Saru to blame for Super stuff up
21 May 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day column, says Saru should be held to account for the Kings fiasco.
Where is the accountability in the South African Rugby Union for the fiasco that is the 2013 Super Rugby situation? Where is the leadership?
There never has been accountability and there never will be, whether the subject matter is transformation, the retention of coaching intellectual capital or Super Rugby participation.
Saru CEO Jurie Roux told the media that no stone would be left unturned as the national organisation, along with the regional franchises, sought a solution in which no franchise would be prejudiced.
The statement was as embarrassing as the situation the clever blokes within South African rugby have fashioned. If no stone had been left unturned then the situation would not be as it is — with none of the five existing regions in agreement on the apparent agreement that one team would be relegated to accommodate the Southern Kings next year.
The Kings were guaranteed Super Rugby because of promises made to the government, which in turn would financially stand guarantee in the 2011, 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cup hosting tenders. The clever guys were bullish about telling the Kings they were in because they were convinced it wouldn’t be an issue to get a tournament expansion that accommodates six South African regions.
When the 14 provincial presidents so unanimously endorsed the Kings’ inclusion they did it believing five would become six and not that six would have to fit into five.
It sums up SA’s rugby administration.
Now the fight has been turned into the Kings versus the Lions because the latter are the worst performing of the South African sides — and have been for the past five years. Provincial bias has come to the fore, especially on social media networks. Racism and pure hatred have reared their head, and the Kings and Lions are the target when those who govern and administer the game in SA should be first in the queue.
In an ideal world this situation would never have been allowed to unfold. In an ideal world professionalism would come with accountability.
Those who put South African rugby in such an embarrassing situation should resign, but that will never happen. They will simply be at the next meeting making more unanimous decisions, like the one that reduced the Currie Cup to six teams before another decision a few months later changed it back to eight teams.
And so they stumble on, from one embarrassing moment to another; the very same guys who convinced themselves that SA’s 2011 World Cup campaign was a success.
It should disgust every supporter of South African rugby, but it won’t because the hapless supporter is powerless to influence change. If only Saru was listed and stakeholders actually could make a difference. If only.
Click here to read Keo’s latest SA Rugby magazine column
The chaos in the administration, fortunately, has not been translated to the general competition performance and SA will be guaranteed at least two teams (and possibly even three) in the top-six play-offs in July.
The more immediate focus is the pending three-Test series against England and the selection of Bok coach Heyneke Meyer’s first squad. The world-class players (read Bismarck du Plessis) know there is a Test series around the corner and the rise in standards has been substantial.
The selection area that looks most vulnerable is among the loose forwards — and that is the one area where no one would have figured that there would be any doubt. A month ago Meyer’s headache was who to leave out. Now it is where to find the right balance of experience, youth, power, strength and height.
Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Duane Vermeulen and Jacques Potgieter are injured. Danie Rossouw is unavailable. Willem Alberts can’t make the Sharks Super Rugby squad and there is more mediocrity than magic among the loose-forward options.
Young Sharks loosie Marcel Coetzee is the exception and he will play many Tests, but his initial role will be from the bench. Heinrich Brüssow should start as the fetcher although his penalty transgressions this season match his turnovers, and Pierre Spies and Ryan Kankowski provide options at No 7 and No 8.
I’d still not discount the claims of France-based pair Joe van Niekerk and Jacques Cronje because of the experience they bring in the enforced absence of Burger and Smith. If the aim is to pick the best team to beat England then look all over the world to fill this team.
SA has so many world-class players here, in Europe and in Japan that if there were no prejudice about where a player was based, there would also be plenty more victories.
I’m confident who ever Meyer picks will be good enough to beat England. We have the players and in Meyer we certainly have a coach with the necessary rugby acumen.
If only it was as easy to say that about the game’s administration. If only.
229 Comments
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21 May 2012, 11:25 am
Finally. Nail. Hit. Head.
21 May 2012, 11:26 am
Alberts has 3 weeks to hit his straps, I am sure he will.
Brussow, Alberts, Spies.
Johnson/Kanko from bench.
2 of Kolisi, Stander, Coetzee in wider training group and capped depending on how the series develops.
21 May 2012, 11:28 am
And what a treat it was to see Adriaan Strauss and Bismarck bliksem into each other like there is no tomorrow!
21 May 2012, 11:33 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-3: Kudos to Strauss to get up and climb right back in after Bismarck flattened him. I would love to see these two flattening Poms in June
21 May 2012, 11:34 am
Is there any realistic chance that Strauss and Bismark could be the two hookers in the 22 man squad?
21 May 2012, 11:36 am
Who whispers to Heyneke how many “reserved” positions there should be in the 22 man squad?
Is it Oregan? Or is an anonymous letter just slipped under the coach’s office door at SARU HQ?
Something like:
“HEYNEKE. THE MAGIC NUMBER IS 4…”
21 May 2012, 11:39 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-2: Johnson/Kanko? I hope not. Give the youngsters a bench spot.
