Belligerent bolter will lend Boks bite
19 Apr 2011
JON CARDINELLI expects Duane Vermeulen to be named in the World Cup planning group on Wednesday and believes it could be a telling selection in a World Cup year.
The official World Cup group of 50 will only be named in June, but don’t expect it to differ from the ‘planning squad’ named this Wednesday. Coach Peter de Villiers has made it clear that he wants to get the right group of players together as early as possible, and has even scheduled meetings and planning camps for the select few while Super Rugby is still on the go.
This Wednesday’s announcement is thus significant. We already know of 23 players who have made the cut, as De Villiers announced his contracted group of Springboks in late March.
Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield, JP Pietersen, John Smit, Juan Smith and Pierre Spies were in the original group, while Andries Bekker, Heinrich Brüssow, Bismarck du Plessis, Adrian Jacobs, Tendai Mtawarira, Wynand Olivier, Danie Rossouw, Morné Steyn, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Jannie du Plessis, CJ van der Linde and Gurthrö Steenkamp were only recently handed one-year contracts.
The Bok coach will name between 45 and 50 players on Wednesday, and what this means is that as many as 27 places are up for grabs. De Villiers will make a statement with the players he includes, but he will also make a statement with the players he leaves out.
The contracted group itself deserves closer scrutiny. One can only believe that De Villiers made a promise to Adi Jacobs when they were at the Valke all those years ago, because his apparent guaranteed selection has very little to do with recent rugby exploits. At least Wynand Olivier has played for the Boks in the last year, but his performances have been so poor, you would have expected him to drop out of the World Cup reckoning. Unbelievably, he’s been awarded a Bok contract in a defining year. Go figure.
De Villiers is likely to call on many players that have been in the Bok mix over the past three years. Locks like Alistair Hargreaves and Flip van der Merwe will make the cut, and loose forwards like Ryan Kankowski, Willem Alberts and Keegan Daniel surely deserve to be part of the larger squad. What’s less clear is whether the Bulls’ loosies deserve spots ahead of their Stormers counterparts.
It’s not a provincial argument but a national one. Dewald Potgieter and Deon Stegmann featured for the Boks in 2010 without making any great impact. Francois Louw was a key figure in the Boks’ Tests against Wales, Italy and France, and then was unceremoniously dumped after one sub-standard showing in the Tri-Nations. Louw has shown good form in the 2011 Super Rugby competition, and is certainly among the elite players in the country.
One man has been among the elite for the past three seasons, although the absence of a national call-up would suggest otherwise. Picking Duane Vermeulen for the World Cup planning group is a no-brainer, and he could play a big role at the World Cup. He provides the abrasive alternative to Spies the Boks have been searching for, that is a No 8 that drives opposition players back on defence and makes good ground with ball in hand. If the Boks include men like Vermeulen and Alberts in their final World Cup squad, they will improve their chances of winning the tournament.
Some will suggest that Ashley Johnson deserves a place, but this season has shown him to be a liability. He contributes with some powerful runs and gets through a lot of work, but his high error rate has cost the Cheetahs matches. There is no reason why he should be included ahead of the Bulls’ loose forwards, let alone the form men at the Sharks and Stormers.
I fear that politicians will demand that Ricky Januarie get a look-in, even though he’s unlikely to travel to New Zealand in September. The overweight scrumhalf hasn’t been contracted to the Boks, a sure sign he is not in the World Cup plans. He’s not the first-choice No 9 at the Stormers, and to pick him for the Boks would smack of window dressing.
Sarel Pretorius is a player who’s impressed in a struggling Cheetahs side, and Charl McLeod was a late call-up for the Springboks’ 2010 end-of-year tour. If it’s a toss up between the two, De Villiers needs to show some consistency in picking the latter, who has to date enjoyed a solid Super Rugby competition.
McLeod’s halfback partner Pat Lambie will also make the squad, but there is another player who comes into the flyhalf equation. Butch James has confirmed his move back to South Africa in May, a fact that confirms he is in the World Cup mix. James is the Boks’ best bet at flyhalf, as he not only has the experience but the ability to switch between a conservative and attacking game plan.
De Villiers has a fourth flyhalf option in Ruan Pienaar, who excelled at No 10 for the Boks in late 2008 and in the 2009 British & Irish Lions series. Pienaar has been alternating between 9 and 10 at Irish club Ulster, and has to date produced some match-winning performances with the boot.
Frans Steyn is the other overseas-based player guaranteed of selection, and his return could solve the Boks’ problems at fullback. Zane Kirchner will be picked for the planning group, but doesn’t deserve to go to the World Cup.
As South Africa’s best attacking player, Gio Aplon should travel to New Zealand. If Aplon pays more attention to his kicking game, he can provide a good alternative to Steyn. He has a big boot and it’s a shame that the development of this area of his game has been neglected in the last few seasons.
It’s great to see JP Pietersen finding some form, and right now he’d be my favourite to start at No 14 for the Boks. Bjorn Basson is prime candidate to replace Bryan Habana, although it is a foregone conclusion that the veteran will be taken to the World Cup.
631 Comments
19 Apr 2011, 10:16 am
duane the lion of cape town!!
19 Apr 2011, 10:22 am
kanko and daniel are way overrated and should not be selected for the world cup.alberts is an enigma and the only reason i would take him along would be as an impact sub where,admittedly,the oke is quite dangerous from five meteres out.
19 Apr 2011, 10:25 am
How about Warren Whiteley?
Whitely
Brussouw
Alberts
Burger
Vermeulen
Daniels
and an extreme case: Jarrod Saffy
19 Apr 2011, 10:25 am
Well I think we can all agree that Pdivvie needs to look at form this season to pick his squad. Class and experience is well and all, but those qualities cannot produce good performance alone.
Loosies that wouldn’t let the Boks down:
Brussow
Smith (if fit)
Vermeulen
Alberts
Burger
Locks:
Botha
Russouw (can cover flank)
Bekker
Matfield?
Flip van Der Merwe?
Proppies:
Guthro
Beast
Jannie duP
??
Hookers:
Bismark
Smit? (wouldn’t pick him)
Scrummies:
Sarel Pretorius
FdP
Flyhalfs (tricky one)
James
Lambie
Grant?
Steyn?
Centers:
JdV
Fourie
de Jongh
Doppies
Wings (also tricky!):
Odwa?
JP?
Mapoe?
Habana?
Fullback:
Aplon
Steyn
there’s my two cents..
19 Apr 2011, 10:26 am
With 49 places, many will make the cut. Only 30 will travel to NZ, so really there are only 8 or 9 places available outside of the contracted boks.
I hope Duanne makes it, he’s the perfect touring no 8. Solid, physical andcan also play 7, and fact many recon that’s his better position. Like Alberts,
19 Apr 2011, 10:26 am
Will be interesting to see who makes this planning group. Would like to see some youngsters also make this group.
19 Apr 2011, 10:32 am
Tecumseh – Alberts has to be an automatic shue-in for the RWC also Danie Roussouw is another massive impact player that has got to go!
19 Apr 2011, 10:34 am
wpjoulekkading – I think you have just listed SAs top players, oh dear. That is probably it for the Boks this year there is no one outside maybe Basson for wing!
19 Apr 2011, 10:36 am
wpjoulekkading – Well your missing 17 more players. Also CJ V D Linde is a contracted Bok and you missed our best player J Smith (if he recovers in time)
19 Apr 2011, 10:37 am
Sarel might also be a bolter in the World Cup squad.
19 Apr 2011, 10:37 am
1.J. du Plessis
2.B. du Plessis
3.Beast
4.Matfield
5.Bekker
6.Brussouw
7.Whitely
8.Vermuelen
9.FdP
10.Steyn
11.Pietersen
12.JdV
13.Fourie
14.Aplon
15.Lambie
19 Apr 2011, 10:39 am
So is it set that all contracted Boks will go to the World Cup?
19 Apr 2011, 10:41 am
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-11: I think your number 1 and 3 must be switched around. Your 4 and 5 as well.
19 Apr 2011, 10:48 am
This will be the boks RWC 2011 squad.
Its not all who I would choose but pretty close.
Not all contracted boks will go JC.
15. Francois Steyn / Gio Aplon.
14. J.P. Pietersen / Francois Hougaard.
13. Jacques Fourie / Wynand Olivier.
12. Jean De Villiers / Patrick Lambie.
11. Bryan Habana / Lwazi Mvovo or Bjorn Basson.
10. Butch James / Morne Steyn / Peter Grant.
9. Fourie Du Preez / Ruan Pienaar.
8. Pierre Spies / Ryan Kankowski.
7. Juan Smith / Willem Alberts or Jean Deysel.
6. Schalk Burger / Jean Deysel or Heinrich Brussow.
5. Victor Matfield (vc) / Andries Bekker.
4. Bakkies Botha / Danie Rossouw.
3. Jannie Du Plessis / B.J. Botha.
2. John Smit (c) / Bismark Du Plessis.
1. C.J. Van Der Linde / Beast Mtawarira.
John Smit will go but its a toss up between Adi and Wynand. although i would leave both and use JDeJongh as 12/13 and butch 10/12.
I would also include Peter Grant ahead of Morne Steyn, but the reality is that they wont pull a “Francois Louw” on him as there are too many Bulls in the squad.
Similar rift between Corne Kriges 2003 stormers vs Joost Van Der Westuizens Bulls.
Just my thoughts Im not the coach, but it would be similar
19 Apr 2011, 10:51 am
2nd XV
1.CJ
2.Ryno
3.Steenkamp
4.Hargreaves
5.Botha
6.Burger
7.Strauss
8.Alberts
9.Sarel
10.James
11.Habana
12.Ebersohn
13.Jacobs
14.Basson
15.Ludik
19 Apr 2011, 10:51 am
Duanne Vermuelen is a 7. That is it. Take him only as 3rd choice backup incase Juan Smith and Alberts get injured.
He is too slow and doesnt posess the skill set to link successfully with his backs. One of the main reasons the stormers backs have been so ineffective this year is because his basic skill set is lacking.
Plod the second.
I honestly do not see what all the fuss is with this guy.
Against the Saders, Read is going to show him how a proper no. 8 should play. Watch how his lack of pace and skill get shown up properly.
19 Apr 2011, 10:59 am
My team for World Cup
1. Beast, Gurthro
2. Bismarck, Smit, Chiliboy
3. Jannie, CJ
4. Bakkies, Danie
5. Matfield, Bekker
6. Burger, Brussouw
7. Alberts
8. Vermeulen, Spies
9. Du Preez, Pienaar, Hougaard
10. M.Steyn, Grant, Lambie
12. JDV, JDJ
13. Fourie
11. Habana, Basson
14. JPP
15. F.Steyn, Aplon
19 Apr 2011, 11:00 am
I honestly do not see what all the fuss is with this guy. you are in the minority.
19 Apr 2011, 11:02 am
@race of tan(race of tan)-7: Roussouw has been highly impressive with the limited gametime hes had.. always gets over the advantage line.. a rarity in the Bulls these days it seems..
19 Apr 2011, 11:03 am
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-18: I agree with you. 90% of the fuss is coming from WP/Stormers supporters,
19 Apr 2011, 11:03 am
Just because I dont live under the mountain doesnt make me the minority pal.
19 Apr 2011, 11:04 am
This one is for Mshiniwami who was doubting wether Sarel Pretorius should be a Bok. He reckons he´s too raw.
These are his stats:
Position out of all Super Rugby teams is displayed first. (includes Oz and NZ)
Most Turnovers
1 Bismarck 30
17 Sarel 18 – shared by Charl McCleod
Best turnover stats of all SA scrumhalves
Most Missed Tackles
2 Sarel 26
14 Fourie dup 19
His worst statistic by far – and not far off is Fourie du Preez who is considered a must to go to the WC
Most penalties conceded
5 Charl MCCleod 10
Not a good statistic for one considered to be one of the better scrummies
Most Pilfers
3 Sarel 4
Most Offloads
3 Sarel 15
Massive statistic. He is releasing players through gaps more often than not. 3rd overall in the contest – SBW has 31 and is 1st. Next best is Luke Burgess with 17 and 3rd place is shared with Jacques Fourie.
Most Linebreaks
1 Sarel 10
No1 in the entire super rugby setup. Thats saying something. Followed by Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell and Sean Maitland.
Most Linebreak assists
4 Sarel 3 – shared with Fourie dup
Most try assists
1 Fourie dup 6
4 Sarel 3
Right up there with the best.
Most Kicks
13 Fourie dup 42
Sarel is not much of a kicker and doesnt feature here. But lets consider in the modern game how effective lal this kicking is. How many times were tries scored directly back off boxkicks from Du Preez? Is this a statistic you want to be good at?
Most Kick Metres
17 Fourie dup 1303
Again – Sarel doesnt feature but does that 1303 metres by fourie du Preez translate into the Bulls winning this year? Apparently not. I think we need to find a balance and the thing is if youre tactical kicks are not spot on then its best not to execute them at all.
Most runs
11 Sarel 66
Massive.
Most Tries
2 Sarel 6
Massive statistic again considering the Cheetahs are not winning games. Theyre struggling and he´s still scoring. He´s the difference between them being competitive this year.
Only Sean Maitland has more.
So he doesnt have much of a kicking game and he needs to work on defence. The rest speaks for itself.
19 Apr 2011, 11:07 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-22: take Pretorius at your peril… while his attack and sniping runs are excellent, he was caught out a few times on the blindside of the ruck against the Canes, and his decision making in the last five minutes cost the game.. he is IMO suspect on defence..
19 Apr 2011, 11:08 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-16:
Well Read did not do that last year when the stormers whipped the Crusaders 42-13 (think that was the score) ??
Think Duane was man of the match for that game !!!
Stormers scored plenty of tries in the S14 and CC last year with Duane there so your argument that his skill set is lacking and that he is to blame for the Stormers not scoring is flawed !!
19 Apr 2011, 11:09 am
And on current form I´d pick Danie Rossouw at 4 ahead of Bakkies etc. If Bakkies continues being a persona non grata and a possible yellow card I´d take Elstadt over him anyday. Danie scores from close quarters every time – he´s strong as an ox. Solid and versatile. Could use him and Elstadt on field at the same time.
19 Apr 2011, 11:11 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-23: Yep agreed – you can see that in the stats. But I think with some coaching those are defects that can be rectfied – and in a Bok setup he´s have players onfield directing him more as well. His attack is invaluable at this time considering the Boks attack is nowhere to be seen. If he is drilled on defence he is a strong contender. Ive also seen him make big tackles as well – so its not that he´s not commited.
19 Apr 2011, 11:11 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-22: some stats are misleading… the try ones for example..
while he has 6 tries, he scored 3 against the Canes, a team whose defence this year is as bad as the cheetahs…
19 Apr 2011, 11:13 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-23: Also thats the first time he cost someone the game – not really fair to judge him on one mistake. How many has Habana made in the past year that has literally cost the Boks matches? 10? 12? Who knows – he´s the biggest liability at present.
19 Apr 2011, 11:13 am
@Hop Hop Spinnekop(Hop Hop Spinnekop)-20: @John Galt(John Galt)-21: lol true but you have to admit Vermeulen is good….has been for the past 2 years. His defence is top notch and his ball carrying is amazing it always takes about 2-3 guys to bring him down. He needs to work on his linking i agree but this guy deserves a bok spot.
19 Apr 2011, 11:14 am
He’s very abrasive ill give him that but has been getting sucked into going over the top recently. Could become a penalty machine, yellow card already and probably deserved another against the Sharks.
He is exactly the same in skill, speed, physicality etc as Bismark.
Not a bad thing, except hes a number 8.
19 Apr 2011, 11:15 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-27: Same could be said of Maitlands stats in that case. He´s scored braces against poorer teams in the comp too.
19 Apr 2011, 11:16 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-23:
Pretorius missed the second most tackles in the competition to date (26)
19 Apr 2011, 11:16 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-25: Danie is very valuable to the Boks.
19 Apr 2011, 11:17 am
Maitland scored 4 against the Brumbies. Nuff said.
19 Apr 2011, 11:18 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-32: yep thats in teh stats above.
19 Apr 2011, 11:18 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-28: now don’t try to pin down all of fatboy john smit’s and other hasbeens mistakes on habana.12 games!…what a freakin joke.
19 Apr 2011, 11:20 am
@wpjoulekkading(wpjoulekkading)-4: Where is Flow in the loosies my china?
19 Apr 2011, 11:20 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-32: 26! that would have cost more than one game !
19 Apr 2011, 11:20 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-25: Agree. Right now I would play Danie ahead of Bakkies.
Bakkies is also a marked man with the refs.
19 Apr 2011, 11:20 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-30: He has been giving away alot of penalties recently. I think he is on par with Alberts in terms of defence and ball carrying but Alberts just pips him with Skills.
19 Apr 2011, 11:20 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-31: I agree about Maitland, its the nature of the comp… different positions though, Sarel gets lot more opportunities to handle the ball..and that one decision, do you want it to be in a WC semi while down by two points or conversely leading by 2? has Sarel even played test rugby? honest question, dont know..
dont get me wrong, I like the player, just think he doesnt at this stage have a complete skill set for test matches, especially if he hasnt tasted test rugby…Alberts too I dont think has faced the ABs and to a lesser extent the Aussies? (ABs seem to be able to match the physicality better then the Aussies, thats how I based ny assumption).
19 Apr 2011, 11:22 am
Argentina could whip this Bok team.
19 Apr 2011, 11:22 am
It is an absolute necessity that Vermeulen be 8th man for the Boks! It would be an absolute travesty if 1. he is not picked and 2. Spies is starting 8th Man.
Although the Boks are no strangers to travesty in selection throughout the history of the team…
19 Apr 2011, 11:22 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-26: I agree with you. What the Boks need more than anything is a player who can make things happen on attack. He’s like Joost in this respect. With better players around him he will take it to the next level. There is no way he should be overlooked.
But this is the Springboks, with P Divvy in charge. So he probably will be overlooked, with the beyond useless Januarie preferred.
19 Apr 2011, 11:23 am
@BringItHomeBoks(bokfan1)-43: Alberts would be a far better choice.
19 Apr 2011, 11:23 am
@Tecumseh(Tecumseh)-38:
Ashley Johnson not far behind him, 25 missed
19 Apr 2011, 11:24 am
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-33: Agreed – he´s in my list if must have players for the WC. I´d say at present these are non negotiable:
1 Beast
1 Gurthro
2 Bismarck
3 Jannie (simpy cos the rest is piss poor)
4 Rossouw
5 Becker
6 Brussouw (when fit)
6 Probably Burger
7 Juan SMith if fit
7/8 Willem Alberts
9 Fourie du Preez (form is a worry though)
9 Sarel Pretorius
10 Patrick Lambie
10 toss up between Grant Steyn and Butch
11 ?? Basson if he sorts his defence out
12 Jean de Villiers
13 Jacques Fourie
13 Juan de Jongh
14 JP Pietersen if he continues showing form
14 Aplon
15 Frans Steyn
?? Francois Houghaard for versatility
leaves 8 spots but cant see them leaving behind CJ or BJ, Smit, Matfield, Bakkies, Spies, Habana, and possibly Kirchner which only leaves 1 spot open.
19 Apr 2011, 11:25 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-46: Yeah now that is really shocking for such a big guy. Apart from that and the knockons Johnson is quite decent. But those are mega problems.
19 Apr 2011, 11:26 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-22: I’d rather have a scrummie that can’t kick than play a kick and chase game.
19 Apr 2011, 11:30 am
@Tecumseh(Tecumseh)-36: At least bud – go look at lal the matches from last year and EOYT 2009 you´ll be surprised. Directly or indirectly Habanas indiscretions coming off the line and going for intercepts has puncished the Boks severely. I was amazed when looking back over tests last year. He is shocking. I dont care what his work rate is – he can singel handedly lose the World Cup for the Boks on current form (maybe its not even form – just stubborness to keep going for his pathetic intercepts) I repeat PATHETIC intercepts.
19 Apr 2011, 11:30 am
@garth(garth)-49: thats my point.
19 Apr 2011, 11:31 am
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-44: january has trimmed down quite a lot and actually looks very sharp again.
19 Apr 2011, 11:33 am
@Tecumseh(Tecumseh)-52: So much so that he plays 10 minutes every now and then!
19 Apr 2011, 11:34 am
@Tecumseh(Tecumseh)-52:
Pffft
Now we know you’re a clown.
19 Apr 2011, 11:36 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-41: I think Sarel would be a lot more circumspect if he was playing in a World Cup smei. At present the Cheetahs have been throwing the ball around liberally and havent won much – I agree it was a poor decision but give the guy a break. Everyone stuffs up at some point.
Second Lomu only had 2 caps to his name when he went to the WC in 95 – I know I know – it was Lomu – but he was as green as anyone can be. If Sarel gets picked now he will have opportunities to play in the Tri Nations (up to 6 games) and not sure are there June Tests this year? So potentially has the ability to enter the fray a bit less green. All the expereince thing doesnt cut it when the expereinced are not performing. Would you have a team of John Smits in a semi or a team of Sarel Pretorius´? At least you know the Sarels have the ability to turn the game on its head.
Thats all i´m saying. Were in dire straits because he should have been picked a year ago for the boks.
19 Apr 2011, 11:37 am
this in from Naas on Sprts 24
At this stage he must be first choice. What we have seen from him these last number of weeks, is probably the best rugby he’s ever played,” Botha told Sport24.
referring to Peter Grant
19 Apr 2011, 11:38 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-54: that is capo, john ignore it
19 Apr 2011, 11:40 am
as to the no8 debacle I would leaver spies and kanko at home and have willem and duane rotate at that position, with a mixture of flo, burger, brussouw, potgieter, and smith (if fit) in the loosies we would be awesome
19 Apr 2011, 11:41 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-55: It seems like there are no June Tests and only 4 games for each TriNations team.
But I would give Sarel those 4 games to prove himself and take him to the RWC if he played well.
July 2011
23 20:00 Australia vs South Africa ANZ Stadium, Sydney Tri-Nations
30 19:35 New Zealand vs South Africa Westpac Stadium, Wellington Tri-Nations
August 2011
13 17:00 South Africa vs Australia Mr Price Kings Park, Durban Tri-Nations
20 17:00 South Africa vs New Zealand Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth Tri-Nations
19 Apr 2011, 11:42 am
@Alfred E Neuman(MR Lam)-58: Sounds good to me. Willem to play the big games.
19 Apr 2011, 11:43 am
came in a bit late and havent read the thread so assume this has already been said if any one here has a inkling of our rugby in SA
19 Apr 2011, 11:45 am
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-60:
imagine havine either of them available as an impact player with 30 min to go I would be in seventh heaven if snor can make a brave call like that
19 Apr 2011, 11:45 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-55: no June tests this year, just a two match 3 Nations… depends how PDV wants to attack that I reckon…do you go to NZ with your strongest side and try to gain a psychological edge by beating NZ in NZ before the WC? or do you experiment? your potential semi final opponent (we have to get there first lol)
the halfback is a strong part of the spine of a team, whereas Lomu (a winger) again, is a different position and I would hazard easier in respect to test match rugby (relatively speaking)… imagine NZ if we had a Marshall or a Kirk even?
