Troubles of a white wing
21 Apr 2010
Gerhard van den Heever faces immense obstacles in his quest to earn Springbok selection.
The Bulls wing wants to go to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. And in an ideal world, one uncomplicated by Bryan Habana’s legacy and accepted but flawed selection norms, he’d have a realistic hope too.
This, after all, is the kid who ended his rookie season in 2009 having scored 11 tries in 19 provincial matches, and at the time of writing had bagged four in seven Super 14 starts. Rich in promise and with all the technical and physical attributes a modern wing needs to be successful, his Springbok ambition isn’t misplaced.
But his is a unique battle – one that no other elite South African wing has to fight.
It’s one, firstly, for acceptance and appreciation among the Loftus disciples, who are still in mourning after the passing – figuratively speaking – of their messiah, Habana. Van den Heever is yet to prove he is worthy of lacing Habana’s boots, let alone filling them.
Those in the know at the Bulls tell me he’s quicker than Habana (a South African champion hurdler at school, he once ran 13.7sec over 110m and boasts a 200m best of 20.9). He’s quicker than that now, but speed alone will never see him escape Habana’s haunting shadow.
Habana’s legend was built on feats of brilliance, the most memorable of which came at Kings Park in 2007. That last-gasp try against the Sharks captured the Bulls’ first Super 14 title. Appreciation for Habana became reverence. Whoever succeeded him would be judged by the standard he had set.
Habana was the Bulls’ adrenalin-charged central nervous system, renowned for his ability to spark the team into life with impossibly brilliant feats. Viewed in this context, Van den Heever’s lot is not an enviable one.
He addresses the subject of being compared to Habana with the naivety of the man-child that he is.
‘People shouldn’t compare me to Bryan,’ he says. ‘Of course they shouldn’t,’ I counter, ‘but the reality is they do and are, and will continue to for some time.’
‘I can’t control that. I can’t control what people think. I just know I’m my own man. Bryan is the best wing in the world. Nobody can fill his boots,’ is his rebuttal.
‘Sure,’ I probe further, ‘but as unrealistic as the expectation is, the nature of people is to measure the replacement of an exceptional player by the standards that player has set. Let me ask you this, where do you think you stand in the Bulls supporters’ estimation?
‘I don’t know. I haven’t thought about that.’
Of course he hasn’t. The question was a foolish one to pose to a 20-year-old who was probably oblivious to the issue until I raised it. Such complexities didn’t register with him. Keeping his starting place through consistent performance is his primary, all-consuming, objective. But his ignorant bliss will soon be disturbed by the realisation of the magnitude of the task ahead. The Bulls’ faithful are looking for a new demi-god to worship. Van den Heever’s mortality will only be tolerated for so long. Supernatural is what is demanded.
‘That’s unfair pressure to put on a youngster,’ Bulls coach Frans Ludeke says. ‘We see a bright future for Gerhard, but we’re realistic about his development and understand that we need to have patience with him.
‘Bryan was a special player who will forever be remembered as a legend at Loftus. But I think it’s testament to Gerhard’s talent that people compare him to Bryan. Even Bryan said he [Van den Heever] is a better player at 20 than he was at the same age. That’s a massive compliment and he will only improve.
‘We’re giving him time and space to progress naturally. I hope others will do the same.’
Van den Heever could have done without Habana weighing in on the issue of his successor in a post-match interview after their Currie Cup triumph in 2009.
It was a throwaway line: ‘I think Gerhard has the potential to be a Bulls and Springbok great.’ The implications of which Habana didn’t consider at the time. He was paying a massive compliment to his heir apparent, but inadvertently dumped a jersey that weighed 100kg on the kid and slipped lead boots on to his feet.
Van den Heever remains unfazed.
‘That comment never made me feel burdened. Why would it? I grew up idolising Bryan and for me to feel down about him saying kind things like that about me to the media would be foolish.’
But there is an uncertainty detectable in Van den Heever’s voice. Earlier he told me ‘I back my ability’ when asked if he ever felt inhibited by a fear of failure, then later admits that he ‘sometimes’ thinks he is out of his depth.
That inconsistency isn’t unexpected from one so young. It does, however, remind us that Van den Heever’s is as much a battle to emerge from Habana’s shadow, as it is one for emotional and cognitive equilibrium.
Then there’s the issue of Springbok selection and the World Cup, which poses an altogether new challenge.
Not since Nick Mallett routinely penned Pieter Rossouw’s name on the team sheet has a Springbok coach consistently selected a white wing.
