The big debate
1 Jul 2010
Has Chiliboy Ralepelle become a political pawn?
YES
Ollie le Roux, former Springbok prop
‘I think it’s a disgrace that Chiliboy was selected for the Springbok Test against Wales, especially when you consider he only played 20 minutes of Super Rugby this season and is the third-choice hooker at the Bulls.
‘There are so many world-class hookers in South Africa at the moment, with John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis [who’s currently injured], Tiaan Liebenberg, Gary Botha, Adriaan Strauss and Bandise Maku all in great form. Chiliboy’s selection is disrespectful to those hookers who deserve a call-up, as well as to the Bok team.
‘It’s sad for Chiliboy because he obviously doesn’t pick himself, yet he’s the one who has to suffer the consequences.
‘Chiliboy was a great player at age-group level and is earmarked to be the next Bok skipper, but this can’t justify his selection for the Cardiff Test. I can’t even remember what he brings to the field because I never see him play. He needs to go to a union where he will be the first-choice hooker and can prove to people that he deserves to be in the Springbok team.’
NO
Robbie Kempson, former Springbok prop
‘Chiliboy’s selection for the Wales Test was criticised because of his lack of game time in the Super 14 but I didn’t have a problem with it. He’s been sidelined for a long time because of injuries, which has seen him drop below Gary Botha and Bandise Maku in the Bulls’ pecking order at hooker. But keeping him in the Bok mix will help with his development as a player and keep him exposed to the team structures.
‘Chiliboy will also learn from the best players in the country and have the guidance of the Bok coaching staff, who can explain exactly what they want from him. That’s the ideal mentoring an up-and-coming player needs.
‘Unfortunately, he will be under fire because people feel he hasn’t proved that he’s worth a Bok call-up. But if he can make a success out of it, he will win the respect of the public.
‘Chiliboy has to remain focused, work hard, and make the most of his opportunities. He’s a good player with plenty of potential, but he has to make the step up.’
– This article first appeared in the July issue of SA Rugby magazine
506 Comments
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1 Jul 2010, 15:54 pm
White’s double bogey
Jake White says deciding on his back-up options at hooker and centre were hardest calls he had to make when deciding on his final 30 for the World Cup.
The Springbok coach and national selectors finally settled on Wynand Olivier and Gary Botha in those roles, with Waylon Murray and Bismarck Du Plessis the unlucky losers in the mix. Both could have felt justifiably disappointed, having delivered impressive displays in the limited game time they received.
White however explained that he wanted to remain true to his philosophy of continuity in selection and added that the versatility of Olivier and other backline players influenced the call in midfield.
“Look, it was helluva tough because both Waylon and Bismarck played well when given an opportunity, but I’m pleased with the final call,” White told Keo.co.za.
“We weren’t sure if we should have gone with two or three hookers and in the end Bismarck was unlucky that we went for two. As far as Wynand’s inclusion goes, he’s played a big role for us last season [he played in all 12 Tests in 2006] and covers inside and outside centre as well as wing.
“We felt we had enough cover in midfield given that Bryan Habana and Ashwin Willemse can cover outside centre and Butch James and Frans Steyn inside centre,” he explained.
Asked whether Chiliboy Ralepelle was ever in selection contention despite not having a played since round three of the Super 14, the coach said he was and still is.
“Always in the mix,” White said of the Bulls youngster, expected to return to competitive action in early September. “I spoke to him last after the Samoa Test to find out how his rehabilitation was going and discussed his chances of being fit for the tournament.
“He’s still part of the mix and if we pick up injuries he could come into the reckoning.”
1 Jul 2010, 15:54 pm
This is Sparta, chikkens!
1 Jul 2010, 15:54 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-302:
1 Jul 2010, 15:55 pm
looks like i killed the thread.
ho hum.
1 Jul 2010, 15:57 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-304:
yep.
gigolo hum.
