Meyer the man to repair Bok brand
24 Jan 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes that Heyneke Meyer will bring a working rugby knowledge, a trophy cabinet of experience and some much needed integrity to the Springbok coaching position.
In a two-horse race where Meyer and Gert Smal were the competitors, South African rugby was always going to be the winner. Both are decorated coaches who have enjoyed title-winning success with their respective teams, and both are renowned for their cerebral approach to the game.
For four years, South Africa has been devoid of a leader who possesses such experience and qualities, and predictably those four years have witnessed South Africa finishing stone last in three out of four Tri-Nations tournaments and exiting the 2011 World Cup at the quarter-final stage.
It would appear that the dark days are over. Until a few days ago, Smal was touted as the favourite for the Bok coaching job, an appointment that should have been welcomed and celebrated as the dawn of a new era. Aside from his stint with the 2007 World Cup-winning side, he has also featured prominently for Ireland as a forwards coach and was rightly lauded following their Grand Slam win in 2009. His views on transformation are well-documented, and had he got the top job, he would have worked hard to influence a greater representation across all levels of South African rugby.
Unfortunately, Saru and Smal could not come to an agreement regarding his salary. There were other reasons that contributed to his decision to remain in Ireland, such as the fact that he has committed to the side until 2013 and his family have built a life in Dublin since settling there in 2008. Just as was the case four years ago, South Africa’s loss is Ireland’s gain.
In Meyer, however, the Boks have another outstanding and potentially game-changing candidate, and so the dawn of a new era should still come to pass. His career at the Bulls remains the stuff of legend, having arrived at the turn of the century and implemented changes and systems that formed the bedrock for a dynasty. If ever there was a man that could take a team that has failed in the past and restore them as champions, Meyer is that man.
The Bulls’ mentor has been offered the job by Saru and is likely to take it. Many felt he was ready for the responsibility in 2008, and only a late change by Saru saw Peter de Villiers walking into the Bok coach’s first official press conference. De Villiers walked into that presser wearing a Bulls blazer, a union synonymous with Meyer, and that should have triggered an alarm. De Villiers never fit that blazer just as he never fit the role. He also failed to grow into it as time progressed.
It could be speculated that Meyer would have avoided the mistakes and built on the success of Jake White’s tenure. It could be said that Meyer would have ensured that some of the best players ever to emerge from this country recorded more than a 62% winning ratio over the course of those four years. If Meyer was instated, future generations may have reflected on a golden age instead of one golden year (2009).
But that time has gone, and SA rugby has to move forward. While Meyer won’t have the benefit of working with a team stacked with grizzled title winners, he is the right man to nurture and develop the young talent that’s set to replace Victor Matfield and company. As his record at the Bulls will confirm, he has an exceptional eye for talent and his man-management is of the highest order.
The appointment will be confirmed this Friday, and all South Africans should mark this as a significant day for Bok rugby. Meyer has the means to restore some pride to a side that exited the 2011 World Cup in humiliating fashion. He will have a plan to bring the Boks immediate and long-term success, as a World Cup should never be the only tournament on which a top nation is judged. The Boks should win 80% of their matches, and with Meyer in charge that goal is certainly attainable.
A challenging yet exciting road lies ahead. Fortunately for South Africa, the right man will be driving the bus.
939 Comments
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24 Jan 2012, 11:12 am
@stormersboy-635: please, mvovo just needs a backline coach to guide him on his spatial awareness, otherwise nothing wrong with his tackling! the whole of 2010 australia, new zealand and to a lesser extent wales TARGETED habana’s wing and cashed in handsomely as his awareness on defence was nonsense, to a point where **** muir came out and defended him.
24 Jan 2012, 11:13 am
@trupisero-648: Ja, he would have been a strong candidate for sure.
But he isn’t relevant anymore, so we need to find a replacement.
I will say this:
I don’;t think Mvovo is as good as some think he is. Good, not a Bok.
Basson is a great attacker but terrible on defence. If he’s upped that side of his game then who knows. This year will tell i think.
24 Jan 2012, 11:14 am
@Transformation-651: So you agree that he has to still work on his game?
He’s also not that fast, His pace off the mark is fine, but he lacks top end in a big way,
Duanne chased him down in his socks last year. From behind.
24 Jan 2012, 11:15 am
@Atlas-644: If true that is a mean dream team. Uhm no forwards coach??
24 Jan 2012, 11:16 am
@Sasuke-654: HM is a forwards coach isn’t he?
Wonder if that’s the thinking.
24 Jan 2012, 11:16 am
Pieter is ver betere coach as wat Hynike kan wees, ek dink os moet afstig – saru van die ou dae
Die boere maak ons swak my broe
24 Jan 2012, 11:17 am
@stormersboy-652: Not much of a Mvovo fan either and as you say, Bjorn is leaky. Wouldn’t mind Aplon on that side with JPP on the other wing.
24 Jan 2012, 11:18 am
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…-620:
The guy had just thrashed the Aussies by 50 pts, and he got dropped.
Nowadays a coach gets 4 years to the next WC, and uses that as an excuse for all the losses in between WCs.