19 Apr 2011, 11:46 am
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-59: Yeah agreed. Give him a chance – we dont have much to lose and we can utilise Houghaard at 13 and 11 or 14. He is a great player too. if one scrummie gets injured at th cup we have a backup on hand too.
Players I would like to see considered for a place in the setup would be -
Bandhise Maku, Elstadt, Anton van Zyl, Francois Louw, Duane Vermeulen, Sarel Pretorius, Peter Grant, (given that James and Steyn are going to be looked at and I would say Lambie is a given), Doppies la Grange (serious shortage of personell at 12 and I sincerely hope Adi doesnt get a look in here), Mvovo, Basson (needs to sort out defence), Jaco Taute, Riaan Viljoen (both green but we dont have much backup at 15 and with the wings looking shaky id rather have Aplon on wing).
19 Apr 2011, 11:49 am
and they both make a great 7 as well I would actually pull no6 with 30 min to go bring on brussouw and then duane / willem as well to repalce each other at 8 for the last 30 when the opposition is lekker pap. Brussouw to effect more steals in the last 30 than in a normal game in that scenario,
19 Apr 2011, 11:49 am
personaly i would rather have vermeulen at 8 than spies
and Sarel Pretorious in a bok squad is certainly acceptable !
19 Apr 2011, 11:53 am
@grant10(grant10)-66: Ja, I’m also not pushing for Vermeulen, but he has to be better than Spies on current form. Alberts to start I would say.
19 Apr 2011, 11:53 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-55: do you have Sarels stats and Cowans from when the teams met? Cowan probably the incumbent at this stage..
19 Apr 2011, 11:54 am
@Alfred E Neuman(MR Lam)-65: Brussow would always start at 6 for me. Schalk covers 6,7 and 8 from the bench.
19 Apr 2011, 11:56 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-68: sorry, meant to add just for comparisons sake? and also against Genia?
19 Apr 2011, 11:58 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-70: yet they can be misleading too, depends who has the dominant forward pack of course
19 Apr 2011, 11:58 am
@grant10(grant10)-66: Yep agreed – on present form Vermeulen at 8 would be far preferable – especially in test match scenario – but again – PDV had the chance to test these bloked more than a year ago – both Sarel and Duane have been putting their hands up for a while now. Too little too late as usual. Now he´s trying to plaster the cracks.
Freak.
I would go with a combo of 6 Brussouw/ Burger or Flo, 7 Juan Smith, Burger or Flo and 8 Alberts, Vermeulen. Both those 8´s can play 7 as well. Burger can play 6 too. Flo 6 or 7 – you can mix and match quite seriously and change the whole dynamic of your attack. Add to that players like Elstadt, Becker, Beast, Gurthro, Danie Rossouw, Bismarck and you have a massively menacing pack which is highly mobile and can effect a turnover at any time. What we need to step up is out rucking. Kiwis have it down to a fine art and storm over an loose ball or when one of their players needs support.
19 Apr 2011, 11:58 am
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-69:
maybe but you and I both know that will not happen soon, Schalla is too influential on the field to be left on the bench
19 Apr 2011, 12:00 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-68: Unfortunately not but from those stats I was looking at Jimmy´s stats looked pretty decent.
Genia had some very good stats in certain departments (mostly kicking)
19 Apr 2011, 12:01 pm
Yep, here we go again.
If you look at the top openside flanks in the tournament concerning work rate; they are all New Zealanders (I also suppose that every kid wants to be the next Richie McCaw and the NZders rely heavily upon their opensiders)- Deon Stegmann is the only South African flank that is keeping up with them, check the stats. The top dogs are Alando Soakai, Matt Todd, Tanerau Latimer, Jack Lam and Steggies. Soakai has an immense work rate- the only one that edges Steggies- but they all carry well.
I know people love to hate the Bulls loosies for all kinds of reasons, but some of the criticism of playing in a struggling team is unwarranted. They always whine that Stegmann is a penalty machine, at the same time articles and post spring up speaking of Derek Minnie as some kind of revelation and that he should be considered for the Boks etc, yet he has conceded the exact same amount of penalties as Stegmann, yet nobody mentions this, why not
Francois Louw had a quiet first two games, and since then his penalty rate has followed the exact same trend as Stegmann’s. Even Capebull says Stegmann concedes 5 penalties a match, which is nonsense , but Soakai did give away 5 penalties in one match and his penalty rate is also high this season, yet none of his countrymen are ready to crucify him, now are they?
Only in South Africa couldn’t we be bothered to get our facts straight or care about our talent- wherever it’s from.
If you give away many penalties in two games, are you a liabitly? Is it a habit? No. How about 5 bad games? Well that’s my point exactly, Flo and Steggies have the same trend, in fact the breakdown area is where almost all their penalties are conceded, with Flo conceding a penalty on average at every 22nd such instance and Steggies every 23rd, Stegmann is no worse than any of the other flanks, of course if you do more work at the breakdown, you are more likely to concede. (So based on the stats, if you had to bet your life on either of the flanks not giving away a penalty at any given breakdown, your safer bet, statistically speaking, is Stegmann not to concede a penalty).
OK, let’s compare like we did last year halfway through the S14:
After the first 7 games (Flo starts all his games, the 8th game Stegmann was rotated and he come off the field in the final quarter basically every game):
Tackles+Assists:
Stegmann: 112 (94% success rate)
Flo: 71 (at 89% success rate)
Breakdown:
Stegmann: 234
144 attacking, 90 defending
Flo: 153
92 attacking, 61 defending
Of course in Flo’s role and team he is given the opportunity to carry more, at 5.6 meters per carry to Stegmann’s 4.2, not much in it, but summarized, Stegmann breaches the gainline in 82% of his runs to Louw’s 68%.
Now, of course, Nama1 and WP_ will want to point out that it’s because Stegmann plays an average of around 60 minutes a game that he can keep up a high intensity. Well Stegmann was left on the park a full 80 minutes against the Hurricanes and look what happened:
24 tackles, 25 metres made and a linebreak, hit the rucks 53 times (not including the ones he stood off, being present as back up (it takes work to get there especially on defense if you play in a kicking Bulls team). Of course if you have more time you are likely to register higher numbers, and all the New Zealand flanks stay on game long. That Stegmann’s stats are abale to keep up considering his fewer minutes played makes it even more impressive.
It’s actually a bit worrying that our other flanks aren’t delivering this work rate. Keegan Daniel gets around the park and cuts down players well, but his breakdown duty is meagre and his errors and handling are off the charts unfortunately. I would have loved to have compared Richie McCaw- and David Pocock’s stats, as they both have such a huge workrate and are so damn accurate, but unfortunately Richie is rested and Pocock couldn’t perform and got injured.
So far in the competiton and Stegmann is the hardest working South African flank, all this criticism of penalties is rubbish. And yes,you have to considered that the gameplans and team dynamics are a bit different; the Bulls kick alot more, often making it difficult for the covering flank etc. but still the point remains.
19 Apr 2011, 12:02 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-72:
if only PDV would listen to you, I couldnt agree more we would be brilliant with combos like that
19 Apr 2011, 12:09 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-75:
YYAAAAAWWWWNNN
19 Apr 2011, 12:11 pm
i see 2 rugby players were arrested for rape !! .. at first it thought it was Robin Brooke, but then i heard that the rape victim, was of a legal age!
19 Apr 2011, 12:14 pm
at openside…..Brussow….steggmann…..F Louw…..not schalk !
at 7 Juan smith [ but not likely ] alberts….
8 Luke watson ….vermeulen…..kanko….no spies pleazse !
19 Apr 2011, 12:15 pm
Luke Burgess
Most missed tackles
20th with 17 missed
Most offloads
2nd with 17
Most Linebreak assists
3rd with 6
Most Try assists
2nd with 5
WILL GENIA
Most Kicks
4th with 62
Most Kick metres
6th with 2072 (far more than Fourie du Preez even)
Most Try Assists
4th held jointly with Cowan 3
Most Linebreak assists
4th held jointly with a ton of people 3
JIMMY COWAN
Most Kicks
15th with 37
Most Kick metres
20th with 1137
Most try assists
4th with Genia on 3
Thats it i´m afraid – hence me saying Sarel Pretorius´stats at scrumhalf are well impressive.
19 Apr 2011, 12:16 pm
in fact i still believe dewalt potgieter would be a far better 8 than 7….
19 Apr 2011, 12:16 pm
@Sonny_bill_is_k@k_Mossie_is_king(WO_to_kill_Sir_Elton)-78:
Definitely not Japie Mulder either
19 Apr 2011, 12:16 pm
@grant10(grant10)-79: Stegmannnnnnn???? are you out of your mind? Did you see the EOYT last year? I would definitely reather have Burger (who I admit has been off form at times) than Stegmann – really.
19 Apr 2011, 12:18 pm
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-77:
Sorry let me summarize for people with short atttention spans such as yourself:
JC: Stomers >> Bulls
Agile: Dont gooi the baby out with the badwater.
Tackles+Assists:
Stegmann: 112 (94% success rate)
Flo: 71 (at 89% success rate)
Breakdown:
Stegmann: 234
144 attacking, 90 defending
Flo: 153
92 attacking, 61 defending
Carrying:
Stegmann: 4.2 metres/carry 82% gainline success.
Flo: 5.6 metres/carry 68% gainline success.
Conclusion:
All stats compared, Deon Stegmann is the hardest-working South African flank thus far, (also the neatest when it comes to handling and other errors). Just because the Bulls are attracting mockery, it doesn’t mean all their players are under-preforming.
Over to you.
19 Apr 2011, 12:18 pm
@grant10(grant10)-79:
U not serious with Watson are you???? or just stirring the pot again
19 Apr 2011, 12:19 pm
grant is ..always was a huge Luke fan!
19 Apr 2011, 12:20 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-75: So how come that doesnt translate in the tests and at the breakdown for the Bulls? Anyone can see the Bulls have been struggling at the breakdown. If you check Spies and Oliviers stats they look decent on paper. Would you pick them above Vermeulen and Jean de Villiers at present? Theres more to it than simple stats. They cna be misleading.
19 Apr 2011, 12:21 pm
him and Springduck Sarah …. they even went to John Smit’s book signing with their “I support Luke” T-shirts … they were 2 of the group of 6 ppl!
19 Apr 2011, 12:21 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-87:
someone has to do some work in the bulls team they all cant be on holiday together
19 Apr 2011, 12:23 pm
@Alfred E Neuman(MR Lam)-89: lol
Hand up who thinks Stegmann was pure manure on the EOYT last year? Hands up who thinks he´s going to get another chance?
I thought so…
19 Apr 2011, 12:23 pm
@Sonny_bill_is_God_Mossie_is_king(WO_to_kill_Sir_Elton)-86:
“grant is ..always was a huge Luke fan!”
As are most Rugby Fans the World Over.
19 Apr 2011, 12:24 pm
@Sonny_bill_is_k@k_Mossie_is_king(WO_to_kill_Sir_Elton)-88:
I used to have a pick luke shirt, but when a couple of bull supporters at the Dros in Morelleta park threatened to MOER me i gave it to my **********, come to think of it he never ever came back to work again, I wonder what happened to him, PTA is a strange place
19 Apr 2011, 12:26 pm
******* = my landscaping employee seems tuin worker isnt good english anymore
19 Apr 2011, 12:26 pm
Belligerent bolter?
Thought that was part of a car’s engine
19 Apr 2011, 12:26 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-87:
Exactly; it’s a team-effort. Swinging the turnover ball Steggies secured wide, and having Kirchner mindlessly gift it to the opposition defender en passant, is not bloodywell Stegmann’s fault.
19 Apr 2011, 12:26 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-83: schalk cant ‘ fetch ‘…..
no mate….brussow and steggmann are true fetchers
and F Louw a lot more suitable to ‘ fetch ‘ than Schalk as well….
Schalk a blindsider imo
19 Apr 2011, 12:27 pm
hey Dawn u well?
19 Apr 2011, 12:28 pm
@Alfred E Neuman(MR Lam)-85: very serious….a class act…and he will be home so we will be able to compare apples with apples…far better than spies, thats for bloody sure
19 Apr 2011, 12:28 pm
lol a tuin worker with a “I love Luke” t-shirt in Pta?? selfmoord!!
19 Apr 2011, 12:33 pm
@grant10(grant10)-98:
no argument there my 12 yr old son is better than Spies, mind you so is my 2yr old daughter, but thats another story, I just dont think he is bok material maybe on form but not in the team concept, Bekker may have denied his comments on LW after he left but where there is smoke there there is fire and I am sure part of the stormers and WP turnaround is related to LW leaving, hope Sarah isnt here else a fight will ensue shortly
19 Apr 2011, 12:35 pm
big decisions await PDV……
main decisions around Smit….what to do ?
10….Do we stick with the skop en jag artist or look at a playmaker 10?
8 Do we persist with Spies….?
6 For me a fetcher a must….will PDV go with schalk?
4 lock….Bakkies out of sorts…..do we go with A Bekker here, even though out of position?
11 Habana or an in form flyer?
15 F Steyn?
Lots of questions and so little time.
My advice PDV?
Be bold…..sweep clean….go on form…..at the very least do it your way….
19 Apr 2011, 12:36 pm
@Alfred E Neuman(MR Lam)-97:
Surviving, thanks. You?
19 Apr 2011, 12:37 pm
A decent view on the current World Cup prospects for the Wallabies, All Blacks and Springboks. Sobering article for Springbok fans:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/wallabies-evolution-and-boks-revolution-20110419-1dmxd.html
19 Apr 2011, 12:38 pm
A 50 man ‘planning’ squad… geez that’s enough space to have every half-decent Super-rugby player in RSA, including out of form seniors, some up-n-coming bolters… hell even enough for some window dressing…
19 Apr 2011, 12:40 pm
@grant10(grant10)-101:
“Be bold…..sweep clean….go on form…..at the very least do it your way….”
But when he doesn’t make the choices ‘you’ would like to see then I suppose we can expect to hear you vexing about the Senior’s controlling him and him not able to make his own decisions?
That’s rhetorical btw…
19 Apr 2011, 12:40 pm
@Alfred E Neuman(MR Lam)-100: i disagree….LW voted player of the year by stormers players in his last season…..and made Bath captain over and above the Pom capt for Bath?
He is a great player and leader….
dont be surprised if a major shake up …..pdv be bold my man
19 Apr 2011, 12:42 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-102:
not here much these days just bored at work today seems everyone is on holiday other wise well thanks
19 Apr 2011, 12:42 pm
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-105: lets wait and see….
i have a feeling a few interesting things are about to happen in sa rugby
19 Apr 2011, 12:44 pm
PDV doesn’t like Luke. Luke filmed that s3x tape of PDV spykering in the East London parking lot.
19 Apr 2011, 12:45 pm
@grant10(grant10)-96: The last time I remember Schalk “fetching” was 2005 against that NZ in the final game of the Tri Nations that year.
19 Apr 2011, 12:46 pm
@grant10(grant10)-101: Good comments. I agree with your sentiments about the fresh and form comments (so I hope): Lambie at 10 (or Grant for that matter), Vermeulen at 8 (only Spies if we force him to get involved in a couple of bar fights first), Brussow is a must as first choice 6 and Alberts a must at blind side, locks we’re covered no matter if Andries, Matfield or Bekker starts – the 4th option is the discussion point, hoping that Habana finds form but at the moment he is not in the top 4 of S.A. wingers, think with Frans Steyn and Aplon we have a super fullback blend.
19 Apr 2011, 12:46 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-95: I dont see it translating into anything at test level though. Just like Olivier. Sorry he just doesnt cut it. He´s way back in the q.
19 Apr 2011, 12:47 pm
@grant10(grant10)-106:
too much history with him here he wont work in bok setup, i do like him as a player none the less, but i believe we have more than enough locally
19 Apr 2011, 12:48 pm
@grant10(grant10)-96: For sure Grant – Schalk is no fetchers *** but to be fair he played at 6 the in 2007 and we won. So I dont think he´d be out of place at 6. Besides traditonally the true opensider plays 7 – just in SA we regard him as a 6.
So I definitely think he´d do better in a test match than Stegmann.
19 Apr 2011, 12:51 pm
@grant10(grant10)-108:
As I said earlier… it’s a freakin ’50′ man squad… that should include every talented Super player in RSA including out-of-form seniors, some up-n-coming youngsters, bolters and window-dressing…
IMO there are no more than 10 ‘test quality’ players at each union (at the very most)… boom… there you go…
I cannot see how anyone’s favourite (within reason) won’t make it…
19 Apr 2011, 12:52 pm
think the bulls bloggers will survive Spies and Meisiekind been left out of the bok squad, a serious increase in sucides in the PTA region methinks if that does happen
just kidding before i get k…ed out but teh bok squad would do well with out meisiekind and his boyfriend (spies)
19 Apr 2011, 12:53 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-112:
Yeah sure mate, 4 tests, 60 minutes, a “tired” Bok team, just back from a grade 3 hamstring tear, new team, 2 weeks preparation, first time test experience, in cold, wet NH conditions, 2 penalties in 4 games, ja, just pathetic hey? 3 wins from 4, loss to Scotland a rare thing, oh well. Everyone’s eager to find something to complaing about anyways.
19 Apr 2011, 12:56 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-114: Schalk would definitely do a better job at openside then Stegmann in a test match. But he really should get the openside idea out of his head and focus on blindside or No.8 his game is far more suited to that side now. Alberts, Burger and Brussow has a very good balance to it, apart from perhaps lineout options.
19 Apr 2011, 12:56 pm
main decisions around Smit….what to do ?
Take with as advicer team motivator – cant do anything else
10….Do we stick with the skop en jag artist or look at a playmaker 10?
Playmaker – Lambie for sure can still keep Steyn on but not much point if Grant is averaging the same kicking ration
8 Do we persist with Spies….?
No – Vermeulen and Alberts should be main choices but still space for Spies in the team
6 For me a fetcher a must….will PDV go with schalk?
He´ll be in the team but so will Brussouw
4 lock….Bakkies out of sorts…..do we go with A Bekker here, even though out of position?
No way in hell – why would you do that when you have Danie Rossouw and Flip vd Merwe and even Elstadt – With Matfields form Becker a must for 5
11 Habana or an in form flyer?
In form flyer – Habana unfortunately will be dragged along but if he plays he´ll lose us matches – you read it here. Mark my words he´s a huge liability
15 F Steyn?
Lots of questions and so little time.
I´d say a must but perhaps we need a bolter liek Riaan Viljoen or Taute too?
19 Apr 2011, 13:03 pm
@grant10(grant10)-81: 100% right.
19 Apr 2011, 13:03 pm
steggmann at fetcher for me long before schalk…..any day of the week….
Flouw at 6 before schalk.
but the best remains Brussow…..in tandem with bissy those 2 can retain us the wc.
of course it means pdv having to make the tough calls….
as for WO and Spies…..!
Bloody useless at the moment….drop them …
19 Apr 2011, 13:05 pm
@Marty(Marty)-103:
A most excellent Article Marty.
The Keo Scribes could learn a thing or two here.
Thank You.
19 Apr 2011, 13:06 pm
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-115:
the 50 dont phase me its the top 30
19 Apr 2011, 13:06 pm
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-118: totally agree
19 Apr 2011, 13:09 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-75:
Seeing that you mentioned me by name.
For years WO had the best stats of the SA centres in the S14. That didn’t help him much when he was selected for the Boks. All 32 times.
The point about WO and Steggies is that they play well within a certain structure. At the Bulls they excel because of the structure that they play in and the roles that are set out for them within that structure. When selected for the Boks they are confronted with a different structure and have to adapt their play accordingly. Both of them failed to do so. WO in 32 chances and Steggies during the EOYT last year.
Steggies is a good CC and Super rugby player. I’ll grant him that and his stats back him up on that. But……………..he is not test material. Whether he’ll become test material in a few years time, I don’t know. Maybe……….but for now he should not come near a Bok jersey. I think you (and he) should accept that now.
19 Apr 2011, 13:10 pm
@grant10(grant10)-121: Yeah, you right again. Boks need Ratel. He makes a difference for any team. Its one thing having a high workrate and then another being highly effective… Work hard or work smart. Ratel works smart. Better than any flank in SA and up there with the best in the world… at least.
I am convinced about WO not being allowed anywhere near the Bok jersey this year. Not so sure about Spies. He had a good game on Sat against the Reds other than missing “the ghost” Cooper.
19 Apr 2011, 13:10 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-117: ffs man he was anonymous on field. The difference in class is obvious to see between him and Brussouw. People have been singing Stegmanns praises for years liek Cobus Grobelaar and although both may be hard workers I believe neither have it in them to be Boks.
You can stat all you want – the proof is in the pudding and I didnt see anything from Stegmann to indicate he could do it on the EOYT – not once.
19 Apr 2011, 13:13 pm
One more thing Grant at 10 will be nothing more than Braam Van Straaten Mk II… without the big hit ability…
He will be found out at International level and there will be tears… Even Frans Steyn will be a better option than Grant at 10 (and that is not a punt for Steyn at flyhalf by any means).
19 Apr 2011, 13:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-128:
you know more than Naas then… well done apply to super sport before you lose your talent
19 Apr 2011, 13:15 pm
I personally would play Schalk at 7 if Juan not fit.
As tempting as it is to go with Duane, Alberts and Brusow , it is a loose trio with very little to no test experience, Schalk would do a job at 7 and will bring experience to vital combination.
Bring on Alberts in the 2nd half !!
19 Apr 2011, 13:16 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-126: agreed man well said. When Brussouw is on the field you notice him because he does the hard graft but he also does the impossible. Same as that damn McCaw
19 Apr 2011, 13:17 pm
Luke Watson is a great Currie Cup player, a good Super Rugby player and invisible at Test level.
19 Apr 2011, 13:18 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-126: spies can only play if you have brussow and bissy in pack.
spies low workrate and ineffective defence means that boks cannot afford him if pdv starts with Plod at 2….and schalk at 6…
I can almost guarantee you that a bok pack with schalk as fetcher, plod at 2 and spies at 8 will be vulnerable to most international packs and will probably see us coming home after quarters
19 Apr 2011, 13:18 pm
@nama1(nama1)-125:
You can include Spies also.
19 Apr 2011, 13:20 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-128: i tell you i would rather have Grant, Lambie or Butch at 10 than that damn skop en jag artist M Steyn….
we go that route we farked my man…..
essentially we wil be negating our backline completely.
the ‘in the pocket ‘ M Steyn will kill us stone dead….
19 Apr 2011, 13:22 pm
@Alfred E Neuman(MR Lam)-129: I definitely don’t know more than Naas, but I can tell you that if he did say what you said he did, and he wasn’t quoted out of context – which, lets face it, seems to be the habit of SA sports journos – then he was either piss.ed or he had a brainfart…. It can happen to the best of us. So wipe the dribble off your low hanging slack jaw and catch a wakeup.
