Maximising Meyer
12 Jan 2009
Heyneke Meyer would serve South African rugby better as its national Director of Rugby rather than in a similar role with the Southern Spears.
Keo.co.za has learned from a reliable source that Meyer has been offered the role of Director of Rugby with the Spears, who are widely expected to be included in a expanded Super 14 in 2011.
Meyer recently returned to South Africa from England, where he coaches Leicester Tigers, to be with ailing family members. It is becoming increasingly likely that he will exit the Tigers post early and return to South Africa. This view was reinforced by Tigers officials who last week conceded that their chances of holding onto Meyer were becoming slim.
Meyer was unable to be reached for comment for this piece, but in my previous discussions with him he has consistently spoken about his desire to contribute to South African rugby in some capacity. Notably, he has intimated that he would not be interested in a head coaching role with any franchise.
His primary ambition remains the Springbok coaching job, which he was inexplicably denied in January 2008 when SA Rugby opted for Peter de Villiers. They admitted at the time that rugby credentials were not the sole determinant in the appointment.
In the previous discussions he made mention of opening an academy where players and coaches could benefit from expert tutelage. But he has also consistently expressed frustration at the politics of rugby at all levels, and admitted that this made the prospect of a move into the business world an appealing one.
At present there is a strong possibility that Meyer will return to South Africa and, given my extensive interaction with him over the past three years, it’s more than an educated guess that he would be interested in the Spears job.
There can be no question of Meyer’s credentials or ability to succeed in the role should he accept the offer. He thrives in building structures that aim for long-term success on and off the field. The manner in which he rebuilt the Blue Bulls from a faltering union to one of South Africa’s best during his tenure there bears testament to this.
His intellectual capital, however, would be better utilised in a national capacity, where he would have a greater scope and better resources with which to work. Following Meyer being overlooked for the Springbok job, former Saru deputy president Mike Stofile approached him to gauge his feelings on the possibility of him being appointed as national Director of Rugby. Meyer was interested, but Stofile became embroiled in an ugly race for the presidency, which he subsequently lost. The issue was never discussed with Meyer again.
The possibility of SA Rugby creating a position for Meyer within its ranks is virtually non-existent. But that doesn’t mean we can’t debate the merits of such a move.
Meyer would be outstanding as the Director of Rugby at the Spears. But why limit one of South Africa’s best coaches in this manner when he could be serving the national interest? There are two other South Africans capable of succeeding in the role – Nick Mallett and Jake White – but both are disliked by influential individuals within the governing body and in turn have become cold to the idea of involvement at any level. Why overlook the one who would be open to an approach and one whose experience at Test, Super Rugby, Premiership and Heineken Cup level would greatly benefit De Villiers?
There is a strong possibility of Meyer returning to work in South Africa. If SA Rugby was determined to serve the national interest, it would be bending over backwards to be more accommodating. Yet it seems there’s a reluctance or lethargy on their behalf. Not surprising, but deeply disappointing.
By Ryan Vrede
299 Comments
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12 Jan 2009, 22:24 pm
#236 JimT: You should see the photo’s SuperBul sends us…. damn…… and he’s a hell of a photographer to boot…
He lives and works on the border of and in the Kruger National Park (which is as big as England… if not bigger) !
12 Jan 2009, 22:25 pm
#247 SpringbokSarah: off for a smoke?
12 Jan 2009, 22:25 pm
#247 SpringbokSarah: See you SS, actually GBS is remarkably well “preserved” for his advanced years!! LOL
He should give up though!
12 Jan 2009, 22:25 pm
#214 grootblousmile: You could have fooled me LOL. Actually I think she makes a pleasant distraction from the plastic US Hollywood types we are used to
Leave me with my dreams of all saffa women being tanned, tall & blonde 
12 Jan 2009, 22:26 pm
#240 carol: The top 3 scary ones…… they stay right here in my town of Brakkenjanpan !
12 Jan 2009, 22:26 pm
Back in a bit………not ignoring you!
12 Jan 2009, 22:26 pm
#215 SpringbokSarah: Could be! LOL. Got you thinking about it, eh?
