed and power but lacking tactical variation and a kicking game ?
10 Jun 2008, 08:21 am
I am the biggest supporter Province ever had (in my own mind) but must say i had my reservations about Jean when Rassie made him captain but he came out on top. I rate him on current form the best centre in the southern hemisphere
10 Jun 2008, 08:25 am
Jean is definitely the most complete centre in South Africa and probably in the world at the moment….
10 Jun 2008, 08:32 am
#6 Storm Voort: yes storm, and of course you convieniently forget about brian o’driscoll, mortlock and conrad smith….
10 Jun 2008, 08:35 am
#7 Windhond_Sharks: exactly my thoughts too – he is good but let’s not get carried away.
10 Jun 2008, 08:37 am
Giteau and Mortlock
Deans would either be incredibly brave or really foolish to break up this deadly combination.
Aside from the two above:
De Villiers
Fourie
Darcy
O’ Driscoll
Barkley
Jauzion
Noon
Contempomi
McAllister
Mauger
Tait
Steyn
Man, there are some good centres on the planet.
10 Jun 2008, 08:38 am
7 & 8: This is patr of the problem. The Kiwis has a helluva lot of faith in the ability of their players to be the best in the world. We seem to want to always say something along the lines of, “He is good, but….” The attitude difference can make itself make a difference.
10 Jun 2008, 08:39 am
Gents,
Where are the results of the Super 14 predictions competition.
10 days down the line and we haven’t heard a thing from Keo.co.za.
Was this just a false ploy to boost ‘hit’ numbers?
10 Jun 2008, 08:44 am
I admire your grit and determination Jean, but just stay off the injury list. We need you for those tests in NZ in Wellington and Dunedin. News today on NZ’s Radio Sport was that Carisbrook in Dunedin is already 80% sold out for the House of Pain test against the Boks. Not sure if it is the World Cup holders tag the Boks now proudly own or the fact that the the Southern Men last had a test 3 years ago. Seems they want to remind their North Island detractors that they can fill the ground and deserve to host test matches there.
10 Jun 2008, 08:46 am
#7 Windhond_Sharks:
i disagree with #6 Storm Voort: he is’nt “probebly”he is “definately” the best centre in the world far better then #9 puff: australiens
10 Jun 2008, 08:53 am
for me all JDV previous coaches made him play with a structered plan, “jean you must run into your opp.”
since rassie came to CT jean has been playing what he see’s infront of him…
10 Jun 2008, 08:56 am
puff
you left out the name of pierre speis
10 Jun 2008, 09:03 am
It looks like SA Rugby mag and keo are run on the same priciples.
Keo recycles articles time and again and SA Rugby magazine recycles cover pictures.
True or false?
10 Jun 2008, 09:10 am
Where’s that guy that always writes about the WP?
Westelike Provinsie deel rugbylesse uit in Windhoek
DIE Namibiese rugbyspan, oftewel die FNB Vyftiental soos die telbord hulle genoem het, se dapperste verdediging was Saterdag teen die Westelike Provinsie nie genoeg om ‘n neerlaag met 45-6 af te weer nie.
‘n Goeie skare het die Hage Geingob-stadion volgepak, net om te sien dat harde werk nog vir die Welwitschias voorlê om hul wedstrydplan en spankeuse reg te kry voordat hulle Woensdag na Dakar vertrek vir die allerbelangrike Afrika- en Wêreldbekertoets teen Senegal.
Beserings en onttrekkings het afrigter John Williams nie veel ander opsies gelaat as om ‘n redelik onervare agterlyn in die veld te stoot nie. Met Melrick Africa se laat onttrekking is die nuwelinge in die middelveld aan die diepkant ingegooi en moes hulle boonop vir die grootste deel van die wedstryd verdedig.
Op die aanval was daar maar min kans om die Streeptruie te beproef. Die telling getuig nie werklik hoe hard die wedstryd voorlangs was nie. Die besoekers het vier drieë in die laaste tien minute gedruk nadat die Namibiërs vir groot dele van die wedstryd moedig verdedig het. Die Namibiese heelagter TC Losper het eerste punte aangeteken met ‘n strafskop.
© wiets Coeetzee
Die persoon met sy arms in die lug op die foto is die wenner van ‘n getekende WP-rugbytrui.
Die voorsprong was egter van korte duur aangesien die WP-haker Deon Fourie kort daarna in die middelveld verby Wacca Kazombiaze is om onder die Namibiese pale oor te duik. Losskakel Ricardo Croy het verdoel om die WP met 7-3 te laat voorloop. Die WP-voorspelers het sterk gedryf met die bal.