19 Apr 2011, 13:25 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-131: G10 is right. Ratel is essential for the Boks at WC time.
19 Apr 2011, 13:25 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-127: @nama1(nama1)-125:
First of all, you have to take the conditions under which he made his debut,
secondly, leave WO out of this,
thridly, Slumtown, not quite anonymous making the most tackles, missing none, stealing l/o ball, most cleans and walking away with the win in your test debut in an unfamiliar team. Jou voet man.
Haters gonna hate. Help yourself.
This time around and all the critics can muster is that “Stegmann is a penalty machine”, which I already pointed out to be unfair criticism, Flo and Soakai and a bunch of good flanks this season have the same trends. If you want to ridicule a poor team; have at the Lions. Derek Minnie conceded the same amount of penalties, but you wont find anyone mentioning it, instead they call him a wildcard Bok selection.
At the seasons start they said refs are likely to loosen up at the bd, the opposite is more true.
Nice comparing WO (a back) with his “poor” 32 test record, to Deon Stegmann (a flank forward) and his 4 tests under such conditions, yet.
Are you both insane?
19 Apr 2011, 13:27 pm
@grant10(grant10)-101: Not what you’ll agree with but I would advise going bold except for changing the captain, would be suicide. Guys like Francios Pienaar, Hansie Cronje and John Smit have never been the best players in the team, but they created the best teams. I agree Smit needs to find a position and fast (should have moved to the Lions) but we need him at all costs in those tight play-offs that arent typical test rugby (dont tell the Kiwis).
The Bold or not so Bold would be replacing Habana with Basson and Spies with Alberts or Schalk depending if Juan is fit. As well as Lambie for Morne who can play off the bench
19 Apr 2011, 13:29 pm
Worst possible pack for the Boks to play in any game.
1. Beast
2. JS
3. CJ
4. Bekker
5. VM
6. HB
7. Schalk
8. Spies
Why? Because you’ll have only three forwards competing for the ball in the tight phases. Beast, Bekker (sometimes) and Schalk.
CJ and Spies will be standing at 1st and/or 2nd receiver.
Matfield will be waiting for the ball between the two centres.
HB will be lurking to chase when the ball comes out.
JS will be too tired to keep up with the game.
So, even though, on paper, it may look like a decent pack, they’ll get moered all over the park.
It’s important that the right combinations be selected if we want to be competitive.
19 Apr 2011, 13:29 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-119: Do you really have to have an enforcer and a lineout jumper as your 2nd row? I think Bekker’s form is so good at the moment, his defence is huge, his work rate brilliant for such a huge guy, Ball carrying better then most other 2nd rows, but he is always considered a “Line out specialist” and therefore Matfield’s understudy. I think he could just as easily be 4 or 5 for the boks and the number 1 at both positions (There isn’t a hell of a lot of difference in these positions anyway, but coaches seem to think so).
Every team that has one the World Cup has had a dominating lineout. With Matfield and Bekker, you are going to dominate the lineout.
19 Apr 2011, 13:29 pm
@grant10(grant10)-133: I don’t know if he can “only play” if… but yeah, catch your drift… I do agree that Bissy must start… but there is a place for Barney/Plod.
19 Apr 2011, 13:29 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-136:
have a look at sports 24 and see for yourself, dribble wiped , jaw back in place but sorry cant wakeup to your opinions
19 Apr 2011, 13:30 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-136: So only a brainfart when his view doesn’t coincide with yours?
19 Apr 2011, 13:32 pm
@grant10(grant10)-135: Funny that when you talk about M Steyn “in the pocket”… Peter Grant is also not really a gainline flyhalf like Lambie, Butch or even Francis/Jantjes.
Steyn’s deadeye boot has a place too. Maybe as replacement in latter stages of a game similar to BI Lions game 2.
19 Apr 2011, 13:32 pm
@Michael(mikeybrass)-144:
seems so doesnt it
19 Apr 2011, 13:33 pm
I shake my head in disbelief that some people still want to even consider Spies ??
He has been nowhere for 2 years now , how many poor performances warrant non selection ??
19 Apr 2011, 13:35 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-137: O fcourse he is – he´s my favouriet loosie with ALberts and Juan Smith. I agree totally.
19 Apr 2011, 13:36 pm
@nama1(nama1)-140:
In short, you can’t have more than 2 of the loafers (exclude HB here) in the same pack otherwise you’ll get stuffed.
19 Apr 2011, 13:37 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-138: yes youre right were wrong – we´ll see when it comes to selection time. Stegmann wont be mentioned. Guranteed so enjoy yoursefl and your brilliant rugby mind. The guys nowhere at the moment. Same as Cobus Grobelaar was.
19 Apr 2011, 13:38 pm
@Alfred E Neuman(MR Lam)-143: In the words of John MacEnroe – “you cant be farking seriOUS!!!”… Peter Grant as WC flyhalf, after a stint in Japan and what? – 7 solid, but not game changing, games for the Stormers as general of a backline that is lying somewhere at the bottom of the league in terms of try-scoring incisiveness. You okes need to get real and stop believing this Stormer press propaganda and supporter hypermania…
19 Apr 2011, 13:40 pm
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-141: when they played together it didnt seem to work so well but why not. I´m just saying why replace Bakkies with Becker when Becker in my mind is a starter at 5 anyway? why shift him when you have Rossouw, Flip vd Merwe, Elstadt or even Anton van Zyl to fill number 4 boots – all more in the enforcer mould. Starting anyone of those 4 with Becker at 5?
19 Apr 2011, 13:40 pm
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-139: mate…plod is a no go…farken passenger…..just drop the oke if we have any pretensions for retaining Bill
19 Apr 2011, 13:42 pm
@grant10(grant10)-153: drop him and who the f%&$& carries the tackle bags? Youre insane man. lol
19 Apr 2011, 13:43 pm
nothing has changed except that Alberts has carried way more metres than anyone else and therefore should start ahead of Spies. Brussow is needed at 6 to inject some pace into the loosetrio with either Juan or Burger at 7 of coming off bench.
The Bulls are not the Boks, at most they are likely to contribute maybe only the locks to the Bok pack. Bakkies is non-negotiable, rather get rid of matfield. The Bulls loosetrio and pack is lacking grunt, Bakkies is fighting a losing battle, while the sharks have beast, bismark and alberts all hitting rucks/mauls and the stormers have burger, vermelen and cj and surrounded by other very hard working forwards.
Let them write the Boks off, with pleasure, go right ahead. That is just what we want. Every year before a RWC the ABs look to be absolute favourites peaking as they always do and their fans strutting around and cackling like prime cockerills (Cane excluded) right before they get slaughtered, brilliant planning by the maestro who has spotted the trend.
I for one think this Bok team has an exceptional chance to make it back-to-back titles. I’ve also worked out how to get SBW out of the game, someone needs to get in his face and get knocked out, then SBW will get sent off.
oh yes, happy times, what a joyous day.
19 Apr 2011, 13:44 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-147: The mind boggles
19 Apr 2011, 13:44 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-148: WillieVS has an interesting take on a decent loosie combo:
6. Ratel
7. Alberts
8. Schalk
It is interesting and not sure I agree due to Schalk’s tendency, like Bakkies, to be a walking disciplinary liability, but in terms of selecting a combo by accommodating player’s strengths this is quite a trio. Alberts is undeniably the best 7 on offer for SA if not on the planet and Ratel at 6 is pretty hard to argue with. Schalk at 8 is quite revolutionary in that he will be “loosened up” to be at his destructive best. A roving demolition 8. Its just his misfiring neurons in the heat of the moment that are a cause for concern.
19 Apr 2011, 13:44 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-138:
Blind donkeys, or not so blind ones, will hit their heads against the same wall again and again and again and again….
Stegman………good CC and Super rugby player within the Bulls set up.
Not so good player in Bok set up… in fact, way below average player in Bok set up.
Players like Pocock and HB made an immediate impact on their début. Last time I checked they play the same position and therefore the same role as Steggies.
19 Apr 2011, 13:45 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-150:
“The guys nowhere at the moment”
…yet Stegmann has the highest workrate in South Africa, regardless whether his team his struggling (something bloggers here in the majority are enjoying), so how is that being “nowhere” and “anonymous”? Jislaaik at least let’s use the same definitions in a debate.
19 Apr 2011, 13:45 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-151:
read the article its based on current form in SA, thats all not to say he will get picked but today we are all her talking on current form, thats why i agree, pick the squad in August NOT NOW, and without th right forward pack MS is f…ed, I only see BJ and PG able to take ball on the back foot and do something with it, as for Lambie IMO he is too young to start at the WC the pressure will be to huge and if something goes wrong his career will probably be over before it even starts…
who said anything about being a stormers supporter by the way
19 Apr 2011, 13:45 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-151: Come on guys – you are all blind. Elton jantjies with Earl Rose as a back-up is the answer! Grant and Lambie – don’t compare to the skill, power and pace of Elton and Earl…
19 Apr 2011, 13:47 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-157:
Misfiring neurons !!
You and ET been talking offline ??
19 Apr 2011, 13:47 pm
@cab(cab)-155: One problem Cab… Alberts has been playing 7. That is where he plays best. Otherwise the Sharks would play him at 8. Kanko, as much as most seem wont to do, has been playing well. I would be interested in his overall stats in comparison to GIJoe Spies and Fatty Vermeulen… I suspect Kanko’s would not be bad at all.
19 Apr 2011, 13:47 pm
@nama1(nama1)-158:
Brussow had a 5-minute debut for his entire debut-year. What the hell are you on about?
The next test was on South African soil, having had much much more time to train with that squad and also he didnt just return from a serious injury.
It’s obvious how unfair you are tryiing to be.
19 Apr 2011, 13:48 pm
@Marty(Marty)-161: Hehehehe
19 Apr 2011, 13:49 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-157:
At the same time he might just knock on the ball when the Boks have a 5m scrum………………………. 4 points behind with 5 minutes to go.
19 Apr 2011, 13:49 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-162: I see you becoming a little bit obsessed with ET… Are his exposure of some home truths getting to you?
19 Apr 2011, 13:50 pm
i am with Marty, with Elton and Earl we are sorted, lol ya well whatever
19 Apr 2011, 13:52 pm
@nama1(nama1)-166: Yeah, true.
But 8, like 12, 15 and back up 13 seems to be becoming a bit of a problem position for the Boks.
19 Apr 2011, 13:52 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-167:
The only thing he has exposed is his ignorance……unless he has exposed something more to you in private
19 Apr 2011, 13:56 pm
It makes great drama to be described as having or bringing “BITE” into an aggressive, competitive situation. But have you all considered that a toothless “BITE” is really just a worthless “BITE”.
Where are the TEETH that give the destructiveness, in this player or even the equally toothless players around him(as in the Stormers as he is not a ‘Bok yet.).
We all know too much about the ‘destructiveness’ of toothless sharks relative to the total destruction a Great White Shark.
This guy is a one dimentional, skill-less toothless shark.
I would totally replace him with the skills and thinking of a Luke Watson in any team I pick.
19 Apr 2011, 13:56 pm
@Marty(Marty)-103: Very good article indeed.
In the section on the Springboks, there were some very good points at the end.
If you are not at least slowing down the ball in the modern game, a la Brussow against the Waratahs last month, you are asking for trouble, especially if halves like Genia are allowed to hit big runners with as many forward passes as he did on Saturday.
There’s something for those South African fans who are tired of the forward passes.
There was some solace, however, in the excellent 20-minute cameo of Fourie Du Preez at Suncorp Stadium. In that spell the Bulls scored almost half of their 30 points as the brilliant No.9 got them moving forward. If certain Bulls are to be cut from the Cup squad, he will not be one of them.
That’s something for Skoppie to chew on. During the game, commentator Tim Horan was wondering what Fourie was doing on the bench.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/wallabies-evolution-and-boks-revolution-20110419-1dmxd.html#ixzz1Jy8H4z27
19 Apr 2011, 13:56 pm
@cab(cab)-155: Well said reagrding the fwds. Who would be your 10, Lambie or Morne?
19 Apr 2011, 13:56 pm
i am most concerned about Bakkies.
we do not really have a replacement for him
a fit and firing bakkies with bissy and brussow makes for a mean pack….throw in alberts and the kiwis will be thinking twice…
19 Apr 2011, 13:56 pm
@ET.(ET.)-171:
should read Great White Shark brings
19 Apr 2011, 13:57 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-170: Naah, nothing like you and Gwantie have no doubt exposed to eachother in private… Comparing speedo tanlines is probably just the tip of the iceberg of the other nefarious private bits or activities on offer, hey?
19 Apr 2011, 13:59 pm
all fit and well [ and assuming J Smith out ] I would choose this pack
8 Vermeulen
7 alberts
6 brussow
5 A Bekker
4 Bakkies
3 jannie
2 bissy
1 beast.
fark me them kiwis will be sleeping uneasy.
19 Apr 2011, 14:00 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-176:
LOL !!
19 Apr 2011, 14:00 pm
@grant10(grant10)-174: Rossouw… Sykes…? Not sure about Flip – he seems just as capable as Bakkies to have brain implosion.
The problem with Bakkies is that refs are all over him like a rash.
19 Apr 2011, 14:00 pm
@grant10(grant10)-174: Actually, we have the perfect replacement for Bakkies: Danie Russouw.
19 Apr 2011, 14:00 pm
@grant10(grant10)-177: throw in schalk, cj, matfield and chilliboy on bench and bobs your aunt
19 Apr 2011, 14:01 pm
@grant10(grant10)-174: Who are your best props at the moment?
19 Apr 2011, 14:02 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-164:
You right. HB had a 5 minute début against Wales (was it?) during the 2008 EOYT
See you covered yourself already wrt HB’s first START in the Bok jersey.
OK, tell me this. Among HB, McCaw, Pocock, Flo, …..where do you rate Steggies. No stats please. Just tell me, if you have the option who would be your 1st choice, 2nd…. etc.
I know the other guys are not SA’s. I’m just interested in your opinion.
19 Apr 2011, 14:04 pm
@grant10(grant10)-177: Not sure about Fatty at 8. Also Bekker over Matfield?? Rather Bekker as a decent impact player.
I have lost faith in Bakkies at the moment. I believe there are players available who are not that much inferior in ability but also don’t have his ref stigma.
19 Apr 2011, 14:06 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-167:
He is another toothless ‘shark’ but a cowardly one at that who time after time promises to talk only rugby but fails the very next post to do so.
He knows so much(s hit) that I just ignore him.
Everyone knows his superb rugby brain which tells him “Stormers by 12″ and “Reds are not even in my top 6″ whereas the Reds are now sitting on top of the effin whole ‘shebang’.
Words(his) have indelible meanings and irredeemible consequences for this FOOL.
Toothless and Worthless.
19 Apr 2011, 14:07 pm
@nama1(nama1)-183: Good question. The problem is you are mad to have even thought of including Flo in the same sentence.
You are doing the same thing with Flo as you seem to be implying Agile is doing with the Steg.
19 Apr 2011, 14:08 pm
@ET.(ET.)-185: Hehehehe. Give Mini-me a break… He also probably thinks Peter Grant is a better 10 than Quade Cooper
19 Apr 2011, 14:09 pm
@grant10(grant10)-177:
That’s the loose trio I would go with purely on abilty, but it lacks experience at test level.
Juan if fit or Schalk if Juan not fit is needed for the experience factor imo !!!
Your front row is all Shark affair which from a combination perspective is good, I would not be unhappy with Guthro starting, but keeping the combination makes sense.
Andries ahead of Matfield on form ,for sure !! it won’t happen though !!
19 Apr 2011, 14:10 pm
Got to go… Work calls
19 Apr 2011, 14:11 pm
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-173:
morne or peter grant for me. maybe morne shades it cos his place-kicking which is vital in RWCs, lambie for the next one. England have a similar dilemna, in choosing between wilko or flood – i’d go with wilko every time for RWC but flood creates alot.
19 Apr 2011, 14:11 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-163:
Kanko………..another one with good CC and Super rugby stats but who totally goes awol when he puts on a Bok jersey.
@grant10(grant10)-177:
That look like a pack that will be able to slug it out with the best.
I’ll play Danie Rousouw instead of Vermeulen at 8. He always does well on NZ grounds
19 Apr 2011, 14:12 pm
@ET.(ET.)-185:
Do me a favour and go find me the post where I said Reds are not in my top 6 !!!
Because that’s news to me and you need to get your facts right , again your credibilty is shown up !!!!
19 Apr 2011, 14:14 pm
@Marty(Marty)-182: beast at 1….and Guthro
at 3 Jannie dup….seems to enjoy scrumming with bissy and beast…
CJ…bj….brock all capable….but jannie dup the man .
i would start with the sharks front row for boks
19 Apr 2011, 14:15 pm
@nama1(nama1)-183:
My opinion, (not that you really give a ****, I know) is Richie McCaw first, Stegmann second and Brussow third. No stats, see?
Of course Stegmann fits into he Bulls setup better than a McCaw would. Of course the Boks aren’t identical to the Bulls, but Stegmann is the player most similar to Brussow in the world, IMO and in the opinion of Wynand Claassen’s, superior to Brussow, only slightly.
BTW Im not covering my ***, for what? Im pointing out that those two had very different starts to their test careers, I also pointed out earlier that there is no fair criticsm against Stegmann currently, and that he is our only flank that matching the New Zealanders for workrate, doesn’t that mean anything to you? Especially playing alongside Spies and Potgieter whom are the scourge of the earth nowadays around here)
19 Apr 2011, 14:17 pm
@cab(cab)-190:
Dank die hemele dat jy terug is waar jy regtig behoort.
WELKOM terug, mar jy moet nie jou tyd mors met die onnosele, asseblief tog.
Dis altyd mos net ‘n gemors.
19 Apr 2011, 14:18 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-186:
I included Flo because Tittie compared their stats to begin with. See his earlier post.
I’m on record here as not being a Flo fan.
19 Apr 2011, 14:21 pm
@ET.(ET.)-195:
just popping in for a brief touchdown – all this doom and gloom, we got a great side and chance at the rwc, i hope none of our sides makes this playoffs, the biggest concern for the boks is player fatigue – there is no pack in world rugby that can match the Boks when rested and the best players are fit. We can take the AB backline right out of the game at source.
19 Apr 2011, 14:24 pm
cooper and genia are bladdy good, but horwill and in particular that beau robinson fella they got from nsw is superb – id be tempted to play robison over pocock, he’s like a young schalk.
19 Apr 2011, 14:26 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-188: for the most i can agree with your arguement about the loosies , but to alberts is a must and does not seem to lack because of little experience
he just seems to get stuck in every game
he also does not give away many penalties , this to me is a very gpood sign
19 Apr 2011, 14:26 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-194:
Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I have mine……… you have your’s………… they are different, so what?
As long as you keep Steggies at the Bulls and don’t send him to WP/Stormers or the Boks, I’ll be OK.
19 Apr 2011, 14:27 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-186:
OH right! I didn’t even notice Flou Louw’s name there. Oops.
Yeah well, jokes aside, Flo is good, really good on a good day, but Brussow and Stegmann are vying for the same position and Flo is lower in that pecking order, sorry.
And with all these “comparisons” and “opinions’ flying around in the absence of stats, I would like to point out that Stegmann came out on top in his head-to-head encounters with Brussow for the past 3 years, since 2008. Look at the 2009 Currie Cup final and 2010 S14 opener most recently and most notably.
Brussow is damn good, but his legendary status a bit blown up by an awesome handful of games in the 2009 3N.
19 Apr 2011, 14:27 pm
@nama1(nama1)-196: agree with you nama , and i dont believe stegmann is bok material either
19 Apr 2011, 14:30 pm
192
I cannot believe that you now actually want to LIE about it weeks after it was revealed after the shameful result you suffered. If it is so untrue only now why was it not untrue and DENIED the day of the Reds victory on the 9TH day of APRIL when your stupidity was exposed for all the world to see?
Do you also want to refute the “Stormers by 12″ ?
I will not waste my time but I will direct you to the Thurs/Fri Pre-view thread of that week. A post or 2 before or after that “Stormers by 12 comment” .
You are truly feeling the stinging lashes from the salted whip. Are you into the ********** fad?
What I know is that you are a fraud and now a LIAR too.
Go back to your ignorant “just rugby’”
Done and dusted.
19 Apr 2011, 14:31 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-199:
True !!! my problem is collectively as a unit they are short on experience, Brusow would be the senior and how many games has he played ?
Not saying that I would be unhappy if the trio of Alberts , Brusow and Duane started but having someone in that loose trio who has played in and won a WC would seem the better option, I am not sure on this one ???
19 Apr 2011, 14:33 pm
@nama1(nama1)-200:
Yes, it can be amusing reading some of these opinions, but try being as unbiased as possible wrt the Bulls’ current situation.
Consider the stats.
The discrepancy between Flou and Stegmann can’t be glossed-over by the differing gameplans, or team dynamics. Espcially considering certain of the “stand alone” skills.
Stegmann in these instances is simply working harder than Louw, not my problem, get on Flou’s case and lay off of Stegmann who is doing his unthankful job for heavens sake.
19 Apr 2011, 14:34 pm
@cab(cab)-190: Guys who say Morne cant put the guys away to score – short memories! 61 points in a S14 final not two years ago…. Beginners luck!
19 Apr 2011, 14:34 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-204: yeah JR i understand where ur comming from
me personally ?? i am praying juan smith with be fine to play
8 alberts
7 juan
6 brussow?? now this would be the best combo hands down
19 Apr 2011, 14:36 pm
Lambie for me thanks.
19 Apr 2011, 14:36 pm
Is there a bigger bore than this ET halfwit on the internet? I certainly hope not.
19 Apr 2011, 14:36 pm
@rugby911(rugby911)-206: 911 , i dont doubt he can send players away
i doubt his abillity to now change as a player to fit into the new style of most rugby team
he stands to deep and somehow does not like the contact to stand closer like a lambie or butch for example
steyn is a very good 10 despite some writing him off
19 Apr 2011, 14:38 pm
@cab(cab)-197:
I do not agree with you on this conclusion but will say I give just 1% that the performances are all just a deliberate ruse(eye-blind) and distraction for all the opponents of RWC 2011.
This will mean that a totally different and focussed ‘Bok team will be witnessed even after the TNs and that is difficult for me to wrap my brain around.
What I will say is that you do not need to just make a qick pop-in as you belong here especially in this 2011 WC season.
19 Apr 2011, 14:38 pm
@ET.(ET.)-203:
The by more than 12 for sure !!
I still believe Stormers are 12 points better than the Reds !!!
But you have quoted me as saying they are not in my top 6, I say that until you get that quote which you have been harping on about and paste it here I say you are lying , and then you owe an apology, I will publicly apologise if I did quote that, but I don’t recall it , you quoted me……………… now prove it !!!
