Celebrating Monty’s century
16 Jul 2008
In an SA Rugby magazine exclusive, Andre Joubert, HO de Villiers and Chris Latham pay tribute to Percy Montgomery, who’s set to become the first Bok to play 100 Tests.
There can be no doubt about it. Montgomery, who will make his 99th appearance against the Wallabies on Saturday, is a Bok legend. During an international career spanning 11 years and four Bok coaches, he has scored nearly 900 Test points, and won a Tri-Nations and a World Cup. Next year, he is set to become the first man in 26 years to play two Test series against the British & Irish Lions.
Who better to pay tribute to Monty than someone who mentored him (HO), played with him (Jouba) and against him (Latham). Each former fullback gives a unique perspective on the South African who now holds 87 Springboks records.
We also talk to Monty about whether there is such a thing as the complete fullback, his favourite ground, his most memorable Test (apart from the World Cup final), why he prefers touring New Zealand to Australia, the funniest player he’s ever known, and what defines him.
Also in this issue:
– Conrad Jantjes on his fight for the Bok No 15 jersey, how he’s evolved as a player since his Test debut in 2001 and how he feels about Monty joining WP
– Zimbabwe has recently produced three Boks, but the state of the game north of our border is anything but healthy. We investigate
– Andries Bekker talks about his Test debut, what he’s learnt from Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield and the influence Luke Watson has had on his career
– We speak to Sharks coach John Plumtree about the challenge of them winning the Currie Cup (at last), keeping his youngsters in Durban, tweaking the set-up and why the squad needs to hurt when they lose
– Rory Kockott on failing to crack Springbok selection, why he left the Golden Lions, how he approaches goal-kicking and what it’s like to play alongside Frederic Michalak
– We visit Toulouse No 8 Shaun Sowerby in France, and find out why he wants to add to his one Bok cap
– Ollie le Roux discusses his short stint with Leinster, why he wouldn’t have brought John Smit and Victor Matfield back from France, and the threat he poses if he ever goes into coaching
PLUS: Luke Burgess + Lawrence Dallaglio + Top 14 final + SA U20s + free Monty poster
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212 Comments
15 Jul 2008, 08:58 am
Well deserved.
15 Jul 2008, 09:00 am
I would NEVER have thought! NEVER!
So well done.
15 Jul 2008, 09:01 am
#2 Staal:
To think of all the personal attack he has had to overcome by his own countrymen.
I can not give this guy enough respect.
15 Jul 2008, 09:02 am
Ag nee i see Bollie le Roux is washing out his mouth again. Didnt he say before the world cup we stood no chance at all?
15 Jul 2008, 09:03 am
Percy is without a doubt the best fullback SA has ever produced
15 Jul 2008, 15:40 pm
We’ll have the cover image up now … just having a few technical difficulties.
15 Jul 2008, 15:43 pm
#3 jondood:
Heard Corne Krige talking about it. He said that the SA crowds got him in the end. That’s why he left for Europe.
All I can say is what a comeback!
15 Jul 2008, 15:45 pm
#6 Simon: Simon, verkoop julle die tydskrif hier erens in Pommieland?
15 Jul 2008, 15:47 pm
I think the only threat to that fat arsehole Ollie is a heart attack.
Lose some weight first and stop shooting your mouth off you fat f%ck, no one likes you.
15 Jul 2008, 15:48 pm
Ek hou van ‘n man wat ‘n slag kan slaan…
Ek hou van ‘n man wat sy man kan staan…
Geluk Monty jou ou Walvis Baaier. Ons is trots op jou. Baie trots!
15 Jul 2008, 15:52 pm
yip I just bought the mag and there he is on the cover – Percy!
my hero who played in the RWC final with freeking torn knee ligaments – oh yes what a great he is. The only black mark on his record is the moffie shoes and the fact that he has never known the joy of wearing a red Lions jersey.
Roar!!!
15 Jul 2008, 15:54 pm
#8 GriekwasStormer: Unfortunately not
15 Jul 2008, 15:56 pm
now had I known that Ollie would be featured I would not have purchased it.. how unlucky I was.
15 Jul 2008, 16:03 pm
#8 GriekwasStormer: Griekwas – Keo will mail you the mag if you subscribe – he loves the british pound
15 Jul 2008, 16:14 pm
5 Disa
The records prove that Percy is in fact the best Springbok ever. Anyone who argues with that is simply being emotional and not looking at the hard data.
15 Jul 2008, 16:19 pm
I really think that they should rest Monty for the Argentina test and let him lead the Boks out of the tunnel at a full Newlands (where it all began for him) against the All Blacks for his 100th test. If ths doesn’t happen he’ll lead the team out of the tunnel at an under capacity Coca Cola Park against Argentina.
What do you all think? Would he prefer the first option or do you think that he wants to play in as many tests as possible?
15 Jul 2008, 16:19 pm
#5 Disa: Disa,
Have you seen every Springbok fullback in action since 1891 to make such a statement?
Remember that the guys from yesteryear didn’t Percy’s oppurtunities.
Well done to Percy anyway – one of the great Springbok fullbacks.
15 Jul 2008, 16:21 pm
Ou AsPersie……. jy het ‘n shaky begin gehad…………. fooooooook ek onthou jou 1 Loftus Toets………..
Maar jy het hard geveg en geswoeg en het freegin ‘n legende geword……. kappityt, ou Kreatien-monstertjie……… jy is ‘n YSTER !!
15 Jul 2008, 16:35 pm
ok ollie’s opinion that he wouldnt bring back the two most important players in our side clearly outlines his nuttiness and complete devotion to being controversial.even if it makes no sense at all.
15 Jul 2008, 16:38 pm
pakalolo
Have to agree with you there. I’ve enjoyed Ollie’s free-spiritedness over the years. But that is a seriously ludicrous statement he’s just made.
15 Jul 2008, 17:18 pm
#5 Disa:
who you..Percy boyfriend?
The guy may have played 100 tests but he is NO WAY the best ever in a Bok 15 jersey.
fcking inconsistent *******..has his moments
15 Jul 2008, 17:26 pm
Well done Percy – from a fan over the years (even when you played for Province!).
A credit to fullbacks everywhere.
Also note that you made no mistakes under the high ball last Saturday as many said you would.
Here’s to many more years!
15 Jul 2008, 17:27 pm
Percy has won a WC and a TriNations. He hasn’t won a S14. Has he ever drank champagne from the Curriecup? Remember how much Os treasured finally winning a Curriecup.
15 Jul 2008, 17:28 pm
#5 Disa:
In recent memory both Juba and Johan Heunis were better full backs in my opinion, although Monty improved with age.
He is almost 100% safe under the high ball now and sometimes he tackles. Who would have thought. I did not rate him as a safe pair of hands when he started out.
His positional and tactical kicking is phenomenal. A clever player.
15 Jul 2008, 17:37 pm
#24 allamapstieks:
Agreed, Much Maligned Monty………..
