Return of the king
7 Feb 2011
Fourie du Preez will be the Boks’ key player this year as they seek to defend the World Cup.
In his most revealing interview yet, Du Preez talks to SA Rugby magazine about why the Springboks struggled in 2010, his big-match temperament, who should replace him as Bok scrumhalf when he retires from international rugby, why he wants to play in Japan, and who he thinks should be the next Bok coach.
We also speak to Heyneke Meyer and Bryan Habana about what makes Du Preez the best scrumhalf in the world.
‘If he doesn’t play the Boks are in serious trouble and the Bulls wouldn’t be the side they have been in the past couple of years, says Meyer. ‘People point out that he is integral to their game plan, which is true. There isn’t a better box-kicking scrumhalf in world rugby. But that doesn’t take into account his full value.
‘As the link between the forwards and the backs he is the most influential player on the park. Your decision-making has to be so sharp there, especially at international level where space and time are at a premium. No player can match his decision-making under pressure.’
Also in the new issue, on sale this week:
– Bryan Habana needs creative players around him if he’s to start scoring tries at Test level again
– Francois Louw refuses to believe that his World Cup dream is over
– Local businessman Robert Gumede on why he’s invested in the Lions, transforming the game, and the players he’d like to bring to Joburg
– Stirling Mortlock on what the Rebels hope to achieve in their debut Super Rugby season, why Danny Cipriani will excel, and his desire to get back into the Wallabies squad
– Alcohol addiction and excessive partying cost kiwi referee Steve Walsh his job in 2008. SA Rugby magazine finds out how he turned his life around
– JP Pietersen is confident he can regain the form that made him one of the world’s best wingers in 2007
– While the Test nations up north are coming to terms with the new law interpretations, the club structures and mentality will forever contrast the philosophy down south
– It’s been just over a year since Gareth Thomas became the first openly gay professional rugby player. In this candid interview, the former Wales captain talks about his new life, changing perceptions, and being portrayed by Mickey Rourke in an upcoming Hollywood movie
– The Olympic Games will transform sevens rugby
– Referees must stop interpreting the laws and start applying them consistently
– The three Pacific Island rugby nations will never be able to compete with the world’s best
– Jacques Cronjé on his World Cup snub, maturing, and going head-to-head with Sébastien Chabal at Racing Métro
Click here to subscribe to the print or digital editions
PLUS: Get your GIANT 2011 fixtures poster FREE with this issue (Super Rugby, Vodacom Cup, Varsity Cup, Six Nations, Tri-Nations, Sevens World Series, Currie Cup and World Cup fixtures)
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603 Comments
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8 Feb 2011, 12:16 pm
@gunther(gunther)-498: do you play polo too?
8 Feb 2011, 12:17 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-490: I thought you were off reporting.
@JockBok(JockBok)-491: Like I said. I speak for me. If you and your friends like it so much at RT, I’m sure there is a buzzing thread of convo there you can join. Don’t take your frustrations out on me.
Have a good day. The chaps are asking you to stick to rugby. See if you can do that.
I’m off gents. Gotta run.
8 Feb 2011, 12:17 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-486: Habs está más allá de su fecha de caducidad!
8 Feb 2011, 12:19 pm
@gunther(gunther)-499:
I couldn’t be an aparthied spy. I’ve been reminded on many occasions that I’m not South African. I’m a second class citizen.
Of course, as a foreigner, I’m just humble and thankful that I don’t have a shop that’s been burnt down.
8 Feb 2011, 12:20 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-501:
no a pesar de que tengo un pene del tamaño de un caballo de carreras.
8 Feb 2011, 12:23 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-504:
stop acting like a victim
I can arrange for you to rent a shop and have it burnt down.
will that help you to fit in?
8 Feb 2011, 12:24 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo)-503: Like Schalk?
Keep in squad, but not starting 15. I dunno, maybe some speed training can save him.
8 Feb 2011, 12:24 pm
@gunther(gunther)-498: I watched him off the ball on Saturday. It’s amazing how transparent his body language is. One fluffed pass and his shoulders slump, his hands hang next to his waist, no energy, all negativity.
I’d love to play poker against him. I’d take him for everything he has.
8 Feb 2011, 12:25 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-491: this thread about pierced va_ginas turned pot after the post at #353, when it was hijacked by a condescending swine for his own purposes. which of the people who were here last night cared if ET was there or not when they were exploring the nuances of bedazzled punanis?
8 Feb 2011, 12:26 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-504:
my advice….repent as you are going to hell because you do not support the anc even though you still have a shop that has not been burnt down.
basically, you are a complainer
8 Feb 2011, 12:27 pm
@gunther(gunther)-505: se te quejas o jactancia? La mayoría de los caballos de carreras son alimentados con esteroides, por lo que no puede ser tan grande ….