19 Apr 2011, 14:38 pm
According to Titman, the best fetchers in order from best to worst are.
1. McCaw
2. Stegman
3. HB
4. Pocock ( I’m guessing here that you’ll have him ahead of Flo)
5. Flo
19 Apr 2011, 14:39 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-208: hiyas boetman , you well??
19 Apr 2011, 14:41 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-214:
As well as can be, but a bit busy lately!
19 Apr 2011, 14:41 pm
@ET.(ET.)-203:
All those stars are substituted for D o m i n a t r i x.
19 Apr 2011, 14:42 pm
Also Nama, I have to add, continueing what you were saying about the debuts: we only got to see Brussow for 5 minutes in the NH in ’08
in ’09 we saw a few games from Brussow after Burger was taken out in the Ireland game we lost.
Anybody here remeber how Brussow fared in the ’09 EOTY tour?
Yes, that’s right, dead-avarage. No one laid to much criticism at his door, because
A) a good SH season in a Bok jumper (something that you aren’t willing to grant Stegmann an opportunity to do)
and
B) Brussow had an extra season of superrugby under his belt.
See? I guess not…..
19 Apr 2011, 14:43 pm
oops continueing= continuing
…WHAT? I’m a numbers guy, ok?
19 Apr 2011, 14:45 pm
@nama1(nama1)-213:
Thanks for summarizing, is this the start of a beautiful friendship?
19 Apr 2011, 14:47 pm
-212:
Convenient LIAR!!
So you remember the “by 12″ but not the stupid assessment of the brillant REDS. Still think you truly know rugby beyond the CLUB level( but not good enough for any team beyond)?
You may even have mentioned that “Reds not….6″ in the very same thread but I do not care . It is your STUPIDITY’
Just like your “Vasco” and my AJAX(CT or Amsterdam), same difference.
19 Apr 2011, 14:47 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-217: not true about brussow on eoyt 2009….in a pack that turbo reversed at a snotspoed Brussow fought valiantly and i remember against france if it was not for the brussel sprout it would have got damn ugly.
19 Apr 2011, 14:50 pm
@ET.(ET.)-220: ag just go fark yourself you like a ranting old lady with a wet panty man…
Justrugby, do yourself a huge favour, just ignore the oke….he is simply not worth your bandwidth.
This by the way my last post ever to you ET….
19 Apr 2011, 14:51 pm
@grant10(grant10)-221:
yes Grant, I’m really sayiing that if that was his debut the verdict would still be pending.
We haven’t even gotten the chance to see Stegmann on SH fields as we have Brussow in a Bok-jumper, or fully-recovered from that hamstring tear. (On top of that the 2009 Laws were much more lenient towards our opneside flanks, remember?)
Things aren’t so simple, gee kans.
19 Apr 2011, 14:54 pm
@cab(cab)-190: Grant is kicking really well for posts and offers a more all round game than Morne so would be close between those 2. For some reason Grant never wants to punt a rugby ball and get distance (seen him do it once only) but this can be counted by Fourie or a 15 taking the kicks for touch.
19 Apr 2011, 14:54 pm
@grant10(grant10)-193: Agreed. Beast and Gurthro are both of international standard so we are sorted at loosehead. Jannie is the best we have as tighthead and yes, he is probably also of international standard. For the back-up tighthead we need to choose the best of the rest.
Coenie Oosthuizen – haven’t had time to assess him but there seems to be a lot of discussion around him. What’s the story with this bloke? Does he play tighthead as well?
For the loosies definitely 6. Brussow 7. Alberts 8. Vermeulen and THEN let Juan get fit for WC, let a head doc get a hold of Spies and make him a blood thirsty thug and let Schalk get back to his old ways – THEN chaps, we have quite some loosie combo…
19 Apr 2011, 14:54 pm
@nama1(nama1)-213: there are 3 world class fetchers Pocock , HB and McCaw
south africa has a few other that do a fetching job but are nowhere is that class as fetchers
the best fetcher in SA after HB is a hooker named Bismark , go look at the stats
what people tend to forget is the total role of the player and not only the fetching part , and how effective is he as a player , and how does he fit in a player in the loosie combo ??????????
To use the sharks as an example… you dont have a loose forward fether perse, but you have a flank like deysel that can perform the role but also offers other attributes
Thus you will find the most effective loose trio for the sharks would be, Kanko, Alberts and Deysel, with the backup of Daniel and Botes,
So each team has to have a good loose trio combo , and yes Stegmann fits into the Bulls scenario but would he fit into a Stormer setup or Sharks etc ??
Now the Sharks loose trio could prove to be the best of the SA sides in the Super15 but would they be the best for the Boks??
19 Apr 2011, 14:55 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-217:
During the ’09 EOYT, the whole Bok team played poor. HB did well. Remember the match against France for example? He was the stand out forward in a very kak display by the Bok forwards.
Last year, the Bok team played much better during the EOYT. They won 3/4. Steggies, for some reason, failed to perform well in those matches. Even the ones that we won.
I will give you this. Stegman outplayed HB on at least two occasions that I can remember. The 2009 CC final being one of them. How much the Bulls’ forward dominance have to do with him outplaying HB at provincial level, is anybody’s guess. The fact remains however, he was not able to have the same impact at international level when he was afforded the chance.
19 Apr 2011, 14:55 pm
@grant10(grant10)-221:
Things got ugly anyway. And the other game was Italy.
19 Apr 2011, 14:56 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-157: Certainly a possibility. I still think any one of a number of combos could be quite devastating and the best thing is each brings its own dynamic. Alberts played 8 for many years at the Lions so he´no slouch there. You could just as easily swop Burger for Alberts in that scenario. The on position that I do think the optimum player is set is 6 – Brussouw. Although possible F Louw can bring something to the table here. Otherwise Vermeulen at 7 with Alberts at 8 could be firghtening too. Possibilities are pretty vast. Perhaps Johnson at 7 might be another option – He makes too many errors at 8 I think. Either way if our loose trio isnt devastating it will be thanks to the selectors.
Add in the mix Becker Rossouw and or Elstadt and y Bisamarck, Beast and just about every forward has the ability to steal ball and mark hard years on the run. Our pack should be highly mobile but solid – Beast; Bismarck, Jannie, Rossouw, Becker, Brussouw, Alberts, Vermeulen sounds pretty scary to me.
Its the backs that are the real concern.
19 Apr 2011, 14:57 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-223: I am with you on this…..
For me Brussow or stegmann would always be in my boks mix…..with F Louw also a possibilty…
19 Apr 2011, 14:59 pm
@grant10(grant10)-222:
True a waste of bandwidth, but i want bloggers to know that I never said anything about the Reds not being in my top 6 as this oke claims, let them decide who the fraud is.
19 Apr 2011, 14:59 pm
The repeated but hurtful truths are a BORE but they are also so very PAINFUL for those so eager to hide their wrong presentations of their woeful situations.
19 Apr 2011, 14:59 pm
@nama1(nama1)-227:
OK boet, not everyone’s opinion that Stegmann performed poorly, (on his debut he did the most work of the 3 members of that trio, Juan Smith getting some good yards in with that intercept try from the Irish lineout), they are continuing in the same vein this year, and as I pointed out earlier, totally unwarranted.
19 Apr 2011, 15:03 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-226:
The “fetcher’s” most important contribution isn’t the fetching, Mr. Lover Man.
19 Apr 2011, 15:04 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-226:
Agree with you.
19 Apr 2011, 15:05 pm
222
Is that not your SECOND supposed last post to me?
Is there a third or a fourth?
Please do spare me those as I do not, for a long while now, see myself having addressed a post to you specifically.
On your sulking way out just check your and your buddies thong for wetness, please.
19 Apr 2011, 15:07 pm
@nama1(nama1)-235:
19 Apr 2011, 15:07 pm
@Alfred E Neuman(MR Lam)-160: If you talking about Current “form” then Ebersohn (not just my subjective opinion but in Rugby365 team of the week behind QC. again subjective and by no means authoritative) is the man, and thats not saying he should be the Bok standoff either. On “current” form with his performance against the vaunted Stormers D, Burton Francis is also not too shabby.
Whats “young” got to do with it? Already Lambie has at least as much experience in the Bok setup, if not more, than Grant… Lambie has also performed in a final of a competition (yes, a domestic final, but still a final). Has Grant performed in a final when the pressure is on. Has he won a game single handedly a la Naas – his praise singer? Lambie has won a couple of games in a different way by scoring tries. He has also coped with attention of other teams under big bombs in another position.
Peter Grant? No flaming way is he above Lambie. Not on your Nelly.
19 Apr 2011, 15:10 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-234:
Now pray tell what his most important role is?
19 Apr 2011, 15:10 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-201: Mate, I can’t agree that Steg is a superior nuisance to the opposing team than Ratel. Especially since Ratel performs in a by all accounts inferior pack to the Bulls. Do you think Steg would be as good as you think he is, or your stats indicate, in the Cheetahs pack. And could you imagine what mischief Ratel would get up to in the Bulls pack? I don’t even want to think about it.
19 Apr 2011, 15:13 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-226: I would “hate” to see 8 Kanko, 7 Alberts, 6 Ratel or 8 Alberts 7 Deysel 6 Ratel with Daniel off the bench… Can you imagine that
19 Apr 2011, 15:13 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-240: imagine him in the sharks pack
19 Apr 2011, 15:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-241: see my posting to you just after
was thinking just that
startoff with deysel alberts and brussow , then when the other team is farked bring on kanko and daniel to cause havock with speed
19 Apr 2011, 15:15 pm
@nama1(nama1)-239:
Can only think work rate
19 Apr 2011, 15:17 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-240:
HB plays a full 80 in the Cheetahs pack- out of necessity, If Stegmann played there he too would be playing 80 minutes a week, and his stats would be higher.
Consider the role (@nama1(nama1)-239: ) and these flanks need to get to the breakdowns, and predict them, and show porper form and toughness when their fitness gets them there.
That is not entirely up to the effectiveness of the respective team as a whole, it just isn’t.
In a worse-off team, Stegmann in his role will have even more work to do.
19 Apr 2011, 15:18 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-233:
You were probably the only one who said that Steggies did well on the EOYT. The consensus amongst most, even our blogging friends from NZ/Aus, were that Steggies was just plain kak on the tour.
Enough of this anyhow.
Steggies should be in the Bok team. That’s my opinion.
19 Apr 2011, 15:18 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-243: Bejaysus!
19 Apr 2011, 15:20 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-159: Well you can say the same of Habana man – The guy is industrious off the ball effects trunovers etc etc etc, but lets face facts – he´s not realy being vey effective. The same applies for Stegmann – his stats state he´s doing the business and no doubt he´s a hard worker but when it comes to the nitty gritty he isnt cutting it – you can not compare him to Brussouw, Burger at his best, Smith, Alberts or Vermeulen. Even Francois Louw. he may have marginally better stats than Francois Louw but no doubt in my mind Francois Louw is doing more damage than Stgemann at present. Either way the guy is not going to teh World Cup in 100 years – he got a chance last year – he didnt do the business. Compare Brussouw – he had a far more serious injury than Stegmann, 1 year layoff, playing for one of the underdogs in Super rugby against an in form team (at the time) – they go on to win for the first time in Australia – Brussouw stifles the ball and turns it over at will. How can you even begin to compare these guys? Tell me how? Brussouw was everywhere. No theyre not cut from the same cloth. Not in a million years. I held some hope for him at one stage but he failed to deliver (both in Super rugby as well as in the Tests with the Boks)
19 Apr 2011, 15:21 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-244: morne i know many wont agree but i reckon a loose trio for the Boks
8 Alberts
7 Juan
6 Brussow
and or
8 Alberts
7 Deysel
6 Brussow
eish they could cause havock
19 Apr 2011, 15:21 pm
whew! Interesting arcticle on Rugby 365 by Grant Ball entitled ‘ crucial fortnight for smits future’.
hectic stuff i tell you….
especially the part about the fight at training with bissy and smit….
19 Apr 2011, 15:21 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-247:
19 Apr 2011, 15:22 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-244:
these flanks average about 2 turnovers a game.
Of course it isn’t their most important contribution when they are putting in the most tackles on average in the team and contesting rucks the most.
If the blindside get a bunch of t/o, good for him, he is an assest for his carrying ability.
Yes the fetchers are supposed to be specialist on the, and there are only a few handful of SOuth Africans with good form in that department: Flo, Brussow, Stegmann are about it, despite all this talk of our loosie wealth.
Very clearly their breakdown support is more valuable, it’s what they do the most.
19 Apr 2011, 15:25 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-245:
Sorry, have to respond.
“In a worse-off team, Stegmann in his role will have even more work to do.”
It makes sense then that his stats will be superior to that of HB as he has less to do playing in the better team, not so?
Doesn’t necessarily mean he is better. He just looks better because he has less work to do.
19 Apr 2011, 15:25 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-245: Consider these scenarios:
1. Steg’s agent phones Dolf Straeuli and offers Steg to the Sharks. The conversation would be one way – It will be Agent asking Straeuli: “How much are you prepared to offer?”
2. Ratel’s agent phones Dolf Straeuli and offers Ratel to the Sharks. The conversation would again be one way – It will be Straeuli asking Agent: “How much do you want?”
I suggest its more than just subjective perception.
19 Apr 2011, 15:26 pm
The article Grant 10 is referring to !!
Crucial fortnight for Smit
Tue, 19 Apr 2011 05:03
What does the future hold for John Smit? (c) Gallo
rugby365.com columnist Grant Ball believes Bok captain John Smit has only a fortnight to find his form and fight off his rival for the captaincy armband, Victor Matfield.
With Peter de Villiers’s ultimatum that John Smit will only play at hooker, the Bok captain has to hit form before May 2.
Smit has just two matches before the Springbok captain is announced in early May. De Villiers has said he won’t be considered at prop, listing Gurthro Steenkamp, Tendai Mtawarira (looseheads), Jannie du Plessis and CJ Van der Linde (tightheads) as better options. He said Smit will only be considered if he plays hooker. That’s reliant on Sharks coach John Plumtree’s team announcement on Thursday, and although the pair met on Monday, Plumtree’s very seldom bowed to De Villiers’s requests.
If Smit doesn’t play hooker, then what? If he does play No.2 and doesn’t perform, then there’s no justification in selecting him as Bok captain on May 2.
The big problem for De Villiers is that the next in line, Victor Matfield, has also been well below average in recent weeks, and is producing his worst form since becoming a Bok in 2001. If De Villiers axes Smit and replaces him with Matfield, that would be a case of double standards, as Matfield also doesn’t warrant a starting spot in the Bok team on current form.
De Villiers also blamed some of the senior players’ performances on ‘personal problems’. Who ever the player is, that shouldn’t be a valid excuse. What happens when he has personal problems during the World Cup? The players aren’t merely robots and deserve a degree of compassion, but at the same time, they’re also very well-paid professionals, and their performances should reflect that.
Maybe the only personal problems affecting the senior players are that they’re fatigued, not good enough any more and/or they’re too old?
De Villiers mentioned that there is a ‘cut-off date’ when time is up for under-performing players, and that seems to be over the next two weeks with Smit. Plumtree will announce his Sharks side to face the Hurricanes on Thursday, and that will say a lot what he thinks of De Villiers’s request.
Bismarck du Plessis has been the best hooker in Super Rugby this year, and it will be a massive call if Plumtree decides to start with Smit. Much of the Sharks’ problems early in last year’s campaign stemmed from the Du Plessis/Smit feud (which even led to a fight on the training pitch overseas), and Du Plessis having to step aside won’t sit well with him. Understandably so – Du Plessis is delivering and Smit isn’t.
Another problem with making Matfield captain is that the Bulls’ axis will hold even more power within the Bok camp. That wouldn’t be such a big problem if the Bulls were on form and their game-plan wasn’t outdated, but that’s clearly not the case.
Matfield wielded too much power on last year’s Grand Slam tour, where it was his call to start Zane Kirchner at outside centre against Ireland, and not to hand Pat Lambie a first Test start at fullback, simply because he didn’t want Morne Steyn’s berth to be placed in jeopardy. If Matfield takes charge, expect many similar pro-Bulls decisions to the detriment of the Boks.
If Smit stays, expect Matfield to cut a dismissive figure.
Either way, it’s a big problem for the Boks with less than five months to go until the World Cup
19 Apr 2011, 15:27 pm
One more thing. If guys start finding form in the latter stages of the Super rugby tournament again and if we get some synergy going in the backlines those boys down under may just be in for a nasty surprise cos we certainly have the personnel to beat them (when playing in form).
It will be intersting to see how the next 4 months pan out. All that hurt in the Bulls team and Stormers lacking potency. The hurt of Lions and Cheetahs not winning. Theres a lot pushing us at the moment… there certainly isnt complaceny at present and that is a positive. If PDV keeps to his word that no-one is assured a spot then we may just seem some serious resurgence amongst the Boks.
19 Apr 2011, 15:28 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-248:
“marginally better” than Louw? Please take another look man.
Not sure what you mean by nitty gritty, there is no other damn conclusion other than concluding that Stegmann is setting his face as flint.
And secondly, yes I greatly admire Brussow in this yaer’s comeback, he DID stifle their ball, they DID get their first-ever win in down there, but take a look at his workrate, it was poor. Brussow needs to recover, and shortly after that he is out again. Brussow is tops, we know this, but he will need to demonstrate that he can recover and deliver a high workrate before the RWC.
19 Apr 2011, 15:28 pm
a team without a fetcher ….against a team with a fetcher….is in the kak …
49 nil ring a bell….
got to fight fire with fire….as long as the pococks and mc caws are around we will need the steggmanns, flos and brussows…..
for years I saw the aussies and kiwis have free lunches….we were so farken dumb in our selections….thanks to jake the snake
19 Apr 2011, 15:32 pm
@grant10(grant10)-258: and where is the world cup under that snake????????????????????????????????
19 Apr 2011, 15:32 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-254: well with F Louw off to Bath I hope the Stormers are making a few calls to Brussow as well…
19 Apr 2011, 15:33 pm
@nama1(nama1)-253:
Ag heerlikheid ou man, you will be doing more in 80 minutes than 60 minutes, regardless of how you pace yourself.
19 Apr 2011, 15:33 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-252:
No need to preach to me pal, I have been saying for some time the whole ‘fetcher’ theory (pilfering, steals etc) is flawed.
19 Apr 2011, 15:33 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-257: sure youre right.
19 Apr 2011, 15:33 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-259: we didnt have to play aussies or kiwis in that wc….thankfully.
19 Apr 2011, 15:34 pm
Jake got the job at the Brumbies btw. News should hit anytime soon.
19 Apr 2011, 15:36 pm
fetching is not about the steals only.
its about getting across to make the tackles and make the oppo ball slow.
without a ‘prize ‘ fetcher boks may as well stay at home.
19 Apr 2011, 15:36 pm
@grant10(grant10)-250: Its not so much a fight between Bissy and Barney that concerns me. In some ways that actually is a positive – two rivals fighting it out because they care and they are competitive. Also puts paid to the silly suggestion that Barney’s heart isn’t in it, hey??
Whats more concerning is this:
“Matfield wielded too much power on last year’s Grand Slam tour, where it was his call to start Zane Kirchner at outside centre against Ireland, and not to hand Pat Lambie a first Test start at fullback, simply because he didn’t want Morne Steyn’s berth to be placed in jeopardy. If Matfield takes charge, expect many similar pro-Bulls decisions to the detriment of the Boks.”.
This reminds me of the old days of Natal where many a good bananaboy player was denied opportunity by another player playing for the “correct” side… Or the Natal player was seen as too much of a “soutie” loose cannon.
Fark this, if its true.
19 Apr 2011, 15:36 pm
Brussouw needs to start against NZ and Aus. Schalk can handle the other Nations.
19 Apr 2011, 15:37 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-262:
So we agree, more or less, what your view?
(Not trying to preach BTW, just responding normal-wise, call me Dominee then)
19 Apr 2011, 15:38 pm
@grant10(grant10)-260: I am sure he will prefer the Sharks… Better coaching
19 Apr 2011, 15:38 pm
bokke will be in dire straights if fatboy turbo-reverse specialist smit plays at the wc.if fatboy plays then the debate of fetcher or no fetcher becomes irrelevant.removing of the cancerous fatboy is of paramount importance for the boks in terms of wc success.
19 Apr 2011, 15:38 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-265: Very interesting. Starting next season right?
19 Apr 2011, 15:39 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-267: I knew about that ‘ fight’…heard it from a very good mate who is a big wheel in durban…..
But 1 st time i have seen it mentioned in print.
when i ‘hinted ‘ at the problems that Smit was causing in the team , I was told I am talking kak , etc.
now its coming out.
always said the real cancer in sharks and boks was Smit….
Just because he wants the 2 shirt dont a fark mean he deserves it.
19 Apr 2011, 15:39 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-269:
Tongue in cheek mate.
I think we pretty much agree, work rate and contributions around the park is first prize. This guy should be wherever the ball is, anticipation, conditioning and execution is key.
19 Apr 2011, 15:40 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-272:
No details yet, they keeping it very hush but someone did let it slip that he got a ‘job’.
19 Apr 2011, 15:41 pm
@Tecumseh(Tecumseh)-271: 100 % CORRECT
19 Apr 2011, 15:41 pm
@grant10(grant10)-266: So a quick player will make a good fetcher? He needs to arrive first at the breakdown to either steal the ball or slow down the ball. On attack he needs to arrive first at the breakdown to protect the ball and provide quick ball.
19 Apr 2011, 15:42 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-265: so we shall see just what he is capable of now that he´s got a poorly performing outfit. Will be interesting to see.
19 Apr 2011, 15:42 pm
Jake: “Haven’t got the job yet, just finished the interview and will hopefully know by Monday/Tuesday”
19 Apr 2011, 15:42 pm
Going going gooner for now
19 Apr 2011, 15:43 pm
matfield should use his power in a positive way and get pdv to get rid of john smit as soon as humanely possible.
19 Apr 2011, 15:43 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-254:
Does that apply to any team- or commercial manager from any team?
Bulls wont take Brussow above Stegmann, even from the confessional.
That doesn’t take anything away from Brussow.
19 Apr 2011, 15:44 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-274: Ok so were all agreed then Stegman for the World Cup? Jeesus please.
19 Apr 2011, 15:45 pm
@Tecumseh(Tecumseh)-271: If Smit starts we need Brussouw at 6. If Bissie starts the Burger can play 6. Simple.
19 Apr 2011, 15:46 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-274:
Good. Agreed. Pretty simple though.
Well then, the stats so far claim that Stegmann is leading the way amongst South African opensiders, cant argue there (Flou an obvious inclusion in comparison here).
19 Apr 2011, 15:46 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-283:
IMO individuals are not important so much, it is the combination which is vital.
We have a lot of guys capable of playing openside, but how the combination goes as a whole will be far more important than one individual.
19 Apr 2011, 15:47 pm
if we are honest with ourselves even chillyboy is playing better rugby at the moment than turbo-reverse smit.i just don’t buy this ‘taking fatboy along for his leadership abilities’ when he will in fact cost us the games.
