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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15 Mar 2011, 08:41 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-45: that hit was on Kelleher…not Carter…
And it was Ricky that was in the face of carter all day…
I was there
15 Mar 2011, 08:42 am
@Beeno(Beeno)-50: LOL
Had to read that twice as well….but I get your drift
15 Mar 2011, 08:42 am
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-48:
Frans Steyn, when fit and motivated in world class. Unfortunatley he is rotting in France. Every effort must be made to get him back. Fire the coach I say and do it now.
15 Mar 2011, 08:44 am
@grant10(grant10)-51: Dunno whether I have my dates confsed but I distinctly remember a hit on Carter. It wasnt the “steel plate” arm hit on Kelleher, is that the game you’re referring 2?
15 Mar 2011, 08:58 am
I ike Butch and his no nonsense style but I think he needs to show his discipline at S15 without getting carded as theis will cost all in RWC time.
Personally I think Bambie is good enough already.
15 Mar 2011, 09:03 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-54: ja…that was the 2005 test at newlands….JDV scored an intercept try and carter went to pieces….ricky was in his face and rattled him big time.
most remember ricky for the great try in 2008….i remember ricky putting fear into carters eyes that day
15 Mar 2011, 09:10 am
@Beeno(Beeno)-53:
Spot on, he’s not playing badly in France, but he’s nowhere near where he could be.
PDV was right (for once) when he said that some of the guys playing overseas were off the pace against Wales last year.
15 Mar 2011, 09:11 am
@grant10(grant10)-56:
Yep, Ricky was very very good back then, his pass was still loopy but his speed off the mark was crazy, putting huge pressure on flyhalves.
But alas, the King Pies have struck the poor fellow…….
15 Mar 2011, 09:13 am
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-48:
I think he know’s that he will never be what Ruan is/was to PDV…his form in 2009 and 2010 (Super Rugby, not tests) just made it impossible for PDV not to choose him.
15 Mar 2011, 09:14 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-58: ja….that weight has sadly retarded his strengths
15 Mar 2011, 09:19 am
@grant10(grant10)-60:
I just don’t get why he can’t lose the weight??? Smit has shown that no matter what your body type the weight can come off…….does Ricky just not have the will power?
Those guys burn 5000-8000 cal per day, Ricky must be over-eating to still keep that weight on!!!
15 Mar 2011, 09:26 am
YOu know, and I’m as critical as the next guy, but I must say that Ricky actually has lost quite a bit of weight. If you watch him closely he’s not carrying the same spare tyre as last year.
Still missing speedy service in his game though.
And by lost weight, I’m not suggesting that he’s in great shape yet. Just better than he was.
15 Mar 2011, 09:26 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-61: definitley discipline i reckon
15 Mar 2011, 09:28 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-62: true….but still so slow in clearing the rucks….duvenhage far more ‘ sprightly’ in getting to the breakdown….only player slower than getting to breakdowns than rick is plod
15 Mar 2011, 09:30 am
@grant10(grant10)-64: LOL no comment, but yes, he takes an age to clear, when he’s there in time. Guys like Duvenhage, Hougaard and Pretorius clear very quickly, it’s one of the chief ways you can put pressure on the other team. Keep em defending without giving them a chance to recover.
If you take too long the defensive lines regroup and it’s like starting over again…
15 Mar 2011, 09:30 am
bla blah blah Butch blah blah blah. This guy is not going to be a Bok saviour. He created havoc when he was playing flyhalf in the first 6 months of De Villiers tenure causing more problems than giving solutions. In the June tests last year he failed to impress and got nailed with a couple of penalties.
Why dont we invest in guys who are doing it and deserving? Lambie is the top points scorer in the Super 14 AHEAD of Dan Carter at present. His conversion and penalty goal count is ahead of most other players, and his general play is astute.
Grant (who has only been back for 2 weeks of Super Rugby) has the highest penalty goal count of the tournament. His attacking play on Sat was solid and so is his defence. He was great in last years Super rugby tournament and after loads of reports of him prbably coming back soft and not up to Super rugby standards, I can say ive seen none of it. he looks fit and able and as solid as anyone else. Both him and Lambie have scored more points that Morne Steyn – and Steyn had a game more than Grant already.
Between them and Steyn as a backup goal kicker I cant see a huge problem at flyhalf that we have to go get Butch to save us here. The fact is he´s not going to save anyone. He´s going to make matters worse.
