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, 13:27 pm
Alberts is the PitivWeepu of SA rugby. He’s is great when fit and in form but prone to bouts of poor conditioning.( to be kind)
21 May 2012, 13:28 pm
98.Tacitus: No personal preference at all, I am not even a stormers fan! infact I think he was lucky in the past to even have a bok cap and thought he was average at best. But this season he has made some clucth kicks and looked pretty solid all round and kicks with both feet
PS: Dont think guys from Cape Town even comb their hair
21 May 2012, 13:29 pm
What is actually going on with Alberts? Burnt out?
21 May 2012, 13:34 pm
Alberts getting distracted by the durban lifestyle i think
21 May 2012, 13:40 pm
re puff 35 man squad looks about right, still not convinced with spies at no8 -seldom wins anything at breakdown- cleans out / makes a strong tackle / seldom covers at back ie he is not a classic no8 – not sure if keegan daniel / josh strauss / ashley j for specialist no8 are in the picture – pity vermeulen injured, would have liked to have seen him with alberts and brussow …. , bar injuries…
15.Lambie
14.JP Pietersen
13.JDV (c)
12.F.Steyn
11.Habana
10.M.Steyn
09.Hougaard
8.Spies
7.Alberts
6.Brussow
5.A.Bekker
4.F.VAN MERWE
3.Jannie Dup
2.Bismark
1.Beast
16.Chilli/A.Strauss – either
17.Coenie/Greyling/Kitshoff – either
18.J.Kuger/Etzebeth – either
19.M.Coetzee/Siya K – either
20.McLeod – incase Lambie to f/h and aplon to f/b
21.JDJ
22.Aplon
21 May 2012, 13:41 pm
Laying into ma se koeksisters I reckon.
21 May 2012, 13:45 pm
@Sniffer(Sniffer)-105: Can’t see Flip in ahead of Eben. The youngster is the Frans Steyn of forwards.
21 May 2012, 13:46 pm
@fogdog10(fogdog10)-104:
What lifestyle is that? Can’t be any different to Joburg or Slaapstad.
21 May 2012, 13:50 pm
laid back type where bare minimum will do and is largely acceptable! I know its not the case with all but thats my call
21 May 2012, 14:00 pm
“If the aim is to pick the best team to beat England then look all over the world to fill this team.”
ok..get these guys on a plane
Heinkie vd Merwe
Schalk Brits
BJ Botha
Joe van Niekirk
Jaques Cronje
Francios Louw
Ruan Pienaar
21 May 2012, 14:03 pm
bolters???
Paul Jordaan
Johan Sadie
Grant Hattingh
21 May 2012, 14:05 pm
Keo,
SA Rugby continues to be a political football. Very sad.
NTvl forever!!
21 May 2012, 14:05 pm
15. Francious Steyn
14. Lwazi Mvovo
13. Juan de Jongh
12. Jean de Villiers
11. Bryan Habana
10. Patrick Lambie
9. Francious Hougaardt
8. Keagen Daniel
7. Marchell Coetzee
6. Heinrich Brussow
5. Andries Bekker
4. Eben Etzebeth
3. Jannie Du Plessis
2. Bismark Du Plessis
1. Tandai Beast Mtwarira
16. Chilliboy
17. Coenie Oosthuizen
18. Juandre Kruger
19. Piere Spies
20. Ruan Pienaar
21. Morne Steyn
22. JP Peterson.
21 May 2012, 14:17 pm
@puff(puff)-90: you been watching robocop??
21 May 2012, 14:20 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-112: That team doesn’t exist anymore boet.
21 May 2012, 14:23 pm
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-113:
very lightweight but mobile loose trio – Daniel is very much an extra back/centre. I think against the aggression of the poms, he would be exposed against their tight forward game.
Agree about Lambie – deserves more opportunity at 10
21 May 2012, 14:23 pm
Come to think of it,why did all rugby teams changed their names except WP?
