Make us believe in a bold Bok era, Heyneke
17 Sep 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his Business Day newspaper column, writes denial is the devil that has to be avoided for the Boks to be winners and the best team in the world.
Once again South Africans will take comfort that the All Blacks are not quite as good and the Boks are not quite as bad. Once again we can reflect on a heroic defeat. Once again we would be deluded.
If the aim is to consistently be the best rugby team in the world then brave 10-point defeats against the old foe can’t be viewed as victories. If the aim is to be the best then the Boks have to set standards that include not playing well and beating the All Blacks by 10 points; not exceeding expectation and still losing by 10 points.
Come on.
There has to be a change of mindset, from within the current management. And there has to be a demand from the rugby public that quality of performance is never secondary.
There has to be some honesty about where it went wrong. Only then can it be corrected.
Meyer, as coach and head strategist, promised more than we saw in Argentina, Australia and New Zealand, and the public rightly expected more of the Springboks.
I don’t get why there is an absolute fear of failure within the management. If ever there was a time where the public would have been accommodating it was in the year post a World Cup when most teams tend to be in transition and when coaches can embrace variation in selection, strategy and approach.
I am not talking about experimentation but variation.
All of the successful Bok teams of the professional era have played good rugby without having to be like the All Blacks and Wallabies and without having to give up the fundamentals associated with the South African game.
Meyer’s Boks are capable of so much more, but it starts with the coach and his support staff.
Passion should be a given and not the exception that gets the Boks close to beating the All Blacks in New Zealand or inspires the one-off win against the Kiwis in South Africa.
The Boks have players capable of producing a game that embraces moving the ball through hands and winning with skill and not relying exclusively on forward dominance and physical superiority.
Every good Bok team has employed an effective kicking game, and there is no crime in Meyer believing in the merits of playing for field position and minimising risk. But it has to be balanced with a trust that those selected are good enough to want to maintain possession and effectively use this possession.
Selections have to offer hope of victory and not limit the margin of the defeat.
I am not dispirited. If Meyer had done everything right and the Boks were three from seven, then we could talk about a catastrophe.
He hasn’t and acknowledging this would signal strength in character.
There is hope for the Boks and there will always be because the quality of player is good enough to beat any team once, but the measure of great Bok teams is that they beat all opponents more than once, home and away.
Meyer’s conservatism in selection cost him a famous win in Dunedin. I championed Meyer’s national appointment, but he’s struggled more than I ever anticipated in getting his selections right. He surely can’t get them wrong for the two home remaining Rugby Championship matches against Australia and New Zealand.
There can no longer be a case made for Morne Steyn’s retention. There can also no longer be the nonsense of Johan Goosen not being good enough, experienced enough or old enough to start. There can’t be an argument to ignore the claims of Elton Jantjies as his understudy and if Meyer does not rate Pat Lambie then he owes it to the player to send him back to Durban and allow him to actually play some rugby.
I never considered Meyer would struggle to break his association with the Bulls, but I underestimated the bond that exists. His loyalty to Morne Steyn was misguided and no newcomer picked at flyhalf would have been afforded seven Test matches in which to get it right. No newcomer would have been excused a goal-kicking success rate in the mid-50s.
Defeat will force change but there would have been greater comfort had innovation determined selection.
The Boks always produce inspired performances at home in the latter stages of what was the Tri Nations and now is the Rugby Championship. What we are seeing in 2012 is no different to what we saw a decade ago.
I refuse to believe Meyer will not get it right. He is a student of the game, a man who instills confidence when talking rugby and a man who appreciates the nuances of the game.
Which makes the last month that much harder to fathom. How the hell did he get it so wrong, in selection and in inspiration?
I can’t recall a coach being more unanimously embraced as a national appointment and Meyer needs to know the public wants him to succeed.
He needs to lose the fear of failure and trust his ability to win as much as the public did when lauding his appointment. If he does that, not only will there be hope for the Boks, there will also be conviction in the belief they can be the best.
778 Comments
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17 Sep 2012, 14:22 pm
@Skeppie-298: Here is a stat for you Skeppie.
Brussow has never lost to the ABs.
17 Sep 2012, 14:22 pm
@poppa69-295:
no, its two weeks time.
and yes, i will provide both.
17 Sep 2012, 14:22 pm
@UptheGuts-292: Look don’t get me wrong Brussow is a quality player but for me Flo just offers a bit more, either way one of them should definitely be in the Bok side. I also agree Brussow has been good against Maccaw but he has struggled against Pocock.
17 Sep 2012, 14:23 pm
@willievz-301: Sigh…another stat. What does that prove?
17 Sep 2012, 14:24 pm
@Skeppie-304: It proves the ABs don’t beat the Boks when he plays.
17 Sep 2012, 14:25 pm
@grant10-294: Look Brussow is a really good player and I have a lot of respect for him but in my bok team (the one I select and coach in my dreams) I would go with Flo.
