Winging it
14 Jun 2011
RYAN VREDE, writing in SA Rugby magazine, says Francois Hougaard should replace Bryan Habana in the Springbok side.
Ignore the hairstyle that looks like a team of aeronautical engineers crafted it, so precise is its constitution. Pay no mind to the designer clothes, the flashy cars, the beautiful women and the A-list company Francois Hougaard keeps. He is no show pony. There is substance to go with his appreciable style.
Hougaard is a game-breaker with the potential to develop into a match-winner. Players of Hougaard’s ilk are a rarity and his talent must be harnessed and exploited by the Springbok selectors at the World Cup later this year. He plays with a level of belief unique to special players. It would be remiss to call it a swagger because it is in no way ostentatious or insolent. But his demeanour says he isn’t racked by self-doubt or fear of failure, which has been debilitating to young players of superior technical ability to his in the past.
‘I saw better players when I was recruiting for the union,’ says Heyneke Meyer, Bulls director of rugby, of his first encounter with Hougaard in late-2007. ‘But none of them had his mongrel and will to succeed. I’ve made mistakes recruiting technically exceptional players who’ve had nothing else about them. The best players I’ve seen have rarely relied on talent alone. Francois has got that something special to go with his obvious talent – the thing that gives you a sense of expectation when he is in possession of the ball.
‘He is the type of player who forces the opposition to focus on him, and one his team-mates will look to in the middle of a tight match and know he can change the course of events. We [the Bulls] don’t have any doubt that he will develop into a world-class No 9. But at the moment we need Fourie du Preez on the field in most games and for 80 minutes. But Francois is too good, too influential, to not be utilised. That’s why we still want him on the field even if it’s out of position. He’s become that important to us.’
Hougaard was central to the Bulls’ successful 2009 and 2010 Super 14 and Currie Cup campaigns where he played on the wing. In the 2010 Super 14 he made more positive contributions (successful gain-line breaks, effective tackles, metres run, passes completed, etc) on average per match than any South African wing.
And while he has made and continues to make strong impressions in a position he had never played in at any stage of his career prior to being asked to do so at the Bulls, Bryan Habana, the man Hougaard replaced when Habana joined the Stormers, has been floundering in a role he was once peerless in.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to build a compelling argument for the 2007 IRB Player of the Year’s inclusion in the Stormers’ run-on side. If form is the primary criteria for Springbok selection, Habana should not be considered, such has been his ineptitude in the past three seasons.
Statistics tell part of the tale of alarming regression – eight tries in 32 Tests since 2008 (he scored 30 in 36 preceding that). But statistics alone don’t capture just how desperately poor Habana has been by the standards he has set. There has been endless conjecture on this topic. It’s time we stopped asking why Habana is impotent, and started asking who should replace him in the Springbok squad.
Hougaard is the who.
However, Habana isn’t alone in his struggles. His World Cup-winning partner JP Pietersen has suffered with injuries and is a poor imposter of the player he was in France in 2007. Bjorn Basson thrilled in the Currie Cup in 2010 but has failed to replicate that form against the best players in the southern hemisphere, although his cause has been undeniably undermined by the Bulls’ general incompetence.
Lwazi Mvovo is a good prospect but is in need of refining, while Lionel Mapoe has struggled to kick on from the promise he showed in his rookie season.
The dynamic Gio Aplon’s claim for a regular run with the Springboks can no longer be ignored. There is no finer broken- field attacker in the country, and his ability in this regard ranks alongside the finest that New Zealand has to offer. With Aplon partnering Hougaard, and with the right service, the Springboks would have wingers with the skill set to unlock even the most organised defences.
Former Springbok wing Breyton Paulse is convinced Hougaard will be an asset if deployed as a Test wing.
‘He has no obvious technical limitations that would preclude his selection,’ the 64-cap flyer says. ‘He is fast, has good positional sense, is a sharp decision-maker under pressure, solid defender, is good under the high ball and can kick – the latter two being of primary importance to the modern wing.
‘He clearly has the temperament too. I remember watching him when he came into the side for the Soweto Test against the All Blacks last year [Hougaard played scrumhalf] and being struck by how composed he was. There were some senior boys who had forgettable evenings, but he played like a seasoned pro against the best side in the world. More to the point, he hasn’t folded in major play-off matches in the position for the Bulls. If you don’t have the mental toughness to go with the talent you’ll never make it at a high level. Hougaard has both those elements.’
Hougaard’s exploits have attracted praise from astute observers outside the Republic too. Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder, for one, is taken by the 22-year-old.
