SA blessed with talented twos
7 May 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day column, says no Test coach has as many selection options at hooker as Heyneke Meyer.
Bismarck du Plessis, at his peak, has no equal as an international hooker, but the form hooker in SA is Cheetahs captain Adriaan Strauss.
He has been colossal all season and against the Force at the weekend was again the best of the Cheetahs’ forwards.
Du Plessis was imposing for the Sharks against the Highlanders and Chiliboy Ralepelle’s game is of Test standard. Then there’s Craig Burden, who has excelled with limited opportunity at the Sharks. Tiaan Liebenberg has been effective and impressive for the Stormers, and don’t forget that critics in the northern hemisphere consider Schalk Brits the best hooker in Europe.
We always rave about the quality in depth among South African loose forwards, but there is not a Test coach with as many selection options at hooker. It is a selection headache Bok coach Heyneke Meyer won’t mind as he builds a squad of 30 capable of winning consistently in the next four years.
Du Plessis must still be the favourite to start against England in June’s three-Test series, but there is no guarantee, simply because of the form of so many others.
There has been talk that Strauss is a consideration as a captain, but the quality of hookers could count against him leading the Boks.
The captain ideally should never have his starting place questioned and Strauss, however impressive in the past two seasons, isn’t at the level where he could claim such a luxury.
It is as a player, though, that Strauss has demanded national squad recognition. He has been the most consistent of all the hookers and the most disciplined in all facets.
It is his regard for the basics that is a stand-out and Meyer has not been shy in publicly singling out Strauss when talking of players who have earned the right to be spoken of as national squad prospects.
Meyer has said that injuries have caused a rethink in his initial squad selection and that his match 22 for the first Test against England continues to change because of the attrition rate in this year’s Super Rugby.
When chatting to Meyer, you get a sense that he knows exactly who he believes is capable of playing Test rugby in June, and who he feels needs to be nurtured, and the challenge to established internationals like Du Plessis is to make current form a more compelling selection case than historical form.
I expect Du Plessis to respond positively to the challenge of Strauss and Ralepelle, and that can only be a good thing for the Sharks and the Boks.
It’s a healthy situation for South African rugby when a player considered the world’s best in his position is under pressure because of the form of others in that position.
The best players know when to time their run for national selection and in the next three weeks you are likely to see more of the familiar faces put in commanding performances.
Du Plessis will lead the charge and hopefully Stormers lock Andries Bekker will be as inspirational.
Juan Smith, Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen’s unavailability because of injury creates opportunity among the loose forwards, which only emphasises why the likes of the experienced Du Plessis and Bekker have to be playing well in June.
Cheetahs flyhalf Johan Goosen’s injury has added to the national value of Sharks utility back Pat Lambie, who produced a timely reminder of his class in scoring all 28 points in the win against the Highlanders.
Meyer rates Lambie more a Test fullback who is capable at flyhalf, even if this is not a view necessarily shared by Sharks coach John Plumtree.
Lambie was the South African highlight of the weekend and Test incumbent Morne Steyn wasn’t far behind him in ensuring the Bulls won against the Rebels in Melbourne.
As with the hooker situation, it’s looking healthy at flyhalf.
The midfield possibilities haven’t been as convincing in Super Rugby but experienced internationals Frans Steyn and Jean de Villiers, as a combination, provide enough comfort on attack and in defence.
The Bulls and Stormers have been the dominant South African teams this season and this is likely to be acknowledged with national call-ups, which isn’t ideal for their respective Super Rugby play-off challenge.
42 Comments
7 May 2012, 10:27 am
Talented hookers especially in green point
7 May 2012, 10:55 am
Eish Mark – don’t mean to burst your Bubble Mate, but what’s the whole point of this whole article. Talking a lot but actually saying nothing!! We all know what’s happening in SA Rugby. Tell us something that’s relevant mate!! Jeeeeez!!