24 Jan 2012, 11:19 am
@Hot-n-tot-656: vat nog ‘n tot of twee…
24 Jan 2012, 11:20 am
@stormersboy-655: Uhm yes he is a forwards coach. Makes sense saves one backroom staff or maybe another position open for another specialist.
24 Jan 2012, 11:20 am
@stormersboy-653: how many tries has Mvovo scored with his claimed lack of pace vs Bryan?
24 Jan 2012, 11:21 am
@trupisero-659:
Hei, wa will djy wees?
ek gat oek nou vir die all blacks begin te skrie
24 Jan 2012, 11:21 am
Mvovo is flippen strong on his feet. Basson is an aerial ninja and Aplon is a ghost ghost ghost. JPP needs to up his game.
24 Jan 2012, 11:21 am
@stormersboy-628:
Stormers Cheetahs game will be televised. Not sure Friday’s will, just highlights I believe.
24 Jan 2012, 11:23 am
@Transformation-661: That try he scored against England 2010 was klas.
24 Jan 2012, 11:23 am
@stormersboy-653: at the sharks he is working with imbeciles in hugh reece-edwards, grant bashford. at Bok level he was exposed to clueless d_ick muir. so, he hasn’t been coached properly.
habana has nienaber working on his flaws.
but you can’t teach scoring tries and bryan is in the desert boet
24 Jan 2012, 11:24 am
@PissAnt-664: When is that game? Next week Saturday the 4th Feb?
24 Jan 2012, 11:25 am
@ralf2-658: don’t worry ralf, heyneke won’t get 5 years of losses on thwe ticket of “judge me at the world cup”
we want to win!
24 Jan 2012, 11:26 am
Ma daais hulle way
Djy ding hulle is vi jou, ma meantime vat hulle jou as ‘n pop
all blacks gat die boere opkap my broe
24 Jan 2012, 11:26 am
@Sasuke-667:
Yup, at 17:00
24 Jan 2012, 11:26 am
@Transformation-666: Boet.
The whole Springbok TEAM has been in the doldrums for the past 2 years.
That tells me nothing.
24 Jan 2012, 11:27 am
@trupisero-642:
maybe it was because he was a whinging Yappie d*ckhead
a genius, by Yappie standards, by all accounts. Should just keep his piehole shut.
24 Jan 2012, 11:27 am
@PissAnt-664: K thanks. Off to Newlands for me then.
24 Jan 2012, 11:27 am
@stormersboy-671:
Djy!!!
24 Jan 2012, 11:28 am
Meyer gets strong support to take over as Springbok coach
Published: 2012/01/24 07:43:12 AM
BLUE Bulls Rugby Union director of rugby Heyneke Meyer on Monday received overwhelming support from former and current rugby coaches to take over the reins as Springbok coach as the South African Rugby Union (Saru) prepares to name Peter de Villiers’s successor on Friday.
Meyer, who narrowly missed out on the position in 2008 following Saru’s decision to place a bigger emphasis on transformation than results, is expected to be unveiled as the new national coach this week.
Meyer and Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal — who was an assistant coach during 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White’s tenure — emerged as the frontrunners for the position in the past few weeks.
But with Smal’s children settled at school in Ireland and the coach having recently extended his contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union until next year, Meyer took pole position in the race and has started negotiations with Saru to take over the position.
Given Meyer’s impressive coaching record at Currie Cup and Super Rugby level, his rare ability to bring out the best in his players in high-pressure matches, and his professional communication skills, it is no surprise his players and colleagues rate him as one of the top coaches in the country.
Former Springbok coach Carel du Plessis, Boland coach Eugene Eloff and Griquas coach Pote Human — Meyer’s assistant coach at the Bulls in 2007 — all spoke highly of the Bulls mentor on Monday and said he deserved to be appointed the national coach.
“Heyneke has coached at a high level and he has produced the desired results in demanding competitions,” said Du Plessis.
“That experience will be invaluable should he be named the Bok coach. Obviously it is different at international level because the demands on the coach on and off the field are higher, and so is the intensity and emotions within the team and from a public perspective. But he will know what he is in for, given his coaching experience.”
Having worked very closely with Meyer at the Bulls a few years ago, Human praised Meyer’s coaching skills and said he was world-class.
“I have great respect for Heyneke and I have no doubt that he is the right man to take the national team forward,” said Human.
“He is one of the best coaches in South Africa and worldwide. What I respect most about him is that he is always honest with the players, he understands the sport and he knows how to communicate with everyone around him. He is definitely the best man for the job.”
Eloff said Meyer’s record, which included winning four Currie Cup titles and a Super Rugby series, proved he was a capable coach.
“If one looks at Heyneke’s results, he should definitely be the coach,” said Eloff. “He is without doubt one of the best candidates for the position and I believe he would be able to do the job well.”
The praises for Meyer aside, Du Plessis said given the greater emphasis on attack in the past few seasons due to the new laws, it would be wise for the new national coach to appoint a specialist attack coach in his management team.
He also stressed the importance of the coach selecting a management team he believed in. “One of the keys to success at international level is that the head coach needs to surround himself with coaches he has confidence in and who will add value to the set-up,” said Du Plessis.