15 Mar 2011, 09:32 am
Truth is, while they’re both better 10s than Morne Steyn, I don’t believe Butch, Lambie or F.Steyn are reliable test match goal-kickers.
Is Grant really more creative than M.Steyn? he plays flyhalf for a side that is seemingly reliant upon 3 pointers and is regarded by most as boring.
Even though PDV has reportedly said James is his WC flyhalf, I think it will be Morne Steyn. There is still hope for some creativity for the Bok backline but they must change their inside centre for a player who can pass much more regularly and astutely.
15 Mar 2011, 09:37 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-67: Hi 008
why so scarce these days>
At least with Butch, Grant and Lambie we have choices.
Far better than when it was M Steyn or Ruan, who didnt want to be there!
I agree on boks 12…thats a concern for me as well
15 Mar 2011, 09:37 am
The moment Lambie gains an extra yard of pace (bit of speed training will do the trick) and 4-5 kg of muscle, he should be the Bok 10….until then, I’m happy for the guy to backup Steyn/Butch.
I think 2012 will be his year…..(unless of course the world ends).
15 Mar 2011, 09:38 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-67: And Morne Steyn is creative? Haha where have you been for the last 2 years? Grant is by no means a boring flyhalf. I dont know where you get this **** from. Honestly man. Regarded by most indeed. As far as reliable goal kicking goes how many did Grant miss on Sat against the Highlanders?
15 Mar 2011, 09:39 am
jc kritzinger out for season
and i heard a little bird whisper that J Fourie will be benched vs bulls…
damnation!
15 Mar 2011, 09:39 am
@grant10(grant10)-68:
Yip, 12 is a concern. JDV at his best is awesome, but he seems to be a crash baller for the Boks and nothing more.
Scary to think that Meyer Bosman is prob’s the form 12 in SA at the moment.
15 Mar 2011, 09:40 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-70: Grant is a fanatastic 10….with Lambie and Butch a real contender for bok 10 spot….no matter what old 008 says…
15 Mar 2011, 09:41 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-72: To me JDV has regressed a helleva lot….
for boks and stormers i would go JDJ 12 and j fourie at 13….
jdv needs to step up
15 Mar 2011, 09:41 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-70:
I agree, I think Grant is very under-rated and deserves a crack in this years Trinations (along with Lambie).
Plays very flat, tackles like a machine and kicks at 75-80%. Good player.
15 Mar 2011, 09:42 am
@grant10(grant10)-74:
Yip, agree with that combo….
15 Mar 2011, 09:42 am
Yes, please. Let Butch play for the Boks this year. That way PDV and co will keep their filthy hands off Lambie.
Amazing how people think that having Butch at 10 for the Boks is going to intimidate the opposition. Laughable, really. Oh, and defense wins you World Cups, so therefore we will be favourites. Yeah, with coaches who still believe that there is nothing wrong with the defensive systems while we are leaking tries at a greater rate than uranium is leaking from a *** nuclear plant – it stands to reason that we must be favourites. Huh?
Oh, and having Butch at 10 is going to rectify the problem – naive at best. We are not leaking tries in his channel during set moves; we are leaking tries because Habana breaks the defensive line, because we kick the ball away and do not follow up in a line, because JDV implements the rush defense while M Steyn hangs back, because our centres have to compete at rucks while the forwards have to defend against quick backs et cetera ad nauseum.
NZ are the best defensive team on the planet and they will get better. Their systems are well drilled and their players have excellent technique. We will not catch up to them in a month of Sundays.
15 Mar 2011, 09:44 am
It will be really sad if Steyn and Butch are taken to the WC in the place of Grant and Lambie. Steyn is not international quality and Butch has not played at a decent level for ages. He’ll have to prove himself first. Neither of them have the correct skills for the modern 15 man game that SA is already struggling to adopt. However, Lambie and Grant are winning matches for there teams and have the necessary balance and quality to their game. I’d pick Lambie as my 1st choice as I believe he can do the job for the next decade.
15 Mar 2011, 09:46 am
If Steyn is not international quality, Grant certainly isn’t.
15 Mar 2011, 09:48 am
@grant10(grant10)-71: tough
15 Mar 2011, 09:50 am
@garth(garth)-78:
Harsh on Steyn. I think a FDP/Steyn combo is still our best bet for the WC. I still believe we need a 90% kicker (in the WC). Without FDP though, Steyn seems to go AWOL.
