SA’s ailing asset
18 Sep 2012
RYAN VREDE writes the Currie Cup has completely lost its prestige and is now no more than a platform for some young players to stake a claim for a Super Rugby contract.
I’ve watched every round of the tournament and have been completely uninspired. Certainly there are a handful of promising young players emerging, but overall the standard is decidedly mediocre for what used to be South Africa’s showpiece tournament. This of course has been the case for some time, but the quality on offer in 2012 is the lowest it has been in years, even with the current six-team format.
South Africans often boast of their bountiful player resources. This country is undoubtedly blessed in that regard, by quantity doesn’t translate to quality if the Currie Cup is an indication.
The quality will rise in the closing rounds of the league phase when the Springboks return and reach its climax in the playoffs. This is what South Africans will have to become used to – two and a half months of mediocrity followed by an injection of quality for a couple of weeks.
An extended Super Rugby tournament has contributed in part to this. The wizards at the South African Rugby Union who negotiated the Super Rugby deal did so at the expense of the world’s oldest domestic competition. This made financial sense to them, of course, as there was more cash to be made from broadcasting revenue and commercial opportunities that arose from Super Rugby than there were for the Currie Cup. Australia, with no domestic competition to rival South Africa or New Zealand, shafted their partners in the negotiation and emerged as the big winner, with more Australia derbies and a guaranteed team in the play-offs despite having the weakest conference.
More teams will be accommodated in Super Rugby in 2015, which is likely to mean the tournament cutting deeper into August. Where will that leave the Currie Cup? Will we see a one-round, five match league phase followed by semi-finals and a final? It would certainly heighten the stakes and make for more entertaining viewing, albeit not because of the quality of the product. Some club-standard players will continue to give their mates reason to toast with their TV cameos, when those players should have been watching from their couches. But this is what the Currie Cup has become – the playground of the ordinary.
There is no immediate solution on the horizon. There is no way Sanzar will trim Super Rugby to pit only the very best teams against each other and in so doing reducing the time it takes to complete the tournament. In an ideal world I’d have a Super 10 that starts in early February and finishes 11 weeks later, with a one-round, six-team Currie Cup commencing thereafter. If, for example, Western Province host the Sharks in 2012, they will travel to Kings Park in 2013.
This would allow Springboks players to compete in the Currie Cup before the June Tests. The game’s most important assets – the players and supporters – win, with a higher quality product and roughly the same amount of game time.
This is a pipe dream. The tournament that was once the pride of a nation is being reduced to rubble, serving as no more than an opportunity for aspirant young bucks to impress their coaches. So sad.
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614 Comments
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18 Sep 2012, 19:36 pm
@wnbb-388: Joel Mervis was a brilliant
Suday Times satirist.
Anthony Trollop moved from the opposition benches to the Nats.
Shortly after Horwood who was to become Minister of Finance.did the same.
Both immediately got cabinet posts.
Mervis posed the question.
“who would follow a Trollop into the cabinet.?Only a Horwood”
18 Sep 2012, 19:38 pm
@Heavens Game-396: lol.Leave the Canadian oke alone before he jumps into his eskimo bootjie to hunt you down.
18 Sep 2012, 19:40 pm
@ryecatcher-401: Brilliant.
18 Sep 2012, 19:41 pm
@ryecatcher-401: Can we go back to rugby please?
18 Sep 2012, 19:42 pm
@victoriabok-400: Come now… You chaps gave the Engelse that name… And if the shoe fits then it must be worn… Fark me, that shoe has got to be farken huge…
Think about it… A coupla legs spanning two continents, physics dictate that for the middle leg to dip into the ocean either your average banana boy is farken brilliant at splits or the rumours are actually true…
18 Sep 2012, 19:42 pm
@Heavens Game-391:
Claasen was a pure afrikaner who rebelled against the Afrikaans calvinist establishment, much like Boland Coetzee who kicked the Broederbond off his farm when they came recruiting, and van Zyl Slabbert. Afrikaners have been more active against apartheid than those superior colonialists in Natal who opposed the Nats only because they weren’t English.
18 Sep 2012, 19:43 pm
@wnbb-399:
> We should all aspire to be like Rhodes,a true marvel of humanity.
Yes a saint, like when his guys used Maxim machine guns to mow down Matabele warriors objecting to him taking their country?
18 Sep 2012, 19:45 pm
@victoriabok-400: Naah, not the showers…that’s probably more appropriate for those funnybuggers and their shenanigans behind the squash courts… They all tended to be Capeys… (Ask Grunter
)
18 Sep 2012, 19:45 pm
@Heavens Game-405:
Funnily enough my Soutie friends here laughed when I told them I’m a Soutpiel as well now
18 Sep 2012, 19:46 pm
@David-406: Rubbish man… All this sudden convenient revisionism… You lilly liberal Capeys… Will never find you in any foxhole anywhere…
18 Sep 2012, 19:48 pm
@victoriabok-409: Hehe… You new kind of souties are probably more the proficient at splits kind…
18 Sep 2012, 19:52 pm
@Heavens Game-411:
No, not really fortunatly we’re better endowed than the former Souties
The water between SA and Canada is cold….and deep too
18 Sep 2012, 19:53 pm
@Heavens Game-410:
Except if it’s a foxy hunk’s hole?
