The 2011 keo.co.za awards
6 Dec 2011
JON CARDINELLI and RYAN VREDE rate the real winners and losers of the 2011 season.
THE HEROES by Ryan Vrede
The Irresistible Force - To watch Schalk Burger live borders on a spiritual experience. His work-rate can only be fully appreciated when you watch him effect a tackle then spring from the ground as if it were strewn with scorpions, track across the field and make another, then another and yet another. There is nothing elegant about his ball carrying, but what it lacks in panache it makes up for in power which is fuelled by a deep determination to cross the gainline. He was outstanding at the World Cup and has yet to show signs of a drop-off in potency. Thank God. The Springboks are significantly less formidable without Schalla.
Rocking Rookie - Jaco Taute is an excellent prospect and has the makings of a Springbok. The Lions fullback plays with a healthy disregard of failure, a trait I last saw as strongly exhibited in a young Frans Steyn. He will be central to the Lions’ Super Rugby cause in 2012. Franchises with better prospects of Super Rugby success are sure to be suitors in the coming years. The Lions have to secure his short-term future if they are serious about significant advancement.
And now for something completely different - Israel Dagg plays Test rugby with the freedom of kid on a run out with mates in the local park. There are players I’d pay to see left on the team coach, then those, like Dagg, who somehow justify the mind-blowing ticket prices for Tests. He has a complete technical skills set and the temperament to amplify his threat. But, like the greats, he has something in reserve – that indefinable quality that ‘x-factor’ doesn’t completely do justice too. The try he crafted for Ma’a Nonu in the World Cup semi-final is a prime example and was the most sublime piece of individual play I’ve ever seen live. He will be, at least, as good as the great Christian Cullen. He is my Player of the Year.
Bloody Legend - Richie McCaw’s foot was held together by hope and steel during the World Cup. Doctors had advised him to miss the tournament, explaining that there was no way he could endure the pain the injury would cause. They said the strong pain killing injections being administered wouldn’t dull the sensation of him tramping on needles everytime he put pressure on it. They said he would cause further, potentially permanent, damage. He said ‘thanks’ and set about confirming his status as the most decorated captain in the game’s history by lifting the Webb Ellis trophy.
#thatawesomemoment - For those fans with an appreciation for the theatre of the game (as opposed to the morons who chant ole ole ole) the All Blacks’ Haka in their pool match against France at Eden Park was breathtaking. The stadium fell silent and Piri Weepu’s call to prepare for battle was clearly audible. Then the super-charged collective challenge put to France reverberated around the stadium in a way I’ve never experienced. ‘Wow’, best encapsulates the magnitude of that moment.
Ground breakers from broken ground - Many of the Crusaders players were affected directly and indirectly by the earthquake that ravaged Christchurch early in 2011. It destroyed the AMI Stadium, forcing the Crusaders to play the bulk of their home Super Rugby matches in Timaru and Nelson. They travelled more than any franchise in the tournament, spending time on the road while family and loved ones who were rebuilding their homes and indeed their lives. Few gave them a chance of making the semi-final given the gruelling travel schedule they endured to get to Cape Town. Yet they won and then came desperately close to what would have been one of the great sporting achievements in history. We always knew they were big on talent. Now we know their hearts are equally sizeable.
THE VILLAINS by Jon Cardinelli
In the category of Dimwits in Denial, there were some strong contenders: the Springbok supporters who said Bryce Lawrence was solely to blame for South Africa’s early World Cup exit, as well as the South African journalists who joined the ‘Blame It On Bryce’ campaign instead of facing up to a less parochial reality. In the end, there is only one King of Calamity and in his last year in charge he stood head and shoulders above all the other candidates. Peter de Villiers has refused to admit that the Boks have been in decline since late 2009. The senior players have enjoyed too much freedom which has contributed to the creation of an insular culture rather than a progressive one. Unsurprisingly, De Villiers has maintained his stance that nothing was ever wrong and will be reapplying for the head coach post. Denial thy name is Divvy.
The Immovable Object – John Smit will be remembered as one of the greats of the South African and international game. In the context of the 2011 World Cup, however, he will be remembered as the man who stood in the way of Bismarck du Plessis. The best hooker in the world was in a foul mood towards the end of the tournament, as promises that he would start in South Africa’s big matches were broken. Smit also broke a promise made to the Boks in 2010 when he said that he would stand aside when it was clear that his best days were done. That time came and went long before the global showpiece.
Flop of the Year – In another example of the Bok selection shambles, De Villiers announced two weeks before the start of the World Cup that Morne Steyn would be his No 1 flyhalf. It came as a shock to many, including Butch James who had been told by the coach that he would start the big matches in New Zealand. Predictably, Steyn’s limitations on attack and frailty on defence cost the Boks, and his supposedly dependable goal-kicking game was anything but flawless.
