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, 10:29 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-60: Donald duck you can have for free !!!!
14 Apr 2011, 10:30 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-100:
LOL !!
14 Apr 2011, 10:30 am
There is a position for Butch.
If the Final of the 2011 World Cup was this coming weekend and the Springboks were contesting it. Also assumes that no players are injured.
15 Francois Steyn … attack minded, long range place kicker
14 JP Pietersen … counter attack, defense
13 Jaque Fourie … game breaker, defense
12 Butch James … defense, play maker, place kicker
11 Gio Aplon … game breaker, tactical cover for the Full Back
10 Patrick Lambie … cool, calm & collected, place kicker, attack minded
9 Fourie du Preez … game breaker, play maker
8 Willem Alberts … attack, strong carrier, defense
7 Juan Smith … Captain, attack, strong carrier, defense
6 Heinrich Brussouw … fetcher, rucks and mauls
5 Andries Bekker … line outs, strong carrier, broken play
4 Bakkies Botha … enforcer
3 Jannie du Plessis … scrumaging, broken play
2 Bismark du Plessis … attack, strong carrier, fetcher
1 Beast Mtawarira … scrumaging, strong carrier, broken play
16 John Smit … experienced Leader; covers 1,2 &3
17 Guthro Steenkamp … scrumaging, rucks and mauls
18 Danie Rossouw … covers 4,5 and Loosies
19 Schalk Burger … impact player
20 Ryan Kankowski … impact player
21 Ruan Pienaar … covers 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, place kicker
22 Francois Hougaard … covers 9, 11,14
14 Apr 2011, 10:36 am
@Panache ( òó /) Aplomb(Panache and Aplomb)-103:
Good side, not sure about Butch at 12 ………maybe a Butch/JDV combo.
But the rest is spot on.
14 Apr 2011, 10:37 am
With Butch at 10 that is……
14 Apr 2011, 10:41 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-102:
seriaas.
the dude is out of control.
14 Apr 2011, 10:48 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-106: No dude that sounds like one of his wives, JZ rolls bigger than that….
14 Apr 2011, 10:50 am
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-41:
If you could see both his hands, it most probably was not his finger.
So the question is, was both his hands visible from where you were sitting/lying?
14 Apr 2011, 10:52 am
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-107:
nope definitely jayzee.
I could see his bonedome glinting in the early morning cape sunlight.
14 Apr 2011, 10:57 am
1st 2nd
Jannie Bj Botha
Bismark Smit/ Chilli
Beast Steenkamp
Rossouw Botha
Bekker Matfield
Burger(c) Flo
Alberts Kanko
Smith Brussow
Du Preez Pienaar
Butch Lambie/ Grant
JP Mlovo
JDV ? Strauss
JF de Jong
Aplon Basson
Steyn Aplon
14 Apr 2011, 11:09 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-109: Hope you didn’t spill your drink on him….
Or show him the finger…
14 Apr 2011, 11:13 am
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-111:
nope.
I cowered before his magnificence.
14 Apr 2011, 11:18 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-112: Ah. That’s the spirit.
African style….
14 Apr 2011, 11:19 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-112:
Was actually two big black beemers and 4 X5s
14 Apr 2011, 11:19 am
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-112:
Plus one irritated Police vehicle
14 Apr 2011, 11:20 am
Lawd I hate this cover
Where is Butch anyway
Still on honeymoon
Isn’t he supposed to be with Lions
14 Apr 2011, 11:21 am
i can’t believe some of you are buying this, there’s obviously a book deal on the horizon…
14 Apr 2011, 11:22 am
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-117:
This is true
Cover of SA Rugby is book deal kiss of death
14 Apr 2011, 11:24 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-114:
are you sure we were watching the same convoy?
there were two minivans with blacked out windows as well?
maybe it was jayzees lunch.
but he was definitely in the big 7 series bmw.
I wondered why the windows weren’t blacked out.
Did you see me waving to you?
14 Apr 2011, 11:25 am
people talking about wantig a new game plan and hence a different Bok squad when we have only 148 days to the start of the WC have got to be crazy in their heads.
