Return of the King
17 May 2011
SA Rugby magazine reveals how Luke Watson’s move to the EP Kings transpired and his reasons behind it.
Watson returning was not a predetermined Kings plan. Luke’s decision to go to the Kings was self-made and self-motivated and it had nothing to do with his father, Cheeky, being the president of the EPRFU. The drive to get Luke to Port Elizabeth came from Kings director of rugby and head coach Alan Solomons.
‘He is a brilliant player and those who have played with him speak about his exceptional and inspirational leadership and about his ability to make things happen,’ said Solomons before approaching Luke.
‘I had heard so many good things about Solly’s passion and love for the game that it only made the decision [to join EP] easier,’ says Watson in the latest issue of SA Rugby magazine, which goes on sale this week. ‘Once I met him I felt even more comforted that we shared an idealism for what the Kings should represent and a practicality about what they have to achieve as a team and a region.
‘I am not back in South Africa to prove anything to anyone or to myself. I am in Port Elizabeth to make a contribution, to a team, to a region and ultimately to
a country.’
Also in the new issue:
– Keo on why Rassie Erasmus will benefit from being with the Boks
– Why Francois Hougaard should replace Bryan Habana in the Springbok side
– Jaque Fourie’s communication skills and size set him apart from the rest
– Duane Vermeulen puts fear into opponents’ hearts
– Kieran Read capped off an outstanding 2010 season by being named New Zealand’s Player of the Year, But his sights are set even higher in 2011
– In a year and a half, Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has transformed the Reds from also-rans to Super Rugby title contenders
– Quade Cooper on the Reds’ revival, his attacking innovations, and the battle for the Wallabies No 10 jersey
– The Mobile Eye device has given goal-kickers like James O’Connor a new perspective
– How the University of Cape Town broke their Varsity Cup curse
– Rudi Coetzee has justified Perpignan’s decision to sign him from bankrupt Bourgoin
– Ruan Pienaar’s stint with Ulster has given him a harder edge
Click here to subscribe to print edition
Click here to subscribe to digital edition
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@mark_keohane
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259 Comments
17 May 2011, 06:08 am
Fluke Wotsup?
Ho hum…
17 May 2011, 07:18 am
Lukas!!!!!!
17 May 2011, 07:19 am
can you see how dope the jumper he’s wearing?
17 May 2011, 07:20 am
A truly great man , integrity and grit, determination and guts……
I will never forget how he bravely fronted up at Loftus and Bloem after the ‘ puke’ debacle……, even his own teammates were saying he should rather withdraw after all kinds of threats .
Instead he went, played his heart out and stared down all the misplaced hatred and prejudice. His parents must have been so proud of him. As a father of a son who excels at his chosen sport I know how Cheeky feels to see such courage from a son…..very special indeed.
Luke, come back, do your best, and if there is justice in this world you will gain your rightful place under the African skys….
Amandla…..
Viva Luke.
17 May 2011, 07:28 am
http://www.keo.co.za/2011/03/10/return-of-the-king/ How many kings is there to return?
17 May 2011, 07:43 am
I want to puke on that cover.
17 May 2011, 07:45 am
@grant10(grant10)-4:
*Sigh*
17 May 2011, 07:45 am
Very good for the EP Kings, cant wait to see them up in the CC premier division, but he is still a K n ob with a capital K
17 May 2011, 07:58 am
Welcome back King Luke!
Let all the haters bow down in admiration
17 May 2011, 08:00 am
@oubaard(oubaard)-5: indeed, too many kings returning. First FDP and now Watson – too late to change the words it is already on paper
besides there is only one king and he is King Carlos.
17 May 2011, 08:10 am
This guy is a d00s !! I remember one night @ Tapas in PE, he was standing with a beer in his hand shouting ” I am Luke Watson, I am untouchable” etc… and then also what he said about the Bok! —- but he is a godo player and EP will benefit! Cheeky is doing good things at EP! …….
EP to replace the k@k MTN please call me Lions — ooohh its true!
17 May 2011, 08:11 am
@RedLions’ team won … down under(RL)-10: @oubaard(oubaard)-5: the are quite a number of kings in the africa. fdp is the king of pretoria and luke is the King of SA
17 May 2011, 08:11 am
*good
17 May 2011, 08:12 am
if Luke votes DA or VF+ 2morrow, all will be forgiven!
17 May 2011, 08:13 am
Simon who wrote that c.rap about Hougie replacing Habana? Take that writer and have him tested for drugs – if he had said replace Habana with say Aplon, Basson or a Mapoe then yes – Garth D my boy, when Simon comes you know why.
17 May 2011, 08:13 am
I just hope he can help the EP Kings to the Premier Division. It will be good for S.A rugby to have another region producing players.
17 May 2011, 08:13 am
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-9:
And so it continues.
Let the guy come and play rugby ffs.
17 May 2011, 08:14 am
Hardly the stuff of legend.
He’s back from a land that had neither the time nor the inclination to listen to his political blithering and so was rendered null and void.
At least he could then concentrate on what he actually did as a proffession.
I expect, once back in the swing of things at the Kings, that he will return to his sideshow political meanderings that polarised and alienated him from every team hes ever played in previously.
The Emperors new clothes indeed.
17 May 2011, 08:15 am
@grant10(grant10)-4: well said. All the haters are coming out of the woodwork here. Like Smit, Watson is a natural leader. Stormers have needed Watson leadership in the last few games.
17 May 2011, 08:38 am
@Madiba_will_vote_DA(WO_to_kill_Sir_Elton)-11: f”ck man, i’ve done the same thing @ Tapas!
we used to frequent that place for their cheap booze when i was @ UPE
17 May 2011, 08:38 am
More like return of the hobbit.
17 May 2011, 08:39 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-20:
u claimed to be Watson??
17 May 2011, 08:41 am
If fans could put the whole puke saga aside, I wonder whether they’d be happier with him in the team instead of Schalk as captain at the Stormers? I’m guessing the Stormers would be a far more complete team with Pukey. However, they did have their most successful season for years when he left…
17 May 2011, 08:44 am
@trupisero(trupisero)-22: no meathead, “i’ am transie and i am untouchable”!
17 May 2011, 08:44 am
@XV(XV)-19: There’s a difference between a natural leader and a natural stirrer.
I’m not convinced either way, but given the number of players and administrators that I talk to fairly regularly and their opinions of him, I’m leaning towards the latter.
A natural leader draws people to him, they want to perform for him, they will die on thefield for him. He is able to unite people under a common cause, to put their differences aside for a “greater good”
Now you have to ask yourself, does Luke fit the mold above?
I’m not convinced.
Just because you are fiery and a loudmouth does not make you a leader.
Now I’m not saying that’s what Luke is, I’ve always enjoyed his play and am quite happy to judge him on his performances and results, but I think we have better natural leaders in the setup.
17 May 2011, 08:45 am
@trupisero(trupisero)-22: hahahahahaha!
17 May 2011, 08:45 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-23: which had it’s genesis in the previous year’s currie cup where luke was leading from the front.
17 May 2011, 08:51 am
A very good player.
Lets hope he will shut up and just play good rugby.
17 May 2011, 08:52 am
That magazine cover would make good bogroll… Used the morning after a Vindaloo…
17 May 2011, 08:53 am
@Madiba_will_vote_DA(WO_to_kill_Sir_Elton)-11: LOL
17 May 2011, 08:53 am
Ha ha, more like how the mighty have fallen! Hail Luke, the saviour of sic”Kings” rugby!! Those hopeless AA candidate rugby administrators have been milking the region of millions!! For the past 5 yeras we have been told how the “rich vein of rugby talent” in the E Cape will be harnessed. The suckers at SARU bought into these “election promises” !! Since then they have imported some excess talent from the S14 teams and some ex pats that are in the twilight of their careers. The “rich vein” is nowhere to be seen.