1 Jul 2010, 15:57 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-300: pleasure my boy
1 Jul 2010, 15:57 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-301: And on and on and on…. goes the ifs, buts and only’s… Jake tried to play politician and he was not good at it… All Bok coaches are forced to select players they would rather not… Some just don’t have to agree with it…
You must have a nice bale by now with all the straws you’ve been grasping…
1 Jul 2010, 15:58 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-307: or clutching…
1 Jul 2010, 16:01 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-308:
1 Jul 2010, 16:03 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-307: a colonial mindset is a b i tch…you’re a perfect example
wit rangerman your minion…
1 Jul 2010, 16:16 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-310: a native mindset can be a real handicap, i suggest you try take your muthi and sleep it off
anyways, i am out.
have a good one all, waka waka!
1 Jul 2010, 16:25 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-310: What do they say about dependency…? A quota/AA/”insert politically correct term” is nothing more than coins in the begging bowl on a conceptual level…
The coins here are rugby positions, and being given something for nothing….
A dependency mindset is a biyatch, ask any Ghanaian, Kenyan about “structral readjustment” after too much IMF or World Bank largesse…
Both analogies apply to quotas or being given a position in a rugby team without merit…
Shame but Chilli is really disenfranchised – reminds me of Johnny Cleggs lyrics: Wo! ilanga lobunzima, Nalo liyashona,
Ukuthini asazi Mus’ ukukhala Mntanami. Do you feel this way too :LOL:
1 Jul 2010, 16:32 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-312: apologies – should be structural readjustment… blaady “u” key…
1 Jul 2010, 16:59 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-312: you’re quite right, especially when a government puts in legislation that drives others from their fertile land & provides to only some along with soft loans, concerted & systematic manipulation of labour & resources, when things are normalised those who enjoyed undue privilege tend to emigrate or whinge incessantly.
Some countries have marshal plans, some have imf loans, no difference to me
1 Jul 2010, 17:03 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-314:
Bad taste makes many more milionares then good taste i guess
1 Jul 2010, 17:07 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-312: imagine the ignominy of knowing of wearing the springbok jersey know that the majority of the population in your own country are barred from competing for the same jersey you’re wearing.
1 Jul 2010, 17:07 pm
just read a few posts then gave up….let me say 1 thing….if Chilliboy a quota political selection as he is only far down the pecking order, then so is J Smit and R Pienaar.
Pienaar at 15?????
Smit at 3????
Then they also quotas.
Klaar
1 Jul 2010, 17:09 pm
all these saffa expats sitting overseas trying to tell us what to do with our team can go and get f a r ked!
1 Jul 2010, 17:10 pm
and all the squirrel hunters sitting in KZN still feeling they run the country like colonialists can go and get f a r ked too.
1 Jul 2010, 17:15 pm
Why no….he’s a natural. In fact I feel so confident in his obvious talent I’m going to suggest we let him play rugby in the Northern Hemisphere..for ten years.
1 Jul 2010, 17:17 pm
was in a meeting, I come back and the BIG DEBATE is still ongoing…
@Transformation(Transformation)-316: hey Mfo…sukuyithetha lonto, uzok’va ukuba edlulileyo idlule..
reverse discrimination or something like that… consider yourself warned 
1 Jul 2010, 17:22 pm
@grant10(grant10)-317: “ruan pienaar is too talented a player to leave out of ay springbok team” – joel stransky. When will you ever learn grant?
1 Jul 2010, 17:26 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-314: What you talking about… Zimbabwe?
@Transformation(Transformation)-316: I just adapt your comment “imagine the ignominy of knowing that by wearing the springbok jersey you know that the majority of the rugby players from a certain demographic are barred from competing for the same jersey you’re wearing.” – that pretty much applies to Chilliboy, so thank you.
@theOracle(theOracle)-321: Ba’hla… you have that right
1 Jul 2010, 17:31 pm
@grant10(grant10)-318: So says the mlungu liberator from the bubble of Cape Town. You might as well be expat… when last did you have a look at the airport mjondolos?
Go watch your poofball… a game more suited to your delicate sensibilities…
1 Jul 2010, 17:37 pm
@theOracle(theOracle)-321: ndiyayazi lonto, qha bacinga ukuba silibele ukuba sisuka phi. Sobe ndithule lungekho utshintsho.
