Smit backs Burger for Bok captaincy
10 Jan 2012
John Smit says Schalk Burger should be the next Springbok captain.
Smit, who led the Boks in 83 Tests, said discussions about his successor date back to 2008. Smit, now with Saracens, claimed Burger ticked all the boxes to fill the void left after his retirement from Test rugby.
‘There might be a young player who performs well and is awarded the captaincy, but my money is on Schalk,’ Smit, speaking at the official opening of the Saracens Field of Dreams in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, said.
‘He has the most experience and is the one who commands the most respect among the Boks. It will be the smoothest transition.He is a hard worker, tough as nails and he understands people.’
Keo.co.za understands that former Springbok forward coach Gert Smal is favourite to be named head coach. In this event, there is a strong possibility that Burger will be named captain. Smal coached the flanker with Western Province and the Stormers and has regularly spoken of his admiration for him as a player and leader.
The decision on the coach will be announced on 27 January, but Smit refused to be drawn on the issue. ‘I’m sure the decision has been made already,’ he said. ‘The South African Rugby Union [Saru] were smart in not making the announcement yet as they have been criticised for impulsive decisions in the past.’
He did, however, offer that the vision of the next man in charge would be decisive in the appointment of the captain. ‘It depends on the sort of leader he wants,’ Smit said. ‘He may want to do something different with the Boks.’
212 Comments
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10 Jan 2012, 15:06 pm
@cane-134: don’t YAP too loud punk…you’ve got former cop “boofhead” Hansen at the helm, assisted by “achieved zilch but get moered to a record score by bulls in a final” Foster
10 Jan 2012, 15:07 pm
@Transformation-129:
when schalk sulks he usually gets what he wants.
10 Jan 2012, 15:08 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-137: happy 100
10 Jan 2012, 15:08 pm
@willievz-140:
I think Schalk can establish himself as the best 7 if his performances in the WC if one looks at his performances in the RWC. Unfortunately i don’t think he’ll play there for Stormers.
I wonder if Naka will rotate Ashley and Juan at 7 after Ashley’s sterling performances at 7 during the latter part of the S15 last year? He actually looked better at 7 than at 8.
10 Jan 2012, 15:16 pm
Transie I actually passed over bloem at 30 000 feet on sunday.
I tried to time my no 2 flush but there was a crosswind and I may have hit gwede instead.
Still, them’s the breaks.
On the plus side I can tell you the pool is 27 degrees.
10 Jan 2012, 15:18 pm
@nama1-154: Cheetahs have a good loose trio, with an extra or 2.
Devon
Ashley
Juan
Heinrich
Great to have 3 on the park and one on the bench rotating
Is Kabamba still up there, do you know?
10 Jan 2012, 15:22 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-155: same here, landed in PE at about 19:30. i was too pre-occupied with a certain zulu female flight attendant to be timing flushes though i must admit
10 Jan 2012, 15:24 pm
@stew-149: Well I do not think South Africa has got a lot of talent in the enforcer lock position. Bulls have vd Merwe. Lions will get Roodt, Stormers used Lobberts and Elstadt in that position, etc. We will therefore have to come up with a plan and I think Smith is the best bet. Compare that to our loosie talent then each Province has a pretty good looseforward trio.
It is a pity that we might go that route, because if the Lions played a Currie Cup Final in 2005 with their current team against the Bulls they would not have picked Franco vd Merwe and Wikus as their locks. Bakkies, Danie and Matfield is just too big a threat.
10 Jan 2012, 15:26 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-155:
gwede..?..
thats unfortunate
he’s the lesser of two evils
10 Jan 2012, 15:28 pm
@stormersboy-156:
Don’t know if Kabamba is still there S’boy.
Cheetahs always seem to have good, quality loose forwards and good props even though they are best known for their adventurous, running rugby by their back line.
Strange that, isn’t it?
10 Jan 2012, 15:28 pm
@Transformation-157:
did you rub one off like china does?
10 Jan 2012, 15:30 pm
Stormersboy
Katemba is back in philly.
10 Jan 2012, 15:32 pm
@Horings-158:
Maybe one of the franchises should try and lure back the other v/d Merwe. The one who played for WP before he went overseas to study.
Francois, I think. He was way better than his boet.
10 Jan 2012, 15:34 pm
@Horings-158:
the way franks hit flip in that tackle, i still get shudders thinknig about it.
bakkies he aint.
10 Jan 2012, 15:35 pm
Transie did you show her your noodle like our buddy in china?
10 Jan 2012, 15:38 pm
Jackie Selebi still critical – dept
2012-01-10 14:21
Johannesburg – Convicted former police commissioner Jackie Selebi is still sick, but in a stable condition at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, the correctional services department said on Tuesday.
