PdV’s misplaced loyalty could cost Boks
7 Oct 2011
JON CARDINELLI writes that Peter de Villiers has failed the Springboks by favouring John Smit over Bismarck du Plessis.
‘Don’t be surprised if Bismarck starts the big games,’ a source close to the team told me last week. By that point, Smit had started the Boks’ first three World Cup matches, but there was still a strong belief that Du Plessis would wear the No 2 jersey in the play-offs.
Before Thursday, Du Plessis had pledged his support to his mentor and captain, although privately he may have expected to start the big games. When the team to play against Namibia was named, Du Plessis told an Irish journalist that he’d accepted his role as Smit’s understudy, but following the announcement of the Boks’ quarter-final line-up, he cut a dejected figure at the team hotel.
When he was interviewed, there was none of the good humour that had characterised his media offerings earlier in the tournament. There was also a rumour that he’d reacted badly to the news that he would be riding the bench, and that the head coach was unimpressed with this reaction.
De Villiers calls it a bad attitude, I call it a bad decision. Not for the first time in the last four years, the Bok coach has favoured Smit over Du Plessis even though it’s become increasingly evident that Smit can no longer meet the standards of an international hooker, let alone match the trend-setting Du Plessis.
Smit is also no longer the indispensable leader he was during De Villiers’s early years. On the 2010 tour to the Home Nations, Victor Matfield proved himself to be a capable leader in Smit’s absence. When he was handed the responsibility at this World Cup, Matfield admitted that the captaincy wasn’t as demanding when you had leaders like Bryan Habana (73 caps), Jean de Villiers (71), Jaque Fourie (68), Schalk Burger (67), Danie Rossouw (62) and Fourie du Preez (61) in the side.
There can be a case made for Habana’s exclusion, but the rest of these players deserve their places regardless of their age. The same cannot be said of Smit, and you have to wonder if the reasons around his selection are truly rugby related.
There will never be another John Smit. He’s already the most decorated Bok captain of all time, and his achievements are all the more remarkable given what he’s had to endure from an off-the-field perspective.
It was during the turbulent times of 2008 and 2009, when De Villiers was at his controversy-inciting worst, that Smit needed all of his experience and diplomacy, and behind the scenes, Smit worked to ensure the right calls were made in terms of selection and tactics. While he had already achieved so much prior to 2008, his value and contributions during the first two seasons of De Villiers’ tenure should never be underestimated.
When I interviewed Smit in April 2010, he told me that he would continue to put the team first. He said that the time may come where he would need to step aside, either to warm the bench or support the team as a non-playing squad member. He said this with conviction, and his past deeds both on and off the field gave me no reason to doubt that he would make good on his promise.
I couldn’t help but think about that conversation when Smit was announced as the starting hooker for this Sunday’s quarter-final against the Wallabies. The senior players have a big say in selection and strategy, and so I felt Smit’s selection didn’t align with his commitment to put the team first. By marching on as the starting No 2, he is doing the Boks no favours. By standing in the way of Du Plessis, he is, ironically, doing his country a disservice.
De Villiers will also need to accept responsibility for this situation. He may feel that he owes Smit something but the reality is that a Bok coach should always place the needs of the team above the needs of individuals.
Du Plessis is right to feel aggrieved. The best player won’t start in the No 2 jersey this Sunday, and this decision could cost the Boks’ in the decisive battle up front. It could cost the team everything they’ve worked for over the past four years and lead to an embarrassing quarter-final exit on par with that of Rudolph Straeuli’s side of 2003.
Through the weak management of De Villiers and Smit’s refusal to face the fact that he’s a spent force, the rugby world has been denied the privilege of seeing Du Plessis in his prime on the greatest stage of all. From a South African perspective, the decision to favour Smit has robbed the Boks of the stronger, more dynamic starting option, and it’s likely to be a decision the entire nation will come to lament.
717 Comments
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7 Oct 2011, 21:00 pm
Same old,same old,
a few old nicks
and a kakhuis full wankers.