1 Jul 2010, 17:41 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-323: the republic you & your forefathers prospered in.
1 Jul 2010, 17:43 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-323: chiliboy has talent in bucketloads…
1 Jul 2010, 18:00 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-326: And they will always prosper. There always is the proverbial dependency bowl to fill up (eg. BEE).
Conquest and exploitation was and is “all the rage” – whether its Shaka, Rhodes, Kruger, Mbeki or Malema… Some just do it better and more efficiently than others…
1 Jul 2010, 18:01 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-327: Undoubtedly so, but not more than others plainly better than him
1 Jul 2010, 18:07 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-329: well pdv’s opinion is the only one that matters, so keep wailing
1 Jul 2010, 18:10 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-330: I doubt if its his opinion though… He has to say the right things about Chilli, to satisfy the “wise” and “strong” man Khompela and all his acolytes
1 Jul 2010, 18:13 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-331: The only good thing about this is I have faith in PdV… So no wailing from me…
After the Boks have won next year for the third time then Chilli can take up his Captaincy role with the King Proteas…
After that, who cares … The Bok legacy will be complete
1 Jul 2010, 18:14 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-331: have you ever seen khompela before?
he is probably your age hahhahahaha
1 Jul 2010, 18:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-331:
Don’t be an idiot. If that was the case he could have chosen Maku if he doesn’t rate Chili. PdeV has already got enough black players, if that’s the criteria, without making an issue over Chili.
1 Jul 2010, 18:16 pm
Greetings All
He is good enough, let him jol !! Ollie you …….
1 Jul 2010, 18:19 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-333: Bwahahahaha, do you have that wrong…
Graded D+, must try harder next time…
That hay bale is getting bigger…
1 Jul 2010, 18:20 pm
@David(David)-334: Maku is not a potential captain… fodder for idjits
1 Jul 2010, 18:24 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-337:
What’s that got to do with it, or are you now claiming that he’s a “quota” captain in the making, rather than just a quota.
1 Jul 2010, 18:57 pm
@David(David)-338: No, I am saying that there are better players than him… Please try and separate hue colour from ability and form…
1 Jul 2010, 18:58 pm
bloody expats…..
1 Jul 2010, 19:01 pm
bryan habana is a quota, he adds to the number of players of colour in every team he plays in, so does zane, juan de jong, beast etc. All these guys are quotas.
Quota: a certain designated number of a particular commodity
1 Jul 2010, 19:02 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-339:
Most of your posts are based on colour in one form or another. You’re just too dishonest to say it openly.
1 Jul 2010, 19:05 pm
if a quota is defined as a player in the team that is not the best in his position….
well then i can name a quota or 2 with bloody pleasure…..starting with Plod.
1 Jul 2010, 19:05 pm
@David(David)-342: Rubbeesh… Swat that fly! You gave an unsolicited comment. Now run along…
I am watching you now…
1 Jul 2010, 19:08 pm
@grant10(grant10)-343: who is better than Smit? the ex-Quins bencher or that guy he annihilated in the Stormers/Sharks game
1 Jul 2010, 19:10 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-341: Brian Habana is the best wing in the World – so he is not a quota – he is there on merit….
My, my, even you are confused about quota’s in an SA sport/colour/representivity context – are you sure you’re not an expat
1 Jul 2010, 19:11 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-346: so smit is a quota then!
And Ruan Pienaar
1 Jul 2010, 19:16 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-344:
I understand that keo.co.za solicits the comments, young man, not you.
1 Jul 2010, 19:22 pm
Trying to deny quotas exist in rugby is like trying to deny that the majority of rugby coaches in SA who happen to be white shows more trust in white players.
It is just kak funny how both camps try to justify their points which I find really entertaining.
1 Jul 2010, 19:28 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-349:
That’s something I pointed out earlier today. PdeV unashamedly said that he intended to make the Boks more representative and that he felt that there were many players of colour who could succeed at international level. Thankfully he’s been extremely pragmatic in how he’s going about it. He even admitted his mistakes over a number of (unnamed) players.
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