French flops took day off
14 Jun 2010
The battle of the hemispheres at Newlands turned out to be a non-event, writes Keo in his weekly Business Day column.
If this were a cricket match there would have been an investigation. That is how disinterested and disgusting the French were at Newlands on Saturday. If it were a boxing match it would have been stopped in the opening round. That is how one-sided it was.
But this was rugby for goodness sake and the least we should have got was a physical contest against the two teams considered the most physical. Instead the French went down at the singing of the South African national anthem when a third of the crowd was still trying to get into the ground. Imagine if the vuvuzelas were allowed into Newlands to mess with French heads? A French player or two would probably have committed suicide!
What a pity that the Six Nations champions would pick the Saturday of all sporting weekends in Cape Town to take the day off. What a pity for those who made it to Newlands with a hangover from the sporting high of Friday’s Fifa World Cup opening day celebrations. What a pity rugby’s unofficial World Cup final between the respective champions of the north and south proved a non-event.
The French rugby players and management were guests of their French soccer counterparts in their goalless draw against Uruguay at Cape Town Stadium on Friday night, and they played on Saturday as if they were guests of the Springboks.
The French have never been as charitable in the last five years against the Springboks as they were on Saturday. This was a match that was over as a contest within the first 20 minutes when the Boks led 20-0 and the French defence looked more like a clumsy attempt at ballroom dancing.
The pity is the Boks were up for this one, especially after their coach Peter de Villiers had said the standard of the French Top 14 did not compare with the Super Rugby. De Villiers will keep on saying that if the French keep on playing like they did on Saturday.
And while France are always capable of producing one sensational performance at a World Cup, this group of players showed a capacity to produce the opposite as well, which makes one wonder if France can ever be considered among the favourites for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.
The French, in trying to defend their non-arrival, said they were tired. On the surface it is a fair comment because their season did end two weeks ago but it is not an accurate comment because they played like a team with no interest. There is a difference between being fatigued and not being bothered. Those who played for the Springboks in Toulouse last November were also tired, and even though they lost to France they played with desire and interest, which explains a seven-point defeat as opposed to Saturday’s 25-point differential that should have been 50.
The Springboks played like a champion side; it won with style and sounded another warning to the All Blacks and Wallabies that it will take a special 80-minute effort to beat the Springboks between now and the World Cup.
The Springboks were dominant in contact and it looked like a senior side roughing up juniors in every collision. Danie Rossouw’s defence was destructive, Schalk Burger’s was a close second and even Ricky Januarie tackled as if the French had stolen his burger and chips.
Rossouw and Burger created fear with their tackling, Victor Matfield ensured the now traditional confusion to opponents at the lineout and Francois Louw produced the complete loose-forward performance in only his second Test.
The Bok backs collectively did not perform as good as the forwards. Individually, Januarie, Morne Steyn, Gio Aplon and Jaque Fourie were the masters of their own destiny against opponents willing to let them do what they wanted, but frustratingly Zane Kirchner and Wynand Olivier again did not transfer their imposing Super Rugby form to the Springboks.
The puzzle of Olivier and Kirchner aside, Bok rugby has never been as strong or as spoilt for choice. Peter de Villiers, after picking the best of the Super 14 to hammer the champs of the North, could pick a Vodacom Cup XV to beat the Six Nations chumps Italy.
Or more appropriately he could choose a team of South Africans playing in the French Top 14 because that would at least make for a more appropriate contest.
88 Comments
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14 Jun 2010, 15:28 pm
@Frankly speaking(Frankly speaking)-35: Aplon is the real deal… Have been saying that since the last third of the S14. I also found it funny that those liberal Stormers would pick an inferior player ahead of him at 15…
I haven’t bought into the Flo’ hype just yet. Yes he has played two decent games but there are a few who are ahead of him in the loosie stakes just yet…
Personally I rate Slangkos ahead of him – doesn’t give away much in terms of ground/ruck play but he is definitely more dynamic and better with support play…
14 Jun 2010, 15:29 pm
Geeezus, I have been reading articles here too long. Please excuse my grammar. In and out of tense… faaaark me it rubs off.
14 Jun 2010, 15:39 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-51: Potties has played well lately but he’s more of an all-rounder and compliments the fetcher, kind like a Rodney to FLO’s Richie. They compliment each other well and have the potential to become a great looseforeward paring in the future.
