Smal the frontrunner for Bok post
15 Dec 2011
Gert Smal is the favourite for the Springbok coaching position although Allister Coetzee and Heyneke Meyer are also on the shortlist.
The appointment will only be confirmed on 27 January 2012, but according to a reliable source, Smal is expected to pip Coetzee and Meyer for the job.
Smal has enjoyed success as a coach in South Africa, coaching Western Province to the Currie Cup title in 2000 and 2001, and also serving as the forwards coach during Jake White’s World Cup-winning tenure. For the past four years he has coached the Ireland forwards and was integral to the Emerald Greens’ 2009 Six Nations triumph.
While Meyer has also enjoyed great success with the Bulls, firstly as a hands-on coach and then as a director of rugby, it is Smal’s record with transformation that may reportedly secure him the post.
Smal was responsible for nurturing numerous players of colour while he was at WP, and in 2008 he drafted a transformation proposal to Saru detailing the development of black forwards in the Eastern Cape region.
Peter de Villiers, whose term as Bok coach will expire at the end of 2011, struggled to transform the Boks despite his earlier intentions. This is best illustrated by the make-up of White and De Villiers’s respective World Cup teams.
White picked just two players of colour in the match 22 for the 2007 World Cup final in France while De Villiers picked the same two players (Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen) and just two more (Gurthro Steenkamp and Gio Aplon) in the 22 that played Australia in the 2011 quarter-final in New Zealand.
260 Comments
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15 Dec 2011, 12:59 pm
@NZINCHINA-91:
@cane-95:
they dominated the all blacks in that game and you guys know it. nz were outmuscled and well beaten irrespective of the scoreline.
have always given henry his dues but can never warm to a coach who teaches his players to cynically cheat.
15 Dec 2011, 13:02 pm
@cane-100: Yeah!
15 Dec 2011, 13:02 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-96:
I don’t think Fleckie understands the need for having halfbacks who are dangerous.
Especially now the 9 has become very very important… that drift with the ball drawing in players before offloading to someone running off him is important… we just don’t see that often enough at the Stormers. Genia is the best at it, and Fourie du Preez & Francois Hougaard have been doing it reasonably well also – Hougie running off Fourie scored a few tries this year.
The best teams at SR level are generally the ones whose 9-10 combination make the most happen.
Dewaldt Duvenage is another that is just plain average. Doesn’t make many mistakes, but is no big threat either.
Peter Grant also doesn’t challenge the line as well as he should – his tactical kicking is shocking, and playing in Japan until well into SR puts them at a disadvantage already.
15 Dec 2011, 13:03 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-101: I have that same feeling with Pep Gaurdiola!
15 Dec 2011, 13:03 pm
@Sasuke-99:
hehehe
15 Dec 2011, 13:04 pm
@Sasuke-98:
Sir Clive should not be remembered as a WC Winning Coach……………………………………………………………
But as a Lions Coach thumped by 3 – zip.
Not just 3 – 0, but he had his arsse tanned into suede.
15 Dec 2011, 13:04 pm
@hendrikp-103: that drift with the ball drawing in players before offloading to someone running off him is important… we just don’t see that often enough at the Stormers. ???? Dewaldt Duvenage does that alot. He takes a snipe then gives a pop pass to oncoming players.
15 Dec 2011, 13:06 pm
@Sasuke-104:
how do you sleep well at night, after winning a game in such fashion..?..
each to his own i guess.
15 Dec 2011, 13:06 pm
Lots of conflicts/question marks around this release.
15 Dec 2011, 13:07 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-108: Agree with you 100% i dont understand how people do it.
15 Dec 2011, 13:09 pm
@Sasuke-107:
Let me put it this way.
Will Genia ran with the ball 77 times in SR 2011.
Charl McLeod ran with the ball 70 times.
Dewaldt Duvenage – 22 times.