8 Feb 2011, 12:29 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-509: Does Rossoneri have a bedazzled punani?
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-508: One things for sure, that list of assets wouldn’t include pace anymore!
8 Feb 2011, 12:29 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-507: I hope so! He does have the POTENTIAL to be the most destructive player in world rugby. Thats why WP opened their wallets. Now, its his time to repay the faith showed by WP admin.
8 Feb 2011, 12:30 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-502:
Here we get to the crux of the matter.
Who are my ‘friends’and why would they or I need to be reminded we can go to RT if we want? And why by you?
I’m not stupid. I managed to get out of bed, clothe myself and get to work today so why would I need you or anyone else to tell me what options I have? Because you can bet your bottom dollar I will go and post where I want and when I want. so thanks for your concern, but it’s not needed. You can stop mentioning RT now.
Besides, I like it here.
Have a nice day.
8 Feb 2011, 12:32 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo)-511:
Si eres estúpido?
Le dije que estaba colgado como un caballo de carreras.
Su traductor está roto.
pedir un reembolso.
8 Feb 2011, 12:33 pm
@gunther(gunther)-505: bien sólo su esposa sabría
8 Feb 2011, 12:33 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-509: ag bs man.
charo expressed an opinion and out came the kkk, racism and RT.
from the same sad lady who couldnt handle charo calling the nz birds ho tties
lets face it, you and rosso have made your minds up to attack anything charo says.
thats fine, its like grant10 and his smit obsession.
but it makes you look silly.
you know that right?
8 Feb 2011, 12:34 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-512:
what are his times for 40m now compared to 2007?
8 Feb 2011, 12:34 pm
@Tegejo(Tegejo)-511: @Transformation(Transformation)-509: @gunther(gunther)-515: Gunter es una ****** con piedras preciosas.
8 Feb 2011, 12:36 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-512: It’s hard to tell. He only caught the ball once and he did make about 40 meters, so who knows?
I think he needs to go back to that flashing lights thingy. Sort out his reaction timing.
8 Feb 2011, 12:37 pm
@gunther(gunther)-518: No idea.
8 Feb 2011, 12:38 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-520: But JLP almost caught him!!!
8 Feb 2011, 12:42 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-520:
sheryl.
8 Feb 2011, 12:42 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-512: does your wife have one?
8 Feb 2011, 12:44 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-521:
then how do you know how much pace he has or hasn’t lost?
8 Feb 2011, 12:45 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-517: have made our minds up? hahaha
assumptions, assumptions
8 Feb 2011, 12:45 pm
@gunther(gunther)-523: That’s her. Can’t understand why they stopped using her.
8 Feb 2011, 12:46 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-524: No, yours? I’m sure Rossi has got one, she’s put a little pin it, in sympathy for poor old Ritchie.
@gunther(gunther)-523: Does Sheryl have one? Maybe one that flashes and you have to be quick and flick it at the right times?
8 Feb 2011, 12:49 pm
@gunther(gunther)-525: Cause I can see it. Do you need a scale to tell that Ricky has picked up weight since 2007?
8 Feb 2011, 12:50 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-517: yes rangerman, good sweet old non-belligerent charo only “expresses and opinion, and when opinions are expressed about him and his opinion then he is being “attacked” hahahaha nice try.
this sounds like when the communists and unions would “express opinions” about mbeki and if he responds then he is “attacking” them, very silly
8 Feb 2011, 12:51 pm
I thought Ricky Bobby had the only spandex rugby jersey in the team..
8 Feb 2011, 12:52 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-522: Yes, that’s true. Last year Duanne Vermeulen caught Mvovo in his socks, and I’m sure that 9 times out of 10 Mvovo will leave Duanne for dust.
What I’m trying to say really, is that until Brian gets enough ball to run regularly it’s hard to judge whether he lost pace or not (he may well have). The problem is really that he either gets a really bad pass (he got a few on Saturday), or he fumbles most of the rest.
To my mind that is the more urgent problem. Once his hands are sorted, we can really see what he’s (still) made of. Or not.
Fact is, WP have some killer youngsters at wing. Danie Poolman and JJ Engelbrecht for example. I met Danie after the match on Saturday and he’s quite tall. Bulky too. In my day at school they’d have made him a lock or 8th man.
8 Feb 2011, 12:54 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-527:
because jake used her.
and things are DIFFERENT now.
8 Feb 2011, 12:56 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-532: maybe the stormers need to play nick koster at wing again
hahahaha whose bright idea was that?
8 Feb 2011, 12:59 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-532: Okay dude, put your head in the ground. Habanna isn’t as fast as he used to be, how can he be, his biceps are the size of Jean Deysel’s.
And no, I don’t mean Vin.