7 May 2012, 10:58 am
Formwise, Strauss > Chilliboy > Bismarck
7 May 2012, 11:05 am
@super_pippo(super_adi)-3: actually not, the stats tell a very different picture, its in exact reverse of how you have them
7 May 2012, 11:08 am
For boks…imo
Bissie,
Chili…
Strauss…
en dannie res.
7 May 2012, 11:11 am
@Staal(Staal)-5: 100% correct, that is also the way the stats show it
7 May 2012, 11:14 am
I would make Chilli bok captain. Put bissie on the bench for 4 more years.
7 May 2012, 11:24 am
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-7: Mr Black?? now would be a good time to sober up
7 May 2012, 11:40 am
Why the praise for Lambie? I thought he kicked well for goal but barely noticed him elsewhere on the pitch. He didn’t attack the line, didn’t attract defenders, he just shovelled the ball along the line. I thought Sias, Elton and Steyn were all far more threatening. Give me a 10 who asks questions of a defence any day.
7 May 2012, 11:53 am
Excellent summary of the current situation. its heartening to hear that Meyer wont fall into the historical form trap. its too easy to look past players who are currently playing out of their skins.
My choice for Bok Hookers would be Bismarck and Strauss currently and backups int he form of Chilliboy and Liebenberg. Other hookers who also deserve a mention are Maku (though he´s out injured his form last year was impressive. He is a solid player and gets around the park. The other is Willie Wepener who is a mongel)
Agree with the assesment of Lambie as well – my only difference is I think he makes as good a flyhalf as fullback. Loose forwards I think will be great to give the younger guys a look in with the current batch of injuries but it seems loosies are dropping like flies at the moment – most with knee injuries – its pretty concerning.
At present the choices we have left at loose forward are – CJ Stander, Spies (who´s form is of serious concern), Joshua Strauss, Jean Deysel, Willem Alberts, Kankowski (another with heaps to prove before I would seriously consider him), Brussouw, Marcell Coetzee, Kolisi and Ashley Johnson. So stocks are dwindling. Thats 10 guys for 6 positions – most of who are untried at Bok level and 2 of which are not playing to their potential (at least – Alberts and Deysel are another 2 who are still off the pace).
Any more injuries and we´ll be in a bit of a spot.
7 May 2012, 11:57 am
Elton had a Earl Rose type game vs the Chiefs. Bang gat! Bissie made 3 try saving turnovers vs the Landers ….. Chilli on the bench, Bissie has to start.
7 May 2012, 12:02 pm
@grant10(grant100)-11: why put Chillie on the bench when Strauss plays better than him week in and out? Chilli plays well don´t get me wrong but I dont see anything outstanding in his play.
7 May 2012, 12:11 pm
slumtown, not according to the discussion on boots and all … they are the experts, so i trust them …. for me Liebenberg is also up there, but they don’t rate him at all.
7 May 2012, 12:48 pm
@grant10(grant100)-13: Remember everone is in for a shout except Wp front rows..
Brok the rock, Malherbe, Tiaan Liebenberg and the likes may NOt be considered
At least not by the suprwrap teams standards…
7 May 2012, 13:34 pm
@grant10(grant100)-13: Experts on Boots and All? Ha Ha Good One!
7 May 2012, 14:12 pm
Adriaan Strauss without a doubt the form hooker.
Bismarck the most talented of the lot. He can do things the other two aren’t nearly capable of…
So for me, these two have to be there.
Harsh on Chiliboy who has also been excellent, but I can only hope that we are getting to the stage where players will be picked on merit. For that to be true, Strauss would have to be in the 22.
7 May 2012, 15:02 pm
@grant10(grant100)-13: I think the stats presented by Boots and All sums up the debate perfectly,
If I remember correctly,
Most runs(meters)/backline play but least turnovers, least clearing of rucks = A Strauss
Most turnover affected, clearing rucks but also conceded most turnovers and penalties = Bissie,
Most accurate thrower, 2nd in turnovers affected and clearing rucks, least penalties conceded = Chilli
Hence I agree with you Bissie, Chilli then Strauss… and that is merit @hendrikp(hendrikp)-16:
7 May 2012, 15:36 pm
Have not been back here in a while so hello to all.