This has become the domain of the dark-skinned player, and the prospects of the perception that white is whack changing are slim, unless Van den Heever plays so exceptionally that he makes himself invaluable to the Springboks.
And even if he should master levitation, acquire a jet pack and blow his opposition away in the coming year, he would still be competing for just one position, given that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is highly unlikely to look beyond Habana as his starting left wing.
That leaves Van den Heever competing with eight wingers (at the time of writing, all of whom were black, and one of who, JP Pietersen, is a World Cup winner) for the right wing berth.
‘If I suggested those were insurmountable odds, what would your response be?’
‘I don’t think like that,’ he says, ‘I don’t think about the issues you’ve raised, or all the wingers I have to get past to make the Springbok squad. Maybe it’s naive, but I’d like to think that if I’m the best of the bunch I’ll get picked.’
‘But that hasn’t been the reality of Springbok rugby recently,’ I interject. ‘The best players sometimes don’t get picked for various reasons.’
‘The Springbok coach has said on a number of occasions that he will reward those who perform consistently. I can only trust that he stays true to his word,’ he says.
Only time will tell whether Van den Heever will die in the darkness cast by Habana’s shadow, or whether he’ll stay the execution and build a legacy of his own. This year’s rugby season will be decisive in answering that question.
Time is not an ally. Conclusions about his aptitude for Super Rugby will be drawn at the end of their 2010 campaign, or perhaps sooner, without due consideration of his age. Even exceptional performances will still not guarantee that he even gets a passing glance from the Springbok selectors.
Welcome to the world of Gerhard van den Heever. It isn’t a place for the faint-hearted.
By Ryan Vrede
– This article first appeared in the April issue of SA Rugby magazine. The May issue is on sale now.
566 Comments
Pages: « 1 … 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 [11] 12 » Show All
21 Apr 2010, 16:55 pm
@poppa69: getting there son, you arleady resorting to stuff that has no relevance to rugby, crime rate , shlong size and name calling, so yeah we are getting there
21 Apr 2010, 16:56 pm
@Heavens Game:
Or, as we like to say where I come from, hou jou bek.
21 Apr 2010, 16:56 pm
@MacToogie: 482: Really ? The ones that did so well for you guys in the early stages of the Currie Cup last year ? hmmmm ?
21 Apr 2010, 16:56 pm
This is going to get ugly. I better disappear while I still have my innocence.
21 Apr 2010, 16:56 pm
@Soda: Bwahahahaha….and they both must be “doosdronk” at the time !!!!
21 Apr 2010, 16:57 pm
KEYBOARD WARRIORS: Cause taking **** in person is too dangerous.
21 Apr 2010, 16:57 pm
@Dawn: don’t flap, old “girl”.
21 Apr 2010, 16:57 pm
@poppa69:
Shame.
You feel a bit put upon?
It’s just me buddy.
It FEELS like so many Saffas.
21 Apr 2010, 16:58 pm
@poppa69: it takes many hands to handle a big ****.
21 Apr 2010, 16:58 pm
@Soda: I would love to see a fight between Danie Rossouw and Schalk Burger !
Or between Bismark Du Plessis and Geo Aplon ?
21 Apr 2010, 16:59 pm
@Dawn: 508. gangbang…
Must go now
21 Apr 2010, 16:59 pm
@Heavens Game:
Listen.
I’ve had it with you too.
You may be 65 and a molester, but don’t paint me with that brush.
Lord above do they still make men as stupid and thick as you, with a vocabulary limited to ………… “FLAP” ……………..
21 Apr 2010, 17:00 pm
@Dusky: they got the job done dude, we got the home final thanks =), im out dudes and dudettes, still waiting for that team sheet pooper!!!
21 Apr 2010, 17:00 pm
@poppa69: 500: Uhhh…it is a South African website.
.co.za ?
What did you expect – there to be more Kiwis here ?
21 Apr 2010, 17:00 pm
@Dawn: lol.
21 Apr 2010, 17:01 pm
Dawn
There is a vacancy at our embasy in New Zealand. I will submit your name to the comrades at the Polokwane Cigar Club…
21 Apr 2010, 17:01 pm
@MacToogie: 513: They hung in there against the minnows to leave enough room for their Springboks to secure them 3rd place on the log. Quite right…
21 Apr 2010, 17:01 pm
@MacToogie:
mac… of course i don’t bud… but based on the really excellent posts you’ve made on your short time on keo… i’d say you are way wittier and quicker with a barbed but meaningful reposte…
but on the other hand Darren…
don’t let me get in the way of you and poppa…
you’re both good enough to handle yourselves… and heck… watching a good scrap always gets the blood pumping…
enjoy…!!