Rory Duncan, De Wet Barry, Mzwandile Stick, Barend Pieterse, Darron Nel, Luke Watson, Jaco Engels, Jaco van Schalkwyk!! Hardly new talent
And since then, the mighty Kings, haven’t even managed to consistently dominate the Vodacom Cup!! Hardly royal reading ha ha.
Good luck Queen Luke!!
17 May 2011, 08:54 am
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-25: Great post!
17 May 2011, 08:55 am
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-25: yeah well, Hitler was a “natural” leader too…..sure the jews didn’t agree though
17 May 2011, 08:57 am
Little Luke is an above average player, who’ll fit in nicely at an above average team. Good luck to him…
17 May 2011, 09:01 am
@Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-31: blah blah muirhead…you’re worried?
17 May 2011, 09:01 am
@trupisero(trupisero)-33: Jeez bro, I’m not going to get into any Luke vs Hitler comparisons, that’s a bit harsh for me.
Luke’s a guy with strong and weak points, good and bad like all of us.
I was just trying to unpack why people think he’s a “Natural Leader”.
17 May 2011, 09:03 am
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-25: luke had been captain from high school, sa schools, currie cup and the aviva premiership!
enough said!
17 May 2011, 09:03 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-32: Thank you.
17 May 2011, 09:05 am
Bet Keo was rubbing his hands in glee at the thought of another 1000+ hits. Disappointing thus far.
My wish for Luke is that he be judged on the quality of his rugby alone. I never quite could make up my mind about how good a player he is coz of all the sideshows.
Just get on with it. Both Luke and everyone else.
17 May 2011, 09:06 am
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-36: lol….well he certainly does polarise opinion
17 May 2011, 09:08 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-37: I hear you Transie and I’m very aware of that, but just because he gets picked does not make him so, He has experience in leadership positions for sure, not debating that at all, but I refer you to my post above: Do you think he’s a natural leader or someone who, through being verbally aggressive and outspoken, has been put in these positions?
Let me put this to you as well: Has Luke ever won anything as a leader?
All I’m saying is that I’m not convinced, but am prepared to let him do his talking on the field. I have no particular dislike for the guy, and he may well be just what the Kings need, and no doubt will bring something to the party, and good luck to him in that.
17 May 2011, 09:08 am
Not a fan of Luke. Good player but not a great player. EP Kings will benefit from him and he is a WAY better captain old Schalk will ever be. Stormers should’ve taken him back. Good luck Luke.
17 May 2011, 09:09 am
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-25: @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-32: Luke is definitely a natural leader. We never questioned his leadership until the day he expressed his political and racial opinions. Those were none of our business and he shouldn’t have made them public but this doesn’t mean that he suddenly stopped being a good leader. On the field, he still did amazing things for and with WP even after his unnecessary outbursts.
I wld argue that some results this season cld hav been different if he was leading: remember Schalk shouting at refs, scowling, even pushing refs and looking damn frustrated? Politics aside, Luke is a natural rugby captain.
17 May 2011, 09:09 am
Luke is a great player, great link player, reads the game well, and will serve the kings well in the Vodacom cup. Some people really spit bile about him, never met him but he playes good footy and IMO could have been a Bok ahead of Spies.
Going from Premiership rugby to Vodacom is a step backwards and had nothing to do with daddy as the chief. Me thinks not mate, dont lie like Smit.
17 May 2011, 09:10 am
What’s this king business. Is he the king of the southern kings?
His maj?
17 May 2011, 09:11 am
Pampas would smash the Kings…
17 May 2011, 09:12 am
Kudos to Luke though… seems he’s grown up a bit away from Cheeky…
17 May 2011, 09:13 am
What’s with the cover?
Talk to the hand?
17 May 2011, 09:16 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-48:
No… it’s going to take at least ’5′ years for the Kings to be competitive in the CC…
17 May 2011, 09:17 am
Luke is a decent player. Not flashy and not a game breaker, but a solid loose forward. He won’t let the Kings down. Not sure what the rest of their loosies look like. Will Mbiyoso be playing for them? If so, then that’s two pretty similar flankers. Do they have any big, bruising ball carriers? Because they won’t survive with small link men only.
17 May 2011, 09:18 am
I thought Elvis was the king?
17 May 2011, 09:18 am
Kings could not have asked for a more suitable candidate to take them forward for the next 3 to 5 years. Good luck to them and Luke.
17 May 2011, 09:19 am
@gunther(gunther)-51:
Yeah but he ain’t returning anytime soon
17 May 2011, 09:19 am
@Ace11(Ace11)-43:
That’s absolute bollocks. I have had the pleasure of meeting various provincial and international rugby captains, and none of them had/have this chip on their shoulder like Shorty, whom I’ve also met.
Whatever their political//personal opinions are, being a “natural” leader also means knowing when to keep your trap shut.
I can only hope he gets on with rugby and leave the sideshows. I’ll applaud him when he plays well but will similarly deride him when he acts like an idiot.
17 May 2011, 09:20 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-48: I think he’s pretending to give keo a hand-off. (keo is standing on a kitchen stool)
17 May 2011, 09:20 am
i don’t agree at all bryce! … EP had a good Vodacom Cup. The lost to the Lions because of a awefull ref and with 14 men (after a red card) – then they lost to the Bulls – the same Bulls who they beat by 20+ points a few weeks earlier! The were penalised by 9 points, which meant they couldn’t reach the play offs! 2 to 3 years all they might be under the top 5!
17 May 2011, 09:21 am
the = they! ek tik weer soos ‘n bloedige prawn vandag!
17 May 2011, 09:22 am
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-41: so now it’s about winning things?
so all the coaches at these levels (even at BATH) couldn’t distinguish between a “verbally aggressive” guy and a guy that can rally the team and get the bet out of the guys? sure, if you say so.
17 May 2011, 09:22 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-53:
actually I thought I saw him enjoying a cappucino at Giovanni’s yesterday morning discussing the merits of the rush defence with Marc Bolan.
17 May 2011, 09:22 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-58: bet = best
17 May 2011, 09:23 am
@gunther(gunther)-59:
Was Jimmy Hoffa serving them?
17 May 2011, 09:26 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-58: Well it’s just that I’m trying to find a way of measuring whether he is a “natural leader” or not.
One is success for sure, but yes it’s not the only factor for sure.
All I’m saying is that I’m still unconvinced, but best of luck to him.
17 May 2011, 09:29 am
@Madiba_will_vote_DA(WO_to_kill_Sir_Elton)-56:
What was their score against the Pampas?
17 May 2011, 09:32 am
Thought I saw king bob marley selling ragga stuff at stalletjie on station.
17 May 2011, 09:33 am
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-41:
tsk tsk shame on you.
luke is awesome
17 May 2011, 09:35 am
@gunther(gunther)-65: I hang my head in embarrasment.
17 May 2011, 09:36 am
Bryce, they didn’t play them ..
17 May 2011, 09:39 am
@gunther(gunther)-59:
Nah mate that was Ross Skeate, don’t let the lambtjops fool you!
17 May 2011, 09:39 am
bryce, i agree, there is no way that the Kings are Super 15 material yet! but at least there is improvement, EP couldn’t win 1 game in last years Vodacom Cup. Give it a year or 2 or 3 …
17 May 2011, 09:42 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-68:
I thought Ross was in Durban on a three year physiotherapy contract.
17 May 2011, 09:47 am
pampas will smash rebels
17 May 2011, 09:47 am
EP Kings played 8, won 6 in the Vodacom Cup – two losses against the Lions and Bulls, both by a single point if I am not mistaken…
17 May 2011, 09:48 am
@gunther(gunther)-70:
His contract includes travel allowance!
17 May 2011, 09:52 am
I like Luke, think he is a bit misunderstood, I can relate to that. God knows I have had worse fetishes than merely throwing up on someone else’s jersey.
Blow Chunks Lukie!!!
