Gunning for greatness
17 May 2010
Pierre Spies has become one of the world’s elite No 8s. And if he and some of the game’s most respected figures are to be believed, he will get even better.
Former Bok technical adviser Eddie Jones is one of several experts who rate Spies in the new issue of SA Rugby magazine, on sale this week.
‘The breakdown law interpretations will see him become the pre-eminent No 8 in world rugby, simply because he’s light years ahead of any of the competition in terms of sheer athleticism and physicality,’ says Jones. ‘Who matches his pace? Nobody, not even [Ryan] Kankowski, who has some appreciable toe. Who matches his upper-body strength and leg drive? Same answer.’
In the same article, Spies explains how he’s learnt to treat adulation and criticism with equal contempt, and why his self-belief is unwavering.
‘I don’t think the media and public know what they want you to be sometimes – humble [read: self-effacing] or supremely confident,’ he says. ‘I don’t think I lack humility and neither am I apologetic about my own estimation of my standing in the game. I believe I have something special because I’m unlike most No 8s in terms of my pace, and my experience as a backline player gives me a more holistic understanding of how best to link with them and about attacking lines in the backline.’
Spies also talks about the 2011 Rugby World Cup, how South Africa’s success in New Zealand has removed the aura of invincibility Kiwi teams used to have, whether he’d consider playing overseas and why he’s looking forward to the soccer World Cup.
Also in the new issue of SA Rugby magazine:
– Keo on why Peter de Villiers must use this Test season to build Springbok squads for the 2011 and 2015 World Cups
– Wynand Olivier has mounted a serious challenge for the Springbok No 12 jersey
– The Stormers are no longer the South African softies of Super Rugby
– Nineteen-year-old Sharks fullback Pat Lambie on his Sharks debut, his rugby future, Stefan Terblanche’s influence, and being selected for the Baby Boks
– Brumbies fullback Julian Huxley has made a remarkable return to the game after being diagnosed with a brain tumour two years ago
– Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu on what went wrong this season, how they can put things right, and why they won’t be medal contenders at the 2016 Olympics
– SA Referees manager Andre Watson on the new law interpretations, Saru’s scrum factory and the criticism of referees
– Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards on stopping the Springbok pack, South Africa’s fantastic depth and why the new law interpretations are good for Wales
– France centre Yannick Jauzion is teaching his younger rivals a lesson
– Italy tighthead Martin Castrogiovanni will give the Springbok scrum a stern examination in June
– Former All Blacks wing Jonah Lomu has found happiness on and off the field
– Plus: Jake White column and Jonathan Kaplan tests your knowledge of the laws
162 Comments
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16 May 2010, 21:07 pm
@byoboy(byoboy)-45:
Yes hard to knock Juan out of a bok side
I am a strong believer in playing form players
16 May 2010, 21:09 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-49:
Good point but Mallet’s team did a 17 match streak and Ireland and France are much better now than then
16 May 2010, 21:11 pm
I’d say our poor performance on last years EOYT stemmed from the front row problems
16 May 2010, 21:12 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-49:
Skoppie who is your lock pair ?
Bekker and Matfield. do you play 2 similar type locks? (plenty of lineout ball )
Who is your 15.
J Pietersen?
16 May 2010, 21:13 pm
play Spies as this almighty immaculate athletic gladiator and watch as he spills balls falls off tackles, runs away from his support, gets done at the break down and goes missing in action in hard tough encounters as he’s prone to do already many a time. Those that still think either Kanko or Spies are Sa’s answer at no.8 wait and watch you going to be bitterly disappointed. Alberts and Vermeulen both far better to start. Spies should come off bench not start especially in tough hard crunch games..
16 May 2010, 21:13 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-51: I agree and its tough one with so many in form players in the loose trio.
16 May 2010, 21:13 pm
@byoboy(byoboy)-53:
And long hard season senior players nto really into the tests maybe?
16 May 2010, 21:14 pm
outta here cheers people
16 May 2010, 21:15 pm
@byoboy(byoboy)-58:
Cheers
16 May 2010, 21:17 pm
Guys… I need some opinons.
Thinking of moving back to SA after 10 years.
Ireland is imploding like a hungover Nouveau riche bride the day after her wedding.
I feel like I might be the only person going to SA instead of leaving but hear that others have returned.
So Am I crazy or what?
16 May 2010, 21:18 pm
@Flametop(Flametop)-60:
California is imploding too
I have thought of it too so your not alone
16 May 2010, 21:19 pm
I have advanced the agenda of reconciliation today.
