Bismarck’s the best
27 Sep 2011
Bismarck du Plessis has used the World Cup to enhance his reputation as the world’s No 1 hooker.
Du Plessis made an immediate impact for the Boks when he came off the bench in their World Cup opener against Wales, helping to turn a 16-10 deficit into a 17-16 victory.
‘To have a replacement hooker like Du Plessis coming off your bench is something no team in world rugby can match and is a massive weapon,’ Wales coach Warren Gatland said after the game. ‘He really put himself about in the time he was on. I’d say he was probably their most influential sub. I’m glad we didn’t have to play against him for longer.’
In the latest SA Rugby magazine – a 172-page bumper edition – we analyse Du Plessis’ season and lament the fact that he’s been relegated to the Bok bench to accommodate captain John Smit.
Also in the new issue:
– Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu are totally different players but together they form a potent midfield combination
– Wallabies coach Robbie Deans took a big gamble when he made James Horwill his new captain, just three weeks before the World Cup
– Heinrich Brüssow used the home leg of the Tri-Nations to fight his way into the Springboks’ World Cup squad
– How Bryan Habana rediscovered his form ahead of the World Cup
– Manu Tuilagi has brought muscle to England’s midfield
– Thirteen years after making his England debut, Jonny Wilkinson is still setting the example for his team-mates
– Having been left out of Ireland’s squad for the 2007 World Cup, Tommy Bowe made sure the selectors couldn’t ignore him in 2011
– Outgoing France coach Marc Lievremont will be remembered for his conservative approach to the game, odd selections and public outbursts
– Western Province flank Siya Kolisi has made the most of his opportunities in this year’s Currie Cup
– Sharks wing Sibusiso Sithole wants to refine his game
– Jaco Taute has all the attributes required to play at the highest level
– There’s something special about Johann Sadie
– Clint Newland and Ross Kennedy are playing an important part in EP’s rugby renaissance
– A host of players are representing their adopted countries at this year’s World Cup
– The Webb Ellis Cup is closely guarded when it travels around the world, but that wasn’t always the case
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351 Comments
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27 Sep 2011, 05:09 am
nonu & snakey are the WORLD’S BEST CENTRE COMBO dragons, say it keo “journos”…say it.
27 Sep 2011, 05:51 am
How about an article along the lines:
“Why did SA have to suffer the dreadful Jean DeVilliers for 4 years when reinstated at #12 after the 2009 RWC replacing the vastly superior incumbent Frans Steyn?”
Somehow I doubt we’re going to see this in print.
Better to throw up smokescreens.
27 Sep 2011, 05:58 am
Jean de Villiers is a legend. Time to focus on the positive. Frans Steyn’s time has come.
27 Sep 2011, 06:00 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-1: indeed, indeed … they will not say it, there is a JDV book deal coming up and they cannot jeopardise sales by stating the obvious.
27 Sep 2011, 06:03 am
@OCO(OCO)-2: you’re the only one who watched a rwc in ’09.
in 2008 jean de villiers was sublime SA Player of the Year recipient, francois steyn on the other hand was being boo-ed by guppy fans at kings park.
jdv & adi were sshit hot that year & he deserved his spot.
27 Sep 2011, 06:19 am
a SARugby issue with articles on both Sbura & Siya
27 Sep 2011, 06:29 am
Habana rediscovered his form?
27 Sep 2011, 06:32 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-6: why no article on Pat Cilliers … he is the one who moered Siya at the bottom of a ruck, forcing his victim, Siya, to leave the field semi-concussed.
27 Sep 2011, 06:34 am
The best 8 in the world is now available for selection this weekend, he’ll make a big difference.
27 Sep 2011, 06:34 am
@RL(RL)-8: why should thuggery be rewarded?
27 Sep 2011, 06:36 am
leave Biz on the bench and select JdV to start – that would be the Opposition Dream Pick !
27 Sep 2011, 06:38 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-9:
Lets just hope he last 40-50mins before they haul him. Would love to think he is fit enough for 80mins but he’s too key and will be needed for the brutal Argies forward onslaught. Major problem is that he’s had vvvvvery little footy this International season.