Either you want to win this one and will stick with the majority of the game plan with tweaks here and there and perfect the execution or you will go with a new approach and purposefully write off this WC. You cannot have both as the other teams are 4 years down the drag planning for this WC.
14 Apr 2011, 11:27 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-114:
they obviously like the beemer.
when I dropped my car off for its service there were 3 police ones in front of me.
14 Apr 2011, 11:28 am
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-120: stick with the gameplan and we’re guaranteed to lose… so why not take a risk?
14 Apr 2011, 11:29 am
@Weepee(Weepee)-80: Lambie is back for the Canes game next week. Having his pin taken out his finger today.
14 Apr 2011, 11:31 am
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-120: We play the same gameplan mate, we done anyhow. Yes it is too late to change now. So I am not expecting much from this world cup. Looking ahead to 2015. We fell behind last year and should have done something about it then.
14 Apr 2011, 11:32 am
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-122: I don’t think so. Tweaks here and there (Lambie or Butch for Steyn perhaps) and we can win it. Stormers aren’t doing too badly with a similar game plan or am I wrong?
14 Apr 2011, 11:34 am
I have always rated James, but he needs to play some S15 games to see where he is at. Can’t really tell from him playing in the NH for 4 years.
Think the way to go would be with Lambie. But can’t see PdV select any other but Morne Steyn.
14 Apr 2011, 11:35 am
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-117: @Dawn(Dawn)-118: See my post 58.
Great minds and all that…..
14 Apr 2011, 11:37 am
@Puma(Puma)-126: I agree with you. It’s hard to tell if he’ll be up to speed.
I think we’d all be very surprised if Steyn isn’t the opening 10.
I think the Tri Nations will give some indications of how PDV is thinking…
14 Apr 2011, 11:45 am
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-128: Exactly M, We need to see how Butch does in the S15 before we can judge him.
The we all know PdV gonna select Morne. Unless he tries out Lambie/James/Grant in the Tri-Nations.
14 Apr 2011, 11:45 am
Interesting article, think we should wait and see how he plays at home, he has never been a k*k player, just a bit worried about his knee’s and would imagine being tackled by him is not something opposition players look forward to.
14 Apr 2011, 11:47 am
@Puma(Puma)-129: I think that will be the key, to see who else he selects in the Tri Nations, I think that will give us a better idea of who’s in the running. It could actually be any of the other 3. PDV has actually been comlimenting Grant of late, so he was on his radar a couple of weeks ago.
14 Apr 2011, 11:49 am
@Puma(Puma)-124: Hi Puma, I actually think when the RWC comes round every one will be pleasantly surprised and we will rock.
14 Apr 2011, 11:50 am
@Puma(Puma)-126: And if he stuck with Morne it would not be the wrong thing to do if he can get the rest of the squad to execute the game plan properly. Remember what happened in past WC’s when we changed too many (Strauelli’s era) and important personnel (Teichman).
I understand folks arguments about form players etc but these players who have gotten us a WC, B&I Lions and TN’s series wins did not become palookas overnight. A good dose of self confidence and they can become world beaters. After the WC is when we should change personnel (incl. perhaps management) unless forced by injury.
14 Apr 2011, 11:51 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-1: Even Morne the Metronom is nobody comparing to old Chuck’s kicking record.
And who will dare to tackle him?
14 Apr 2011, 12:05 pm
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-131: Have to see who he plays. Also one game can’t tell much. It is in the S15 right now that we can see who is performing. They doing it week in week out. Lambie was in superb for before he got injured. Grant is playing good rugby too. Though Saturday he had a off game. That happens to all players though.
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-132: How you doing Hugs? Keep the positive thoughts, it helps the rest of us here……hahaha. I don’t feel positive about our chances in this world cup to be honest.
14 Apr 2011, 12:06 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-119:
OK
Mayber they whizzed by so fast I didn’t look properly!
Don’t pay much attention to convoys anyway
Just avoid hitting other cars around me who are giving way
14 Apr 2011, 12:06 pm
@BokiNZ(BokiNZ)-16:
I hope my government has offered you permanent residency, Browns Bay can do without people like you.
