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
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15 Mar 2011, 16:30 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-149: … and shagging their women
15 Mar 2011, 16:33 pm
Ja Meyer for Bok coach, not that I really care about the Boks since I am 90% provincial
I want Meyer at the Boks because it will weaken the Bulls at make things easier to pinch their up and coming and established stars … yes Bully boys back to the year 1998 for your lot.
15 Mar 2011, 16:34 pm
@carol(carol)-137: Hello Carol,
How did the Argus go? Are you still in SA?
15 Mar 2011, 16:34 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-151: Oh the Essex crew, well you are welcome to that lot, they think making it means appearing on Page 3 of The Sun.
Well that will set you up perfectly for yet another strain on their NHS.
You see, when colonialists strike, infrastructure appears, roads, wheels, education and medicine arrive too. When you lot strike, you just, well, strike.
There is a slight difference, one I am sure you are aware of. Don’t you feel embarrassed by being such a drain on resources?
15 Mar 2011, 16:34 pm
@charo(charo)-148:
Didn’t ignore you just didn’t recognise you!
Stalker.
That ND reg was a bit of a giveaway though.
15 Mar 2011, 16:34 pm
@Lions snap losing streak(RL)-152: You are the ugly side of provincialism.
The Anti-tacitus.
15 Mar 2011, 16:35 pm
@Lions snap losing streak(RL)-152: For once I agree with you, I support The Sharks much more than the Boks. To me my provincial team represents me more, and is better coached (as they all are) than the Boks.
Sharks make me proud, Boks make me apologise.
15 Mar 2011, 16:37 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-151:
I don’t think prossies from the former soviet union count as “their women”.
15 Mar 2011, 16:37 pm
@Lions snap losing streak(RL)-152:
don’t you mean “90% anal”?
15 Mar 2011, 16:38 pm
@charo(charo)-150:
I did not win !!
Even tbho the conditions were perfect!!
15 Mar 2011, 16:38 pm
Carol has to change her nic to :
She-who-ignores-all-Keolings-when-in-Cape-Town-except-Grant10
15 Mar 2011, 16:38 pm
@charo(charo)-148:
Cyber spying on you ??
Don’t flatter yourself, my time is far to valuable !!
15 Mar 2011, 16:38 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-143: We should have had him already. Said so at the time. Now think he will stay on with Oz from what I have read.
Get Mitchell. He takes no nonsense. That is the kind of coach we need. He is a superb coach. Can you imagine what he would do with our talent that we have here? We would be unbeatable almost with a coach like that.
Would we ever get a international coach? I doubt it. BUT think that is the way to go. Must be a kiwi coach though. None of the rest are really up to it.
15 Mar 2011, 16:41 pm
@Puma(Puma)-153:
Hi Puma,
Have to say I had a wonderful Argus, the organisers should be proud of themselves it ran like clockwork……the people of Cape Town and along the route were so encouraging…….Everyone who has ever enjoyed bike riding in SA should do it!!
Sadly I am home now!!
15 Mar 2011, 16:41 pm
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-156: in 2008 a Meyer-less Bulls team finished 10th on the Super log … Ludeke needs hand holding.
Be afraid if Meyer leaves the Bulls.
:green:
15 Mar 2011, 16:41 pm
@Puma(Puma)-163: My memory may be vague but i think Deans was linked to the Bok post while still at the Crusaders, he stated he would not be interested in it due to the politics.
Can anyone confirm?
15 Mar 2011, 16:42 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-154: At least Essex women know how to shag… not a bad thing
I am not one to throw the baby out with the bathwater.. Colonialism wasn’t all bad as was Hitler… The UK has much to offer to the world in terms of systems and governance.. I am here to help maintain the UK’s place in the world in that respect… because I am very clever
15 Mar 2011, 16:42 pm
@carol(carol)-160: Carol, if you at the airport then you must be heading back home. Have a safe trip.
15 Mar 2011, 16:43 pm
@Lions snap losing streak(RL)-165: I do not disagree.
Have always said I will judge Ludeke post 2011 as a Bulls coach, right now he’s cashing in on Heyneke’s hard work.
15 Mar 2011, 16:43 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-161: Shame, I would have loved a Firemans excursion….!!
15 Mar 2011, 16:44 pm
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-166: Not sure mate. But heck he would have done well here with the players (talent) we have.
15 Mar 2011, 16:45 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-158: Very racist Gunther… My second race card goes to you… very naughty
Now go an sit on the naughty chair and think about what you done… ai.. these children of today
15 Mar 2011, 16:45 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-162: You were sadly missed…
15 Mar 2011, 16:46 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-155:
same time, same place tomorrow then
8)
15 Mar 2011, 16:46 pm
@carol(carol)-164: Well that was a very quick visit. How long were you here for?
Now that you have done the Argus, are you gonna train for the Comrades?….
I could help out there with your training……..lol.
It is the greatest long distance race in the world.