27 Sep 2011, 06:39 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-10: because he spent the season moering everyone who was unfortunate enough to go up against him … admit it he deserves magazine time.
And remember, moer hulle is not thuggery.
27 Sep 2011, 06:47 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-12:
He’s definitely undercooked but if he holds up come finals time he’ll be a massive asset for the pack, can you imagine the set piece moves off the back of the scrum, lovely stuff.
27 Sep 2011, 06:50 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-9: Take your Kiwi goggles off! The best 8 has been in storming form all world cup, the best Kiwi 8 is now available for selection, but you are right, he will make a big difference.
27 Sep 2011, 06:55 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-15:
and who might that be?
27 Sep 2011, 07:17 am
SI and SR covers look almost the same except for the green arm. A article about a Lions player…. I’ll go out and buy this one.
Hey Keo and pals… how about a story of the “future problem” the Boks are going to have for the number 10 spot?
All the youngsters going for that position.. like Jantjies, Goosen, Eberson, Lambs and those WP boys. Get the pro’s and con’s of each and weigh them up against another…. just a thought…. would be interesting.
27 Sep 2011, 07:21 am
@HHS(Hop Hop Spinnekop)-17: Would make a nice cover too of all the young chaps in their S15/CC kits
27 Sep 2011, 07:25 am
@HHS(Hop Hop Spinnekop)-17: the keo bunch aren’t bothered, they’ve already picked lambie as the “future of SA rugby” & the “baby-faced assassin”.
i read somewhere on the web this morning already where lambie’s apparent “influence” in the bok team was being quantified as huge
27 Sep 2011, 07:27 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-19:
If he plays 15 at this WC can he stop Dagg?
27 Sep 2011, 07:31 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-20: in a one-on-one situation lambie will cut dagg down to size but if it is a foot race the sorry, lambie is a carthorse.
27 Sep 2011, 07:32 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-19: We all have our favorites. I have Jantjies and Goosen. Guess we cannot blame them for backing theirs. I saw the Lambie article… personally I’m not to comfortable with him at our last line of defense (yet).
27 Sep 2011, 07:36 am
@HHS(Hop Hop Spinnekop)-22:
In a potential semi with the Ab’s he’ll have Nonu, Kahui, SBW , Dagg etc running at him i’m sure he’ll do fine.
27 Sep 2011, 07:43 am
@23. Although Lambie will do fine our Fb against you, if it happens that way, will be Frans with JdV at 12.
27 Sep 2011, 07:50 am
Good luck to Bismarck and the Boks… make the most of it…!
Just keep your discipline in check and don’t react to any off-the-ball stuff… or start any off-the-ball stuff yourself…
27 Sep 2011, 07:51 am
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-24:
Probably, you’ll lose plenty on attack with JDV there as he offers very little but then again you’ll be playing to your game plan so he’ll suit that type of play.
***/ Canada game was superb, beautiful setting, great atmosphere and weather there were plenty of SAFFA’s saying this was going to be a lemon, NZ must hold this thing every 3rd or 4th time other than Wales no country supports rugby totally like NZ.
27 Sep 2011, 07:57 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-26:
I’d call you one-eyed… But even that one’s got a black patch on it…!!
27 Sep 2011, 07:59 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-16: Sergio Parise.
27 Sep 2011, 08:00 am
“Bismarck du Plessis has used the World Cup to enhance his reputation as the world’s No 1 hooker.”
in 44 minutes…
27 Sep 2011, 08:01 am
@Staal(Staal)-29:
only a few of us will see the humour in that statement…!!
27 Sep 2011, 08:07 am
yes, but bismarck still throws in skeef.
and heinrich never had to fight his way in anywhere…i mean…wtf?
27 Sep 2011, 08:07 am
@ufo(ufo)-30:
ek s
27 Sep 2011, 08:09 am
@Staal(Staal)-32: huh still typing & gone is my posts?
Wanted to say: ufo you are awake… like always…
27 Sep 2011, 08:16 am
@Staal(Staal)-33:
as are you!!