Department spokesperson Zacharia Modise said Selebi remained in a critical condition.
(news24)
—————————————————————————————————————-
Guess his release on medical parole is imminent.
Oh dear!
10 Jan 2012, 15:40 pm
@Horings-158:
a tad illegal cos he didnt use his arms and there was a bit of shoulder in there of course, but mostly it was flip’s face knocking into his head that caused the damage.
still, it wasn’t nice.
10 Jan 2012, 15:42 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-161: no, i was just passing off the time…
10 Jan 2012, 15:44 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-165: nah, we were discussing nuclear physics and she proved to me she can crush a grape with her melons.
10 Jan 2012, 15:46 pm
How is your mate John Block doing nama?
When does he go on trial?
10 Jan 2012, 15:47 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-162: Yeah we’ve been getting his early morning rants for a couple of days now.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
10 Jan 2012, 15:48 pm
@willievz-145: Hey Willie. Your argument of rucking and counter-rucking is valid, but the precursor to this should really be whether the contact points were dominated. Dominating the contact points makes helluva difference to the attacking players clearing at a ruck. The Bok attack was flawed in that they didn’t attack the correct areas in the defensive line. It’s almost as if very little thought was given to analysing individual players in favour of doing opposition team analysis.
You have to maximise Schalks ability because it might be a form thing and next year he might not be as good. I’d keep him at blindside for now. He’ll have to outperform all other blind-side loosies for the groen trui.
10 Jan 2012, 15:51 pm
@Transformation-169:
yes but can she turn it into wine..?..
10 Jan 2012, 16:03 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-170: Again I ask, why do you call him my mate?
The N. Cape is very big.. It is not as if everybody knows everybody, like in Arniston, you know!
I don’t know when he goes on trial. I’ll see on the telly, the same time you do, I guess.
10 Jan 2012, 16:04 pm
another kiwi on the sauce?
Force dump their naughty Kiwi import
Published: Tuesday, 10. January, 2012
The Western Force have dumped their New Zealand import Willie Ripia, despite a full year remaining on his contract, because of a “serious breach of team protocols”.
The Force denied that the breach involved any member of the public and said it was an “internal incident”, without giving any details of what transpired.
In a statement issued on Tuesday the Force said Ripia will not be part of their squad in 2012, after the club agreed to accept the player’s “resignation”.
“The club has investigated a serious breach of team protocols by the New Zealand-born flyhalf and following a meeting this [Tuesday] morning with senior management, Ripia offered his resignation later in the day,” the statement said.
“The club wishes to stress that the matter relates to an internal incident at the club and does not involve any member of the public or public property.”
Head Coach Richard Graham said he will review his options over the coming days before making any decisions on the possible recruitment of another playmaker to the club.
The 26-year-old playmaker was born in Murupara, New Zealand, and attended Rotorua Boys’ High School.
Ripia started his Super Rugby career at the Highlanders, before moving to the Hurricanes in 2008 – where he played 29 times for the Wellington-based franchise.
He also played for Taranaki in the NPC.
Ripia has played for New Zealand at Under-19 and Under-21 levels, and also for New Zealand Maori.
In August 2010 he has declared his intention to play for Australia, when he qualifies on residency, after he signed a two-year contract at the Western Force.
He played just seven matches for them last year, after suffering from a mystery foot injury and then a calf muscle problem.
Ripia’s loss could be a huge blow to the Force’s prospects.
Having already lost mercurial Wallaby James O’Connor to the Melbourne Rebels in controversial circumstances last year and now Ripia, coach Richard Graham will be desperate to find a quality replacement.
However, he has just over a month to the start of the season and the Perth-based outfit said they will speak to the Australian Rugby Union about the possibility of signing another overseas player.
“In the short term we will utilise our playing stocks and review our options once we have further clarity about recruitment from the ARU,” Graham said.
His resignation could open the door to former Australian Sevens player James Stannard – who began his domestic career at flyhalf, converted to scrumhalf when he first joined the Force, but was a revelation when he stepped in at No.10 for Ripia at the end of last season.
The only other playmakers on the Force books are Ben Seymour, 21, who signed this year from the Waratahs academy and who has no Super Rugby experience, and extended squad member Kyle Godwin, 19, who is still not fully recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out of rugby last year.
10 Jan 2012, 16:06 pm
@Transformation-175: the stormers should get willkie ripia and assuage their flyhalf problems
10 Jan 2012, 16:07 pm
Sorry nama man I thought you were chums.
He is certainly a candidate for medical parole.
Its true though we are one big family in arnies.
Bruvvas from other muvvas.
10 Jan 2012, 16:14 pm
@Transformation-176: Hell no. It will be a bit of a Ripia off. He’s just not good enough. Will be on par with what’s available right now.
