Meyer’s the man
15 Mar 2011
MARK KEOHANE, writing in SA Rugby magazine, says the next Springbok coach should be named now.
Not only has Fourie du Preez given Heyneke Meyer the endorsement to be the Springbok coach post the 2011 World Cup, he is emphatic that if Meyer were to be appointed he would make himself available for the national team in 2012.
Give Meyer that job now and ensure Du Preez wears the No 9 jersey in 2012. It would make such a statement of the leadership in South African rugby – a leadership that too often fails itself – if there was such forward planning and certainty in making the appointment.
Instead we will get the usual cat and mouse games. Coaches, including the incumbent Peter de Villiers, will be asked to apply and in the time it takes to interview contenders players will have made decisions based on the uncertainty of who heads up Bok rugby.
South African rugby, like any other national union, can’t afford an overseas exodus of top players at the end of 2011 or premature international retirements.
Meyer would be my choice to succeed De Villiers, but there is strong support in South African rugby for Stormers duo Rassie Erasmus and Allister Coetzee and New Zealanders John Plumtree and John Mitchell.
Italy and former Bok coach Nick Mallett is expected to be off contract after the World Cup, but it is doubtful Mallett would ever want to coach the Boks again given the despicable manner in which Saru ended his tenure in 2000.
Of those coaches based in South Africa Meyer has the most appeal, but it would be expecting too much for any commitment to be made at this early juncture. Succession plans have never found favour in South African rugby boardrooms.
De Villiers, victorious or not at the World Cup, will not be reappointed. The four years he will have served as national coach unfortunately would have been four years too many.
There will be a new face, but whoever that face is will determine how many of the familiar faces remain in 2012. If they knew that identity in advance of the World Cup it would simplify the decision to stay in South Africa.
Du Preez’s public support of Meyer, in an interview with colleague Ryan Vrede in this issue, should be noted with more than just a passing interest because Du Preez in 2012 can be as instrumental to a new generation of Bok rugby as he has been to the Bok glory years of 2007 and 2009.
Victor Matfield is huge on the world stage and even bigger in South Africa, but his imposing presence is secondary to what Du Preez offers the Boks. And that should tell anyone about Du Preez’s value and pedigree.
Du Preez’s fitness will determine whether the Boks can be the first team to defend the World Cup and with Du Preez at scrumhalf the Boks can be successful with the kick-and-chase game that failed them so miserably in 2010.
There is always place in the game for that approach if the right player is there to implement the kick. When it comes to Du Preez, he has no equal in that aspect of the game and as a scrumhalf none have matched his control of field position.
South African rugby should be doing everything it possibly can to keep Du Preez in the country after the 2011 World Cup. New Zealand, if they are to win the World Cup, can’t afford to lose Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, and South Africa simply can’t do without Du Preez.
He is the most complete and influential professional rugby player this country has known. There has to be a plan to keep him in South Africa, and that plan must involve his mentor of the last decade, Heyneke Meyer.
– This column first appeared in the March issue of SA Rugby magazine.
234 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] Show All
15 Mar 2011, 17:34 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-198: I think you presume too much. Do some research about my postings on PDV. Good and bad.
The history is there for all to see.
You haven’t given me any alternatives by the way.
15 Mar 2011, 18:15 pm
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-122:
I easily pick out your glaring error of comprehension(remember how you hated that aspect of language) and you emphasise that deficiency again, so perfectly.
A response for the sake of a response is always pathetic and inevitably weak.
119 was so basic and instructive wrt knowledge, and memorisations in addition to recitations on the other hand, but it still did not register as your quick, unthought through, irrelevant 122 indicates – and you want to go to and fro with me?
If you cannot discern the basic difference between knowledge and memorisations how can you be expected to apply simple logic? That requires the e- and g-factor properties to be prevalent and your admitted weakness at maths. confirms you cannot reflect that.
That legal info background and whence it came from does not say anything positive about your knowledge base at all, let alone any meaningful application of that.
What can be expected from the likes of you, if not meaningless, mythical, baseless and banal emotional outbursts with not a single substantiated factual foundation – Verwoerd’s projects exhibit in more than one way.?
15 Mar 2011, 19:27 pm
Whitley is the man and a better player than that weak Spies or that show pony Kankowski will ever be.
Is Whiteley the Shark that got away?
