Broken promises
20 Jul 2011
GARETH DUNCAN talks to former Springbok scrum coach Os du Randt about Saru not renewing his contract, which props should go to the World Cup, and what’s wrong with the modern scrum.
How do you feel about missing out on this year’s World Cup?
It’s a massive disappointment, but at least I’ll be spending more time at home. I launched a new wine in June and I’ll have the chance to watch my son Thian play for Free State at the U13 Craven Week. I was hoping to work with Ireland heading into the World Cup, as it would’ve given me an opportunity to learn about other scrumming approaches and philosophies, but that fell through. At the moment, I’m just focusing on getting the full-time scrum coach job at the Cheetahs.
Tell us about the incident during the 2010 Springbok end-of-year tour that allegedly led to your contract not being renewed.
We had a team management dinner and then some of us went out for a few beers. Afterwards, I returned to the hotel and went to sleep. The next day, we performed all our duties for the match [against Wales]. I never heard anything from [Bok coach] Peter de Villiers or other management members about the incident.
How was the matter resolved?
Saru didn’t handle the episode correctly. There wasn’t a disciplinary hearing and I received no written warning. If Saru insists there was an incident, then they must prove it. Peter has also never spoken to me about what happened or explained to me why I was axed. He promised me I would go to the World Cup and even suggested I should get a 12-month contract so I could start analysing scrums and South African players in Super Rugby and Europe ahead of the World Cup. But I couldn’t get hold of him after the tour. I left messages on his voicemail and with his PA, but he never called me back. Then I received an e-mail in February informing me that my services would no longer be required. The thing that hurts the most is that when Peter first came to talk to me about being involved with the Boks, he said I must trust him and always be honest with him, because he felt some of his management had betrayed him. Then they used that late-night incident as an excuse to get rid of me.
But the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration] dismissed your case against Saru.
Yes, I was disappointed that it turned out that way. If I can take it further, I will.
Do you have any hard feelings towards the Boks?
It was an honour to work with the players and I will always treasure that experience. I wish them and the management who backed me all of the best. Unfortunately, I can’t say that about all of the Springbok management. If they had been honest about not taking me to the World Cup, I would’ve accepted it. Peter and Saru don’t deserve to be a part of any World Cup success.
How did losing the Bok job affect you?
Financially, it caused some stress. I appointed a manager at my farm so he could run the place when I wasn’t there, especially during the World Cup. I can’t just fire him now that I’m not going anymore. I made promises to him before he left his old job to come work for me.
The Bok scrum improved substantially during your coaching stint. What did you do?
I credit the players as they contributed and worked hard on strengthening the scrums. The fact that they were always willing to listen and learn helped a lot. The team also instilled a sense of self-pride when it came to scrumming.
Who impressed you the most?
Jannie [du Plessis] improved a lot in all areas, especially on defence. Beast [Mtawarira] and Bismarck [du Plessis] also improved as they always wanted to learn.
Schalk Brits and Brian Mujati are two European-based players who performed well up front this season. Should they be in the Bok mix?
Schalk is playing good rugby and should probably be included in the Bok squad, but I don’t think he will be. As for Brian, I don’t think he’s the answer for the Boks.
Which props would you take to the World Cup?
I’d pick Jannie and CJ [van der Linde] as the tighthead props, with Beast and Gurthrö [Steenkamp] as the looseheads.
Would you play John Smit at loosehead?
No, he should only be considered as a hooker.
How vital is Juan Smith’s return from injury?
Juan is crucial to the Boks; he has a big influence on them and the opposition. He should be given cotton-wool treatment until he’s fully fit and 100% healed. He doesn’t need to play before the World Cup.
Is the Springboks’ kick-chase game plan suitable under the current law interpretations?
Yes, but the team will need strong leadership from their management for it to be effective and executed properly. A game plan will only be successful if everybody believes in it.
Who will be the Boks’ biggest threat at the World Cup and who will have the best scrum?
The toughest teams are those they’ll play during the knockout stage, which are likely to be Ireland [quarter-final], the All Blacks [semi-final] and the Wallabies [final]. France or England will have the strongest scrum.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt as a scrum coach?
I’ve learnt so much since starting at the Cheetahs in 2009. The main thing a scrum coach has to do to be successful is sell your ideas and philosophies to the players and make them believe in what you are trying to do. That’s one thing I always do as a coach.
What do you think of the modern scrum?