14 Apr 2011, 12:07 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-125: no you’re aren’t wrong exactly… i’m just concerned that the foundation players in this gameplan are currently completely off their game, so it may require more than tweaking.
14 Apr 2011, 12:12 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-133: Just can’t see us win with the gameplane we played last year mate. We need to think smart from here. Also with those players not sure if we can change it around but to stick to how we did play in 2009. We need Frans Steyn back too. Not playing in France. The pace here is so much faster. Cause think he will be our fb. Think PdV will just stick to his players.
Then I look at Robbie Fruean, SBW, Carter, McCaw and Dagg. Jeez they have some unbelievable players. If we make to the semi really I can’t see us beat them with our gameplan of last year.
14 Apr 2011, 12:13 pm
Go on Okes ………………………………………..Put The Butcher in the Boks.
Make my day.
14 Apr 2011, 12:14 pm
People should be carefull to rate Butch on his S15. He is coming into a team who’s forwards is getting owned atm. As much as I like Lambie and although Grant was good so far. Butch will be my number 1 for this WC. MS went downhill ever since he got balled and shackled.
14 Apr 2011, 12:18 pm
Brutal Truth!
Butch is a walking talking yellow card.
14 Apr 2011, 12:21 pm
A Bok side based on form IMO would look something like this:
15.Aplon
14.Ndungane
13.Fourie
12.JDV
11.JPP
10.Lambie
9.Pienaar
8.Vermeulen
7.Alberts
6.Flo
5.Bekker
4.Elstadt
3.Du PLessis
2.Bismark
1.Beast
If I look at this side,there is enough class 4 it 2 settle in a couple of test matches and b competitive against the blacks and aussies.And we still missing someone like Juan and Brussouw that can make a big difference 2 the side.So maybe things are not all doom and gloom.But the performances of our Superugby sides is concerning.
14 Apr 2011, 12:21 pm
@Puma(Puma)-139: Puma we cannot play rugby like the AB’s or the Ozzies , we have a different skillset,rugby culture and athleticism (some may consider “lack of ”
) , we have to play to our strengths. The way to do that is no different than last year but with better execution. Think about the fact that at the beginning of the TN’s Juan was just coming back, we lost Bakkies in 2 of the games (YC’s) and Brussouw was not there. On top of that we had JS playing at 3 and Rickie at scumhalf with Hougaard as back up (when FDP went off injured). Take that into consideration when looking at the results at home (I know we lost to Ozz etc) where we weren’t annihilated in those games particularly Soweto. So i guess my glass is half full as opposed to half empty. 
14 Apr 2011, 12:21 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-136:
quite right.
we don’t want to damage the dolphins lustrous paintwork.
I’ve had to fix a scratch on the spark and it’s hurting.
14 Apr 2011, 12:26 pm
@cane(cane)-142: just like no arms Sonny boy Williams
it is true
14 Apr 2011, 12:27 pm
Puma – Morne Steyn has to go to the world cup, his kicking is so vital for the Bok gameplan. It is who backs him up is the key, and currently i have a feeling it could be Ruan Pienaar.
I am afriad you need veterans at the RWC, look at Wilko and Michelak both failed as they were too young.
Also taking too many veterans doesn’t work either, wallabies RWC 95.
It is a huge balancing game for PDV. It doesn’t matter who plays really PDV doesn’t have the technical know how to develop his players, he will need some big help
14 Apr 2011, 12:29 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-145:
The dolphin paintwork not so lustrous.
He is a working car, as opposed to flash show-off car
He has earned every mark and scratch the hard way, like his owner!
14 Apr 2011, 12:32 pm
@Roar Loud(RL)-146: seems like they are all learning to tackle with no arms – look at Franks for example, no atttempt to wrap arms around the players
14 Apr 2011, 12:32 pm
@Roar Loud(RL)-146:
I’d like to The Butcher try one of his Late Train Specials on Sunni Bill.
He (Butch) would splatter like a piece of sh’ite hitting the fan.
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