15 Mar 2011, 16:47 pm
@charo(charo)-159:
80% Lions
10% Boks
3% anal
1% Bull
1% Cheetah
1% WP
1% Kings
1% Reds
1% Highlanders
1% England
15 Mar 2011, 16:48 pm
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-166:
Fools … to think they left the genome to be fracked up by ET.
15 Mar 2011, 16:48 pm
@carol(carol)-170: Howcome you never got to Firemans?
DAWN why did you not organise something at Firemans while Carol was here?
15 Mar 2011, 16:49 pm
@charo(charo)-174:
Chevy Spark just don’t do it for me!
15 Mar 2011, 16:50 pm
@carol(carol)-173: Carol,
Looks like Sharks and Saders are playing at Twickers on the 27th. 4pm. You need to go.
15 Mar 2011, 16:50 pm
@Puma(Puma)-178:
Don’t shout at me!
I didn’t even know she was coming!
Only Grant10 had that privilege!
15 Mar 2011, 16:50 pm
@Puma(Puma)-175: Only 8 days……
The Comrades is too hardcore for me, however I plan to run a 10 k on Sunday!! lol
If I change my mind I will come directly to you for Comrades tips!!
Ok must dash…I will mail.
15 Mar 2011, 16:51 pm
@Lions snap losing streak(RL)-176:
you should have gone 90% lions….
and (10%) sharks…….
and it would still have added up.
8)
15 Mar 2011, 16:52 pm
@carol(carol)-164: Pleased you enjoyed the Argus Carol. Forgot to mention that.
15 Mar 2011, 16:52 pm
@Puma(Puma)-180: 4man is planning a UK excursion for Sharks v Saders…..!!
15 Mar 2011, 16:53 pm
@carol(carol)-173:
LOL !!!
Well done on your completion of the Argus, I hear Rob was mightly impressed with your “staying” ability !!
15 Mar 2011, 16:54 pm
@carol(carol)-182: Comrades is much harder than the Argus. Have to admit that. But is is fun…. But the training ruins the knees. So rather not…hehe.
Carol, coming for 8 days was far to short.
Good to catch up.
15 Mar 2011, 16:55 pm
@carol(carol)-185: Good, Then you need to go and SUPPORT my team over there…lol.
15 Mar 2011, 16:57 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-181: Thought you organised the Firemans get together in CT? For visiting keo bloggers? Then you need to have a word with Grant for getting in the way…….lol.
15 Mar 2011, 17:00 pm
Okay I am out of here.
Cheers everyone.
15 Mar 2011, 17:07 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-139: What predjudice is that?
Xenophobia? I just don’t think that picking a foreign coach a-la Plumtree, Mitchell or Eddie Jones is good for SA rugby. Call me predjudiced if you will, that’s ok.
The poeple on that list have either:
a) coached an international team, or
b) coached a championship winning team
The only other coach who fits one of those 2 criteria and isn’t in my list is Alistair. Because i don’t really rate him.
Oh, and White, Strauli, Markgraaf etc. But please don’t call me predjudiced for not selecting them. For various reasons I just don’t think they are appropriate.
Is there anyone who is outside of my box then that I should have considered, given a fairly objective set of criteria?
Enlighten me. You know you want to
15 Mar 2011, 17:09 pm
@Puma(Puma)-189: Dont blame me…i only organised tickets for the fri nite rugby ….could only get 4 tickets….robzim, carol ….my lady and i….very rushed visit….i only had the 1 evening….so sorry to all others who feel slighted….definitley not intentional….hell i bloody love Dawn!
15 Mar 2011, 17:16 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-191: All those you mention gained their credentials in a paradigm of prejudice hence my hesitance to grade them …. Its the same paradigm that almost excluded PDV who now has a record that is better than average at the highest level.. AC had to be a bag carrier until he was given an opportunity to fail and we all know how wrong that has gone
I accidentally became a star Project manager one morning when my boss could not get to a meeting and asked me to chair it in his absence… look at me now..
15 Mar 2011, 17:20 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-193: You’ll notice I actually included PDV in my list. Not sure of you picked up on that.
Thing is, this isn’t actually about race. I simply don’t rate Alistair. Nor Gold, Muir or Rassie. And it’s not because they’re white either
15 Mar 2011, 17:23 pm
@Puma(Puma)-163: I agree, I doubt we would get one, but we need one.
15 Mar 2011, 17:24 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-167: Clever men do not go out with Essex girls, besides, I doubt you are black enough for them
15 Mar 2011, 17:27 pm
I have a feeling in a few years’ time, Smit will be involved with coaching the Boks.
15 Mar 2011, 17:27 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-194: The presumption that you put him in last place to rank him???… or to sell a fascade of non-racialism.. I won’t rate you on that one post but we have conversed before and I not your attempt to move away from your prejudice.. You getting their mate .. but no cigar
I have to shoot off.. catch you later..
15 Mar 2011, 17:27 pm
I reckon Paul Treu has been guaranteed PDivvy’s job after the RWC. Alistair will also be Jake’s boy, and no one likes that tag.
Keo, stop wasting your time promoting guys like Heyneke who simply does not fit the rainbow nation mould.
15 Mar 2011, 17:28 pm
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-198: not = note
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