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, 06:06 am
The sooner Hougaard is back the better… otherwise FDP is going to play the entire Super season at 80mins a piece in a RWC year if he’s not injured!
10 Mar 2011, 06:31 am
A long and tiresome article, I lost its message?
10 Mar 2011, 06:40 am
@Hondo(Hondo)-2: Something about FDP and Bruce Willis saving the RWC by blowing up a giant asteroid before Fourie makes sweet boom boom to Liv Tyler.
10 Mar 2011, 06:57 am
this is the type of bulls arse-kissing article Tacitus likes.
you’d consider playing for the bokke IF heyneke was coach fdp, a “homogeneous” Bok set-up?
10 Mar 2011, 07:02 am
if he stops with all the aimless kicking and does more passing then yes he is the General, not king … but play a doff doff kicking game like what was displayed on Saturday where the Highlanders returned it after scoring in the corner …
10 Mar 2011, 07:05 am
Where did he say homogenous?
What a bitter little Twatstick you are
10 Mar 2011, 07:12 am
Not another du Preez article!!!!
Go find some interesting stuff.
10 Mar 2011, 07:22 am
He’s named the next Bokke number 9 I didn’t know he was a Bokke selector as well, the man is talented.
10 Mar 2011, 07:24 am
did you see that it was a question kn:obhead?
10 Mar 2011, 07:25 am
These articles about him being a genuis and consistanly being world class are incorrect, he had a superb 09′ and a great world cup, can somebody please tell me the other times he was a genuis in a Bokke jersey as he was pretty awful in 08′ and never plays well up north, no disrespect just want to know the other times he was a genuis?
10 Mar 2011, 07:26 am
nzinchina: duck now chap, get your staaldak reinforced tl tl tl
10 Mar 2011, 07:28 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-11:
I didn’t read the article just skimmed it, its the same shite they always write, your the resident rugby almanac can you answer 10?
10 Mar 2011, 07:29 am
the bulls were forced to make 517 tackles in 3 matches and only forced 375 from the teams they faced so far … kick the ball away and you be forced to defend.
10 Mar 2011, 07:37 am
nzinchina: well, Fdp is the ‘best rugby player on the planet’ based only on 2 years of rugby: 2007 and 2009, that’s it.
10 Mar 2011, 07:41 am
Yeah Transformation doesn’t rate the toughest provincial contest in world rugby as much of a yardstick, let alone 3 cup winning medals in 4 years…
Why not?
Cause Lillith told him not to…
10 Mar 2011, 07:43 am
Don’t worry Transie.
We all know where your coming from, whether you pit a question mark at the end of it or not.
Transparent
10 Mar 2011, 07:49 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-14:
C’mon he must have played like a genuis at other times in a Bokke jersey the article said so, lets wait for some others to tell us when.
10 Mar 2011, 07:52 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-17: I can’t ever remember him being anything other then brilliant in the biggest of matches especially knock outs (World cups and Club finals). He may not have always been the best, but when it counted he was.
10 Mar 2011, 07:53 am
NZ my China
Why don’t you make up your own mind?
Du Preez wasnt bad last year until he was injured no?
He was also injured for a deal of 2008 before being rushed back into action.
If you are looking for an opinion you will have to look further than Transie I’m afraid.
He doesn’t do those.
10 Mar 2011, 07:55 am
FDP has the ability to play more than the skop en jag….regretfully this seems tobe his preferred option. Both Bulls and Boks better catch a fat wake up, the new game and rule interpretations favour the team carrying the ball….and in FDP and M Steyn at 9 and 10 we have players who sem to have skop ingrained in their DNA
10 Mar 2011, 07:55 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-16:
Or the usual smiley, tl tl tl or whatever… bet he’s off cutting and pasting now!
No doubt he’s on the ‘search cut and paste’ mission right now…
How about you go google, wiki and then cut and paste me the name of a half-back from the modern era that has three Super rugby, a RWC, a BIL and two 3N medals next to their name?
Run along little boy… but remember to ask Lillith if you’re permitted to post it…
Do I think he’s a genius… without a doubt… do I think he’s the most successful modern 9 that has ever lived… I have a few favourites… Is the most successful modern 9 of all time… well his trophy cabinet speaks for itself!
10 Mar 2011, 07:56 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-15: toughest provincial comp in the world? matter of opinion I’d suggest.. especially as that “toughest provincial comp” has only produced 3 super titles, on that note id say that it isnt..
but thats my opinion too..
10 Mar 2011, 07:57 am
but i would still play FDP as my bok 9…with a firm set of instructions…and Butch or lambie or Grant at 10
Not the 1dimensional M Steyn.
10 Mar 2011, 07:59 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-22:
So what provincial comp do you rate higher than Super rugby mate?
Definitely matter of opinion… but the NH (as entertaining as I find it)… has only started to catch up the last few seasons with so many Antipodeans and Japies moving North…
10 Mar 2011, 08:00 am
Funnily enough I typed culturally homogenous into this little website I use called google and I came up with a picture of our Cabinet.
The Blue Bulls of world politics
10 Mar 2011, 08:03 am
Grantie
Good to see you have calmed down and are not threatening to moer anybody.
How one dimensional was Steyn in the Super 14 last year?