21 May 2012, 14:24 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-111: sadie? wtf has he done?
21 May 2012, 14:24 pm
Big Joe should be brought back – his leadership and ability are what are needed
21 May 2012, 14:25 pm
@Yetirat(Yetirat)-103:
Always a bit overated. Good supersub though.
Play him in the last 20-30 minutes of a match and he’s another player all together.
21 May 2012, 14:25 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-117:
because the politicians are WP friendly
and for record – in my family its always being and will be NTvl
21 May 2012, 14:29 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-118:
Johan Sadie has vast protential. will be a speicla project for Meyer. I will not be suprised if Meyer selects him. Sadie defensively is very sound. I want see him at 12
21 May 2012, 14:30 pm
@nama1(nama1)-120:
Alberts is a wrecking ball in that last 20 mins.
21 May 2012, 14:32 pm
@Sniffer(Sniffer)-105: I approve. I think that is a first on this site:
15.Lambie
14.JP Pietersen
13.JDV (c)
12.F.Steyn
11.Habana
10.M.Steyn
09.Hougaard
8.Spies
7.Alberts
6.Brussow
5.A.Bekker
4.F.VAN MERWE
3.Jannie Dup
2.Bismark
1.Beast
21 May 2012, 14:33 pm
The current match-up between Sadie and JdJ is currently a no contest.Sadie is poor on defence as well as proven by his diabolical display against the Highlanders yet again.
21 May 2012, 14:34 pm
Likely Meyer backline
15.Lambie
14.Pietersen
13.Jean(c)
12.Steyn
11.Habana
10.Steyn
09.Hougaard
21 May 2012, 14:34 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-112: ofcourse SARU will always be “political”, the union presidents themselves are not in their respective positions on some merit, they’re only there because they canvased more votes from the clubs in their areas.
21 May 2012, 14:36 pm
@Sniffer(Sniffer)-105: However your bench is missing mvovo who should eventually be starting.
16.Chilli/A.Strauss – either
17.Coenie/Greyling/Kitshoff – either
18.J.Kuger/Etzebeth – either
19.M.Coetzee/Siya K – either
20.McLeod – incase Lambie to f/h and F Steyn to F/B
21.Anyone but JDJ…
22.Mvovo
21 May 2012, 14:36 pm
@Oxy moron(cjgrove)-124:
We think alike!
yep. A very predictable Meyer squad it be
room for bolters??????
21 May 2012, 14:36 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-126: Thats a fӣӣing good backline
21 May 2012, 14:37 pm
The world has lost accountability.. It is not just SARU.
21 May 2012, 14:37 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-117: Because WP is too powerful a brand.
21 May 2012, 14:38 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-127:
agree with that. Also the long standing provincialism that is entrenched in SA society IMO
21 May 2012, 14:38 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-122: You conveniently trying to erase the image where the Highlander ran through him with absolute disdain?JdJ exposed his frailties at Newlands as well.
21 May 2012, 14:39 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-122: “defensively very sound” hahaha yeah right, hosea gear made his b(itch last weekend, falling off tackles willy nilly.
sadie has been all heyneke meyer hype! he doesn’t deserve even the starting spot at the bulls let alone being picked for boks!
21 May 2012, 14:39 pm
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-132:
choker brand …see you in the finals.
21 May 2012, 14:42 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-134:
@Transformation(Transformation)-135:
yes yes – but I am still picking him to be “groomed” by Meyer to be Jeans and Jaques Fouries replacement.
class and x factor is permanent.
21 May 2012, 14:46 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-110:
Can’t have Brits and Spies in the same pack. Will leave the Boks weak in the tight exchanges and we know that Meyer will select his love child. (Hint: It’s not Brits.)
21 May 2012, 14:46 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-135: Hear hear.
It’s unfortunate that JdJ will have to chow bench for Donkey at 13, but Steyn at 12 is worth it.