Agtsteman Justin Melck het ‘n losbal opgeraap en sy span se tweede drie gedruk. Croy het weer verdoel. Met die WP 14-3 voor, het die skeidsregter mnr. TC Fontein die WPvoorspelers gestraf omdat hulle die bal op die grond vasgehou het. Losper het weer geslaag met die strafskop. Kort voor rustyd het die WPstut Schalk Ferreira met krag oor die doellyn gedryf om die rustydtelling 19-6 in WP se guns te maak.
Die Namibiërs het meer aanvalle in die tweede helfte geloods, maar afronding het ontbreek. Die voorspelers het heelwat balle in losgemale asook lynstane verloor. Die fiksheid het ook nie gehou nie. Die WP-heelagter Johan Pietersen, en later ook Gio Aplon as impakspeler, het uitstekend gespeel en met vaart en vlugvoetigheid die Namibiese verdediging geflous.
Pietersen is as die speler van die wedstryd aangewys. Een van sy breekslae het die WP se volgende drie vir die plaasvervanger Terry Jacobs geskep. Croy het oorgeskop en die WP se voorsprong het tot 26-6 vergroot. Enkele minute later het Jacobs sy tweede gaan druk. Die reserweslot Adriaan Fondse en senter Dylan des Fountain het in die laaste paar minute ook drieë gedruk. Croy het weereens akkuraat verdoel.
10 Jun 2008, 09:11 am
#6 Storm Voort:
Complete ? You do realize that a complete 12 can also kick for territory and chip through a rush defense. I can not recall JdV ever doing anything else but putting his head down and running.
10 Jun 2008, 09:13 am
Everything starting with “Axis” this morning.
I wonder why.
10 Jun 2008, 09:14 am
#11 Rager: keep asking. if you post maybe 25 times in every thread, someone will have to give you an answer.
10 Jun 2008, 09:18 am
#19 Dawn: Coz why Axis a chick magnet. You sprey, dey come.
10 Jun 2008, 09:29 am
I’ve always said he is one of the two world class stars at WP.
I just wish he would stop with that ridiculous habit of “signing his name in the air” for the camera when celebrating a try. It is so windgat, and rather embarrassing as well.
Compare that to the men who score a try, get up and start walking back to the halfway line without indulging in fits of self-praising vanity.
Come on Jean. Develop the maturity to match your undoubted talent, man.
10 Jun 2008, 09:31 am
#21 katman:
10 Jun 2008, 09:36 am
#22 Tacitus:
You being a little pedantic. Young players will express their joy. They don’t have to be robotic metronomes. I don’t think JdV goes cringefully over the top. He has his way as does Habana etc.
If you remember how Bulls winger JJ Van Der Walt celebrated a few years back you would see that JdV in hardly over the top in his exhuberance.
Tacitus, life is for enjoyment too. Smile and shake those hips of yours!
10 Jun 2008, 09:36 am
Tact
Just like when Habana puts his hand on his brow after he scores hey???
Very immature né???
Grow up bru. You must be one of the most negative people on this site!!!
10 Jun 2008, 09:38 am
#22 Tacitus: It still beats the quasi-religious mannerisms our northern brothers employ as their try-scoring insignia. That really gives me the heebie-jeebies.
10 Jun 2008, 09:38 am
I sincerely hope JdeV will remain injury free this season as we do not have another centre of his caliber. He made Jacobs look good on saterday.As for Butch , he has improved a hell of alot. I do hope that Piet snor will bring Matfield back in the starting 15.Wales however did not come up to expectations. 2nd test will be a run away for the Boks which unfortunately is not good with the trinations coming up as the AB and ausies is a different game
10 Jun 2008, 09:39 am
And how was Shane Williams with his “where are they” gesture after he arrived at the posts hours before anyone else – was that embarrassing too?
10 Jun 2008, 09:42 am
#24 Jinx da Lynx:
The best one ever was Gaffie du Toit’s Apollo ‘Lord of the Sliver Bow’ manoeuvre when he scored try – I choked on my biltong.
10 Jun 2008, 09:47 am
Katman
Tacitus would like all folk not to enjoy themselves too much. Being serious is more important than being happy. Never show emotion. Just “druk” it down and soldier on. Never show any little imperfection, never be spontaneous, never sparkle…just be reptilian and f#cking serious.
Chicks must dig you Tac.
