Why the Boks need Butch

Why the Boks need Butch

15 Mar 2011

Butch James has the hunger, the experience and the intimidating aura to be a match-winning figure at the 2011 World Cup.

In the latest issue of SA Rugby magazine, senior staff writer Jon Cardinelli says this aura shouldn’t be underestimated, especially in a World Cup year. Global tournaments are won on defence and experience, and James’s value as a game-changing defender is as indisputable as his 2007 World Cup winner’s medal. And at 32, he’s still rattling opponents.

‘I’ve never thought of [Dan] Carter as a fragile player,’ James says in explaining the psychology of big defending. ‘It’s more a case of making your presence felt. You want your opposite number to know you’re around. You want him to be constantly thinking about what you’ll do next.’

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James goes on to talk about how playing in the northern hemisphere forced him to embrace tactical kicking but why he prefers to play with the ball in hand, why he signed with the Lions, how he feels about leaving Bath, how he deals with injuries, and his competitors for the Bok No 10 jersey.

Former Bok technical adviser Eddie Jones and Bath coach Steve Meehan also explain why James should go to the World Cup.

Also in the new issue:

– Meyer Bosman has added a new dimension to the Sharks backline

– Christchurch is home for all four Whitelock brothers

– After a short stint in rugby league, former SA Schools centre JP du Plessis wants to make his mark with the Melbourne Rebels

– A pre-season injury to Tiaan Liebenberg has given Deon Fourie a chance to shine for the Stormers

– Former Bok prop Robbie Kempson on the Kings academy, the policing of the scrum, and why the Currie Cup First Division format should change

– The Kings are making steady progress ahead of their Super Rugby debut in 2013

– Bjorn Basson is determined to move past a nightmare period in his career

– SA U20 coach Dawie Theron on why he left Griquas, his preparations for the World Junior Championship and ensuring that the system produces quality players

– Financial mismanagement has plunged Namibia into crisis just six months before the World Cup

– Maties coach Chean Roux has a passion for the game

– After making a big impact in Cape Town as a defence, collisions and breakdown coach, Omar Mouneimne has been given the chance to  work at Test level with Italy

– Brian Mujati has excelled for the Northampton Saints but don’t expect him to talk about it

– Springbok Sevens skipper Kyle Brown on turning their season around in Las Vegas and the importance of keeping youngsters in the system

– We preview the Easter schools rugby festivals and tell you which matches to watch


168 Comments

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  • 151.Puma: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 11:58 am

    Rain coming down there. Just hope we get a full game in. Don’t need a draw here with Ireland. That would benefit India. Was hoping we could come out and really put on a big score. Only two wickets down, so we could still do it.

  • 152.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 12:03 pm

    smith is useless in this world cup, his biggest score is less that 30 if i recall well. If it was any other player they’d be dropped. Johan Botha can captain the team ffs

  • 153.The X-factor is staying at home.: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 12:03 pm

    @XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-149:

    :)

  • 154.JA-JA: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 12:03 pm

    imo

    WC Team

    1. Beast
    2. Bissy
    3. Jannie
    4. Botha
    5. Matfield
    6. Brussow
    7. Juan
    8. Alberts ( Spies needs to sort himself out )
    9. du Preez
    10. Steyn / Butch
    11. Mvovo
    12. Doppies / F. Steyn ( not JDV, it’s the same as including Olivier )
    13. Fourie
    14. JP P
    15. Aplon / F. Steyn

    Post WC Team

    1. Beast
    2. Bissy
    3. Jannie
    4. Flip
    5. Bekker
    6. Brussow
    7. Alberts
    8. Spies
    9. Hougaard
    10. Lambie
    11. Mvovo
    12. F. Steyn
    13. De Jongh
    14. JP P
    15. Jaco Taute

  • 155.JA-JA: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 12:07 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-152: 100% with you on that.

  • 156.Sharkie10: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 12:33 pm

    Tri Nations should be used to rest some players and try new ones, who cares if we lose the Tri Nations, we need to have our eyes on the biggest prize!

    15. Aplon
    14. Van den Heever
    13. Fourie
    12. Strauss
    11. Mvovo
    10. Lambie
    9. Du Preez (looking good so far, needs some game time for the boks)
    8. Vermeulen
    7. Alberts
    6. Brussow
    5. Bekker
    4. Hargrieves
    3. J. Du Plessis
    2. B. Du Plessis
    1. Van de Linde

    16. Gary Botha
    17. Steenkamp
    18. Sykes
    19. Kankowski
    20. Mcleod
    21. M.Steyn
    22. JP Pieterson

  • 157.Couchcoach: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 12:42 pm

    YES PLEASE!!!!!

    I hope to every rugby deity that Butch will be in the Bok team for the WC. It is the only way that PDV and co can keep their filthy little hands off Lambie.