17 May 2011, 09:53 am
politics, tight shirts and puke
are the strengths of young master Luke
but none of these things
are of use to the Kings
who’ll rely on some kind refs and fluke
17 May 2011, 09:59 am
He might not have been near one of the most successful captains at WP… nor Bath but if Luke really has grown up since his time away from his father… then I can not think of many better high profile captains from the region to take the helm…
I think most should judge him from now on… and not his past indiscretions as a brain-washed lightie…
17 May 2011, 10:01 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-75:
woohooo
they will burn you at the stake for that one.
high treason.
17 May 2011, 10:02 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-72: quite right, we lost 10 – 11 to the Lions in march and 29 – 28 to the Bulls in April. those were ouronly two losses.
17 May 2011, 10:04 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-75: what do the lions rely on?
2 out of 25 is it?
17 May 2011, 10:06 am
@grant10(grant10)-4:
Good stuff, G10. It will be intriguing what impact he has for EP. I cant say I ever saw him play brilliantly for Bath but his press was very good and the club certainly loved him.
what sport your son playing ?
17 May 2011, 10:12 am
What a load of bs some bloggers on here spew.Use NH rugby and what players have done when it suits them.When Neil de kock was captain at Saracens and nominated for priemership Player of the Yr all we heard was how hard done he was in SA,how much leadership & intellectual capacity was lost due to him going overseas etc etc Same with Ernst Joubert, Shaun Sowerby etc. How keo & his ilk and many bloggers love to quote Joe van Niekerk and how he has become a folk hero in France/Toulon,a better player, natural leader blah blah blah
But with Watson (who became captain within months of move to Bath) its a whole different view altogether. The fact that he has closer links to the “Black elite” and political landscape in this country than the Broederbond-chummy chummy-Anton Rupert-dinosaurs who have manipulated the rugby fraternity/game for years is what truly irks all of you it seems….
Bl-oody Rich….
17 May 2011, 10:14 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-80:
tiddlywinks or pin the tail on the donkey
17 May 2011, 10:14 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-44:
hey Kevin
sure am looking forward to your reply on the ‘Brussow breaks down again’ thread. You know, it was one of your daily rants about ‘cheating Kiwi refs’, in this case B.Lawrence and the Brumbies vs Lions match.
17 May 2011, 10:15 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-81:
nope, simply because he acted like an idjit for years here.
17 May 2011, 10:16 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-81: s’bali uyihlabe esikhonkosini
17 May 2011, 10:17 am
@trupisero(trupisero)-82:
I didnt ask you, dimwit.
Clearly you dont have kids, Mr Cheapshot
17 May 2011, 10:18 am
@grant10(grant10)-4: booo -hooooo-moooooo. lol.
really …those mean Bulls supporters. and poor Luke.
17 May 2011, 10:18 am
Agree Luke is a great leader and can understand that everyone who has played and worked with him love him to bits.
When you see play for Bath or be a tv pundit on Sky you can see his intelligence and obvious leadership.
Unfortunately though and at the risk of sounding like a bog standard Watson basher he isn’t a winner on the rugby field. No team that he has lead has ever won anything ever…..
17 May 2011, 10:20 am
@Train(Train)-88:
Do you think Andre Vos was a good captain???(Salt of the earth type)
And what did he win??? Ever???
17 May 2011, 10:21 am
@shooter(shooter)-87: rephrase. lmoa.
17 May 2011, 10:21 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-86: keep your panty on.
17 May 2011, 10:23 am
@trupisero(trupisero)-84:
Yeah so was Joost & Krige wasnt great neither….Seems like its more about which “idiot” you choose to like and what/who they stand for….
17 May 2011, 10:25 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-89: Nope
17 May 2011, 10:28 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-81:
I think has more to do with the incesant commentry from Luke. ‘Oh, woe is me, i am just my fathers child crapola.’
The other guys you mentioned, no matter how slighted or hard done by they thought they had been, just got on with the job at hand. No ramblings about how they been mistreated etc if that was the case. Just play the flippen game!
I do find it interesting that not one of the local CC teams he has played in have sent him on his way with a kind word. Bekker was the last to offer some choice words on Lukes departure and before that it was a few guys at the Sharks.
I really hope he’s left all that shi t behind and is just keen on playing rugby. He may state his only intention is to play the game but I have a feeling that the ugly side to Luke will reappear once back in daddys lair.
17 May 2011, 10:29 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-81: A whinge…?
17 May 2011, 10:32 am
Luke Watson…
The first white waBenzi…?
SA truly has become non-racial…
17 May 2011, 10:34 am
Luke would make a damn fine trade unionist. But sadly there is very little overlap between shop steward and openside flank.
17 May 2011, 10:34 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-94: the Players’ Player Award was not enough for you, you’d rather choose a sentence from an Andries Bekker interview
so which players voted for that award?
17 May 2011, 10:40 am
To be honest I couldnt really give a sh it.
Just play the game Luke. There are at least 6 better loosies than you in the country at the moment so how about you shut your trap and get on with it.
Its the only way to shut people up.
17 May 2011, 10:43 am
Nothing more than a shameless opportunist riding the bandwagon of revolution to personal gain…?
A waBenzi…?
Rugbywise, fairly average in comparison to other loosie stocks. Actually I would consider Mbuyoso (Spelling?) a better playe… and leader in light of his 7s achievements and game against the BI Lions….
However, self promotion wise… definitely above average.
A parasite to the spirit or team-ethic of any rugby organisation he plays for…
Its all about Luke…
17 May 2011, 10:45 am
@Train(Train)-93:
Ok,based on what?
because there have been plenty of good captains that won little if anythin…
Namely: Keith Wood, BOD, Gavin Hastings, David Wilson, etc
While the likes of Reuben Thorne won plenty but arent held in very high esteem especially as leaders
17 May 2011, 10:47 am
Reckon McGeechan was quietly happy to see Luke return to his promised land…
17 May 2011, 10:48 am
@Train(Train)-88: Barrit and Thinus Delport are better Sky pundits…
17 May 2011, 10:49 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-100: hahaha spoken like a true last outpost colonialist d*ckhead
17 May 2011, 10:49 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-58: When has Puke “got the best out of his guys”….
17 May 2011, 10:52 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-104: This thread is not about HG, its about Luke…Surely?
Or do you have an agenda…?
Anyway stick to your agenda and I will stick to Puking Luke…
The truth will out.
17 May 2011, 10:59 am
Look, the fact is, regardless of peoples’ opinions of Luke, and he clearly polarises opinion, even to the extent that people cannot seem to accept a middle of the road opinion, that he is a good acqusistion to the Kings, that he’ll bring something on both the player front and the leadership front.
Good luck to him and good luck to the Kings. The fact is, they have been promised a Super Rugby slot and SARU must back that. Better that they have the best chance of succeeding, and Luke will certainly be a good asset.
17 May 2011, 10:59 am
“‘He is a brilliant player and those who have played with him speak about his exceptional and inspirational leadership and about his ability to make things happen,’ said Solomons before approaching Luke.”
Solomons also said the same thing about Derick Kuun in 2009 for the BIL tour, and said that Kuun would be a Springbok soon.
So can we please get Derick Kuun on the front page too?
17 May 2011, 11:01 am
@Agile T*t-Tyrant(Anairetes agilis)-108:
OK, I understand that Kuun doesn’t speak english with a stiff upper lip, and his pappa wasn’t a struggle hero, so maybe just an article then…..somewhere near the back? Maybe?
17 May 2011, 11:03 am
Luke Watson did not earn any plaudits in the Premiership, proclaimed by many posters to be “inferior”….
He has not been selected by any pundits in the UK as a member of their Premiership XV’s… Selections that often include Brits, Mujati and Barrit.
The team he led with such “distinction”, Bath, came 5th…
And those same posters who proclaim inferiority of all things NH, will gather their palm fronds to lay before Lukey as he returns King of his land of milk and honey….