10 Jun 2008, 09:49 am
#7 Windhond_Sharks:
I am not so syre about Smith but the other 2 for sure.
10 Jun 2008, 09:51 am
#29 Kerneels:
Hilarious!
I think Tac likes ostrich biltong because it’s the only biltong he eats with his head in the sand.
10 Jun 2008, 09:52 am
Mortlock is finished.
I’m surprised nobody mentioned Jauzion and Giteau.
10 Jun 2008, 09:52 am
#30 Jinx da Lynx:
Jy moet staan in jou ry
Jy moet jou hare kort sny
Jy moet altyd netjies bly
Jy moet al die pryse kry
Jy moet altyd netjies bly
Trou en kinders kry
In jou karretjie ry
En stem vir die party.
10 Jun 2008, 09:53 am
‘I think Tac likes ostrich biltong because it’s the only biltong he eats with his head in the sand.’
…and his poephol in the air…
10 Jun 2008, 09:54 am
#34 katman:
Whoooo…potent stuff. Who wrote that Katman? Very truthful.
10 Jun 2008, 09:55 am
the longer butch and jean can play along side each other and throw in a ‘little’ jaque fourie on the outside, the better it will certainly be for the boks!
10 Jun 2008, 10:06 am
#7 Windhond_Sharks: You have got to be kidding me! BoD! The same one Smith cut into little pieces just the other day. When was the last time he had a major hand in anything creative for Ireland. The other 2 JdV played in the S14 with his rep in tact. Didn’t Jean score the first try vs the Brumbies? About time we give our guys the cred they deserve and we stop living in awe of anyone who wears a black jumper. ‘Nough said!
10 Jun 2008, 10:06 am
Guys
Go to the mg’s new sportleader to give Tony “Southern Spears” Mckeever a hard time
http://www.sportsleader.co.za/tonymckeever/2008/06/05/note-to-south-african-rugby-fans-7-days-of-shock-awe/
10 Jun 2008, 10:09 am
#36 Jinx da Lynx: i think that was jonny k (johannes kerkorrel).
10 Jun 2008, 10:10 am
#36 Jinx da Lynx: Johannes Kerkorrel on his 1988 album Eet Kreef. Song called Energie. All about the conformist,non-questioning role Afrikaners were expected to play to keep the big old machine greased.
Jy moet staan in jou ry
Jy moet jou hare kort sny
Jy moet altyd netjies bly
En stem vir die party
Jy moet in ‘n huisie bly
Trou en kinders kry
In jou karretjie ry
Jy moet al die pryse kry
Ek sê nee dis ‘n mors
Ek sê nee dis ‘n mors, ja
Ek sê nee dis ‘n mors
‘n Mors van energie
Betaal jou paaiemente
Selfs al kak jy weens die rente
Wees versigtig wat jy doen
Of jy verloor jou pensioen
O, en moenie vrae vra
Oor die dinge wat jou pla
Jy moet leer om stil te bly
Jy sal ‘n goue horlosie kry
Ek sê nee dis ‘n mors
Ek sê nee dis ‘n mors, ja
Ek sê nee dis ‘n mors
‘n Mors van energie
10 Jun 2008, 10:13 am
#40 the peanut gallery:
Thanks bru.
Sometimes I think Tacitus is still in his army browns and his doiby at his computer.
In fact… in vol webbing en geweer.
10 Jun 2008, 10:15 am
#4 klingon_x: maturity and a brain…
10 Jun 2008, 10:15 am
#42 Jinx da Lynx: ya, there’s only one blogger more anal – g13g
10 Jun 2008, 10:17 am
#18 klingon_x: You need to watch more rugby then…I’ve seen him chip, grubber and even take line kicks in the past.
10 Jun 2008, 10:17 am
#41 katman:
Ja well not to be callous, but we all know where that guy ended up. So by all means, rely on that genius as your spiritual guru and life coach…
10 Jun 2008, 10:18 am
#22 Tacitus: Wish Spies would stop pointing to the sky when he scores…as an athiest I find it offensive
10 Jun 2008, 10:18 am
#41 katman:
was a great song… that, hillbrow and someting about a bmw, i really love those songs…
10 Jun 2008, 10:18 am
#41 katman:
I still have that album on cassette from my JHB days in the late 80′s. I must get it out. I still have some old casettes from THAT time but hardly play them. In 2 drawers collecting dust.
Ons ry ‘n BMW ons stem vir die PFP.
10 Jun 2008, 10:20 am
#47 squonkmonk: halleluya
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.