Built for demolition

Built for demolition

26 Aug 2009

Bismarck du Plessis loves the physical battle.

SAR Bismarck coverFinesse isn’t a word you’d easily associate with the Bok hooker. Power and passion are. And he’s built for demolition – like one of those impossibly large trucks the Yanks love to crash into each other for sport.

‘It’s the way I’ve always played, and I can’t see myself changing that now,’ he tells SA Rugby magazine. ‘I rely on my strengths. Why wouldn’t I? It’s what got me to this point in my career. I’m playing for the Springboks because the coaches see it as part of my game that can add value to the side.’

Du Plessis also talks openly about his relationship with John Smit, his rivalry with Chiliboy Ralepelle, learning to speak Sotho before he learnt Afrikaans, how he almost left the Sharks after spending just three weeks in Durban, and why his mom got upset when he ‘posed’ topless.

Also in the new issue:

– South Africa’s first-choice starting XV is the best on the planet, but are there enough quality fringe players in the case of injury or loss of form? World Cup-winning flyhalf Joel Stransky looks at the team’s backline options, while ex-Bok prop Robbie Kempson analyses the forwards

Brussow– Heinrich Brüssow on ‘getting away with murder’ against the British & Irish Lions, his battle with All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and the difference between him and Schalk Burger

– Why South Africa’s bid to host the World Cup in 2015 or 2019 failed

– The chance to win the 2011 World Cup on home soil – and exorcise past demons – has kept New Zealand’s top players in the country

– Mils Muliaina on his autobiography, New Zealand’s World Cup obsession, the evolution of fullback play, and ending his career in South Africa

– David Pocock grew up in Zimbabwe dreaming of playing for the Springboks, but he has no regrets about wearing the gold and green of Australia

Hernandez– New Sharks flyhalf Juan Martín Hernández wants be known for his spell-binding efforts on the rugby field, rather than for his pin-up boy looks or half-naked photo shoots

– Francois Hougaard on why he left Western Province, the plans for him to succeed Fourie du Preez at the Bulls, and playing wing in the Currie Cup

– Os du Randt on his new role as Cheetahs scrum coach, what he learnt from Balie Swart and why CJ van der Linde should be in the Springbok squad

– After making a big impression at the World Games in Taiwan, sevens rugby is ready for Olympic inclusion

– Jonny Wilkinson is learning to do things the French way


52 Comments

  • 1.dWeePer: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 08:04 am

    Not too many bloggers anymore

  • 2.Jozi: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 08:09 am

    #1 dWeePer: Hey don’t dispair, I’m here.

    Bismarck is a good player just needs to improve his handling skills and peripheral vision then he’ll be devastating.

  • 3.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 08:21 am

    Best No.2 in the world at present.

  • 4.Qrest: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 08:26 am

    Good player but needs to more intelligently channel his aggression or refs will start watching him more closely. His overtly confrontational style deserved yellow carding against the Lions and gave away penalties in other games.

  • 5.I wanna be coach: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 08:31 am

    Plus his line out throwing is probabily the best in the world. I mean when last was there a Bok skew through

  • 6.spykerbaard: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 08:44 am

    i think Bismark has got his aggression channelled just right, he’s very intimidating, doesnt cross the line too often and has the strength to back himself up. he’s really come into his own this 3n

  • 7.spykerbaard: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 08:46 am

    #5 I wanna be coach: true, his lineout throwing has improved 100%

  • 8.I wanna be coach: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 08:53 am

    #6 spykerbaard: Very true, and he’s the type of hooker that suits our game just right

  • 9.Lions_Soutie: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 08:55 am

    I wish he would stop threatening with his fist. Looks like a moron when he does it. Lol! He is the best though!

  • 10.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 09:03 am

    As long as he does not take quick taps anymore its cool.

    Has improved quite a bit this year.