17 Sep 2012, 14:25 pm
@Skeppie-298: Not trying to be funny at all but…how long have you been watching rugby? This is a serious question? Last year in the S15, the Cheetahs won their 1st game overseas because of who? You guessed it. He was immense the week before too against the Brumbies but they got pipped right at the end, if I remember correctly. Mate there is no comparison. Again, Francois Louw is good too, just not as good as Brussow
17 Sep 2012, 14:25 pm
@nama1-300: Makes sense to me Nama…
@willievz-283: Where does that Marnus Schoeman come from…..bloody hell that oke can play a bit!!
17 Sep 2012, 14:25 pm
@Bok fan-297: Man it would be good to find a place for all three in the years to come…if they are fit.
17 Sep 2012, 14:26 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-302: so you will wait another two weeks to provide a COMPLETE list of NZ cheating in the game played this weekend and the one in two weeks time?
is that so peoples memories will fade from this weekends game?
you really do yourself a disservice with your constant NZ are the only team that cheats mantra..
use it, dont use it
17 Sep 2012, 14:26 pm
@willievz-305: Ok so you are saying that one player is the sole reason for a victory? How mamny times has Brussow played against the AB’s?
17 Sep 2012, 14:28 pm
@UptheGuts-307: Hmm let’s see around 34 years now….played for 20 of those years, live, breath and dream about the game. Clearly you don’t watch as much rugby as I do.
17 Sep 2012, 14:28 pm
@Skeppie-303: I can agree with that! Absolutely non-negotiable to have at least 1 of them there
17 Sep 2012, 14:28 pm
@Skeppie-303:
“for me Flo just offers a bit more, …”
A bit more body weight/length?
In other word, physicality.
Heyneke Meyer, is that you?
17 Sep 2012, 14:29 pm
@Skeppie-306: OK….I seesome merit with the fact that Louw is a ‘ real ‘ lineout option…..
But Brussow shades him in pace and menace at the breakdown imo…..and Brussow carries, and importantly …he also offloads well…..
I still think Brussow shades it….but if Flo starts no trainsmash…..he is a helleva player
17 Sep 2012, 14:29 pm
Bakkies, the flying elbow surely that was a mistake and he meant to lead with head ala Corne and Botha?
17 Sep 2012, 14:30 pm
@nama1-314: Don’t mention length on this blog….we may have a few of our peers bringing todger into the discussion
17 Sep 2012, 14:30 pm
@grant10-315: Do you think Brussow carries as well as Flo? And tackles as well as Flo?
17 Sep 2012, 14:31 pm
@Skeppie-311: 4 starts….4 wins….
The boks dont lose to kiwis when they start with Brussow and Bissy
17 Sep 2012, 14:32 pm
@Skeppie-312:
I just found it strange that you could miss the impact Brussow has had thus far in his career, is all.No sweat! I have never seen Flo play anything near that level yet. He had impact yes but not to the extent Brussow has had.
17 Sep 2012, 14:32 pm
@NZINCHINA-316: China of course it was an accident! Same a when Kevin bent down to tie his lace and accidentally smashed Cannon’s face…or when Tana and Keven accidentally broke BOD’s collarbone. Similar whoopsies.
17 Sep 2012, 14:32 pm
@Skeppie-317:
LOL
OK…height then.
17 Sep 2012, 14:33 pm
@grant10-319: HAHAHA and here I was thinking there were 13 other guys who had an impact on the result.
17 Sep 2012, 14:33 pm
@Skeppie-318: Better!
17 Sep 2012, 14:33 pm
@poppa69-310:
no, i will provide a revised list for the bok/nz game and i will provide a list for the bok/oz game.
you do yourself a diservice trying to convince smart and seasoned viewers that its not true you are the only team in world rugby allowed to cheat to the extent you do and get away with it.
use it, don’t not use it…
17 Sep 2012, 14:33 pm
@nama1-322: Ok that’s still borderline for this place but accepted.
17 Sep 2012, 14:34 pm
@Skeppie-318: Tackles as well imo….
Carries as wel imo
and also passes….he is developing , fast becoming a real all rounder…..
and most important his pace to and anticipation at the breakdown has no equal…..
17 Sep 2012, 14:34 pm
@jonnyBravo-8: Anyone with a little bit of rugby knowledge can see that Goosen is head & shoulders above anyone in the number 10 jersey, including Lambie. You don’t need an extra S15 season or more games in the Bok jersey to figure that out. That is not to say Lambie should not be an automatic selection. His place is 15 though.
Here’s what gets to me though: this is a valid argument we’re having about two exceptional players …. and HM has them playing bench!
17 Sep 2012, 14:35 pm
@UptheGuts-324: Ok let’s agree to disagree, cos that makes no sense. Anyway regardless of us being polar opposites on that topic let’s at least agree that it’s a good thing we now have a “ground player” in the side.
