National treasure
2 Jun 2011
RYAN VREDE writes Danie Rossouw’s value to the Bulls and Springboks must no longer be underestimated.
Rossouw’s form for the Bulls in the last season and a half has been exceptional. In 2010 he played the bulk of the victorious campaign at lock as cover for the injured, and later suspended, Bakkies Botha. This year Rossouw’s contributions for the Bulls have largely been restricted to cameos off the wood. Even then he has seldom failed to make an impact.
His most recent last quarter fling saw him score two tries in seven minutes in a bonus-point victory over the Cheetahs that could be crucial to their ability to sneak into a wildcard place. Notably, for 20 minutes he did so as a blindside flank.
Rossouw is reminding us once more of his immense value. We must be thankful he is a Springbok. No team in world rugby can boast a player of that calibre with a similar level of versatility. Lest we forget, this is a player that excelled at the 2007 World Cup with the Springboks as a late fill-in at No 8.
He ended up playing a decisive role in steering the team to the final. The image of him desperately scrambling to deny England’s Mark Cueto a certain try in Paris is in embedded in the memories of Springbok supporters. It was to be a telling contribution. The momentum would have shifted in England’s favour had Cueto score, and the Springboks’ capacity for a rebuttal would have been examined in the highest-pressure situation in Test rugby.
Four years on and his value, in a World Cup context, hasn’t diminished. In a seven-week campaign where injuries are a reality, he will undoubtedly be the Springboks’ most valuable forward at the tournament. Which other Test nation boasts a man who can cover 4, 5, 7 and 8 without significantly diluting the potency of their side? None.
It is also worth remembering that he will arrive at the tournament relatively fresh, having played significantly less matches than the forwards in the aforementioned positions.
In my discussions with his franchise coaches, Rossouw, more than any forward, is the one they most appreciate. They say his attitude and work ethic is top class, despite him not being a regular starter, while his temperament in high-pressure match situations is equal to that of Fourie du Preez and Victor Matfield’s.
His Springbok team-mates, any of whom have been in the national setup with him since 2003, sing the same tune. They extol his virtues as a man and rave about his brutal physicality as a player.
Certainly he will be a key figure in the Bulls’ push for a play-off place in the next three weeks. His elevation to the starting line-up for their match against the Waratahs is an astute one. The Australians will approach the match pragmatically, knowing that four points is enough to keep the Bulls at bay in the play-off race.
This environment will suit Rossouw. He wouldn’t let the team down if retained for fixtures against the Stormers and Sharks, although the need for greater mobility in search of bonus points may see Dewald Potgieter recalled.
Beyond that, he will play a pivotal role in the Springboks’ title defence. He is a national treasure.
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127 Comments
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2 Jun 2011, 15:06 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-99: Hahahaha Mac that is brilliant! Even my Kiwi mates were bleating about it, and I said “welcome to SA’s world fellas”.
Was one of the highlights of my weekend to see McCaw give away penalties, actually be blown up for infringements (wrongly or rightly) and lose a game. He looked so confused when the ref blew the whistle, like, didnt Stuey get the memo from Paddy? “…Richie is not to be penalised or carded, but repeatedly and politely warned…”
2 Jun 2011, 15:06 pm
@BringItHomeBoks(bokfan1)-100: I think of all people, Schalk can take it. He’s had worse, and dished some out himself.
I think those crowing about him supposedly getting one over Schalk are just being provocative.
They get along just fine. Except at derby time.
2 Jun 2011, 15:10 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-91:
well we must watching 2 different sets of games mate.CJ is horrible,the Stormers have gotten immeasurably better without him. Slips his bind,even his mobility & effectiveness is loose is questionable.Young Kitsoff is better.
Spies & Bakkies are in same bracket as Habana-Who is woeful on attack but still effective on defense and excellent scrambler.if your going to be harsh on him regarding his form then Spies &Bakkies fit the bill too.
CJ is hondkak,the only reason he is even being spoken about in Boks is because he plays 1/3 thus as bench cover he allows a 4-3 split instead of top heavy 5-2 split.Otherwise he is that bad mate.He was just as bad at Leinster.Would rather have Mujati in Bok reckoning.
2 Jun 2011, 15:15 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-103: I disagree that we are watching 2 different games. I just said that I have never understood what the fuss is about CJ. He’s never been good in the scrum, still isn’t.
I agree that Kitshoff is the real deal.
Spies and Bakkies are getting better each game. Not up to speed yet but improving,
I hope that clarifies it.