‘We’ve faced them [the Bulls] a couple of times with Hougaard on the wing and I can’t remember having an easy ride against him,’ Blackadder says. ‘At the Crusaders we encourage our wingers to pop up in unorthodox positions, we don’t like to constrict them with structure. It gives us an air of unpredictability. I see that free spirit in Hougaard, and in the right playing environment and with sound tactics, he is an asset.
‘Last year I was surprised to find out he is actually a halfback,’ he continues. ‘You’d never say that when watching him play on the wing. He is international class there. I was in the company of other Kiwi coaches who were having a rap about him not so long ago and they share my thoughts. A fine player.
‘To get the best out of him the Springboks would have to adapt their tactics, though. In fact, there are a couple of players who are wasted in the side. There’s such a wealth of attacking talent in this country. I mean, when you have a scrummie who plays wing with no discernible drop in standard, you know you’re blessed.’
Hougaard is predictably cagey on the issue – ‘I will play wherever the coach selects me’ – but doesn’t lack the belief that he could excel if asked to do the job.
‘I never go out there thinking “I hope I do well”. I expect to do well. Maybe some players would have felt uncomfortable being asked to play out of position and that’s understandable, but I love the challenge,’ he says.
‘There was probably no massive expectation of me [playing wing] from others. I think most people saw it as temporarily filling a gap left by Bryan. But I looked at it differently. I set myself high standards. I want to be the best in everything I do. I never want to hide behind the excuse of not being a specialist wing. That’s a coward’s way 
out. I think because I’ve embraced playing wing it’s changed me. It’s made me a better all-round player.’
Meyer counters: ‘I think he has changed us for the better. I like the idea of specialists in positions, but Francois has made himself very difficult to leave out. The senior players also feel like he elevates the calibre of the team when he plays. I don’t have any doubt he could do the same for the Springboks.’
– This article first appeared in the June issue of SA Rugby magazine. The July issue will be on sale from Wednesday, 22 June.
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62 Comments
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14 Jun 2011, 06:09 am
Why, because he can fly when he scores? Replace a wing with a wing, tis not like we don’t have wings better than Habana.
14 Jun 2011, 07:19 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-1: He plays both wing and 9. What’s the issue? If he is good enough he should be picked there. I’d personally go with Hougaard, Basson, Aplon and JP to the RWC. Frasn and Viljoen at 15. FDP and Sarel at 9, although he will take Ruan. Brian must retire now to leave whatever left of his legacy in tact. Otherwise he is just going to embarrass himself at the RWC.
14 Jun 2011, 07:21 am
If you play Hougaard on the wing, who is the reserve scrumhalf? Unless you stack the bench with outside backs, with Hougaard playing scrumhalf should du Preez pick up an injury, although this is risky. Perhaps Butch, Juan de Jongh and Aplon on the bench, with Hougaard, JPP and Steyn as 11, 14 and 15?
Starting wingers for South Africa should be Basson and JPP, possibly with Aplon if he is not at 15. Habana should possibly go with the squad, although between Mvovo, Basson, Aplon and JPP we have four quality wingers who are all in form and currently playing good rugby.
14 Jun 2011, 07:44 am
garth, he is a scrumhalf that can stand in for a wing if needed. Why pick him on the wing if we have specialist wingers that can do the job?
14 Jun 2011, 07:47 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-4: I am saying that if PDV rates him as the top number 11, even though he plays and prefers 9. Pick him.
14 Jun 2011, 07:56 am
@garth(garth)-5:
Hehe PDivvie also rates Habana and JS…but I get your point.
14 Jun 2011, 08:04 am
Francios is a game breaker – he reminds me alot of Rene Ranger – hopefully we see the two of them against each other in the Tri Nations , would be a thrilling contest ! It is good that JPP is getting his form back , he always seems to hit form for the boks .
14 Jun 2011, 08:09 am
Francois Hougaard first needs to be a scrumhalf then a winger.
14 Jun 2011, 08:40 am
At this point any of our forwards would be better on the wing than Habana.
14 Jun 2011, 08:40 am
This anti-Habana mania is OTT.
SUre he doesn’t score as many tries as he used to but he is marked out of most games and seldom gets the opportunities in space he used to.
Everyone focuses on one or two errors he makes and ignores everything else he does. Habana does more work off the ball than just about any other player – back or forward, local or foreign.
I have to laugh at the mob mentality of kicking someone when they’re (perceived to be) down and everyone wanting to make sure they make good contact with their boots while they do.