So much disarray in logic…
17 May 2011, 11:04 am
Butch starts for Lions:
15 Jaco Taute, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Doppies le Grange (captain), 11. Deon van Rensburg, 10 Butch James, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Derrick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4. Wikus van Heerden, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Warren Whiteley, 19 Baywatch, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Dylan des Fountain
17 May 2011, 11:06 am
middle of the road opinions that are expressed as gospel are unacceptable, they are just that personal opinions.
17 May 2011, 11:06 am
Luke was made to look like the bad guy by Jake and his senior players. Those same players that are pulling Springbok rugby through the mud. Welcome back Luke.
17 May 2011, 11:09 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-111: Sarel Pretorius??
17 May 2011, 11:09 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-111: Is that the CATS, cause you have the Cheetahs 9 playing.
17 May 2011, 11:11 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-111: Tough to drop Elton after his great performance last week.
17 May 2011, 11:13 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-114:
Hehe, they wish!
Should read Jano Vermaak.
Sarel skinnering about me obviously…
17 May 2011, 11:13 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-110:
No plaudits from my side regarding NH,where he was selected as one of nominees for premiership Player of the yr.It is weaker BUT what I do have a problem with is selective plaudits when it suits a certain player(s) especially regarding NH form etc which is a precursor to agenda-like opinion pieces/write ups.
Same standards. If you’re going to praise the likes of Barritt etc then do the same for the others as they play in same league/same teams/get same plaudits etc
17 May 2011, 11:15 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-117:
17 May 2011, 11:15 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-116:
Yeah it is. Waratahs in Sydney should be much sterner test for the Lions though.
Butch at 10, Doppies at 12. Could prove to be quie a good combo.
17 May 2011, 11:19 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-118: Exactly… So if Barrit ever returns to Kings Park… Proclamations of the Prince returns with you at the forefront…?
17 May 2011, 11:22 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-121: Or does Barrit not have enough “connections with the black elite”
17 May 2011, 11:23 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-120: True. It will be a tough game. If the Lions forwards can dominate again they will have a good chance of winning.
17 May 2011, 11:28 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-121:
Never stated that Barritt is a terrible player,never in my posts just stated that he wasnt as good as many on here were making out he was.(especially with him being behind Hape & Flutey for almost 2 yrs) and the fact that he only really play 12 and ONLY 12 really.
It would be welcomed for him to come back to SA especially for Sharks where at 12 with Bosman its been an abomination. He is a better version of the departed Andries Strauss who at this stage I would have back any day above Bosman however limited he is.
But as for Boks,thats a different issue altogether where I doubt he’d even be an automatic selection in extended squad (ex: 55 man squad chosen) especially looking at centre options: De Villiers/Frans Steyn/De Jongh/Olivier with also Butch & Lambie also viable option there at 12.
17 May 2011, 11:28 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-112: Why are they unacceptable? They are clearly stated as opinions, much like everyone else’s.
No more valid than your opinion, but certainly no less either.
I don’t have any issues with Luke, but i fail to accept that he either fits into the “great hope for Springbok rugby” catagory, or the “puking Afrikaner hating loudmouth who antagonises everyone around him” catagory.
To take that view would be to do him a major disservice as a human being.
But you knoew that already
And I won’t be talked over to either side, I am prepared to wait and let him prove himself, one way or another,
They way he’d want it I’m sure.
17 May 2011, 11:30 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-122:
There you go being juvenile once again
17 May 2011, 11:33 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-101: A good captain is one that – on rare occassions when their team is slightly weaker or just as strong as the oppo – can make them win. There are very few captains who have this trait (Smit, Pienaar, Eales, Johnson, Dallagio, McCaw), some who are almost there (Matfield, BOD, Gregan) and others who try very hard (Watson, Morlock, Randall)
17 May 2011, 11:34 am
@Train(Train)-127: Teichman fall into the same camp as Watson…
17 May 2011, 11:35 am
Out of doubt, out of dark, to the days rising
he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing
Hope he rekindled, and in hope ended;
over death, over dread, over doom lifted
out of loss, out of life, unto long glory.
JRR Tolkien
The Return of the King.
17 May 2011, 11:36 am
Hougaard to replace Habana???
WHAT!
17 May 2011, 11:36 am
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-25: Luke Watson relishing the challenge of being the new sheriff in Bath
By Paul Ackford, Rugby Correspondent 9:00PM BST 04 Sep 2010
In 15 years of interviewing rugby players for this newspaper, no one has done what Luke Watson did this week. “Thanks for the chat,” he texted, unprompted. “Really enjoyed it. Take care. Luke.”
That just doesn’t happen these days, not because the modern rugby player has a problem with civility, but because the obligatory media interview is so much part of the week’s wallpaper in the professional player’s life that it scarcely merits a mention.
But Watson bothered. Bad boy Watson, the scourge of South African rugby, ostracised by Springbok centurions John Smit and Victor Matfield for dissing the national shirt he once wore, accused by World Cup-winning coach Jake White, of relying on powerful political friends, including former President Thabo Mbeki, to advance his career.
But we’ll get to that later. First, there is the intriguing question as to why Bath have appointed the 26-year-old back rower, with 20 appearances to his name, as captain, when he only arrived at the club last November, when there is an obvious candidate available in England captain Lewis Moody, and when last year’s skipper, Michael Claasens, another South African, is still present and correct.
It’s not as if Watson was forced on the Bath squad. “When Bath approached me I asked them to give me six weeks to think it over and to have spoken to every senior player before the subject was brought up again. I said that if there was one guy who didn’t want me to be captain, I wouldn’t do it. The feedback was positive.”
Watson didn’t even ask his mates quietly what they thought of the idea. He didn’t want to put them in an awkward position, where friendship might compromise an honest response.
The city of Bath has always had a difficult relationship with its rugby club. The scandal of a year ago, when four players left the club after an end-of-season party in London got out of hand, has been well documented. But whispers of irresponsible and arrogant behaviour have dogged the club from the amateur days.
It wasn’t too long ago that an acquaintance of mine, a Bath resident, regularly complained of the boorish antics of the club’s players in the bars and pubs in city. It needs a strong personality to hold Bath together. Watson, not tainted by previous association, ticks that box. He’s changed his captaincy style too.
“I look at how I was as back in South Africa in the early days. I used to be Captain Courageous, a Die Hard captain, who led from the front. I still believe that is important but sometimes you cut yourself off from the rest of the side.
“It can become a one-man show, and that’s dangerous because if something happens to the leader there is a big void to fill. Now I favour a structure where there are five or six guys with leadership responsibilities who have equal say, equal input. That’s not to devalue the captain’s position.
“If you create an environment where a captain is willing to make himself vulnerable, willing to take on criticism, willing to admit mistakes, then it encourages responsibility and accountability from everyone.”
Now, all that could be filed in the bin marked self-regarding, woolly tosh were it not for the fact that Watson has a track record of standing up for what he believes in.
A celebrated advocate for racial equality in South Africa, it was his injudicious comment, when alluding to divisive periods in the history of the national side, that wearing the Springbok jersey made him want to vomit, which so upset Smit, Matfield and other senior Boks.
“I did challenge mindsets and I did disagree with the way things were done. Nelson Mandela was locked up for being a terrorist because he didn’t agree with apartheid.
“Now at no stage am I comparing myself to Mandela, but I had a whole bunch of pressure and push from behind me.
“I was used as a spearhead to try to eradicate the lack of transformation which was occurring in South African rugby at the time.
“When someone makes a stand for anything, there will be consequences. It makes a lot of people uncomfortable because you’re going against the flow. But those times teach you principle, teach you that standing up for what you believe is right is worth it regardless of the consequences.”
Watson declines to rake over some of the more incendiary incidents. “We’ve all moved on. Some of the stuff was said in the heat of the moment.” But he was willing to delve into a period in his youth which demonstrates his convictions. I asked him when he first knew that he was prepared to speak out.
“I was captaining the South African Under-21 side and we had a young guy, Paul Deport, in that team. He was a good player who had turned out for South Africa’s sevens team, as well as figuring for two of the provincial franchises.