10 Jan 2012, 16:14 pm
@Transformation-176:
it would depend on just what the ffcuk he did.
the keewee are a different kind of shed tool when it comes to behavioural problems and drinking.
10 Jan 2012, 16:20 pm
@Transformation-176:
oh dear, it would seem he was guilty of the worst of sins.
he stole money from his teamates wallets to feed a gambling problem he has.
go figure.
10 Jan 2012, 16:24 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-180: WHAT? where did u get that?
10 Jan 2012, 16:25 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-177:
“He is certainly a candidate for medical parole.”
The new punishment for breaking the law:
“I hereby sentence you to medical parole until you reach the end of your days on this earth. Court adjourned”
However, you need to be high up in the political rankings.
10 Jan 2012, 16:26 pm
@Transformation-181:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/western-force-star-willie-ripia-caught-in-theft-scandal/story-e6frg7o6-1226241244658
10 Jan 2012, 16:27 pm
@Transformation-181: It’s on the wires. Google his name under news.
He was caught after tapes showed him to be the culprit after a series of incidents where team members had had cash stolen from their wallets and kit bags.
10 Jan 2012, 16:28 pm
@Transformation-181:
he was cleaning out their wallets and kitbags over a period of months.
when confronted as a suspect denied it outright.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/ripia-quits-after-thefts-from-team-exposed-20120110-1ptt9.html
10 Jan 2012, 16:31 pm
Top-six spot in reach of Cheetahs in Super season, says Fourie
The Cheetahs hope to register their best season yet this year, with their goal being a top-six finish
Published: 2012/01/10 07:21:24 AM
AFTER lingering at the bottom end of the log since their introduction into Super Rugby in 2006 as an independent franchise, the Cheetahs hope to register their best season yet this year, with their goal being a top-six finish.
While this may be a challenge, given their limited number of national players and the fact they will be without the services of two stars — scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius, who signed a contract with the Waratahs, and fullback Riaan Viljoen, who joined the Sharks — assistant coach Hawies Fourie was excited yesterday about the season ahead.
So determined were the coaches to get the season off to a good start that they agreed to four warm-up matches to build momentum and decide on the best combinations before their campaign begins on February 25, when they cross paths with the Lions in Johannesburg.
The team will face the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth in their first warm-up game, followed by clashes against the Lions and Stormers on January 31 and February 4 respectively as part of the Neo Africa series, with their last clash being against the Bulls in Polokwane on February 11.
Interestingly, the Cheetahs replaced the Sharks in the Neo Africa Tri-series after the Durban-based side decided to withdraw from the tournament.
Looking ahead at the Super Rugby series, Fourie said: “It is important for us to start the season on a high note because usually we only find our form and settle on our best player combinations midway through the tournament.
“So hopefully with all the warm-up games scheduled we will be well prepared when the series starts. Our goal this season is to finish in the top six for a playoff place.”
Asked whether four warm-up clashes would not be too taxing on the players ahead of what will be the longest Super Rugby series in the history of the tournament, Fourie said: “The season is very long this year so we will not give the same players a run in every match.
“We also have a big squad as the Griquas players form part of our franchise, so hopefully all the players will have participated in two matches when the season begins.
“Fortunately a lot of the young players have already played Super Rugby, because of the string of injuries we had last season, and know what to expect, which we hope will be an added bonus.”
While Fourie said virtually the entire squad should be fit for their season-opening match against the Lions — barring injuries suffered in the next few weeks — he was uncertain about whether their inspirational captain, Springbok flank Juan Smith, and prop Coenie Oosthuizen — who toured with the Springboks on the away leg of the Tri-Nations last year — would be available for selection for the opening rounds.
“At this stage there is a 50% chance Juan and Coenie will be fit to participate in the early rounds of the series. Juan has started running after having surgery to his Achilles last year, but it is hard to say when he will be ready to take to the field. Coenie, meanwhile, had surgery to his neck last year, so he will have to wait for the green light from the specialist before he can take contact again.”
Despite this, Fourie remained positive about the season, especially with the players returning from their festive season break in good shape.
“We have started training and things are looking positive,” he said. “Most of the players returned from their holidays in the same or better condition than they were in before the break, which is encouraging.
“So hopefully that will set us in good stead.”
KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union CEO Brian van Zyl yesterday defended the Sharks’ decision to turn down the invitation to play in the Neo Africa series, and said the warm-up matches they had scheduled were sufficient. The Sharks — who were one of two South African franchises to qualify for a playoff place last season — will face Boland in Durban on February 10 and the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on February 17 in their only warm-up games.
“We were obligated to play against the Southern Kings and we wanted our other clash to be a home fixture,” Van Zyl said.