Lions No.8 Warren Whiteley has been a revelation at the back of the scrum since bursting onto the scene in last year’s Currie Cup, but he could have been a Shark.
Whiteley looks to be yet another top quality loose forward to come through in South Africa’s never ending conveyor belt of back row stars that make most other nations green with envy.
The 23-year-old has been a regular starter at the Lions since the John Mitchell revolution towards the back end of last year and has formed a great partnership with Joshua Strauss and Derick Minnie as a highly competitive loose trio.
However, Whiteley’s rugby development started in Durban where he was a schoolboy and then at the Sharks academy.
“I’m a born and bred Durban boy and lived there most of my life,” Whiteley told rugby365.com.
“When I was in Grade 10 my parents moved up to Johannesburg and I didn’t want to move schools from Glenwood so I stayed in Durban.”
“I love the outdoors and living by the sea having grown up there.”
The talented No.8 was almost lost to rugby completely after he went to North West University in Potchefstroom after school to follow in his sister’s footsteps and study graphic design.
“My sister is a graphic designer and we are all pretty artistic in my family, but after four months at Potch I changed my mind about studying and decided to go back to Durban and join the Sharks academy,” he explained.
“I was very fortunate that the Sharks and my parents believed in me and gave me that opportunity.
“I was with the Sharks for three years and at the end I was part of the Currie Cup squad, but didn’t get much game time because they have some really good loose forwards who have been in the side for quite some time.”
In search of some extra game time Whiteley then moved to another coastal town, Port Elizabeth, and joined the Might Elephants on a short term contract at the end of the 2009 season.
“I really enjoyed the chance to go to EP and get some game time and play at a higher level in the first division instead of only playing club rugby,” he said.
Finally the big break came for Whiteley, when he received an offer to join the Lions at the start of 2010 and made the move inland to Johannesburg.
Current Lions boss Mitchell can thank his predecessor **** Muir for bringing Whiteley to the Lions from Durban.
“**** Muir phoned me and asked if I was interested in coming to the Lions, because when I played for the Wildebeest he was still the Sharks coach,” he explained.
“He said I should give it a shot because there would be more opportunity for me to play here than at the Sharks where there was more depth in my position.”
However, it was Mitchell who gave Whiteley his first start in the Lions senior team and he hasn’t look back.
“John Mitchell backed me and I’m very grateful to him,” Whiteley said.
“He has a lot of knowledge to give to us and his attention to details helps so much, especially for me because he was a No.8 himself.
“I’ve found my feet playing at No.8 now and I’m still learning a lot, because I was a flyhalf at school until in Under-16 I moved to openside flank and only played at No.8 for the first time at U21 level.”
Together with the rest of the young crop of players forging their place in the Lions, Whiteley is excited about the rugby culture that is being brewed at his new home.
After several years of disappointing results, those bad memories began to get washed away by some promising Currie Cup performances last year.
“The Currie Cup was a great experience for us and to start something and building a culture showed us that this is the start of something great,” he said.
“Now we know that we are ready for the challenge of measuring ourselves against the best Super Rugby teams.
“I just want to be a good team man and keep my place in the starting line-up and add as much value as I can.”
With the freedom to play as part of the starting XV Whiteley is able to test himself against the players he looked up to at the Sharks.
“My hero growing up was Henry Honiball, but the loose forwards I look up to currently are Kieran Read, Ryan Kankowski and a guy like Keegan Daniel because of what he is able to do when you think about his size.
“Ryan and Keegan are awesome guys and I’ve played with and against them – it is always good to measure yourself against the best.”
Whiteley is coming into his own at the Lions and despite his love for the sea – he isn’t planning on leaving the big city just yet.
“The Lions have done so much for me that I want to stay here for as long as they want me,” he said.
yes it is true.
15 Mar 2011, 19:37 pm
jeepers creepers these gatgabba broederbonders are only but up each other dik geroomd and this Keohane dude is spinning it thick and fast up there like he wanna piece of the action. the Meyer and du Preez show, like spinning for President and running mate, you scratch myass and I scratch yours. Heyneke probably offered Fourie the captaincy if he gets the gig in 2012 and FdP reciprocated the endorsement, and Keohane wants IN bigtime.