I would stick with Habana at the Stormers and in the Boks… I hope AC and PDivvy agree…
He will produce the magic when it matters most…
14 Jun 2011, 08:45 am
ufo, do yourself a favour and check the stats. Habana has one of the highest error rates of any Bok over the last few years. He was forgiven that because he scored tries…
14 Jun 2011, 08:49 am
@ufo(ufo)-10: I hope you’re right.
14 Jun 2011, 08:51 am
@ufo(ufo)-10: Hi ufo… or should I say, Mrs Habana.
14 Jun 2011, 08:53 am
I don’t get this article. FH will surely go as he;s part of the springbok setup and is the scrumhalf in waiting after FDP.
Why wing? He’s a very good scrummie, as witnessed on Saturday. keep him there.
Basson, Mvovo, Habanna, JPP all of those guys will be good enough.
14 Jun 2011, 08:55 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-11: You obviously have them close at hand… having checked them before making your statement… please post them… for the last few years. Thank you.
Please also include the stats for his work off the ball too. How many times he corner-flags on the other wing as the last line of defense, tackling and/or fielding kicks after chasing back… His clearing at the break down… His chases of kicks and stopping the opposition running the ball back…
Will make interesting reading..
14 Jun 2011, 08:57 am
@garth(garth)-13:
Hey Garth… I liked your rational counter argument. Well put…
14 Jun 2011, 08:58 am
@ufo(ufo)-15: Doesn’t Brian have the highest turnoves in the SA Super 15 conference this year? He did up to a week ago, someone posted the ruggastats here.
He does need to work on his hands, but the rest of his game is coming on nicely,
14 Jun 2011, 09:02 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-14:
Yeah… Hougaard is a great scrummie… and will be for years to come… let him learn from FduP while watching from the bench…
14 Jun 2011, 09:03 am
@ufo(ufo)-15:
Why, don’t you know how the internet works?
Suffice to say he does a lot of those things because opposition targets him and they target him because he is the weak link. When you do work out how to find stats you will find one of his major error rates are in missed tackles, so chasing kicks s good but missing the ensuing tackle is not.
14 Jun 2011, 09:05 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-17: Come on… stats? You can see for yourself how poor the guys is. He was millimetres away from giving away another try by knocking the ball behind he own try line as he did earlier in the year. He can no longer catch a ball. He snatches at the ball all the time. Often gets caught holding on. The guy is damaged goods and stuffs up about 70% of the time he touches the ball. Guys like that cost you games. Guys like that you don’t reward by sending them to the RWC.
14 Jun 2011, 09:06 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-17:
Yeah bud… I’m not sure (or a big fan) of all the stats. They never tell the whole story. Sure he makes mistakes… and may be making more right now… but everyone makes them…
Look at Big Vic at the beginning of the season. Keo et al calling him a has been… After Saturday, he everyone’s hero again… I believe Habana will turn it around too.
14 Jun 2011, 09:07 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-17:
I struggle to understand if you pro or anti Habana…a winger with poor hand, where does that put him? I suggest as the ultimate ‘finisher’ in the game of rugby bad hands is the last thing you want to be known for…but that is just me!
14 Jun 2011, 09:09 am
@garth(garth)-20: Not disputing his error rate at the moment. he needs to work on that for sure, Not saying he should start for the Boks either.
My point is more about Hougaard playing no 9. I like the way he gets to the rucks very quickly and keeps the momentum going. In that respect he’s a lot better than FDP even.
If Steyn was on a go forward platform like that every week he’d be a different player too. For me Steyn’s development is limited by FDP, who takes a lot of that responsibility.
14 Jun 2011, 09:14 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-22: I’m not a fan or a hater of him per se.
I said earlier in the year that i would wait until after the Super competition befpore judging both him and John Smit. Now there aren’t too many games left and neither are setting the field alight, but both have their plus points too,
Brian’s work off the ball is great and he gets involved a lot.
He had a bad game on Saturday but until then had been steadiliy improving, so I’m not writing him off. He’ll be in the squad for sure and righfully so,
Would I start with him in a critical game in his current form? No, I’d play Bjorn and JPP. In spite of Bjorns defence not being totally convincing for me.
I would play him in some of the pool games and see how he goes.