10 Mar 2011, 08:04 am
I wonder why South Africa produce exceptional scrum halves and New Zealand exceptional fly halves, but not the other half? Since the game turned professional I would say the 3 best scrum halves are Joost, Gregan and FDP and the 3 best fly halves Mehrtens, Wilkinson and Carter. Now there have been ok fly halves for South Africa, but none that were consistently the best and the same with New Zealand scrum halves. I guess its probably down to the style of play and South Africa playing a more forward orientated game and the scrum half controlling the forwards and the kiwi’s having a lot more emphasis on the backs and the fly half controlling them?
10 Mar 2011, 08:04 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-25:
“culturally homogenous”
Sounds like a Greek yogurt…
10 Mar 2011, 08:05 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-24: super rugbys an international comp isnt it? provincial to my mind is the CC, ITM cup, Top 14 etc..
semantics I know…
the NH comps I cant watch, I dont find the rugby appealling at all..
10 Mar 2011, 08:06 am
Greek yoghurt indeed.
Rich and thick.
10 Mar 2011, 08:08 am
Return of the King refers to McCaws return FDP has a long way to go
10 Mar 2011, 08:09 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-26: well keep on being a cheap shot artist wannabee abba dancing raving queen and i may wanna moer you…..prat!
M Steyn offers very little save an accurate pole kicker….i have noticed his tactical kicking is poor as well this year….
give me a 10 that plays flatter and can get his backs into the game effectively…like lambie….or the master Butch, any day of the week.
M Steyn , Spies ,Smit, JDV are hanging on by a thread imo….surviving more on past deeds and accomplishments than current abilities or form.
10 Mar 2011, 08:09 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-27: Justin Marshall was outstanding ????????????????????????
10 Mar 2011, 08:09 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-15: 2 down and counting
10 Mar 2011, 08:10 am
I see the RFU spoilsports have nixed twickers for the sharks vs crusaders game.
What about wembley?
10 Mar 2011, 08:11 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-19:
Don’t get me wrong I think he is a superb player, was a simple question re other times in a Bokke jersey where he was a genuis, I can’t remember any but happy to be corrected.
10 Mar 2011, 08:11 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-29:
Well I was quoting FDP’s 3 super titles in that impressive trophy cabinet of his… I don’t rate the Currie Cup any more than I do the ITM cup as world class barometer…
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-30:
I’m not sure Transparent know his bulgaricus from his acidophilus particularly when his missus is around…
10 Mar 2011, 08:15 am
@grant10(grant10)-32: Hey Grant yesterday when I asked you was Hondo racist towards you, you said ” he is racist to every decent person on this planet.” . What do you mean by that? just trying to understand, was he racist to you? what did he do?
10 Mar 2011, 08:17 am
Grantie
Where was the cheap shot?
I was just pleased that you had calmed down.
But I may have been premature.
Please don’t hit me, you are a decade older than me. I don’t want to get in trouble with the senior citizens association.
I noticed that in the midst of your emo outburst you didn’t answer the question.
Oh well, never mind.
10 Mar 2011, 08:18 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-19: the last time i checked FdP captained the Bulls to a 10th finish in 2008 so to say he was injured for “most” of the season is a lie.
10 Mar 2011, 08:20 am
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-38:
Its an internet forum let him say what he wants, you don’t have to read or respond to his posts.
10 Mar 2011, 08:21 am
NZ in China.
So out of the last 4 years we have established that he was injured last year and had a slow return to form after being injured for half of 2008?
I’m not sure what your point is
10 Mar 2011, 08:22 am
@grant10(grant10)-20: ha people said that FDP’s absence from the Bok team was the reason why the Boks sucked last year but that is not true, it was because Mafield insisted on playing the skip en jag game even though the law interpretations favoured teams who could play with the ball in hand … Matfield mistakenly believed that skop en jag is effective because his bully boys won a trophy … little did he know that the antipodes were slow on the up take … by the time the 3N had had come around they had adapted. Now because Matfield is as thick as brick he learnt the hard way what skop and jag brings when you play against a team that has the skill to run a kicked ball 80m back.
10 Mar 2011, 08:22 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-40:
You’ve gone a bit quiet now… not getting the results you were after?
Surely most rugby kenners would know after just a few minutes ‘thought’?
I’ll repeat the question…
“Which other half-back from the modern era has three Super rugby, a RWC, a BIL and two 3N medals next to their name other than FDP of course?”
10 Mar 2011, 08:24 am
Transie
How is it a lie?
He broke his band?
Now run along and find something else to ***** about
10 Mar 2011, 08:24 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-35: I suppose Twickers is the home of rugby …… should be great fund raiser , those pounds will go along way to helping the people of Canterbury….. It will be a great occasion
10 Mar 2011, 08:26 am
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-38:
C’mon guys… leave Grant alone for just a day… we all know how cyber-emotional he is… it’s just not cricket this online bullying… it’s about as impressive as getting Skopskiet to go red-faced and start drooling fckidilly ad nausea…
10 Mar 2011, 08:26 am
Stew
The RFU have turned it down.
There will be no game at twickers.
Thats why I suggested Wembley.
10 Mar 2011, 08:27 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-44: G Gregan must come close ??
10 Mar 2011, 08:27 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-41: ha ha… your statement is rather ironic isn’t it?
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