15 Jul 2008, 17:38 pm
Not some more sour grapes from ollie. Still bitter he played so many tests but never started get over it at least you had a bok cap. 100 tests does not make you great, he was born in the right erra. He is a great player but greatest ever full back!?! Andre Joubert was like watching magic a true royal royce!!!!!!! Becy is the tough rugged family sedan. If Naas played as many games he would have scored nearly 400-500 points more.
15 Jul 2008, 17:40 pm
Johan Heunis(NTvl)
better then Percy any given day
15 Jul 2008, 17:44 pm
Remember how Carel du Plessis started Monty’s test career at outside center against the British Lions. He (Monty) quickly obtained the nickname “Spook”, because the Lions ran right through him. When Mallet took over, he had the vision (or was it HO Div’s recommendation) to move Monty to fullback where he was sensational against France and Scotland in 97 and also winning the 98 TriNations.
15 Jul 2008, 17:44 pm
#26 obelix11a:
Jouba and Heunis were better. Different players but still great.
However, Percy deserves the accolades as he has had a lot of ***** to put up with.
15 Jul 2008, 17:46 pm
#26 obelix11a:
Naas is still undisputed greatest kicker of the ball SA has produced.
15 Jul 2008, 17:48 pm
#28 Hier kom groot k..:
Brent Russell was sensational and I reckon would being a greater fullback then Percy had we persisted with him.
Tinus Delport also had his moments in the 15 jersey..the equal of Percy in his peak.
15 Jul 2008, 17:50 pm
#30 greatest13gerber:
Have you forgotten Luke Smith? Absolutely phenominal at kicking the oval ball. ‘Kool hand Luke’.
Otherwise couldn’t play for ***** – same as ‘wit-broek’ Naas.
15 Jul 2008, 17:52 pm
#30 greatest13gerber: Not only that, Naas had phenomenal ball distribution, and his option taking left one breathless. His brain was hard wired to just do the right thing. I have not seen anything like him.
Pity about his defence, but that’s a small gripe.
Agree though that Percy has shown some character after all the criticism he first had to put up with.
15 Jul 2008, 17:52 pm
#31 greatest13gerber: Percy is a great servant of the modern game but to say he is the best because he played so many games is ignorant. Records will be scewed to the modern player. Since the Tri-nations stared each team has played over 50 matches each or 26 against each team thats more games than in the previous 3 decades!!!
15 Jul 2008, 17:55 pm
#30 greatest13gerber:
frans steyn can be a better striker of a rugby ball imho.
15 Jul 2008, 17:56 pm
As an old SACS boy I would love to be able to agree with #5 but that is impossible. Monty deserves all the plaudits that he gets and not much of the mud slinging. He has shown that he is a great person and a rugby player but there are a few full backs that I rate above him and I have seen them all since the days of Roy Dryburgh. Two that I will admit to rating above him are Jouba and HO, but there are others as well.
He deserves to lead the team onto the field against the ABs at Newlands in his 100th.
Just for the grammar police – please Ryan and Co there is no such thing as “trialed” use tested or tried. Trialed is not the verbal formed of trial.
15 Jul 2008, 17:56 pm
#32 OCO:
My best flyhalf list in the last 30 years list:
Naas Botha
Mychael Lynagh
Jonny Wilkinson (but only exceptional for about 3 years)
Daniel Carter
15 Jul 2008, 17:57 pm
I said last week that I thought Monty would be the weak link for the Boks last Saturday.
Here I am admitting I was wrong.
There may have been more talented fullbacks who have donned the green and gold 15 jersey over the decades, but i doubt there have been any that are more dedicated and professional than Mr Percy Montgomery.
15 Jul 2008, 17:59 pm
Unexpectedly the best cover I’ve seen on a SA Rugby magazine!
15 Jul 2008, 18:00 pm
#33 allamapstieks:
people often neglected that at his peak..Naas had very deceptive speed. I don’t think we will ever see a SA player dictate a game like Naas did. the guy was a freak..loved and hated
#32 OCO:
Luke Smith?..you must be off your rocks
15 Jul 2008, 18:02 pm
#26 obelix11a: Yes, if I remember correctly, when Monty passed Naas’s all time Boks points record, he had played more than twice the amount of tests Naas did.
Even today Naas is second on the list.
15 Jul 2008, 18:02 pm
#37 allamapstieks:
my best 10s I have ever seen play
Mark Ella
Naas Botha
Hugo Porta
Stephen Larkham(at his peak probably the most complete)
Dan Carter
15 Jul 2008, 18:03 pm
#40 greatest13gerber: I know. Naas held the 200m NTvl Schools record till just the other day.
15 Jul 2008, 18:04 pm
#31 greatest13gerber: Yes, Monty was sensational initially but only for a short time. In ’98 when England ended our unbeaten run of 17 tests, Kobus Wiese remarked at a wedding that day: “Wie moet ons bedank: PERCY”. Percy’s play deteriorated to the point where he was boo’ed at Loftus. He went overseas to Newport with 50 tests to his name and came back a much more mature and complete player.
But I don’t think Percy was the greatest. Jouba, Johan Heunis and Gysie Pienaar were great fullbacks as well (that I have seen). Doc Craven raved about HO de Villiers and Gerrie Brandt. Lionel Wilson, Ian McCallum, Dawie Snyman and Gerhard Morkel amonst other have established themselves in the Springbok fullback position during their careers. The greatest – who knows?
15 Jul 2008, 18:04 pm
#40 greatest13gerber:
Admit it, you don’t know who he is (was) do you.
15 Jul 2008, 18:05 pm
Well done Percy, 100 test caps is a great achievement. I suspect that most of your critics never made the 1st 15 at school, never played provincial rugby or even attended 100 games. To compare any current rugby player with players that played 10 years ago is a joke. At times I also criticised you, but you kept bouncing back and each time you got better. The man deserves respect.
15 Jul 2008, 18:06 pm
You all forget the best Fly Half ever to have lived……… Hugo Porta………. THE Mr Rugby of the Argies !!
15 Jul 2008, 18:09 pm
#47 grootblousmile: Was he really better than Naas? I only saw him play once. Naas was brilliant to 14 years.
15 Jul 2008, 18:09 pm
#40 greatest13gerber:
The one time I remember Naas was in NZ so many years ago. He feinted a pass to the right, then to the left, and ended up scoring a try to the left of the uprights.
Non of the NZ’ers had anticipated he would actually run with the ball.
Must have been 50 meters and he still didn’t get his shorts dirty or a NZ’er come close to laying a finger on him. Totally unexpected he would take any form of contact.
Hell it was a great try and a top moment in Internationals.
15 Jul 2008, 18:10 pm
You can never compare players who played in different eras with each other…it is a useless exercise and prove nothing. The old timers will obvious say the players from their era’s were the best although they played under totally different conditions, rules, were par-time players etc.