15 Dec 2011, 13:12 pm
@hendrikp-103:
lets be honest hendrik.
nothing about the stormers in the last two seasons screams attack.
and thats just the truth of it.
sure they had that one really amazingly good try which featured bekker, schalk, fourie and habana (plus others) but thats about it. whenever the stormers play its usually a tight, epic, well contested and thrilling struggle but it never looks or exudes anything of an attacking minded outfit on the loose.
15 Dec 2011, 13:13 pm
@hendrikp-111:
Ricky Januarie may have been a bit out of form… but heck he challenged the line 5 times more then Duvenage did all season and only had half as much game-time.
I like Groom as a reliable halfback, but I don’t think he’s the answer either.
I’d like them to give Schreuder a decent go at claiming the 9 jersey, and try get him to play a more Sarel Pretorius-like game. It’s common sense that if your 9 and 10 make things happen, you’re going to score a lot more tries.
15 Dec 2011, 13:13 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-101:
No British, or Irish International Team, has beaten us since.
We learn our leasons, and we learn them well.
8)
Sorry Bakkies ……………..there is no Position for you in my SARU Administration Team.
You are just too friggen reasonable.
8)
15 Dec 2011, 13:15 pm
Firstly, “integral to the Emerald Greens’ 2009 Six Nations triumph” is not enough. The 6 Nations of 2009 was of a piss poor standard and practically there for the taking. Secondly, SARU never even actioned his transformation proposal. And thirdly, “nurturing numerous players of colour while he was at WP” – how is that going to be of benefit whilst he is coaching at Springbok level?
15 Dec 2011, 13:17 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-112:
Fair call, something that desperately needs to change.
I long for the late 90′s, early 2000′s when we had one of the most exciting counter-attacking backlines you could ask for.
Hopefully they use the Vodacom Cup to give that Schreuder + Swiel combination some time to settle. Reckon that is our future right there.
A shame about Mbovane and Steyl picking up serious injuries. We could’ve used the depth in the back-three. Getting old quickly.
Anybody know much about Kobus van Wyk or Johnny Kotze? Little I’ve seen of Michael van der Spuy I’m not so sure he’s got a long senior career ahead of him… and we’re going to have to replace Jean de Villiers at some stage.
15 Dec 2011, 13:20 pm
@hendrikp-111: you like fudged stats!
how many games did duvenage play compared to genia…compare minutes played…and factor in that duvenage played flyhalf in two matches.
15 Dec 2011, 13:22 pm
That SA has mostly always had the players to dominate world rugby has never been in doubt and it is still true now. But it will not only be the new coach (whoever it will be) that will determine whether they achieve their true potential and desired 80% plus win ratio or not.
No, the key factor here will be who represents us in the boardrooms and how they perform there against their perfidious Anglo enemies in ensuring that South African rugby and players stop getting shafted on the pitch as they have been for the last 15 years or so.
The ability to influence, and safeguard SA rugby interests with unwilting passion, intelligence, political savvy and intergrity will be absolutely critical.
Do we have the right people to do this work in the IRB and SANZAR snakepit boardrooms?
P.S. the given assumption is that only the very best players are picked,of course.
15 Dec 2011, 13:24 pm
@Transformation-117:
You’re welcome to a reply…
And not only the runs, but linebreaks, linebreaks created etc. you can’t really argue with.
It’s a fair way of pointing out that Duvenage isn’t much of a threat from the base of the scrum.
If you take away the time he spent at flyhalf, then he played about 9 games at 9, roughly half as much as Genia.
15 Dec 2011, 13:27 pm
@hendrikp-119:
FYI.
If these stats are accurate (from Fox Sports Australia), then Duvenage had 1 linebreak in 2011. Genia had 11. Sarel Pretorius had 15.
Sometimes stats are worthless, but I think in this case it tells a story.
15 Dec 2011, 13:28 pm
@hendrikp-119: give me the official stats mate, not your estimation. where was duvenhage when nic groom & schreuder were starting?
be honest!
