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, 11:35 am
@Bill Reyts: Time to go folks,
kalinikta (means goodnight).
21 Apr 2010, 11:37 am
@Storm outta hell: Its the Camps Bay boom. I am trying to see from some Stormer supporters perspective. Help me, PLEEEEEASE
21 Apr 2010, 11:38 am
@RugbyRulz: Speak again.
21 Apr 2010, 11:41 am
@grant10: @249
you still got some way to reaching Skoppie-levels there, G10.
21 Apr 2010, 11:44 am
@Black Panther: lol
Tongue in cheek….
there is only 1 Skop!!!!
21 Apr 2010, 11:47 am
It would be nice if there was 0 skop’s
21 Apr 2010, 11:50 am
@grant10: 255,
Thank the Almighty.
21 Apr 2010, 11:53 am
@Mike H: skops a legend ….@cane: LOL
21 Apr 2010, 11:57 am
yes yes grantie.
keep telling yourself that i am a loony as long as it takes buddy.
you have repeated the same line on every thread for about 8 months and i am loony?
now its right wing, white wing and vryheidsfront?
what next, JS is kak?
no man, surely not?
and the nerve of you, asking an oke you have just insulted( gunther) to get you rugby tickets? what a weasel.
but i see he is now off your list. will that truce last until you have tickets in your hand or until the bulls beat the stormers at newlands?
21 Apr 2010, 11:58 am
@Heavens Game: 252 It’s simple..don’t change what ain’t broke…
players are professionals and should be treated as such…when a top international player has cemented his place in a team you don’t change his position however valid the perceived reasons may seem ie. to make room for another player
21 Apr 2010, 11:58 am
skopskiet is actually an ok guy who talks **** all the time.
like many of us here.
21 Apr 2010, 11:59 am
@rangerman: 259
I thought you were at band practice with HG?????
Slacker ….
Ja….i want my bulls tickets…then Gunther back on the moron list…although you remain the undispited flyweight champion of the moron club.
21 Apr 2010, 12:00 pm
Let me guess, Tacitus will be on here discussing 100m times or has allready at some point….
21 Apr 2010, 12:02 pm
@grant10: haha, and you remain the undisputed emotional queen of the rah rah pom pom luke fanclub.
but who cares right?
you have your opinion, plum and pdv are probably emailing you right now to get clarity as we speak.
they didnt understand the first 3000 times you posted the same comments here
21 Apr 2010, 12:04 pm
@rangerman: Yah…he does have some strange notions like, “maak die Stormers almal bokke”
21 Apr 2010, 12:06 pm
@ImAStronter: Tacticus loves 100m times as much as G10 loves the S3 flury.
21 Apr 2010, 12:07 pm
@grant10:
@rangerman:
Dammit.
I’m gonna get the twose of youse together one day.
I swear.
21 Apr 2010, 12:07 pm
@rangerman: 264
Plum has taken heed….
just hope PDV reads this stuff….
Need to mail him….just in case….
21 Apr 2010, 12:07 pm
@Storm outta hell:
your side are playing awesome rugga man!
sheesh, i watched them tear the chiefs a new one and i was so chuffed.
congrats man.
21 Apr 2010, 12:10 pm
@grant10: “plum has taken heed”
*** me you are an arrogant little man eh?
you also said schalk and jannie dup were kak.
in fact you wanted schalk to fark off from the stormers.
vindicated?
21 Apr 2010, 12:10 pm
Boks play Smit at 3 i honestly will need a life support system….
No matter what happens Dawn dont allow the blonde to turn the machine off unless i am well and truly clinically in my moer in!
She may be after the insurance!
21 Apr 2010, 12:12 pm
@Dawn:
hi Dawnie.
ag, i am just joshing grant.
he isnt a repetitive, boring, arrogant, know it all, girly luke cheerleader at all!
21 Apr 2010, 12:13 pm
@grant10: If PDV does select JS at 3 against France, please can we have a webcam broadcast of you watching the game at Newlands. It could be up there on youtube’s greatest.
21 Apr 2010, 12:14 pm
Ryan
Do you miss those days when the Bok team was all white AND afrikaans? What a pathetic article and headline. Mediocrity seems to be thriving in the old Republic……
21 Apr 2010, 12:14 pm
@rangerman: 270
Schalk has convinced me he is back in the mix through performance after performance.
Smit ….with every performance….convinces me he is headed for the retirement village….thats the difference.
Jannie Dup is a 1000 times better 3 than smit….and it shows….
guthro has come back powerfully…on the field…
WP Nel has been poor….on the field.
Smit has been nowhere….on the field.But at 1 at least he doesent turbo reverse….thank the angels plum saw the light.