What is verifiable is that Percy played the most tests, scored the most points, has a world cup and try nations winners medal and that alone should put him apart from any of the other lot mentioned. Just a pity that he went to SACS
15 Jul 2008, 18:10 pm
#47 grootblousmile:
the most feared modern flyhalf:lem
15 Jul 2008, 18:11 pm
#45 OCO:
the only kicker I know of that name is the ex Natalian
so the question is ..who the fck is Luke Smith and who cares?
no other SA player comes close to Naas in term s of natural talent
15 Jul 2008, 18:12 pm
#46 crowbar:
‘To compare any current rugby player with players that played 10 years ago is a joke.’
Why is that crowbar?
15 Jul 2008, 18:12 pm
Congratulations Percy Montgomery – well deserved!
Not only has he served the Springboks well over the past 10 years but he’s also had to endure some terrible critisism and disgusting crowd behaviour.
Who can forget the games at Loftus and Ellis Park in the early part of his carreer when the mostly northern fans booed him…. Hard to think of it now….so-called South African fans booing their own player! Hats off to Percy for showing the strength of character to ignore all that was thrown at him.
Of course Percy has always stuck out which makes him an easy target in SA, but he has to shoulder some of the blame for it. He can’t help it that he has a particularly English and feminine sounding name (the former which doesn’t endear him to certain Afrikaners who prefer their Boks to be called Willie, Carel, Gert and Corne), but he didn’t help himself by getting highlights in his hair or by wearing shinny boots. Of course had he not been South African, then these acts of self-expression probably wouldn’t have been an issue (in fact going on the likes of Dennis Rodman in the US or David Beckham in the UK, he’d probably have made a lot more money…not to suggest he didn’t, but he’d have probably coped less critisism for it).
What makes Percy Montgomery an even better player than he’s given credit for (in my opinion) was the fact that he played in some downright rubbish Springboks teams in his 10 years. Teams that were poorly selected, badly coaches and downright mismanaged.
I remember countless matches over the past 10 years where Percy was the unfortunate victim of having to do the job of the entire backline because his wings were so incompetent and constantly out of position. It’s easy to look bad and place blame with your fullback when all those around him are useless…. I played 15 for many years….it’s the most exposed position on the field and along with flyhalf, if your team is getting a pouding you’re likely to come off looking the worst.
Which is not to say Percy was flawless….when he was bad he was spectacularly bad. He could do 25 good things in a match but his one bad thing would be a howler….prone to making him look like a schoolboy player….but which wasn’t helped by the incompetence around him.
As for those who would believe Andre Joubert was in a different class….you have short memories. Joubert was good no doubt, with 2 or 3 particularly good seasons (94-97), but one thing he was particularly bad at was TACKLING…straight out of the James Small school of tackling (baring Small’s marking job on Lomu in the WC95 final).
Joubert used to call off more tackles than I can remember. Do yourself a favor and get hold of some early Trinations and Super 12 games in which he played….
He also lost a lot of pace in his later years and was often responsible for not covering his lines….
Fortunately for Joubert he was one of those likeable characters, less polarized than someone like Monty, and therefore many people conveniently overlook the many flaws in Joubert’s game. No doubt Jouba was class, but in my opinion taking the longevity of Monty’s carreer, and the contribution he made to SA rugby…. Monty comes out on top.
Our best fullback, and possible one of our best backs, of the profesional era!
15 Jul 2008, 18:13 pm
Congrats Percy
He was written of so many times, but continued to work on his shortcomings and came back a much improved player every time. Will never forget the day he got booed of Loftus, but he came back better than ever.
#41 allamapstieks: Monty wasn’t the first choice goal kicker in many of those tests.
15 Jul 2008, 18:13 pm
#50 Robzim:
fair point.
15 Jul 2008, 18:13 pm
#42 greatest13gerber: I’d pick Henry Honiball over every one of those flyhalves.
Best fullbacks I’ve seen . . . JPR Williams, Andre Joubert, Christian Cullen and Chris Latham.
Regards
15 Jul 2008, 18:13 pm
#51 Fern: Lem was good, and so strong on his feet, and great defensively, but his kicking was not always very solid, and his option taking not always the best. Both things that are key to the position.
15 Jul 2008, 18:15 pm
#55 Left upright:
ah that was the just the typical Loftus welcome for visiting CT girls
15 Jul 2008, 18:15 pm
#58 allamapstieks:
most feared in a physical sense
15 Jul 2008, 18:15 pm
#52 greatest13gerber:
Do you remember Gerald Bosch? He was a not too shabby kicker especially as far as drop kicks were concerned. I see he is currently the personal kicking mentor of the Aussie centre and flyhalf Barnes
15 Jul 2008, 18:15 pm
#54 Neil: Percy Montgomery sounds Scotish not English. Afrikaners have no problems with the Scots.
15 Jul 2008, 18:16 pm
#58 allamapstieks: The fact that Lem didn’t kick it away at every opportunity is what makes him such a great flyhalf. Oh and his option taking was immaculate.
Regards
15 Jul 2008, 18:17 pm
And everybody forgets that Monty is one of the first and certainly the greatest *** icon of Springbok rugby.
15 Jul 2008, 18:18 pm
# 53 because 10 years back a rugby ball was round
15 Jul 2008, 18:19 pm
#63 Rooinek07: If Lem was so good, why did he struggle for 3 seasons to unseat Stransky at Natal? Because each time they selected him instead of Stransky they realised the problems in his game.
15 Jul 2008, 18:20 pm
#52 greatest13gerber: Naas was a very good player, but would have struggled in the modern game. He would have nowhere to hide on defence and attacking teams would have exposed his dismal defence.
Reminds me a bit of Ismael Dollie.
Agree on his speed though, just a pity he didn’t use it much.
Naas is definately not the most talented player ever produced by SA.
15 Jul 2008, 18:21 pm
Honiball was good no doubt about, but he’s another player that was fortunate enough to play in that great Bok team of 97/98 as well as some great Natal teams.
Fortunately (for his reputation…and legend) he was injured and retired through periods of rubbish Bok teams and therefore never got exposed behind particularly bad packs.
Had Honniball played more regularly (he played relatively few tests) under some of the crapper coaching regeims, he’d have probably also been made to look **** on occasion and perhaps his legend wouldn’t be what it is today.
Look I liked Honniball, but fanboys tend to get carried away…
15 Jul 2008, 18:22 pm
# 64 “And everybody forgets that Monty is one of the first and certainly the greatest *** icon of Springbok rugby”
we all know that you will never forget that!
15 Jul 2008, 18:23 pm
#59 greatest13gerber: Lol, he didn’t do himself any favors with his hair and the boots. Loftus has their own girl now, Meisiekind Olivier.
15 Jul 2008, 18:23 pm
#66 allamapstieks: Both Ian McIntosh and Nick Mallett said that they didn’t recognise Henry Honiball’s genius at first. Read their books and see what they say about him.
Look, it’s all subjective and we all have our favourites. Honiball was easily my favourite player so I readily admit I’m biased . . . but trust me, you won’t change my mind. If I was picking a team of players at their best to play for my life, Henry Honiball would be the first name on my teamsheet.