@theOracle(theOracle)-17:
If those stats are correct, I would also go for Bissie, then Chilli. Chilli is more tight, throws better, clears more rucks and still manages to steal ball. We will need Chilli on the bench, especially if Bissie has a brain blow up and we need someone to clean more rucks because Spies is also playing.
Somebody who can maintain composure, not lose our line out ball and willing to do the dirty work so our ball carriers can flourish is invaluable in my opinion.
7 May 2012, 15:42 pm
1.du Plessis
2.Brits
3.Strauss
4.Liebenberg
5.Wepener
Schalk Brits is best off the bench. He is the second coming of Uli Schimdt and in the top five hookers in the world. du Plessis Scrummaging ability is inconsistent IMO. We will be tested by the Poms whose front row are far superior scrummagers then us IMO. Dan Cole is the equal of Owen Franks IMO and will have the best of Beast.
7 May 2012, 15:59 pm
Chili: 646 minutes, 78 tackles, tackle every 8,28 minutes, 11 missed tackles, 38 runs, 182 run metres, 40 rucks/mauls, 12 penalties,
Adriaan: 719 minutes, 50 tackles, tackle every 14,38 minutes, 13 missed tackles, 44 runs, 393 run metres, 78 rucks/mauls, 6 penalties,
Biz: 653 minutes, 87 tackles, tackle every 7,51 minutes, 17 missed tackles, 54 runs, 225 run metres, 58 rucks/mauls, 13 penalties,
Craig: 162 minutes, 8 tackles, tackle every 29,25 minutes, 1 missed tackles, 26 runs, 182 run metres, 24 rucks/mauls, 0 penalties,
Tiaan: 619 minutes, 65 tackles, tackle every 9,52 minutes, 11 missed tackles, 56 runs, 246 run metres, 56 rucks/mauls, 13 penalties,
7 May 2012, 16:03 pm
apologies:
Adriaan: 719 minutes, 50 tackles, tackle every 14,38 minutes, 13 missed tackles, 44 runs, 393 run metres, 78 rucks/mauls, 6 penalties,
7 May 2012, 16:05 pm
sheesh
and again…
Adriaan: 719 minutes, 50 tackles, tackle every 14,38 minutes, 13 missed tackles, 44 runs, 393 run metros, 78 rucks/mauls, 6 penalties,
sorry for missing and highlighting the wrong ones…
7 May 2012, 17:36 pm
After this weekend…no question. No 2 = Bis. Surely.
@ufo(ufo)-20: @ufo(ufo)-21: @ufo(ufo)-22:
Adriaan’s running metres: Confirms he is out in the back line…too often (IMO)
Bis: missed tackles concerning (but then again, 17 missed out of 104 attempts: better than 80%…and that is A LOT of tackles for a tight forward).
And finally: how useful is the penalties conceded comparison for the hookers listed? What is not indicated in the stats you list, is the number of turnovers effected. Effectively, bis is the Sharks’ main “fetcher”…thus, he will concede more penalties…this is logical. And everyone knows the ref’s interpretation of the laws dictates the way the fetcher plays.
Considering all…bissie has no equal.
Would be interesting to compare his stats to Spies’!
7 May 2012, 17:38 pm
Keo’s LOST his mind if he can describe Steyn performance this past wknd as nothing short of the complete performance to answer his critics!
7 May 2012, 17:40 pm
o, and the above is stats from Bis…who is, according to a number of “experts”, not in good form! And all the others are, according to said “experts” hitting a rich vain of form!
7 May 2012, 17:42 pm
@Papoose(papaown)-24:
Gotta admit Steyn is looking quite settled and playing well these last few weeks.
7 May 2012, 18:12 pm
I would also add Juan de Jongh as a comforting presence in the midfield. Since moving to 12 the WP backline is on fire. Huge tackling ensuring turnover ball and unpredictable and dangerous on attack. Also has the heart of a a lion…
7 May 2012, 19:28 pm
@OUToftheBOKS(OUToftheBOKS)-23: You’ve really just proved how pointless stats are. The stats that highlight Bissie’s strengths are the things you value while you belittle Adriaan’s strengths.