Definately a touring option for me,
14 Jun 2011, 09:14 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-19:
hehe…
thought that as you had them close at hand, you would do us all a favour and post them… as you say… i’m really dof…
you obviously are in on all the opposition planning and strategy sessions too… again… i’m too dof to crack the invites…
but i would have imagined they target him because they know he is a threat… could you post a direct quote from any single coach or player who says they target Habana cause he is a weak link? Strange how they have two or three guys on him if he is such a weak link. Hell, why cover him at all? Would give them an extra man every time…
Reminds me of how we marked Jonah… who never scored against us… but pretty sure it wasn’t cause he was a weak link… and yes, the comparison is apt as they share the try-scoriong record at the world cup
14 Jun 2011, 09:19 am
Why waste a playmaker on the wing!!!!
@ufo(ufo)-10: sure he has decided to increase his work rate in the last few games but even you have to admit there is a problem.
My problem with him is: Habadonna is a one trick im on tv show \pony who has failed to add any more to his game. Here is the ultimate case of poor player management, very poor agent, arrogance and thinking ones greatness is in eternal. Talk about resting on your laurels!
He does not really have a great side step, goosestep or jinking runs. Once he has lost speed he has become stale.
His interceptions have become his downfall as he breaks the defensive line so now his defense is a liability.
I do think he will come back but he does need to add more arrows to his quiver to stop been so predictable.
He needs to do Madonna and re-invent himself but going on the way he is its so predictable.
14 Jun 2011, 09:19 am
he isnt even better than Basson or Mvovo!
like WTF
14 Jun 2011, 09:22 am
I like Hougaard at 9 and think he and Sarel should be duking it out for the next decade for the Bok shirt, if Sarel stays in contention playing in Oz. I think that Ruan is seen as number 2 scrummie for the RWC.
14 Jun 2011, 09:22 am
let alone aplon@garth(garth)-2: why should a player retire just cos the public no longer sees him as the best?
how long has Oom Stefan been playing?
14 Jun 2011, 09:22 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-26:
Kev, sure things aren’t going his way at the moment…
but they weren’t going victor’s way at the beginning of the season either…
i believe he will turn it around…
anyway all… nice chatting…
back to the grindstone for me…
have yourselves a good one!
14 Jun 2011, 09:26 am
@Papoose(papaown)-29: Retire, sent to Boland, play for the legends… all the same.
14 Jun 2011, 09:57 am
Personally I think Houghaard did fantastically at 13 too. he has a mean step and broke the defence at will. Restricting him to only scrumhalf or wing is shortsighted. he is very versatile and I agree with everything above. He should be in the team regardless.I´d pick him ahead of Ruaan Pienaar anyday.
I dont think his inclusion should rest on picking Habana or not. As far as I´m concerned his inclusion is non negotiable.
Maybe the rugby public needs to put together a petition to oust Habana from the Bok side this WC – because PDV et all are not going to be reasonable with Habana´s inclusion. If we want to take this cup we need to get Habana out of the team. Any ideas how to get as many signatures and get it to SARU? I believe the public should have a say in these matters. Its us theyre representing. I cannot believe how we keep hanging onto the big names – John Smit (taking him as a coaching member would have made far more sense), Ricky Januarie – who I am gobsmacked has finally been left out, Habana, Spies, and possibly Frans Steyn – lets see how he goes in the Tri Nations. Personally I think they should have invested in Riaan Viljoen a long time ago instead of persevering with Kirchner. Jannie dup another one who isnt really doing anything great but is still in the squad.
But Habana is the man that can cost us the WC. He was atrocious for the Boks last year – he has had a full Super Rugby season to hit some form – he patently has not. I vote they give him 2 games in the Tri Nations and if he doesnt step up he´s out. Last chance. If he doesnt cut it Bjorn Basson is in. In any game were there will be a lot of up and unders or kicking Bjorn is invaluable. Lets make it happen!
As to my best 2 picks for the backline:
9 Fourie du Preez
9 Sarel Pretorius (I know he´s no longer in the squad but should be)
10 Morne Steyn
10 Butch James (12)
11 Bjorn Basson
11 Lwazi Mvovo
12 Jean de Villiers
12 Juan de Jongh (13)
13 Jacques Fourie
13 Francois Houghaard (9/ 11/ 13/ 14)
14 JP Pietersen
14 Aplon (11/ 14/ 15)
15 Frans Steyn (provisional depending on his performance) (15/ 12)
15 Lambie (10/ 12/ 15)
Tough ommissions:
9 Ruaan Pienaar
14 Johann Sadie (new but hot)
15 Riaan Viljoen
Thats quite a versatile backline.
14 Jun 2011, 10:01 am
Smit will be in the side
Brian will be in the side too.
Let;s rather hope that these guys get their act together than hope for them to fail
14 Jun 2011, 10:07 am
The first thing Habana should do is buy longer studs.