Regards
15 Jul 2008, 18:24 pm
#69 crowbar: I once went to a *** club in Braamfontein and there was this huge poster of Monty above the bar.
15 Jul 2008, 18:24 pm
#69 crowbar: Good one!
15 Jul 2008, 18:24 pm
#61 Robzim:
I saw Bosch play when I was a boy..Gerald would later say that Naas was a great kicker then he ever was.
But Bosch was a greta drop kicker..never knew he was still active in rugby circles.
15 Jul 2008, 18:24 pm
#62 – his name might be more suggestive of Scotish decent, and you and I might be aware of this, but let’s face it….10 years ago to the average Pretorian he was a ‘rooinek wat lyk soon ‘n moffie me sy blond hare…’
15 Jul 2008, 18:27 pm
#75 Neil: He does not llok like a Rooinek at all. He looks like a boerseun which is why he made the manne feel so insecure.
15 Jul 2008, 18:27 pm
#71 Rooinek07:
Honiball was a strange one..an enigma..scored tries and yet had the same bland expression on his face. Then there was the time he retired from rugby then came back and played for Natal.
15 Jul 2008, 18:28 pm
#52 greatest13gerber:
Ja, at keeping his clothes clean.
As I suspected, you have no idea who Luke Smith was do you?
I think he had a 100% kicking average and didn’t he sink the BB too?
15 Jul 2008, 18:28 pm
Congrats to Monty. What a legend!All he has missing on his CV is a Super 14 winners medal. World Cup/Tri-Nations/Beat New Zealand in their backyard twice/Currie Cup!!
15 Jul 2008, 18:29 pm
#58 allamapstieks: Lem had a great rugby brain and great decision making. Don’t forget the move that led to Slapchips winning try in NZ in 1998 was his brainchild. He scribbled it on a napkin at breakfast. Jake White shows the utmost respect for Lem’s rugby brain and vision in his biography.
Agree on his kicking though.
15 Jul 2008, 18:29 pm
#69 crowbar:
Sounds like you can not get over it.
Leave the *** thing out of it. 100 is a milestone.
15 Jul 2008, 18:29 pm
Least we forget the time Percy was knocked to the floor in a Pretors niteclub by a local
15 Jul 2008, 18:29 pm
#77 greatest13gerber: Lem drove 150km’s from his farm in Underberg to train. Dedication for you.
15 Jul 2008, 18:30 pm
#77 greatest13gerber: Yes, he was something of an enigma and definitely one of the most unorthodox flyhalves of recent times.
I don’t remember him retiring and coming back. There was a lengthy injury-enforced layoff but I don’t believe he ever hung up his boots and then returned to rugby.
Regards
15 Jul 2008, 18:30 pm
Haha, all this stuff about Monty’s sexuality (and one of you admitting to going to a *** bar) is a good laugh…
Personally I don’t care about someone’s sexuality, but for the record Percy is married (as far as I recall reading) to that former Dove model Tamsin Tosbit. And as I recall she was one incredibly attractive woman…so not sure why his sexuality was ever brought into question. Speaking of which, Pretoria is apparently has more *** escorts than anywhere else in SA
15 Jul 2008, 18:31 pm
#77 greatest13gerber:
Honniball was the pre-eminent team plaer SA ever had. Remember him looking to pass the ball for the boks when someone shouted “put the ball down, your’e 5 meters in the goal area”.
Totally un-selfish player.
Ruan could develop the same way.
15 Jul 2008, 18:31 pm
# 72 all(e)aman(p)st(i)eek there you did it, you came out of the closet even your name says it all, it’s OK I am sure your mom still loves you
15 Jul 2008, 18:32 pm
#85 Neil: It certainly does not bother me. And no, I’m not ***. I bet Dan Carter’s photo is in *** clubs in NZ.
15 Jul 2008, 18:32 pm
#78 OCO:
Who cares?..you comparing an obvious nobody to the greatest match winner SA has produced?
you need to get with the consensus
15 Jul 2008, 18:33 pm
#85 Neil: I agree. Sounds like some of these guys are secretly wishing Percy was *** so they can fantasize at night.
Regards
15 Jul 2008, 18:33 pm
#75 Neil: Jinne…….. now Pretoria gets the freegin label 10 years ago………… gaan skop jou kinders man !
During that fateful Test at Loftus all those years ago, Percy was diabolical, he was kuk that day………… that’s all there is to it……… I was there !
But Percy trained hard, fought well, improved himself……… the Creatine worked…… Percy matured……… and he became great.
Maybe, just maybe, that performance at Loftus (booing included) was needed to make Percy great…………. in fact………. that’s a given.
Julle Soutpiele moet heel in julle moerrrrrrrrr vlieg om altyd Afrikaners kuk te maak………. julle fooooookin sponsparras !
15 Jul 2008, 18:34 pm
#88 No worries mate, glad you’re mature and open-minded about it. Not everyone is like that.
15 Jul 2008, 18:35 pm
#87 crowbar: Crowbar, you don’t need to be *** to go to a *** bar.
I bet there are some *** Springbok rugby supporters on this site, and yes I bet many of them are from Pretoria.
15 Jul 2008, 18:35 pm
#83 allamapstieks:
thats right..I think his “retirement” in the early 90s was injury related..
very unique character..definitely had his own distinctive playing style.
15 Jul 2008, 18:35 pm
#86 OCO:
honiball was clean and hard,same as
andre venter
andre joubert
teichmann
15 Jul 2008, 18:35 pm
#91 grootblousmile: There is no exuse for booing a Sprinbok player.
15 Jul 2008, 18:36 pm
#89 greatest13gerber:
Would like to see the stats for Naas, points scored vs. running into the stands.
15 Jul 2008, 18:36 pm
Hi jondood read my entry # 46 you cannot come in from the side that is a penalty
15 Jul 2008, 18:37 pm
#91 grootblousmile: I watched that game at Loftus, and Percy was very very kuk, and I whished he had never been picked.
15 Jul 2008, 18:37 pm
#95 Fern:
And he could tackle. Best we’ve ever had at F/H IMHO.
15 Jul 2008, 18:38 pm
#91 Grootblousmile
The fact that a SPRINGBOK player was BOOED by SOUTH AFRICAN supporters IN SOUTH AFRICA was simply unacceptable….irrespective of what you may conclude it did to improve his carreer.
You would never see that from All Black supporters.
So take your anger and irritation and consider again if you think a diabolical performance from a SPRINGBOK player is worthy of booing by his own supporters on the internal stage….
15 Jul 2008, 18:39 pm
#100 OCO:
he was hard but clean,thats what i liked.
pity he never got cut carter to ribbons
15 Jul 2008, 18:40 pm
#96 Left upright: There is NEVER an excuse to boo any rugby player……… it is un-sportsman-like behaviour.
Unfortunately it happens everywhere, even at Boolands (Newlands)………
15 Jul 2008, 18:40 pm
#101 Neil:
hold the phone now champ.
after the all black wc exit there were fans on the streets burning their all black flags.