  • 11.Ruggaluvva: the Namibian, Sharks, Southern Kings & Wallaby supporter: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 09:13 am

    Boks by 14 this weekend

  • 12.money_man: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 09:18 am

    ‘Rivalry’ with Ralepelle… funniest thing I have heard today… in a way he’s extremely lucky there is a colourful ‘buffer’ warming the bench than the true rivalries in Liebenberg, Kuun, Strauss…

  • 13.Jozi: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 09:25 am

    I’m not sure if I missed anything in the news but what ever happened with the IRB inquiry into the Springboks “Justice 4″ debacle?

  • 14.stew: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 09:42 am

    He is going to get smacked properly if he keeps tryin to threaten players on the ground , he will try it with the wrong guy – acts like a prat …. but must stick to rugby where he has been the form hooker this year

  • 15.Predawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 09:47 am

    #12 money_man:

    Not his fault really. That’s who they’ve stuck on the bench as some of the ‘best’ South Africa has.

    #14 stew:

    He seems to implode discipline wise in Super 14 and Currie Cup games mostly (and the last game against the B&I Lions). I hope it stays that way as we need his best for the games coming up.

  • 16.Londonbokshark: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 09:49 am

    #14 stew:

    Rubbish. Go and watch the clip on youtube before you spout ****. That O’driscoll child tried to punch Bismark, that’s why he made to punch him.

  • 17.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 09:55 am

    #14 stew: he took a smack to the side of the head and then threatened retaliation to show that he wouldnt put up with it.

    and he didnt hit bod. just cowed him from any further cheap shots.

    admittedly he may have dragged his boots over bod in the first place to cause the incident-which is stupid.

    but bod was also acting the wind up merchant all series.

    bissy seems to be on the up after we sharks fans wanted to draw and quarter him for all his handling errors in the s14.

    seems PDV’s selection consistency seems to continue to pay off.

  • 18.fish out of water: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 09:55 am

    Any word on the online edition?????????

  • 19.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 09:56 am

    #14 stew: that said, i doubt many players in world rugby want to smack him.

    he is seriously strong and has the aggression to match.

  • 20.Partizan: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 10:15 am

    True that rangerman. Hooker is the hard man facing pressure from not only the other team’s forward pack in the scrum, but our team’s pack as well. I don’t think he’d be easily intimidated. In another lifetime i’d love if Bismarck knock o’driscolls nose back into shape

  • 21.money_man: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 10:30 am

    #15 Predawn:

    Agreed… it was not Shimange’s fault… nor Dale Santon… nor Owen Nkumane’s…

  • 22.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 10:40 am

    #20 Partizan: :lol:

    bod is a great player but i think he might also be a right tosser.

    bismark? well you either love him or hate him but for all the talk of hore, bismark has shown us who the real deal is.

  • 23.spykerbaard: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 10:46 am

    Hore is pretty good, Bismark’s just better

  • 24.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 10:51 am

    gotta love Bismarck’s “kyk jy vir my chick!?” dutchie attitude on the field. Walking around throwing mock punches

  • 25.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 10:51 am

    No more bloggers will be allowed to defect anywhere else.

  • 26.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 10:54 am

    Anyone in CT … please come to Firemans on Thursday for drinks.

  • 27.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 10:56 am

    #25 Dawn: we are all defecting :wink:

  • 28.spykerbaard: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:02 am

    #27 sharks_lover: good to see you here SL, what you think about the Sharks replacements? not doing too badly so far

  • 29.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:10 am

    #27 sharks_lover:

    When is Hernandez getting a game?

    This weekend?

  • 30.grant10: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:20 am

    #26 Dawn: cool….what time??

  • 31.NOTHING GUY: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:26 am

    #13 Jozi: Haven’t heard anything either, JOZI. Suspect that Eales and co will hand out a hefty punishment while the Boks are travelling, in an obvious attempt to unsettle them.

  • 32.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:28 am

    #29 Dawn: Good Morning

    I think he will be playing this weekend , it was touch and go last weekend and they decided not to take a risk.

    Swannepoel will also be back so again there will be quite a few changes to the Sharks team

    The interesting thing is its not a certainty that Senior Hernandez will be flyhalf…..

