Meyer the man to repair Bok brand

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

Pages: « 1 … 9 10 11 12 13 14 [15] 16 17 18 19 » Show All

  • 701.JA-JA: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 11:51 am

    @Hot-n-tot-698: Dis om djou deemekaa te maak

  • 702.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 11:53 am

    @JA-JA-701:

    awe skolliekin

  • 703.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 11:53 am

    @Transformation-699: Don’t read them then.

  • 704.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 11:55 am

    @Hot-n-tot-697: awe mase kint

  • 705.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 11:55 am

    @mshiniwami-693: i know! :D

    they wanted SARU to be desperate so that they can concede on some demands. imagine heyneke in front of butana khompela and them hehe

    jurie roux is going to be the shield between Heinie & the politicians

  • 706.youknowwho: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 11:57 am

    Heyneker Meyer is too caught up in his prejudice to be a successfull bok coach. PDV was too caught up in religion and the associated submissiveness hence his failure. Gert Smal is a complete racist twat. AC will have the opportunity to work without Rassies negative influence at the stormers and should avoid the poisoned chalice of bok leadership… so who is left???

    The boks are fked for another 4 years as South African rugby does not have any kind competent leadership to transform it into a trully professional entity. White South African coaches are incestuous thinkers and are prone to self destruction. Considering any of them is pointless

    I would give PDV another go but then he would need to give me call so that I can be his guiding light and media man. I can’t think of one Rugby Journo that would venture into a debate with me. Look at Keo, the doos has been avoiding me for the past 5 years. Pressers will be easy. There will be stunned silence for a few minutes and then we will break for drinks

  • 707.JA-JA: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 11:59 am

    @stormersboy-703: Habana just needs to take the banana peels off his boots and he will be 30% better. He slips around the field for who knows what reason.

  • 708.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 11:59 am

    @Sasuke-704:

    is djy vannie ravensmead?

  • 709.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:00 pm

    @stormersboy-703: don’t sulk now :D

    that’s frankie’s wont.

  • 710.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:01 pm

    @youknowwho-706: …”Look at Keo, the doos has been avoiding me for the past 5 years. ”

    You mean banning you for the past 5 years, don’t you??

  • 711.puff: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:01 pm

    It will be interesting to see whether Meyer courts the experience of the likes of Steenkamp, Rossouw, Du Preez, Habana, De Villiers and Fourie.
    Or whether he will go for youth.

  • 712.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:01 pm

    @youknowwho-706:

    awe my broe djy gooi die engels ne, is djy vannie joburg of vannie ses?

  • 713.youknowwho: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:03 pm

    @Transformation-709: I might be getting a call from PDV next week. I need a good research to dig up dirt on journos. Will you be available. Top dollar!!

  • 714.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:04 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-708:

    tiervlei man, anne naam vir ravensmead

  • 715.youknowwho: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:04 pm

    @stormersboy-710: Same thing ;-)

  • 716.youknowwho: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:05 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-712: I take it that you are a sensible man with a strategy??

  • 717.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:05 pm

    @JA-JA-707: he slips because he has to either sidestep or swerve now, no more free lunches – intercepts etc. you look at guys like corey jane who is a fullback but played wing far much better than anything habana did in the past 2 years.

    wp fans can try and justify paying him that exorbitant salary by deflecting to useless stats like turnovers :roll: as if carel du plessis was called the ‘prince of wings’ for winning turnovers hehehe :D

  • 718.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:05 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-708: ha a vannie Kuila af my bru

  • 719.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:06 pm

    @youknowwho-715:

    are you coi-san

  • 720.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:07 pm

    @Sasuke-718:

    nai kwai my broe, fountain village? or blue downs

  • 721.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:08 pm

    @puff-711: he wont have to, fdp already licked heyneke’s bum by declaring that he will only come out of international retirement if saru appoint meyer as bok coach.

  • 722.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:08 pm

    @Transformation-709: I’m not.

    It’s a well constructed argument that obviously isn’t going to change your mind.

    If you can present me with stats like “times hauled in when running for the try line”.

    or “Balls dropped when receiving a final pass”.

    Or “too slow to real in an opposing player”

    That would indicate to me that he is the problem.

    I concede that he isn’t looking as sharp as some years ago.

    BUT I do not see any of the new contenders staking a better claim for his position. Yet.

    But that time will undoubtedly come.