12 Jan 2009, 22:26 pm
#241 SpringbokSarah: Need some sun on my skin…gone a bit pale…sun block se m**
12 Jan 2009, 22:27 pm
#247 SpringbokSarah: Cheers little one…. !
12 Jan 2009, 22:29 pm
#216 carol: Hush, calm yourself, opposites always attract don’t you know? But wait a minute, you’re supposed to be tall & blonde too, right? Wear your boots. Saffa girls never wear boots
12 Jan 2009, 22:29 pm
#254 JimT: Damn Jim…. to us (me) Charlize is verrrrryyyyyyy plastic and Hollywoody !
12 Jan 2009, 22:30 pm
#226 carol: Nope, did however smoked when I was at university, stupid habit that I kicked when my first child was borne.
12 Jan 2009, 22:30 pm
Got to go… love you all including GBS and K9….lol
12 Jan 2009, 22:31 pm
#254 JimT: you mean they aren’t?
12 Jan 2009, 22:31 pm
#261 grootblousmile: No man, she may be Hollywoody as you call it but she is not plastic. I love her.
12 Jan 2009, 22:31 pm
#262 Boerboel: Jeeeeezzzzz and look at all your wrinkles….. must have been the smoking at University !
Hehehe
How are you old friend !
12 Jan 2009, 22:33 pm
#208 Luke is king: i may tend to agree with you, less than a year ago keo was ranting that heyneke must go…28th jan 2008 ”why meyer must move”…now meneer ryan vrede is tryna convince us that it would be great for us if heyneke GOT the non-existent saru post that they refused him last year…bulldust…
12 Jan 2009, 22:33 pm
#246 Big Hit: Respect man. Hope that for you the miracle comes through. Now that would upset the Lions selection calculations, right?
12 Jan 2009, 22:34 pm
#265 Boerboel: I personally think she is aloof (aansitterig) and false…. but hey, different strokes for different folks…
Give me Minkie Van Der Westhuizen any day…….. nou daar’s ‘n mooi dingetjie !
12 Jan 2009, 22:34 pm
#266 grootblousmile: Many years old without wrinkles!
12 Jan 2009, 22:36 pm
#269 grootblousmile: Nothing wrong with Minkie, sexy girl. You don’t watch cricket so you missed her flash at Newlands a few years ago.
12 Jan 2009, 22:36 pm
#251 grootblousmile: Now that’s a place I would love to visit. Once toured Amboseli Park in Kenya. Was amazed to find that I could not spot lion, rhino or elephant without the guide pointing them out. Even elephant! Their camouflage(?) was so effective in the bush.
12 Jan 2009, 22:36 pm
Friends and muppits….. I’m off….. see you soon !
12 Jan 2009, 22:37 pm
#250 yliad: Robert Nestor Marley said it better Skoppie
12 Jan 2009, 22:37 pm
#261 grootblousmile: Not when she played that serial killer from Florida
12 Jan 2009, 22:37 pm
#271 Boerboel: I saw that !!
12 Jan 2009, 22:39 pm
#264 Big Hit: That’s right BH, stick with me. Despite GBS we have our dreams
12 Jan 2009, 22:40 pm
#268 JimT: well not mine, but everyone else’s yes
cheers all, I’m out
12 Jan 2009, 22:41 pm
Got to go folks. Since both Carol & Sarah walked out on me I have to climb that hill. See y’all on the other side, later
12 Jan 2009, 22:45 pm
#279 JimT: Jim, I’m back……..ohh, has he slipped over that hill?
12 Jan 2009, 22:45 pm
Cheers, me out as well
12 Jan 2009, 22:47 pm
#260 JimT: 5’7″ a midget compared to many! But in the boots!!
12 Jan 2009, 22:48 pm
#262 Boerboel: Bet your lungs thanked you. See you Boerboul..
12 Jan 2009, 22:49 pm
#273 grootblousmile: Slaap Sag, fingers crossed for the operation. XX
12 Jan 2009, 22:50 pm
Oh well, if you are all going……..
Night Boys ***
Grant, keep rowing
***
12 Jan 2009, 22:51 pm
#283 carol: They did
#284 carol: Slaap Sag, ek hou duim vas vir die operasie
12 Jan 2009, 23:05 pm
well this is hardly relevant to anything rugby or Heyneke Meyers ambitions to be of some value to SA rugby
but in answer or reference to #274 filthy Luca: above perhaps a little insight into the man Robert Nestor Marley and what his life and ideals and missions were all about, could have some interest to some, if not others, then my apologies.
