Return of the king
10 Mar 2011
RYAN VREDE, writing in SA Rugby magazine, explains why Fourie du Preez will be the Springboks’ key player this year as they seek to defend the World Cup.
Accept, as a point of departure, that the technical qualities that constitute skill are speed, accuracy, adaptability and form, combined with the less observable quality of heart.
Now consider the assertion that rare prodigious skill is achieved when those qualities are blended with vision, intelligence and consistently cool temperament under pressure and you move towards a greater understanding of why Fourie du Preez is South Africa’s most gifted and, in a World Cup year, most valuable player.
Few of Du Preez’s contemporaries have displayed all these qualities as consistently as he has throughout his career. Even fewer have embodied all at any one time, where doing so has defined Du Preez.
It is therefore no surprise that the Springboks, and to a lesser extent the Bulls (in the Currie Cup), struggled without him in 2010, the former resembling a zombie staggering aimlessly and impotently through the international season. His return from a shoulder injury reignites hope of a defence of the promised land the Springboks occupied in France in 2007 and improves the Bulls’ bid for a third successive Super Rugby title.
Only All Blacks Richie McCaw and Dan Carter can compare with Du Preez’s value to their sides. All are players with the capacity to be the difference between defeat and victory.
‘There’s no question about that,’ Heyneke Meyer, Bulls technical director and long-time mentor to Du Preez, agrees. ‘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.
‘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. How often do you see him take the wrong option, whether it be a quick tap, breaking around the blindside, countering from deep, picking off a strike runner or playing wider?
‘It’s no secret why Morné [Steyn, Bulls and Springbok flyhalf] excelled in 2009 and struggled in 2010. Fourie takes so much pressure off him. He is the team’s brain and his absence is more often than not reflected in the result.’
Du Preez’s former team-mate at the Bulls and senior Springbok Bryan Habana concurs and extols his value beyond the technical disciplines.
‘You’re lifted when you see him lacing up his boots opposite you in the change room,’ Habana begins. ‘He has an aura that few players I’ve ever played for or against have. He brings a sense of calm, a sense of expectation. What’s more, you know there are a bunch of guys down the corridor wishing he was in their change room, and a team of [opposition] coaches who’ve spent weeks analysing his play, trying to make sure he is a non-factor. I know, I’ve been in the opposing change room. You can’t put a value on a player like that, especially in the big games.’
Habana raises an important point. While there is no action, no manoeuvre, and no tactical insight beyond Du Preez – what he sees in his mind’s eye he is able to execute with precision – his ability to do so in matches of the highest significance amplifies his potency. It is one of the qualities that separates the good from the great.
Consider his most significant contributions in recent history for the Bulls: scoring their first two tries in the 2009 Super 14 final to settle their nerves after a poor start, and later setting up a decisive score for Habana with the most perfectly weighted grubber.
In the Currie Cup final later that year, Du Preez’s execution matched his awareness with a cross-kick to an unmarked Francois Hougaard on the wing. To illustrate that his range of ability knows no bounds, he later scooped a wayward pass off his bootlaces and put Habana away. Their third try saw Du Preez chip into an unmanned space, leaving Habana a simple collection and sprint to the tryline.
He turned the tide of the 2010 Super 14 semi-final when he broke blind to score a momentum-shifting try against the Crusaders, and in the final he picked off Hougaard’s angled run to strike an early blow from which the Stormers never recovered. A similar highlights package could easily be compiled for the Springboks, his masterclass against England in the pool match of the 2007 World Cup headlining the piece.
‘If your scrumhalf crumbles under pressure your whole team will fall apart,’ Meyer explains. ‘Fourie never will because he has no flaws that can be exploited. Absolutely none.’
Du Preez says: ‘I’d like to think that I can excel, not just survive, in the biggest games. When you look around the field in big Tests and finals rugby you can see the guys who are just happy to survive, happy to be there. I won’t settle for that. I want to be the difference between my team winning and losing, and when you’ve got a team of players with the same mindset, it makes for a formidable unit. I back myself to put in at least an eight out of 10 performance in the biggest matches. Anything less and I’m letting my team down when they need me most.
‘The game has changed in form a lot in recent years, but the one thing that stays the same is that you have players who can handle the pressure of big matches and those who can’t. I’d like to be remembered as a player who wasn’t found hiding in a bunker while my team-mates were taking heavy fire.’
Too many Springboks were holed up in those bunkers while under siege throughout the 2010 Test season. Admittedly their generals (read: the coaches) had failed them with a flawed battle plan, one that was too reliant on their star soldier, who described watching from his couch or the stands as ‘torture’.
‘There are a couple of reasons the Springboks did poorly,’ Du Preez begins his post-war assessment. ‘We came into the 2010 season still on the high of 2009. We were on top of the world and when our confidence took a knock we never recovered. It didn’t help that we also had a tough two-Test series in New Zealand where we seldom win.