19 Apr 2011, 15:48 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-277:
A quick player doesnt make a good openside. But it sure does give you an advantage though.
19 Apr 2011, 15:49 pm
Also if your defence is not solid and you are on the back foot thats when you need a fetcher. If the Boks defence is tight and we are knocking teams behind the advantage line then Schalk will be ok.
19 Apr 2011, 15:50 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-284: EVEN BETTER IF BRUSSOW AND BISSY START….
WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU WANT TO WEAKEN THE TEAM BY PLAYING A NON FETCHER AT OPENSIDE?
yOU REALTED TO jAKE?
19 Apr 2011, 15:50 pm
@grant10(grant10)-290: Sorry caps
19 Apr 2011, 15:52 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-288: Yes it does. I think anticipation is the defining attribute for an opensider.
19 Apr 2011, 15:52 pm
Keo tweets.
“Ryk neethling congrats jake on his new job in tweet so someone has finally employed him. Jake and brumbies. Should b interesting match up”
19 Apr 2011, 15:52 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-280:
“Gooner”…..gonna break some knuckles in some good old fashioned extortion?
Can I hire you? Nedbank owes me sum
19 Apr 2011, 15:53 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-289: you not thinking straight….really you arent mate
19 Apr 2011, 15:54 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-286: Well then surely a combo of Brussouw Smith and Spies would be the most insync? Is it the best at the moment? Is a combo of Brussouw, Alberts, Spies any different from Stegmann, Alberts, Spies? Not much I would say.
I agree its the way they work together – but Stegmann and Brussouw are similar players in the way they play. Just tha Brussouw is more effective.
19 Apr 2011, 15:54 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-289: ‘then schalk will be ok’….that says it all….
play a proper opensider man, why the fark risk a team without one?
Just stupid if you ask me!!
19 Apr 2011, 15:56 pm
Again for Mshiniwami who was having me on fro Sarel Pretorius yesterday – from Jake Whites blog – the master of pick them big…
A: There is no such thing as a player not being big enough. Look at Ricky Januarie and George Gregan’s size and how they performed when they were at their best. The question is whether the player is good enough. Sarel Pretorius is probably even smaller than Dewaldt, but Sarel is the form South African player in Super Rugby. Dewaldt has a very difficult task in the current South African scrumhalf context, with Fourie du Preez by far the best. Ruan Pienaar is playing well overseas, Sarel has been so good, while Charl McLeod was picked for the November tour last year.
Shall I repeat that?
but Sarel is the form South African player in Super Rugby
The stats back it up. Doesnt have much of a kicking game and his defence needs to sort itself out but the rest is magic.
19 Apr 2011, 15:56 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-292:
Yeah, the anticipation is not just predicting where the breakdowns are likely to occur, but also what to do at the breakdown you arrive at, whether to commit or not, this is key, and ALWAYS goes unseen by the casual spectators who only ever scream for the bystanders to “get stuck in”.
Picking your battles is vital for opensiders, even small things in decision-making boiling down to crocodile rolling your opponent off a ruck, or smothering or binding onto him, the openside needs to make many more split-second decisions than is apparent from the stands.
19 Apr 2011, 15:57 pm
@grant10(grant10)-297: I say Schalk at 6 Danie Rossouw at 7 and someone big and slow at 8 – maybe Lawrence Sephaka. Killerrrrr.
19 Apr 2011, 15:58 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-299: Exactly why Brussouw is so good.
19 Apr 2011, 16:01 pm
@grant10(grant10)-290: lol It can be done. If Brussouw start we missing a lineout option and another potent ball carrier. Both options has merit it will depend on the opposition and on the conditions. @grant10(grant10)-290: Smit is going to make the team so we need to accomodate him.
Outta here
Cheers guys
Enjoy the week of Passover.
19 Apr 2011, 16:01 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-300: you jakes twin?
19 Apr 2011, 16:02 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-302: dont be so sure about plod
19 Apr 2011, 16:04 pm
LOL…..amazing how so many can have different opinions on the same subject………….. that’s rugby for you , man there is nothing like it !!!!!!!
19 Apr 2011, 16:05 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-305: true.@grant10(grant10)-304: Just think about it.
19 Apr 2011, 16:08 pm
@grant10(grant10)-303: Come now were on the same side.
This in from Planet Rugby team of the week then to satisfy your non White tendencies you bloody agent!
9 Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs): A hat-trick of tries for the Cheetahs, it’s no surprise that Pretorius’ skills are wanted in the northern hemisphere. If the Boks don’t pick him, someone else will.
I keep saying it – the rest keep saying it but us Saffas are lekker dom and we dont recognise talent when we see it till its too late. How many on here were going ahhh Lambie aint ready yet and he´s too young and balh blah blah and now everyone regards him as a must have in the team. Lame man lame.
19 Apr 2011, 16:09 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-302:
A fit Brussow IS a potent ball carrier, it’s just that the AMOUNT of carrying he gets to do in his role is less. These kids aren’t small, they’re just short, and it fits their role like a glove that they are short.
19 Apr 2011, 16:10 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-267:
Before that eoyt I boldly predicted(and debated with Goodie) one Sunday here in early Nov. that Matfield would do much to advance his captaincy cause for the RWC on that tour among that group of players in the absence of Smit and further said (to Cab also that day) that this would all lead to much more problems(dissension in the team) further down the road and eventually players just playing for their last big payday and without any commitment and motivation and confidence.
19 Apr 2011, 16:12 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-308: yes….exactly, the steggmann, brussow body type ideal for the modern day fetcher…
19 Apr 2011, 16:15 pm
6. Brussouw
7. Juan
8. Albert or
6. Brussouw
7. Albert
8. Danie
if you play a fetcher.
6. Schalk
7. Juan
8. Alberts or
6. Schalk
7. Alberts
8. Danie
if you play a bruiser type combo. Guys that can turn over the ball by pushing the opponent right off/over the ball at a ruck (with the help of the other forwards of course) and drive the maul backwards to create turn over ball or ensure that the opponents get their ball on the back foot.
19 Apr 2011, 16:18 pm
@grant10(grant10)-310:
Yeah tell you what, wrt to the carrying Iori mentioned, that these kids with a low centre of gravity make an impact with ball in hand is apparent, and they are difficult to remove off their feet, especially head-on, definitely not only upto weight in that department. Stegmann currently sits with a 82% gainline success over Flo’s 68% (Amount of carries is up to the team, success of carry- mostly up to you).
19 Apr 2011, 16:21 pm
The whole discussion on Stegman and the loosies is interesting and also revives the question as to what makes a good International player.
Let me say that I would have Stegman in my team anyday as a Sharkie simply because in the modern game you need players with an engine like his and I don’t believe there is any other loose forward in SA with the same engine (Keegan included).
What makes a great international player for me is not so much what they do on the field as to what they enable others to do on the field which is why Schalk, Jacque Fourie,FDP, Brussouw, Lambie, Bakkies (apart from the thuggery) and Victor ( more for his attention to detail) are the guys that I reckon are International class and will always be.
Schalk is enormous in freeing up other players to play to their strengths just simply by getting around the park and putting in the tackles.
I cannot say that I see a Duanne Vermeulen in the same category but I do think that Steggies would be there for me personally.
So i guess most of you are now saying “thank goodness he is not a national selector”
19 Apr 2011, 16:21 pm
@nama1(nama1)-311:
“bruiser type” you say? Matt Todd and Whitelock (George) aren’t exactly “bruisers” at the Crusaders, neither is Keiran that lumpiest 8 to roll out of that subduction-**** of an island, but they’ve been bumping everybody, why
19 Apr 2011, 16:24 pm
@nama1(nama1)-311: without the fetcher that team loses 6 love …6 love.
that you can take to the bank
19 Apr 2011, 16:27 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-313:
Yeah I agree, of course, Stegmann keeps his trio’s head above water by getting around the park like he does.
In the case of Keegan, he has been great with ball in hand (when he keeps it), but really not spectacular at the rucks , the Sharks tight five share a large amount of work there, with their main carrier (Alberts) solely focussing on attakc, only tackling what comes his way. I think this is very effective.
19 Apr 2011, 16:28 pm
@nama1(nama1)-311: What, no GIJoe???
I like your 8 Danie 7 Alberts 6 Ratel… Very reminiscent of Kitch Christie’s play of Mark Andrews at 8. If its good enough for Kitch its good enough for everyone. Hell yeah!
19 Apr 2011, 16:29 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-314:
REALLY?
cant a guy say fart??
then let me mend this post:
@nama1(nama1)-311:
@nama1(nama1)-311:
“bruiser type” you say? Matt Todd and Whitelock (George) aren’t exactly “bruisers” at the Crusaders, neither is Keiran that lumpiest 8 to roll out of that subduction-fart of an island, but they’ve been bumping everybody, why
19 Apr 2011, 16:30 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-314:
Because of their back line?
19 Apr 2011, 16:31 pm
@ET.(ET.)-309: Yeah, I don’t like the overtones in that article. Possibly its another SA sports journo making a nice big fairy tale… These fools have lost credibility… Give me Dan Retief anyday.
But if it is true then it is not good. And it validates your point on PdV’s lack of authority… WTF was he when these decisions were made?
19 Apr 2011, 16:36 pm
@nama1(nama1)-319:
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA
good one.
love it.
19 Apr 2011, 16:36 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-313: Yeah, I would have Stegmann anyday as a loosie at the Sharks over Fatty Vermeulen.
Though if Ratel was on offer at the same time then “Stegmann, who?” (Sorry Agile)
19 Apr 2011, 16:37 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-320: ja
when i said that Plod had ‘lost the changeroom ‘ i was also accused of being a ‘drama queen ‘.
This kak has been brewing since end of 2009 already…..another reason i believe plod simply cannot go to WC as a non starter….the rifts will be further enhanced….
Plod is the real cancer…..the rest of the players realise he is a liability as well….they are not fools….
19 Apr 2011, 16:38 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-321:
19 Apr 2011, 16:40 pm
hehehehe cant stop giggling at that.
Kids pay close attention to uncle Agile, Become CEO, MD or whatever or be a pleb in the works, or better yet, become a professional rugby player. After working 30 hours straight your ears will start to have a high-pitched whine like an overloaded mobo capacitor and you will start laughing at Nama1′s jokes.
19 Apr 2011, 16:42 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-322:
Hey, your loss, let’s keep it like that
BTW, my post 294, your services for hire?
19 Apr 2011, 16:48 pm
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (capt), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling.
Substitutes: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Derick Kuun, 21 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
Surely ou Steggies will be MoM against the Force on Saturday, of hoe Titman?
I mean, who is he up against?
19 Apr 2011, 16:52 pm
huge game for bulls…..they lose its all over rover.
sharks should beat Canes…..but if they slip up….whew…..stormers will be quids in i tell you!
19 Apr 2011, 16:53 pm
Jono Jenkins I believe, firstly,
and secondly, Stegmann will be MotM not because he is or isn’t up against Pocock (inujury) or whomever he may be up against….he will be MotM simply because he is Stegmann.
19 Apr 2011, 16:54 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-320:
Grant Ball was a ‘writer’ of articles here ’til late sometime last year thus he is a Keo ‘okey’.
As for P.DeV. he has effectively, but deliberately, been sidelined since the appearance of the mysterious tape/s and has been handled merely as a figure – head and that has been my reason for not supporting him for so long now because cowards do not hold any sway by me(but he is not the only one as there are many even here in rugby).
They are all too close to the emotional problems of S.A. and cannot read the writings on the WALLS clearly for that very reason and hate it when we, with distance, can read it better and to their dismay say it boldly(no emotions clouding the issues for us).
19 Apr 2011, 16:58 pm
What’s that smell?
19 Apr 2011, 17:01 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-331:
Your toast burns when your elevator doesn’t reach the top and your cheese done fell out of your sandwich.
19 Apr 2011, 17:02 pm
an aussie viewpoint
South Africa
Hooker or bust . . Springboks skipper John Smit has been told he will not be travelling to New Zealand as a prop. Photo: Getty Images
“We all know the saying form is temporary and class is permanent. But the core of the Bok team has always been from the Bulls team. If there are two players in the Bulls side that are not pulling their weight, the whole team suffers as a consequence and the ship sinks. But I will have to reach a stage where I will have to be honest with the players. My biggest challenge is to know when a guy has had enough, when he is past his best and is simply not good enough anymore.” – Peter de Villiers
With those words, in an interview with South African website Sport24 this week, the Springboks coach has given notice to the underperformers at the Bulls and elsewhere – and credence to the theory that 2011 is a year too far for a great South African team.
Importantly, it is also the first sign that he is prepared to make the hard decisions that are clearly needed to rejuvenate the national side. He also told John Smit that he had no interest in taking him to the World Cup as a prop.
De Villiers will also be nervously surveying the latest medical reports on injured scavenger Heinrich Brussow, whose return is scheduled in the next few weeks.
The Bulls’ inability – or unwillingness – to attack the breakdown against the Reds was a major reason for their demise.
Although the Bulls’ tactic of not committing numbers was praised by the Queenslanders on the Fox Sports commentary team – who were no doubt relishing Will Genia’s quick, unfettered access to the ball – it was akin to writing your own death sentence. If you are not at least slowing down the ball in the modern game, a la Brussow against the Waratahs
last month, you are asking for trouble, especially if halves like Genia are allowed to hit big runners with as many forward passes as he did on Saturday
The injuries: Wounded pride reported throughout the entire Bulls squad and a few pricked egos elsewhere.
The wildcard: Workaholic Cheetahs loose forward Ashley Johnson is asking questions every time he carries the ball.
19 Apr 2011, 17:04 pm
@grant10(grant10)-323: G10 how can John losing the change room lead you to conclude that he is the “real cancer” in the team. You know what speculation gets you don’t you – the answer you desire, but it doesn’t meant its true.
Lets wait and see what pans out but let me tell you that as much as the Brumbies failure has to do with their attitude the same will happen to the Boks if what you suggest is going on behind the scenes and whether or not JS goes to the WC will make not one iota of a difference.
19 Apr 2011, 17:05 pm
@nama1(nama1)-327:
5/2 bench split, that’s a hell of a good bunch of forwards to bring on later in the game, think the Bulls will win this one !!
19 Apr 2011, 17:15 pm
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-326: lol. Gooners are softies really…
19 Apr 2011, 17:18 pm
brussouw is the only fetcher that should go to the wc as the others are nothing but a waste of space.without brussouw we might as well take our chances with the big men.
19 Apr 2011, 17:22 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-334: it has been brewing for 2 years since the eoyt 2009….and smit is flat bang in the middle of it and must know deep down he is no longer even close to making a bok team on merit, hence my often calling him a quota.
I always said Matfield was the key support for smit….that has slowly but surely waned and now smit needs to do the honorable thing and retire….
pdv has made it clear he wont take smit as a prop….
and no way Jose is Smit going to unseat a Bismarck , arguably the greatest 2 of all time!
Smit must stop this nonsense….be a true leader and walk …then apologise to Watson ….and maybe I will respect him again.
19 Apr 2011, 17:22 pm
@grant10(grant10)-323: Not so much your “Plod” thing thats worrying for me, but what looks like a definite PdV abdication of all authority to Matfield on the EOYT. I said it mostly in jest after the EOYT, but it looks like Matfield may truly have being Captain as well as coach and selector! If thats the case then forget about your “Plod” issue, its in your words “Goodnite nurse”/”All over rover” already.
19 Apr 2011, 17:27 pm
@ET.(ET.)-330: Yeah, but PdV either must put up or shutup… He obviously has decided on the latter.
If it is the case that he has been undermined then it does not say much for his strength of character that: 1. He does not fight his corner 2. That he stays in a job where he has been undermine without a fight. 3. The fact that he was in a position that allowed him to be undermined or compromised.
What seems to be clear is that he has no authority.
Its a mess up.
19 Apr 2011, 17:29 pm
@grant10(grant10)-338: Now heres where we part ways in our viewpoints. Who is the true cancer in the side (to coin your phrase) , the captain that is not supported or those that choose to throw him to the lions. You choose to deal with the prima facie evidence of the cancer i.e. teh captains form and leave the true cancer behind if what you say is true. Its exactly what the Brumbies have done and look where it has gotten them.
19 Apr 2011, 17:30 pm
@grant10(grant10)-338: totally agree with you!john smit should show leadership here….and just go for the good of the country.time to hit the road john.
19 Apr 2011, 17:30 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-340:
Spot on !!
19 Apr 2011, 17:33 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-339: Plod ‘ lost the changeroom ‘ on the eoyt 2009. Check the comments by J Fourie after the French test as an eg…..
It is there for all to see…..
The 2010 sharks debacle meant not only had plod lost the matfield support, but the Du Plessis brothers as well…..
The politics are huge….and the dices not in Plods favor.
Now Plum refusing to give Plod a shake at 2 as well?
The writing has been on the wall for 2 years….
Plod cant fight back because his form is woeful, and he is not getting the chances to do so….
My frustration is plod knows his continued ‘ hanging in ‘ is bad for bok business,, and for someone that is supposed to be such a ‘team man ‘ he certainly does not walk the talk ….
19 Apr 2011, 17:34 pm
As an aside was reading a Dan Retief article:
“Although I’m still struggling to understand how a change of law interpretation, making the ball more quickly available at the breakdown, can have such an adverse effect on a team that last year won the Super 14 playing under this adaptation of the rules there is little doubt that the Bulls have been found wanting.
And not just the Bulls. The other four teams, including the OVERRATED Stormers, might understand the science of rugby but they’re being caught woefully short when it comes to the art of the game.”
Good one Dan!!!
19 Apr 2011, 17:38 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-334: pdv has not got the ballas to drop smit….
the whole of sharkdom will be up in flames ….screaming another ‘Teichmann ‘ !
You think Plod dosent know this?
Plod is the real cancer….ask BJ Botha why he left the sharks…
ask L Watson…..
You see there is always 2 sides to a story…..
Saint Plod is not so saintly as you believe Mr Banana
19 Apr 2011, 17:41 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-345: 16……6
in durbs
3 weeks ago>??
A win at Lotus….5 weeks ago.
Ja…overrated
but damn we doing okay
19 Apr 2011, 17:42 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-345:
Well it is old news that “dan the man” is not a stormers fan !!
19 Apr 2011, 17:45 pm
@grant10(grant10)-344: Rubbish! Its not all about “Plod”… I think you are now the one placing mythical proportions of influence on the guy. I suggest worse than that done by your so called “Plod Cheerleaders squad”…
Plum taking Bissy over Barney: I think has more to do with the excellent play of Bissy over “Plod losing the locker room”…
It happens when players are selected on their performances. Another example at the Sharks is the continual selection of Odwa who keeps playing himself into selection. He has played so well at 14 that JPP has had to move to 11 and Mvovo playing off the bench at times. Its not to say Mvovo has go any worse, its because Odwa has got so much better.
If nothing else, nobody can deny that Plum is fair with selection.
But this “Plod” thing of yours is more than a bit misguided. I reckon a big problem with the Boks, especially on the EOYT, is that PdV has no authority. I reckon if anyone may have lost the locker room it is him.
I place blamor this not just on him but also at SARU. They have set the guy up to fail – from TrickyDicky to Nienaber not turning up when requested, to the ET’s CarPark Gate skandaal…
19 Apr 2011, 17:45 pm
blamor = blame for
19 Apr 2011, 17:47 pm
@grant10(grant10)-346: so tell me why did BJ leave the Sharks then? I’ am not that informed. I think you will find that most Sharks supporters are quite level headed about analyising the situation with regards to JS and will not at all equate it to the Teichman affair. If its in the best interests of the Bokke then we will agree but then it must be based on some level headed arguments and not just speculation. We have all said that his form is not the best but then we know why.
By the way what did JF say after the 2009 French test in which if i recall we los 20-13, had the anthem sung by a shithead and JS scored our only try.
19 Apr 2011, 17:49 pm
This is a peculiar farking bad characteristic of many SA Rugger fans:
Take down the Captain of the Boks come he.ll or high water
Francois Pienaar… Gary Teichmann… John Smit…
What is it with you farking fools.
19 Apr 2011, 17:50 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-351: Great Post!
19 Apr 2011, 17:51 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-348: Ja, but Dan knows his rugger… What he’s forgotten many a Stormer propagandist/”journo” has still got to learn
19 Apr 2011, 17:51 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-349: PDV is between a rock and a hard place….he was ‘ saved ‘ last year as bissy was out injured….
but then the 5 ….1 reversal in tri nations where plod was badly exposed….followed by a decent 2010 eoyt , including a damn fine win at twickers, further added fuel to the ‘ drop plod ‘ brigade.
this year has seen plod play bit roles at 1 and 3….the saders game showing plod up again as nothing more than a scam at prop…..
no HG….It does not take a brain surgeon to see where the problem lies….
i dont blame plum for 1 second ….he has to keep the sharks winning….and it wont be helpful by dropping the best 2 on the planet fopr a washed up, self absorbed, self serving Plod.
19 Apr 2011, 17:54 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-351: no bud….i am not interested in rehashing all this stuff.
i dont fancy being called a drama queen again
19 Apr 2011, 17:55 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-352: exactly the response pdv is scared of…
19 Apr 2011, 17:55 pm
“He provides the abrasive alternative to Spies the Boks have been searching for, that is a No 8 that drives opposition players back on defence…”
Every tackle that Spies made on Saturday drove the player back, his defence was good and cant be blamed for missing an on fire Soopa Coopa.
Statistically, last time I checked, he was better then either Kanko or Vermeulen. His problems are more related to the how he is used. Sure he has some defensive lapses at times – but so did Jonah, did Lomu ever kick? You could hear the truck-reverse-beeps whenever a kick was put behind and his effort to get back – yet the All Blacks knew how to use him best and he wreaked havoc.
Spies is not a crash ball player, Imean he’s a retreaded wing. He should be a decoy runner from the first few phases then utilized out wide or off the shoulder of a playmaker that can put him into space. Once he hits space he will do damage.
Personally I think people vilify him because they expect him to be super human.
Given a choice currently between Alberts and Spies, sure I’d pick Alberts- but they could both play in the same team. Alberts your 1st phase crasher when space is tight, and Spies your extra 13/wing after a few phases when the gaps are bigger and the momentum is in our favour.
19 Apr 2011, 17:56 pm
cheers
outta here
19 Apr 2011, 17:58 pm
@Sasori(Sasori)-358: you making excuses mate….spies does not do the basics….he is bloody nowhere man!
19 Apr 2011, 18:03 pm
@grant10(grant10)-355: Its not about “blaming” anyone… and least of all Plum. Bissy has played himself to no 1. on the planet – a tall order for any hooker including Barney who would be in the top 5 on the planet in most fundi’s books and 2 in SA.