I’ve never seen a player slip more than he does.
Either that or they should stop putting Old Brown Sherry in his water bottle.
14 Jun 2011, 10:09 am
9 Fourie du Preez
9 Sarel Pretorius
10 Lambie
10 Ruan Pienaar
11 Bjorn Basson
11 Francois Hougaard
12 Jean de Villiers
12 Butch James
13 Jacques Fourie
13 Juan de Jongh
14 JP Pietersen
14 Aplon
15 Frans Steyn
15 Viljoen
14 Jun 2011, 10:17 am
@ufo(ufo)-10:
You think this is over the top, go read Grant Ball’s latest ‘masterpiece’ on RugbyXV where he compared Habana to Basson on last week’s match based on one tackle…
14 Jun 2011, 10:19 am
I want to know why there was no citing for Burger when he dived over the ruck when Habana was hauled in during the last move, knocked vdH out the way shoulder charge style. And I have heard nobody mention this? New way to clean out? This acceptable nowaday? Enlighten me please…
Or perhaps at least a Bulls penalty? I believe you can award penalties after the hooter, but no scrums, line-outs, etc.
14 Jun 2011, 10:28 am
Slumtown – Hougaard didn’t exactly set the world alight last year when he played for the Boks, so lets wait and see. This year’s 3N will seperate who is and who isn’t going to the RWC.
I expect Habana to really come good this 3N.
I hope PDV doesn’t worry too much about winning this years 3N and gives everyone game time!!!
PDV should just try and win the game in New Zealand and then rotate for the other 3 games.
14 Jun 2011, 10:33 am
@race of tan(race of tan)-38:
Why do you expect him to really come good this 3N?
14 Jun 2011, 10:37 am
gunther – Becuase class is forever and form can vary! Habana does alot of work on defense nowadays and he is being put into space becuase the Stormers tactics are not suited to him. Habana should have stayred at the Bulls ironically they can play a better running game!!
14 Jun 2011, 10:37 am
gunter – Habana is not being put into space(correction for #39!
14 Jun 2011, 10:39 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-32: Couldn’t agree more… our 1st choice centre pairing is JDV+JF and the best available 2nd in line are JDJ+Hougaard.
Hougaard definitely isn’t the most refined scrummie in the world and I think Pienaar is a better 2nd choice for FDP, but Hougaard is that good and has the ‘mongrel’ already mentioned that he needs to be in the matchday 22!
The best wing in the country is JPP by a country mile: he has pace, skill, defence, is good under the high ball and is looking for work again. There are loads of others to choose from, but Hougaard would be a great pick if he isn’t untilised at 13 (which I doubt he will).
14 Jun 2011, 10:42 am
@race of tan(race of tan)-41:
oer.
well let’s hope you are right.
on the basis that class is forever should we not put Breyton on standby?
Just in case ?
14 Jun 2011, 10:44 am
i agree. habana has to go. don’t agree with aplon though. JP has shown signs of brilliance in the last 3 games for the sharks. Besides, between JP and Hougaard we have fantastic tacklers…..not so with Aplon.
14 Jun 2011, 10:54 am
Bryan Habana has become a defensive winger.
14 Jun 2011, 10:55 am
@race of tan(race of tan)-40: ***** bud – he´s had 2 years to come right – i´m sick of this class is forever form blah blah bullshit – are you PDV or Alluster Coetzee by any chance?
I expect Habana to really come good this 3N. – based on what? He hasnt shown any signs of improving over 2 years. Saturday he was awful.
14 Jun 2011, 10:58 am
@race of tan(race of tan)-40: Also if what youre saying is true then surely playing with the Boks he should be playing better? He certainly wasnt last year. His defensive lapses cost us big time last year. If he is a great defensive wing how come he stuffed up on defense so often. He cant even do the basics right – like catching up and unders, not knocking on every 2 seconds and hold his own line on defense cos he is always going for the intercept.
14 Jun 2011, 11:02 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-45:
a defensive winger?
14 Jun 2011, 11:03 am
Habs lost his speed and his anticipation for the sublime. Personally i think the latter happened because of the former. He won’t regain his form……unless he can regain his speed, which, like any aging winger or athlete will tell you is near impossible when you get older.
14 Jun 2011, 11:10 am
Slumtown – It is those one off oppurtunistic tries of his that are the difference between winning and loosing. Habs scored one of those a few games ago, can’t remember which one, and i knew he is one of those few players that score those oppurtunistic type tries.
I wonder what his 100m times are nowadays compared to RWC2007?
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