2 Jun 2011, 15:18 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-99: oh maccy, that was like music to the ears
2 Jun 2011, 15:20 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-103: co-sing re CJ, he is rubbish
2 Jun 2011, 15:21 pm
The South African Schools selectors have chosen four teams SA Schools, SA Academy, which was chosen from the Academy Week in George, and two regional side, North and South.
Interesting! This was after the 2008 Craven Week….
The teams:
South African Schools: 15 Patrick Lambie (Michaelhouse, KwaZulu Natal), 14 Tythan Adams (Paul Roos, Western Province), 13 Wandile Mjekeyu (KES, Golden Lions), 12 François Venter (Grey College, Free State), 11 Abednego Mamushi (Hoërskool Middelburg, Mpumalanga), 10 Franna du Toit (Grey College, Free State), 9 Chuma Faas (Grey, Eastern Province), 8 CJ Stander (Oakdale, South Western Districts (captain), 7 PJ Uys (Monument, Golden Lions), 6 Helmut Lehmann (Paarl Gim, Western Province), 5 Neil Kapp (Outeniqua, South Western Districts), 4 Andries Ferreira (Affies, Blue Bulls), 3 Neetlingh Gericke (Oakdale, South Western Districts), 2 Shaun Malton (Glenwood, KwaZulu Natal), 1 Ruan Smith (Paarl Gim, Western Province).
Replacements: 16 Gareth Topkin (Rondebosch, Western Province), 17 Njabulo Mkize (Westville, KwaZulu Natal), 18 Mlungisi Bali (St Alban’s, Blue Bulls), 19 Siyamthanda Kolisi (Grey, Eastern Province), 20 Sinovuyo Nyoka (Dale, Border), 21 Elton Jantjies (Florida, Golden Lions), 22 Garth April (Bergrivier, Boland).
South African Academy: 15 Clayton Blommetjies (New Orelans, Boland); 14 Keenen Scheepers (Kasselsvlei, Western Province), 13 Phaphama Hoyi (Grey High, Eastern Province), 12 Ernst Dinkelmann (Grey College, Free State), 11 Chejane Mallane (Free State); 10 Tiaan Dorfling (Framesby, Eastern Province), 9 Alvin Farmer (Klein Nederburg, Boland); 8 Jono Ross (, St Stithians, Golden Lions), 7 Heinrich Marcus (Excelsior, Western Province), 6 Anton Earl (Grey College, Free State), 5 Rynier Bernardo (Framesbym Eastern Province), 4 Dirk Wessels (Grey College, Free State), 3 Tom Botha (Paul Roos, Western Province), 2 Ashley Kohler (Paarl Boys’ High, Western Province), 1 Schalk van der Merwe (Grey College, Free State).
Replacements: 16 Luvuyo Ghana (Dale, Border), 17 Lwando Mabenge (Muir, Eastern Province), 18 Solly Sotsaka (Willowridge, Blue Bulls), 19 Lean Swartz (Waterkloof, Blue Bulls), 20 Jean Rossouw (Starnd, Western Province), 21 Kofi Appiah (Maritzburg College, KwaZulu Natal), 22 Etienne Swartz (Cradock, Eastern Province Country Districts).
North: 15 Jaco Taute (Monument, Golden Lions), 14 Richmond Collins (Pretoria Boys High, Blue Bulls), 13 Bradley Moolman (Monument, Golden Lions), 12 Frederique Kock (Monument, Golden Lions), 11 Katlego Magakwa (St Alban’s, Blue Bulls), 10 Gary van Aswegen (Standerton, Pumas), 9 Whestley Moolman (Monument, Golden Lions), 8 Hendrik la Grange (HTS MIddelburg, Pumas), 7 Martin Scheepers (Ermelo, Pumas), 6 Vusi Mathonsi (HTS Middelburg, Pumas), 5 Peet Marais (Welkom Gimnasium, Griffons), 4 Leander Visser (Marais Viljoen, Golden Lions), 3 JP van Rooyen (EG Jansen, Valke), 2 Jonathan Africa (Noord-Kaap, Griquas), 1 Tumelo Thage (Warmbad, Blue Bulls).
Replacements: 16 Eugene Cunha (Sportakademie, Griffons), 17 Thabisho Mngomozulu (Noord-Kaap, Griquas), 18 Sivuyile Moyake (Sportakademie, Griffons), 19 Ben Sekgobela (Florida, Golden Lions), 20 Zylon McGaffin (Stanford Lake, Limpopo), 21 Werner Jacobs (Sportakademie, Griffons), 22 Hein Cronjé (EG Jansen, Valke).