Saders with those Franks brothers are rolling most scrums including the Bulls. Wait till your Stormers play them, chap… Fark its going to be laugh a minute when Fatty Vermeulen has his snout stuck up the backside of your Fourie “prodigy” and CJ gets entangled as one with Bekker… Watch this space…
Plum plays Smit at prop because he has a use for him there and obviously values his leadership. What can’t be denied by anyone is that Bissy is no 1 at no 2 for the moment. Barney will get his chance (maybe against the Stormers) and I reckon he’s going to do the same thing as he did last year – leave a Stormer hooker or 2 redfaced… and a whole lotta Stormer supporters/journo’s too.
19 Apr 2011, 18:04 pm
@grant10(grant10)-347: lets see in a 2 weeks time when the sharks are near full strength and had not just come off a bruising tour
lambie and deysel will be back , deysel prolly off the bench
oh believe me when i say there will be war at newlands , that much has been said to me
19 Apr 2011, 18:06 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-361: i reckon smit will start 2 this weekend as its a match the sharks can afford to make a change or 2
against the stormers deysel and hargreaves will be back
19 Apr 2011, 18:06 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-340:
What you say pre-supposes that he knows and understands exactly what is swirling around him for 3 plus years now and you can take it from me that he CLEARLY does not.
I have repeatedly described him as a weakling and an unsophisticate and as a marginal person and that is why he and Hoskens have been appointed by SARU because they are pieces of clay in the hands of the real SARU heavy weights.
The money and the status could not be withstood by the likes of these two fools but now when real leadership is requiredin their arenas of employ they are found wanting(I truly know the background) and look like deer in the headlights with potential controversy lurking..
The potential glory of winning competitions and eventually the 2011 RWC was far too much to turn down even when he threatened to ” give rugby back to the whites ” when the mystery tape/s appeared. And then what happened?
He lacked the courage to walk away from something that disgusted him, the simple man, and entered into some sort of deal whatever format it is and abdicated the responsibility entrusted in him.
If, as he has threatened this week, he does ridiculous things with his expected squad then we may well see him be kicked out but that will lead to a political stink and that is the only deterrent.
This three-way seemingly soft squabble around the captaincy question, between him and Smit and Matfield could still get very ugly if one or the other takes umbrage at an unacceptable outcome.
19 Apr 2011, 18:08 pm
well when it comes to stegmann i wont have him near the sharks team or the bok team
every weekend he gives away a lot of penalties , and its always he was blown unfairly , so all refs are against him??
there is only 1 brussow
19 Apr 2011, 18:08 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-363: I tell you what, that will be interesting! Bissy gets a well earned break and Barney gets an opportunity to play out of his skin.
Glad that Hargreaves will be back to show this Bekker a few things.
Deysel… I can’t farking wait! Fatty Vermeulen on his poeppol!
19 Apr 2011, 18:11 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-366: lol HG
i cant wait either , like i said , there is a lot of anger about the loss in durbs to the stormers
theres gonna be war in the cape mext weekend , and imma be there to witness it , , only thing is there might be C.O.W
19 Apr 2011, 18:12 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-362: ja
i am sure you sharks will give us a helleva game.
19 Apr 2011, 18:13 pm
@grant10(grant10)-368: only thing is grant how many end up injured in the game?? thats the worrying aspect
19 Apr 2011, 18:14 pm
seems all this war talk and smacking of stormers all over the park is a rehash of a few weeks ago?
Just glad the sharks team will be at full strength and well rested.
And dont forget the Canes please…..1 step at a time now .
19 Apr 2011, 18:16 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-369: ja….boks dont need any more’ write offs ‘
19 Apr 2011, 18:16 pm
@grant10(grant10)-370: never said we would smack you , said its war , so no doubt sharks way beyond serious about the game
you guys still favourites by far , remember only 1 loss for the season is no mean feat , and you still head the saffa conference
19 Apr 2011, 18:16 pm
@ET.(ET.)-364: Big food for thought! One things for sure – SARU is doing a great job in being a model for shooting itself in the foot…again. A shining example of absolute waBenzi corruption… (and that reference has nothing to do with tenderpreneurship) From the John O Neill-inspiredshagging over S15 to lack of leadership and support by Hoskens for PdV, to the drugtaking embarrassment on EOYT, to PdV himself (now trying to involve himself with Plum at the Sharks)… ad infinitum – its a sorry organisation.
19 Apr 2011, 18:21 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-367: Thats the way we like it… Spirit of the 90′s… as underdogs too… I can only imagine the glee from Sharkies like yourself in Newlands stadium if Barney scores the winning try under the posts
…or Bosman runs through Donkey De Villiers and sets up Odwa!
…or Lambie ploughs Grant over on the way to the tryline
Man, that will be satisfaction! Wave the flag, mate and shout it out after the final whistle – SHARKS FOREVER!
19 Apr 2011, 18:22 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-374: PS. DIY guide in how to make friends in Newlands Stadium
19 Apr 2011, 18:27 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-374:
Just make sure it is not a white flag you wave , remember you have to travel, and if its not business class and socks for circulation you might have a problem !!
19 Apr 2011, 18:27 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-376: Fark you, Twat!
19 Apr 2011, 18:29 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-374:
19 Apr 2011, 18:33 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-377:
LOL, you farkers are going to be unplayable next week, sad thing is I am on my yearly golf tour and won’t be at the game or here to “give it” to you okes !!!
19 Apr 2011, 18:33 pm
till later !!
19 Apr 2011, 18:35 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-379: Aren’t you lucky not to be here… More than luck and a little too convenient…? Hehehehe, au contraire, a white flag?
How to incriminate yourself in just one post….
Gotcha prat!
19 Apr 2011, 18:37 pm
I’m a goner too
19 Apr 2011, 18:37 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-373:
The new compromised Saru will always oblige.
But do not forget there is a govt. and a party/org.(heavily one-way influenced) who also like to get in the act.
Expect some mild drama tomorrow when a squad gets named.
For now I will have to b off for a long while.
19 Apr 2011, 18:38 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-380:
cheers jr tc
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-381: lol HG , how i wish we had the loose trion of alberts deysel and kanko for this weekend
let them get ready for the next match
19 Apr 2011, 18:38 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-381: i will be there!!!
And believe me there wont be a white flag in sight…..
bring it on I say….
19 Apr 2011, 18:39 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-382:
I see excuses being planned and laid for a game more than 11 days ahead.
How effin ridiculous.
19 Apr 2011, 18:43 pm
stormers have beaten lions at home….and away
cheetajhs at home
sharks away
bulls away
but still no respect.
oh well boys….we just have to do it all over again…..
19 Apr 2011, 18:43 pm
eish HG i am busy doing my super bru for this weekend , and i just cant bet on the game , **** they have cost me points 3 times already, eish what to do what to dooooooooooooooooooo
19 Apr 2011, 18:45 pm
The Smit debate never fails to amuse me.
Here you have a guy that has been a captain all his life.
In 2004, Jake White picked Smit as his captain long before he even picked his first training squad – he recognised his value as a leader.
In 2008, Peter de Villiers flew to France to ask Smit to come lead the Boks again – he recognised his value.
In 2011, John Plumtree had no hesitation in naming Smit his Super Rugby captain, this after arguably, Smit’s worst season in rugby (2010) – he recognised his value.
Yet every tom, **** and harry in the media and public, cannot wait to see the back of this guy? (gross generalization I know).
Smit’s problem now apparently is PDV wanting him to play hooker, and John wanting him to fulfill other duties. Both obviously rate him, so its just a case of two grown men understanding where the other comes from and finding common grounds.
Whether Smit is past it…
Well, no person other than Smit (or his coaches) will know whether he has served his purpose…
From a coaches point of view, you don’t select a guy as captain of a major competition like the Super 15 if you believe he is past it – especially not if another captain won you the CC last year and is still in the squad!!!
From Smit’s point of view – well this guy has captained the Springboks to some of their greatest victories in history. He did this in arguably the toughest environment in professional rugby, South Africa – where rugby itself is but a side-show to the political issues that we are experiencing as a country in the last 20 years.
There is not a cup or trophy he has not won as captain in test rugby.
A man like that does not put himself ahead of the team, if he did, he would never have achieved any of this.
If Smit is past it, he will know it.
Until that day that he believes that and says it himself, I will back him 100%
19 Apr 2011, 18:46 pm
@grant10(grant10)-387: who said no respect??
hello its because the stormers have gotten so much better that i said its war
that it will be a damn hard match is for sure , if i thought easy match why would it be war?? easy match is just rock and take the points , i dont see where HG or I have said that
19 Apr 2011, 18:50 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-389: amen morne , i just dont argue with these okes in here about it anymore
, its just a waste of bandwitch as JR put it
19 Apr 2011, 18:53 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-391:
Luckily I don’t pay for that!
19 Apr 2011, 18:54 pm
Would really like to see Mujati in the mix. He’s been immense in Heineken cup and completely destroyed a pack an Ulster pack with BJ and Johan Muller.
1. Beast
2. Bismark
3. Mujati
4. Bakkies
5. Vic
Dont think you can get a more powerful tight 5
19 Apr 2011, 18:56 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-392: lol , i pay for it , and dont mind doing so , but to try win the special olympics by arguing with stubborn people aint worth it
19 Apr 2011, 18:56 pm
Why is divvy backing himself into a corner by wanting to name the WC captain half way the super 15?
Lots of water to flow under the bridge still.
And what if, perish the thought, the battleship gets injured?
Life’s about having options not giving them.
19 Apr 2011, 18:58 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-395: i actually agree with you , i dont see the need for this pannic right now
hell its still 4 months away
and why interfere with the sharks now?
why was this not soughted out well before the start of the super 15
19 Apr 2011, 19:09 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-394:
Luckily I am too busy to enter into the special olympics!
19 Apr 2011, 19:11 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-397:
tell ya morne i have no doubt lambie will get the sharks back on track , but i cant wait for deysel to join his twin destroyer alberts
, reckon those 2 can cause some havock
19 Apr 2011, 19:13 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-398:
I quite like both, but I have this belief that they are not being used effectively at the Sharks.
I would love to see Daniel (or Botes depending on the opposition), with Deysel (7) and Alberts (8) against top Super 15 teams…
19 Apr 2011, 19:19 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-399: well that is an option , and there are so many as daniel can also play 8
fact is deysel be it at 6 or 6 with alberts on the field could be devistation and a fast daniel botes or kanko to run off them is huge
19 Apr 2011, 19:20 pm
devistation = devistating
19 Apr 2011, 19:22 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-389: Whether Smit is past it…
Well, no person other than Smit (or his coaches) will know whether he has served his purpose…
Come on man, what nonsense is this?
It’s not for Smit to decide he is past it. He’s human and it’s just too difficult to let go.
Did George Gregan no he was past it?
Did Justin Marshall?
Did Tana Umaga?
No, they didn’t – or at least they couldn’t accept it. So they all tried to hang on. Gregan played on far too long, Marshall tried to make himself available for the All Blacks and Umaga spoke some such nonsense this very year.
They were all great players – legends – but it’s over. For all of them – Smit included.
Smit has 102 caps.
No All Black has ever earned 100 caps and there is a very good reason for that: the competition is just too intense and it is extremely difficult to maintain the level of excellence required to represent your country.
Richie McCaw (94) and Mils Muliaina (94) appear destined to break the mold, but don’t hold your breath for it to happen again in our lifetimes.
Does Smit’s form in any way compare to that of McCaw’s or Muliaina’s?
Be honest with yourself. Don’t be sentimental.
19 Apr 2011, 19:23 pm
Deysel 6, Alberts 7, Daniel 8…
Now that is a combination I would seriously consider against fellow SA teams to have speed to the breakdown, and absolute power in the collisions…
Good observation.
19 Apr 2011, 19:23 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-402: Did George Gregan know he was past it?
19 Apr 2011, 19:26 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-402:
And your expert opinion on Smit being past it is what?
McCaw just committed to the All Blacks after RWC 2011, so be prepared to see another 20 or so caps added to the 94…
Mils was written off completely in 2009, he came back with a resounding BANG in 2010 and proved he still has it.
Players have proved mug-punters like you and me wrong many times, if I was a gambling man, I would put money on Smit doing it yet again.
19 Apr 2011, 19:28 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-405: Take the emotion out of it.
Does Smit’s form in any way compare to that of McCaw’s or Muliaina’s?
19 Apr 2011, 19:30 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-403: exactly so one can rotate kanko and daniels
imagine alberts charges in 3 defenders take him down, ball pops out the back and in comes charging deysel , then bissy lol
eish the thought
19 Apr 2011, 19:32 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-406:
How ‘good’ was McCaw and especially Mils form in 2009 when they were dished out some hidings of note by the Boks?
Can I point you to links of mug-punters like you and me at the time in NZ who called for their, and the coaches heads?
And then what happened in 2010?
Dude – when it comes to assessing when players are past it, I would much rather give the player himself the benefit of the doubt that guys like you and me on blogs.
19 Apr 2011, 19:33 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-405: “Mugpunters like you” bwahaha
PA it seems you know him him so well, classic!
19 Apr 2011, 19:33 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-408: other question is this we dont prepare smit and bismark gets injured what then????
19 Apr 2011, 19:34 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-406:
To add – I don’t know Smit from a bar of soap, neither do I support the Sharks, my opinion on the matter is therefore completely absent from any type of emotion.
19 Apr 2011, 19:35 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-407: Deysel?
Old sick note
He will never catch the ball from that offload, by then he has already pulled a hammy
19 Apr 2011, 19:36 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-410:
Then… we’re in ****!!!
IMO, no other hooker in SA comes close to Bissie and Smit. Not at test level.
19 Apr 2011, 19:37 pm
@JL1(JL1)-409:
19 Apr 2011, 19:38 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-408: Sure, you don’t have to take my word for it – and I know you won’t.
I was one of the people arguing with Grant10 when he took aim at Smit. And I think his opinion is influenced by Smit’s comments on Luke Watson.
But for me it’s just reached the point where it appears obvious.
Did you not see the difference after Smit went off in the match against the Crusaders? There is just no comparison between him and the Beast, or Bismarck du Plessis for that matter.
It’s got to the point where everyone is saying it – and not just in SA, but also in Australia and New Zealand.
19 Apr 2011, 19:38 pm
Okay, I am off for at least an hour, I may check in later.
19 Apr 2011, 19:39 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-414: The beauty of an opinion, just like an A..rse hole, everyone’s got on
19 Apr 2011, 19:43 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-413: exactly morne
@JL1(JL1)-412: i hope the stormers players also think that way when they play the sharks in 2 weeks time,
alberts , deysel kanko combo last year in the super 14 destroyed , vermeulen schalk and flo, , oh hell i see deysel making vermeulen sit on his bum on a few occasions like it happened yesterday
19 Apr 2011, 19:43 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-416: ciao morne catch you laters mate
19 Apr 2011, 19:44 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-415: As a non-expert but a rugby lover I do agree with you Kaksioek. I have nothing against Smit but it’s been a long time since I’ve seen anything beyond ordinary from him. I wish him no ill, I have no truck with Springbok politics, I just don’t think he’s all that good at the moment. Just my opinion, JL1
19 Apr 2011, 19:45 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-418: 2weeks for Deysel without an injury is almost hs career
When he played in Jhb, he was always injured and now nothing has changed
19 Apr 2011, 19:49 pm
@JL1(JL1)-421: nope wrong , he has just completed matches in a row and getting stronger
, he comming to newlands
19 Apr 2011, 19:50 pm
@oscarthedawg(oscarthedawg)-420: Yep he has been a bit absent, but so has many others
Catch 22 if you ask me, maybe see what he does at hooker and not this chop and change role he has had to play
19 Apr 2011, 19:51 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-418:
Luckily for the Stormers Elstadt is fit and will be playing. Remember him? Its the 21 year old who did the demolition job on Alberts 2 weeks ago in Durban (right in the beginning of the match, the first time Alberts touched the ball)
19 Apr 2011, 19:54 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-422: Does this ring any bells?
What the Sharks initially hoped would just be a six to eight week injury-lay off for influential flanker Jean Deysel has become a six to eight month set-back after a scan revealed he had suffered serious damage to his knee during Saturday’s game against the Lions.
Newly-appointed team doctor for the Currie Cup, Ewoudt van der Linde, explained that a scan had shown that Deysel had sustained a PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) grade three rupture along with cartilage damage.
The burly loose-forward had only just returned to action after an arm injury kept him on the sidelines for the first three rounds, but in the opening minutes against the Lions he took the ball into contact with his second touch, and as it turned out, it was to be his last.
19 Apr 2011, 19:57 pm
@JL1(JL1)-423: Sure. All for giving him the opportunity to show that he still has it. Just doesn’t quite look like that to me.
19 Apr 2011, 19:57 pm
Albert= Deysel= Wahl bartman.
They are very alike-one dimensional ex jhb players who moved to Durban-.
Alberts is a tiny bit better than the other 2 as he at least offloads once in ever 5 matches or so. Bartman never off loaded once during his career and Deysel has not yet managed to complete 5 matches in a row so perhaps i must cut him some slack.
19 Apr 2011, 19:59 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-424: yes and next you will see alberts breat the juniors bones
oh its comming..
@JL1(JL1)-425: well he got injured and??
he is 100% right agian , sharks have taken their time and ade sure he is ok
thats why he wont play super 15 this weekend either , stil with sharks xv
but next weekend?? different story
19 Apr 2011, 20:00 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-424: Yes so what? We will come to Newlands Fresh!!! Ever thought of that? Thought you knew much more about sportsmens tiredness. I do. However, this time we not only come with Alberts but Deysel. Yeah, not easy to face those two I reckon. Alberts won’t be alone this time buddy. Remember last year? I do very well.
This time we come with fresh legs. I know what that means. I think you do too.
Newlands will be a monster, but Sharks that have not travelled with Lambie and Deysel will be another battle totally…
19 Apr 2011, 20:01 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-427: Alberts also does a grubber kick
But you are right about Deysel being one dimensional, you need him in wet conditions, trench warfare stuff, but then again as I said a sick note in the Andre Pretorius mould
19 Apr 2011, 20:03 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-427: Don’t worry just think about. Alberts and Deysel together. There is a thing coming…..lol. Remember Deysel DOES fetch whether some thing not, he does. We coming to Newlands with fresh legs and weapons this time roung.
Oh, we will have Lambie too. 
19 Apr 2011, 20:04 pm
@Puma(Puma)-429: Not a chance, Elstadt is 21, the real deal, not 28 and injured
19 Apr 2011, 20:04 pm
@Puma(Puma)-431: sorry typo. round.
19 Apr 2011, 20:06 pm
@JL1(JL1)-432: hehehehe. Worried or nervous?…………..hehehehehehe. I think so buddy……lol.
19 Apr 2011, 20:08 pm
@Puma(Puma)-434: No, we have done the business against you lot now we are gonna do it to you again
19 Apr 2011, 20:08 pm
@JL1(JL1)-432: Do you remember last year? Heck I do. If Deysel can start at 6. I am already smilying bru…hehehe.
He has played 80min of VC rugby and will to this week again. He was mom two weeks in a row. Bring it on……….hehehe.
19 Apr 2011, 20:09 pm
@Puma(Puma)-436: meant – smiling
19 Apr 2011, 20:16 pm
who cares about Gaysel, Alboerts and Bambie, you Guppie fans need chill the f*ck out. you’re becoming worse that the Blou Nulle fans (back when the Cows still had fans – what a bunch of fair weather rugby supporters those lot are.)
anyhow – Guppies fans on this site still referring to the Currie Cup final …. bwah ha ha – that was 2010 pielkoppe, it’s 2011 now and you lost @ home to the Stormers.
STOP you incessant excuses it’s truly unbecoming.
19 Apr 2011, 20:16 pm
@Puma(Puma)-429:
Yeah, they are going to need more than fresh legs.
I still think you put far too much emphasis on the travel factor- sometimes it is all in the head- what did you make of the Reds who played a very hard game in Cape Town and then travelled all the way to Brisbane to beat the Bulls who waited for them in Australasia.
Anyway, I reckon it will be a 50/50 game-
I hope Plum plays John ahead of Bissy- in that case i would be prepared to put money on the Stormers
19 Apr 2011, 20:16 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-389: and you will be wrong.
all your gloss sentimentality cannot disguise the truth….he is washed up…smits agenda has nothing to do with anything other than himself….if he cared about the boks he would walk…
19 Apr 2011, 20:18 pm
Gee die Bulle almal rokke !!!
19 Apr 2011, 20:19 pm
@Puma(Puma)-436:
Don’t get ahead of yourself, 3rd game in a row, he might be out for another 6 months.
I for one hope to hell he plays, I think you are believing your own hype about Deysel, who is simply another hard running ball carrying flanker.
He has very little skill, cannot offload ,is one dimensional, does not get around the park, I believe a poor defender (1 or two big hits a game does not impress me) not a great lineout option either, Oh and did I say injury proned !!!
Buy hey if you remember the couple of his big hits and you believe he is the answer don’t let me pee on your parade !!!
But as i said I hope he plays against the Stormers, it imo will make your loose trio unbalanced and less effective
As you say bring it on !!!!!!!!!!!
19 Apr 2011, 20:20 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-415:
Believe it or not, I am as concerned about Smit’s form as all of you here.
I just believe he can come back.
19 Apr 2011, 20:20 pm
I don’t care if Plum plays Shrek or Brain dead Bissy – the Stormers will beat any team that the Guppies field.
19 Apr 2011, 20:21 pm
@brains_trust(brains_trust)-438: And what if those “loser@home” Sharks happen to beat the “amazing” Stormers on their home turf…?
Mmm, Sharks as underdogs… Very, very tasty!
19 Apr 2011, 20:22 pm
@brains_trust(brains_trust)-444: “the Stormers will beat any team that the Guppies field.”…
Very, very tasty!
19 Apr 2011, 20:24 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-446:
19 Apr 2011, 20:26 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-446:
I will put money on a Stormers win, but if Keo tips the Stormers to win, all bets are off.
19 Apr 2011, 20:27 pm
personally i will be thrilled with bissy on the bench.
and with deysel and alberts in the same loose trio.
flo will have a free lunch
19 Apr 2011, 20:28 pm
I think AC should rest some of our front line payers (Bekker, Fourie, Schalla, Duane, etc) against the Guppies – give some of our Vodacom Cup players a run as it will be a cake walk.
19 Apr 2011, 20:29 pm
Gee die Bulle almal rokke !!!!
Gee die Bulle almal rokke !!!!
Gee die Bulle almal rokke !!!!
Gee die Bulle almal rokke !!!!
can’t wait for the Nulle @ Newlands
19 Apr 2011, 20:34 pm
Sharkies allready talking it up.
But we’l have Deysel and we got the best hooker and bla bla
Meyer Bosman And Terblance in the centres.
Hmmmm very scary , especially on attack.
19 Apr 2011, 20:35 pm
if plod is axed and goes down in a flood of tears he will only have himself to blame…
i am not sure who he turns to for mentoring / advice, but whoever is close to him needs to talk some sense into his head…..the sight of him on his knees shattered in Soweto is not how he should be remembered….another case of pro athletes not knowing when to call it a day.