7 Oct 2011, 21:00 pm
@optiplay(optiplay)-448: All fair weather fans should have their viewing rights revoked
Go paint the geyser,or go vas dans on the plaas, ortake up a new hobby, but in for a penny in for a pound
You either support the Boks or do the lawn and shut up doomsday prophets
7 Oct 2011, 21:01 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-450:
yip exactly what you;ve done the last 3 years about dippy divvy devilliers and u looked like a right royal prat every time he shoved it down your gullet.
7 Oct 2011, 21:01 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-446: @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-444: this little pseudo runtcunt wanna start calling themselves ‘true patriots’
hah whatafucking blowhole laugh .. you pathetic bunch of second grade pseudo runtcunt arsecreep glory seekers dunno the BEGINNING of what ANY kind of ‘PATRIOTISM’ actually is worthy to uphold.
Pathetic moronic imbecilic pseudo arsed phoefyfied ingenious hypocrites of the utmost bullshitting baffling kind !!!
7 Oct 2011, 21:01 pm
All I can say is Smit is taking a massive gamble with his legacy. He will not be remembered for his success in ’07 but whatever happens in ’11 will define his career. I reckon if he pulls it off he will be up their with Danie Craven. ABSA/Kings Park will have to change to Smit Park/Stadium.
7 Oct 2011, 21:02 pm
@Duiwel(Duiwel)-451: Ok, I have an old nick, but I like wnking
7 Oct 2011, 21:03 pm
@cab(cab)-447: Thats bullshit CAb Im living overseas and thats not how I would have intended but how things have worked out and it does not make me less patriotic. There is not a day that Im not proud to be a SAfrican and coming from a wonderful country that is emerging out of a dark past with a nobility that has not been displayed in some seemingly more civilised countries. I have seen behavour overseas that is 10 times worse than the way we treat each other in SA
7 Oct 2011, 21:03 pm
Supporting a team 95% (only 21 players out of the 22) is not supporting a team at all.
When John Smit gets the ball, check this sorry lot pray he drops it or throws an intercept, or misses a tackle, just waiting on the edge of their seats to say “I told you so.”
We don’t want supporters like you.
7 Oct 2011, 21:05 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-457:
i do too, the real patriots are in SA, they have chosen not to look out for themselves and are working for the betterment of the country.
7 Oct 2011, 21:05 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-457: I agree with this, the ou toppie has lost perspective sitting there in France with his beret and neckerchief on, sipping his old world reds.
7 Oct 2011, 21:05 pm
@JL1(JL1)-452: Sorry .I still do not get it .Do you say to disagree with the team selection is being a fair weather fan ?
7 Oct 2011, 21:05 pm
@optiplay(optiplay)-445: Questioning is one thing, but to continually play a broken record with no new angle deserves contempt. And to be lilly livered cowards using the Smit/Bismarck selection as an excuse to write off the Boks before they have even played on Sunday also deserves contempt…
But you want to know a funny thing:
These **** will line up to slander Smit but will have nothing but praise for the Coach who selects him.
Hypocrites.
So, simply put, we have traitorous, cowardly hypocrites on Keo. Patriots arseholes… You decide what you want to be.
Me, I’m behind the Boks.
7 Oct 2011, 21:05 pm
fcking exiled Granny Lizzy pom pom arsecreeps calling themselves ‘patriots” now I heard it all.. and just 2 fcking days ago some of them were ready to nail the national coach to the cross themselves .. suddenly these two fckarse impostors wanna start referring to ‘themselves’ as “Patriots’ whatafukking two faced laugh of mega moegoe proportions…
7 Oct 2011, 21:07 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-458:
whose “we”, let me tell you peter de villiers dont want supporters like you, the country dont want supporters like you, take you Snor dippie horsemanure and fk right off. when u say “we” u mean some decrepit ex-natal last outpost in greater wimbledon – good god man – who gives a fk about the whenwe’s…
7 Oct 2011, 21:08 pm
@optiplay(optiplay)-461: this lot do not “question team selections.” Haha don’t make me laugh! They sit here all day and personally insult the most capped Bok of all time, taking absolute delight in doing so. Just a bunch of sheep bleating their filth and slapping each others’ backs.
Disgusting.
“Questioning team selections.” Haha don’t make me laugh.
7 Oct 2011, 21:09 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-454: So then please enlighting us about real fans, real support
If your troops go to war and get farked up because one troop, do you run, retreat or join another army?