I have submitted my application there at RT and it was approved.
This is in line with the Sheriff Board of Directors strategic plan to merge the 2 entities in 2012.
I am comfortable that I consulted all the relevant stakeholders and foresee a smooth transition.
Here’s my dilemma now: where do I blog and why? I know I can count on your unwavering support!
16 May 2010, 21:20 pm
the paper SA rugby mag dedicates to this overrated player is a shame.
save a tree rather
16 May 2010, 21:21 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-62:
RT is very quiet and a lot of Bulls supporters
16 May 2010, 21:23 pm
I still say you need to play one enforcer type lock and one athlete play maker line out specialist like Matfield or Bekker. To play them together would possibly work unless we come up against really tough oppo like we did vs France in Nov.09. Bekker is far more physical than Matfield but he’s still not a true type enforcer. I like the 2 Sharks youngsters Sykes and Hargreaves. Also Flip vd Merwe. I reckon Bakkies is passe same as Smit and maybe one or 2 others.
I’d still play Juan Smith and Schalk at flank with Vermeulen at 8.
At 4 would be Sykes or Flip and 5 Matfield to start Bekker off bench.
Spies off bench.
16 May 2010, 21:23 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-61:
I’m thinking along with other reasons that if the world is broke I’d rather be in the sun rather than the rain
I guess you don’t have that problem in California.
Still… am I nuts… anyone?
16 May 2010, 21:24 pm
just check one of my recent comments, exactly a YEAR & ONE DAY, this site carried a piece and had spies on the cover!!!
hahahahahaha
16 May 2010, 21:27 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-65:
Yes i agree with loose trio and maybe Louw on bench?
Juan can drop to 8 if necessary.
I agree with your assesment on locks you do need that enforcer at the rucks and tackle play.
I think maybe Vdm since he work s well with Matfield and has been great in super 14
And your 15? if no Steyn
and your 12 if no JDV
16 May 2010, 21:28 pm
@Flametop(Flametop)-66:
yes true
16 May 2010, 21:28 pm
Sheriff just f.off to that dumb f.ck establishment and stop making a big empty noise about it. Nobody needs to offer you consent to f.off, that you can do for yourself. You won’t be missed as much as you think you will so just disappear over the oranjia horizon and make softly softly snuggle up warm in that dumb d.ck laager cocoon.
16 May 2010, 21:30 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-65:
I dont believe you like WO at 12
I think he has matured as a 12 and i would have him there
16 May 2010, 21:31 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-71:
Certainly better than Jacobs
16 May 2010, 21:32 pm
Don’t really rate Spies sooo much. He’s very good but doesn’t perform when he’s in a Bok jersey. I’d say Vermulen and Kanko are our form 8s at the moment. But I also feel that Louw is better then Juan.
Bakkies has now been cited. This is why I have been saying for years that I’d rather have Bekker in the team. On the rare occasion when Bakkies isn’t injured he’s banned or giving away a ton of penalties. Bekker to start with Matfield. Yes, I know the are very similar but you have to reward Bekker for his exeptional form. We can’t just keep putting guys in based on reputation.
My Bok pack (with Brussow injured):
1. CJ
2. Liebenberg/Botha
3. BJ
4. Bekker
5. Matfield
6. Schalla
7. Louw
8. Kanko/Vermulen
Close contenders:
1. Smit
2. Smit/Brits
4. Bakkies
7. Juan/Potgieter
8. Spies/Alberts
16 May 2010, 21:32 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-62: Both sides like I do Sheriff.
16 May 2010, 21:32 pm
Flametop you wont be making a mistake leaving that imploding economy for this volitile open aired cowboy country. Here its each man for himself and cowboy’s don’t cry but if you not too shabby at dodging bullets then its as good a place as any. Just remember though Africa’s not for sissies. Which I reckon you know already.
16 May 2010, 21:33 pm
@Flametop(Flametop)-72:
Jacobs is a 13 and Jf is king (best 13 in the world)
WO is better option at 12 than jacobs
16 May 2010, 21:34 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-64: Not too quiet this past week and today over 300 posts Coach.
How you doing? Asked on the other thread. Hope well my friend. You will be looking forward to the Stormers semi this week.
Hope you beat the Tahs and Bulls beat the Saders. Really would be great to have a all saffa final.
Okay just a quick hi and bye. Cheers Coach.