“We were up against a varsity side and one of the opposition said to Paul, ‘You’re nothing but a quota player’.
“Afterwards, when both sides were together, I confronted the issue in front of everyone. I didn’t single out the individual who had made the remark, but I asked the captain, ‘Do you accept racism? Is that something you encourage?’ He said, ‘No’, and I said, ‘Well, somebody in your team made a very racist remark to one of my guys and I just feel that is despicable’.
“I may have expressed myself more heatedly than that at the time, but I just wanted to emphasise the point that the colour of your skin should never influence the way people are treated.”
Quote how all this will impact on Bath’s Premiership campaign, which starts on Sunday with a tricky away fixture at Leeds, will be fascinating to determine. There is no doubt Bath can play.
Their performances towards the tail end of last season were extravagantly gifted. But, for a while now, I have felt that the club lacked real steel, that despite the stabilising influence of Danny Grewcock and David Barnes, despite the increasing maturity of Olly Barkley, Bath, in terms of their attitudes and behaviours, struggled for humility.
Maybe Watson provides that. A committed and very vocal Christian, he says he has already enjoyed a number of religious conversations.
“One day we got into a team discussion as to which was the best religion, and the conclusion was that the principles of Christianity are probably the best. It’s all about love,” which is not a topic that tops the chat charts in many rugby clubs.
Coming away from Bath, I was impressed with Watson. It is too early to pass judgment on him as an effective rugby player and decision-maker on the pitch, but, as a bloke, he cuts the mustard.
“I’m a pretty easy-going guy until there’s an injustice,” he said at one point, “or until I feel someone has been put in a position which is unfair and they can’t speak for themselves.
“I would try to resist confrontation and altercation but, when push came to shove, I’m not afraid to speak out.”
Not much more you can ask of a captain really.
17 May 2011, 11:38 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-103: Barritt and Delport are good but to be fair I think Watson is the better pundit.
17 May 2011, 11:39 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-124: My subject was Watson, not Barrit…
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-126: Flippant in word, maybe, but serious in meaning when demonstrating the hollowness of this statement:
“the fact that he has closer links to the “Black elite” and political landscape in this country than the Broederbond-chummy chummy-Anton Rupert-dinosaurs who have manipulated the rugby fraternity/game for years is what truly irks all of you it seems…”
You Irked…?
17 May 2011, 11:40 am
@Train(Train)-132: You have a right to your opinion.
17 May 2011, 11:42 am
Luke Watson:
“I did challenge mindsets and I did disagree with the way things were done. Nelson Mandela was locked up for being a terrorist because he didn’t agree with apartheid.
“Now at no stage am I comparing myself to Mandela, but I had a whole bunch of pressure and push from behind me. “I was used as a spearhead to try to eradicate the lack of transformation which was occurring in South African rugby at the time.
Dont really have to say much… Puke slays himself…
17 May 2011, 11:44 am
Welcome home Luke, progeny of Checky, son of Africa. Brokeback and Bokke.
Keo.Com.edy.za ‘s greatest hit magnet.
King of the Threads.
17 May 2011, 11:44 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-121: Prince of what?
17 May 2011, 11:45 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-131: And good luck to him. AI recall the article, and remember. this is Luke saying how it all happened, but that doesn’t make it untrue.
All I know is that the “old Luke” as he referred to in the interview, is partly what the guys had against him, but he seems to be aware of that.
As I said, good luck.
17 May 2011, 11:46 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-135:
Everything in your post made sense HG.
Until your last sentence.
How does Luke slay himself with that statement?
17 May 2011, 11:47 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-135: Luke Watson:
““Nothing is by fluke and when I had the opportunity of Bath coming up I realised that this is where God wanted me to be, that there was more than just rugby here – that God wanted to do a massive thing not only within the club but within the city.”
http://www.wenetwork.co.uk/action-zones/health-and-leisure/news/696-luke-watson-believes-god-brought-him-to-bath-rugby.html
Dont really have to say much…. Bath (the City) must have been truly appreciative…
17 May 2011, 11:48 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-111: Pity to drop Jantjies after his sublime performance against the Brumbies. In terms of his development and confidence, this is the worst possible move. I’d start with him, and if he’s having a nightmare, bring Butch on.
17 May 2011, 11:48 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-137: Thank you. Point made.
17 May 2011, 11:51 am
I didn’t like Luke Watson and his attitude before he left for England. As far as I was concerned Bath could have him and his persecution complex.
But I’ve been impressed by his change in attitude and maturity in the last 2 years. Maybe its becoming a father, or because he was away from the media distractions and politics he found himself so easily and willingly involved in.
Either way, I’m prepared to give him some time to fully convince me.
The best thing for him to do though, would be to let his rugby do the talking.
17 May 2011, 11:53 am
@cane(cane)-139: Think about it.
HG on the Keo blog and the “locals” who have had the run of the place for too long:
“I did challenge mindsets and I did disagree with the way things were done. Nelson Mandela was locked up for being a terrorist because he didn’t agree with apartheid. Now at no stage am I comparing myself to Mandela, but I had a whole bunch of pressure and push from behind me. I was being a spearhead to try to eradicate the hypocrisy which was occurring in Keo at the time…”
Other posters may answer that one for you if you don’t get it…
17 May 2011, 11:54 am
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-125: when they’re “expressed as gospel”, surely you read that bit.
17 May 2011, 11:57 am
@Train(Train)-127: where do Schalk, JdV, Johann Muller, Stefan Terblanche, Juan Smith, Baywatch Grobelaar fit?
17 May 2011, 12:00 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-80: trail running
17 May 2011, 12:03 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-133:
What you on about? In post 121 you clearly are referring to Barrit and my reaction if he came back to the tank
secondly: irked by the hypocrisy .Same standards mate otherwise doesnt carry much weight nor credibility. has the makings of an agenda if so.
17 May 2011, 12:06 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-144:
Luke is a rarity.
He says what he thinks.
And that is refreshing.
17 May 2011, 12:08 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-146: pretty much in the same group as Watson – they still remain fantastic world class players though, especially Schalk and Juan.
For me the reason that the Stormers will just be a very good side and not a champion side is because they dont have the captain with the x factor. If Smitty or Vic was skippering them they would most likely win.
17 May 2011, 12:09 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-148: *sigh* If you don’t get it I will try once more…
Substitute Luke for Barrit in this statement:
“If you’re going to praise the likes of Luke etc then do the same for the others as they play in same league/same teams/get same plaudits…”
Now do you get it…
Anyway, outtahere…
17 May 2011, 12:11 pm
pity Jantjies droppend….that was one of the best 10 performances I have seen by a Saffa in many a year
17 May 2011, 12:13 pm
mshiniwami debating with Heavens Game.
It’s like Bobby Kennedy argueing Richard Nixon.
No clear-cut winner!
But we all know who the Good Guy is/was.
17 May 2011, 12:18 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-144: bwahahaha what a self-aggrandising k_nobhead
“challenging mindsets”?
you’re a caricature at first/best mate but now you’re just plain b_anal.
17 May 2011, 12:19 pm
@cane(cane)-153: Speaking of which, did you ever see a movie called Frost/Nixon?
17 May 2011, 12:25 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-154: Thank you for making my point to Cane…
Especially this:
“bwahahaha what a self-aggrandising k_nobhead “challenging mindsets”?”
Cane, regarding Puke, take the comment above as the explicit version of my seemingly obscure explanation to you (thought you were better than that though)…
Like putty, Megatron…
17 May 2011, 12:25 pm
@cane(cane)-153:
you remind me of Ethel.
Same sunglasses.
17 May 2011, 12:28 pm
@>^..^< katman(katmandu)-155:
No Katman,
it sounded a little boring.
8)
(unlike a Luke Watson Thread on Keo).
However, I’ve got a feeling I am wrong.
17 May 2011, 12:29 pm
HG
Delusional and a loutish bore.
new day, same delusions.