“Given the direction the game is moving in, one needs a team of about three top coaches who could share their views and develop new ideas. And in my view one of those people should be an attack specialist who has a good understanding of the technical aspects of the game.”
24 Jan 2012, 11:28 am
@PissAnt-670: Cool thanks.
24 Jan 2012, 11:30 am
Ek skrie net vir die bokke as die coach kullid is
hulle kon vi Pieter nog 2 jaar gegee dit, hys die beste coach nog vir die land
24 Jan 2012, 11:30 am
@stormersboy-671: but he has been barren even for YOUR team
can’t blame that on the bokke. just admit habana is weak at try scoring currently and your “fleckie” is just not cutting it at backline coaching.
24 Jan 2012, 11:31 am
@Hot-n-tot-677: fokkof!
24 Jan 2012, 11:32 am
@Transformation-679:
Hehe.
24 Jan 2012, 11:32 am
ek ding ons en die african ouens moet unite
is da enige african ouens hiesa oppie site?
24 Jan 2012, 11:33 am
@Transformation-675: Is Carel talking about himself in the last year?
24 Jan 2012, 11:35 am
@Transformation-679:
Hei, djy!!
Kom hiesa, slat vir jou uittie formboy style bloedbek
Ken djy vi my, ha?
24 Jan 2012, 11:36 am
@Tacitus-680:
Hei, wat lag djy?
Ek trap vir jou op jou bors
24 Jan 2012, 11:37 am
@Hot-n-tot-683: ken jy vir lap?
24 Jan 2012, 11:39 am
@Sasuke-682: lol sorry last line
24 Jan 2012, 11:39 am
@trupisero-685:
watte
24 Jan 2012, 11:39 am
@Hot-n-tot-687: lapnaaijouself…
24 Jan 2012, 11:39 am
@ralf2-658:
you do agree that is the way it should be for the coach of a tier 1 world championship team, don’t you..?..
winning should be the only thing that keeps you in the job, lose and your out.
24 Jan 2012, 11:40 am
@Transformation-678:
u sound balck
24 Jan 2012, 11:40 am
@trupisero-688:
sies vuilbek, brakwater tanne
24 Jan 2012, 11:42 am
ek issie nuwe baas hiesa
24 Jan 2012, 11:43 am
@Transformation-679:
Hahaha Transir remember a few months people were saying no one wants the Bok job? And Heyneke wouldnt dare blah blah blah.
Remember saying that there was HUGE lobbying in the backgroud for Meyer and other candidates.All just waiting it out and playing mindgames…Now Rassie is available as he quit as DOR,Smal can be available at end of 6N,Heyneke is all f a sudden frontrunner…
Werent foolin no one
24 Jan 2012, 11:43 am
@Hot-n-tot-691: you enjoying yourself ne.
24 Jan 2012, 11:44 am
@Transformation-678: I don’t have to admit anything.
Don’t confuse my support for Brian as the Stormers best 11 as blind hero worship.
The Stormers aren’t scoring lots of tries lately, for sure. BUT they are winning lots of games. So, barring that all important last hurdle, the Stormers are doing pretty well.
They game plan relies on a very defensive team structure. This includes having loose forwards (and often tightheads) in the backline during moves.
This type of structure strangles attacking flair. This is nothing new, I wrote about this last year already.
It isn’t glamorous. It does make scoring tries harder.
It does mean that the 3/4s have to play a slightly different game.
But it has been very effective.
The Stormers have smashed almost every defensive record over the last 2 years in the Super Comp.
Least amount of tries conceded
Least amounts of points conceded.
Biggest points difference.
ONLY team to beat all 5 New Zealand teams in a league phase.
Yes they lost a home semi.
Yes they lost an away final.
That means a lot to us. We are hoping that soon we will go that extra mile.
In my opinion there is a very obvious reason for this.
If you look at the defensive stats for the Stormers for the past few years, you will see that they have had to make a massive amount of tackles, in most cases a great deal more than their opponents. Even when they have won the game (as you know usually the losing team is forced to make more tackles)
No try and do that the whole season and see what effect that has on the physiology of the players. Injuries, exhaustion, break downs.
The fact is, at the end of the season the Stormers, and in particular the players that are relied upon to shine for the Stormers (Bekker, Burger, Vermeulen etc) were exhausted and found it a bridge too far.
The answer is better man and player management, something that AC has been terrible at over the past 2 years.
So i’m not even going to begin admitting anything.
If anything, your statement is completely false.
24 Jan 2012, 11:46 am
@Sasuke-682: i think he was marketing himself there a tad
24 Jan 2012, 11:46 am
@Sasuke-694:
hei, wat-wil djy maak, ha?
ek issie baas hiesa, ho?
24 Jan 2012, 11:48 am
@Transformation-696:
are you black or white, why you chose such a name
24 Jan 2012, 11:50 am
@stormersboy-695: what a long and unnecessary post.
bryan habana hasn’t scored that many tries for wp/western province, FACT!
24 Jan 2012, 11:51 am
@stormersboy-695:
djy kennie van rugby affie my broe
djy preten net
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