Brüssow still a match-winner
8 Aug 2011
JON CARDINELLI says that Heinrich Brüssow needs game time before the World Cup and should be integrated into the Springbok starting side sooner rather than later.
I was against the selection of Brüssow for the recent tour of Australasia, as it was clear from the preceding training sessions in South Africa that he was still not fully fit. Fortunately, coach Peter de Villiers did not follow through with his plans to play a partially-fit Brüssow in either of those two matches.
You can understand why De Villiers would want to fast-track Brüssow. De Villiers has publicly stated that the Bok flanker ‘is the type of player that you build a game plan around’, and thus intimated that Brüssow will play a key role in the Boks’ World Cup campaign.
De Villiers, and South Africa, need Brüssow to be fit and battle-hardened by the time the Boks arrive in New Zealand.
Brüssow made his long-awaited return to competitive rugby last Saturday when he played 25 minutes for the Cheetahs against Western Province. It marked his first game since injuring his hamstring in May, and just his fourth game in 17 months. The Bok selectors would have watched Saturday’s match closely, and Brüssow’s cameo would have convinced them that he is indeed ready to reclaim the No 6 shirt.
The Cheetahs pack produced a better performance in the second half, and the tide was already beginning to turn when Brüssow was introduced in the 55th minute. For the remainder of the game, Brüssow exhibited the sharp decision-making and invaluable skills that made him one of the most valuable Test players in 2009. He effected several terrific breakdown steals, and earned his team kickable penalties that ultimately proved the difference in a tight finish.
The Currie Cup is significantly less intense than Test rugby, and the inexperience of the WP pack must be taken into account. But it was an encouraging performance from a player on the comeback trail. He showed that he still has what it takes to influence the outcome of a game, and it now remains to be seen if he can still do a similar job at highest level.
He missed the entire Test season in 2010, which in retrospect may not have been a bad thing. Apart from the Boks’ poor results, they battled to come to grips with the new law adaptations that favoured the attacking team. The All Blacks were the best when it came to adapting to these laws and that was reflected in the final Tri-Nations standings.
But the 2011 season has seen another shift in thinking in terms of the management at the breakdown. It may not be as one-sided as it was in 2009 where defensive teams held sway and men like Brüssow were prominent, but there is more of a contest.
Brüssow has shown himself to be an adaptable sort of player. He was particular good in the three Super Rugby games he did play, standing out in the Cheetahs’ win against the Waratahs in Sydney. The performance against WP in Bloemfontein also showed that he has that ability to influence a match. Providing he has emerged from Saturday’s clash injury-free, he must be used as much as possible in the next two Tri-Nations Tests.
The decision to pick Brüssow will be made easier given that the Boks have no other openside options in their squad. Schalk Burger is still recovering from a broken thumb sustained in the Super Rugby semi-finals, and won’t be considered for the Test in Durban. It is also unlikely that Burger will feature in Port Elizabeth.
While the time of the out-and-out fetcher has come and gone, every team still needs a player capable of making those big defensive plays. While Brüssow doesn’t have the stopping power of Burger, he is capable of making important turnovers. He is also capable of slowing down the opposition ball at the ruck and thus allowing his defence more time to realign.
The Boks will need an answer to the Wallabies’ David Pocock and the All Blacks’ Richie McCaw in the next two games. They won’t win the Tri-Nations, but they will get an opportunity to test themselves against quality players. For men like Brüssow, the opportunity will prove invaluable before the real battle commences at the World Cup.
192 Comments
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8 Aug 2011, 11:03 am
@sparticus(sparticus)-140:
schalk is really good at slowing down the oppositions attack.
he doesn’t really do fetching in the ‘steal a ball a minute’ mode that brussel p does but he’s still good.
anyway, he’s injured and brussle p’s gonna be starting for sure by the looks of it.
8 Aug 2011, 11:05 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-149: Yes but last year in the Trinations Flo disappeared as well , re up and coming flankers , I only watched WP over the weekend and for the second time I was impressed with the number 6 flank Kitschoff (sp ?) , I reckon he is one to watch over the next few months as a openside flank.
Re flanks I would say Kolisi also at WP shows the most promise !! Sorry but I did not watch any other games recently.
8 Aug 2011, 11:06 am
@we have it on good authority that on september 11, a legend will rise…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-151: I dont feel Brussouw is ready to start but I wish him the best. I would have preferred to play him off the bench. His gonna get pinned badly by the ref should he play like he did against WP.
8 Aug 2011, 11:09 am
sparticus – I thought Brussouw would have to pass a fitness test to be eligable for the match V the Ozzies?