15 Dec 2011, 13:30 pm
@Transformation-121:
Welcome to check for yourself
http://superrugbyfantasy.foxsports.com.au/M/stats.mc?element_filter=&stat_filter=33&price_filter=&view=
You can scroll through the right and find whatever you’re looking for.
Something else interesting – Linebreaks created:
Will Genia – 14
Sarel Pretorius – 10
Dewaldt Duvenage… wait for it… 3.
15 Dec 2011, 13:36 pm
@cane-106: So should Henry then be remembered for being the only BI Lions coach to ever lose a series against Australia? Probably making him the worst coach to have ever coached for the Lions? I’d expect a bit more logic shown from you, rather then a precious need to belittle potential rivals to your own hero.
15 Dec 2011, 13:36 pm
@cane-114:
hehehe thanks all the same cane…
i hate that the all blacks learn their lessons so well, dammit.
just when we got all windgat for the whitewash in 09 you bastewds returned the favour the next year…
15 Dec 2011, 13:41 pm
@hendrikp-122: @hendrikp-122: what is the pont of making line breaks when your 10 ie schalk and other support players are standing deep?
sarel is playing to the gameplan.
15 Dec 2011, 13:41 pm
schreuder another Ruan Pienaar type….
give me Groom rather
15 Dec 2011, 13:42 pm
@hendrikp-122: while you’re at it, how many runs/linebreaks/created linebreaks did du preez make?
15 Dec 2011, 13:46 pm
@HongKongSlong-123:
Good points HKS.
But at least GH managed to win one. And the loses were close. very close.
Whereas Clive got shafted every time.
15 Dec 2011, 13:47 pm
@Transformation-127:
Besides my point.
I never said he was useless. If that’s the way they want to play, then so be it. You can win with it yes, but they want to win trophies, and to do that they need to score more points.
I’m just pointing out that at the moment, the best attacking sides have a dangerous 9-10 combination, something that won the Reds the S15, and that sides that win SR have 99% of the time.
Fourie du Preez had a couple of linebreaks to go with 7 created. Never said he had a good S15 though
15 Dec 2011, 13:49 pm
@grant10-126:
Entitled to your opinion
I’m excited about both… just think Schreuder looks a quicker player who could be more effective ball-in-hand. He did look very green this year though.
15 Dec 2011, 13:49 pm
@hendrikp-116:
dont you know hendrik?.. every year is the stormers year..
i know kotze and van wyk made therons provisional baby bok squad but dont know if they made the cut. as for province i read of van wyk being contracted to wp rugby institute for 2011, i dont know about kotze.
15 Dec 2011, 13:52 pm
@Transformation-125:
Think you misunderstood my argument as well.
I wasn’t necessarily trying to criticize the players themselves – although I don’t think Duvenage could ever be effective playing the sort of game they asked Genia or Pretorius to play.
Rather touching on what I’d like to see the Stormers do.
Show me the last time a SR side won with an ordinary 9-10 combination
15 Dec 2011, 13:54 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-131:
Kobus van Wyk is still part of the third announced… so looks likely to make the squad. I’m sure most will be thinking Serfontein is a sure thing in the 12 jersey though so we won’t get to see much of what he can offer.
Someone said the other day Matfield reckons the Stormers will win it in 2012. Any truth to that? Haven’t purchased his book lol.
15 Dec 2011, 13:59 pm
@grant10-126:
i knid of get that feeling wrt cronje.
that he may be a little ruanish.
15 Dec 2011, 14:05 pm
@hendrikp-133:
no, he said something along the lines of ‘he thinks they could win it because they look well placed for next season’ or something like that but he only said this because he was at a book promotion event somewhere in cape town and had to play to his audience probably.
although he is also very diplomatic usually and maybe does rate wp because they have played the hardest rugby this season.
15 Dec 2011, 14:14 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-135:
I see. Cheers.