27 Sep 2011, 08:20 am
@ufo(ufo)-27:
Maybe a little (smiley face) but these c lowns saying NZ should NEVER have the WC again are talking through their a rses, this will be the best one yet.
27 Sep 2011, 08:24 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-28:
He doesn’t have the rugby smarts that the next AB captain has, great player though.
27 Sep 2011, 08:26 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-35:
i haven’t see anyone here say that… but not saying they haven’t… but i have heard new zealanders say well before the world cup that this could very well be the last time new zealand holds any major sporting event… not stirring… that sentiment was expressed quite often from your own countrymen…
but to say you and wales are the best is crazy… are you old enough to have seen the 95 world cup…? maybe you just remember that distant past where sa put on a little event called the football world cup…? and which was widely proclaimed by many around the world as being the best and vibiest one ever…
so a little perspective may get your comments more serious attention…
okay… it’s back to the smileys after that…
27 Sep 2011, 08:29 am
@ufo(ufo)-37:
UFO I didn’t say Wales or NZ was the best in that comment just that they are the only two countries where rugby is the no 1 sport and has total support, England, France, SA etc the round ball rules does it not for the majority of the population?
27 Sep 2011, 08:34 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-35:we know it is, black panty has been letting us know
27 Sep 2011, 08:35 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-38:
you making huge assumptions there NZinChina…
hop on a plane and come spend a few days here… you’ll see… nothing unites south africans quite like rugby… (and madiba)…
happened in 95 and 2007… and when we have big games…
don’t be fooled by sensationalist, hit generating press…
heck… even the petrol attendants follow the games and know the bokke by name…
just ask francois pienaar and john smit how well known and loved they are going into any township…
27 Sep 2011, 08:39 am
Mr. Gatland as per normal astute analysis, you would be my pick as AB coach any day of the year, to spell it out for the whole world, the battleship had a massive impact off the bench and changed the game, “weapon that no team can match” off the bench, wonder what might have happened against Scotland last year id we had a bench that could change the game.
P Divvy getting hammered by all and sundry because Bissie should be the starter but for all the rugby geniuses out there, how do you think we are going to match the AB front row? well enter Rassie and his tactics against the Bulls in the currie cup a few years back, take a teams strength and turn it into a weakness, the Bulls scrum at that stage was considered the best in SA so select two front rows and scrum them into the ground.
Now when you bring on the second front row who do you want off the wood, Bissie or John. Well bob I think I might take the battleship for fifty.
27 Sep 2011, 08:44 am
Another article on Bismark being better than Smit?
Jeez, this is getting stale.
We all know Bismark is the best hooker in the world.
Next topic.
27 Sep 2011, 08:47 am
@ufo(ufo)-40:
so im wrong, the majoriy of the population in SA support rugby? ( spent 6 weeks in SA in 96′)
27 Sep 2011, 08:50 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-35:
you could never afford another one after this.
27 Sep 2011, 08:52 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-43:
no, but the point is that the percantage of the population that supports rugby over here is bigger than the entire populations of nz and wales combined.
27 Sep 2011, 08:53 am
This mag has it spot-on regarding Taute and Kolisi. Probably the two most impressive CC players this season.
27 Sep 2011, 08:55 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-43:
so do most new zealanders only support rugby and never support your other teams and sports people…? come on bud… don’t be a simpleton…
football may be the majority sport… but the whole country does in fact get behind the rugby…
believe or don’t i don’t really care… but to deny it all the way from china doesn’t see you in the most credible light…
27 Sep 2011, 08:55 am
@francois93(francois93)-41: we want chili! he matched and slightly bested the “battleship”
27 Sep 2011, 08:57 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-46: sharks_lover will say marcel coetzee is better than kolisi
27 Sep 2011, 09:02 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-48: hey Transi guy, for once I agree with you on Chili’s quality and am sure that I will get smashed by Keo lites for saying so only issue with Chili but I prefer experience over brute strength and power, also have the feeling that Matfield may not make it out of the Samoa game in one piece and as you know I am a John Smit fan so I am biased
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