“He’s been described as the most important musical figure of the 20th century. His influence just keeps growing ever since his passing. He is a hero to many native peoples around the world, Maoris, Hopi Indians, the Aboriginal people, a figure who transcended music, and became a symbol of freedom.
The BBC has voted One Love as the song of the century, whilst Time Magazine voted Exodus as the album of the century. Through his music, Marley taught you not to judge people by the colour of their skin more by what they do. The music sang about the reality of life, of the plight of suffering; one of the strengths of Marley’s music is that as long as suffering exists his music will continue and give strength to those listening. Marley’s music is as such one of the more enduring music of our time in my opinion.
Marley would have been 64 years old this year. Even though Marley’s work only really covers a period of 20 years, his music has very much become a part of our everyday lives. It has been used in countless commercials, still gets regular airplay on commercial and alternative radio, and due to the fact his work was so insightful and spiritually aware, made it difficult for other reggae stars to be equally noticed. Marley was in a league of his own.
Considered to be the first true superstar of the so called third world, Marley’s music was shaped by the street culture of Jamaica of the 1950’s and 1960’s . Slavery had only been abolished 100 years earlier, and, the people were coming to terms with recent independence and emerging national identity.
A sense of African heritage and cultural awareness were further raised by people such as Marcus Garvey who advocated a new black African state. Freed from the domination of white rulers, Garvey as part of the dream to reunite the black population started the Black Star Line, a shipping company which in theory was going to ship all the black population from America and the Caribbean back to Africa.
In 1930 Ras Tafari Makonnen became the new Emperor of Ethiopia, He took on a new name- Haile Selassie. The followers of Marcus Garvey took Selassie to be the man who would deliver the Negro people, as had been prophesised by Marcus Garvey earlier. This was to be the start of the Rastafarian religion. Rastafarians speak out against; poverty, oppression and inequality…..not just religious ideas but global problems. The prime basic belief of the Rastafarians is that Haile Sellassie is the living God for the black race. The Lion of Judah represents Haile Sellassie, the Conqueror. It represents the King of Kings as a lion is the king of all beasts. The dreadlocks on a Rasta’s head are symbolic of the Lion of Judah.
Into this period of time and social consciousness came Robert Nestor Marley born in 1945, fifteen years after Haile Selassie took power. In the 50’s and 60’s Kingston Jamaica, despite all it’s poverty and hardship, was the place to be for many people. People would squat in shanty towns such as Trench town which was built over a ditch running the sewage out of the town. Trench town would of course be made famous through the music and songs of Bob Marley. He moved there with his mother in the late 50’s growing up listening to amongst other things American radio, hearing artists such as Ray Charles, Curtis Mayfield, Brook Benton as well as The Drifters. From a young age, Marley grew increasingly interested in music, forming a friendship with Bunny Livingstone aka Bunny Wailer, as well as the famous singer Joe Higgs who would be a mentor and teacher to his band. It was around this time that he befriended another musical icon- Peter Macintosh aka Peter Tosh. This was to be version 1 of the Wailing Wailers.
By the mid 60’s Bob Marley was identifying closer and closer to the ideals and beliefs of the Rastafarians, his songs starting to reflect a new spiritual outlook and social awareness, something that would remain in his music for the rest of his life. In Marley’s case, he would be strongly influenced by the Rasta beliefs:
At a time when Jamaica was still relatively new to independence, this was a real slap in the face for the government of the day. He was seen as a threat. He in turn mistrusted the politicians. He called them Crime Ministers who sit in the house of thieves
Marley would reform The Wailers and teamed up with Lee Perry, producing some of the biggest hits such as Soul Rebel, 400 Years and Small Axe, songs which were to define the future of reggae.
Marley’s big break really came when he partnered up with Chris Blackwell from Island Records in the early 70’s. Blackwell had been promoting reggae music since the 50’s, as well as promoting rock bands such as Traffic and King Crimson. By aligning himself with Blackwell he was very much guaranteeing himself success, as Blackwell had the means to promote Marley to a greater audience.