    If it happens this year, then it what will be will be.

  • 723.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:09 pm

    @Transformation-721:

    djys baie negative, ne

    djy moan oor alles my broe

  • 724.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:09 pm

    @youknowwho-713: why would u want to dig dirt on them?

  • 725.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:11 pm

    @Transformation-724:

    cause he is dirty homselves

  • 726.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:11 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-698: bit of both it would seem :)

  • 727.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:11 pm

    @stormersboy-722: sure thing :D

  • 728.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:12 pm

    @Transformation-724:

    is djy koza?

  • 729.JA-JA: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:12 pm

    @Transformation-717: I hope with all respect that Habana’s time with the Boks has gone. There are much better and more enthusiastic youth out there.

  • 730.JA-JA: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:14 pm

    @JA-JA-729: He tries too hard as well, I think thats his biggest downfall.

  • 731.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:14 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-720: lol nai my bru dai is nie regte Kuila nie….dai is meer Eerste Rivier….ek is van die Heart of Kuila….Sarepta@Hot-n-tot-723: lol

  • 732.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:14 pm

    @JA-JA-729:

    djy is net wee teen die kullids

    djy is ‘n rassis, jaloerstige meit

  • 733.youknowwho: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:16 pm

    @Transformation-724: They are going to try and dig up dirt on me so its going to be a bit of *** for twat… Take no prisoners stuff. It will be easy with the Saffa journos.. I have dealt with all of them already but it will be good to dig up some old articles to anihilate them completely

  • 734.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:16 pm

    @Sasuke-731:

    nai djy is kwai skellum

  • 735.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:16 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-719: pasop vir daai moegoe..hy sal jou agter die bus shelter probeer wysmaak.

  • 736.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:16 pm

    @JA-JA-729: Agreed he is a legend but his star has fallen badly…..

  • 737.youknowwho: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:17 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-719: Are you dom

  • 738.puff: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:18 pm

    @Transformation-721:

    Yes, but Du Preez has lost form and Meyer knows what he has in Hougaard, having groomed him as Du Preez’s successor.
    But depth is essential and I would rather see Du Preez fulfill some role than Pienaar (talented but often appears indifferent and also very erratic).
    Pretorius and Duvenhage have shown promise, but they aren’t yet the complete package.
    Will Jano Vermaak get a look-in?
    Where are the black scrumhalves?

  • 739.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:20 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-734: cool jazz ou bra

  • 740.JA-JA: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:20 pm

    @Sasuke-736: I agree with Transie, Mvovo I think can be awesome. I think he’s good now but he can be better there are many more Mapoe’s got bucket loads of talent he just needs a full season without injury and I hope he gets good run at wing this year.

  • 741.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:21 pm

    @youknowwho-737:

    i might be dom maar jy dring papsak

  • 742.youknowwho: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:22 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-741: ok

  • 743.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:23 pm

    @JA-JA-740: yes i am a fan of mvovo…he also has the physical aspect to make it as an international winger.

    would be nice if habana regains the form of 2005 and goes on to play 100 tests and score 50+ tries.

  • 744.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:24 pm

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-600: Can’t wait for his Keo-penned biography: The Life of Bryan.

    As you get to the end, and it’s all turned kaka – the media, the blogs, the fans have all crucified you – you turn the final page and it has one of those little music players built in that starts singing and whistling… Always look on the bright side of life…

    Should be a real stocking filler for Christmas 2012.

  • 745.JA-JA: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:26 pm

    @Sasuke-743: Well if Habana can get his 2005 form back nobody in SA would mind and all the opposition will be crying. I know I will if the Stormers play the Bulls.

  • 746.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:27 pm

    @youknowwho-742:

    ek en djy moen saamstan, dan maak os die boere swak op die site

    hulle is bang vi my

  • 747.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:28 pm

    @>^..^< katman-744: I see Bjorn is releasing an early sneak peak of his book. It’s a short book, entitled :I Believe I can Bryan”

    The ending is still a mystery,

    :)

  • 748.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:31 pm

    @JA-JA-745: Yes. How old is Habana? 29? he should still have some gas left. he needs to lose some muscle. i have predicted he will score 8 tries this season.

  • 749.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:32 pm

    @stormersboy-747:

    daai makie sensie ou pel

  • 750.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:33 pm

    @stormersboy-747: What! lol

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