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, 13:26 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-199:
langers wins hands down.
however he always get’s pinged for early engagement at mavericks.
20 Jul 2011, 13:30 pm
@Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-201:
crouch! touch! pause! ……….langes 
20 Jul 2011, 13:34 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-202:
hsi binding is suspect too
20 Jul 2011, 13:41 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-200:
Hijacking is soooo yesterday.
Hacking, on the other hand….
20 Jul 2011, 13:43 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-199: there you found the answer
20 Jul 2011, 13:46 pm
Reading carefully the drivel from SARU CEO Jurie Roux pup it further vindicates that there were much more than catched the eye
To state that Rassie and a ‘Prof’ D. Coetzee ” raised the bar” in replacing Os as ‘ Test scrum specialists’ is a poor joke, even by SARU’s 3rd world sub standards.
The reason in all likelihood is must had been Os hard on scrum imposters such as The Beast, Steenkamp and Chilibooi, it won’t be the first time though
Remember Leon Boshoff and Sephaka? Boshoff too lost his Lions Forwards’ coach job
20 Jul 2011, 13:52 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-206: 2 things here?
1 its better to say , there is more or was more to the story then meets the eye, or that caught the eye
2 same old Racist drivel? want people to take you seriously mate?? then start trying to be judgemental towards all rugby players , and not only those of colour
Sephaka i can live with as even though he was strong , he was not a great scrummager, the other 3 you mentioned are damn fine rugby players and deserve their positions
but as a supporter you reek of blind judgemental racism, and it just eats away at ur gut to see players of colour do well???
20 Jul 2011, 14:02 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-69:
Hey Bud… been outta the office… thanks for the link… but… got file not found error…
can you give me precis…?
thanks Trans…
20 Jul 2011, 14:06 pm
A very disappointed man, quite sad really. Seems they wanted him gone come hell or high water and going out and getting smashed (if he did) did him in.
Never understood that, surely if you doing the job and you old and ugly enough you can go out and go wild wild wild (think thats the expression snorrie used).
20 Jul 2011, 14:08 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-138:
okay Transie… seen it later in the thread… still wading through…
20 Jul 2011, 14:19 pm
@husky(husky)-192: husky…I see the speech impediment has not yet been sorted?
Os is king my man…..he says your Plod aint a 1 or 3….
makes you think…doesent it?
20 Jul 2011, 14:23 pm
This smacks of indignation.
You should have stayed in your hotel room that night, Os. Like every other proffesional in your party.
Sounds like some of the lines I use on my girlfriend when I know I’m wrong…
20 Jul 2011, 14:24 pm
@grant10(grant10)-211: But Says his a great 2.
20 Jul 2011, 14:26 pm
“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”
Surely as a scrum coach, he should be the one parting the knowledge about scrumming approaches and ‘philosophies’?
20 Jul 2011, 14:27 pm
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-207: Three things mate but your response is commendable and is definitely a step forward.. stay moving
20 Jul 2011, 14:31 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-209: Based on his responses, he comes accross as an absolute idiot… one scrum to many me thinks. Definite brain damage
20 Jul 2011, 15:14 pm
He also faked an injury in 96′ when Dowd and Brown broke him, great player though.
20 Jul 2011, 15:21 pm
Os the French scrum won’t be better than the AB scrum.
20 Jul 2011, 15:27 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-217:
What do u base that assertion on? can u confirm that?
How about the same way Fitzy rolled all over the floor grabbing his face in 96′ Eden park Test after claiming he had been stamped on the face when the boot clearly grazed his chest when he was on WRONG side of maul…That Hollywood act effectively got Andre Venter sent off….
Great player that Fitzy
20 Jul 2011, 15:29 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-219:
That was either 96 or 97.
20 Jul 2011, 15:31 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-219:
Rewatch the game they broke him, he couldn’t take it any longer they ground him into the turf and he faked an injury., no shame in that though most front rows folded to that pack.
20 Jul 2011, 15:39 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-221:
That’s not confirmation, subjective at best.
How about asking Tana why he quit international rugby in 2006 claiming to his body not to be able to take strain of Superrugby,internationals etc and leave Blacks in lurch…
only to come back and play superrugby in 2011…..
Pressure of being AB captain at a world cup perhaps was too much?? Taking easy route out?
Throwing stones at legends…
20 Jul 2011, 15:41 pm
Did any handbags fly today?, I’m up for a good fight
20 Jul 2011, 15:43 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-222:
Mate I’m not throwing stones rewatch the game the commentors even say there is nothing wrong with him other than being broken by Olo and co, did you watch that series?