16 May 2010, 21:35 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-75:
Yeah and we have earth quakes
16 May 2010, 21:36 pm
@Puma(Puma)-77:
I am doing good thanks Cheers
16 May 2010, 21:36 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-75:
After over a decade with Flamedolla you warn me that Africa is not for sissies!
Yep it’s the bullets that scare me, but the smiles I miss
16 May 2010, 21:37 pm
and the sun shines far more over here than it does over there.
Coach. Joe Pietersen is a natural running Eb with a clear as daylight rugby brain on him and a beautiful balanced boot and line running ability too. He’d slot into bok 15 without a hitch smooth as a knife through butter.
I like De Jongh because of his immense tackling fearlessness more than Olivier. De Jongh must still learn to off load earlier than he does but he can be taught that. His defensive capabilities far better than any other 12 in the country and he not too bad at sniffing gaps on attack either.
16 May 2010, 21:38 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-76:
If BOD is really waning then that’ll be true.
(Poor enough year for BOD by his own standards, but last year he was still without peer)
16 May 2010, 21:38 pm
Hargreaves not physical enough and is a no.5 lock, Matfield and Bekker got that number covered. No.4 is more of a conundrum but Flip and Sykes are doing well to make it their own in the not too distant future
16 May 2010, 21:39 pm
@Flametop(Flametop)-80:
Yeah and plenty bullets here in Ca too
I think flame top and my self miss all those small things and the great things about SA and the people
16 May 2010, 21:40 pm
@Flametop(Flametop)-82:
No doubt BOd is great. i still rate JF the best
16 May 2010, 21:40 pm
@rugbywriter(rugbywriter)-73:
that pack would be shoved all over the park.
if you want to have bekker and vic, then you’ll have to have smit at hooker,
smith at 7 and,
and spies or vermuelen at 8
16 May 2010, 21:41 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-75:
Flipping hell. Thats a bit harsh don’t you think.
And that “cowboys don’t cry” line makes you sound like you’re channeling Bheki Cele!
16 May 2010, 21:41 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-84:
Yep… so true.
Reading all the stuff about Malema… bit worrying.
But really for SA to still be in the shape it’s in given the history… what other country would survive with any hope at all.
16 May 2010, 21:42 pm
@Flametop(Flametop)-60: You not crazy. I left and came back. SA has been good for me. Love it. Something we always have is the weather. Great rugby too.
Come back and look around and get a feel for it.
I know I made the right choice coming home.
Cheers out of here now.
16 May 2010, 21:42 pm
No.1 prop has to be Steenkamp and then perhaps Beast before Cj. I’m not convinced about Cj, way overrated prop from what I’ve seen. Blaauw also better option than Cj in my opinion.
16 May 2010, 21:43 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-81:
Yes i agree with Jp at 15
De jongh a great talent yes, sometimes runs across field a bit, when going for the outside gap, can lead to getting isolated, and takes away the space for JF and habs somewhat.
I have to go with WO here
16 May 2010, 21:43 pm
And here I was just compiling a list of not negotiable indivs that I need to meet when going down to CT.
That’s right – you go down when you go to Cape Town.
Beachwalker, Dawn, Grant, katman and so on.
Im gonna have to delete one name now – was gonna talk about meeting the Big 5…
16 May 2010, 21:45 pm
@Flametop(Flametop)-88: Flametop, I live better here than I did in Holland. The lifestyle here is awesome. Come back on a holiday for a month to be sure you are doing the right thing. I know I did and have a great life back home. Also great to be among your own people all the time.
16 May 2010, 21:45 pm
@Flametop(Flametop)-88:
if you have enough money so that you don’t have to rely on the public sector for schooling, health etc…sa is a fine place.
feel desperately sorry for the poor people though, hospitals and schools going south at a rate of knots.
16 May 2010, 21:45 pm
Yes I believe both sides is the way to go, thanks Pumes!
Im not gonna let skopskiet break me down.
Im gonna stand by my principals …
16 May 2010, 21:45 pm
@Flametop(Flametop)-88:
South africans are fighters and do well in any country
16 May 2010, 21:46 pm
@charo(charo)-94:
Sounds like california to me
16 May 2010, 21:46 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-92: Sheriff, just meet them all at once. That solves the problem
Now really out of here. Catch up another time.
16 May 2010, 21:47 pm
@charo(charo)-94:
And we have earth quakes and gangs to deal with
16 May 2010, 21:48 pm
@Puma(Puma)-98:
yeah i should go on at RT Its just my evenings is dead there
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