‘But the main reason is that the guys couldn’t seem to make up their minds about how they wanted to play. In 2009 I was a part of the decision-making process regarding our game plan. I was probably also central to it working. But without me there the guys kept playing the same game, there was no adaptation and not enough appreciation for the strengths and weaknesses of my replacement, be that Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar or Francois Hougaard. Our execution was poor, sure, but I think we could have been more clever tactically.’
The impermanence of Du Preez’s absence was the consoling thought in a nightmare international season. However, his return, not unlike a second coming given the redemptive qualities that accompany it, will be short-lived.
Du Preez has decided to pursue a career with Suntory in Japan following the World Cup (he’ll be 29 at the time), citing a desire to get out of his comfort zone and spend more time with his family as the primary reasons for his eastern expedition. With Du Preez restored, 2011 promises much for the Springboks. However, if a successor isn’t identified and invested in quickly, 2012 threatens to resemble the apocalyptic film by the same name.
Du Preez’s thoughts on this issue have been documented by this magazine, and having watched his anointed, Francois Hougaard, in an extended run with the Springboks, they haven’t changed.
‘He was brilliant in the Tri-Nations games he played,’ Du Preez says. ‘He showed he had the temperament to complement his talent. He struggled in the wet on the end-of-year tour but he’ll improve in that area.
‘He’ll be the Springbok scrumhalf for the next seven to eight years. My aim now is to pour as much of my knowledge into him as possible before I go to Japan. To leave empty.
‘He’s the perfect student, always keen to learn. I’ve come across team-mates who’ve wanted the guy ahead of them to fail so they could get a chance, but that’s never been the case with Francois. I want to leave South African rugby in better shape than I got it, and in Francois you have a player who could exceed what I’ve done.’
Having named his heir, what then of a coaching successor to Peter de Villiers? Du Preez doesn’t hesitate: ‘I think Heyneke would be the perfect candidate and he deserves the opportunity given what he’s achieved.
‘Next year will be a rebuilding year for the Boks and Heyneke has shown that there’s nobody better at putting structures into place for long-term success. He could build something that lasts beyond the four-year cycle between World Cups and I think we need that. He hasn’t been a head coach at Test level but indirectly he’s been responsible for much of the success of South African rugby through his player identification and player development at senior and junior level. A hands-on role would make him so much more valuable to South African rugby.’
Du Preez concludes with a telling statement: ‘I’d reconsider international retirement if Heyneke became coach.’
In that eventuality the debate will be raised about letting his genius rest at its apex, rather than exposing it to the erosive effect of ageing and the criticism that accompanies that process.
That is a discussion for the future. The present has Du Preez as a master of his craft, the Bulls and Springboks’ fulcrum and the player on which a world title defence rests more than any other.
However his story unfolds, Meyer believes Du Preez’s rugby eulogy won’t change.
‘Joost van der Westhuizen had the ability to hurt sides around the ruck fringe with his physicality. Then defences became tighter with the introduction of league-style systems and his threat was lessened.
‘George Gregan was the best when the game demanded a No 9 with sharp passing skills during the era where multi-phase play was the trend. But Fourie combines both those strengths and adds an unmatched kicking game and immense rugby intelligence.
‘He’ll be remembered as the best scrumhalf ever to play the game.’
– This article first appeared in the March issue of SA Rugby magazine. The April issue will be on sale from 16 March.
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227 Comments
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10 Mar 2011, 16:56 pm
The King needs a stylist.
His clothes are terrible.
10 Mar 2011, 16:58 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-200: kuk man, you are as big a name dropper as anyone on the site.
pity no one gives a toss about the names you drop
10 Mar 2011, 16:59 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-201: howdy dawnie!
jean pant wif tie are top class nommer eens in pretoriatown.
10 Mar 2011, 17:03 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-201:
quite right.
he needs you to take him to Access Park.
10 Mar 2011, 17:04 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-202: really? example?
10 Mar 2011, 17:10 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-198:
Do you see my question mark at the end of the first sentence of post ##193?
It means a question is being asked so how do you conclude “assumptions”?
Seems like too much of those funds on a “private white school education’” have not had the desired effect,correct if you cannot even differentiate a question from a statement from an “assumption” in a sentence?
@200
Have you forgotten all those Xhosa names you drop wrt the sponsors of the Bulls and others with the likes of Xhosakid and other of the tribes?
Are you shocked and disappointed with Tutu now claiming to be of San and thus “coloured” as he mocks tribalism and further quests non-racialism?
10 Mar 2011, 17:19 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-202: just because nobody knows your “scrum guru” cousin doesn’t mean i namedrop 8)
10 Mar 2011, 17:20 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-205:
Are you now trying to deny this ‘enkwenkwe ncinci’? Then you are clearly lying. And do persons have to deny others they clearly know just to protect your fragile ego? How arrogant of you.