Would love to see your 22 for these tests?
21 May 2012, 14:48 pm
Also it’s time Elton packed his bags and headed down to us in the Cape. If they merge Goosen will certainly start.
A quality attacking and kicking flyhalf is exactly what we need to sort our try scoring woes, anyone who thinks Grant is up for it is delusional… Falls flat in all categories barring goal kicks from 40m out.
21 May 2012, 14:49 pm
@nama1(nama1)-138:
true. But Schalk Brits is a player ahead of his time. As laws change to make the game faster. Scrums, mauls, rucks will become less a factor. More ball in hand.
Schalk Brits is prototype of future tight forward.
21 May 2012, 14:51 pm
x-factor?He has done nothing in a Bulls jersey yet and for your info Meyer is the Bok coach and not the Bulls.Yes he might be Ludeke’s project or are you implying that Meyer will be favouring Bulls players no matter how hondkak they are?
21 May 2012, 14:51 pm
@Bagel(Bagel)-139: unfortunately i don’t pick fantasy teams, that is skop’s favourite pastime
21 May 2012, 14:52 pm
@RL(RL)-59:
OK I am about tio do something for the 1st time…. Defend Keo.
He is in no way responsible for the Kings fiasco.
It was SARU, SARU and um oh SARU.
Criticise Keo by all means for not being objective about Watson in light of HSMs running of his image etc. I don’t like the cionflict myself.
But the Kings are not going to be in the Super 15 because of Keo. Not even 0.1%
Lets look what happened
a) SARU wanted the WC. The government wanted PE in the mix
b) The government agreed to financially underwrite the WC bids (3 of them) if the Kings got included. Now before one blames the government, SARU did not have to ask for the underwrite. The UK govt did not underwrite England.
c) SARU were confident that they were going to get a 6th side into Super Rugby
d) SARU should have gotten the 6th team as well. SA contributes the buld of the revenue and the viewers.
e) But this is when it goes south again. SARU had a temporary CEO in place for years. We sent an inexperienced manager to negotiate with ONeil who had him for breakfast.
Now I am not going to blame this manager because he did not appoint himself. SARU did. I am suire he did his best. O’Neill was just a better business,am/
How did we get nothing that we wanted while Australia got everything they wnated and NZ did not even seem to know what they wanted themselves?
f) If Jurie Roux was appointed years ago I reckon we would have a 6th side AND we would be welcoming the Kings.
So kick Keo in the nuts for not imposing sufficient chinese walls. Criticise his objectivity by all means
He does not have a huge interest in Watson’s success btw.
But don’t blame him for the Kings debacle. Write to SARU. THey now have at least one person that can read.
21 May 2012, 14:53 pm
@nama1(nama1)-138:
21 May 2012, 14:55 pm
@Bagel(Bagel)-140:
gut feeling that combined CATs will still be weak
maybe Elton at 9??
21 May 2012, 14:56 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-78:
Tac if you are going to compare Lambie and M Steyn at least divide by no of games to get an average
21 May 2012, 15:01 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-142:
Sadie has being earmarked for Bok honors since his protential was spotted. Look at the All bLack squad being selected???. It is not just on S15 form.
Meyer has blue blood but he is picking on surrounding himself with people and players he has stutided. ..he has consulted Du Preez, Matfield and stays in touch with Pretoria.
21 May 2012, 15:04 pm
@Biscuit(Biscuit)-144:
who is the puppetmaster pulling the strings???
thats what we want know.
Keo – jurnplist, lobbyist
21 May 2012, 15:12 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-148: all the kids that have been picked for all black training group have PERFORMED – retallick, barrett, smith, cane, savea etc – all have stepped up, they’re not there because boofhead hansen earmarked them from high school!
when savea had a kak season last year after being name Junior IRB Player of the Year he never smelled all blacks set up. f(uck sadie – for now – pick robert ebersohn, he is young too and playing WAAAYYY better!
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