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

  • 751.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:33 pm

    People are starved of rugby I see!

    Can’t wait for the Super Rugby to start.

  • 752.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:36 pm

    Fresh off the jet sharper than Gillette

    Stormers team for Friday

    In the next round of preparation fixtures for Super Rugby 2012, the DHL Stormers this week take on the MTN Lions and then the Toyota Cheetahs in the DHL Pre-Season Series.

    The 2 fixtures both take place at DHL Newlands, with the DHL Stormers taking on the MTN Lions in the opener on Friday 27 January and then the Toyota Free State Cheetahs on Saturday 4 February. The games form an important part of each of the teams’ preparation for the rigours of Vodacom Super Rugby.

    Allister Coetzee today announced a strong DHL Stormers side to take on the Lions:

    1. Steven Kitshoff

    2. Deon Fourie

    3. Brok Harris

    4. Eben Etzebeth

    5. De Kock Steenkamp

    6. Schalk Burger (C)

    7. Siya Kolisi

    8. Nick Koster

    9. Louis Schrueder

    10. Gary van Aswegen

    11. Bryan Habana

    12. Jean de Villiers

    13. Juan de Jongh

    14. Gio Aplon

    15. Joe Pietersen

    Reserves

    16. Tiaan Liebenberg

    17. Deon Carstens

    18. Frans Malherbe

    19. Don Armand

    20. Reuben Johannes

    21. Nizaam Carr

    22. Nic Groom

    23. Burton Francis

    24. Marcel Brache

    25. Gerhard van den Heever

    26. Danie Poolman

    Referee: Jaco Peyper

  • 753.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:37 pm

    I see Andre Pretorius has signed for the Leopards.

  • 754.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:37 pm

    The Cobras need to interact with the Stormers to instil a sense of winning culture. The cabinet is so full of silverware, yet just down the road all we have is the Plascon Wall and All and Conference Winners trophy! I suppose a bit more than the Bulls or Sharks have though… ;)

  • 755.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:38 pm

    @Sasuke-752:

    Oh! Schalk at six. I wonder what 10 of the best is going to say! :)

  • 756.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:39 pm

    @Sasuke-752: That’s a great team, when you include the subs.

    Andries is missing, so is Rynard.

  • 757.RL: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:39 pm

    @Sasuke-752: no fetcher? Minnie, Doppies and Wikus are going to have fun. :grin:

  • 758.charo: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:40 pm

    @Transformation-705:

    you make it sound like the politicians are the good ous?

  • 759.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:40 pm

    @>^..^< katman-744:

    :lol:

  • 760.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:40 pm

    @stormersboy-756:

    How are you bud? Long time.

  • 761.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:42 pm

    @Bill Reyts-760: Good matey.

    Looking forward to the game on Friday. Think I’ll go and make my way to Newlands.

  • 762.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:42 pm

    Brok’s back!

    Scalk at 6.

    That flyhalf channel is going to be like Picadilly Circus.

    If it was a road the NRA would put a toll booth on it.

    And make Brok pay double.

  • 763.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:43 pm

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-759:

    djys sie ‘n artis sie, ek noem jou somme poeppollie

  • 764.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:43 pm

    Thats a very strong backline.

  • 765.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:45 pm

    Apparently Churchill also appreciated Italian Cruise liners:

    After his retirement he was cruising the Mediterranean on an Italian cruise liner and some Italian journalists asked why an ex British Prime Minister should chose an Italian ship.

    “There are three things I like about being on an Italian cruise ship” said Churchill.

    “First their cuisine is unsurpassed. Second their service is superb. And then, in time of emergency, there is none of this nonsense about women and children first”.

  • 766.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:46 pm

    As you can see the ref is also mentioned in the Stormers line-up!

  • 767.Great White Sharks coming to get ya: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:46 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-763:

    That’s all keo needs…another Cape All Blecks supporter.

  • 768.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:46 pm

    @Sasuke-752: Strong? That’s just a regular Stormers side.

  • 769.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:47 pm

    @stormersboy-765: lol

  • 770.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:47 pm

    Appels gan wee gate deurie ouens halloep

  • 771.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:49 pm

    @Great White Sharks coming to get ya-767:

    Hei hou jou bek van my af

    Dhy kom nou wee hie met nwata gedagtes, djy crazy ou pel

  • 772.JA-JA: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:50 pm

    @Sasuke-752: That is quite a strong team, I like that Eben Etzebeth I hope he’s the real deal. I wonder how JDJ will go next to JDV as I think JDV is past his prime.

  • 773.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:50 pm

    @Sasuke-764: Yes, Duvenhage excepted, probably the top choice.

    It seems that AC’s thinking is getting clearer.