18 Sep 2012, 19:55 pm
@victoriabok-412: Ja no well vok… Thats not what some now fortunate willing Pretoria milfs tell me…
After the initial “Liewe Hemel… Jislaaik!”, that is…
(sheezus, better be careful… Banshee reads this shy.te from time to time)
18 Sep 2012, 19:56 pm
@Heavens Game-410:
That’s because, unlike you Sharkies, we don’t hide when the sh*t’s flying.
18 Sep 2012, 19:56 pm
@Heavens Game-408:
Met some Michaelhouse guys on during our honeymoon on a trout fishing lodge in the Southern Drakensberg near the Sani pass
Decent and very well mannered chaps, but Skeef soos ‘n sewe Rand noot Boet
Was Gunther in that school?
18 Sep 2012, 19:57 pm
@David-406: Jan Boland Coetzee
Written by Lucas
In die hartjie van die Boland tussen reuse kranse en klowe lê die pragtige studente dorp, Stellenbosch wat wêreld beroemd is vir sy manjifieke wyne en Springbok rugby fabriek by uitstek. Die twee dinamiese tydverdrywe kombineer heel dikwels en ‘n uitstekende voorbeeld is Jan Boland Coetzee, Springbok en bobaas wynmaker.
Jan se plaas Vriesenhof is geleë in die asemrowende Paradyskloof tussen die Helderberg en Stellenbosch. Dit is ‘n besige tyd vir dié wynboer waar hy saam met sy werkers besig is om druiwe te pars, duidelik hou die oud-losvoorspeler nog steeds daarvan om die “vuilwerk” te verrig soos in die losskrums van weleer! Hy staan egter graag ‘n tydjie af om oor rugby te gesels en met sy kenmerkende Malmesbury brei verwelkom hy besoekers vriendelik.
As ‘n “kleinerige” flank het Jan eers laat in sy roemryke loopbaan Springbok geword toe hy as 29 jarige in die tweede toets teen die 1974 Leeus gespeel het. Jan vertel met ‘n groot glimlag, “Ek kan seker ondubbelsinnig sê dat ek in die meeste proewe gespeel het wat enige speler kon in gespeel het! Dit was die era waar ouens nie geglo het in klein losvoorspelers nie. Vandag, 30 jaar later is die Smiths en die Kriges niks groter as wat ek was nie!” Hy was miskien klein, maar rateltaai.
Die Leeus het die Springbokke in die eerste en tweede toets pakslae gegee en die keurders het, ten spyte van goeie voorbereidings grootskaalse veranderinge aangebring en Jan is uitgelaat vir die res van die toer. Doc Craven veral was snydend in sy kritiek maar ten spyte van sy “jare” het Jan volhard, “Ag, op daardie stadium was my boerdery taamlik groot en ek het die keuse gehad om op te hou maar as ek nou terugdink het ek verskriklik baie genot geput uit rugby, die vriende wat ‘n ou maak is onvervangbaar.”
Die Springbokke het die derde toets ook verloor en kon slegs ‘n gelykop uitslag in die vierde toets afdwing. Vir die eerste keer daardie eeu kon hulle nie ‘n toets op eie bodem in ‘n reeks wen nie. Volgens Jan het, “Syd Millar en Willie John McBride, wat afgesien van hulle rugby vaardighede uitstekende leiers was” dié trop Leeus van hulle voorgangers onderskei. Die 1974 Leeus sal altyd onthou word as een van die beste spanne wat nog deur Suid-Afrika getoer het.
In 1975 het Morné Du Plessis die Springbokke vir die eerste keer teen Frankryk aangevoer. Jan het as reserwe in die tweede toets ‘n verskyning gemaak en die reeks is 2-0 beklink.
Die grootste uitdaging vir enige Springbok is die All Blacks en die 1976 besoekers onder aanvoering van Andy Leslie het te midde van politieke onweerswolke en druk voortgegaan. Betogers het dinge probeer moeilik maak vir die spelers maar die keurders het die dure les van 1974 onthou en die tuisspan se taak vergemaklik deur so min as moontlik met die span te torring.
Jan onthou die All Blacks as ‘n besondere span, “Ek het die voorreg gehad om baie teen hulle te speel; SA Universiteite, Gaselle, WP en die toetse, seker in totaal 8 wedstryde! Daar bestaan nie so iets soos ‘n swak All Black span nie, veral met spelers soos Kirkpatrick, Going, Leslie en so kan jy aangaan. Daar was ook voorspelers soos Billie Bush, hy was ‘n ongepoetste blikskottel, wat vir my en Moaner van Heerden besig gehou het!” Die Springbokke het die reeks 3-1 verower te midde van felle Nieu-Seelandse kritiek teen skeidsregter Gert Bezuidenhout.