15 Jul 2008, 18:41 pm
Honiball strength was his defence.
15 Jul 2008, 18:41 pm
#95
What do you define has “hard”?
How was Joubert a “hard” player in the same mould as Venter & Teichman? He frequently fell off (and even shirked) tackles…that doesn’t qualify as hard to me.
Joubert at his best was this beautiful coasting runner that had impeccable timing and new just when to hit the line. He also had a fantastic boot on him.
He wasn’t hard though…
15 Jul 2008, 18:42 pm
#97 OCO: Yes, I would love to see the stats, but I’m sure Naas will have the highest average per game.
When Naas played for Northerns he kicked allot more than when he played for the Boks. Naas read the game well, and with Gerber, Michael du Plessis, Ray Mordt outside him, he often distributed the ball sublimely. Often putting players into space.
For me he is the greatest ever. And the amout of stick he got for his crappy defence was amazing. Who remembers when he was bliksemed in the Free state. Who remembers when he made Janie Breed cry in that rainy Currie Cup final.
15 Jul 2008, 18:42 pm
#104 Fern: Tell Neil the Tosser……. heard about that too……..
Farrrrrkkkkkkk, what is worse than that ?
15 Jul 2008, 18:42 pm
#106 Neil:
played with a broken hand…
15 Jul 2008, 18:43 pm
#99 allamapstieks:
The team comprises 15 on the field. One player equals 6.67%.
To say a team woins or loses on the performance of one individual is totally rediculous. We won in NZ with 14 last week!
Problem is that there will always be scapegoats in SA depending on whom is in the ascendancy at the time.
15 Jul 2008, 18:43 pm
#104
Fern, you’ll excuse my disbelief but that sounds like nonesense….sorry. Burning flags? Sounds like urban legend mate….but I just don’t believe it. And to be perfectly honest I’d rather that than the players getting booed on the field.
15 Jul 2008, 18:45 pm
Joubert has soft hands, fantastic ball skills excellent golfer I think he play(ed) from a scratch
15 Jul 2008, 18:45 pm
#104 Fern:
sh*t I still remember the mass depression resulting from that lost..
it was the happiest I ever being since I moved here
15 Jul 2008, 18:45 pm
#111 Neil:
was on television.why would i lie?
did you see the fallout on nz rugby sites after their exit?
15 Jul 2008, 18:45 pm
#110 OCO: Naas was worth about 3 players.
15 Jul 2008, 18:46 pm
#111 Neil:
neil there werent enough kiwis in the stadium to hear them boo,it was a away game.
15 Jul 2008, 18:47 pm
#107 allamapstieks:
One has to compare points scored ve tackles missed – and Naas could kick but he couldn’t tackle.
Against the ABs we always lost so whether or not Naas could kick doesn’t matter.
I remember those early mornings….
Today we have many more ‘complete’ players than Naas.
If one were to make comparisons, Naas = Liefling is a good one.
15 Jul 2008, 18:47 pm
#112 crowbar:
scored a hole in one on a short par4 in dbn.canned a 2 iron
15 Jul 2008, 18:47 pm
#107 allamapstieks:
Jannie Breedt crying is still one of the heart wrenching scenes I ever seen as a rugby supporter.
15 Jul 2008, 18:47 pm
#115 allamapstieks:
But for which team?
15 Jul 2008, 18:48 pm
Yes I recall Joubert playing the WC95 final with a bone in his hand broken. I’m not suggesting that makes him soft, but to put him in the same catagory as rugged forwards like Teichman and Venter is to do a diservice to them.
Joubert hurt his hand in the semi’s against Samoa and underwent numerous medical interventions to ensure he could continue in the tournament. That even included time in an oxygen chamber (or something like that) as it was believed it was speed up his recovery.
Whilst again I’m not dismissing that playing with a broken bone in your hand as being challenging, it’s doable and not beyond the abilities of most….as an example a lot of blokes I know have played club games with broken ribs because it was an important game they didn’t want to miss….a few shots of corto to ease the pain and you can usually get through the match uninhibbitted.
Krige played many a match with broken fingers remember…
15 Jul 2008, 18:49 pm
#102 Fern:
No comparison, Lem would’n't have even noticed Carter on the field.
15 Jul 2008, 18:51 pm
You either hated or loved Naas……….. supporters from other Provinces than the Bulls hated Naas………. it’s as simple as that.
He was a match winner and master tactitian, had an uncanny feel of where the ball would be, pity he played in our isolation era.
That said, he was at Varsity with me and was’nt the sharpest pencil in the pack at Varsity…….. but he was super-sharp in rugby…….. and that was enough !
15 Jul 2008, 18:51 pm
#117 OCO: Liefling has none of Naas’s rugby sensibility, his intuitive reading of play, his brilliant ball distrubution, his slick passing or his long range missiles, and neither has he Naas’s cocky arrogance.
They don’t belong in the same sentence.
Monto is not a great tackler, we have built a team around his frailty. Neither is Buth a great tackler at the moment, even if we expect him to be. Naas was cra at tackling and often did not even try. He did not have to mind you. The rest of the team knew that.
15 Jul 2008, 18:51 pm
Source:http://www.famousfaces.co.za/sports/n_botha.html
Naas Botha
While still at school, Naas represented his province in Rugby, Baseball and Softball. At an International level, he played Rugby and SA u/16 Baseball 1972/73. His provincial debut came in 1977 when NE Transvaal played SE Transvaal. In all, he played 179 (127 as Captain) for Northerns. His International debut was 1980 – SA vs. South America (Jaguars) and the number of tests for which he was capped was 28 (8 as captain). He captained the Springboks in 1992, scoring a total of 365 points. His other international representation included : World XV (1986 & 1992), French, Italian and American Barbarians, American Football (1983 &84) and Rovigo in Italy (6 years). Other Interesting stats on Naas:- First player to score 300+ points in a season; youngest player in Currie cup Final – 19 in 1977; youngest winning Captain in a Currie Cup Final – 22 in 1980; only player to score 2 hat-tricks of drops in a test; 1980 vs. Jaguars, 1981 vs. Ireland; most drop goals in first-class Rugby – 172; only player ever to be chosen as SA Rugby Player of the Year on 4 occasions – 1979, 1981, 1985 and 1987. His other interests include Golf (Handicap 3) and movies. He presently works on SuperSport as TV Commentator and Analyst, and he is a Director of a Sports Management Group
15 Jul 2008, 18:51 pm
Gotta run guys – nice chatting with you all. I don’t often get time to talk rugby these days.
Good luck for the game Saturday. I hope we can beat the convicts and decisively so….anything to shut up the likes of Kearns and Gowden!
15 Jul 2008, 18:52 pm
#112 crowbar:
tony watson got natal colours for golf.#121 Neil:
comparing a club game with a rwc final?
15 Jul 2008, 18:52 pm
#125 Neil:
good thing because you dont know **** about rugby
15 Jul 2008, 18:54 pm
#127 Fern: Hehehe
15 Jul 2008, 18:57 pm
#125 Neil: Yes, can’t agree more.