Lets hope he stays fit for the RWC
8 Aug 2011, 11:12 am
it must be a nightmare situation for a player to debut for the boks when they having an “off season”,
….you are inevitably tarnished after that.
8 Aug 2011, 11:14 am
Did any of you guys get the latest advert for the Springbok tests on Saturday? Shows a bunch of Springboks beating all and sundry etc.
Did anyone happen to notice what number Schalk had on his back???
Looked very much like a no 8 to me…..
8 Aug 2011, 11:20 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-149: watch the wp oke…..fetcher supreme….kitshoff…[ ruan ]….awesome player
@sparticus(sparticus)-150: Flouw is world class….wp / stormers will miss him plenty..
8 Aug 2011, 11:25 am
@grant10(grant10)-157:
yeah, but just you wait until all the wp first choice players are back….you’ll be **** again.
8 Aug 2011, 11:27 am
Brussow’s very, very underdone for test rugby.
8 Aug 2011, 11:29 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-159:
You’re hoping.
8 Aug 2011, 11:30 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-158: LOL
Ja….although with F Louw going mayve Kitshoff got a job there…
8 Aug 2011, 11:32 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-159: should have got 30 minutes in 2 nd half this weekend….but the 3 stooges have no options other than Deysel at openside……and a deysel, Spes D Rossow loose trio will leave us so badly exposed it will be carnage….throw in a slow plod and it will be nothing short of a disaster…
8 Aug 2011, 11:48 am
@grant10(grant10)-161: Agree re kitshoff , been singing his praises for 2 weeks now , also there is Carr and Kolisi !! We lack experience though , and Flo sticking around for a season or 2 would not have been too bad.
8 Aug 2011, 11:53 am
@sparticus(sparticus)-163: yip…..Kolisi and Carr both magic prospects….very exciting times !
Such a huge pity about Sadie and Engelbrecht…
8 Aug 2011, 11:59 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-159:
Seem to remember Aaron Mauger coming back from a 6 month lay off in 2003 TriNations Test and fitting in like a glove-many Kiwi’s trumpeting that he would handle it.And he did.And McCaw countless times has comeback with little to no game time-Brussow is in that league..Plus dont think he will play more than 50 mins if he starts.
8 Aug 2011, 12:00 pm
@sparticus(sparticus)-163: @grant10(grant10)-164:
Carr and Kolisi are going to be superstars.
Kitshoff doing very well-seems to be a Luke Watson clone-physical build etc
8 Aug 2011, 12:16 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-166:
Will we ever see Lubabalo Mthembu in the Sharks run on XV or will he disappear ala Mamojele and Lusaseni (who’s beeen looking very good for the Leopards this season) before him?
8 Aug 2011, 12:23 pm
@mxhosa(mxhosa)-167:
Sad fact is that you wont, he will end up at Border,EP.Griffons after age group level.
Just like Siya Mdaka before him who was passed up for likes of Michael Rhodes.
The next young loosies in the running are: Marcel Coetzee & Breinhardt Stander. Even though Mthembu is arguably better(SA u20) than both and has the size to compete (1.91m 103kgs) and skills/explosive.And can still get better.Also is a 7′s Bok already as you know.
Will not happen.
8 Aug 2011, 12:41 pm
@grant10(grant10)-164: I reckon not many people realise how much JJ is worth ! We gonna rue that one for sure , we all know Sadie’s ability
8 Aug 2011, 12:53 pm
Brüssow still a match-winner
8 Aug 2011
JC,
You Okes better hope so.
8 Aug 2011, 13:03 pm
@sparticus(sparticus)-169:
Poolman coming on well
Still have Habana & Aplon
And possibly the most talented of the lot-Tshotsho Mbovane
Dont cry too much’
WP has plenty-Steven Kitsoff,Ntubeni,Carr,Etzebeth,Kolisi,Johannes,Hartzenberg,Shreuder,van Aswegen,Cronje,Mbovane…..
8 Aug 2011, 13:26 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-171: We’re going to have a devastating pack once the likes of Etzebeth, Kolisi, Carr and them all grow up. We’re breeding a tremendous backrow, but we’ve sold our two most exciting young backline prospects.
I don’t rate Poolman at all. He’s got decent pace, fairly big and OK hands, but nothing about him is exciting. He’s going very much the route of Corne Uys. Not bad, just not particularly good either. I’m hoping Mbovane develops well, but he certainly didn’t deliver on his potential at the junior WC.
And this Catrikilis lad seems to be growing nicely. Between him, Van Aswegen and JdJ you could just create a pretty exciting backline.