Considering that he’s hit 78 rucks, I don’t think he spends that much time in the backline. He just has a tendency to break the defensive line.
Another thing: this has a helluva lot to do with gameplans. The Cheetahs play a more expansive running game. They will surely have more running meters, hell the whole team probably has more running meters. Adriaan is probably their primary strike runner while the Sharks use Deysel, Alberts etc for this.
Stats mean zip in reality.
7 May 2012, 19:34 pm
@OUToftheBOKS(OUToftheBOKS)-23: Btw, you also proved my point of different role definitions.
Brussow will concede just as many penalties as Bismark, have just as many tackles and just as few running meters because they fill a similar role. If you already have Brussow in the Boks team filling this role, Adriaan can be good as a strike runner, which is his natural strength as a player.
Getting a balance is important, because if the Boks play Brussow, Spies (the two expected ones), Schalk, Juan or Duane would’ve been good as strike runners. Unless they pick Alberts (whose form has been shocking), they really lack a truly effective strike runner. Adriaan could offer them that.
7 May 2012, 19:51 pm
Bis plays a completely different game to Adriaan and Chili. Silly to compare them on stats basis (or any basis play for play actually).
They offer you something completely different as players which was my same argument with Bis vs. John in the past.
If Bis has to concentrate and up his game to compete with Adriaan and Chili in certain departments he will lose his effectiveness in the tight-loose.
Same for Strauss and Chili trying to compete more on the leve Bis is so potent at.
We would all love the ‘perfect’ player but they are a once in a lifetime rarity. The essence of Keo’s article is spot on – we are blessed to have all this talent – and combined, it could be devastating. It just depends on what the coach wants every game and which areas they are looking to target.
Also remember, a selection of either Bis, Adriaan or Chili will influence selections of players in other areas.
As an example (and its a personal opinion), given we have lost Jaque Fourie who imo was the best offensive, defensive player in the backline turning over loads of possession through his defense, I will be swayed to pick Bis over the other two to still give me that option (offensive defensive 4th loosie effecting turn overs).
And that is not even considering game plans! Some games you will look to murder the opposition and in others look to strangle them into submission – and in a strangling job Adriaan or Chili might be a better option employing a much more forward oriented game.
But yes – we have 3 world class blokes playing some real good rugga at the moment – its a blessing.
7 May 2012, 21:29 pm
Deon Fourie is the best hooker in sa after bismark, the guy is bladdy good.
7 May 2012, 21:34 pm
@cab(cab)-31: you suddenly awoke to the fact.. didn’t I tell you as much about 18 months ago already.. like I told you about Grant about 5 years ago.. and Vermeulen about the same time as that .. and Goosen 8 months back.. and Elstadt sometime last year.. and Etsebeth around the time of the junior world champs… and Duvenhage the next best scrummy after Hougaard…
Fourie should be a Bok.. he’s way better than both Chili and Adriaan.. though Chili and Adriaan would not do the jersey any injustice either.
7 May 2012, 23:06 pm
Whoever HM picks at Hooker will do a good job, but I would go with Bismark because he brings the Kaha…te mauri..me te wehi…….the strength…the aura…and the fear.
7 May 2012, 23:49 pm
@skopskiet(skopskiet)-32:
nah, i always watch them for a while first, but fourie is v good you were right there – elstadt i;m not so sure, still a v good player. vermeulen and grant ive always rated. goosen i only saw in s15 this year, he got everything but still gotta see about bmt, but def should be picked imo if not cracking up the whole time. juniors dont normally count for much imo, but etsebeth looks unbelievable, i cant remember a forward especially a tightforward whose made the step up at such a young age. duvenage kak, hougaard much better as i said way back when.
7 May 2012, 23:54 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-33:
aint that the truth, gdamn, we need a kiwi coach, all our verkramptes are too moden, pierre spies, liewe fok.