If all are fit the most likely combo will be Pierre/Juan/Heinrich with Schalk on the bench. Lots of talent out in the cold still (FLO/Potgieter/Deysel/Vermeulen/Stegman/Kanko). Laugable when you look at it!
14 Jun 2010, 15:45 pm
@RugbyRulz(RugbyRulz)-50: oh ok.
14 Jun 2010, 15:52 pm
When we say fatigue, it is very different from S14. I read that some of the Springboks played a lot aswell during the S14. But it is not comparable. The players that have played the most (SA team) have played less matches than the average (28 matches) for France. The players that have played the most this year: Dusautoir 35, Fritz 36, Parra et Poux 37. Counting TOP14, test match, 6nations and H Cup, the season started in August. That is why many players were not playing: injured or at home to rest.
Even if there is no discussion possible on SA dominance saturday, I think that dismissing les Bleus for the world cup, is a mistake, and saying that the score could have been more severe (50 points?!) is arrogant.
I guess that if France had won, Keo could have burned PdV, but France has lost, so let burn it
14 Jun 2010, 15:53 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-53: I get what you’re saying but to “humbly” correct an ex-hooker I would have to point out that Rodney played most of his time with Reechie as 8 with Jerry Collins as the other member of the trio…
Flo is good but Slangkos to me is also a better lineout performer…? The Bulls also tend to substitute Stegmann with Pedrie…? Slangkos has the capability to be as good a fetcher as any, with other parts of his game making him a better choice… I.e. he brings more to the table….
Yes you talk about balance in a loosie trio, but balance does not mean including a player that may be slightly inferior…
Also Slangkos has played all season with Spies, in terms of combinations that also adds to his plusses…
That said, Flo has taken his opportunity and is the man in possession…
14 Jun 2010, 15:57 pm
@Grroo(Grroo)-55: it could quite easily have been 50 plus mate.
no arrogance.
just the truth.
the french will be a MAJOR threat at the wc no doubt.
14 Jun 2010, 16:16 pm
Aggg, that’s the French for you at the end of the day. Sometimes they pitch up, sometimes they don’t..
14 Jun 2010, 16:17 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-56: Yes, Rodney is an 8, I was referring more to how they played together as a “hunting pair”. I saw some of that last week and against Wales and I must say that it worked really well, almost as if they have played together for some time already. It was really good to watch. Pierre had a great game, his positional play off the ball, which you don’t always see on the TV, has improved a great deal.
I was watching who was dropping back to field the long ball, for the Bulls it is usually FDP, on Saturday it was mostly Morne, with Pierre as backup enforcer. Good traditional 8th man play from the Bulls man.
14 Jun 2010, 16:18 pm
One of the June or November tests should be scrapped. There’s no need for both. Rest time is a higher priority.
14 Jun 2010, 16:19 pm
A good article, but not sure how Keo concludes that Australia and New Zealand ought to be further worried about the Boks this year. I think the Boks have gotten the respect they deserve, but only the most one-eyed SA supporter would think ht gap between the Boks and the other £N is growing, rather than closing up.
This year’s 3N will be far more competitive than last, with the Boks favourites for now but only just.
14 Jun 2010, 16:27 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-59: Yp, I did notice that. I remember having a little discussion with you (I think) way back about the no. 8 covering role and current no 8s, including Spies, neglect of this…
It was good to see this becoming part of his game like it was for great 8s like Brooke and Teichmann.
He could get some chances for some massive counter attacks from the back, either started by himself or in support of a counter attacking FB like Aplon…
14 Jun 2010, 16:39 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-62: Yes, I remember now. I was lamenting that he didn’t do enough of that. I’ve been watching for signs of him “smartening up” so to speak, and i think he may be getting there. I’m not so arrogant as to assume I know more about rugby than he does, he obviously plays within a certain structure at the Bulls, but International Rugby is something else.
I must say it was great being at Newlands on saturday, I had a great time watching all the action. Some of the guys looked really impressive. I wouldn’t want to be the one to have to tackle Pierre Spies or Danie Rossouw in full flight I must say!
Oh, and the occasion was all the sweeter for the lack of Vuvuzelas in the stadium.