17 Sep 2012, 14:35 pm
@Skeppie-323: True but Brussow was very influential to the outcome in ALL his starts against the AB’s
17 Sep 2012, 14:35 pm
@nama1-278: ok well i apolgise then mate, i think your profession is honourable and was aving a larf.
byegones.
@willievz-276: it was a compliment to your kwas seeing how they beat my tjarkies last weekend maybe a bit of a backhand compliment but hey, whaddayaexpect?
@nama1-289: stop being silly, its the use of absolutes in your post that i was highlighting.
what if someone had made a statement like yours BEFORE siya came on the scene?
you are so obstreperous sometimes!
17 Sep 2012, 14:35 pm
Plenty of chest beating after a 10 point loss, Soccer city will be a dead rubber but we’ll still take you comfortably in the end like Dunedin.
17 Sep 2012, 14:36 pm
@Skeppie-329: I can live with that
17 Sep 2012, 14:36 pm
@Skeppie-323: you know what I mean Skeppie…
17 Sep 2012, 14:36 pm
@grant10-327: Read 329. There is just no way he carries as well as Flo but clearly we see it differently, no problem with that…healthy discussion and all!
17 Sep 2012, 14:36 pm
@NZINCHINA-316: save your breath mate, no amount of reason, medicine or compassion will ever set Bakkies free..
a lost cause sinking further into his own self deluded abyss..
17 Sep 2012, 14:38 pm
@Skeppie-321:
only difference is greyling got an immediate yellow and a good old citing with suspension for good measure to boot.
while kevvie got to play out his natural game and umaga didn’t even bother explaining himself to anyone.
larf
17 Sep 2012, 14:38 pm
@NZINCHINA-332: Let’s talk after the game ok? Or wait till the team announcement at least. Morne Steyn plays, you can have the win. I’ll give it to you myself
17 Sep 2012, 14:38 pm
I hope the boks can change their style, Flyhalf and Fullback soon… Morne is a shocker and has been for some time, he needs to go! This blue bulls rubbish is not working! We need Goosen at flyhalf or Elton.. They can both get the backs moving. Lambie at fullback!
17 Sep 2012, 14:38 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-325: yawn….
17 Sep 2012, 14:39 pm
@poppa69-310: you are yawning so much i think you need a little lie down
beast and jannie are k uk therefore the abs front row must be utter sh it.
thanks for clearing that up.
17 Sep 2012, 14:39 pm
@grant10-334: Look there is no doubting Brussow’s value, and yes I agree he has obviously contributed in a big way to our recent victories over the ABs. But for me balance is more important than playing one man. That said I would not be in tears if he was suddenly in the bok side come two weeks time. If it’s not going to be Flo then it must be Brussow.
17 Sep 2012, 14:41 pm
@rangerman-205: “isnt it interesting that once biz was injured meyers approach changed?
maybe not so verkrampte?”
no it did not change! he moved alberts to 8 and played jaque potgieter at 7 with keegan dropped to the bench! he had to be moered and outsmarted in Mendoza to even flirt with the idea, even in aus, Flo started of the wood while deans showed intent in picking both hooper & gill in his match 22.
17 Sep 2012, 14:41 pm
@poppa69-336: Come on Pops you are distracting China from replying to my very witty post!
17 Sep 2012, 14:41 pm
@poppa69-340: yawning again
its late there, go have a slaapie.
@NZINCHINA-332: the only chest beating has been from poopsie and i see you having a go too.
its quite amusing because i wouldnt have been quite as encouraged if i was an ab fan.
then again, i dont rely on the boks for my emotional well being
17 Sep 2012, 14:41 pm
Pops Bakkies is the SA champion of fair play on the field, he’s had a tough couple of weeks.These guys are pretty pumped Ab’s have peaked rubarb rubarb look out the big scary Bokke is coming please.
17 Sep 2012, 14:42 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-337: I see, so attacking the head of someone with a flying forearm doesnt warrant a yellow card in your opinion Bakkies?
17 Sep 2012, 14:43 pm
@Skeppie-303: Flouw is good, but at his best he has not achieved anything close to Brussouw at test level or domestic. Brussouw also has the never say die attitude that each coach wants to see at the last 10 min. A fit Brussouw is hell for any team to play against. Put him next too Vermeulen and Alberts, then you have a winning back row. He might be shorter but I can promise you that Brussouw will beat Flouw in any department when it comes to atheltic ability and even strength.
Brussouw is faster, stronger and smarter than Flouw, period.
17 Sep 2012, 14:43 pm
What will happen if the Aus/AB play as well as we did against them and we play as poorly as they did against us?
Will we be able to pull it through like they did? Somehow I don’t think so.
We’ll have to play out of our skin in two weeks time and the week thereafter to win against them and at the same time hope that they have an off day.
17 Sep 2012, 14:44 pm
@NZINCHINA-332: And you’re absolutely sure that Soccer City will be a dead rubber? It took you a while to subdue the Argies on homesoil and beating the AB’s is not beyond them. They’ve done it before. haven’t they?
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