15 Mar 2011, 09:51 am
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-77: while we are leaking tries at a greater rate than uranium is leaking from a *** nuclear plant – it stands to reason
Thats not even clever or funny. Just leave it out man. You wouldnt be joking about it if it was happening in Sa.
Apart from that I agree with everything your saying – spot on.
Agreed Garth Steyn should be backup at 12 at best. Butch as a reserve stay in SA option.
15 Mar 2011, 09:52 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-75: Agreed. Well said.
15 Mar 2011, 09:53 am
‘Aura’
Bwahahaha…
Too much of aura around here.
15 Mar 2011, 09:54 am
@grant10(grant10)-74: Agreed again. I have been supremely unimpressed with de Villiers since his return and this crash ball thing just kills supply to the backline. The ball never reaches a wing because of it and quite often even results in a turnover cos he cant recycle fast enough or there isnt support play.
There are some options at 12.
Juan de Jongh, Lambie if he´s not the starting flyhalf, Frans Steyn, Doppies La Grange is playing some excellent rugby.
15 Mar 2011, 09:55 am
To sum up (for me).
1. Steyn (as long as FDP is there)
2. Lambie (as long has he starts at least 4 3N games, home and away)
3. Grant (see Lambie)
4. Butch
………
………
345.Me
……….
……….
987. Keo
988. Elton
15 Mar 2011, 09:57 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-72: How is Bosman the form 12 when Doppies La Grange has the highests stats for most runs and most run meters and Bosman has the highest missed tackle count. Always knew he was a major defensive liability at the Cheetahs. he´s totally overrated.
Mapoe as well has been sllipping off tackles like theres no tomorrow. So far he´s not living up to his hype either.
15 Mar 2011, 09:57 am
@super_adi(super_adi)-79: What can Steyn do that’s special? He can kick 90%, but we have 3 or 4 other flyhalfs that can at 80% +. So what’s special. I’d rather have someone who can get the backline moving so we can try and outscore the opposition. All Steyn can hope for is that we bring the other team down to our standards and have a kicking dual. That’s not rugby. You want to demolish the other team, not flip a coin.
15 Mar 2011, 09:58 am
Keo as I sat in marsielles watching the boks throw away a 14 point lead, I turned to my French friend and said, watch Butch James change the game, he slowed the game, changed the dynamic and 17 points later the boks were in the semis.
Now after witnessing such a display and the subsequent final impairs, you’d thinki’d be in your corner on this point but I am not, 4 years is a long time, the game has changed, our competition have improved and the irb will not be forgiving of butch’s hardline tackling.
It’s time to move on, give this a rest. We have plenty of talent to fill the boots of butch, with less penalty risk attached, do we need a hard man at 10, no. Do we need a game changer, yes. Hence can I lobby on behalf of the fans, give this a rest. It’s not as if you have an interest in his appearance in a bok jersey?
15 Mar 2011, 09:58 am
for me…
1 butch
2 grant
3 lambie
4 my aunt agnes
5 my uncle ken
982 M steyn
15 Mar 2011, 09:59 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-87:
Good point. Doppies has been good. I clean forgot about him.
15 Mar 2011, 09:59 am
Look like great articles, hopefully better than the last issue.
Butch and Smit have to be at the WC. Whether they are in the starting 15 is debatable but whether they should be there or not isnt, in my opinion
15 Mar 2011, 10:01 am
@garth(garth)-88: well said young man…
M Steyn makes that bok backline sterile…we not gonna win a wc on the skop en jag !
15 Mar 2011, 10:02 am
Grant10 your aunt Agnes can’t kick for toffee and her tackling is no better than Naas in his prime!
15 Mar 2011, 10:03 am
@Weepee(Weepee)-89: 100% Well said. This is the 2nd time weve had this article shoved down our throats. Sometimes I get the feeling that the Keo scribes dont so much as write an opinion but try and force others to see it their way. I say NO BUTCH.
15 Mar 2011, 10:03 am
Jokes aside on Elton. He would be my 5th choice.
He’s at least better than Naas Olivier!!!!
15 Mar 2011, 10:04 am
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-92: smit can be there
as a commentator
butch can play
imo
15 Mar 2011, 10:05 am
@Weepee(Weepee)-94: ja
but she can bake cool milktert
and that will keep the players happy
15 Mar 2011, 10:06 am
@grant10(grant10)-97:
LOL, Smit would still make my 22 (as backup for Bismark only though).
15 Mar 2011, 10:06 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-96: my aunt agnes is better than Naas Olivier
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