15 Jul 2008, 19:00 pm
#124 allamapstieks:
it was a totally different era. With the forward dominance we had, Naas, could pull up a deck chair, and mix a martini (shaken, not stirred) before he had to give a thought to kicking the ball.
Times are different now and he would get caught with his pants down at the speed of todays game.
As WG Grace wouldn’t survive today (and Don Bradman) with all the sledging going on, neither would Naas.
That doesn’t mean that I don’t respect his views (other than “It’ll be another 100 years before Natal win the CC again”).
I would like to see him having some input into the Boks as I think he does have rugby nous.
15 Jul 2008, 19:02 pm
#130 OCO:
we need to have legends mentor our young players.
imagine os mentoring the beast?
danie gerber spending time with our centres?
15 Jul 2008, 19:07 pm
#115 allamapstieks: “Naas was worth about 3 players”
Ja . . . Jorrie Muller, Eddie Andrews and Danwell Demas.
I’ll say this much for Naas, he was a better player than he is a studio comments man. “Dey kan sorrov win da game if dey sorrov score more points dan da urra team.” Whenever I hear Naas talking I can’t help wishing that Morne du Plessis would come bursting through the studio door and flatten him again.
Regards
15 Jul 2008, 19:09 pm
#130 OCO: Naas would have been great in any era……. he would have adapted to the challenges of that era.
I watched him from u/19 and he had it all…….. he had the natural skills…… he had sudden acceleration, he had speed……… he had the intuition, he had the boot (both feet), he dictated play, he distributed well.
Bierman Van Zyl, the N-Tvl coach at the time did not believe it necessary for the fly half to be a prime defender……… for that there were guys like the N-Tvl loosies……. Burger Geldenhuys, Thys Lourens, Thys Burger….
Defensive patterns were different then, it does not automatically follow that Naas would’nt have managed to defend in today’s world…….
As Doc Craven always said……… “he was a footballer”
15 Jul 2008, 19:11 pm
#131 Fern:
Now that’s a very good point. Nothing like experience. So much is lost and it can’t be taught out of a text book.
15 Jul 2008, 19:12 pm
#132 Rooinek07:
prefer him to warren “ooovvvveeerrr” brosnihan
15 Jul 2008, 19:12 pm
#134 OCO:
bring people with presence in to mentor,not coach the guys.
15 Jul 2008, 19:14 pm
#132 Rooinek07: Vat maar self ook vir jou ‘n PK huistoe, jou soutstring !
Ek sal graag wil **** hoe kry jy dit reg om in jou 2 de taal (Afrikaans) in ‘n atteljee aan te bied…
Ek wonder selfs of jy kan lees wat ek hier vir jou skryf…….. maar nee, dis mos maklik om te kritiseer.
Gaan soen jou Union Jack en gaat loop lê, jou varknek !
15 Jul 2008, 19:16 pm
#135 Fern: I disagree. Broz is okay. At least he doesn’t interrupt the entire show to draw meaningless little circles and arrows everywhere before saying something like “he goes dat way and he goes dis way, so dere you go, sorrov explains it for da viewers.”
Actually I quite enjoy Naas . . . as long as you don’t take anything he says seriously he’s always good for a laugh.
Regards
15 Jul 2008, 19:16 pm
Naas met sy wit broekie……of is dit “Greatest Girl 13″ se broekie
15 Jul 2008, 19:16 pm
#133 grootblousmile:
Howzit GBS.
No problems. Would have liked to see Naas today vs Naas of another era. I suppose that adaptation is the key. Perhaps one cannot compare across the different playing styles but it’s just pure conjecture.
They say it’s “Horses for courses” but who says one cannot evolve and adapt?
Enjoyed Naas when he played, especially that try against NZ – one of the memories of my life. Took NZ totally by surprise. Hat’s off to him for that.
Helped the ‘Black Velvet’ go down well!
15 Jul 2008, 19:17 pm
#138 Rooinek07:
what naas says regarding rugby i take seriously as does nz and aus.
15 Jul 2008, 19:18 pm
#31 greatest13gerber: That is without a doubt the most absurd comment in this thread so far. I haven’t watched every Bok Test since 1890, but if there was a “Worst Boks Since Readmission XV”, Thinus Delport would be a strong contender for the fullback berth.
As for Brent Russell, he was too small so he went apeshit in the gym to make up for it, trying to build bulk, but ended up merely losing his natural speed without getting appreciably stronger. In addition to which, he still hasn’t figured out what position he’s supposed to be playing him in. I wouldn’t even call him a very good Springbok, never mind an all-time great like Percy.
15 Jul 2008, 19:19 pm
#140 OCO: Yes, yes OCO…
15 Jul 2008, 19:21 pm
#136 Fern:
Depends on experience and the relevance there-of.
I remember the ’74 Lions and how they tore the Bokke apart. Not that they had more skills or were more physical – just they they adapted better and came up with fresh ideas. They simply ran the Bokke off their feet but the Bokke learnt from this.
What I’m driving at is that they adopted a different game plan and it worked.
Hope PdV can do the same.
As for the ‘old hands’, they should be at the fore-front of ‘how to beat the system’.
15 Jul 2008, 19:21 pm
#135 Fern: “Whispering Bros”……. farrrrrkkkkk he gets irritating from time to time with that half whispering style of commentary.
15 Jul 2008, 19:22 pm
#140 OCO:
same could be said for danie gerber with the law changes.
maybe he would not have been as brilliant in the new rules of the game but does that make him less a top rugby brain?
no.
15 Jul 2008, 19:23 pm
#143 grootblousmile:
You rrmeber that game? Flour bombs et al? Sleeping in the change rooms 24 hours before the game? No Straulli even?
15 Jul 2008, 19:24 pm
#137 grootblousmile: Dis presies die probleem . . . hy praat sy 2de taal. Hoekom praat hy nie sy eerste taal nie? Ons het oorgenoeg vorige spelers wat Engels praat. Hoekom gebruik ons Naas? Omdat hy sy rugby ken? Pffffffffhahahahaha!
Naas kan maar die Afrikaanse rugby show aanbied.
Groete
15 Jul 2008, 19:25 pm
#146 Fern:
No it doesn’t. (please don’t mention Gerber, you might awake G13G!). Shush!
15 Jul 2008, 19:25 pm
#138 Rooinek07: Come, come Mr Rooinek-parrabek……… how’s your Afrikaans………. criticising Naas for his English…
Praat met my in jou beste Afrikaans…….. as jy enigsins kan……. sodat ek vir jou kan lag !
15 Jul 2008, 19:25 pm
#147 OCO:
rrmember = remember. ****, rolling my “r”s
15 Jul 2008, 19:26 pm
#149 OCO:
exactly my point.
greatestgay is sleeping by now
15 Jul 2008, 19:27 pm
Naas Das se Nuuskas hahahaha
15 Jul 2008, 19:27 pm
#148 Rooinek07: Foooooooook, dit het jou lank gevat om die ene te post…… het jy iemand intelligents genader om jou spelling en grammatika na te gaan ?