    1st choice lock paring is bekker and Elstadt
    2nd is Etsebeth and Kokkie,

    You can see where he is going with loose forwards too,

    some fringe players still to be decided,

    Groom still being tested,

    Flyhalf jury still out,

    Backline picks itself.

  • 774.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:50 pm

    @stormersboy-761:

    I’m in Cape Town tomorrow on business. Just wish I could have extended my stay! Doing ok but being the start of the academic year always busy and very little time to chat to my fellow keolings…Anyways the Monarch’s are still on holiday anyway. News is slow, slower, slowest – trappe van vergelyking as Frank says…

  • 775.Great White Sharks coming to get ya: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:52 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-771:

    Proves that you are a keo regular. Broodkop.

  • 776.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:53 pm

    @Transformation-679: lololol tune him :mrgreen:

  • 777.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:53 pm

    Hei ek gan my waentjie mis

    ouens ek los julle, awe

  • 778.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:54 pm

    @Bill Reyts-774: Eish. Pity,

    You’ve missed a few over the past while this way lol….

  • 779.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:56 pm

    @stormersboy-778:

    …and been to a few as well. I will try to arrange my trips to coincide with the Stormers home games… Will also go to Lions and Bulls games up here.

  • 780.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:56 pm

    @charo-758: who are the good ous?

  • 781.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:56 pm

    @Great White Sharks coming to get ya-775:

    ‘n watte, lekke kop?

    djy, groot stêre soos ‘n longdistance trok driver

  • 782.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 12:57 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-777:

    Is that you Ethel?

  • 783.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:00 pm

    @Bill Reyts-782:

    wies effel

    djy het ‘n FL in jou gatsak, daaisit

  • 784.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:00 pm

    @Bill Reyts-779: Nice. This is only a warm up game but I find these are quite nice to go to, Good teams, not as many people there so i can take my kids, parking isn’t as bad etc.

    Not too expensive either.

  • 785.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:02 pm

    @stormersboy-784:

    Was also nice to watch the Boland game. Some good talent coming through. Yes good to take the kids to a game or two.

  • 786.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:05 pm

    @Bill Reyts-785:

    i think the talen you talking about is the chearleaders?

  • 787.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:08 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-786:

    No I’m not a Meisiekind fan at all. Sorry.

  • 788.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:08 pm

    beste commentators:

    krieket: jeremy fredricks

    rugby: errol tobias
    chester williams en ashwin

  • 789.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:09 pm

    Need to get some work done… Ciao

  • 790.Hot-n-tot: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:10 pm

    ouens ek moet smyt

    taxi vang mitchells plein town center

  • 791.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:11 pm

    Lawrence says he may never referee here again, and recently told a New Zealand radio station that he had had death threats from disappointed Bok fans.

    South Africa has a reputation in this connection. In 2002 Bok fan Pieter van Zyl infamously tackled Irish referee David McHugh during a match in Durban. The immediate response was Van Zyl being punched by Bok AJ Venter and thrown to the ground by All Black Ritchie McCaw. McHugh was stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder and Van Zyl fined and banned for life.

  • 792.Great White Sharks coming to get ya: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:11 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-788:

    Always makes me smile when Ashwen Willemse pronounces Sharks as ‘Sarks”.

  • 793.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:15 pm

    @stormersboy-773:

    I think you have to play the Crusaders away this year, do you have a new front row?

  • 794.Great White Sharks coming to get ya: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:15 pm

    @NZINCHINA-791:

    What a spoilsport. I believe van Zyl was going to come out of retirement to make another famous tackle. Now he has to put his size medium Bok jersey back into storage.

  • 795.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:16 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-763:

    jou ma skuld my hond naai geld.

  • 796.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:19 pm

    @Great White Sharks coming to get ya-794:

    lol

  • 797.RL: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:20 pm

    @stormersboy-773: what happened to Zorba? Burton moves back to his home town and suddenly Zorba is out of the loop.

    How weird is that? What did he do wrong to get the chop? Hell he is better than Burton any day of the week.

    Now many people think that Burton was released from his contract because of a tight budget. This is what Vrede wants everyone to believe, the truth is that Burton got the chop because Mitch (All Black coach with an 81% win record) does not consider Burton good enough to play Superrugby. Burton was 4th in line at the Lions and simply was not going to make it. Yes Elton, Butch and Hein Cronje had the jump on him.

    Why oh why do these doff Stormer coaches take our rejects and select them ahead of better locals. Zorba if you are out there and reading this come home to Lions territory, we need an able replacement for Butch …next year.

  • 798.stew: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:23 pm

    @NZINCHINA-791: Lets be clear Andre Venter missed van zyl , Richie hit him straight ! ….

    All hail king Richard the fetcher !

  • 799.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:25 pm

    @stew-798:

    He he what a shambles

  • 800.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    24 Jan 2012, 13:25 pm

    @Hot-n-tot-790: Safe bra

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