20 Jul 2011, 15:43 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-219: saw that game last week on espn classic, it was hectic…Boks were playing KICK n CHASE even then…i remember Mexted commenting that jannie de beer hadn’t run the ball once and this was in the 30th min of the 1st half with the Boks leading. then in loose play monty got the ball – he was playing 13 – and guess what? he skopped an up&under, the horrible bounce evaded cullen, then monty gathered and scored.
the all blacks came back before halftime though with a well worked move, that saw taine randell receive an inside pass and break through midfield to offload to a flying cullen who beat the cover defence…
mexted and nisbo were over the moon, waxing lyrical about “poetry in motion” and stuff like “that one’s straight from the training ground”
enjoyed it.
20 Jul 2011, 15:48 pm
speaking of re-watching old games, how would one go about doing such a thing? is there somewhere were you can buy old games? or download? how would one go about this?
20 Jul 2011, 15:50 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-220:
97′ was at the Garden of Eden for that one, from memory we put 55 past you.
20 Jul 2011, 15:52 pm
I can’t remember the SA ground but some rugby almanac on here will remember, Os goes off for an injury but he doesn’t have one.
20 Jul 2011, 15:54 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-225: Saw that one too. They play a lot of Sanzar stuff on ESPN classics.
20 Jul 2011, 15:56 pm
Happy to be proved wrong by somebody.
20 Jul 2011, 16:02 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-224:
I watched that series, even the midweek games vs Border etc where Blackadder was playing flank.So yeah I did.
Was AB’s first ever series victory in SA,but that still doesnt prove he wasnt injured nor had a tweak.The commentators were NZ’s as well if i remember correctly.Mexted,Quinn and co.
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-227:
Score was 55-35, game was evenly stacked till Fitzy pulled a RuPaul Hollywood style on the ground.
20 Jul 2011, 16:03 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-230:
Would be happy if you proved your assertion to be right, by yourself or anybody for that matter
20 Jul 2011, 16:05 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-231:
Ok mate call it what you will, he was broken though. Rewatch the tape when you get a sec its pretty obvious.
20 Jul 2011, 16:06 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-225:
Yeah dont forget we played with 14 men for almost 60 mins after Fitzypatrick turned into RuPaul for a few seconds to get Andre Venter sent off
20 Jul 2011, 16:11 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-234: wasn’t the card in 2nd half? i think it was, so can’t be 60min.
20 Jul 2011, 16:12 pm
seem to remember os at the time saying something like “eks gatvol” when he went off. there was some story like that…
20 Jul 2011, 16:14 pm
It wasn’t Fitzys fault he couldn’t hear the ref’s “roll away 2 call” as Johan had taken half his ear off a few years earlier.
20 Jul 2011, 16:15 pm
@the peanut gallery(peanut)-236:
Please translate sir.
20 Jul 2011, 16:17 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-235:
I could be mistaken but I think it was first half around 25-35 min mark.
But before he came off game was a contest
20 Jul 2011, 16:19 pm
@the peanut gallery(peanut)-236: Yep, it was the Os “gatvol” test. Had nothing to do with the opponents though, everything with the Bok management at the time.
20 Jul 2011, 16:20 pm
eks gatvol = what, save me the time on google translator
20 Jul 2011, 16:20 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-238: sorry.
“i’ve had enough”
20 Jul 2011, 16:20 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-238: “gatvol’ = fed up
Thus “Ek is gatvol” translates as “Im fed up”.
20 Jul 2011, 16:21 pm
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-240:
It had everything to do with Olo Brown snapping him.
20 Jul 2011, 16:22 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-237:
good one, i supposed after that he had to quit music class due to his deficient ear and switched to thespian class
20 Jul 2011, 16:22 pm
@the peanut gallery(peanut)-242:
Cheers, pretty much says it all.
20 Jul 2011, 16:23 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-245:
Ha ha Fitzy was hated in the republic but it made the games superb.
20 Jul 2011, 16:24 pm
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-240: quite enjoyed this
Big Hit where are you? bwahahahahaha
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-2015811/martinsamuel-its-black-white-english-rugby-laughing-stock.html
20 Jul 2011, 16:30 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-244: Os confided in you then I take it?
Silly me.
Sorry.
20 Jul 2011, 16:33 pm
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-249:
Are you saying after he’s just been scrummed into the ground by the worlds best tighthead at the time, he walks off the field and says I’ve had enough and thats directed at Bokke management LOL righto
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