Jy suig laaaaaaaang mielies fookerrrrrrrr !!
15 Jul 2008, 19:27 pm
#141 Fern: Tell you what Fern, next time Naas is talking before the game or during half-time, take a few notes and then explain to me exactly what it is that he said. You’ll find it’s usually meaningless drivel.
Regards
15 Jul 2008, 19:29 pm
Greatest Girl13 is listening to “Liefling” on his MP3 player
15 Jul 2008, 19:30 pm
#154 grootblousmile: Lag vir jou gat grootbloudrol. Die een groot verskil is dat ek is nie betaal om Afrikaans te praat op nasionale TV nie. My Afrikaans is nie so delicious nie, maar wie sal dit weet?
Groete
15 Jul 2008, 19:30 pm
#147 OCO: Eishhhhhhh 1981…….
15 Jul 2008, 19:33 pm
#158 grootblousmile:
Had a lamb on the spit at a place called ‘Banana Beach’ on the Natal SC. We drank our way back to happiness!
15 Jul 2008, 19:33 pm
#157 Rooinek07: Maar dan rek jy jou bek oor Naas en Afrikaners in geheel hier jou baberbek……… bepaal jou by dit wat jy in goed is, indien enigiets………. want van rugby af weet jy vet mooi nokkol !
Jy bly seker in die “Last Brittish Outpost” of is kleintyd vet gebliksem deur die Afrikaanse seuntjies !
15 Jul 2008, 19:35 pm
#159 OCO: I know Banana Beach quite well…….. jeeeeeeeeeez that last penalty kick that sunk us was a bummer…… what was that full back’s surname ??
15 Jul 2008, 19:36 pm
Anyway alds, laddies, ladies and others!
Time to hit the sack. Factory phones me at 2 a.m. this morning.
Stay well all, GBS, Fern, Skoppies, WPF, Alla etc.
Mooi Bly!
15 Jul 2008, 19:37 pm
anyway hats off to Monty, I think over time we will come to realise that he was even better. I certainly never rated him at first but he won me round.
Lekker dag almal.
15 Jul 2008, 19:37 pm
#161 grootblousmile:
Mother something!
15 Jul 2008, 19:38 pm
#160 grootblousmile: Hey grootblou, is jy seker jy smile nog? Dit klink nie so nie. Miskien moet jy jou naam verander na grootblousnotentrane.
By the way, it’s “British”, bonehead, not “Brittish” and no, I don’t live in Natal.
Regards
15 Jul 2008, 19:39 pm
#161 grootblousmile: Alan Hewson.
Regards
15 Jul 2008, 19:39 pm
#133 grootblousmile:
well said..and I finish here by saying
Naas Botha..SA greatest playmaker, NTvl greatest son(Uli second)
everyone esle bow to him.
15 Jul 2008, 19:41 pm
Alan Hewson,was his name that WANKER ref Clive Norling gave them that penalty….
15 Jul 2008, 19:42 pm
Stuff that bow to him
15 Jul 2008, 19:43 pm
#165 Rooinek07: Ek gee nie ‘n fokkkkkkk om hoe spel jy British nie…………
You are one sorry retarded piece of dog dung !
My naam het ook niks met jou te doen nie, jou misgewas-modderotter-nippelneus-sponsparra-etteroog-drel !
15 Jul 2008, 19:43 pm
cheers mense,i gotta hit the gym at 5.
15 Jul 2008, 19:43 pm
#164 OCO: Hehehehe
15 Jul 2008, 19:45 pm
#170 grootblousmile: Oh dear, does this mean you don’t like me anymore?
Regards
15 Jul 2008, 19:46 pm
Anyway ek is nou gatvol om die langste regopstaande stuk kuk (Rooinek) te entertain……… nou kan hy maar rustig op sy eie in sy moerrrrrr in vlieg, met my komplimente !
15 Jul 2008, 19:46 pm
167 I thought “Nataniel” was NTvl greatest son
15 Jul 2008, 19:47 pm
Liefling kan ons nie maar vergeet en vergewe
Liefling ek kan nie sonder jou verder lewe
Dit weet jy goed
Jy weet dat ou herinnerings nooit vergaan nie
Jy weet dat niemand ooit in jou plek kan staan nie
Dit weet jy goed
#142 pierre:
my friend
Delport was a one season wonder
Russell was a two season wonder
both had their moments in the Bok 15 jersey. Russell was a freak when he exploded onto the scene from sevens rugby. Delport was our version of Leon MacDonald.
Montgomery is bets described as a good player who had his moments but was also consistently erractic.
end of story.
15 Jul 2008, 19:48 pm
#173 Rooinek07: Jy’s maar lekker stadig van begrip, nê !
Nie die brightste peanut innie pakkie nie !
15 Jul 2008, 19:50 pm
I hope Keo does an article looking at the greatest fullbacks to wear the Bok 15 jersey. It be an interesting debate and lets acknowledge that stats are secondary to ability.
15 Jul 2008, 19:50 pm
#175 wpforever: My ou tjom……… groete aan jou en daai wulpse, gewillige girls in jou geweste…….. ek “sien” jou weer oppie mails !
15 Jul 2008, 19:52 pm
#175 wpforever:
no..Naas is, followed by Uli..the greatest 2 SA has produced.
15 Jul 2008, 19:53 pm
Lekker Gbs en my Afrikaans is weer goed ! Lekker naweek gehad,Ek is trots oor ons manne in groen en goud
15 Jul 2008, 21:29 pm
naand you skollies. Lekker fire and brimstone earlier GBS. Been suiping that soetes from the vallei op jou eie. Lekka geraas. I enjoy Naastie’s summaries as the resident expert. His english is actually bloody good considering what it used to be like. Think that fat mate of his, Darren taught his the lingo. What’s quite amusing tho is the accent and the mannerisms. I find myself listening to him in ernest andthen repeating some of his words for a laugh. But Naas makes some hellava interesting observations sometimes. As a Capie, we used to ‘hate’ Naastie because heused to come down here and stuff the **** out of us,in the rain noggal. Anyway, chill boet and grab another glasie Tassies. Its dry. Never sweet.
15 Jul 2008, 22:50 pm
I first noticed Percy 10 years ago and have kept my eye on his progress ever since.
The World Cup Final 2007 was a strange moment, being English I should have been cheering Jonny and the boys on, but I found I was transfixed by Percy and the Boks and was the only person in our party changing sides half way through the evening and shouting everytime Percy scored. When “your side” won, I was really elated. I had changed allegiance.
Percy joined Perpignan, and I went to see him play some Heineken cup matches (when he had recovered from his world cup injury).
Quite strange really, I live a full and interesting life but was so thrilled to see Percy playing rugby over here. I am now hooked and hope to come over on the Lions Tour next year to see him play in South Africa.
I keep hearing retirement reports, but Percy please play in the Lions Tour before your well deserved holiday.
