Brits boosted by northern exposure
2 Jun 2011
JON CARDINELLI chats to Schalk Brits about flawed perceptions of northern hemisphere playing conditions and how he’s managed to improve his scrumming without compromising his attacking flair.
Brits was named Man of the Match for his heroic contributions in last Saturday’s English Premiership final. The Saracens’ hooker was in top form at the set-piece, scrumming impressively and producing a flawless display at the lineout, while a searing linebreak culminated in what would be an important try for team-mate James Short.
It was a fitting climax after two long seasons in the northern leagues. When Brits left the Stormers for Saracens in 2009, he left with a reputation as a set-piece liability. It was also felt that the slow, weather-afflicted European pitches would prohibit him from playing to his natural attacking strengths.
Two years on, and Brits has proved the doubters wrong on both counts. For starters, working with former Springbok tighthead Cobus Visagie, the Saracens scrum doctor, has aided his transformation.
‘It’s been very necessary for me to improve my scrumming, because you won’t survive in the northern hemisphere if you can’t scrum,’ Brits told keo.co.za. ‘The referees encourage scrumming, and there are often long, drawn out battles where the dominant team is allowed to push the opposition as many as 20 metres. It’s not like Super Rugby where refs try to speed the game along, there’s a real emphasis on the scrum in the northern leagues.’
As seen in that famous final win for Saracens, Brits’s role hasn’t been limited to that of typical front-ranker. He could often be found sitting deep in anticipation of a Leicester kick, a premeditated tactic designed to exploit his speed and agility.
‘What’s great at Saracens is that every player is asked to play to their strengths,’ he says. ‘There are times when I’m out of position, but in those situations it’s for a particular reason.
‘I’m heavily involved in the forward battles at the collisions and set-piece, but I also tend to stay deep for the counter-attack, because that’s where my other strengths can come to the fore. Credit to Saracens for giving me that kind of freedom. You’re encouraged to play within the team structures, but there is still room to express yourself.’
Brits is but one example of a South African that’s benefited from a stint in Europe. Ross Skeate recently told SA Rugby magazine that his time with French club Toulon allowed him to address his physical shortcomings and turn a weakness into a strength. Joe van Niekerk continues to impress since making the move north with last Sunday’s showing for the Barbarians just one in a string of fine performances.
Ruan Pienaar says that his time with Ulster has forced him to develop a harder edge, while Marius Joubert won a title with Clermont in 2010 after taking his own game to another level. Both Pienaar and Joubert have returned to South Africa, and the benefits of their respective sojourns should be evident when they turn out for the Boks and Sharks respectively later this year.
It challenges the belief that a move to Europe is best made at the end of one’s career, and that there’s no chance of improvement once committing to a northern club. The idea that the weather represses creativity is only partially true, as Brits explains.
‘You need to employ different styles for different seasons,’ he says. ‘In winter, you have to play that slow grinding, territorial game because to play expansively would be counter-productive. When the weather is better in the period before and after winter, then you can run the ball a lot more.
‘I think I’ve developed to the point where I’m comfortable in either style. I’m happy to play it close and pick and drive in winter, but when the weather is favourable I will have a full go. It also comes down to what the team needs in terms of our game plan and approach.’
97 Comments
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2 Jun 2011, 08:43 am
We need players like Schalk and Sarel in our squad. They are the players who create opportunites out of nothing. I would love to see these two coming on halfway through the second half. Unfortunately our selectors will not have the courage or vision to entertain it. Unpredictabliity is not valued in SA as it is in other places, alas.
2 Jun 2011, 08:46 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-45: exactly right….and I tell you Deon Fourie would do far better, as an impact hooker, than a host of others.
Skop done a great post last nite about the differing hookers, very insightful….
To me it is no use selecting a Maku , Smit type as an impact player…..it is not in there style to break games open….
Bissy is a must have, to me the planets finest 2, maybe ever in the history of the game…..
So as a reserve its all about the player who can turn a game….Chilli a damn fine impact pplayer, always turns ball over and makes lots of tackles….i rate that aspect of his game…
But brits is simply different class…..now again I am not saying I would start with him….not with Bissy around….