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-3: @Bokhoring(Bokhoring)-4: @Tacitus(Deucalion)-5: Yes they were both very good. Breaking tackles like nothing.
Chilli has also been very good season. We have 3 very good hookers at our disposal. Chilli brings something different to the side.
21 May 2012, 11:39 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-5: Probably not going to happen
21 May 2012, 11:42 am
Realistically, Chilli will be on the bench. Beast will be in the starting line up.
And if Lambie runs out at fullback, I guess de Jongh will have to be at 13.
Oh, and Hougaard then has to play at 9, not 14, else the numbers don’t add up either.
21 May 2012, 11:42 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-6: Sad but true. Chilli will get the bench spot if SARU and the Government interfere. It will be sad for Strauss but we wont lose anything in having Chilli on the bench. We can also happily rotate our hookers because they are all very good.
21 May 2012, 11:44 am
Pierre as captain wth Alberts and Ratel will be my choice vs the Poms. The Bench I will decide after the Stormers Sharks game.
I think Keo should stop commenting on the Kings saga as he clearly has a financial interest.
21 May 2012, 11:44 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-2:
I’d start with Brussow, Juandre and Spies., with Alberts covering 7,8 and 4: Juandre can move to 5 when Bekker breaks down leaving a choice between Kolisi and Stander to cover 6 and 7.
21 May 2012, 11:45 am
I still think most people are over looking the form, talent and consistency of Keagen Daniel. Forget about his size for a moment. He has been formidable for the Sharks and leads the side so well. I think if there is one Loosie that deserves a chance its him. Just my Opinion!
21 May 2012, 11:45 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-9: For the sake of preserving our players (sharks, Bulls, Stormers) I will start Adriaan Strauss with Bismarck or Chilli on the bench for all three games.
21 May 2012, 11:46 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-10: Whats Chilli done wrong so far this season?
21 May 2012, 11:47 am
@Airwell(Airwell)-15:
Nothing. Strauss is just a better player.
Chilli has played the best rugby of his career this season. Strauss is just better.
21 May 2012, 11:49 am
@David(David)-12: What about Elstadt at 7? He has been very good there for the Stormers. Leave Juandre Kruger to cover lock from the bench. You can have Alberts on the bench to cover 7 and 8.
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-13: You not just saying that because you are a Sharks fan? lol I agree he has been good in the Sharks team but where to play him in the Bok setup?
21 May 2012, 11:49 am
I can’t see support for the Kings from a non-Kings fan perspective; we all know they are a political inclusion. They will be utterly disliked and Luke Watson is sure to receive plenty of boos, just as he had prior to quitting SA rugby a while ago.
21 May 2012, 11:50 am
@Airwell(Airwell)-15: Nothing. I am just saying Adriaan Struass and Bismarck have been better than him.
21 May 2012, 11:50 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-16: snap dragon!
21 May 2012, 11:51 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-16:
Strauss at 2.
Bismark at 7.
Chilli on bench.
21 May 2012, 11:52 am
I would have a problem with a backline that is filled by majority Stormers players. The backline is exactly where the Stormers problems are to be found. They are unable to score tries.
I would have Aplon and De Villiers in the mix. And maybe Pietersen at fullback. No one else.
Amongst the forwards, I would go with Etsebeth and Bekker. Of those currently not injured.
So 4 Stormers players for the current Bok team in my view.
21 May 2012, 11:52 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-16: But will he be a better team man for HM than Chilli is. I dont know but I think HM will stay loyal to him. I think we are blessed with quality hookers and Chilli is the best of the lot throwing into a linout and that is our strength which might be the logic HM uses to choose him.
21 May 2012, 11:54 am
@puff(puff)-21: lol Why not!
21 May 2012, 11:55 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-22: My backline
Hougie
Morne
Frans
JDJ
Pieterson
Basson
Lambie
21 May 2012, 11:56 am
@Airwell(Airwell)-25:
I would have Hougaard at wing in place of Basson, and Du Preez at 9.
And De Jongh. Sheez. Isn’t there someone else?
21 May 2012, 11:56 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-22: Agreed but i would rather have Habana in than Aplon. Aplon has not been that good this season and Habana has outscored him. Habana also brings better defence and experience. I would have Aplon and JdJ in the greater squad or on the bench somewhere.
21 May 2012, 11:57 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-22: I’m not suggesting that I think Habana deserves to be in the team on current form, but its pretty inevitable that he will be selected as well.
21 May 2012, 11:58 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-26: The new guy from the Sharks he has pace and one hell of a step
21 May 2012, 11:58 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-26: Basson is just better in the air that is why he is my choice.
21 May 2012, 11:59 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-27:
Aplon is a great player in my view. I would always have him in the 22 man squad, unless his advancing age starts costing him some of his electric pace.
I would honestly not have Habana in the squad at all.
JP Pietersen as one wing. And either Aplon or Hougaard as the other.
21 May 2012, 11:59 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-22:
Ironically, the franchise who will have the least players in the group to play England might just do the best in the Super 15 as they will probably have more fresh and uninjured players available during the business end of the tournament.