Actually pretty sickening the entire schmoozeup butter up song and dance and anyway this overawed messiah worshiping singalong as if FdP and Meyer are both Gods gifts to SA rugby. I reckon this game gotta move on and stop regurgitating yesterdays overrated hero’s, go write a book FdP I’m sure you’ll make nearly as much as Jake and John, who knows perhaps even more.
If I were in the vote I’d say move along but then maybe everyone as still intent on marking time and hark the herald angels sing around the blessed hero’s halo’s.
15 Mar 2011, 20:01 pm
Hateful thread
15 Mar 2011, 20:46 pm
An Afrikaner should not be selected to coach the South African national rugby team ever again.Keohane is a chancer of the highest order.
15 Mar 2011, 20:59 pm
where’s the hatred Dawnie girl, its just politics, rugby politics perhaps but outright saffa style you scratch myass I scratch yours politics nevertheless. And politics at the best of times hardly ever breeds contented conquestadores but much more likely to breed uncouth contempt,
15 Mar 2011, 21:05 pm
classic skop @ 204.
15 Mar 2011, 21:26 pm
typically we have the same old racist haters here ,
but re Meyer i agree with the haters, why Meyer ?? what has he done here in the last 3 years to warrent being the bok coach
If we win the world cup why should pdiv go??
also why the **** are we talking about dropping or firing a coach just before the world cup , is this the only way the journo’s on here get some joy in life , is to be negative??
@Dawn(Dawn)-205: i agree with you dawn , just another hate thread to gain hits,
15 Mar 2011, 21:29 pm
and another thing is wtf is fdup to make such a statement??
if he wants to demand who the bok coach must be or he wont play?? he should f*off now
15 Mar 2011, 21:50 pm
thank you Sharks_loverboy its about time people start seeing this precious glorified prima donna pansy boy for the suurgat precious prima donna he is, no matter how they all just luurve to sing his precious hallelujahs.
Maybe FdP got second thoughts about scoffing sushi while dodging Tsunamis, perhaps this maybe behind his sudden change of heart, else its Heyneke been spinning him the Oh captain my captain play it again Sam song and dance routine.
15 Mar 2011, 21:53 pm
@skopiskoobidoo(ilanjo)-211: skoppie i have no doubt in the guys abillty as a player , but i dont ever agree with a player making such demands
its like do it my way or i dont play?? stuff that, there is enough talent in this country
15 Mar 2011, 22:01 pm
Ideally Meyer should be Bok coach after PdV, but Oregon Hopkins won’t want to disappoint his chommie PdV and would rather give him another 4 year contract no matter what the world cup results are.
The answer is: Get rid of Hopkins so that SA can get a better coach.
15 Mar 2011, 22:02 pm
I am no great fan of Fourie du Preez but can remember a report in which he emphatically denied that he has ever made demands about who should or who should not be the next bok coach.
15 Mar 2011, 22:28 pm
ya maybe Robzim is right, perhaps this is just another keolite sing us another sack the slimy coach and hail the gun for hire on the blazing horizon serenade, perhaps FdP never said such a thing, even if perchance this was perhaps what he been secretly thinking. Could it possibly be the Keoring propagation plethora putting subliminal words in other men’s mouths, could it be they’d stoop that low to gain some extra leverage on their uncompromising agenda?
15 Mar 2011, 22:31 pm
robzim: 214
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.’
15 Mar 2011, 22:37 pm
here we have the dirty racists again. QUE OS DEN POR CULO
15 Mar 2011, 22:47 pm
well thar she blows, there you have it straight out of the Transportation of information horses mouth, he said it, there it is, in black and white, ‘I’d reconsider international retirement if Heyneke Meyer became bok coach’, now if that ain’t a veiled kinda I’m the bees knees Mr. Wonderboy and I’m ready to change my clanger if my head honcho got the nod, cause I’d likely automatically be the blue eyed numero uno first name down on the team sheet with couple pips on my shoulders and possibly a captains armband round my wrist, then I dunno what is.
I reckon if I were Pdv I may even consider calling the tune right now and let the messiah go drink sake and walk on Tsunamis a whole year ahead of schedule, wouldn’t that be just a glorified hallowed hoot?
15 Mar 2011, 23:07 pm
meyer on du preez:
‘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.’