But hell man he is the 1 hooker in the world that can seriously play inyenational rugby at centre!
And his all round game has improved.
If we really go on merit and forget all the agendas and promises made, etc….Bruts , on this form , wotld / should be a certainty.
Just because it wont happen doesent mean it shouldnt be discussed.
If i was a wc coach I would want the very best 30….we not going to remotely get that, regretfully
2 Jun 2011, 08:46 am
Big Hit will be pleased.
Now he can really support a team full of his countrymen
Go ‘England’ !
2 Jun 2011, 08:47 am
@grant10(grant10)-52:
‘in the history of the game’ ????!!!!!
2 Jun 2011, 08:49 am
@grant10(grant10)-46: How many cheetahs players for example,will play for the boks and could they play that type of game.I just hope it dosnt become a confused /compromised team.
2 Jun 2011, 08:49 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-54: Are you new here?
2 Jun 2011, 08:50 am
@grant10(grant10)-52: No, I think the discussion is valid, we have 3 players who play a very similar style, namely Fourie, Britz and Burden.
All have blistering pace, and pretty handy in the other facts too.
As you say, impact role.
I have nothing against Schalk, he’s great to watch, and I wouldn’t ***** and moan if he gets picked, however unlikely.
2 Jun 2011, 08:52 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-54: yes….Woods could not do what Bissy can….Fitzpatrick no where near him either imo….
2 Jun 2011, 08:53 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-56:
I must be in the wrong place, Im turbo-reversing outta here
(G10 also knows that I, too, think Biz is probably best 2 in the World…..but ‘ever’ ??!!!)
2 Jun 2011, 08:54 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-54: I agree, that title must go to Uli Schmidt.
2 Jun 2011, 08:54 am
@LITELOCK(LITELOCK)-55: thats why PDV will stick to his core team…..very few changes or surprises in that WC squad mate…
2 Jun 2011, 08:55 am
always great to discuss rugby without the c rap!
But gotta run
Till later
Outta here
and you all have a cool day now
2 Jun 2011, 08:58 am
@grant10(grant10)-58:
I suppose we wont have to wait long before Biz leads the Boks to a Series victory on NZ soil and then flies to the Moon without the aid of rocket-assistance and brings everlasting Peace to the Universe.
2 Jun 2011, 08:59 am
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-60:
he sure was some player
2 Jun 2011, 09:01 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-59: Each day Grant’s hatred of Smith grows. Bissie’s “aura” morphs in direct correlation to that. By the time WC2011 kicks off Grant will have us believe Bissie single-handedly brought the apartheid regime to its knees, cured cancer and was the brain behind the internet and “The Hangover”. But not “The Hangover 2′. Smittie is responsible for “The Hangover 2″.
2 Jun 2011, 09:01 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-63:
That 2!
2 Jun 2011, 09:02 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-63: He’s not going there without Jannie.
2 Jun 2011, 09:04 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-65:
classic
you’ll have Gunther feeling insecure if you keep that up
(Hangover II…universally panned, and a massive smash hit success at the Box Office – wtf ?!)
2 Jun 2011, 09:12 am
Deon Bill Greyling
2 Jun 2011, 09:13 am
I am almost hoping for a Business Day tirade on some random racist topic
2 Jun 2011, 09:14 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-65:
Personally, I am waiting for “Tropic Thunder 2:”
Smittie will have a hand in that too.
2 Jun 2011, 09:15 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-69: who is this Deon guy you’ve suddenly taken a liking to? is he related to Dean Greyling?
2 Jun 2011, 09:22 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-72:
Not taken a liking to, just observed
Front rower for the Bulls
Built like the side of a brickhouse
Vattie kukkie
2 Jun 2011, 09:34 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-65:
Grantie especially hates it when Barney plays at loosehead.
Then he has the number of the Beast.
2 Jun 2011, 09:51 am
@gunther keeps the cape in shape(gunther)-74:
“the number of the Beast”
Brilliant!
2 Jun 2011, 09:56 am
I love the way grant says the chat is so nice without the BS?