Glad I’m not going to the football this evening, it’s like a stormy iceblock in CT today, with snow on the Stellenbosch mountains and more predicted, with even table mountain due to get some snow this evening. Not as bad as where you find yourself in winter, but we aren’t really prepared for it….
14 Jun 2010, 17:37 pm
“The Bok backs collectively did not perform as good as the forwards.”
It’s “as well”. You’re not a yank as far as I know.
But you did good Keo, you did good.
14 Jun 2010, 17:56 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-63:
Must have been good at the game and there mst have been a fair amount of French support with the WC being on the go and those Frogs following the football getting a game of rugger in. Fark those vuvuzelas – great for the opening game but the novelty is wearing thin rapidly… Would be great to hear some shosholoza or something similar that all African fans could join in when spporting the African teams.
Jeez, thats a bit unusual – snow on Table Mountain… Wise thing to stay indoors… Better to watch on TV…
Comparatively warm this side…
14 Jun 2010, 18:19 pm
This is a very good team we got here for the 3N. If we had FdP in there I’d dare say it is better than last years. Just need to get rid of Kirchner and we’re laughing. Olivier was solid but not spectacular. Perhaps DeJongh is a better bet. Aplon is like the Road Runner he’s so quick. We really have got revenge now for that debacle in Toulouse. Six Nations Champs spanked by the World Champs. I would also substitute Schalk for Deysel alongside Potgieter and Flo for a monster loosie combo and we’re laughing. Its going to be bloody hard to beat the ABs back-to-back in NZ. Need every player to be on point.
14 Jun 2010, 19:39 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-56:
Let’s put the truth on the table here about Slangkos, alias Potties. Yes, he does not weigh 114 kgs or stand 1.94 m tall. But no other loose forward in SA would have scored that try vs Wales that sparked the Boks comeback and eventual win.
He lined up off the loose scrum in support of BJ Botha in a pod with Danie R wide to his outside. As the ball went wide to Danie R Potties ran wide around his outside and cut back on a brilliant line to collect the ball from a short pass from Danie R and again cut out wide to score. His spatial awareness and vision is second bar none and what he loses in size he makes up for doubly in heart and intellect on the field.
he is the thinking man’s loosie and for my money, a must at 7 in combination with Flouw at 6 in the Trinations.
14 Jun 2010, 20:14 pm
WO’s problem is that he is not having a go at international level with ball in hand, which he does do for the Bulls, if he wants to make a mark, he has to attack more with ball in hand and take the oppo on with strong runs like he does for the bulls, he is a good player, but needs to make that step up in his mind.
De Jong has natural BMT and i like him cos he takes the oppo on and i want to see him do more of it. The boks would be an incredibly more threatening team if their centers were encouraged to have a go and slice the defense, WO can do it with handoffs ala jamie roberts and de jong has a sharpness and step not dissimilar to horan. \they must be encouraged to break that line. if the boks get this right, they going to move up to the australasian centre level and then will be almost untouchable imo.
14 Jun 2010, 20:14 pm
What a craply written article.
It’s a pity that Louis de Villiers is such a good writer. Now everybody tries to imitate him.
14 Jun 2010, 20:51 pm
keo you idiot, snor told you that they wont beat the boks….. The fact that you wrote a whole sarcastic article about that comment blew up in your face! Now instead of owning up you blame the frogs for not being commited…… Could the boks just been a lot better? You are such a doos!
14 Jun 2010, 21:18 pm
This article and a few others referring to Oros Januarie having a good game, caused me to watch the game again, got done with it just a few minutes ago.
Conclusion – as a scrumhalf he had a total shocker, as a scrambler he was OK. Better than against Wales though, but that was benchmark weak for an international scrumhalf.
He will be shown up as a clown shortly, and it will cost us the game.
We got away with it due to the opposition, only because of it.
14 Jun 2010, 21:45 pm
@Tisme(Tisme)-70: hey, pdv cannot be seen to be right! When pdv saw “Big” Joe & Francois lumbering @ training in comparison to spring chicken like Flo, De Jongh & Aplon he loosely commented that they were off the pace compared to the home based Boks. But as we all know Keo has a verbal contract with van niekerk’s mom to create a buzz worthy of a book!
Keo is like Craig Ray singing for his supper.
14 Jun 2010, 21:48 pm
A gloating, boastful, arrogant article.