21 Apr 2010, 17:02 pm
@Dawn: Nothing like a sexy, smouldering………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….****
21 Apr 2010, 17:03 pm
@Dawn: @ 491
gotta love you Dawn…
now you’re really into it… lashing out at everyone…!!
21 Apr 2010, 17:04 pm
@MacToogie: I think youve broken my spirit, oh woe is me…
15 Dagg/Jane/Muliaina
14 Wulf/Guilford/Roko
11 Sivivatu
13 Smith/ranger
12 Stanley/Bruce
10 Carter
09 Matthewson
08 Waldrom ? problems here, no one else really..
07 McCaw
06 kaino/Reid/Thompson
05 Boric/Jack
04 Thorn – another problem area
03 Franks
02 Mealamu/De Melmanche
01 Woodcock/Crockett
there you go, my team
now waiting for you to tell me how uncompetitive it would be…
21 Apr 2010, 17:05 pm
Nice friendly site today. Any idea what underside of a maggot looks like? Cheers all, going for a bar-fight, more peaceful.
21 Apr 2010, 17:06 pm
@Dusky: @ 510
my money’s on Gio…!!
21 Apr 2010, 17:09 pm
@Dawn: not at all Dawn, I prefer a lady to a tramp, any day of the week…
@Dusky: yeah true, you mix with uncivilised people you have to expect it I suppose… thanks for clarifying it for me though..
21 Apr 2010, 17:09 pm
@poppa69: would take Corey Jane over Dagg anyday
21 Apr 2010, 17:10 pm
@poppa69: Seriously, Poppa, without all the emotion – do you really think that the AB’s still have their ‘invincible’ aura or do you think that it has been erased over the last couple of years and other teams will think they have a fair chance of taking the AB’s now, however misplaced that may be?
21 Apr 2010, 17:10 pm
@ufo:
Lets remember that all teams are likely to lose starts after 2011..
AB’s shall lose:
McCaw
Carter(debatable??)-will be 29/30
Williams
Thorn
Mealamu
Hore
Cowan
C.Smith
Rokocoko
Muliaina
Sivivatu
Woodcock
Tialata(debatable??)
OZ shall lose:
Moore
Sharpe
Smith
Elsom
Hoiles
Palu
Mortlock
Giteau(debatable??? but might take big money)
Waugh
Barnes(debatable)
Sherperd
Mitchell
SA shall lose:
Smit
Matfield
Botha
Smith
Burger(debatable??)
Du Preez
Olivier(debatable)
De Villiers(debatable??)
J.Fourie(debatable)
Habana(debatable??)
D.Rossouw
Bismarck(debatable???)
Pienaar(debatable???)
Guthro(debatable???)
21 Apr 2010, 17:14 pm
Corey Jane is a beast.
21 Apr 2010, 17:15 pm
@CharlieBrown: I dont think the ABs ever had an invincible aura… that was created by those outside of NZ, not us…
apart from France in the NH, I’d say they still have it as far as the 4 home unions go… realistically its only ever SA, Aussie and France who pose a threat to us…
Aussie only since the 80s
France the occassional victory, which happens to be the WC unfortunately..
The Home unions, One solitary victory over us in 2003 (Eng) this century
and SA have always been the old enemy, nothings chanegd there…
but for some to say we have no hope next year, that NZ rugby is in serious decline,then I would say they are deluding themselves..
and if we dont win next year, not the end of the world… more important things in life then rugby..
21 Apr 2010, 17:15 pm
@mshiniwami:
of course mate…
i hope those debatables all do stick around…!! but can’t see them resisting the lure of the big buck…
be back to square one for all three sides… will be very interesting…
but i do like the look of our depth coming through for sure… and feel slightly more comfortable as a Bok supporter…
21 Apr 2010, 17:16 pm
We need a guy like F.Steyn to face him.
21 Apr 2010, 17:20 pm
@poppa69: Fair comment and good answer. Let’s leave it there then
.
Regarding the decline, well that is speculation on all fronts and time will tell whether it’s true or not. What will be interesting to see is if the AB’s can establish dominance as they had pre the 2007 RWC. I suppose the lack of this dominance has led to talk of decline.
The rugby world would be poorer without the strong AB’s and, yes, there are more important things in life than rugby, but not many!!
21 Apr 2010, 17:21 pm
as for McTuggers assumption that I started this all, my post 321 was apparently the “catalyst” for this whole argument…
but then I guess my comment was such a bad one, as Im sure you will all see and agree with huh…
how dare I say that on a SA blog…
21 Apr 2010, 17:31 pm
@poppa69: Pops. The All Blacks will always be in the top 2 rugby nations.