15 Mar 2011, 23:22 pm
hmmm……so much of anger.
personally i think that meyer is overrated. if he had lost the final at the tank in 2007 he would not even be mentioned right now.
and as for fdp saying he will play IF meyer is appointed, i say hasofokkoftolandofrisingsunson, we no need you here with attitude that smell like you bum.
too much of hype from these journo fokkers imo.
16 Mar 2011, 01:06 am
Anyone knows about any live streaming in the USA?
I would love to watch the Stormpies klap Fourie and them this week end at the Fortress
16 Mar 2011, 02:14 am
@gerhard(bokdrol)-221:
http://www.vipstand.net
Click on the rugby icon for new window ,then select your game of choice, of those available from schedule
16 Mar 2011, 03:12 am
Man this youknowwho and rugbygenius must be related.
youknowwho you have some major issues dude, never rate yourself like that it looks very bad. You have some seriously thick tinted glasses on and it’s all about race for you.
I lived in the UK as well and seriously I won’t touch Essex girls if I where you, you might end up having to marry a gypsy girl not because you want to but because you have no choice. That whole caravan camp full of Irish travlers will hunt you down.
16 Mar 2011, 03:28 am
The coach must be selected on merit and at the right level too.
Pdiddy, same as White were sucessful at junior level but had no S15 exprerience. Both suffered from been thrown in the deep end and not allowed to successful at senior level.
60% win ratiois not good enough for the worlds larget rugby playing nation.
Anway why Meyer and not say Mitchell or our besr so far Mallet.
16 Mar 2011, 06:42 am
I would even go as far as getting the next coach involved in the WC. A smooth transition would help everyone and could only help the three clowns.
16 Mar 2011, 07:12 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-219:
The flawless man, I bet his sh it doesn’t stink either.
16 Mar 2011, 12:27 pm
this is shameless stuff from Keo, i smell a book deal on the horizon…
16 Mar 2011, 12:40 pm
janee, this is arsekissing of the highest order, no wonder the Greatest refuses to give interviews – 4 more years for the wee maestro one hopes.
16 Mar 2011, 12:45 pm
thank goodness mark keohane isnt the coach, seems one dimensional kicking would be the order of the day, play fourie du preez for his kicking ability never mind his ball distribution supreme defence and sniper runs, one finds it very hard to take what you say seriously, your previous involvement with SARu makes your judgement far from objective, i think maybe you should change sports maybe to cricket or hockey cause your tactical appreciation of the game is lacking and your cynical view point of the management of SARU makes for destructive criticism rather then constructive.
22 Mar 2011, 11:55 am
Meyer is the man. The time for a truly professional coach has come, after the world cup of course. Who else but HM? A South African coach’s success should be measured by his success at super rugby level.
Plumtree and Coetzee might eventually win the super rugby title, but can you compare their success with that of Meyer’s? HM won 4 currie cups, a super 14 title, and had a successful stint at Leicester Tigers. The structures and players he developed at the Bulls made it easy for Ludeke to win 2 more S14 titles. Keep in mind the core of that group forming the backbone of the springbok team-Matfield, Bakkies, FDP,Habana etc.
It should be unforgivable if another coach without Super Rugby success gets appointed AGAIN. Jake White was lucky to turn things around before winning the world cup. Even though the world cup doesnt mean squat if you cant continue dominating international rugby like the All Blacks have done for the past 2 decades. The reason for their dominance? Because they have had truly professional coaches calling the shots, just look at the teams track record. The last time the boks had a good winning streak was with Mallet and he got sacked and guess what he qualifies as a professional and respectable coach. The embarrassment of PDV is almost at an end and its time to give a respectable coach the top job.
If there is a better coach Id like to hear who it is…
27 Mar 2011, 19:10 pm
Meyer is the man indeed lord kitchenre wtf r u on about?
28 Mar 2011, 13:34 pm
There i s one coach that towers above all others – Mr Rassie Erasmus – the coach with a brain. some called him the most brilliant strategist in world rugby.
Fact is he has done wonders for Free State and now Province.
Meyer second in line but before Jake white? I am talking merit here not politics.
28 Mar 2011, 13:54 pm
@Jeez(Jeez)-230:
Certainly could live with Meyer a bok coach – who is unquestionably a fine coach. I do believe though that Rassie has something extra.
11 Apr 2011, 16:15 pm
keo did you not write that divvy should be kept for 2 terms? now meyer is the man…jy like ook gatkryp!
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.