7 Oct 2011, 21:10 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-454: You’re a patriots farken dutpipe…
You are so keen to use Smit as a scapegoat before the fact, yet will say nothing to criticise the coach who selects Smit in the first place.
Its all about setting up stall, hey? Well you’ve set up your stall now. A stall of cowardice, egotism and hypocrisy of the highest order…
All to try and have some “I told you so” one upmanship…
Go farken support the AB’s with ET…
7 Oct 2011, 21:11 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-465: I once criticised old Phil Waugh on a night out
His response:”Ah mate it is very easy in the cheap seats”
7 Oct 2011, 21:11 pm
@cab(cab)-459: And given the choice Id be there too , but having left with the intention of returning I find I now have no option but to remain overseas as I wont have a career back there. Not my choice
7 Oct 2011, 21:11 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-458: good post.
7 Oct 2011, 21:11 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-460: you the biggest little two faced nancy boy imbecilic half hearted impostor of a patriot YET.. you second grade little sniveling runtcunt piece of trasharse vermin.. sitting pretty up your impostor laden exiled patriotic tower of self righteous contempt..
Smit is the architect of his OWN vain glory.. and you feeble little phoefiefied nancy arsed imbecile STILL dunno a TRUE patriot from a FALSE one because you feeble little runtcunt sliver of pathetic garbage ARE exactly what you think you are NOT !!! Schmuckarse silver spoon fed garbage heap of scumarse trash that you ACTUALLY ARE..
7 Oct 2011, 21:12 pm
Old skopskiet here had a thing about Jake White since 2004.
Has a thing about John Smit.
Has a thing about FDP.
Has a thing about Spies.
Has a thing about the Boks? Sounds like it. What a real fan, what a big man.
We don’t want Negative Norahs like you, just waiting to say “I told you so”.
Why support the team if it’s with a huge caveat?
7 Oct 2011, 21:12 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-469:
i’m in exactly the same situation, there is always a choice, depends what sacrifice u willing to make. my post was not aimed at you, but these two right royal frot plonkers above.
7 Oct 2011, 21:13 pm
@cab(cab)-453: And that statement shows you up for the hypocrite you truly are… Slander Smit yet lick the ballas coaches who selects… Truly fcked in the head.
7 Oct 2011, 21:14 pm
@optiplay(optiplay)-461: No, we all disagree
Maybe I am losing you on Internet translation
What is your fix on the team?
Boks are underdogs, we are blowing way too much smoke up the Aussies backsides
7 Oct 2011, 21:14 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-455: One of the best posts of the day!!
7 Oct 2011, 21:15 pm
Crab is the biggest hypocrite of the lot… sucker punches Smit all day yet cuddles up to Pearl from Paarl (who by the way, selects Smit).
This ou toppie lacks a backbone, yapping with the loud crew.
7 Oct 2011, 21:16 pm
@JL1(JL1)-452: Ja, 100%. Support the Boks 100% or reap the whirlwind and STFU
7 Oct 2011, 21:16 pm
wtf is a ‘negative norah’?
lol, this oke is a huge dandy. fk i;ve just fallen off the chair with laughter.
is it someone who constantly berates or belittles the coach?
Is it someone who over the last 3 years feels we are going to lose everything because of the coach?
7 Oct 2011, 21:17 pm
@cab(cab)-459: Patriots?
Come now Cab, some do not have a choice in the matter, and cannot come and go as they please
7 Oct 2011, 21:17 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-474: Correction: And that statement shows you up for the hypocrite you truly are… Slander Smit yet lick the ballas of the coache who selects him… Truly fcked in the head.
7 Oct 2011, 21:17 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-474:
show me where i;ve slandered smit, come now, put up or shut up you daft twat.
7 Oct 2011, 21:18 pm
You are the biggest Negative Norah of the lot you bumbling old French winesoak.
7 Oct 2011, 21:19 pm
@cab(cab)-459: Speak for yourself. Go support the ABs chap… With supporters like you and your bumchu.m shampoodle, the Boks dont need enemies… Faken Jukskei Quislings the both of you.
7 Oct 2011, 21:19 pm
@JL1(JL1)-480:
Again, this is not aimed at you, this is aimed at the two Groot Meneer Patriote on here.