The stats show that there’s a huge issue at scrum time. Front rowers are struggling to get their timing right with the hit, and referees make it more difficult when they stretch out their call [of ‘crouch, touch, pause, engage’]. Looseheads are also struggling to get their bind right, while hinging is also a problem [where the loosehead’s shoulder line goes under his hips and then rises again]. When the IRB revisits the scrum laws after the World Cup, I believe players should be given more of a free hand to contest at scrum time. Referees should only get involved when there is a safety issue.
What are your future plans?
I want to continue making a difference at the Cheetahs. Right now, I don’t have any plans to become a head coach.
SARU CEO JURIE ROUX RESPONDS TO DU RANDT’S ALLEGATIONS:
‘Os is a Springbok legend and was an asset to the management set-up – his contribution to South African rugby has been outstanding and I’d like to thank him again. He was offered a short-term contract to assist with the Springbok scrum, which he did successfully to the end of 2010. For 2011 the Springbok management identified other needs to further raise the bar for the team, which is why Rassie Erasmus and Prof Derik Coetzee have been taken on. All decisions are taken around our central focus of doing what is best for the Springboks and the choice of which consultants to appoint in 2011 was taken with the team in mind, rather than personalities.’
– This article first appeared in the July issue of SA Rugby magazine. The August issue will be on sale from Wednesday, 27 July.
312 Comments
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20 Jul 2011, 17:57 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-297:
Sorry dont know.
20 Jul 2011, 18:02 pm
@Bod(bod)-300:
Olo was a rock that day but I can understand people not wanting to believe the facts but it did happen, my bro is best mates with a guy who played in the AB pack that day so im pretty comfortable with my version its the 3 or 4 above i’m not so sure about.
20 Jul 2011, 18:02 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-301: ta
20 Jul 2011, 18:03 pm
Midnight here so have to run, Os a true legend of the game and a WC winner hard to beat that – cheers.
20 Jul 2011, 19:28 pm
Os was a great player, no doubt. Never forget seeing him in 1st/2nd-season of S12, playing for OFS, hurtling down the wing, and looping a blind overhead inside pass, perfectly timed to his man. Couldn’t believe such a Big Man, and a prop for good measure, had such skills. And he looks the part, large smiling lump of a beast.
He was no great scrummager tho. Was no more than a ‘holding’ prop but was big and strong enough for a solid platform. Never saw him destroy any respected opposition on his side. Olo Brown didn’t have the running skills as Os but he sure taught him a lesson in the frontrow.
A pity to see Os lower himself to petty sniping, no matter how much it might be justifie. He is, was, one of those legendary rugby ‘characters’ that could have done very well out of the game in the future by just keeping his trap shut.
20 Jul 2011, 20:08 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-274: draw was made publicly but the NZRU chief Hobbs drew the balls, I would’ve preferred someone neutral, it all seemed to work out rather conveniently for certain teams…
20 Jul 2011, 20:15 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-305:
Nicely summed up.
20 Jul 2011, 20:16 pm
that sounds like a bit of a tall tale to me, cant see Os crying off at all, probably created by craig dowd, who was not in Os’ league. Os was probably as good a scrummer as Dowd in his youth, but he totally revolutionised prop and LH play – when have you ever seen a prop with 120+ track down backline players and capable of such massive hits with the force of willy O. He was a massive player in all respects and injured for many of his best years.
Olo Brown was one of the best THs ever, no neck and carved out of rock. We had an oke with a very similar build franz ‘domkrag’ erasmus, whom i think only played against teh cavaliers, poor bugger. He wouldve given olo a good run for his money in the TH stakes.
Far as I recall it was a young Os vs Olo in the 1995 RWC final and the bokke pack was steady as a rock, less u forget the droppie.
20 Jul 2011, 20:18 pm
stransky, its over…bladdy hell happy memories, might break into song.
20 Jul 2011, 22:40 pm
sorry to say this,but this boertjie brought this thing onto himself.if you can’t handle your drink os then stay away from it especially when representing your country.
20 Jul 2011, 23:35 pm
” For 2011 the Springbok management identified other needs to further raise the bar for the team, which is why Rassie Erasmus and Prof Derik Coetzee have been taken on. ”
This Ceo Jurie Roux , sure thinks like a ‘ shurie ‘ (damp squib) i9f he thinks the myth Rassie “raises the bar” wrt the adequate needs of a good scrum.
What the effin hell has he got to back that up after 4 years of inadequate to even reverse scrums at the Stormers/W.P.?
21 Jul 2011, 00:28 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-264:
A group of South African rugby supporters trying to avoid a bumming from some rabid New Zealnd supporters?
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