8 May 2012, 00:09 am
@cab(cab)-34:
Deon (Spraygun) Fourie is the worst thrower of a ball into the line-out in the entire super 15 competition. He has been playing at this level for about 4 years now and still cannot get it right and probably never will. He is also not a good scrummager- probably a bit too light.
Otherwise he is good.
8 May 2012, 00:17 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-36:
ja, i think like bismark they got some work to do there – dunno so much about the scrummaging, pound for pound he got a wirey strength far above his colleagues including liebenberg. busts through tackles, agrressive, tackles, carries like a champ, fast, fit, mobile and steals turnover – as far as a modern hooker goes hard to beat. only thing this article is right about is Sa currently got some extemely good hookers – but ive never really got the hype over strauss. he’s a good hard grafter, but not a Bok. Chili is playing v well, i give him 3rd.
8 May 2012, 03:33 am
We have a glut of excellent hookers like the ABs have a glut of excellent wings.
The AB selection of centers and wings is going to be very interesting.
8 May 2012, 03:36 am
@cab(cab)-37:
And to think all these really good hookers stood in line watching J Smit plodding around the park
8 May 2012, 06:56 am
@lepel(lepel)-28: That’s what I was leading up to: stats not of much assistance comparing the players, as they have different games. Never belittled Atter’s strengths: only problem I have with his play at the moment is that he is in the backline too much at times, BUT, I agree with the type of role he fulfill as you describe…he is more of a strike runner. That said…imo…he is out there too often, not letting the ball go out wider. I am a cheetahs supporter, always have been. Although Atter does well out back, i believe some of the backline players will do better if the ball goes wider out (but lets not get to technical about attacking closer channels before striking wide): often he gets the ball at flyhalf, thinks of taking it wide, and keeps it…bashing up. I truly appreciate the way he plays. For me, he would be the backup no 2 for the boks. without a doubt. @lepel(lepel)-29: also agree: getting the balance right is important. but the bis/ratel combo…that works well for me! worked well in the tri-nations also when bis got his chance the last 2 seasons (when smit was not playing)…and lions tour.
8 May 2012, 07:15 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-33: hear hear! But i agree with the consensus: either one of the 3 (bis, atter and chilli) won’t let us down. truly blessed at no 2.
The extra bit of motivation bis might have to at last be the first choice hooker might also count in his favor. 2007: the bok squad originally selected did not even have 3 hookers! all the other teams selected 3 hookers in the squad. not us. the hookers were plod smit and gary botha. THEN only did spies get the disease (or whatever was wrong with him…)…and entered bissie (should have been second choice). during the build up, training, games at the tourny, he passed botha in the pecking order…and for the final, was the hooker on the bench.
Then came plod’s exodus to europe, and bis probably thought he might be in with a shout to be first choice…the snor recruited smit to be captain again (at that stage, it was the right thing to do, i think). bissie took a step back…happily. then plod’s form plummited (2009)…bissie was probably thinking that his chance might have arrived. nope. come 2011, snor promised that bis will play the big WC games…nope. Plod is the business according to snor. Even bis’ excellent form did not even matter. this, while his peers rated him the best no 2 in the world. if sean fitzpatrick rates you THE best no 2 in the world…that says something. but he found himself on the bench (that said, he was m o e r s e effective).
Now, with plod gone, is it at last bissie’s time? he has been the backup for 5 years. I think he is ready (he has been ready for quite a while). yes, he had a bit of a hissy fit when subbed that one game (after having a blinder)…you can take that as good or bad (prob mostly bad).
Chilli has been in the mix for longer, but has not hit the same level of form (not at all, although being solid) bis has. And while some experts say he (chilli) has been in the form of his life…bis is not in his best form, but even in his “sub-prime” form, he is still at a level the other 2 contenders are at the moment (chilli and atter). and THAT is what makes me excited! Bis will step up…he is beginning to hit that level…where he has been. and 2 superb competitors pushing him…this bodes VERY WELL for bok rugby! I am excited!
8 May 2012, 07:16 am
@OUToftheBOKS(OUToftheBOKS)-41: “either one”…should probably be “any one”…excuse my grammar girls
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