Ho Hum
17 May 2011, 12:31 pm
@cane(cane)-158: Indeed you are wrong. It was pretty good. Michael Sheen as David Frost and Frank Langella as Richard Nixon in that epic TV interview that finally exposed Nixon, three years after he left office. Directed by Ron Howard. Well worth a trip to the video store.
17 May 2011, 12:31 pm
@gunther(gunther)-157:
Djou Ma se M o e r!
17 May 2011, 12:31 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-131:
Round of applause. I hadn’t seen that article before. Says all I need to know about Luke.
Isn’t it strange that the only players (at least as far as I’ve seen) who abhor Luke are the Springboks, particularly Jake White’s sons – Smit, Matfield et al. I have never heard of a single one of his provincial and age-group teammates bad mouthing him. I remember Robbie Diack winning man of the match during a Currie Cup game and all he could talk about in the post match interview was Luke and his inspirational leadership. I have also spoken to quite a few guys (6 guys to be exact) who played with him either at Grey or at SA under 19 and 21, though they did agree that he could be quite intense at times, everyone of them waxed lyrical about him as a man, a teammate and a leader.
It’s a pity that there will always be those who will never move past his mistakes as a youngster but I for one am part of the army of supporters behind Luke.
17 May 2011, 12:36 pm
Luke Watson might only be 28 but he is washed up, Finished . I don’t think there is any truth that Bath wanted to extended him… Why did they just sign F.Louw? Big Fish in a Small EP Pond will allow him to keep his big ego.
17 May 2011, 12:36 pm
@Ethel(Ethel)-161:
var val djy uit?
17 May 2011, 12:38 pm
@gunther(gunther)-164:
Naai die vis is koud en die see by Kalk Baai droog my bra.
17 May 2011, 12:38 pm
Ek en Harry is nou geskei, so ek is nou nie meer die ‘beachwalker’ nie.
17 May 2011, 12:40 pm
@gunther(cunther)-157:
Ethel and I both enjoy a drink .
Is Ethel still with us?
17 May 2011, 12:42 pm
@gunther(gunther)-164:
Ek sien donners baie MCP’s hier op Keo deesdae. Oh ek verlang so na daai lekka ou dae, toe snoek nog iets wat geeet worre en nie ‘n rugby span van Natal issie.
17 May 2011, 12:43 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-160:
http://youtu.be/-8CbRyNyqrY
try this.
Glad I’m not a Kennedy.
17 May 2011, 12:43 pm
@cane(cane)-167:
How is you Canebolletjie. Long time my Allblacked out maaitjie.
17 May 2011, 12:45 pm
@cane(cane)-167:
I lurk in the shadows Canebollethjie. When my name is called I cometh.
17 May 2011, 12:47 pm
@Train(Train)-150: That’s ****. Vic is no great capatin’s arse. And Smit would not make it into the Stormers starting lineup on merit, so would drop the standard of the pack to accommodate.
17 May 2011, 12:49 pm
return of the king???????????? WTF! is KEO or SA Rugby trying to antagonise people? Is a title like this on the front cover of their mag going to sell copies?
17 May 2011, 12:51 pm
@Ethel(Ethel)-171:
Sorry Ethanol,
i was referring to the Alcoholic member of the Kennedy Clan. Not your good self.
Any similarity was/is purely accidental.
Humbly yours,
cane.
17 May 2011, 12:51 pm
@Ethel(Ethel)-171:
like a giant steenbras.
17 May 2011, 12:52 pm
shouldn’t this read “return of puke king”
17 May 2011, 12:52 pm
sharks team announced.
17 May 2011, 12:52 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-173:
you bet.
Luke sells.
17 May 2011, 12:52 pm
@cane(cane)-174:
17 May 2011, 12:53 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-176: give it a rest…
17 May 2011, 12:53 pm
Read this article to see how his English team mates view him as a person… It was written by David Flatman, a veteran of the English game who has seen it all.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-gospel-truth-luke-watsons-a-godlike-genius-2158024.html
17 May 2011, 12:53 pm
Self Proclaimed king, thats about it
17 May 2011, 12:54 pm
@gunther(gunther)-175:
Ne!
17 May 2011, 12:54 pm
@Sghibha(Sghibha)-162: army of supporters wtf are you on about?
17 May 2011, 12:54 pm
Luke is the saviour of SA rugby!
17 May 2011, 12:55 pm
@cane(cane)-169: That was interesting. But not terribly good.
Wearing the fame like a loaded gun…gun…gun…
17 May 2011, 12:55 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-184:
Te vroeg vir Tassie bro. Gedra djou
17 May 2011, 12:55 pm
@grant10(grant10)-180: ag grant you’ve got a crush on puketwatson, why should I give it a rest fk that man.
17 May 2011, 12:56 pm
@garth(garth)-172: matter of opinion – but Stormers looked pretty rudderless 2nd half on saturday.
17 May 2011, 12:56 pm
@Ethel(Ethel)-185: bwaaahahahaha…eish but you are fuuunny ne
17 May 2011, 12:56 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-186:
Kaatermann hoes dit bro.
17 May 2011, 12:57 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-190:
No I’m Ethel! Bwahaaaahaaaa
17 May 2011, 12:58 pm
@cane(cane)-178: ja he sells the Bok reputation and emblem down the drain.
17 May 2011, 12:59 pm
@Ethel(Ethel)-191: Ethanol, nee hier gaan dit maar aan. Ons teel en ons vote en so doen ons ons ding vir SA.
17 May 2011, 12:59 pm
I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Luke, and he is honestly one of the most genuine guys i’ve ever met. He cares about other people, deeply, and often goes out of his way to help them. Without seeking acclaim for it.
He cancelled a holiday in Maldives and donated the money he would’ve spent to the Haiti earthquake victims a couple of years ago, thats just one example, how many of us would do that?
17 May 2011, 13:01 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-176:
Easy rugger, easy . pour yourself a drink.
How many of US, could stand up to microscopic analysis of our every word ?
Luke’s every sentence is dissected, debated and judged.
Those without fault cast the first stone.
17 May 2011, 13:02 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-194:
Ek **** djy is soos ‘n hasie. Twee kleinin haasies nou by die Katerman. Ja ek wou vir staan in die Kalk Baai distrik maar toe sit ek maar.
17 May 2011, 13:03 pm
@cane(cane)-196:
Exactly, how many of these guys berrating Luke have not said far worse things around the braai with their mates? Very few, if not none, I imagine
17 May 2011, 13:04 pm
@grant10(grant10)-180: he will as soon as you give JS bashing a rest
17 May 2011, 13:05 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-186:
it was a little dated katman.
But so am I.
8)
17 May 2011, 13:06 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-35: Ah great come back line Transie! What is there to be worried about? In pure rugby terms, what do the Kings have to scare me? Man I reckon the Cheetahs Grey schools team would probably smash the Kings Punjab 15!
I guess all you have to hope for is a little bit of affirmative action to somehow get the Kings in Super Rugby, and even then it simply won’t last!! Unless of course they buy the then redundant Cheetahs or Lions players, but not with that rickety bunch, with a loser as their talisman!!
17 May 2011, 13:06 pm
@Dazzler(Dazzler)-195: I met Luke twice….very impressive young man, intense but genuinely a decen guy. Both times I met him he was in the gym with his fellow mates, and the respect the players had for Luke was very obvious to see.
17 May 2011, 13:06 pm
@garth(garth)-172: eish, i saw that comment about Smit having the “x-factor” ad i decided to let it slide.
17 May 2011, 13:09 pm
@Dazzler(Dazzler)-198:
The Options given by you:
A)……… very few.
or
B) ……….none.
I’d say B.
17 May 2011, 13:09 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-199: Not much to say about Plod thses days….seems he is always on bench or injured….
They asked Plum if he would be starting this weekend against Bulls…he replied….’ no…we want our best front row to play this weekend ””
Need i say more?