Mrs Smit, if you read this, tell your husband to bow out gracefully.
19 Apr 2011, 20:37 pm
even jake the snake has called on smit to retire…
pdv…be bold my man….
prune the bok tree of the deadwood
19 Apr 2011, 20:44 pm
Brains trust.
An oxymoron if ever there was.
19 Apr 2011, 20:49 pm
@brains_trust(brains_trust)-451: \
Fark The Bulls! Can’t wait for Round 2
19 Apr 2011, 20:53 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-446: and they say they dont have big mouths??
here we talk about one player and they start the name calling and insulting
does not take much for them huh???
19 Apr 2011, 21:03 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-439: Yeah I know, we all do the same travel factor. Sa, Oz, Nz and back. But none will have travelled back from that travel, then still have to travel to London and back. Then only have 4 days, actually 3 days to prepare cause we had players out with flu. But then only the ones with a bit of savvy will acknowledge that.
Thought the ones that were into their sports no matter what would know that better 
19 Apr 2011, 21:04 pm
@grant10(grant10)-449: TASTY. Jeez, this is now a feast… Lubbly Jubbly!
19 Apr 2011, 21:05 pm
@Puma(Puma)-458: of course they will argue puma , as they know no other team will have the travels the sharks had to endure
but wait till their team has to go through anything bad and the pig squealing begins
19 Apr 2011, 21:05 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-457: Can you imagine if those underdog Sharkies happen to win this game against all odds….
19 Apr 2011, 21:06 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-455: LOL
19 Apr 2011, 21:08 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-442: You know the last game was a total freak injury that I wish on no-one. But if you don’t rate him, so be it. You are one of of a very few that don’t. It was Deysel and Alberts that destroyed your loosies last year. Don’t think I have to remind you, you know it though.
Pity Deysel might not start. Read he may be back after our 2nd bye, what a pity. Wanted to see him against the Stormers.
19 Apr 2011, 21:10 pm
@wp_boytjie(wp_boytjie)-452: “Talking it up”??? See very tasty little morsels offered up by Oxymoron and Gwantie… You Stormer okes are so confused by your own hype, that I think you fools are now listening to your own voices… These are the only voices of hype going… Will do a North Korean propaganda cadre proud!
19 Apr 2011, 21:14 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-460: I know bro, really it does amuze me, that some have NO intelligence to acknowledge that. Or really are showing their true unsportsmanship. But heck, I don’t care. We will come with fresh legs, but heck hope Deysel can make it. Those that don’t rate him only wish he was in their team. He and Alberts smashed em last year. We know it, they know it. So what the heck. Bring it on!!!!!
19 Apr 2011, 21:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-464: Most hyped players:
1. Fatty Vermeulen
2. Grant
3. Elstadt
4 Deon Fourie (the “undisputed” no 2 no 2)
5. DOnkey De Villiers
5. Lionel Cronje/Van Assvirgin
6. Sarel Pretorius (He may actually deserve it)
You never hear the end of these players on Keo.
They are mostly Stormers…. Wonder why… Propaganda is not even the word to describe this bulldust!!!
19 Apr 2011, 21:15 pm
@Puma(Puma)-465: sorry – amuse
19 Apr 2011, 21:16 pm
Fark this. Am outtahere for a while. Will return to cause utter strife later. Hehehe
19 Apr 2011, 21:25 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-460: 60 hours of continous travel. I have read on blogland EVERWHERE. In SA, NZ and OZ also on SkySports UK. they have acknowleged NO other team has ever had to endure that kind of travel. Only the uneducated will argue with that. I rest my case.
19 Apr 2011, 21:26 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-468:
19 Apr 2011, 21:36 pm
ai sharkies….
we all know you rravelled…..we all know you had economy class seats with no flite socks
we all know you missed Lambie….
so we will just have to repeat the dose at newlands….
then maybe we get a bit of respect…..since a 10 point win at the feared tank was obviously not enough
19 Apr 2011, 21:37 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-466:
That’s right!
Keo’s more acquainted with names such as JPP, Jacobs, Januarie, The Beast, Steenkamp, Chilibooi, Aplon, Kirchner, just to prove Waynad Classens right when he said: It’s not all about rugby,,,
19 Apr 2011, 21:38 pm
puma…..you got to be the biggest cyberspace moangat ever known to man!
19 Apr 2011, 21:39 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-472: ag just foff you racist piece of s hit
19 Apr 2011, 21:39 pm
@oscarthedawg(oscarthedawg)-420: Thanks man. I think only a very small minority now tell the emperor his clothes look lekker
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-443: Fair enough. I hope you are right because it seems he is going to the RWC.
19 Apr 2011, 21:40 pm
Yeah, a 10 point win, when we had JLP that never got our kicks over. Kid yourselves. Had we got that we would have been only 4 points behind. Had we passed twice instead of holding on. Probably another two tries. Who knows we could have won, but we had our chances. Yeah, we were tired, very tried, without some key players. But we will be there. Fresh, but hope with no injuries after the Canes game. Bring it on. Newlands or not. We have won there before… lol.
19 Apr 2011, 21:41 pm
Fark, gotta love these Sharks they start the stirring with comments like, “beware the destroyer Deysel is coming to Newlands”, “remember when Deysel put fatty on his arse”, “Alberts going to break bones ” etc !!!
The Stormers retaliate and suddenly we are branded as the ones doing the hyping !!!!!
Fark these sharks are a humorous lot !!
19 Apr 2011, 21:42 pm
Puma how come you go hee hee hee hee up that stupefied idiotic Hogwash Gwatass schmucks backside every time the little ignoramus imbecilic dweeb comes pretending he knows anything about rugby? Are you as yellow bellied and piffle arse useless as that other little pathetic phillyfartarse poefta that lubricates that idiot schmucks arse every time the pathetic twat comes gyrating his fcknows nothing arrogance around here? Idiot punk faces like these ignoramus schmucks need one fat smack where it truly counts to set them square back where their arrogant idiocy realizes exactly how self infatuated stupid they actually are.
19 Apr 2011, 21:42 pm
@grant10(grant10)-473: I must be getting under your skin….hehe….
I love it bro, keep going…………lol.
19 Apr 2011, 21:44 pm
@sohojo(sohojo)-478: I don’t understand, can you repeat yourself in English?
19 Apr 2011, 21:45 pm
@Puma(Puma)-476: yes …you have won there before….just like we won at the tank a couple of weeks ago….
difference between some knowledgeable stormer bloggers and you dof sharks is that we gladly discuss players strengths and weaknesses….you fools bring u the same highlights reels every time…..hankering back to past games…..
you only as good as your last game….
kep an eye on the canes….you think of the stormers those kiwis may just moer you stukkend in the tank, especially if pdv s little chat with plum bears fruit
19 Apr 2011, 21:45 pm
@sohojo(sohojo)-478:
***** bells now that’s an entrance
19 Apr 2011, 21:45 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-477:
19 Apr 2011, 21:46 pm
@Puma(Puma)-476: i think they just phoned the gang to come help them
19 Apr 2011, 21:46 pm
Hey Skoppie, did you hear Tim Horan singing Fourie du Preez’s praises on Saturday? What did you make of that?
19 Apr 2011, 21:47 pm
you really think the sun shines out that pathetic idiot schmuck face HG’s arse or you not too sure about it quite yet?
That any bitty clearer for you
19 Apr 2011, 21:47 pm
@Puma(Puma)-480: dont give yourself too much credit….you too much of a lightweight wally to get under my skin.my man…..you a choir boy….nothing more, nothing less.
19 Apr 2011, 21:48 pm
@grant10(grant10)-481: WHEN? a few weeks back?…..lol. Okay, okay….. remembered…. finally since 2004
Sort of had to get my memory back………hehehehe.
19 Apr 2011, 21:48 pm
@grant10(grant10)-481: you do??
grant go read the sgtormer supporters posts further up
come now and see who started the insults etc,, i had actually discussed this with you earlier , think back
19 Apr 2011, 21:48 pm
Back to the poofball for me !!!
Come on UTD !!!!
19 Apr 2011, 21:49 pm
@sohojo(sohojo)-486: eish relax skoppie ur gonna po a vein
19 Apr 2011, 21:50 pm
Completly agree with you KEO. Vamos coach Q, Duane is, by far, the best 8 in South Africa.
19 Apr 2011, 21:50 pm
what did Timmy Horan have to sing about FdP’s praises about, he didn’t even play Saturday, and the little he did he was going in reverse gear at quite some rate of knots, there was only 1 scrum half on that field that had any little genius oozing out his biceps and his brains and that was one William Genia, FdP not even fit to pick up his worn out garter straps.
19 Apr 2011, 21:50 pm
farkit….i have always been a rabid sharks fan….always my 2 nd best team….byt absolute a holes like moangat puma have me thinking twice these days!!!
19 Apr 2011, 21:50 pm
@grant10(grant10)-481: see as soon as we dont agree with you , we are dof??
grant pot kettle boet??
19 Apr 2011, 21:51 pm
@grant10(grant10)-487: Wow!!! Really? …
19 Apr 2011, 21:51 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-490: enjoy and let us know the score
19 Apr 2011, 21:52 pm
@Puma(Puma)-469:
Puma, all of us have done international travel, everybody knows it has an effect especially when travelling east, I dont think anyone here is uneducated- but u are making too much of the travelling.
Are you saying that the Sharks only lost because of the travel- if so, then its fine, it is your opinion…… if not, why keep on bringing it up?
And the flu? I mean how do know that none of the Stormers had flu, or mybe a few of them had problems with their girlfriends, or wives, or whatever.Who knows?
The Sharks lost, thats all that counts.
Maybe you will win in 2 weeks time – and i promise you I will congratulate you and not make excuses for weeks afterwards.
19 Apr 2011, 21:53 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-484:
They underestimate my patience…..hehehe.
19 Apr 2011, 21:54 pm
@Puma(Puma)-499:
19 Apr 2011, 21:55 pm
@grant10(grant10)-494: Grant10, sometimes you make a lot of sense. Other times, you just seem too fond of yourself. That seems to be a Cape thing. You Stormers fans were all over the SA latest thread being grootbek about a game that doesn’t happen until the end of next week. What’s that all about?
19 Apr 2011, 21:57 pm
ja…we lose …we say congrats and move on….the reds farked us up 6 love…..no excuses…we were done on the day fair and square….
fark me….the sharks lose we have endless stream of excuses….
its like congrats BUT THIS AND BUT THAT!
Farken stick the excuses where the sun dont shine man…..choir girls the lot of them sharks fans
19 Apr 2011, 21:59 pm
@sohojo(sohojo)-493: Horan couldn’t understand what Fourie was doing on the bench and felt he made a huge difference when he came on.
Paul Cully, writing for SMH, agreed:
There was some solace (for the Bulls and their fans), however, in the excellent 20-minute cameo of Fourie Du Preez at Suncorp Stadium. In that spell the Bulls scored almost half of their 30 points as the brilliant No.9 got them moving forward. If certain Bulls are to be cut from the Cup squad, he will not be one of them.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/wallabies-evolution-and-boks-revolution-20110419-1dmxd.html#ixzz1K07XhQGl
19 Apr 2011, 22:00 pm
@grant10(grant10)-502: BS and you know it
daily posts still come in here about the ref cheated you guys in the final and blah blah blah , thus the joubert ref hate post last week and on most days
come now dude, and if you want to be insulting grant , i told you before you know where i am
19 Apr 2011, 22:01 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-501: not sure what happened on that thread, but in the main i find stormer bloggers, or a lot of them, pretty humble and knowledgeable bloggers.
as for being fond of myself, i dont really know what that means, but i have firm opinions…..
19 Apr 2011, 22:01 pm
thats the best , stormers supporters saying congrats and moving on
**** what a load of dwang, a few do yes but the majority do not
19 Apr 2011, 22:03 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-498: Look had it been the other way I would have had the decency and the sporstmanship to say. Well done my Sharks but hard luck Stormers your travel was unbelievable hectic, let us have a fair go the next time. I READ nothing of the sort. Just arrogant posts everywhere from Stormers. Except from Stormerboy and I am A Stormer and PissAnt, Ashley from rt and the Stormer okes on sw. They were great. They ALL acknowledged our travel and said let us meet on a equal basis. NOT anyone here, except the ones I mentioned. So yeah, I am having my say to the ones that can’t see that our travel was to the extreme. Cause I know I would have been the first one to acknowledge it had it been the Stormers. So yeah, kind of disappointed in some of you.
But next time who ever wins it will be fair. I will always come and say congrats. Always.
19 Apr 2011, 22:03 pm
@grant10(grant10)-505: come now skoppie walks in as usual with his daily insults and shark player insults , i am yet to see once where you tell him its wrong etc etc etc
19 Apr 2011, 22:05 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-506: Could say the same for Sharks supporters, Bulls supporters etcetera. Conclusion? The vast majority of people on earth are arseholes.
19 Apr 2011, 22:06 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-508: Could say exactly the same for Heaven’s Game. Conclusion?
19 Apr 2011, 22:07 pm
@grant10(grant10)-505: That’s odd because the first two comments in that thread were yours:
1.grant10: Reply to this comment
19 Apr 2011, 08:28 am
go stormers
2.grant10: Reply to this comment
19 Apr 2011, 08:30 am
this game going to be a war of note.
the blog going to be on fire….
Then later on we had:
12.Tecumseh: Reply to this comment
19 Apr 2011, 09:51 am
stormers will easily defeat those last outpost poefta boys.
19 Apr 2011, 22:07 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-504: show me a post where JR….Robzim….skop or g10 have ever cried like choirboys after a loss….
we are men….not mice….
losses happen and will continue to happen.
i have never experiencedmore squeaing and wailing than the puma mouse has displayed on a blog ever before…..maybe the kiwis after the 2–7 forward pass….
the crying is unbecoming of grown men……as is your challenge to me to come and say things to your face…..do you really think i give a flying fa rk about you? so much so that i would climb in my car to travel to canal walk to call you a choir girl?
grow up !
19 Apr 2011, 22:07 pm
@grant10(grant10)-440:
Yeah, I heard that same tune sung since 2006 – that was 5 years ago.
19 Apr 2011, 22:07 pm
@grant10(grant10)-502: Sure you say so to a overseas side, but let the Sharks beat you then it is the REF this the ref that the ref….. When Bulls beat Stormers in the S14 final it was the REF the whole time long. No never heard congrats to a saffa side. Only to a overseas side. Cause so few overseas supporters of Reds here to even answer too. Probably.
19 Apr 2011, 22:09 pm
where was the great messianic FdP when Bully Brekers were fckd up 27 -0 by Crusaders week before? He must have been hiding behind his cameo pantyhose, because the little cameo he played vs Reds didn’t look any different to me to the other cameo that Hougaard produced the 60 mins before. Genia, Cooper, Horwill, Higginbottom, Harris, Ioane, all had a field day, less so than Crusaders had the week before, but even though Reds are simply not in Crusaders class wrt forward dominance they still ripped Bully Brekers a new set of bum cheeks through the better part of the encounter in spite of Bully Brekers lifting their game by around 50% from the week prior..
19 Apr 2011, 22:10 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-511: Exactly. And I can go get more copy and paste stuff to show em up. They just have no clue what they said to get some of us disappointed. I hardly do mate, but that time was really.
19 Apr 2011, 22:10 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-508: skoppie is 100 % correct about HG….the shark gatgabba who hates CT and gets off being hostile and arrogant here…..and you l;ap him up like a lapdog….shame on you for not putting him in his place?
19 Apr 2011, 22:11 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-511: is that a sin?
seems I was right anyway!
19 Apr 2011, 22:12 pm
@sohojo(sohojo)-515: Ag Skoppie, I knew that would get you going. Too easy.
19 Apr 2011, 22:13 pm
so what are the facts:
1. Stormers are playing tremendous, i call it passive attacking rugby scoring little tries
2. Stormers beat the Sharks at the Tank albeit at the backend of the Sharks travel itinerary which may or may not have impacted the Sharks performance
3. Elstadt having played 3 or 4 games at super level outplayed Alberts in his 8th straight game of the campaign coming off an incredible performance against the Saders
4. Stormers are the favourites based on recent performances against SA sides
5. Sharks will be better rested and will have 1 game played before they take on the Stormers, Stormers coming off a bye
6. Newlands a difficult place to play the Stormers
7.The Sharks have scored the most tries i think of the SA franchises (not sure of Cheetahs try count)
8. Stormers have the better talent – according to most
So all these things point to a Stormers win
nevertheless I am strongly confident simply because of the way in which the Sharks are playing. So to all you Stormers feeling under attack from Sharks fans I will say it first You are the favourites to win in 2 weeks time (just as we were supposedly 3 weeks ago)
19 Apr 2011, 22:13 pm
@grant10(grant10)-518: Yeah, I don’t really care. Just think taking it down a notch or two wouldn’t hurt. Less preaching would be good too.
19 Apr 2011, 22:14 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-513: PA…go suck up to te sharkies…
you lost me a long time ago with your schalk is indispensable at 6 and fark the fetcher rants….
followwed up by your kanko and spies for blindsiders.
speak to the choir boy brigades…..not the okes who have there own opinions….
19 Apr 2011, 22:15 pm
@Puma(Puma)-514: farkoff man….i have never blamed a ref …ever…show me 1 p;ost where i blame a ref for a loss….b s hit puma mouse!
19 Apr 2011, 22:16 pm
Fact is Skoppie, Fourie has been pretty below par – like most of the Boks. I’d take Sarel over him right now, that’s for sure.
19 Apr 2011, 22:17 pm
@grant10(grant10)-522: I thought that was pretty kak too. Sorry PA.
19 Apr 2011, 22:18 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-520: Last paragraph….
19 Apr 2011, 22:18 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-521: well fark me i aint no preacher man!
19 Apr 2011, 22:18 pm
@grant10(grant10)-517: firstly i dont throw insults at you online so whos the girl and who needs to grow up?? i would prefer to face you and tell you to your face ur a prick
as for HG i have NP thats between him and skoppie , but all sharks supporters and players go through the same insults etc
read what kaksioek showed you about your own and capos posts earlier in the day
double standards??
19 Apr 2011, 22:19 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-525: who gave you the right to apologise on my behalf?
seems you pretty fond of yourself as well?
19 Apr 2011, 22:20 pm
@grant10(grant10)-523: Sheesh? Which nerve have I hit this time?
19 Apr 2011, 22:20 pm
Skoppie, while you’re here: Did you notice that Keo is of the opinion that Jake White has got the Brumbies job? He’s been tweeting about it. Don’t know if his intel is any better than his match picks though.
19 Apr 2011, 22:20 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-528: me saying the blog is going to be a war zone is insulting to you sharks?
shamepies….
19 Apr 2011, 22:21 pm
@grant10(grant10)-522: see their you throw the little girly insults , and you say i must grow up??
holy **** that is funny
19 Apr 2011, 22:22 pm
@Puma(Puma)-530: just dont make out I am a ref blaming whinger like you man…..
Look at your posts…if JLP kicked better….if Mc Cleod had only passed, etc….
Farkit choir boy….grow a pair
19 Apr 2011, 22:22 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-520: classified ad: i have a manchester united radio, good working condition, the volume & bass work superbly but the treble is f*cked.
19 Apr 2011, 22:23 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-533:
19 Apr 2011, 22:23 pm
@grant10(grant10)-529: Good grief, you really are fond of yourself. I agreed that his views on fetching and blindside flanks were – in my opinion – kak, but apologised – on my behalf – to PA for stating that fact rather bluntly. It’s not all about you, you know.
19 Apr 2011, 22:24 pm
@grant10(grant10)-532: nope , and i never said you insulted the sharks
but you quickly over look those that do,
i also never said all stormer supporters, i said the majority however , go read the posts
if you want to put yourself in that majorioty go for it , i have said here ogten that you and JR give the sharks a lot of credit , so wtf you on about anyhows???
19 Apr 2011, 22:24 pm
HG has got one mammoth problem, the idiot is riddled with self aggrandized idiotic stupor. The schmuck thinks he’s the walking authority on rugby and has Sharks infantile infatuation f’ing up his brain like none other. The imbecile is simply an onnosel bar none and the schmuckface idiot cannot handle the fact that he’s simply a stupid idiotic ignoramus dunce. He got these pathetic guppieyuppie groupies schmoozing up his nancy nincompoopanus like he’s their idiot schmuck faced champion or something so far fetched ridiculous. So he tries going out his way to prove how pathetically ignorant he actually is, and successfully does so.
19 Apr 2011, 22:24 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-528: fine….i am a p rick….but a p rick who calls it like it is….and does not hide behind sentiment and taks losses like a man…not like a choir girl with her 1 st period pain
19 Apr 2011, 22:25 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-537: ok …sorry…wires crossed
19 Apr 2011, 22:26 pm
@Puma(Puma)-516: hey Puma no need to get disappointed mate. I’ve realized that when folks start to attack on a blog like this its because they feel that their opinions or support base or arguments are threatened by good reason and their fear that their opinions or arguments wont be accepted drives them to justify themselves. Justification always has to do with the righting of a “wrong” albeit perceived.
There are Sharks, Bulls and Stormers fans who do this, all you have to do is have a quiet confidence in your side and their ability. There is no need to prove before the event that your side should win, its a futile excercise as is the exercise of justifying why you lost.
19 Apr 2011, 22:28 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-535: hahhahhaha
great one Transie
19 Apr 2011, 22:28 pm
farkit man….i see more criticism of the stormers by stormers bloggers than anyone else.
Personally i am moer of a tough on my team….and vocal in my criticism.
most sharks completely OTT….
and HG fuels the kak and the ladies sharks choir follow suit like dumb sheep….
Not an original farken thought between them
19 Apr 2011, 22:29 pm
guys grow up, if any if you can’t take the banter go to RT get Rudi to pat your backs. the stormers lose and some here cheer the Reds on – that’s cool – return the serve but don’t whinge later on ffs.
19 Apr 2011, 22:29 pm
@grant10(grant10)-540: Crikey!!!!!!!! So you think you are too..hehe… straight from your mouth…hehehe, thank we all think you are as well………. a big mighty one. Thanks for clarifiying that up.
19 Apr 2011, 22:30 pm
@grant10(grant10)-522:
I lost you long ago?
Never realised you were someone to keep. My mistake.
Anycase, my online duties are completed for the night, catch up on some rugby talk tomorrow.
19 Apr 2011, 22:30 pm
why is gwantie so hostile?
a few too many dops there in his clifton palace contemplating the riches he reaped under apartheid?
whaddapoes!
19 Apr 2011, 22:30 pm
@grant10(grant10)-541: OK cool.
19 Apr 2011, 22:32 pm
Bottom line is Sharks are a reasonably well assembled team of bought in mercenaries who are reasonably well coached by a reasonably astute coach from New Zealand. So what everybody getting their fancy panty pooper black and white striped knickerbockers in a stupefied pisswilly guppieyuppie knot for heaven only f’ng knows.
