Bok skipper defends PdV
29 Jul 2011
John Smit says that the squad is behind Peter de Villiers although he admits that his style of coaching differs from that of his predecessor Jake White.
De Villiers has been a magnet for controversy since getting the Bok coaching job in 2008. Apart from his bizarre press conference offerings that range from mixed metaphors to racial slurs, it’s widely known that he offers very little from a technical point of view.
Faced with the assertion that De Villiers is not up to it, Smit hit back at reporters.
‘We’re in our fourth year with Peter,’ he said. ‘We haven’t seen too many players running away just yet but the stories continue.
‘I think the perception is because he is different to what we had before. When we started with Jake [White] he pretty much had to start from ground zero and turn us into something that had some idea of structure and how to play and what our strengths were. And that was drilled into us for a good three or four years leading into the 2007 World Cup.
‘To be honest coaches in South Africa are always going to be under pressure, it’s probably the one job I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.’
Smit maintains that De Villiers is the right man to lead the Boks at the World Cup.
“It’s frustrating for us as players to keep seeing Peter under pressure. He’s very good to us and whenever we’ve needed something he’s provided that and for me in the time we have had with him he has been the guy who has been able to coach us in the appropriate manner.
‘I think another coach with a different type of personality would have made things go a little differently in terms of results in the last three or four years.’
12 Comments
29 Jul 2011, 14:28 pm
Captain Dragon
29 Jul 2011, 14:56 pm
I can’t wait to read some of the Boks biographies in a few years time.
29 Jul 2011, 15:53 pm
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-2: Hehehe not that I’m a PDiv hater but I’m also keen to have a read in a few years time.
29 Jul 2011, 20:34 pm
‘We haven’t seen too many players running away just yet..’ Unfortunately you’re right John. However, if you tell me your shoe size, I’ll send you a pair of Asics.
29 Jul 2011, 20:51 pm
plod….word of advice….stop talking and start playing
thanks
29 Jul 2011, 20:55 pm
@grant10(grant10)-5: Captain is ready to go! To lift that WC. LOL.
29 Jul 2011, 21:33 pm
Lots of smelly brown-nosing going on between questionable coach and his questionable captain and also players on the bubble for the WC squad. Must be extremely lucrative to a r s e creep in Saru rugby domain.
Those of you thinking Ms and WO will not be selected are seriously not taking into account the cumulative pull of VM, RduP. Bakkies and more.
Will PdiV and Smit risk that much needed support of the trio(at least)? Highly unlikely.
30 Jul 2011, 02:44 am
“As two spent swimmers that do cling together/ And choke their art…” (“Macbeth”, Shakespeare.)
Desvribes Smit and Div to a T.
30 Jul 2011, 02:45 am
C not V
30 Jul 2011, 06:40 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-8:
good description!
tickles you’re gonna have far to much to crow about over the next few weeks or so. hopefully you’re gonna be too busy to visit here for you’re typical gloating.
but of course it’ll all be worth it when the ABs choke again…
30 Jul 2011, 06:59 am
I reckon M Steyn,R Pienaar and J Smit are facing D Day today….seriously .
They dont shape I fancy its all over rover, goodnite urse…
30 Jul 2011, 07:02 am
watched the 2005 tri nations clash at newlands won 22…..16 by boks again last nite….bloody hell Smit was so good….dynamic, making tackles, hitting rucks with CJ …..really impressive. I have forgotten how good he actually was….enjoyed watching him in his prime again……respect Plod, you truly were bloody good in your day,
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