17 May 2011, 13:11 pm
@grant10(grant10)-202:
I know, I’ve seen the same thing, in his interaction with the players, they all seem to love him. And the I know the guys at Bath were devasted when they found out he was leaving, they really respected him. Even Lewis Moody, the England captain, had very good things to say about him.
17 May 2011, 13:11 pm
G10. is that like cross-country ? Must be uber-fit. Send him over to NZ for the Coast-to-Coast, now those b@stards are tough !
Good stuff.
17 May 2011, 13:13 pm
@grant10(grant10)-205: the great thing though is that JS will captain the Boks at the RWC while Puke sits in PE, best thing ever for SA rugby
17 May 2011, 13:13 pm
@cane(cane)-204:
And I’d agree. And what’s more, i’ll even include myself in that so as not to be a hypocrite. We all say things we regret from time to time…
17 May 2011, 13:14 pm
@Sghibha(Sghibha)-162:
Isn’t it strange finding bloggers that are South African and that have negative views towards the Bok’s RWC winning coach and members of that Bok RWC winning team.
Isn’t it strange….
17 May 2011, 13:16 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-207: yeah….mountain trail running….brilliant athlete….won a couple of big races last 12 months and often top 6 to 10…..the dedication and focus of those athletes are mind blowing….
17 May 2011, 13:18 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-208: LW should prove himself before even talk of playing for boks…..
Seems Plod exempt from this criteria though.
17 May 2011, 13:18 pm
VRRRRRRYSSSSSSTAAAAAAAT!!!!
17 May 2011, 13:22 pm
SHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARKS!!!
17 May 2011, 13:23 pm
BUUUUUULLLLLLLLS!!!
17 May 2011, 13:23 pm
LEEEEEEEEEUS!!!
17 May 2011, 13:23 pm
breezers.
17 May 2011, 13:23 pm
@Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-201: in pure professional rugby terms the bottom team/s should be outright relegated but in SA they are protected by their gatgabbas…what is the Cheetahs record in Super Rugby since the cats dissolved, are you proud of it?
17 May 2011, 13:28 pm
G10
awesome stuff, yep those guys are mentally-tough, incredible endurance.
You must be rightly very proud. SA surely should produce top athletes in these sports, triathletes etc, certainly have the terrain and conditions to train all year round.
17 May 2011, 13:28 pm
@Dazzler(Dazzler)-209:
You got that right Dazzler.
The people I admire most here on Keo.comedy are those that said…………… Sorry.
Or those that said, hey…………………..I blew my fuse.
or perhaps………………………………….You have a point.
They are few. And I am not one of them.
17 May 2011, 13:30 pm
I see Heavens Game is back!
A few bourbons for lunch HG?
17 May 2011, 13:30 pm
@grant10(grant10)-212: JS proved himself by honoring the Boks for all of his career, LW spat on the Boks, pretty easy choice if you ask me.
17 May 2011, 13:31 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-217: LoL
17 May 2011, 13:35 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-222: okay big mac….lets leave it
17 May 2011, 13:40 pm
@Dazzler(Dazzler)-198:
I talk kak around the braai, around the stove, in the shower, on here, at work – the only time I talk sense is when I shut up!
17 May 2011, 13:44 pm
@grant10(grant10)-224: like i said, i will when you do.
17 May 2011, 13:50 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-225:
Actually PA.
In reality.
In truth.
To be fair.
To be balanced.
and to be without prejudiced.
You conduct yourself with the highest of standards.
The every highest..
17 May 2011, 13:52 pm
@cane(cane)-227:
Thank you sir.
17 May 2011, 13:54 pm
@cane(cane)-227: Gosh! Compliments on Keo! The world really is going to end on Sunday!!!!
17 May 2011, 13:55 pm
Too many of you are on the supposed smart drug adderall here today as you comment on matters you mostly know too little about.
If the supply of your demand for this brain dopamine booster cannot keep up you WILL all resort to the normal dunces you usually are.
Remember too, you are breaking the law consuming it without a legal prescription as it is a schedule II narcotic.
17 May 2011, 13:57 pm
@oscarthedawg(oscarthedawg)-229:
Why are you, of late, encouraging animalistic behaviour among people?
17 May 2011, 14:09 pm
@cane(cane)-196: ha ha no that’s not the case cane, where do you come from?
17 May 2011, 14:29 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-218: Nope Transie, but I understand the economics of it all, and believe me the Kings you so vociferously punt will face the same challenges!! Cheetahs have earned respect, for being worthy contenders despite being cash strapped till now.
Question for you Transie. When the Bulls started out in Super Rugby, were they instant success? No they were whipped roundly for 5 or so years, and that was with way more resources than the Cheetahs. Today they are the only Super Rugby team in SA that can claim to be successful! Give the Cheetahs the same space, and see them compete for higher honours soon! Besides, I reckon if the Cheetahs were given the same opportunities that the Sharks, Stormers, and Bulls had to develop unhindered from the start, you might have a very different picture to the one you are harping on!!
The Cheetahs for that matter have more right to playing Super rugby than the EC any day. They have been the second most successful CC team in the past decade!! The EC haven’t been a force in SA rugby since 1990, and please don’t blame apartheid! Cos in those years the PE boys were a force!!
17 May 2011, 14:32 pm
@ET.(ET.)-230: Hehehe… I feel a storm brewing
17 May 2011, 14:39 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-234:
Missed most of the w-end other than the pure rugby so i will not be too sad wrt a storm!
Opportunity to make up for lost time and the Capies go unnaturally gaga with the topic at hand and now there are 3 threads for them.
Left a question for you on the ‘ambition’ thread.
17 May 2011, 15:33 pm
head to head the cheetahs will slaughter the kings
thats a simple fact, if the kings want to be in the big league they need to up their level of play 10 fold
17 May 2011, 16:31 pm
@Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-233:
the premise of ur argument is no where. no team should by default have a right of passage in super rugby as u suggest: “The Cheetahs for that matter have more right to playing Super rugby than the EC any day.”
it sould be based on merit… relegate the teams fro super rugby based on currie cup performances. only fair way
17 May 2011, 17:23 pm
@mainland(mainland)-237: Exactly, and if it based on performance, there is no ways the Cheetahs will make way for the kings. If the Kings get promoted at the expense of the Lions it would be a travesty, as the Kings have done nothing to deserve promotion! If the Lions stay, and the Cheetahs get replaced, it would be even more so!!
Just like Natal had to earn the right to play A-Section CC way back then, so too, the Ep or “Kings” or “Dingaan’s Spears” must earn the right!!
Don’t let Transie and his mates dazzle you with their political trash!! EP Kings would be nowhere near a Super competition without some conniving polotician!! That’s a fact!
17 May 2011, 17:40 pm
@Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-238:
cheers bro… ill try not be dazzled by the ‘conniving polotician’. u should not use so many exclamation marks when making a point though. U trying to dazzle me?
you are missing the boat here though. none of the SA teams have had to play their way into Super rugby. it has been handed to them- it includes the stormers, bulls sharks etc. none of the have, as you state it “earned the right”.
17 May 2011, 19:28 pm
@Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-238: The hero of your victory over the Crusaders over the weekend, Ashleigh Johnson, was the captain of the Spears.
The last man to lift silverware for the Cheetahs was Rory Duncan … yes that’s Grey PE, not Grey Bloem and we all know where he is now.
For supporters always b!tching about players being taken, you sure have your fair share from the Eastern Cape playing significant roles for the Cheetahs.
And comparing this to the Natal of the 80′s is just plain amateur … literally and figuratively.
17 May 2011, 21:44 pm
cheetah 4 eva: firstly f*ck you for your ‘dazzle with polotical talk’ comment!
2ndly, no south african franchise has EVER qualified to play super rugby, if that was the case, the bulls wouldn’t have had the time to ‘build structures’ they would’ve had to build their structures WITHOUT the money SARU pumps in to them! Plus the sponsors they have to maintain their salary bills would’ve bounced a loooong time ago if the team was relegated!
