Brutal truth: Boks need Butch
14 Apr 2011
JON CARDINELLI, writing in SA Rugby magazine, says Butch James has the hunger, the experience and the intimidating aura to be a match-winning figure at the 2011 World Cup.
‘Objects may be closer than they appear’, disclaims the rear-view mirror, a foreboding that sets its reader on edge. It doesn’t matter when or even if the Mac truck hits, only that it’s there; a threatening presence capable of reducing brave men to quivering wrecks.
Butch James looms in the psyche like a Mac truck in the rear view. Opposition coaches pore over blueprints and videotape in an attempt to nullify him, while seasoned pros like Dan Carter take the field knowing that at some point, they will be run over.
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 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.
‘In the past I went looking for the big tackles. Now I let them come to me. If you read the situation correctly and your timing is just right, you’ll make the big hit. It’s something I learnt. I’ve matured a great deal over the past few years.’
The Springbok selectors need to face up to some inconvenient truths after a diabolical 2010 Test season. Morné Steyn may have come off the bench to kick the series-winning penalty against the British & Irish Lions, and his kicking game may have helped the Boks secure the 2009 Tri-Nations. But 2010 proved that far more is required of a Test flyhalf.
Steyn’s accuracy can no longer compensate for his defensive frailties or his failure to impose himself on attack. These shortcomings were mercilessly exposed in the 2010 Tri-Nations, a tournament where South Africa finished last on the log and trailed their opponents in
the attacking and defensive stats.
Psychologically speaking, Steyn is no more a debilitating force than Peter de Villiers is a rocket scientist. A champion team requires a flyhalf with gravitas, somebody like James who commands respect and has the capacity to make things happen. If things continue as they are, however, the Boks will field a reactionary. Steyn is more a punisher of errors than an active agent of victory. He wasn’t good enough in the 2010 Tri-Nations, and he isn’t good enough for the World Cup.
Consider South Africa’s World Cup opponents. Is Stephen Jones worried about Steyn’s gainline running ahead of Wales’ Pool D clash with the Springboks? Is Jonny Sexton losing sleep over Steyn’s attacking variation before a probable quarter-final meeting? And is Carter, one of the Boks’ likely semi-final adversaries, expecting Steyn to smother the All Blacks’ attacking fire with a well-timed defensive rush?
The answers are no, no and most definitely not. Steyn doesn’t inspire confidence in any of these departments, and is limited to a predictable type of game.
In his book, Captain in the Cauldron, John Smit describes James as the heartbeat of the team that won the 2007 World Cup. Smit reveals that every Springbok team member felt confident, and relieved, when James was named to start at flyhalf for a big Test. As Smit suggests, James’s on-field aura can be galvanising.
Injuries have limited him to 40 Tests in 10 seasons, but spineless selectors have also played their part. The conservative streak that runs through every national coach has cost him as much game time as his crocked knees and dodgy shoulder. Any regard for his virtues in general play is overruled by the paranoia that James will miss a kick at goal.
Jake White is not exempt from this group of conservatives, and it took a compelling argument by former Bok technical adviser Eddie Jones to change White’s mind on the eve of the 2007 World Cup. Because of André Pretorius’s reputation as a kicker, White so nearly ignored James’s other match-winning attributes. By the end of the tournament, the decision to back James proved inspired.
De Villiers came into the Bok job with grand ambitions of total rugby, but after failing to keep James in the country and a half-hearted attempt to convert the promising Ruan Pienaar to flyhalf, he too settled on the conservative option.
Steyn is the incumbent because De Villiers is convinced that goal kicks win matches, and while there is some truth in this belief, other aspects of the game also need to be taken into account. The 2010 season was a case in point, as despite Steyn’s 41 successive penalties and conversions, South Africa still lost five of their six Tri-Nations Tests.
De Villiers needs to be brave and pick a flyhalf who can offer him more than goal-kicking security. James is in the coach’s plans and will return home to join the Lions in May. While De Villiers may have decided on his starter for 10 in New Zealand, James is determined to change his mind.
‘It’s a talented group of players, the calibre of which we won’t see again for a while,’ he says in reference to the Boks’ decorated senior core. ‘I want to be a part of that again. It’s going to be hard to break into such a formidable side, but to start for the Boks at the World Cup would be a dream come true.’