    Infact we might find him at 13 with Murray taking over wing from Jordaan

  • 33.Breakdown Boy: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:33 am

    Perfect cover for the BUS!

  • 34.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:36 am

    here is 2 backline combo’s i feel the sharks might play this comming weekend

    15 stefan
    14 murray
    13 hernandez
    12 swannepoel
    11 mvovo
    10 monty
    09 cockott

    reserves : Mccleod,Jordaan,Strauss

    or

    15 stefan
    14 murray
    13 strauss
    12 swannepoel
    11 mvovo
    10 hernandez
    09 cockott

    reserves: du mond , jordaan , mccled

  • 35.Jozi: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:36 am

    #31 NOTHING GUY: That IRB is an old boys club of note I tell you. Something is not right there. How difficult can it be to come to a decision and if they were wrong then just come out and say…”sorry lads we were wrong, here’s a proper definition of the law etc,” then everyone can just move on.

  • 36.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:41 am

    #30 grant10:

    Normally after work, around 16h30 – 17h00

  • 37.grant10: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:42 am

    #36 Dawn: great…

  • 38.NOTHING GUY: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:43 am

    #35 Jozi: JOZI, sounds to me like you think the Boks will get away with it. No way in hell will they let that happen. Anything, and I mean ANYTHING, the IRB can do to unsettle the Boks will be done.

    IRB needs to show some respect to their World Cup Champions and the #1 team in the world. Will never happen though, I am one of the conspiracy-against-any-South-African-team believers.

  • 39.spykerbaard: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:53 am

    #34 sharks_lover: either of those backline combos should go well, how do think the forwards will do?

  • 40.CharlieBrown: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:53 am

    #24 Richie_7: As opposed to the Kiwi “kyk jy vir my handbag” attitude?

  • 41.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 11:57 am

    #39 spykerbaard: HI spyker long time no chat boet?? good to see you back

    as for backline mate i think it will be same as past weekend
    there seems to be no injury talk , so ditto there

    and as long as we match WP upfront we will be fine

  • 42.Jozi: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 12:07 pm

    #38 NOTHING GUY: Well I hope you’re wrong but then again you never know.
    What gets to me though is the length of time it’s taking them to come to a decision it’s been weeks since that incident took place.

  • 43.spykerbaard: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 12:40 pm

    #41 sharks_lover: shot SL,it’s gonna be interesting to see how our pack stands up to WP, new front row especially

  • 44.NOTHING GUY: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 13:00 pm

    #42 Jozi: That’s what is so concerning. The ‘bastiges’ are searching the rule books high and low for maximum punishment.

  • 45.gunther: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 13:42 pm

    #26 Dawn:

    pilates….

  • 46.Partizan: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 16:33 pm

    Typical. Drive to cna, get stuck in rush hour traffic enroute, get to cna and surprise surprise, no new issue. Hit traffic again on the way back. Finally made it home. MLIA

  • 47.cab: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 18:23 pm

    #3 Big Hit:
    agree, one of the major improvement to the 2009 pack.

  • 48.Jozi: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2009, 20:56 pm

    #44 NOTHING GUY: Well what do you know, looks like you were right. The buggers have indeed nailed us for it. This is not over imo, are we going to see a change in the way refs officiate that particular aspect of the game moving forward and if so how will this change the game.

  • 49.SjamBok: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2009, 01:22 am

    So how do I get an electronic subscription to this magazine?
    There were words about it before, but nothing further?

  • 50.Craig Goosen: Reply to this comment
    28 Aug 2009, 08:02 am

    Bismark is top notch. ANY country/team would rather have him in there side rather than play against him, a bit like Uli Schmidt.

    New edition looks GREAT, will get it on the weekend.

  • 51.SpringbokSarah: Reply to this comment
    28 Aug 2009, 08:25 am

    why did you take so long to put a magazine out?

  • 52.Pookie: Reply to this comment
    26 Oct 2009, 19:30 pm

    I know this is probably a stupid question, but how do you search on the site?

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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