For the Springboks they are the benchmark, everything else is practice.
There is a big change that has come about with the onset of professionalism, there are 6 nations at least who have very good teams who can beat anyone on their day – SA, NZ, Aus, France, England, Ireland. Then you have 2 more who when the clouds break and they build some depth can be world class too – Wales & Argentina.
If we could build: Scotland, Italy, Fiji, Samoa, US & 1 other the global game would be in good shape.
21 Apr 2010, 17:43 pm
this article is very irresponsible, why use race as a determining factor of whether this boy will be picked or not? which white wings were better than Chester, Breyton, Habana, Jpp, Nokwe, Chavanga and were never selected because of their skin colour? Ffs Peter de Villiers has even used Jaque Fourie on the wing (where he scored the best try of 2009) so why would anyone even suggest that he won’t pick this boy because he is white?
This is why our rugby will always be bogged by issues of race, because of irresponsible journalists like this. You will never find this kind of thing on RT..
21 Apr 2010, 17:50 pm
I’m sorry. Why is everyone taking the holier-than-thou approach and predicting Springbok honours for this laaitie? This boy has a lot of catching up to do, and I mean A LOT. His defence is absolutely nowhere and his ball distribution is not at Super 14 level. And the fact that he is white is not a bloody hindrance! Why are we not seeing an article on the future prospects for Lionel Mapoe? This guy is stronger and more capable under the high ball.
No man. Enough of this Blue Bull fanatical ‘sports literature’.
21 Apr 2010, 17:54 pm
@boktoinfinityandbeyond: Looking beyond your hysteria, I also believe Mapoe is excellent. Very well rounded.
But clearly not as quick. Few are.
But very strong, and well rounded. A talent.
But you cannot argue with vd Heever’s ability – pace & finishing. And he is Bok potential. A good thing.
21 Apr 2010, 17:56 pm
His distribution is minimal?
I must be missing something I thought he was a wing.
21 Apr 2010, 18:02 pm
@gunther: 538 LOL.
He’s a great finisher. His sheer pace makes him very hard to stop.
Let’s see him get 2 more years under his belt. I can’t comment that much on his defence or kicking or strength under high ball – I like my wingers to be very, very fast fullbacks. Your thoughts.
I think a lot of this debate is a result of JPP’s very poor season.
21 Apr 2010, 18:03 pm
@SodaJoe:
I cannot argue that he has talent. And loads of pace to burn. He is a very good prospect. I would just like to see more on other players of equal calibre.
@gunther:
Should I simplify it?
General ball control and passing.
21 Apr 2010, 18:05 pm
@Soda: 366. ‘is NZ really that bad a place that most of the kids are turning to drugs or suicide? i’m confused because it looked kind of nice in that lord of the rings movie. especially the place where the elves lived – the mountainy bit with the stream.’
21 Apr 2010, 18:05 pm
@boktoinfinityandbeyond: Aye.
21 Apr 2010, 18:36 pm
@poppa69: Waldrom would be a shoe-in on my team sheet. legend.
21 Apr 2010, 18:38 pm
@Big Hit: lothlorien i think it’s called. apparently they are getting a S14 franchise next year.
21 Apr 2010, 18:39 pm
@MacToogie: actually, he didn’t say anything about ******* size. too embarassed to comment i think.
21 Apr 2010, 18:45 pm
@poppa69: 356 @Soda: @MacToogie: “you havent answered my question, how many visitors to your shores this year will never return home? how many will be murdered?”
i honestly don’t know the answer to that question. how many do you want to be murdered?
21 Apr 2010, 18:46 pm
@Soda: doos
21 Apr 2010, 18:47 pm
getting back to the topic…
‘I don’t think like that,’ he says, ‘I don’t think about the issues you’ve raised, or all the wingers I have to get past to make the Springbok squad. Maybe it’s naive, but I’d like to think that if I’m the best of the bunch I’ll get picked.’
‘But that hasn’t been the reality of Springbok rugby recently,’ I interject. ‘The best players sometimes don’t get picked for various reasons.’
talk about a political agenda. ryan is the white Malema.
21 Apr 2010, 18:48 pm
@poppa69: 389. or Argentina/England
@poppa69: 529. 2002 and 2003, but you still have the aura where Scotland are concerned no doubt
21 Apr 2010, 18:49 pm
@SodaJoe: sorry, did i miss something?
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