Have you never been targeted by the tribe in those awful years for being at a “private white school”( and how do i know this if you did not “drop ” it)?
Don’t be a DRAG, don’t be a QUEEN, it does not go down well with the culture in the tribe.
10 Mar 2011, 17:23 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-207:
I won”t hold on hope but I WILL let you choke on the noose around your neck.
10 Mar 2011, 17:33 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-205: thats the point isnt it?
i cant give you an example because the names you drop are as meaningful as the “celebrities” in sa survivor
haha, i see et has you on the back foot so i will just sit back and watch you squirm
10 Mar 2011, 17:36 pm
oh wait transformation, just give me five minutes to send out emails to my “guppie(sic) gang”
childish fool.
10 Mar 2011, 17:46 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-210:
Don’t sweat on it.
Like the nc,nc,nc, sorry I mean Anc and its government, he never answers the pertinent questions(like the one above about a simple question mark) which puts him in a bad ‘scrum’ bind and that only. further demeans him.
Our Transie Manyi is not the most honest nor the most dishonest too.
10 Mar 2011, 17:57 pm
I am coloured,” says Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
That was his response when asked to comment on the row over government spokesman Jimmy Manyi’s comments and National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel’s response.
Manuel branded Manyi a racist “in the mould of HF Verwoerd” after remarks he made a year ago as director-general of labour about an “over-concentration of coloureds” in the Western Cape.
Speaking at a media briefing before delivering the annual Desmond Tutu Ecumenical Lecture at a packed hall at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) on Wednesday afternoon, Tutu said: “I’m not supposed to say something about that. I’m trying to not get involved in a way.”
But, he said, it did appear there was “something afoot”.
“It is surprising that something that was said a year ago should suddenly come out as if it is a put-up job.
“For my own perspective, where would I be classified? According to my genome, which was sequenced, I am related to the San people, so I am coloured.”
Tutu, a Nobel Peace Laureate, said that having overcome apartheid, South Africans should not be turning on one another. “I am very deeply saddened.”
Tutu said the Freedom Charter belonged to all who lived in South Africa. He said that he, and other older people, were prompted to ask: “What is happening in our country?”
“There is a pain,” he said gesturing towards his chest.
Tutu, who described himself as on his “last legs”, slammed racism throughout his lecture titled “The Musings of a Decrepit”, his last before his retirement as UWC chancellor.
“Racism asserts that what endows persons with worth is a biological irrelevance such as skin colour … It does not tell you whether he is kind or clever.”
Tutu said corruption would drag South Africa down if left unchecked by its politicians and people.
“Our country, with such tremendous potential, is going to be dragged backwards and downwards by corruption, which in some instances is quite blatant.
Tutu warned that people were not fools.
“They notice things and one day they will explode … What is happening in north Africa is to remind governments everywhere that people are not fools. One day they will call rulers to account.”
Tutu pointed to the “ructions” in the Arab countries of Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Yemen and in Egypt, where members of the public were instrumental in forcing Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak to step down.
“So I thought to myself, ‘Hey, get out whilst the going is good, before they start toyi-toying to get you out!’ Yuh, do you want to be a chancellor for life? Not on your life.”
Tutu wandered from topic to topic as he discussed events which had recently made news headlines. He called on the students who filled the hall to appreciate their opportunity to be associated with this “outstanding institution” as he had done during his 24 years as chancellor.
Later, while telling a story about Struggle stalwart Cheryl Carolus, Tutu pointed to his speech where the word “carousel” had mistakenly been typed instead of Carolus. He chuckled, slapped his leg and said: “You have an example of my decrepitude!”
michelle.jones@inl.co.za – Cape Times
More to worry about Transie Manyi!
10 Mar 2011, 18:05 pm
More Transie as Tutu quests non-racialism instead of TRIBALISM!!
{{{ Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Wednesday passed wide-ranging criticisms of President Jacob Zuma and his administration.
Delivering the annual Desmond Tutu Ecumenical Lecture at the University of the Western Cape, the former cleric, who turns 80
later this year, strayed far in his speech from the strict definition of ecumenical.
“I am very fond of President Zuma. He is affable and warm. But I do believe it would have been better for him to have been pronounced innocent by a court of law weighing the evidence, rather than through a dubious administrative act,” Tutu told his audience.
He then turned his attention to South Africa’s controversial arms deal.
“And, if indeed there is nothing to hide, the government surely has nothing to fear from a judicial commission of inquiry into the arms deal. It is an unnecessary albatross to carry the huge doubts.”
On corruption, he warned the country was being dragged backwards.
“Our country with such tremendous potential is going to be dragged backwards and downwards by corruption, which, in some instances, is quite blatant.”