South: 15 Riaan Britz (Grey College, Free State), 14 Vogan Lourens (Outeniqua, South Western Districts), 13 Adri Jacobs (Schoonspruit, Boland), 12 Robert de Bruyn (Michaelhouse, KwaZulu Natal), 11 Sburu Sithole (Queen’s, Border), 10 Kurt Coleman (Grey High, Eastern Province), 9 Enrico Acker (Outeniqua, South Western Districts), 8 Adriaan Theisinger (Grey College, Free State), 7 Siyanda Mangaliso (Grey High, Eastern Province), 6 Oscar Lemane (Louis Botha, Free State), 5 Johan Schoonbee (Paarl Gim, Western Province), 4 Garrick Matthee (Outeniqua, South Western Districts), 3 Jozua Malherbe (Paarl Boys’ High, Western Province), 2 Marius Fourie (Outeniqua, South Western Districts), 1 John-Henry Harris (Grey College, Free State).
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe (Westville, KwaZulu Natal), 17 Vincent Koch (Hugenote, Boland), 18 Daniel Hugo (Paul Roos, Western Province), 19 Lubabalo Mthembu (Dale, Border), 20 Frederick Muller (Hugenote, Boland), 21 Sikholele Blom (Grey High, Eastern Province), 22 Lundi Ralarala (Cradock, Eastern Province Country Districts)
2 Jun 2011, 15:21 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-104: kitshoff gave away two penalties in one minute last week, still too green for the hype
2 Jun 2011, 15:25 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-105: I loved it, i also love the way sheepishly works his way into bleating (excuse the pun), its amazing how they get their back up when THEIR team (Saders) and THEIR captain get some calls going against them, then all of a sudden there is no consistency. I say welcome to the dark side you Kiwi F***s, long may it continue.
2 Jun 2011, 15:31 pm
@mxhosa(mxhosa)-107: interesting indeed…
just saw a guy that looks like you @ market square, wearing a green & black jersey, strange
2 Jun 2011, 15:34 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-109: eish…you show no mercy Mac
2 Jun 2011, 15:37 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-111: lol, like i said, the kiwi bloggers have made me hate them more than i do the aussies
2 Jun 2011, 15:44 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-112: i remember you “i’ve lost it” post to black panther and poppa last week
no holds barred from now on i guess.
2 Jun 2011, 16:05 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-110:
2 Jun 2011, 16:10 pm
@mxhosa(mxhosa)-114:
hehehe yeah i know what you look like skinny cat 
oh yes Vuyisile Mini, eish.
2 Jun 2011, 16:33 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-6: Wasnt Burger, it was Selborn Boome. Burger went up against Corne Krige.
2 Jun 2011, 16:36 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-115:
am 5’10″, 75kg (mostly muscle, except around the waist, too much heineken in the last 5 years)
2 Jun 2011, 16:45 pm
@mxhosa(mxhosa)-107:
Interesting…..Players I recognise in top flight rugby there are:
Lambie
Mjekevu
Jantjes
CJ Stander
Kolisi
Jaco Taute
van Aswegen
Sibusiso Sithole
Lubabalo Mthembu
Out of that whole list…sheesh
2 Jun 2011, 16:50 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-118: blommetjies – bulls VC & kurt coleman – wp VC/ stormers
2 Jun 2011, 23:13 pm
Thysen Adams has a very good step. Lots of tries in Varsity Cup for Maties
3 Jun 2011, 01:12 am
Danie is ‘n Doring.
3 Jun 2011, 01:18 am
his coaches say he is the one they most appreciate….great comment for team building and unity.
Vrede are you in love with this guy?
3 Jun 2011, 01:56 am
we have heard so many times how danie goes AWOL in crucial games. that hangs over his head. it seems a player only needs to score a try or 2 and he is a national treasure and a pick for the rwc.
3 Jun 2011, 02:21 am
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-123: Just shows how much you know about SA rugby you fool. Watch the whole wallapielietjies go AWOL at the WC.
3 Jun 2011, 03:05 am
Every time Danie has joined as a flank/8th man thsi season, teh Bulls pack has been unstoppable.
3 Jun 2011, 03:19 am
@Marty(Marty)-30:
I would rather have that new Stormers 13 – cant remember his name- at 13 in Bok B team. Or Waylon Murray. NOT Adi Jacobs.
3 Jun 2011, 03:46 am
@SjamBok(SjamBok)-126: Johan Sadie. Robert Ebersohn is also better than Jacobs.
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