21 Apr 2010, 12:15 pm
@grant10: well you better get your order in fast grantie because there will be very few life support systems available during the swc.
personally i think you should grow your hair, fingernails and toenails and wander the cape mountains, maybe find a cave and definately dont wash for at least 6 months.
pronounce loudly on front row issues to every poor hiker and tourist and maybe a few drugged up itinerants will start worshipping at your “turbo revese shrine”.
i am sure even balie and os will end up coming to see you.
even if it is only to take photos whilst they are on holiday with the kids.
21 Apr 2010, 12:15 pm
@Oubaas2009: 273
I will be the oke on the life support system at Groote Schuur…will miss the game…
21 Apr 2010, 12:17 pm
@rangerman: 276
LOL
that was moer of a funny! I spilt my tea you twit!
21 Apr 2010, 12:20 pm
@grant10: haha, how could i forget oh hermit of the hills.
last year wp nel was the greatest LH in the world after a few scrums against tired boks.
guthro was kak after being destroyed on eoyt and so was jannie (pap slap snoek was the term you used).
your hypocrisy and idiocy knows no bounds but its ok, we know for you its an emotional argument and there is no point discussing things on a logical basis with an emotional person.
keep banging your drum tonto. you may convince a few people but you will always be viewed as a kukpraater by true rugby minds.
21 Apr 2010, 12:21 pm
@grant10:
hope it burnt the bug out of yer ***.
21 Apr 2010, 12:22 pm
@rangerman: 279
True rugby minds that want smit at 3??
Fark me your delusion has no bounds….
21 Apr 2010, 12:22 pm
@Dawn: well they fight like husband and wife, so its a match
21 Apr 2010, 12:26 pm
@poppa69:
more like cousins thank you poppa.
anyways, i have to go and do some work.
its been fun.
cheers Dawnie, poppa and Hermit(crab)man.
have a cracker!
21 Apr 2010, 12:29 pm
@poppa69:
I have’nt had time to check…
Where are we on superBru ?
21 Apr 2010, 12:32 pm
@rangerman: cheers ranger
@Blouste: long time no see, coincided with the Bulls losing
Im in 27th, should have got the GS point but didnt back the Stormers, so kicking myself a little…
21 Apr 2010, 12:35 pm
@poppa69:
Yes, I also lost it on the Stormers and Bulls games.
Whats your take on the games this weekend ?
21 Apr 2010, 12:41 pm
@Blouste: I tipped the reds, tipped the canes too..
chiefs
REDS
Saders
canes
Bulls
brumbies
BLUES
21 Apr 2010, 12:46 pm
Ranger
Bollocks you mean grantie was only being “nice” to me in the hope of rugby tickets?
I am undone …. Mind you at least I can count on the ever loyal jr to like me for who I am..
Who knew?
Next you will be telling me dawn is a lesbetian…..
21 Apr 2010, 12:52 pm
@poppa69:
Chiefs (although I think Cheetahs might just suprize)
Reds (wildcard)
Crusaders
Canes
Tahs
Bulls
Blues
Have’nt submitted yet though…
Have to throw some wildcards if we hope to get somewhere…
21 Apr 2010, 12:52 pm
@gunther: LOL
any more sarcasm and you back in the moron club…..moron!
21 Apr 2010, 12:53 pm
@grant10: 290. What, are you a mor(m)on too.
21 Apr 2010, 12:56 pm
Dont know many mormons….must be damn brave chaps though….no way i am putting up with more than 1 wife…
21 Apr 2010, 12:57 pm
suprize = surprize..
21 Apr 2010, 12:58 pm
@grant10: yeah, they brave enough to set up their own safe, sanitised website RT (Rugby Tabernacle)
21 Apr 2010, 13:00 pm
@Blouste: suprize = surprize = surprise
like I said, if Id have tipped the Stormers I would only be 4 points off the lead… but agree, have to throw in one or two wildcards..
will have to go the lions then
21 Apr 2010, 13:03 pm
Just a quick pre-luinch comment on this silly article.
“Troubles of the white wing” pale into total insignificance when measured against trouble of the right wing.
Much ado about nothing, fit for the trash can like those mormon-type plastic articles.
Oh! and don’t even begin to worry about the left-wing. Bryan Habana is there.
21 Apr 2010, 13:07 pm
@Mike H: @256
Skop for Prez !
21 Apr 2010, 13:07 pm
@poppa69:
He he he yes, so focussed on “r”…sorry
The Lions…Yes go with them, it will extend my points difference with you defenitily !!!
Just hope you Blues turn up, you blow hot and cold way to much !!!
21 Apr 2010, 13:10 pm
@Blouste: hehe all good…
the lions huh, and if they won youd be livid
dont tip the blues mate, go with the sharks.. otherwise I will be forced not to tell you who Im tipping for the remaining rounds, sort of like a secret ballot…
Ive spoken to jannie, hes going to use his fancy footwork to stop Toeava…
21 Apr 2010, 13:12 pm
@elliott2: 296. Flok ET, WTF is wrong with you. lol. For once I agree with you.
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