8 Feb 2011, 13:02 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-534: Yes i remember that. I wonder what happened to Nick in general? Of all the hype that’s been made of him, not much has come of it. If you look at Elstadt for example who played on Saturday, I think that Koster may just be superflous to requirements at this stage.
Stormers loosies (in order of likely playing time):
Vermeulen
Burger
FLO
PLO
Elstadt
Wimpy?
?
8 Feb 2011, 13:03 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-535: But Tacitus told us Hurdles will gain more speed as he bulks up, why can’t Habana?
8 Feb 2011, 13:06 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-535: I was about 5 meters from him on Saturday, I didn’t think he’d bulked up at all, if anything for me he looks a bit smaller.
Head in the sand? what part of …..
“What I’m trying to say really, is that until Brian gets enough ball to run regularly it’s hard to judge whether he lost pace or not (he may well have). The problem is really that he either gets a really bad pass (he got a few on Saturday), or he fumbles most of the rest….”
..indicates a lack of realism?
I think you need to pull your head out of your a ss. That’s what I think.
8 Feb 2011, 13:23 pm
@gunther(gunther)-515: Es por eso que te preguntan si estás presumiendo o gimiendo …. El traductor está trabajando muy bien!
8 Feb 2011, 13:24 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-538: So the whole of 2010 wasn’t enough for you? You need to see him get more ball, before you are convinced? Smaller than in 2007? If he was still in Pretoria would you need more convincing?
@Transformation(Transformation)-537: I young man growing into his body may get bigger as well as faster, but a gymed up little man will always lose speed, unless they concentrate on explosive leg power.
Look at Aplon for goodness sake the guy when interviewed last year said he kept his speed, because he refused to bulk-up and lose his best asset.
8 Feb 2011, 14:31 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-540: I dunno quite frankly. He dropped mostly all his passes in 2010 too.
This isn’t a WP thing. I’ve seen Bryan do some magic stuff for the boks and would love for him to do it again. I’m prepared to see if he can fix his hands, and then to judge him on performances with ball in hand. If he can;t fix his hands or if he isn’t good enough with ball in hand then he needs to be dropped. Simple as that for me.
8 Feb 2011, 14:56 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-514: RT.
See, you can’t stop me.
8 Feb 2011, 15:00 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-541: If you were Brian’s coach, how would you help him get his mojo back.
Is it age, or just that he passed his sell by date. I remember watching the movie Million Dollar Baby, where Morgan Freeman mentioned something about each boxer knowing how many fights he has in him.
I looked at Joe Rokokoko last year, he has not been smokin Joe for a while now. Isn’t it just that Brian has reached that place in his career, like Herchel Gibbs, where the magic is gone.
8 Feb 2011, 15:09 pm
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-512: Do you staple gemstones to your ****?
8 Feb 2011, 15:12 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-543: May be Ros. I just don’t throw players away that easily. He needs to go through some sort of process, that’s for sure though.
8 Feb 2011, 15:19 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-545: All I’m saying is that if there must be some programme put into place. Why hasn’t it happened already. What is AC and Rassie and the Bok coaches waiting for?
8 Feb 2011, 15:31 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-546: I think that they were all just hoping that he’d get back into form. Which as we all know, he hasn’t.
Pity though. Devestating when on form.
8 Feb 2011, 18:50 pm
One of the most interesting things in this mag to me, was the Tweet made by Luke Watson. How “great” it was how Mike Vick has “bounced back and risen above all expectation”…!
For those of you who might not know, Mike Vick was busted for illegal dog-fighting and for killing dogs through drowning, hanging and other ways.
He apparently would take non-fighting dogs, and throw them in with his pit-bulls just for fun and to watch them get killed.
He then went bankrupt while he was serving his jail sentence.
True – in purely sport terms he has “bounced back” and is playing very well. However, what caused his downfall is not something like a sickness or injury – he was wilfully training, torturing and killing dogs!
I dont have all the facts in front of me, but the cops found something like 49 dogs on his premises, many with wounds from fighting and some had to be put down. Some had to be destroyed because of their aggression.
Mike Vick is an absolute monster for doing that, and (as many NFL fans and Americans believe) I reckon he shouldve been banned from NFL.
That Luke finds inspiration in his story says a lot to me about the person he is. He also seems to be using it as a parallel to his own self-made misfortune in SA rugby – which disappoints me even more!
And I am not one of those who hates Luke because of what he supposedly said, I have stuck up for him on this site. But that Tweet is in very poor taste!
8 Feb 2011, 18:51 pm
I remember saying that FDP would outshine Joost and not many agreed with me at that stage, when Fourie was about year 2 into his career.
Well, I think time has proved me right.
One more world cup, then we look again.
8 Feb 2011, 20:41 pm
@BringItHomeBoks(bokfan1)-548: uh oh, just wait till Gwantie-poo sees this one. He adores Luke.
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