8 Aug 2011, 13:52 pm
@lepel(lepel)-172:
Mbovane is still only 19 and has another yr of u20′s,was wrongfully played being Skosan for u20′s.
van Aswegen is going to be a star
8 Aug 2011, 13:52 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-159:
No, not underdone.
Quite the contrary.
Well rested and ready to rumble.
8 Aug 2011, 13:53 pm
@lepel(lepel)-172: I agree re Poolman , so far he offered zero playing for the stormers/WP , cannot believe they overlooked JJ for him in the begining of the S15 , he may go on to prove me wrong , I certainly hope so for his sake.
Aplon yes but I dont see how much Habs is gonna last here in the Cape , I expext him to move after the WC.
Now who is this Tshotsho Mbovane laaitie u raving about ?
8 Aug 2011, 13:55 pm
Oh yes and the Greek also impressed me a lot , first time in a loooong time I see so much potential in running , passing , kicking and tackling. Seriously the lad could become one of our most complete flyhalfs , still early days and I hope he fulfils his potential.
8 Aug 2011, 14:14 pm
This guy mshiniwani is so predictable, sooooooooo predictable.
8 Aug 2011, 14:17 pm
@Markel77(Markel77)-177:
This guy mshiniwani is so knowledgeable, sooooooooo knowledgeable.
8 Aug 2011, 14:18 pm
Hey Mish, that’s a compliment by the way.
8 Aug 2011, 14:20 pm
Yeah and for me too, maricane
8 Aug 2011, 14:29 pm
Hey you Mr Knowledge ¿did you know that Bernard le Roux 22 years old flanker is in Racing Metro Paris espoirs (academy)?. He played for Border in South Africa.
¿Did you know that Andries Ferreira 21 years old lock is in Biarritz espoirs? He was Bulls Player.
Both french Top14 teams and strong teams btw
¿did you know?
8 Aug 2011, 14:31 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-173: I dont share your sentiments re Van Aswegen but I do feel the Greek is gonna be a star !
8 Aug 2011, 14:39 pm
lepel(lepel)-172:
@sparticus(sparticus)-175:
The reason Poolman was elevated to Stormers ahead of Engelbrecht, is because he scored 17 tries for WP u21′s, a team in which they both played in….
8 Aug 2011, 15:15 pm
@Markel77(Markel77)-181:
Yeah none of those were SA u20 Players, none of them were senior Bok 7′s players
and the fact that transformation record at Natal is pretty abysmal of late especially
8 Aug 2011, 15:15 pm
@mxhosa(mxhosa)-183: Jaa but did he score the tries by finishing off a move or did he work for the tries ? Gus Theron (thank god he is no longer playing) also scored many tries for WP.
8 Aug 2011, 15:26 pm
Tche tche tche, Ferreira played in Biarritz last year with the Bokkies. And i know because i was there.
You talked about Mnisi, Mdaka, Mthembu, Marole, Lusasenio…¿why the european teams arent interested in them?
Antonie Claassen never played Superugby and now is one of the Top14 stars. Gerhard Vosloo was nowhere in the Cats and after playing in Brive next year wiill play in Clermont (2010 champions)
¿can you see my point?
8 Aug 2011, 15:30 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-171:
I watched Ntubeni over the weekend, nothing about him excites me….
8 Aug 2011, 15:31 pm
@willievz(willievz)-174: Tackler is right – brussow is underdone for test rugby. But he has two tri-nations games, the odd currie cup, test warmups and (potentially) 6 world cup games to get back to peak test fitness.
30 years ago that would have been a whole season.
8 Aug 2011, 15:38 pm
@sparticus(sparticus)-182:
no, van aswegen is rock solid in his own right.
but yeah, get weepee to the greek because he really is gonna be a rockstar…
8 Aug 2011, 18:42 pm
@stew(stew)-90: I don’t recall one, and the stats didn’t give him any either. I do recall Andrew Hore making a couple.
@we have it on good authority that on september 11, a legend will rise…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-96: ‘fetchers’ are also the most penalised players, can SA really afford to give penalties away at the breakdown allowing field position to NZ and Oz and risking yellow cards. McCaw is bullet-proof, I doubt the same leniency will be extended.
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-129: Louw is overrated imo, it’s harsh as he’s a decent S15 player but his test rep is carried along by keo/wp hype.
8 Aug 2011, 18:59 pm
just heard willem alberts may start on sat for boks…..seems spies not gonna make it….groin…
Now plod and M staeyn to get a strain and bobs your aunt
9 Aug 2011, 07:38 am
@grant10(grant10)-191: He has just discovered his balls are missing. He should have taken note 4 years ago when he first last them.
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