Dinosaurs must die – Tobie Titus and the other freemasons at the Western Province compound have had the final say on the Cape Town Stadium issue, and woe betide anybody that brings this topic up again. When it was announced that Saracens would be playing Biarritz in a historic European Cup game at the Cape Town Stadium in January, Titus blew a fuse, stating that Newlands is the home of rugby in the Western Cape. Eventually Saracens decided to move the game back to England, and so Capetonians will miss out on the chance to watch the best of Europe slugging it out. Bizarrely, the Saracens team will still be coming to Cape Town in January for some R&R and to conduct a few coaching clinics. God, we have some useless administrators in this country.
…and while we’re talking about WP, a special mention must be made of the player management at the union. Peter Grant will enjoy a second stint in the Japanese league and miss the Stormers’ pre-season yet again. Just a couple of months after Lionel Cronje had been snapped up by the Bulls, the Stormers started targeting other young flyhalves like Burton Francis. The biggest management bungle, however, relates to a promising centre and an established international midfielder. Johann Sadie left Cape Town because Jaque Fourie was expected to hold a monopoly on the No 13 jersey in 2012, but just last week Fourie confirmed that he would be moving to Japan for the next two seasons. D’oh!
Daai’s (Nie) ‘n Try – Ahead of the 2011 league match between the Stormers and Crusaders, a mass contingent of Cape-based Crusaders fans mobbed the open training sessions. Some of the fans claimed to be connoisseurs who favoured the Crusaders because of their brand of rugby. Others said that their reasons for supporting a Kiwi team were rooted in South Africa’s segregated past. What escaped both groups of supporters was the fact that the Crusaders held a reputation as one of the more pragmatic teams in the tournament, and that the Crusaders were a predominantly white side. Fortunately we will enjoy a break from this deluded bunch next year, as the 2012 league match will take place in Christchurch.
Daai’s Nie ‘n Ref – Did Bryce Lawrence take one two many relaxants before the World Cup quarter-final match between Australia and South Africa? Lawrence adopted an ‘anything goes’ attitude towards managing the breakdown, and consistently avoided penalising either side in this facet of play. In the end, it was the Aussies that adapted best. Last week, Lawrence was honoured with a referee award in New Zealand. Perhaps there aren’t too many professional referees to choose from in Kiwiland, or Lawrence is in fact, as once suggested by Peter de Villiers himself, the son of IRB referee chief Paddy O’Brien.
Union in Turmoil – The chain of controversial events that characterised England’s World Cup campaign read like the script of a Will Ferrell movie. Dwarf-tossing, hotel-staff harassment, senior team members cavorting with mystery blondes, drunk junior players diving off moving ferries… all that was missing was a KY jelly wrestling match and Lewis Moody streaking through the quad en route to KFC. The rugby was also beyond ordinary, and unsurprisingly some important changes have since been instigated at RFU headquarters.
The Frank the Tank award – The colourful behaviour of the England squad paled in comparison to that of Zac Guildford post the World Cup. Bleeding from the head and naked, the All Blacks winger stumbled into a family restaurant in the Cook Islands and proceeded to clout a couple of patrons. Reports of this incident were succeeded by news that Guildford had verbally harassed a Cook Islands athlete, also while he was heavily intoxicated. Will Ferrell and co do come up with some madcap characters, but would struggle to dream up a fighting nude rugby player who also cruises the streets on a hired scooter shouting obscenities at young women. Crazy.
By Jon Cardinelli and Ryan Vrede
313 Comments
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7 Dec 2011, 07:30 am
Frans Steyn’s agent, Gerrie Swart, confirmed to the Volksblad newspaper that Steyn is considering a return to South Africa.
“We’re currently looking at options and there are possible shifts back to South Africa,” said Swart, who is currently in France discussing future plans with the Bok centre.
Swart did not reveal what unions in South Africa are after Steyn’s services.
Steyn, who has been out of action since injuring his shoulder in South Africa’s World Cup group-stage win over Samoa, could return to the playing field as early as January.
“They (Racing Metro) are busy rehabilitating him. He has already regained full use of his shoulder and doesn’t feel any pain. So things are at this stage developing better that what we initially expected,” said Swart.
7 Dec 2011, 07:32 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-200:
dont mean it to be personal, fact is he really does need a proper shirt hahaha, but i wont hold back on letting him know how annoying he is
and shot, spies is beyond saving right now, bulls fans are in for a rought yr with a captain who gets hit backwards and cant run straight
7 Dec 2011, 07:33 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-201:
PLZ COME BACK TO THE SHARKS STEYN!!!!!!!
7 Dec 2011, 07:40 am
he has redeemed himself well so far.