Where did the Force qualify to play super rugby? And the Rebels?
If the Valke wants to organise themselves and be a Super Rugby franchise, then they should get a crack at it and the least performing team out of the current 5 should make way, f*ck what you’ve won in the last decade.
ALL the unions are affiliated to SARU and it is their responsibility to afford everyone an opportunity to play Super Rugby!
18 May 2011, 05:17 am
The franchises were assembled from a core of WINNING and front-running Currie Cup franchises — NTvl, WP, OFS, Tvl and Natal.
The also-rans and never-beens were left out.
18 May 2011, 07:22 am
The headline of this article can FAR more aptly applied to Dan Cater who has signed FOUR YEAR contract to keep playing his rugby in Christchurch and NZ after the RWC.
18 May 2011, 07:23 am
Dan CARTER, sorry!
18 May 2011, 07:56 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-243: well it’s hardly a return if he’s already there, and QF dropouts don’t qualify as kings
18 May 2011, 10:15 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-241: Wake up!!! The valke and every other union are already represented in the S15!?!
Somehow people have forgotten that a few years we clicked that the only option is to create regional teams like the two other countries in this competition.
Regional teams that allows all of our teams to collectively draw from all the talent at our disposal in this country.
If any union that is supposedly outside the current loop, as you seem to see it, has a case for inclusion above the current franchises, it would be Griquas. Best performing union outside the current top five and closest to them in terms of historical success.
Strangely, they’re clever enough to know that that would serve, wait for it, no one……
18 May 2011, 10:21 am
Shame on you Keo, guy cuts you a media deal and you’re promoting him at every turn – on what merit? There are a lot of players that are far more deserving of all the articles dedicated to this rat.
Stop kissing your paycheck’s arse and please get back to what drew people to this website in the first place.
A flood of relevant articles, fresh news and lively debate – not dangling some poster child for winding the SA rugby republic up and insulting them to wangle more and more drivel posts.
18 May 2011, 10:37 am
johnny7: relax buster, that was just an example.
Tell me which Valke player (one who plays for the Valke in the currie cup) do you see in Super Rugby?
18 May 2011, 12:32 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-241: Ha ha, it’s ok thank’s transie, I will pass, I carefully choose my sleeping partners, and quite frankly you don’t make it!! So you can keep your sexual advances to yourself! What you say is true, any franchise can make it into Super Rugby. The Rebels and Force didn’t replace the Waratah’s, Reds or Brumbies. The competition was expanded. I have no problem with the Kings playing in the tournament, as long as they don’t get shoved in at the Lions or cheetahs expense. Earn the right by playing relegation/promotion matches. Or expand the tournament. But why should existing teams make way for the Kings simply because the poloticians reckon the EC is the untapped hotbed of African (read black players) Coloured, and Indian players are not regarded as POC’s
So your little tantrum and swearing at me will not change that! Those are the facts! The issue isn’t the Kings playing Super rugby, it’s the concept of a team weteher it be the Cheetahs, Lions, Bulls, Stormers, or Sharks having to make way for a team, that can’t even win promotion to the Premier division of the CC!!
18 May 2011, 14:08 pm
cheetahs4eva: call it what you want, but inane derisive comments will get that treatment all the time.
If you can’t make a case for your useless administrators – who couldn’t attract sponsors to your brand even after the success in the currie cup ur team had – don’t think being an arsehole on this blog will change that.
18 May 2011, 14:22 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-250: Ha ha Transie, name calling will not get you anywhere! And what exactly did the “Kings” do to earn sponsorships? Now it’s the administrators who earn your drivel? Why don’t you answer the question? Why should the Kings be entered into Super Rugby at the expense of the Cheetahs, or any other SA team. What have they done to deserve that? Have they got the neccessary sponsors? You are going around in circles my friend, and then you try and bulldoze your argument through by calling people names, and by “fracking” Ha ha! Sorry Bud, your AA arguments won’t beat logic!
The kings are welcome to play Super Rugby, but not at anybody else’s expense, unless they work their way up through to CC , and then if implemented Promotion/Relegation!
Anything else is not a rugby solution, it’s politics!
18 May 2011, 14:27 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-250: Lol… Megatron, you need to take your own advice: “but inane derisive comments will get that treatment all the time.”…
Talking about administrators, EP hasn’t been too notable for its administrative success the past couple of what… decades?
How does it go, lets pass the parcel of team names – “Mighty” elephants, Spears, Kings… Just to name a few.
How much dosh has been pumped into the “hotbed of black rugby” only to suddenly transmute into Benzies, one or two houses (non-RDP) or just vanish into sweet thin air…
Cheetah4eva has called your bulldust and it is excellent that every victory for the Toyota Cheetahs is a big up yours for the muddled mess that is SARU and all the Cheeky lackeys…
Just one word for the corrupt: VRRRRRRYSSSSSSTAAAAAT!!!
You may take that as meaning “fark you”!!!
18 May 2011, 14:48 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-252: Ashleigh Johnson, last weekend’s hero – Captain of the Spears ; Rory Duncan – last man to lead the Cheetahs to silverware – Captain of the Kings; Kabamba Floors, Bevan Fortuin – Sprinfbok “Cheetahs” players of colour – we all know where they are really from; Fabian Juries, Lionel Mapoe; Jongi Nokwe the list goes on. I’m not sure the Cheetahs can name one player of colour that has represented them at the highest level that has not had their roots in the EC.
So if you want to talk politics, don’t bring a knife to a gunfight, the only politics is the laager mentality that has protected a bunch of underperforming embarrasing teams for years.
Australia has included the the force and the Rebels to rxpand the game; every section of a very large country is represented by a team. Thats why the game will expand and grow. But in SA we have the 2 whipping boys of Super rugby within spitting distance of each other and no representation between Kokstad and Mossel Bay. Must be a genius who thinks the country is represented or that there are no players or suppporters in that area. Go figure.
18 May 2011, 15:06 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-245:
Looks like the English Premiership coaching hierarchy and G.Henry are finally singing off the same hymn page, Lord Barry
now everyone thinks Our Wayne is incompetent. How on Earth that cretin, ****’erill and his mate, O’Conner, have repeatedly got away with their filth-laden attacks on various referees this & last season is beyond me. B.Venter gets banned for 10 weeks, for far less, whilst these 2 idiots remain on the sidelines. The tails wagging the dog and bringing rugbys previously good reputation down to the lowest football denominator.
18 May 2011, 16:15 pm
@Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-251: @Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-251: @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-252: no need for all this frothing at the mouth boys
SARU hasn’t said anywhere that the Cheetahs will be replaced so where does Cheetahs4eva’s anxiety stem from? hahaha
18 May 2011, 16:22 pm
cheetahs4eva: your first comment on this thread #31 was derisive & insulting to the EP Kings, why?
What have the Kings done to you?
19 May 2011, 08:24 am
@kevin w(kevin w)-253: Ha Ha Kevie, clearly you haven’t been around long!! We can actually give you quite a comprehensive list of greaat players that played their rugby in the Free state. Born and bred too!
That wasn’t the point, nor was the argument based on who comes from where! The debate was around the supposed concept of letting the Kings, who fail to even gain promotion to CC Premier division, entry to Super rugby at the expense of an existing franchise, as has been bandied about!
Just a quick list off the top of my head!
Andre Venter, Brendan Venter, Reuben Kruger, Jannie de Beer, Gysie Pienaar, Pieter Muller, Helgard Muller, Adriaan Strauss, Michael Claasens, Henry Honiball (I know born in Natal)
So stop making a toffee out of yourself, you may get chewed on! Ha Ha
22 May 2011, 15:29 pm
He is still, and always will be, a **********
22 May 2011, 15:30 pm
@Cheetah 4 Eva(Cheetah 4 Eva)-257: The baby Boks even beat them the other day.. the same team that is not featuring in a tournament because the KINGS replaced a NATIONAL team? WTF????
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