Patriots based in fkn Parys and London by the sea, nogal.
We all have a choice.
The point is i’m not about to be given a lecture on patriotism from these two whenwe poefda wets.
7 Oct 2011, 21:21 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-484:
what u mean berating and belittling litte Snorre dippy dippie the muhamad ali of coaches is a postive percival of hoe?
hypocrites.
7 Oct 2011, 21:21 pm
@cab(cab)-473: Hell i’ve even thought about just going back to help develop the skills of folks back home but would do you do about crime and what about your kids and wife and the crime situation etc. Just recently appointed honorary prof to a Uni in OZ and would luv to use my skills and knowledge to help folks in SA. Most of my family still back home and miss the place like hell but my kids were born in Holland so they are really Dutch.
7 Oct 2011, 21:21 pm
Anyway chaps, I’m out.
HG
JL1
Skop
Cab
Banana
and the rest
Good chatting. See you around.
7 Oct 2011, 21:22 pm
@JL1(JL1)-466: who is joining who’s army.. you fckd off LONG ago… so WHICH army did YOU JOIN ???
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-465: and so did YOU you fcking imbecilic little sliver of trash..
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-467: and so did you
Yet it is THESE 3 impostor fckng pseudo patriots that want to paint themselves as the last outpost of the great selfless Springbok supporters who will DIE for their beloved country…
You fcking arsewipe hypocritical schmucks take the ABSOLUTE cake of ALL cakes…
@JL1(JL1)-466:
‘Which Army have I ‘joined’ huh? I have berated the decision of a sporting coach to select a has been useless arsewipe of a f’ng self seeking self glorifying impostor of a captain over a player who is a THOUSAND times a better option and selection but due to YOUR blinded fckd up ‘patriotic’ Sentiment .. you prefer to Shut your eyes and go on praying to Godot or whoever it is you believe in that its RIGHT .. I have NOT joined any Foreign Legion army… even though its far more true and possibly appropriate to the fact here that you perhaps HAVE
7 Oct 2011, 21:23 pm
@cab(cab)-485: oh so now not every SA living abroad is a traitor now, just 2 in particular who happen to disagree with you?
Intolerant old fool.
7 Oct 2011, 21:24 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-465: Now I get it(a bit late)You are referring to KEO and not me(talk about taking things presonal.My mistake. Embarrassing.And I am not drinking)
7 Oct 2011, 21:24 pm
Hey man, give it a rest – all of you. This is so tired.
So the team has a couple of selections that everyone does not agree on. So what? This is always going to happen.
But when you sweep yourself up into such a tizz about it, then you end up spending the whole game looking for reasons and evidence to justify what you’ve been saying. And that’s no fun.
So just let it be. The people who know most, and who have most riding on the result, made the call. Nothing’s going to change that. Let’s just get behind the team and support them now.
The worst is that someone like Smit (or Spies, for that matter) is actually a hell of a nice chap. Humble, good natured. And this stupid “debate” has made people absolutely slander him in the most disgusting terms. What’s up with that? I’m ashamed for some of the things that you lot have said.
7 Oct 2011, 21:24 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-472: Ja, I reckon him and Cab might actually be Wobbly supporters deep down. I am actuall starting to believe they will be standing up singing “Advance Australia Fair” the way they are carrying on…
7 Oct 2011, 21:25 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-435:
Totally. Boks by 12. We will take no prisoners. Or convicts
7 Oct 2011, 21:26 pm
Hello,
Who is getting up early for the first game?
7 Oct 2011, 21:28 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-489: Ag, please man. The only proper troop you’ve been a part of is a bo.bbejan troop. Go farken support the Wobblies or All Blacks. Its obvious you can’t support the underdog…
Proper Man U type supporters, both you and Cab.
7 Oct 2011, 21:28 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-488: Cheers.
7 Oct 2011, 21:28 pm
@carol(carol)-495:
I’m getting up early for work
7 Oct 2011, 21:28 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-487:
seriously this is not aimed at you, whatever you choose to do is your own business. But we do have choices even if they are harder, the true patriots are the ppl who live in SA.
@>^..^< katman(katman)-492:
fair enough – u are probably right.
7 Oct 2011, 21:28 pm
Hzit,Cab !JL, jinxie
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