The 100 will be quite a milestone. Good Luck Mate, from your greatest English Supporter.
PS I saw Jonny Wilkinson in his Porche the other day, he looks so small!!!
15 Jul 2008, 22:59 pm
#5 Disa: As much as I like Percy, that honour has to go to The Rolls! Absolutely no doubt! When did you see Percy hitting the line at pace as Jouba used to. Percy has to settle for 2nd, I’m afraid. But he’s still a legend!
16 Jul 2008, 00:59 am
#37 allamapstieks:
Not bad, but I go for :
1. Hugo Porta
2.Phil Bennet
3. Mark Ella
4. Naas Botha.
Fullbacks :
1. Serge Blanco
2. JPR Williams
3.gavin Hastings
4. Andre Joubert.
(Btw, I am a big Percy fan.)
16 Jul 2008, 05:23 am
#10 Cal: …..Percy owes a lot to his family in Walvis Bay, Namibia (formerly SA). His father worked on the railways and the family really struggled to send him to school in Cape Town. I trust he has repaid then for all they have done for him.
If you ever get a chance to visit Walvis and Namibia, you should – it amazing.
(Beer, meat and rugby country!!)
16 Jul 2008, 07:36 am
Hugo always played on a losing side so it was hard to assess how good he could have been. Phil Bennet was very nippy and had a great boot. He was frail though and was a turnstyle in defense. Naas reminded me of Grant fox, outstanding boot and tactical awareness but no great athlete with ball in hand.
The two 5/8 that were so good that it changed the way NZ played its game were Barry John and Mark Ella
16 Jul 2008, 08:26 am
Percy you deserve it mate, well done!
Jouba, you will always be my Rolls Royce of fullbacks though, with brilliant runs and perfectly placed grubber kicks.
My only wish is that someone else could utilise the grubber to such perfection as Jouba did.
Take nothing away from Percy though, you are a LEGEND!!!
16 Jul 2008, 09:22 am
How do I get hold of a copy in the UK?
16 Jul 2008, 09:43 am
#190 wooden spoon: Click on ‘subscriptions’ on the home page
16 Jul 2008, 11:44 am
185 BokiNZ: erm, the 7th of June 2008?
16 Jul 2008, 11:56 am
#188 lapoftherugbygods:
Except when he scored all the points to beat the Boks.
16 Jul 2008, 12:12 pm
Monty you Beaut!!!
16 Jul 2008, 12:18 pm
#186
Pietman – is that really your top 4 fullbacks of all time? You seem like a knowledgeable rugby fan but your choice surprises me…
At the top of my list of fullbacks would be one Christian Cullen. Quite possibly the most complete player and most talented athlete to play rugby that I have ever seen. The fact that he was messed around by the incompetent coach Heart (who played at 13 in WC99) is further testiment to just how good he was.
Christian Cullen could carve up teams like few others and was a joy to watch on the run. How many tries did he score against the Boks again? A lot as I recall…
With respect to Andre Joubert, he was always 2nd best to Cullen during the first 5 years of the Tri-Nations.
Cullen could run like no other, was a hard tackler, solid under the high-ball, had a huge boot and was in my book the closest thing to the complete player as you could get (Jeff Wilson being another one).
Matt Burke was pretty handy too…
16 Jul 2008, 12:20 pm
I would like to make a suggestion to SA Rugby Magazine. Instead of printing a double sided poster each month, why don’t you make something more collectable, like in the old days. We used to be able to collect trading cards of all your favourite players. Make one or two trading cards (A5 size) as an insert to every issue. Each card would be dedicated to one of the greats of South African rugby and have some photos, all their personal and Springbok Stats.
Kids would love to collect something of this sort, and it would increase your readership
16 Jul 2008, 12:20 pm
Sorry, meant to say “who played HIM at 13 in WC99″…
16 Jul 2008, 12:39 pm
true legend!
16 Jul 2008, 12:53 pm
Remember when Percy played for Province with his silver boots and wavy hair. He was booed at every stadium except Newlands. Who would have thought that he would be running out for his hundreth test
16 Jul 2008, 12:53 pm
Can anyone advise me how to obtain tickets for the Bok fixture against England in November. thks.
16 Jul 2008, 13:04 pm
Who would have thought, 5 years ago, that Percy and Butch would be the calming influences of the current Boks.
16 Jul 2008, 13:07 pm
BUUUUUUUT, lets not forget:
1997 Percy was good (awesome at the end of 97)
1998 Awesome
1999-2002-Kak kak kak kak kak
2002-2004 He was in Wales
2004-2008 Awesome
I’m torn between him being one of our top 15′s and being one of our great 15′s.
16 Jul 2008, 14:26 pm
#191 The Insider: cheers
16 Jul 2008, 14:38 pm
#202 londonshark: Lasting that long you have to lean towards great – point taken though.
16 Jul 2008, 15:03 pm
#204 adj nm:
True story. If he had always offered such a good kicking option, it would be a no brainer thats for sure.
If only he could kick like he does now against the Lions in 97. He has 2009 to make up for it though.
16 Jul 2008, 15:11 pm
Matt burke was the ultimate match winner(IMHO) at 15.Had the boot,Running skills,Hands,versatility most importantly BMT.
Won countless games via boot or tries…
Not a big fan of anything Australian but I can appreciate true class..
Gavin Hastings was also impressive-all round rugby player.(the little I saw of him)
Andre Joubert-my favourite player of all time.Grew up watching him at KingsPark..Natal and Bok Legend..Will never forget him matching Lourens Venter(Kalahari express) for pace in 99 S12…when he was 35!!!
Cullen…The best Attacking player/Fullback to play the game…Was also very priveleged to play in the golden era that included Umaga,Wilson,Lomu,Bunce….Who often set him up to stroll in for tries…But from 96-98 he was unstoppable…
16 Jul 2008, 15:15 pm
Christian Cullen has to be tops.
H O de Villiers also had the same total class.
JPR Williams maybe in the same bracket.
The rest, albeit, very very good – not in the same genius class.
Percy came back from Europe a much better and mature player than when he went over.
16 Jul 2008, 15:30 pm
Yeah I think Cullen was a cut above the rest. Very underrated kicking game too.
Burke was the compete 15 though. He had it all and allowed Larkem to play at 10 by handling the place kicking.
16 Jul 2008, 16:10 pm
well done monty, we back 100%!
16 Jul 2008, 16:26 pm
Just to think I didn’t rate him in his early years…but as time has gone on he has been a pillar of strength, how wrong can you be….Brilliant Achievement!! Hats off to him…Respect!
17 Jul 2008, 04:35 am
Percy’s a survivor, but I wouldn’t rate him as high as HO de Villiers, Gerrie Brand or Joubert. Not sure he was better than Johan Heunis or Gysie Pienaar.
It doesn’t really matter, though. 100 caps is a pretty small club and a tremendous achievement. Congrats Percy.
1 Aug 2008, 09:57 am
Go you good thing
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