Tutu criticised Zuma’s relationship with Schabir Shaik and the Gupta family.
“It may be that there is nothing to worry about with the parole of 1/8Schabir 3/8 Shaik, but it must raise eyebrows when someone who was said to be at death’s door is shown playing golf. It is worrying when his close relationship to the president is put in juxtaposition.
“Perhaps the Gupta family would make all those lucrative deals and it is merely coincidental that the president’s son is a beneficiary.”
He described these relationships as worrisome.
“It may all be above board, but it is worrisome. I am sure it is all in order, but it is disturbing that there are these seeming coincidences.”
Tutu called for a return to a constituency-based electoral system.
“I think the party lists for selecting our representatives have served their very important purpose of ensuring representation for every conceivable grouping in the transition years.
“But we really do not want kow-towing sycophantic voting figures who are always ready to change their principles in order to stay on those party lists.
“We must revert to the well-tried constituency system,” Tutu said
10 Mar 2011, 18:11 pm
@ET.(ET.)-212: i wonder if transformation will even admit that Bikos followers were actively assasinated by the anc comrades?
10 Mar 2011, 18:17 pm
Don’t worry.
I have made the ANC aware that Langers and Capo have already left the western cape . Hearing this they have promised to abandon the whole sorry business.
Job done.
10 Mar 2011, 18:22 pm
Good player.
Is clearly a twat.
As confirmed by the petulance, throughout, vs UnderJocks.
Twat.
10 Mar 2011, 18:34 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-216:
10 Mar 2011, 18:40 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-215:
That is the big NO-NO with that lot as we all know truth is not the trump card with a large part of the nc, nc, nc,
Tl, tl, tl!!
Away for a long while now.
Transie here is your chance to get the knife in my back, but beware i will be able to draw it out by 11pm, your time
10 Mar 2011, 19:14 pm
@ET.(ET.)-206: what xhosa sponsors are you on about ET…seek help
10 Mar 2011, 19:27 pm
@ET.(ET.)-206: my education seems to be an obsession of yours, let it go.
my knowledge of biko is not based on your chosen examples, happy now?
10 Mar 2011, 19:35 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-215: bwahaha…i swear, reading yours and ET’s posts one would be convinced i own the African National Congress
but keep bashing those scarecrows boys if it makes y’all feel like u hitting the spot 8)
10 Mar 2011, 23:18 pm
KickKing I hope he realises after his break that rugby rules have changed and that possesion is king. Nah I doubt it, pity as he has scored some amazing tries and his out of hand play is great. Maybe he has lost some speed?
Anyway both the Kiwis and more the Aussies kick more than us statistically.
11 Mar 2011, 02:20 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-220:
As I predicted, I will respond to your predicted stabs.
Have you conveniently forgotten how you spoke to some of your tribal buddies(sometimes in the vernacular) about Gumede (and his ill-begotten gains) or Oasis owners(Bulls connections) or HSM(Safika) wiith much black pride and bravado and arrogance? Do you recall that spat wrt economy involving HG and X-Kid with input from you that you mistakenly, but smugly and disparagingly, refer to?
Does it matter whether it is specifically Xhosa or Zulu or Tswana or Sotho or Venda or any mix? To me it is all the same, unnecessary, unwanted, pompous black arrogance.
Can you ever claim you have never exhibited such arrogance here?
Did Mandela not say he would FIGHT against white domination and black domination?
Does Tutu, like me constantly, not speak and seek non-racialism besides him hammering away at black corruption?
Again I ask why the black arrogance, as in your assertion wrt any other “using Biko’s name in vain”? What have you even ever done to warrant exhibiting arrogance as you so smugly sometimes do?
11 Mar 2011, 02:36 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-221:
Why do you not answer the question about being targeted in those awful years? Is it too embarrassing and painful?
Did you not drop the private education, so it is up for examination is it not, especially wrt your flaunted black arrogance?
As for the education or more correctly appropriateness of it in that background or even lack of it, I would not crow about it.
If you really want education for your benefit let me exhort you to consider another African, like Frantz Fanon, and especially his ‘Wretched of the Earth’ and ‘Black skin, White mask’ .
After that education you will certainly better understand where you fit, in the scheme of an African society.
I suspect these are all pearls before swine but I must try.
11 Mar 2011, 07:35 am
tribalism will bring more and more pain…
Only 1 tribe for me….a non racial SA tribe….
Way to go…
But people too farken stupid….huddle together in little splintered groups….makes me lekker be fark!
11 Mar 2011, 11:45 am
Back to rugby…If Fourie pulls away his shirt you will find a big S tattood on his chest, he is only weak in the presence of Kryptohnite!! Can not believe ha wants to go and waste the last part of his career in Japan! England or France I can understand, but Japan?!
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