, but the Cr*ap starts with him going on and on about smitty and people reacting because they tired of the stupidity 
oh well whatever floats the okes boat
2 Jun 2011, 10:02 am
@grant10(grant10)-46: Just a thought G10. Are you absolutely sure that they will play the skop and jaag game? Could it possibly be a case of misleading your opponents? Why expose the gameplan months in advance and allow opponents an opponents to devise counter-strategies? I, for one, have a feeling the Boks have been putting together a number of gameplans, to cater for all situations. That you haven’s seen them yet, doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
It’s a case of the black swan theory.
2 Jun 2011, 10:07 am
@pompies2(pompies2)-77:
sneaky.
grantie had a black swan once.
unfortunately the dye ran in his hot tub which is now stained a very contemperary shade of grey.
2 Jun 2011, 10:13 am
@gunther keeps the cape in shape(gunther)-78: the grey swan in a pink speedo
2 Jun 2011, 10:15 am
contemporary.
bad gunther.
2 Jun 2011, 10:18 am
@gunther keeps the cape in shape(gunther)-78: funny that. always took G10 for a natural black man
2 Jun 2011, 10:19 am
@pompies2(pompies2)-81:
2 Jun 2011, 10:22 am
you okes are nuts…
Heard that Joe Pietersen had signed with a Superrugby team Monday.
Please holy and merciful angels let it be Stormers….
2 Jun 2011, 10:23 am
@pompies2(pompies2)-81: Iam a saffa mate….
2 Jun 2011, 10:26 am
@grant10(grant10)-84: i’m fully aware. you do afterall, swear so beautifully in afrikaans. just pulling one of your legs.
2 Jun 2011, 10:26 am
@grant10(grant10)-83: he is going to play for the lions
2 Jun 2011, 10:54 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-86: oh farkit man…rassoe word wakker
2 Jun 2011, 11:01 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-86: I hope you’re kidding boet.
You ARE kidding, right???
2 Jun 2011, 11:16 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-88:
2 Jun 2011, 11:20 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-88: i don’t see where they name the team cos paul treu or brendan venter mentioned joe p not making it for the premier xv because he’d signed for a super rugby team.
i think it is stormers…
2 Jun 2011, 11:26 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-89:
no teasing grantie.
he is already “kakking himself” over this weekends game vs the rebels.
any more stress and he may follow through.
which will be unpleasant for all involved.
2 Jun 2011, 11:57 am
@gunther keeps the cape in shape(gunther)-91:
2 Jun 2011, 12:01 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-90: Yes i read that bit on Rugby 365, which is where I get most of my news, as apposed to this site which usually gets it hours later. I come here for the scintilating conversation
Wonder where he signed.
Hope it’s for us.
Could also be the Sharks, they could certainly use him.
2 Jun 2011, 12:02 pm
@grant10(grant10)-52:
Gee Grant, how many straight throw ins does Deon Fourie do?
Idiotic.
2 Jun 2011, 12:09 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-94: About the same as Schalk.
Hence the point about them both having weaknesses.
3 Jun 2011, 02:59 am
Oh honestly, what drivel….
I watched that final last night, and teh speed and skills on display wereembarrassingly bad. The fact that Brits gota run on at all is testament to the oppositions terrible defensive patterns, and lack of conditioning.
Lack of imagination inability to pick apart defnces, and poor skills.
If Schalk Brits came back, he would be an also ran again – same as before. In SA, a hooker must be a great scrummager and ball carrier as a matter of course. And throwing skills goes without saying. But you also have to be one of the biggest and meanest players on teh park too.
No doubt his speed does give him an edge in the NH. But honestly his speed would count for very little with SH defensive patterns.
3 Jun 2011, 06:24 am
britz in that final was amazing, unfortunatly right now he aint gonna be picked so we should just stop dreaming, we all know john n bismaak will go to the wc, its just a matter of either chilliboi or adriaan filling the other spot, but im sure we all know who will be goin, but after this yr, we have major depth at hooker
bismaak
d.fourie
adriaan
britz
liedenberg
burden
and unfortunatly chilliboi
but ya lets c what happens hope im wrong with my prediction for the wc
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