7 Dec 2011, 08:21 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-68: Remind me again, who invited you to this discussion? But keep posting, everytime you click submit I get a step closer to my jet ski and Zanzibar getaway.
7 Dec 2011, 08:24 am
Rassie….since you have farked up with the JF deal perhaps you would be so kind as to contact Mr Gerrie Swart regarding F Steyn?
You have to redeem youeself……and F Steyn is the way to go.
7 Dec 2011, 08:25 am
Come to the Stormers Frans!!
Anybody have the training squads of the S.A teams?
7 Dec 2011, 08:26 am
@Ryan(Ryan)-205: Hi Ryan
give them stick kid!!
7 Dec 2011, 08:27 am
So his contract expires next year June right.
7 Dec 2011, 08:36 am
@Ryan(Ryan)-205: You, ever since this was an open forum.
You make money if I click a sponsor’s advert, not when I submit a post, dofus. The latter merely uses up your precious bandwidth. Guess I should IT to your illiteracy.
7 Dec 2011, 09:15 am
@Ryan(Ryan)-205: You are getting your “facts” wrong again
This is an open discussion since you posted nonsense on a public blog.
Don’t be so defensive son. Accept what you did was wrong in the context of your job as a “reporter” and learn from it.
7 Dec 2011, 09:19 am
@Gunther(gunther)-198:
lol @ dynamic
i allowed my sub-ordinates to wear black on the day and those who wanted to protest to go and joing the march.
7 Dec 2011, 09:32 am
@Ryan(Ryan)-205: Your jet ski? Are you perhaps Kenny fckn Powers?
By the way, no one here falls for the “clicks for cash” story. We know you’re just waged labour.
7 Dec 2011, 09:39 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-212:
subordinates
holihah
you let them wear black?
how very big of you.
I am going to submit you for overseer of the year award.
in the spirit of ubuntu I shall let Maevis wear black, although it’s normally verbotten.
7 Dec 2011, 09:41 am
I’ll buy you a jetski Ryan.
will tie you up to it with just rugby’s gimp harness and ball gag.
start the mother up and point it toward argentina.
say hello wave goodbye.
7 Dec 2011, 09:48 am
@Gunther(gunther)-214:
the point of the article was for YOU to join the march not Maevis, i’ve got enough “credit” in terms of attending marches & rallies to last me until lindiwe mazibuko becomes president of the country.
you on the other hand, as the article suggested, are sitting on a deficit. get yourself a good orthopedic surgeon to prescribe the proper running shoes for you and join the toyi-toyi next time!
7 Dec 2011, 09:49 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-213: with a free subscription to SA Rugby mag as part payment.
@Transformation(Transformation)-212: Did you give them the day off or did they have to take “sick leave” like my wekers did?
7 Dec 2011, 09:55 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-217: day off, with benefits..dude this was the “secrecy bill”!!
7 Dec 2011, 09:56 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-217: Free? Do you take keo for Richard Branson? Not free, but a good 25% off. Plus tickets in the keo suite (to games involving the Pumas and Leopards, as well as the Wall & All trophy) plus internet access at work.
7 Dec 2011, 09:56 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-216:
a deficit of marches?
lets see your marching cv then Ghandi.
as for civil participation it’s only fair for me to tell you that I was involved with Idasa for three years and was invlolved in this country’s first democratic elections.
you must have been about 12 then no?
marching to the shops for some chappies.
7 Dec 2011, 09:58 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-212: Subordinates? Wasn’t there a decision taken that cashiers aren’t allowed to refer to bag packers as subordinates?
7 Dec 2011, 09:58 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-217: this is about YOU stormerboy, JOINING the protest.
look at it this way, you got more mileage walking golf courses in SA than me and i’ve got more mileage marching and toyi-toying the streets of SA than you.
both of us need to address the imbalances in our lives
7 Dec 2011, 10:00 am
@Gunther(gunther)-215:
MMM………………nice one !!! maybe upgrade the picanto before thinking of buying jet skis !!!
Keep posting all day , maybe Ryan will soon buy you a Chevvy Spark as a reward for all the support ! …..prat !!
7 Dec 2011, 10:00 am
@Gunther(gunther)-220: 12? bwahahahaha
7 Dec 2011, 10:01 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-223:
is it time for you to go and milk gwantie?
7 Dec 2011, 10:02 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-216: Not all protest involves flipping over rubbish bins, “dancing” and hitchhiking to Pretoria. We practice a more cerebral form of protest. We write letters to newspapers, withhold tax and start Facebook smear campaigns. Each to his own, nê.
7 Dec 2011, 10:04 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-221: in your neck of the woods the cash registers have internet access?
7 Dec 2011, 10:06 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-226: did you see any rubbish bins upended during the protest march on the “secrecy bill”? check urself.