14 Jun 2010, 22:14 pm
I think Saturday was just a bad day out for the French. It happnes to every team at some point.
On paper that wasn’t a bad French side but on the day they just had a shocker. We went into a game against Oz with a Bok team that had some good players in it and came away with a 43 – 0 loss once…..it happens.
14 Jun 2010, 22:27 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-73:
well at least you read the articles.
i never bother – just go straight to the comments.
more intellectual insights there.
14 Jun 2010, 23:03 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-62: Spies’ following up work is awesome. Have a look at the second Aplon try. there is Aplon aoutsprinting their wings on thr outside, and keping pace right behind him is Fourie and Spies. There was one big figure following and one big figue sprinting in from the other side of the field. The latter was going at ENORMOUS pace!! And was a VERY big guy…
14 Jun 2010, 23:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-51:
Hey Heavens
Why is Potties called Slangkos anyways?
14 Jun 2010, 23:38 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-73: not really, in amongst the hubris it implies the French are better than they showed (and they are to be honest). They didn’t show the requisite spirit or desire at the weekend, that’s just sometimes what happens with them.
14 Jun 2010, 23:46 pm
@English Bok Fan(English Bok Fan)-77:
his pale complexion and white hair.
slangkos = snake food.
snakes eat white mice?
14 Jun 2010, 23:57 pm
@SjamBok(SjamBok)-76: Pierre is playing the best rugby of his life. And, cliche that it is, he is getting better. He learned to play tight and physical. He is starting to be commanding in that role. His hands at the back of the scrum are excellent. But he will bring back that game breaking ability soon, and when he does that we will be unbeatable.
Here’s the deal. We have to have a solid platform. Give him time and he is too big, too strong and too fast. It will take 3 tacklers out the game, and right now it take 3.
Spies gets the ball, and up go all the heads of the opposition.
And by the way he is running quality defensive lines too, and with his pace he really can cover ground.
15 Jun 2010, 04:31 am
@Yetirat(Yetirat)-74: 49-0. Against the Wallabies.
15 Jun 2010, 04:46 am
Well, if France can produce one upset in a World Cup, let us hope they do it in their pool match against NZ to setup a possible SA/NZ final which is probably what most people want to see (OK, the odd Ozzie, Pom, Paddy, Taffy and Frog may disagree but who are the greatest test rivals since the dawn of test rugby?). If both SA and NZ win their groups, then SA will meet NZ in the semis which means goodbye to either the host and current #1 rank or defending champ and current #2 rank. (This is according to the Wikipedia 2011 WC page). Shouldn’t a worldcup draw reflect the IRB rankings to ensure that the two most consistent top teams meet in the final?
15 Jun 2010, 04:47 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-81: And the vinyl record got stuck again!
15 Jun 2010, 10:42 am
49-0 is indelible, just as how that famous 44-0 win against Scotland at Murrayfield was a victory of legend from 1951 onward. Big blankings are always unforgettable.
15 Jun 2010, 12:08 pm
Flo is the real deal but he will find it harder as team work him out. I recon he will be harder to deal with than Brussow.
Kanko and Deysel shouldn’t be near a bok jersey. Deysel especially.
15 Jun 2010, 12:13 pm
Wouln’t play Potties and Schalk on the field at the same time. Same sort of players.
Flo/Schalk paring is very very nice indeed. Potties/Flo pariing is a very nice backup.
Spies is the king though, no backup comes close. Kanko not even close. If Backies is fit i’d prefer Danie at 8 even than Kanko. World Cup winning combo, Juan, Schalk, Danie.
What I love about Spies even more than his monster runs is the way he just picks players up and drives them back in the tackle. Powerhouse!!
Vermulen is a better option than Kanko – really am not a Kano fan
15 Jun 2010, 12:50 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-86: Would I be correct in understanding that you think Spies is great and Kanko sucks?! Sorry mate, just fartarsing around. Must agree with you. We are fortunate that we are blessed with an abundance of tallent in all positions at the moment. Guys like Kirsh, who had an avarage game, would walk into most other national sides. Spies will go down in history as a legend like Frik du Preez, Morne du Plesis, Danie Craven etc.
15 Jun 2010, 23:15 pm
Keo are you actually paid to write this rubbish? Perhaps you like to living up to the stereotype of the arrogant and intolerant SA rugby fan.
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