Anyway, continuing on with my point… even forgetting about Duvenage, Grant isn’t going to win us a Super 15.
Only 7 flyhalves have won a SR final. They are:
4 – Andrew Mehrtens
3 – Dan Carter
2 – Stephen Larkham
2 – Carlos Spencer
2 – Morne Steyn
1 – Quade Cooper
1 – Derick Hougaard
Outside of Morne Steyn and Derick Hougaard, who were part of a very well-oiled Bulls machine, these players were all excellent playmakers… something we’re not getting from Peter Grant.
Not going to win a SR tournament without a stand-out halfback pairing. At the moment we’re winning games because of talent elsewhere… but not going to win the whole thing until we settle on a world-class 10.
15 Dec 2011, 14:33 pm
@hendrikp-136:
by this logic the stormers will never win a sr title.
i feel i should agree with you regarding the halfback pairing point you make when considering that a lot of the fh’s you mention who have won sr titles have had equally good sh’s playing with them.
genia
fdp
gregan
marshall
15 Dec 2011, 14:40 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-137:
The names of Duvenage & Grant just wouldn’t look right alongside those… much as I wish it would happen.
When we get a world-class 9 & 10, we’ll win it. Too much talent elsewhere, even in the junior structures.
15 Dec 2011, 15:03 pm
stormers issues going to at openside and a lack of depth at 12 and 13
15 Dec 2011, 15:04 pm
@hendrikp-138:
well then, chalk this down as another failure on acsie’s part. they fail at turning coal into diamonds.
carter started as a center and was shaped along the way, granted he would probably have gotten to where he is either way but you cant deny the shaping processes done by coaching/coaches too.
it seems this is acsie’s shortcoming. they’re good at finding players and putting together strong teams but seem to lack the ability to turn really good talented players into great players.
15 Dec 2011, 15:42 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-140:
When AC & Rassie took over the Stormers were a complete mess…
Have to give them some credit.
I think the building process is going very well, and the Stormers will be a force for many years when the current batch mature.
15 Dec 2011, 15:57 pm
2 good candidates and 1 average one on the list.
that means it’s a no-brainer for saru.
pick the average one-allister.
Not sure how interested Heyneke would be in the role after having been messed around for so long.
Smal will no doubt be interested but will not be happy working for peanuts
15 Dec 2011, 15:59 pm
@grant10-139:
and don’t forget 1-5 +7+8+9+10+11+14+15.
Oh, and 16-22.
problems really.
6 luv to the bully boys!!!!!!!
15 Dec 2011, 16:06 pm
the best attribute that you’d get from heyneke would be that he’d quickly suss out a style of play suited to us.
not wishy washy Snor or coetzee
I’d be a whole lot happier than at any time in the past 2 years knowing the boks running onto the park have been properly drilled and prepared.
15 Dec 2011, 16:07 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-143: lol
vokkoff korporal
15 Dec 2011, 16:07 pm
Habana and Aplon – wings
Joe – fullback
Centers: JdV and JdJ. AC will unearth good reserve centres yet again
Scrummy – ok
Flyhalf – boys are in development
Bekker at 5. One of the others at 4. Tiaan at 2. Got some decent props coming through.
Our only real problem is who will play 6/7.
Bully boys have a helluva lot more problems with Spies as captain and Shampoo as vice.
Stormers will top the confluence again. Bye bye Bully Brekkers
15 Dec 2011, 16:08 pm
@grant10-145: Drill Sarg
15 Dec 2011, 16:12 pm
heyneke will have poofter spies at 8 AND CAPPIE
NO THANKS
gERT
AC
HEYNEKE
IN that order for me
15 Dec 2011, 16:13 pm
@grant10-148: With Shampoo as squad vice!
15 Dec 2011, 16:14 pm
@Michael-149: Imagine the pre-match talk.
“Boys, this is how you run through opposition”, while his hand strokes his silky head.
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