7 Dec 2011, 10:07 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-228: That was a DA march, remember.
7 Dec 2011, 10:09 am
@Gunther(gunther)-225:
Time for your walk along the Sea Point promenade before joining your mates at graafs pool !! Don’t forget bu m in chest out !!!!
7 Dec 2011, 10:10 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-222: No mate. Marches are so “legacy of the apartheid era”
I get involved on a really practical level. Check out http://www.tfac.org.za .
I’m a do-er not a talker.
7 Dec 2011, 10:16 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-227:
indeed.
the streets of cape town are paved with gold.
which is why we enjoy so many visitors from the eastern cape
7 Dec 2011, 10:16 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-229: sadly mistaken, cosatu, right2know, journalist and many other civil organisations…
DA? hehe
7 Dec 2011, 10:17 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-226:
“Cerebral”??? Very subjective term that especially regarding issue of protesting. How “cerebral” have the EU countries protests regarding the economic crisis currently plaguing the region? In Greece,Spain,Portugal etc people have been acting the fool in the streets(not to mention British youth earlier in the year in protest)-to effect some sort of change especially to their immediate situation mostly linked to their SURVIVAL(monetary wise,employment etc). When its that type of protest…..facebook,blogging etc…..still cerebral???
Each to his own indeed
7 Dec 2011, 10:17 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-231: don’t give me websites man
7 Dec 2011, 10:18 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-229:
Hahahah DA match? Yo now Ive heard it all!!!!
7 Dec 2011, 10:18 am
@Gunther(gunther)-232: “visitors” you say?
7 Dec 2011, 10:18 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-230: hahaha graafs pool. You’re showing your age bro.
7 Dec 2011, 10:19 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-229:
indeed, DA marching equipment does not require a six pack of hansa and an eintje wrapped in yesterdays star.
Sunscreen, mineral water and sensible shoes.
7 Dec 2011, 10:19 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-235:
Hawu waze wa-claimer!!! DA March???
7 Dec 2011, 10:21 am
@Gunther(gunther)-239: Camp chairs and djembe drums are optional.
7 Dec 2011, 10:21 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-230:
graaf’s pool?
I didn’t know Steffi had a house here.
I thought she rented.
Or are you talking about granties hot tub?
Now run along now, I’m sure he has some dictation for you.
Earn your keep.
7 Dec 2011, 10:22 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-231: “legacy of apartheid”? i guess “Occupy Wall Street” has remnants of apatheid about it, same as the protests in North Africa and as earlier mentioned the protests in recession-hit european coutries
7 Dec 2011, 10:24 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-234: Ha ha, did you actually call the London riots a “protest”? While I can see the similarities with the typical SA trade union march, looting and vandalism have precious little to do with changing your situation (or SURVIVAL, as you put it).
7 Dec 2011, 10:25 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-240: hehehe eish sbali
7 Dec 2011, 10:26 am
@Gunther(gunther)-242:
Poor return !!!
I have things to do……keep posting……………… soon you will be able to taste that Chevvy Spark, just hope Ryan is feeling generous…………….a bum in chest out walk -by past Keo’s HO might help your cause !!!!!!!
7 Dec 2011, 10:29 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-238:
Indeed.
It seems Just Buggery earnt his nickname there as a you lad.
Awesome.
7 Dec 2011, 10:38 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-235: check out what we are doing before you judge.
7 Dec 2011, 10:40 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-244:
London riots were resultant of the police shooting that one young bloke,Duggan or something like that.Peaceful march against police & search-seize police practices then turned ugly with a malady of contributing factors-unemployment,gov cuts etc playing their part.
Oh and you conveniently skip past that FACT that EU regions citizens have been acting the fool in the streets as well…Cant be I guess,must be apartheid floating in the air to influence Europe or Cosatu’s terrorist protest cells infiltrating Europe…
7 Dec 2011, 10:43 am
@Gunther(gunther)-242: I actually bumped into Andre a year ago at Onrus beach, he was in the breakwater playing with his kids and i had my son with me. I had just finished reading his autobiography so it was quite a treat to shake his hand.
Didn’t see Steffi anywhere though.
Seems like they like the Cape.
Why wouldn’t they? We are run by the D.A.
We balance the books, get unqualified audit reports, you know, the things that proper governance entail.
Unlike some other provinces as per this article in this morning’s News24:
“Johannesburg – Cabinet’s intervention in Limpopo, the Free State and Gauteng is necessary to ensure that financial mismanagement does not compromise service delivery, the human rights group Section27 said on Tuesday.
“We welcome Cabinet’s move to take action to resolve the financial management crises that are rapidly pushing many provincial departments, and… provinces themselves, towards economic collapse,” it said in a statement. “
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