“We believe those games are enough to prepare for the tournament. In addition to that the season is long this year, so if we participated in the Neo Africa series it would have meant that the players would have to be away from home for an extra week, so we decided against it.”
10 Jan 2012, 16:32 pm
@stormersboy-184: YHOOOOOOO!!!!! terrible
10 Jan 2012, 16:38 pm
@stormersboy-184: Eish, that’s about as swak as you get.
10 Jan 2012, 16:57 pm
@Transformation-187: @>^..^< katman-188: Ja. Kuk sleg.
I guess his career is about over now. Not sure who else will have him.
Although the Kiwis have forgiven a whole bunch of nonsense from some of their players over the past year or so,
I guess it comes down to how good he is.
If he’s not required they’ll stand “on principle” and let people know that this isn’t acceptable.
If he’s required for plans they’ll work with him to get him into a treatment for this terrible addiction (after all, it’s the addiction to blame, not him
)
Since he’s declared his intentions previously to try and qualify to play for Australia, I’d say he’s pretty farked.
10 Jan 2012, 17:00 pm
@stormersboy-189:
no, not reallly farked.
he could find a place in league probably.
10 Jan 2012, 17:02 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-190: I’d forgotten that bunch of reprobates.
They’ll have him in a heartbeat. He’d fit in perfectly.
10 Jan 2012, 17:06 pm
@Transformation-186:
Sharks and Stormers to battle for a top six spot.
Cheetahs ending around 8-10.
Lions and Bulls to fight it out with the Rebels and Canes for the last four spots on the log. (12-15)
10 Jan 2012, 17:08 pm
@stormersboy-191:
yip, they’ll brin him in on probation with a bit of ‘counselling’ and everyone will just watch their wallets, but bring him in they will.
10 Jan 2012, 17:11 pm
@stormersboy-191:
10 Jan 2012, 18:14 pm
@pompies2-172: Hello Pompies. Very valid point you make, during the whole RWC11 our backline was very ineffective at attacking the correct points in the defensive line, partly due to passing inaccuracy and not attacking the immediate defender’s weaker shoulder.
Having said that, the amount of 5+ phases we strung together in that QF vis-a-vis the Aussies suggests that we did dominate the contact point to some extent, despite a weak attacking strategy. This suggests that, in theory at least, we should have had the upper hand (or shoulder!!) come ruck time. But we didn’t.
10 Jan 2012, 19:02 pm
@willievz-195: Burger is the problem… anyone still yet unable to open their shut fast eyes.. Burger is NO creative play maker making all the running meters and getting nowhere fast..
Who is YET to realize the fundamental FAIL at the WC rested around 3 or 4 positions
1. John Smit should not have been run on hooker Bismark should have started
2. Burger should not have been first receiver and mid field play making general 70% of every play. Burger spilled the ball that gifted the Aussie try, and Burger lost the ball under Aussie posts when in possession
3. Fourie du Preez should not have been run on scrum half, Hougaard should have started
4. Alberts should have started ahead of Spies who should have played off bench.
5. Brussow was largely ineffective.. running on injured… Louw should have started the 1/4 final and Burger would not have spilled the ball that resulted in Horwills try.
And Boks would have cake walked the 1/4 final and likely the WC..
10 Jan 2012, 20:07 pm
@ashampoopaloo-196: exactly right….
10 Jan 2012, 20:40 pm
@ashampoopaloo-196: will you Saffas just get over the bridge…you lost the 1/4 final because you were not up to scratch against an Aussie side that really should not have won but did. Just admit it…YOU BLEW IT…and whether or not you made the Final you still would have got beaten….the best Team won the Cup and so say all of us … end of story…it is now 2012….4 more years boyz..
10 Jan 2012, 20:43 pm
@willievz-195: yep I agree with you there my man…weak attacking Boks backline is your problem…hopefully you guys get it together this year and show us what you can do…otherwise it will be same old, same old…but I do worry about your El Presidente….if he is indicative of how South Africa has fallen then the whole country is doomed….hope you guys can retrieve it…still I look forward to good old scraps between the AB’s and Boks and the Wallies.
10 Jan 2012, 20:50 pm
@ashampoopaloo-196:
burger was the only one willing to be first reciever and did it over and over. this would’ve been pdv/senior players telling burger the game plan. burger would’ve just put his head down and accepted the role. sure he made mistakes but with a work load as huge as his, he’s allowed to make mistakes. burgers contribution and defence was immense in that game. he’s not the most creative ball carrier but he does what needs to be done, the quick one off the ruck to cross the adv line. burgers also been working on his passing game, still in development stages but he’s getting better.
fully agree with your other points accept for spies. waste of space and i cant figure out why he gets so much game time. spies doesnt hit rucks or clear mauls. lazy and hangs around waiting for the ball instead of doing his job and going in and securing it
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