12 Jan 2009, 23:07 pm
As I said apologies to those I have blasphemed against
to anyone else vaguely interested, enjoy the read.
13 Jan 2009, 00:02 am
#288 yliad:
Spent a night on the piss with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry after he played at a friends nightclub here in Melbourne around 6 yrs go… the old man is an A grade nutter… complete with 21 yr old Amazonian girlfriend and backpack filled with fuzzy toys he hands out to fans… years of pot have frazzled the man’s brains… some interesting stories never-the-less…
13 Jan 2009, 00:38 am
Hey Ryan. I see you’re up.
I believe that Heyneke is more of a hands on guy, if he comes back to SA and paddleski’s Cape St Francis and Surfs J-Bay in his time off, I still think that he he will prefer shaping his own “empire” as his day job. And will do a bloody side better than whoever has been doing it up until now.
13 Jan 2009, 00:48 am
#208 Luke is king: You already won that competition hands down.
13 Jan 2009, 04:15 am
#291 SodaJoe:
Only a daily basis…
13 Jan 2009, 05:28 am
#287 yliad: You left out Marley playing for Mugabe at Zimbabwe’s independence day celebrations.
13 Jan 2009, 09:27 am
RedLion
There is another angle about Heineke which is valid. There is also some family problems of a different kind.
Somebody mentioned earlier he will make his decision whether to return on Thursday. That is just because he is waiting for a decision of a certain kind from somebody else. I know the facts but are not about to disclose it, as it is of a personal family nature.
You have displayed your hatred for any and everything associated with the Bulls quite regularly and clearly.
In this regard, you would act the same were you in the same position as HM.
The chances of him returning to Leicester is 50/50.
13 Jan 2009, 09:56 am
This is Jake’s take on the DOR job
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Director of Rugby needed for Springboks
Whenever any of our national sport’s teams suffer a setback,
there is a lot of speculation in the media about how this will
affect the coaches or the board. Rugby, as one of our three
majors, is no different.
During the week I was contacted by the media who asked
me what my thinking was on the current situation and
whether I thought I could be of assistance to the Springboks.
Instead of all the speculation I believe it best to set out
my thinking here.
Firstly I believe that a new post should be created within
the current set-up which I have styled the “Director of Rugby”.
This should be a part time position as it has to avoid the
director interfering with the coaching set-up. It would allow
the coaches to approach the Director and use him as a sounding
board on all aspects of the job.
The major benefit being that he would be a rugby,
rather than administrative, person. When we won
the World Cup I knew what my limitations were and
went and asked Eddie Jones to assist me. His
experience played a vital role in our success.
Secondly the post should be used for the benefit
of not only the Springboks but South African Rugby
as a whole. As it is I am involved with grass roots
at the moment.
Thirdly when times get really tough our guys
know me, are aware that I have won both junior
and senior world cups and most importantly of all,
understand the exact nature of the pressure they
are under.
Fourthly due to my other commitments, the
coaching staff know that I am not there to take over
their jobs but rather to assist them, in anyway
I can to become a successful Springbok coaching unit.
I think we all know by now that my blood is green
and gold and that I would move mountains to keep
the Springboks where they belong – at the top of
World Rugby.
Jake White speaking to Mike Trapido of the Mail & Guardian
Posted by Jake White at Thursday, August 28, 2008 11 comments
Labels: coaches, IRB, Jake White, Mail Guardian, rugby, rugby world cup, South Africa, Springboks, under 21, world cup
13 Jan 2009, 11:25 am
#295 hater:
well i think as per usual he makes alot of sense, but i cant but wonder how much **** he actually speaks. as for his last paragraph, i think many of us unfortunatley believed his nonsense about his blood being greed and gold, but that was shortly before he was touting his services for the British Lions to take on the Boks when the hand marks on the RWC were not even cold.
13 Jan 2009, 11:58 am
#296 cab: Jake is an *******. Full Stop.
13 Jan 2009, 20:35 pm
At least he married himself into the money and alienated himself from one of his fetchers.
go jake you cheatin lyin *******
13 Jan 2009, 21:48 pm
#296 cab:
tinkle tinkle little star
how I wondered where you were
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