His first task is to perform for the Lions at the back end of the Super Rugby tournament, and convince the selectors he has what most experts already recognise as the aura. It took White a while to buy into the idea, and De Villiers will also take convincing. Fortunately, James is used to making fools out of sceptics, and will relish the fight to regain a jersey that was once unequivocally his.
‘The Lions already have some impressive flyhalf options in Elton Jantjies, Burton Francis and André Pretorius,’ he says. ‘That’s fine. They’ve made no promises to me about starting and that suits me perfectly. I want it to be tough; I want to have to fight for a start. Winning a starting place is my ambition, especially in a World Cup year. After that, I want to show the national selectors what I can do.’
Four years on from the 2007 World Cup and James has added to his repertoire. The improvement has been patent in his showings for Bath in the European club competitions, and the time abroad has forced him to become a more rounded player.
‘Competing in northern hemisphere conditions can really alter your playing style,’ he says. ‘I’ve had to embrace tactical kicking a lot more, as that’s the skill set required for wet weather. There’s also more focus on the No 10 as the player the team depends on, so it’s made me grow up a lot.’
Jones argues that James has what it takes to revive a Bok backline that’s shown few signs of life in the past 12 months.
‘He hasn’t lost any of the skill that made him such a force at the 2007 World Cup,’ Jones says. ‘Bath are a different side when he starts for them. His physicality certainly adds something to their game.
‘As for his kicking, he’s always been good at identifying space and his rare ability to kick on the run means the opposition back three need to be wary. It keeps them thinking about their positioning and means that they can’t go into the game with a set plan. That’s not to say Morné Steyn is a bad flyhalf, but Butch certainly ticks a lot of boxes.’
Jones also stresses that under the current laws which favour attacking momentum, Test teams need flyhalves who can vary their play.
‘Butch can change his alignment at speed. Stevie Larkham was great at it, and Butch is right up there too. When you get quick ball, you want a flyhalf to run on to the pass, but you also want him testing the defenders with different running lines. It’s an invaluable weapon under the new laws, as the tackle is far more combative. You want a guy who can breach the gain line and set up quick ball.’
Bath coach Steve Meehan agrees that James has more than lived up to his reputation. Over four seasons, Meehan has watched James develop a maturity that amplifies his threat.
‘Defensively, I think he’s misunderstood in the sense that those big hits are more calculated than they look, and it’s not just an individual thing but something that’s planned within the team context,’ says Meehan. ‘Those big hits inspire team-mates to follow suit, and it can also put them on the front foot. There’s nothing random about Butch’s defence.’
Like Smit, Meehan doesn’t hesitate in endorsing James as the heartbeat of the team. While he’s not a leader in the strictest sense, his abrasive style and shrewd option-taking sets the standard for team-mates to follow.
‘Butch is a World Cup winner, but he’s also a fighter. He’s come back from so many injury setbacks, and the dedication it’s taken to get through rehab and then get back into his groove hasn’t been lost on the other players.
‘They admire him for his skill, and when he has something to say, there are no arguments. He tells it pretty simply, but there’s a lot of thought behind those plain words.’
It’s a travesty that James so rarely receives plaudits in his home country. It’s an injustice that stems from the perception that he can’t kick. Those who argue for Steyn as South Africa’s only kicking option are ignorant of James’s accomplishments with the boot. In the last decade, coaches have trusted Braam van Straaten and Percy Montgomery ahead of James, and James has only kicked for goal in 16 of his 40 Tests. But aside from the coaches’ lack of faith, you can’t fault James’s strike rate of 83%, a record that’s marginally less accurate than Steyn’s.
And an argument for Steyn as the Boks’ sole tactical option holds no water when you consider James’s outstanding contributions in this department. Few would have forgotten the pin-point kicking display that laid the foundation for a 53-8 hammering of the Wallabies in 2008.
He’s also never been scared to use the kick as a weapon; those attacking grubbers, chips and cross kicks so often resulting in tries for team-mates. While Steyn is the master of one discipline, James is more like Carter in that he can switch between a conservative and an attacking style of play.
‘A flyhalf needs to vary his game,’ says James. ‘If he sits back in the pocket and boots the ball continuously, he’s going to make it easy for the defence, and if he takes it to the line every time, he also becomes predictable.
‘I’m happy with the standard of my tactical kicking, and realise that it’s an important part of Test rugby. But is it everything? I prefer to play my rugby with ball in hand. My kicking is good but you need more from a flyhalf, you need somebody who can bring the backline into the game.’
– This article first appeared in the April issue of SA Rugby magazine.