21 May 2012, 12:01 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-22:
Who would be your back-up flyhalf in the squad with Goosen injured – Grant or Jantjies?
And do you see Lambie at 15?
21 May 2012, 12:01 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-31: I would have Aplon on my bench.
21 May 2012, 12:01 pm
Meyer strikes me as being a combinations man.
He’ll more than likely pick:
The Sharks front row
Stormers/Bulls Locks
Loosies are a slight unknown bc of injuries.
8,9,10 Bulls
Stormers centres.
Back 3?
Just as a guess.
21 May 2012, 12:01 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-32:
Interesting, never thought of that.
The Sharks should have Lambie, JP Pietersen, Alberts, Beast, Bismark and Jannie in the matchday 22. That’s just 5 players out of their squad, so no big deal.
The Stormers should have around the same number involved.
And the Bulls probably similar as well.
So no major advantage should acrue either way.
21 May 2012, 12:02 pm
@puff(puff)-33:
Lambie at 15, and if Morne Steyn gets injured, then move Frans Steyn to fullback and bring on either Jean de Villiers or whoever the backup centre is.
Lambie way better than Grant.
21 May 2012, 12:05 pm
@John Galt(John Galt)-35: I think Stormers locks with Juandre on the Bench. WRT the back three I would include Basson because of the combo with Hougie and Steyn chasing box kicks and up and unders.
21 May 2012, 12:06 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-36:
Sorry, 6 Sharks players. Probably similar from each of the other big teams.
With Strauss and Brussouw coming in from the Cheetahs. And maybe Coenie or someone if there’s an injury crisis.
21 May 2012, 12:06 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-37: I would move on from De Villiers and have Whitehead as my backup.
21 May 2012, 12:07 pm
I think Meyer will make sure that the number of Bulls are less than the Stormers in his first squad.
But don’t count out some more Bulls coming in later once injuries start to strike.
21 May 2012, 12:08 pm
@John Galt(John Galt)-35: Definitely Stormers locks.
21 May 2012, 12:08 pm
@Airwell(Airwell)-40:
Whitehead??
21 May 2012, 12:11 pm
No I have to say SA has produced a bumper crop of talented Test-quality players. Its almost just an academic exercise to select the team, but in reality the best players (talent wise) don’t make the best team
and add provincial (in)sensitivities into the mix
21 May 2012, 12:12 pm
Whoever here said Brussow, Alberts, Spies (was it PissAnt?) is probably right. Alberts will step up over the next few weeks. And I wouldn’t mind a guy like Johnson on the bench, given our current injury list. I just wish he could lose about 5kg of arse. And then I’d include both Kolisi and Coetzee in the greater squad.
In the backs, I think Habana will do the same as Alberts and step it up a gear. He already has, to an extent, but he’ll get even better. I’d also be very tempted to play Mvovo – he’s playing fantastic rugby at the moment.
And I’m happy with either Chili or Strauss in the 16 jumper.
21 May 2012, 12:15 pm
Backs to start:
Hougaardt
Steyn
F Steyn (12)
De Villiers (c)
Pieterson
Habana
Lambie.
Bench:
Aplon
Pienaar (?)
de Jongh
Habana is a certainty, no need to even debate it imo. De Villiers probably too.
Meyer WILL go for experience.
21 May 2012, 12:19 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-46: Not bad
I will have Basson or Mvovo in place of JPP.
I will also have Fourie Du Preez has my bench scrumhalf.
21 May 2012, 12:20 pm
We need to pick a team to beat England end of story, pick a mix of youth, experience and combinations. I think SA battles with picking the the right combinations, sometimes the best player at the time may not be the right choice in terms of the game plan and combo’s! As of now this who I would pick starting for what its worth.
15: Frans Steyn
14: Jp Petersen
13: Du jong
12: JDV ( Capt )
11: Aplon
10: Grant
9: Pienaar
8: Spies
7:Coetzee
6:Broussouw
5: Bekker
4: Etsebeth
3: Jannie
2: Bismarck
1: Beast
Backline replacements: Lambie,Hougaard
Forward: Strauss, Juandre, Alberts, Kitshoff, CJ Stander
I deally would like Goosen at 10 but with him injured need to be comfortable with 10/12 combo and its working for Stormers.
Hougaard is best attacking 9 but his box kicking as been poor, Piennar has matured and can dominate field position with his boot.
Lambie ideally at 15 in future and Frans at 12 with JDV at 13, but with lack of game time lets keep 10,12, 13 who work well together and best defence by far
Vermulen at 8 once back from injury with Schalk at 7
Thoughts?
21 May 2012, 12:20 pm
Sorry Habana at 11 not Aplon
21 May 2012, 12:21 pm
1. Beast
2. Bismarck
3. Jannie
4. Eben
5. Bekker
6. Brussow
7. Alberts
8. Spies
9. Hougaard
10. M Steyn
11. Habana
12. F Steyn
13. Jean
14. Mvovo
15. Aplon
16. Chili
17. Coenie
18. Juandre
19. Johnson
20. Ruan
21. Lambie
22. De Jongh
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