    What do the following players have in common?
    1. The player-formerly-known-as-Januarie
    2. M Steyn
    3. J de Villiers
    4. B Habana
    5. J de Jongh
    6. F Louw
    7. J P P
    8. Z Kirchner
    9. P Spies

    They were all once considered to be the best in their respective positions, but they are really battling at present. Why? Because they spent too much time with the Boks and under the influence of coaches who do not know their arses from their elbows.

    Please, PDV, take Butch and leave Lambie where he is.

  • 158.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 12:44 pm

    sharkie10: i’d play doppies before strauss!

  • 159.Couchcoach: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 12:45 pm

    @Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-156: NOOOOO

    You cannot seriously want to expose our youngsters to the AB’s and Wannabe’s while under the coaching of the three blind mice.

    Their confidence is going to be dented beyond repair. We can never allow talents such as the ones mentioned in your team to experience defeat in the Bok jersey. We must not allow our national team to be further humiliated – as if that is possible.

  • 160.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 13:48 pm

    SuperSport’s search for ‘Lady Rugga’

    ——————————————————————————–

    10 March 2011, 13:41

    HOME | WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? | HOW TO ENTER | WHAT IT TAKES | AUDITION DATES & VENUESDo you know the difference between a tighthead and a rolling maul?

    If so, you could be just the lady SuperSport is on the hunt for – a sharp, sassy female rugby presenter whose first assignment will be at the Rugby World Cup in September.

    SuperSport is embarking on a Lady Rugga talent search, with auditions across the country aimed at finding a woman who is not only passionate about the game, but understands its nuances and is camera-friendly.

    The Lady Rugga roadshow starts in Bloemfontein in April and will touch base in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

    Entrants will be whittled down to a list of 12, to be determined by a judging panel of SuperSport’s rugby experts. Thereafter, they will feature on a one-hour weekly magazine programme in which they will be introduced to viewers and carry out rugby reporting assignments.

    The number of finalists will be reduced each week until the grand announcement in May.

    The winner will undergo training and join up with SuperSport’s Rugby World Cup team in New Zealand.

    HOW IT WORKS

    English-speaking contestants travel to venues in their region, register and then prepare to present a 30-second sound clip before the judges. In addition, they will have to do an off-the-cuff 30-second soundbite.

    All auditions will be recorded, to assist the voting process.

    After all eight auditions are held, a dozen finalists will be announced, after which this number will be whittled down each week.

    The four Lady Rugga magazine shows will be broadcast on SuperSport in April and may.

    DATES AND VENUES

    •April 4th 2011: Varsity Shield Final, Venue (TBC)
    •April 8 2011: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
    •April 9 2011: Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
    •April 11th 2011: Varsity Cup Final, Venue (TBC)
    •April 15 2011: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
    •April 16 2011: Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town
    •April 29 2011: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
    •April 30 2011: Mr. Price Kings Park, Durban
    PLEASE NOTE: Entrants need to be 18 and above.

  • 161.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 15:48 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-152: I love the way the press were lauding Smith for his ‘captaincy; in the last match… I must have missed it, all I saw was craptaincy

  • 162.Original-Pierre: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 16:42 pm

    @rossoneri(rossoneri)-160: This could either be brilliant or a stuff up.

    What if they decide on a fatty??

  • 163.daydreamer: Reply to this comment
    15 Mar 2011, 21:46 pm

    Meyer Bosman has added no new dimension to the Bok backline, he is k a k.

    Butch James should also not just go to the world cup, he should start ahead of Morne Steyn too.

  • 164.garth: Reply to this comment
    16 Mar 2011, 06:28 am

    @Couchcoach(GI POT)-157: 100%

  • 165.garth: Reply to this comment
    16 Mar 2011, 06:34 am

    Maybe it is best that they stick to the old men and let them go and humiliate themselves with kick and chases and rush defenses and interceptions and all lineout and no scrum and number 10 that only kicks and 12 that just crash balls and 8 that is a big moffie and 11 that is ***** clueless. Rest the talented bunch that are coming through. 2012 Trinations is going to be tough against the World Champs.

  • 166.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    16 Mar 2011, 08:46 am

    Lambie should be first choice with Steyn a close second , James should play CC

  • 167.Puma: Reply to this comment
    16 Mar 2011, 09:05 am

    @sparticus(sparticus)-166: Sparticus,

    Agree with you about Lambie. For now he should be our first choice fh. Lambie is our best fh this S15 in our conference. Not just saying that cause I am a Shark supporter, cause without a doubt he is our best so far.

  • 168.GAStman: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2011, 13:46 pm

    @Couchcoach(GI POT)-159: I agree. When they get back to their different franchises, the decent coaches are going to have to have a Bok rehabilitation course so they can unlearn the sh** taught to them in the Bok setup.

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