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229 Comments
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14 Apr 2011, 16:12 pm
Oh I forgot Earl Rose – will probably have to drop that useless Willem ALberts to accomodate Rose.
See John Mitchell has axed Elton Jantjes in favour of Burton Francis. So much for the wonderkid. Was never convinced by him. He´s got a long way to go still.
14 Apr 2011, 16:12 pm
Brutal Truth: Based on what?
14 Apr 2011, 16:13 pm
@toddke(toddke)-202: I told you they meant to say Brutal Butch
14 Apr 2011, 16:19 pm
Brutal Fruit(cake)
14 Apr 2011, 16:26 pm
Brutal Butch Ignacious James Nice ring to it
14 Apr 2011, 16:36 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-200: NO bRUSSOW?
tHEN WE FARKED MATE
6 LOVE
GOODNITE NURSE
IN OUR MOER
DONT COME mONDAY
14 Apr 2011, 16:59 pm
Really pees me off. These journos have a go at all current coaches for picking has beens and players based on past reputation. So what do they the all do, paste the same drivel on this website and also splash it as feature on Keo TV. WTF? For farks sake let’s bring back Henry Honnibal and Andre Joubert – they were good last time I saw them? Let butch at least play a game in SA, Super Rugby and Test rugby again.
We could stick Dan Carter and Quade Cooper at flyhalf, it wouldn’t change sh#t. The Boks aren’t playing a progressive, possession based game. Look no further than Fourie Du Preez (wasn’t there an article called “All hail the King” about him?), yet he still defaults to kick and chase – geez that was effective in 2008 and 2009 and has died…..
The issue in my opinion is that these players with all the experience now, aren’t willing to adapt to the new progressive game and still believe in playing conservative, structured, kick and chase, territory game. So we are on the wrong end of a cycle, where it will take players like Lambie, Aplon, Sarel P, Bissie, Alberts, Mvovo, Juan De J, Fourie, Coenie O, Bekker, Beast, Jaco T, Francois H and such as players who can play that expansive progressive game to mature and gain experience and then we’ll excel again.
However, do believe we won’t roll over easy at WC….if that is any consolation..
14 Apr 2011, 17:36 pm
@grant10(grant10)-206: why caps?
14 Apr 2011, 17:53 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-200: From what I have heard it will be a squad of 32. Now that could be a rumour so not 100% sure.
14 Apr 2011, 17:59 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-125:
” ……. and we can win it. Stormers aren’t doing too badly with a similar game plan or am I wrong? ”
If you are placing any or a lttle emphasis on the Stormers’ gameplan and results then surely you are wrong.
Stormers have played and beaten all 4 of their Conference challengers who play a similar or modified version of that gameplan. Those wins were not convincing and all of the local opposition were still in with a win at about 70mins. of those games.
They have played only 2 non-local teams and at Newlands and convincingly beat the woeful Force and lost badly to the exquisite Reds who played the Stormers’ type of game(catching them totally offguard) but infinitely better.
There are many other factors why the ‘Boks will not be successful defenders of their crown but that is not for discussion now.
14 Apr 2011, 18:21 pm
The only value James brings is his experience and especially in that position of 10 but his play at Bath is barely better than mediocre and his tackling is as questionable as ever and that will not be tolerated at the RWC.
Add to those negatives the notion that he is merely a half an injury away from his final game of test rugby.
14 Apr 2011, 19:39 pm
Boks need Butch like a hole in the head, almost as much as they need Matfield, Burger, Smit, Botha, Spies and FdP.
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are putting a Bok team together to contest and defend the WC in NZ, I reckon see no evil monkeesee and hear no evil monkeedo are gonna be hoping like hell that somebody up there likes them as much as that same somebody liked the last lucky packet coach who never met any team worthy of contesting the final above rank 6 in the IRB rankings.
14 Apr 2011, 19:48 pm
Don’t tell me you are now slating PDV who you spent all of last year defending to the hilt… You are a vacillating, indecisive, duplicitous idiot of note if you are.
14 Apr 2011, 19:50 pm
Dippy Div plus Skopskiet as the Bok brains trust for the WC…
Can you imagine…
Truly a Zippos Circus…
14 Apr 2011, 19:55 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-214:
14 Apr 2011, 20:05 pm
Yeah, imagine…Dippy Div and Krusty the Skop racing and chasng each other on their unicycles like ferrets on heat, with Ringo Grunter the Ringmaster looking on with glee…
14 Apr 2011, 20:46 pm
the tweedle de dees and tweedle de dums denialists I’m referring to here is you and your bumchum, or should that rather refer to bumchums (plural)?