19 Apr 2011, 22:32 pm
@Puma(Puma)-546: rather a p rick than a farken whinging choir boy….
19 Apr 2011, 22:32 pm
@sohojo(sohojo)-550: Not that again.
19 Apr 2011, 22:33 pm
@sohojo(sohojo)-550: Jake White, Skoppie: coming soon to a TV near you …
19 Apr 2011, 22:34 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-542: I know mate. Agree.
19 Apr 2011, 22:35 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-545: haha, what are you, the modderrotter?
why dont you go pat gwede and julius on the back and sing dubula ibhunu with them?
(see how ridiculous your rudi statement is when it is reversed?)
anyways, grow a pair, support a team and maybe, MAYBE we will take your advice seriously.
ok?
@Puma(Puma)-546: @PissAnt(PissAnt)-547:
a pr ick worth holding on to?
not for me thankyouverymuch, i am not from capetown.
i nominate jr for the role
19 Apr 2011, 22:35 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-542: hiyas piesangs , i agree but hell just mention a sharks player on here and say you think he is good and see the rage of insults etc
i dared saying deysel will cause havock ,
19 Apr 2011, 22:35 pm
@grant10(grant10)-551: Must be hitting the right nerve? Plenty reaction…..hehehehe.
19 Apr 2011, 22:35 pm
People who preach should never stand on cardboard boxes. Hell haven’t we all done that once in our lifetimes
19 Apr 2011, 22:36 pm
Oh and kaksioek, never apologise on differences of opinion dude, I am more often wrong than right with mine, so I don’t mind if you offer an alternative opinion especially if it makes sense – material to write more **** on my side which is great!
Ciao all.
19 Apr 2011, 22:36 pm
well with the arrival of the Chairman Of The ‘Biggets C nuts on Keo ‘ brigade i bid you all a fond goodnite.
outta here
19 Apr 2011, 22:37 pm
Take the imports out the Sharkie Varkie and wtf you got left, a bunch of no name brand semi ripened bananaboytjies going belly wobbling back to betchu wana land.
19 Apr 2011, 22:38 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-559: Cool, that’s a great attitude. Cheers.
19 Apr 2011, 22:39 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-556: No need to defend the indefensible (you can’t **** against thunder), all these players have “feet of clay” as Skoppie would say so get on and support them despite what others say based on YOUR confidence in their abilities. GO SMITTIE.
19 Apr 2011, 22:39 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-555:
Howzit Ranger.
Jislaaik! we having champagne weather right now. Awesome to be here this time of year.
Saw today a bushbuck putting its head threw my open window to my office. Brilliant. About 5pm today. They come out about that time. Also this morning about 20 or so Impla in my garden with plenty so many ******* about. Great place this. How you doing? Hope well buddy.
19 Apr 2011, 22:39 pm
@sohojo(sohojo)-561: Come on Skoppie. I showed you how silly that opinion was on the weekend.
19 Apr 2011, 22:40 pm
1 last comment.
if jake going to do the brumbies job george smith must be relieved he is no longer there.
jake would have dropped him for a lock at opensider!
farken ignoramus
19 Apr 2011, 22:40 pm
@sohojo(sohojo)-561: are you vloeking me now Skop
19 Apr 2011, 22:40 pm
@sohojo(sohojo)-550: and the stormers are all cape tonians??
hhahahahahahaha ur a funny fella
19 Apr 2011, 22:43 pm
@grant10(grant10)-560: well its an improvement on “unspeakable filth” i suppose.
i feel like an outlaw in the old west, the bigger the reward poster, the better outlaw i must be
now go have your nightcap grampa mouse, the cat is back so no more stomping around you hear?
@sohojo(sohojo)-561: shut it halfwit.
19 Apr 2011, 22:44 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-569: hiyas ranger . you been scarce?
19 Apr 2011, 22:45 pm
@Puma(Puma)-564: Why censor that. Jeepers. Can’t we say m on keys?…….. They are real things that live in Natal????????? I see the real life animals here all the time. Damn to censor tha here is being silly.
19 Apr 2011, 22:46 pm
@Puma(Puma)-571: lol and the bigger versions live here in the Cape
19 Apr 2011, 22:47 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-555:
the difference here rasheed staggie your lackeys ACTUALLY know rudi 
now me, i don’t know juju & gwedw bwahahaha.
now think up another stereotypical retort kid
19 Apr 2011, 22:47 pm
some breaking news….
mujati seems to be back in bok mix….see intersting arcticle on news 24.
See Cobus Versagie saying schalk brits should be used as impact 2
far better than the leaden footed plod who cant run anymore…..
now schalk brits as an impact player…with bissy starting…..now thats farken awesome….
19 Apr 2011, 22:49 pm
Ludick (GL)
Ndungane (EP)
JPP (WP)
Terblanche (SWD)
Jacobs (WP)
Bosman (FS)
Mvovo (EP)
Lambie (KZN)
JLP (FS)
McLoed (KZN)
Kankowski (EP)
Alberts (GL)
Deysel (GL)
Botes (
Daniel (EP)
Sykes (KZN)
Hargreaves (KZN)
JdP (FS)
BdP (FS)
Beast (Zim)
2 locks and 2 half backs from KZN
no wonder Sharks always flatter to deceive when crunch time truly comes around, they forget they are actually Sharks and hanker back to their real heritage and who wanna die for any cause that ain’t really theirs at all to begin with?
19 Apr 2011, 22:49 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-572: now thats farken racist SL….you just never learn hey….take that kak back to Durbs….we dont want that s hit here in CT man!
19 Apr 2011, 22:50 pm
@grant10(grant10)-574: mujati cannot play for boks he is not an SA citizen , unless he applies which he has not
19 Apr 2011, 22:50 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-572: hahahaha. I know.
Once many years back I climbed Table Mountain. Had a young b a b oon jump on my back. With its mother just at the back. Damn was scared, but it just went on and no trouble. Thank goodness…..hehe. Think they have taken them off Table Mountain now. Think none are left there these days. Think mostly at Cape Point you see em.
19 Apr 2011, 22:51 pm
@grant10(grant10)-576: oh ffs moron is the cape not full of babboons ?? like the ones being asked not to be fed at cape point??
ur ******* mad moron now piss off with that blue gum tree on your shoulder
19 Apr 2011, 22:51 pm
@Puma(Puma)-564: howdy man, ja strong like russia.
cant wait for the weekend, i will be in the water for at least 20 hours.
the couta and bugs must beware!
19 Apr 2011, 22:52 pm
@Puma(Puma)-578: see grant jump on the race wagon???? so ******* typical
puma i shat my self for a few babboons at cape point , they actually get aggro there if you eat anything near them
19 Apr 2011, 22:53 pm
@Puma(Puma)-578: they have moved most of them from TM puma , people keep feeding them , just like the ******* there in durbs , and they start depending on that feeding
19 Apr 2011, 22:57 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-580: Enjoy the bugs Ranger. Love em, but I myself have to buy em. So if you can get a few down there enjoy it.
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-581: I know, it is silly. We were talking of the animals. Jeepers one has to think before we type or say things these days. Ag, crazy man. Those ba boons have serious canine teeth. Scary stuff. Once on table mountain while climbing up one young one jumped on my back. Got a huge fright. Also they used to be on Chapmans Peak. No longer there. They have moved them off. Only see them now at Cape Point.
Here in the estate where I live we see the mo n keys almost daily. A pleasure to see em. Naughty buggers but enjoy em. Saw a Bushbuck about 5pm at my office window and this morning many Impla. Awesome. Love it here.
19 Apr 2011, 23:00 pm
@Puma(Puma)-583: lol brilliant
i like them too but **** the ******* here are scary , reckon if one attacks you you in deep Cr*ap
the ******* in durbs etc climb into many homes and cause ****
had it on tv the other day , but yeah they cute the smaller ones
19 Apr 2011, 23:01 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-570: howdy man, busy busy busy.
got a fishing ski a couple of weeks ago and planning a trip to mozam with my spearfishing club so little time for chatting with work thrown in
@Transformation(Transformation)-573: rasheed staggie?
if you dont like it, why dont you run along and blog with your comrades, boy.
19 Apr 2011, 23:01 pm
@Puma(Puma)-583: ******* is mon**keys
19 Apr 2011, 23:02 pm
would never vloek you bananaboy, there are far more vloekable premenstrual prima donnas amongst the sharkievarkie brethren around here that are far more deserving of 4 letter worded vloekery, you are far too humble and honest for that, unlike some your illustrious schmuckadilly moegoe medeguppies like his Heinous Gwathole and his merry band of foefie sliding sharkievarkie vernekeryers, and like this little idiot punkadilly ranger prude piepiejoller over here.
19 Apr 2011, 23:03 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-585: awesome mate , you cant beat nature man , its awesome
people brad about the cape coast and yes its very beautiful
but eish they dont know about the nothern natal coast etc and places like lake sibaya
19 Apr 2011, 23:03 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-582: That is the thing, once they rely on humans to feed them then they can get aggresive. Still feel for the m o n keys here. They are hungrey mostly. See they have some feeding stations at points here now for them. That is a good thing.
19 Apr 2011, 23:04 pm
@Puma(Puma)-589: meant – hungry
19 Apr 2011, 23:07 pm
@Puma(Puma)-589: so there should be as its man thats destroyed their natural feeding habbitat
19 Apr 2011, 23:07 pm
@Puma(Puma)-583: well if things go well i will let you know puma, may have a few bugs i can spare you buddy.
but this weekend i must feed my in laws and my boet and his wife who are flying out from pomland.
lots of mouths to feed.
19 Apr 2011, 23:09 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-584: Had some of the m on keys trying to attack my pugs yesterday. They can be aggressive to smaller dogs. Pugs are very placid. So had to move off the veranda and bring em in.
Still enjoy the wild life here. This place is amazing with wild life. To think the city is just outside. Heck feels like it many km away. Also now the weather is now brilliant. Humidity still here but much lower. Enjoy it this time of year.
19 Apr 2011, 23:10 pm
@Puma(Puma)-593: wow , yeah you will have to be alert as they attack with speed , and a small dog wont have a chance
19 Apr 2011, 23:12 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-588: man, the more of our coast i explore, the more i love it.
and that goes for cpae coast and natal coast both.
its just that i am more used to the natal coast.
19 Apr 2011, 23:13 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-592: Don’t worry about me buddy. Feed your boet and family that are coming over. Where can you buy great seafood here? I used to go to a brilliant portuguese fishery in Joburg. Heck it was like getting it straight out of the sea it was that fresh, not sure where one gets to buy it that fresh here.
I am off to your grandfathers land of birth in a few weeks time. Can’t wait. The fish there is brilliant. Don’t get better than that. Probably the Cape we do here in SA.
19 Apr 2011, 23:13 pm
@Puma(Puma)-593: durban weather now at its best , not hot not cold and also not that windy
19 Apr 2011, 23:15 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-591: For sure bro.
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-594: I know they won’t have a chance and they getting old now. So have to keep em indoors when we are out or working in the office. Something I hardly had to think about in Joburg. But still love it here. Also saw a massive snake he other night in my garden………….This is AFRICA…. LOVE IT!!
19 Apr 2011, 23:15 pm
@Puma(Puma)-593: puma, you should encourage your neighbours to plant a variety of bushes and trees that fruit at different times of the year (some summer and some winter).
indigenous of course, instead of alien plants.
try a red ivory, berchemia zeyheri. a beautiful smallish tree with delicious fruits much like raisins.
the ******* will not need feeding stations then.
19 Apr 2011, 23:17 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-597: Champagne weather now. NO weather in the world can beat Durbs this time of year ever. Love it. Will be like this for the next 4 months. Gets a bit windy come Aug, but still great. Can never really call this Autumn or winter when it comes but heck it is marvelous. Makes up for the heat and humidity I have to put up with in the summer months…….hehe.
19 Apr 2011, 23:20 pm
@Puma(Puma)-596: scotland??????
lucky b astard!
ja, this weekend i have people to feed but there are months left in the season so i will let you know.
there is a fishmonger in umhlanga town, at the first robot at the bottom of the hill turn right, they are next to the steers.
called “fish”.
really fresh fish, he will fillet and spice for you but he is quite expensive.
the other option is glenashley fisheries in broadway drive, durban north (now swapo drive).
they have fresh couta for R95 a kg. very very very good. he will also fillet and spice for you so all you have to do is braai.
19 Apr 2011, 23:21 pm
Comment on the Sport24 article that Grant mentioned:
Ted Bundy – 22 minutes ago
Report comment
For everybody who is intersted: There is a facebook page called ‘i hate the WP and Stormers’. Lets all join and see how many members we can get. Maybe we can take apart the whole WP rugby union. Wouldn’t that be nice?
0
2
Reply to Ted Bundy
It seems people all over the internet are the moer in with Stormers fans
19 Apr 2011, 23:21 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-599: I will do that Ranger. Gonna replant my whole garden. This garden was not planted by me. Bought this house with what was planted here many years back. Now that I have moved here permanently, want to redo the whole garden. Will do it in the winter months once I am back from Scotland. Thanks for the tips mate. Always feel sorry for the mo n keys, they seem really hungry. Probably the only thing they are really looking for.
19 Apr 2011, 23:23 pm
@Puma(Puma)-600: eish yes bro when the august winds come as they are known lol
19 Apr 2011, 23:25 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-601: Brilliant. Thanks buddy. Took those addies down. Will try both those places.
19 Apr 2011, 23:27 pm
@Puma(Puma)-603: so cool man, go indigenous but try to stay away from microphilous leaves (your local nursery will know what i am talking about, a leopard tree is an example) as they make a mo er of a mess.
get some indigenous trees and bushes that fruit for the ******* and flower for the birds, sit back and enjoy nature coming to you.
you wont regret it man.
19 Apr 2011, 23:27 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-604: Yeah, The wind factor here is quite huge, compared to Joburg……hahahahaha. Actually hardly felt it there. Then where you are the wind is worse, well I think?
The Cape is great though. Your summer is brilliant, but our winters months, just cant beat it here…lol
19 Apr 2011, 23:29 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-606: I will Ranger, thanks buddy for the tips. Tell you what the bird life here is just BRILLIANT. Thought where I lived in Joburg it was great, but here it is really awesome. Heck I still feel like I am on a permanent holiday here…….hahahaha.
19 Apr 2011, 23:30 pm
@Puma(Puma)-607: weather right now in cape town is fantastic
hardly any winds and like today it was 34
19 Apr 2011, 23:31 pm
@Puma(Puma)-605: ja, the indian guy at the fishmonger in umhlanga and i used to deal a bit when i sold him venison and he gave me fish.
he is solid and will give you great advice but he is expensive.
then again, his fish are a fresh as you will get.
he even imports norwegian salmon and gets fresh tuna too.
man, i am gonna get me some fish this weekend!
if you ever venture down to sprinfield park, umgeni rd, there is a huge seafood market next to the Mosque. also really good and a lot cheaper but not always as fresh.
anyways, i am off to bed, stay well sharky and puma!
19 Apr 2011, 23:32 pm
@Puma(Puma)-608: a place like palaborwa ?? **** birdlife there is stunning
19 Apr 2011, 23:32 pm
Okay I am out of here.
Cheers S_L , Ranger and Kaksioek.
Catch up tomorrow.
19 Apr 2011, 23:33 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-610: take care bro chat soon
19 Apr 2011, 23:34 pm
@Puma(Puma)-612: ciao brudda chat 2morrow @kaksioek(kaksioek)-602: cheers mate TC
19 Apr 2011, 23:34 pm
@Puma(Puma)-612: Cheers.
19 Apr 2011, 23:35 pm
Cheers all.
19 Apr 2011, 23:36 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-610: Thanks Ranger. Will try those places. Just never knew where one could get really fresh fish here. Thanks buddy.
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-609: That is still hot…hahaha. Cooler here but very warm still. Just hope it stays like this for Saturdays game. Think rain is forecast. So hope that stays away. If our Sharks played last Saturday it could have been called off. The rain was torential for over a day.
Anyhow out of here now brudda, catch up tomorrow.
For the Stormer supporters, you know all it was banter. But it was good……hehehehe.
Cheers all.
19 Apr 2011, 23:37 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-615: Cheers buddy.
Catch up tomorrow.
19 Apr 2011, 23:54 pm
is Vermeulen a ‘biter’ ?
or does he chew like le Roux ?
20 Apr 2011, 01:48 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-619: He is sort of cross between Richard Loe and Kevin Mealamu – a sort of versatile allrounder..
20 Apr 2011, 01:53 am
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-620: Hi Stormer our friend from down the road Poopa 69 posed a very good question. Do you have the answer?
29.poppa69 in his great love to improve South Africa Rubgy ask this:
SA sides dont seem to win too many of their first up games when they go overseas
well, considering the Cheetahs only had their first win overseas THIS year, and the lions havent won one overseas since heaven knows when… lets analyse the 3 “good” SA sides.. we’ll start from 2006 season…
Sharks –
5 April 2008 Hurricanes 13 – 13 Sharks Rd. 8
26 February 2010 Crusaders 35 – 6 Sharks Rd.3
25 February 2006 Crusaders 22 – 20 Sharks Rd 3.
Stormers-
24 February 2007 Highlanders 35 – 24 Stormers Rd 4.
8 March 2008 Reds 16 – 34 Stormers Rd 4.
28 March 2009 Crusaders 11 – 7 Stormers Rd 7.
02 April 2010 Western Force 16 – 15 Stormers Rd 8.
losing 4 from 5
Bulls
15 March 2008 Reds 40 – 8 Bulls rd 5.
1 from 5, so only really the Bulls on the positive side of the ledger huh? but then again, one can make statistics say whatever they want..
poppa69: So why are SA teams so kak useless?
20 Apr 2011, 02:47 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-621: and now your posting my answer on a thread on oither threads?
bwahahahaha
“but then again, one can make statistics say whatever they want..”
did you not understand this sentence Kevin? its called sarcasm, but you knew that right? look, there it is again..
20 Apr 2011, 02:49 am
@grant10(grant10)-522: You’re turning into a very bitter man…try relaxing and unwinding your panties for a chance because you’re going to give yourself an ulcer if you’re not careful.
20 Apr 2011, 04:45 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-619:
Doos comment by a doos!
20 Apr 2011, 08:53 am
@whatever(whatever)-624:
you are nothing other than the bottom-feeding deluge of pondlife bottom-feeders
20 Apr 2011, 10:13 am
I would have gone for a different group than those contracted
15 Gio Aplon / Louis Ludik / Conrad Jantjes
14 JP Pietersen / Lwazi Mvovo / Lionel Mapoe
13 Jaque Fourie / Juan De Jongh / Waylon Murray / Andries Strauss
12 Jean De Villiers / Doppies La Grange / Meyer Bosman
11 Bryan Habana / Bjorn Basson / Francois Hougaard
10 Peter Grant / Butch James / Patrick Lambie / Morne Steyn
9 Fourie Du Preez / Sarel Pretorious / Jano Vermaak
8 Willem Alberts / Duane Vermeulen / Ryan Kankowski
7 Schalk Burger / Dewaldt Potgieter / Joshua Strauss
6 Heindrich Brussouw / Francois Louw / Keegan Daniel
5 Andries Bekker / Victor Matfield / Alistair Hargraves / Anton Van Zyl
4 Danie Russouw / Rynhardt Elstadt / Bakkies Botha
3 CJ Van Der Linde / Jannie du Plessis / Brok Harris
2 Bismark Du Plessis / Tiaan Liebenberg / Adriaan Strauss / Badise Maku
1 Tendai Mtawarira / Gurthro Steenkamp / Coenie Oosthuzyen
20 Apr 2011, 10:47 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-579: Lol you can sing about murdering white farmers all you like, just DON”T use the dreaded M-word!!
20 Apr 2011, 10:48 am
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-620: No, he’s just a saffa thug…not a top bloke like Kevvy! Lol
20 Apr 2011, 11:03 am
PUMA AND RANGERMAN
The two of you made me want to cry, thank you so much for caring for the ******* and understanding that they need to feed to survive and we have encroached on their territories, they never move off to find different territory but stay and try to adapt. What i am dealing with right now is people out here where i live wanting the m*nkeys poisoned or shot, they dont care how, because they taking nuts from trees and such and dont understand that if i was not a feeding station they would not pilfer every now and then but would raid and feed constantly on what they have.
I border a private game farm and we have a few in the area so why these people want to live out here if that is their attitude is heart breaking, but have now got KZN wild life involved and will try and educated them even though they dont want to know. Puma you have a feeding station on the estate where you live, go to them for advise on what to plant, ask for Carol or Steves phone number, though right now i know they down Toti way trying to catch a m*nkey that has an arrow through its body and is somehow still alive.
So many hugs to both of you.
20 Apr 2011, 11:05 am
m o n k e y s !!!!!!!!!!!!
20 Apr 2011, 11:43 am
An article from SW and I agree with the author 100%, and I also know it as a fact that the Sharks union want nothing to do with this site as to articles in the past being written and posted as facts when the contents therein had not been verified by the Likes of Ryan etc..
It’s interesting to note that certain rugby journalists – particularly those who have an association with a certain blog site, seem to love taking pot shots at Sharks players, with those whose achievements far outstrip anything the journalists in question have managed singled out for particular attention. In this light, Grant Ball’s latest musing about John Smit on Rugby365 is not really all that surprising.
There’s a lot of Smit-bashing going on in the media at the moment, of course, in no small part thanks to the fact that Peter de Villiers has again made some or other inane statement in the media that should probably rather have been made behind closed doors. Fact is, if the national coach is concerned about where or how a player is being used, it would probably be a better idea all round to discuss those concerns privately with the parties involved, before creating a big stir in the press. That’s by the by now, though, with Smit once again target number one in the eyes of the bored rugby scribes of the world.
So what has Ball come up with now? He alleges that an ongoing feud between Smit and Bismarck du Plessis was the sole reason behind the Sharks’ run of 5 losses in last year’s Super 14. He goes on to say that there was a “training field bust-up” of some sort between the two on tour, which I found quite interesting indeed, given that I’d heard no mention of this incident before, despite it supposedly taking place more than a year ago. So I did what any right-minded person would do and started asking people who were actually there…
The conclusion I’ve come to is that Ball made the story up. People close to (and even within) the team that I spoke to thought the story was quite funny, because they simply couldn’t imagine anything more outrageous taking place between two guys whose levels of professionalism, but also personal friendship based on mutual respect, would never allow it. The consensus was that if John and Bismarck did have some sort of a problem between them – of which nobody else has ever seen any signs – they would have sorted it out in private and NEVER in front of the whole team.
So, in short, Grant Ball is talking smack and once again starting rumours based on accusations that have no foundation in fact. Pretty standard fare for a guy who learned his trade at the knee of the master of such journalism. I’m just a little saddened that Jan de Koning, a guy for whom I have a huge amount of respect, allows unsubstantiated nonsense of this sort to sully his great website.
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