14 Apr 2011, 21:35 pm
@flanka(flanka)-14: POST OF THE WEEK!!! Couldn’t agree more!
14 Apr 2011, 21:36 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-137: mate, I’m too busy helping keep NZ afloat in these tough times. You know how it goes…us foreigners have to work so the locals (those who haven’t left) can live off the dole. What do u expect me to live, eat and breath NZ too? So who are u rooting for? China? Don’t make me laugh
14 Apr 2011, 21:39 pm
Butch is yesterday. The ABs are going to picking a young side with a sprinkling of experience in Ritchie and Carter. SA got to follow suit and pick the in-form players that are putting their hands up. Leave the broken down donkeys Matfield, Bakkies, Spies and Morne at home.
14 Apr 2011, 23:10 pm
For whatever reason South African coaches as well as the media have a FIXATION ON HAS BEENS. It is time to move on!!!!
15 Apr 2011, 02:32 am
Take Butch and Lambie to the RWC. Good combination of youth and experience and both are already Boks. It’s too late for Grant, you can’t be blooding new players in the RWC.
15 Apr 2011, 04:41 am
@BokiNZ(BokiNZ)-219:
Actually I would prefer Chinese immigrants to come to NZ over your type any day of the week.
15 Apr 2011, 06:59 am
seems the “buzz word” in SA is
aura
what’s up with that?
if SA had an attacking first five, aura decent tighthead aura centre who could pass, then perhaps the bokke would have an aura
eish.
15 Apr 2011, 07:37 am
@rugby911(rugby911)-91:
you must be quite young.
or naive
15 Apr 2011, 08:29 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-223: well lucky for me, it’s not up to you! What? You can dish it out but not take it? I’m here mate and see and experience firsthand that Kiwi’s are every much as full of **** as you think Saffas are. But somehow you think your **** don’t stink ay?
15 Apr 2011, 08:38 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-224:
well aura of te not, it will all reveal itself in due time. You read what old Duncan had to say? Pretty much done and dusted…Boks only coming to NZ to make up the numbers. Read the comments to and you’ll find, you are pretty much the exception m8! Or am I still not allowed to make that generalisation?
15 Apr 2011, 18:09 pm
Pienaar at 10 with Lambie on th bench, Butch in the squad as backup 10/12
1 May 2011, 10:23 am
Another article eskewed from facts. First of all, the Boks lack of repetoire of attack comes poorly down to the coaching staff. I’ve documented where the team’s tries were coming from each year, they always rely more on the forwards for tries. They make no use of lethal attacking players. Kirchner made more linebreaks and beat more opponents in last years TNs than the entire Bok backline did in the entire 09 TNs, but nothing came of it. No, individuals have NEVER compensated for these shortcomings. Under de Villiers and Muir, the Boks have never been an attacking threat, they’ve taken us back to the blunt days of Straeuli. That is not Morne’s fault.
And as for Jake, Jake selected Butch in 2006 you idiots. He even noted long before Jones that butch would always have been his first choice 10, but Butch literally played NO rugby in 2004 and 2005 as he had knee reconstruction and failed comebacks, and got injured again in 2006. Think before you post, not eveyone is as limited in their memory as you are! I remember what happened all those years ago.
What you also failed to note is that de Villiers resorted to 10 man rugby as a result of pressure, as his non-existant gameplan for an enterprising game failed spectacularly in one of the worst and disgraceful campaigns we’ev ever had in 08. That limited game worked in 09 when Plumtree addressed our breakdown woes, and that was enough to get us through the TNs of that year, but failed in the conditions of the NH. Now de Villier’s is left with more problems, as seen by his frantic search for someone to help him do his job again last year, that he has real coaching to do, but has no idea what he his doing (his own words, twice, in front of the NZ media). So he wants to stick with the model that worked in 09 even though the laws have changed, even though it requires some ability ball in hand. He was so ignorant as to say that the England test last year was the model for the WC and a step forward, even though it was identical to the tripe in the TNs! You want to identify our problems, then there it is. Until then, get real and sober up.
No individual has ever been enough to compensate for our shortcomings under this un-coaching trio, with the only exception being Brussow. You pick at Morne, but fail to see that the structures in place are either nonexistant (defence) or are so woefully inadequate that it may as well be straight from the 80s.
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