Jan is bekommerd oor die moderne Springbokke en vra jy hom oor die huidige stand van sake na ‘n nagmerrie jaar is die antwoord, “Ek dink ons ouens wat buite staan is nie opgewasse om te oordeel nie maar die een ding wat ‘n paar van ons pla is die trots, dit is ‘n bietjie aangetas. Dit wil voorkom of die profesionele deel meer belangrik is as die land en die ouens behoort te weet en Craven het dit op honderde geleenthede beklemtoon, Suid-Afrika kom eerste!”
Deesdae as ‘n suksesvolle wynboer voel Jan, “Ek dink dit gaan goed, die wyn industrie is besonders opwindend en na 1994 het dit gefloreer. As daar een ding is wat die ‘Madiba Magic’ veroorsaak het was dat dit beter met ons wynboere gaan.”
Jan as filantroop deel egter sy lewensukses met ander, “Ek sê altyd een ou kan nooit die wêreld verander nie maar een ou kan die wêreld vir een ander ou verander.” Dié wyse woorde som die man. Jan Boland Coetzee – Springbok legende in woord en daad.
A true gent and a legend on top of it.
18 Sep 2012, 19:58 pm
@David-415: Yeah… You dont have to hide… Because you nowhere near any frontline, more content with no try moerthe sky mortarbombs… Like your rugby…
Never on any advantage line… Just pressure from the rear…
18 Sep 2012, 19:58 pm
@Heavens Game-414:
> After the initial “Liewe Hemel… Jislaaik!”, that is…
You should complete the phrase
Jislaaik… is dit al?
or even worse
Jislaaik…is dit in?
18 Sep 2012, 20:00 pm
@victoriabok-416:
Don’t expose the the lifestyles of your fellow bloggers now ,victoriabok
18 Sep 2012, 20:02 pm
@David-415:
No, you just slap on the Vaseline and get stuck in
18 Sep 2012, 20:02 pm
@wnbb-420:
Gunther’s not a follower of the “alternative lifestyle” is he?
18 Sep 2012, 20:04 pm
@victoriabok-416: Ja, but they probably from the Cape… Balgowan High, a decent boarding school, with pretensions of tradition and grandeur especially with the buildings, however I fortunately attended an older one with more tradition… And certainly more Bok representatives.
18 Sep 2012, 20:05 pm
@victoriabok-419: Jislaaik… Die egte regte GROOT Krokodil… Vokkol PeeWee NIE!
18 Sep 2012, 20:07 pm
@victoriabok-422: E…rr……maybe.
18 Sep 2012, 20:13 pm
@Heavens Game-424: Followed by the invariable “Sjoe! Is jy seker dit byt nie?”…
And with that I am over and out…
18 Sep 2012, 20:20 pm
@Heavens Game-426:
> Followed by the invariable “Sjoe! Is jy seker dit byt nie?”…
Nee, my slang spoeg net
18 Sep 2012, 20:23 pm
What a load of unadulterated kuk
Some people need to get jobs and lives
18 Sep 2012, 20:26 pm
@Dawn-428: ….and wives.
18 Sep 2012, 20:28 pm
@Dawn-428:
Jy’s meer op Keo as enigiemand anders…
18 Sep 2012, 20:33 pm
I am outta here.The battle of the Santiago Bernabeu will commence soon.Cheers.
18 Sep 2012, 20:35 pm
@victoriabok-416: michaelhouse is a run of yhe mill school that boasts only lambie as their only Bok, can u imagine?
@Heavens Game-423: don’t lie Treverton don’t have any Boks!
18 Sep 2012, 20:38 pm
@Dawn-428: hey angie…i see you liked the pic i shared gister
18 Sep 2012, 20:44 pm
Yes. Respect!
18 Sep 2012, 20:46 pm
@Heavens Game-392:
18 Sep 2012, 20:51 pm
Really enjoy Super Rugby but Currie Cup rugby is very special, provincialism at its best.
18 Sep 2012, 21:20 pm
@victoriabok-416: Michaelhouse.
Teichman.Skinstad.Mens Men.(Not in that context at all)
18 Sep 2012, 21:27 pm
@ryecatcher-437: Teichmann and Skinstad went to Hilton…
18 Sep 2012, 21:29 pm
@ryecatcher-437:
> Teichman.Skinstad
Both were in Hilton
18 Sep 2012, 21:35 pm
@Transformation-432: actually Pat Cilliers, a Bok, is also from Michaelhouse…
18 Sep 2012, 21:39 pm
@Honesty Box Seymour-438:
Of course they did.Sorry all
18 Sep 2012, 21:59 pm
@victoriabok-422:
Only in Capo’s dreams.
Michaelhouse is a great school but not great enough to be be blessed with my presence.
18 Sep 2012, 22:29 pm
@Honesty Box Seymour-440: oh yeah, his cameo at newlands…he’s their 2nd one…
18 Sep 2012, 22:31 pm
South Africa
Mitchell eyes bright SA future
Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:17
PrevNextIt might be time for me to go into a good structure and a reliable organisation
John Mitchell has hinted at a possible move to another leading South African union once his legal battle with the Lions is resolved.
The former All Black mentor has been embroiled in an employment dispute with the Johannesburg union for the past three months following an alleged player revolt against his pragmatic coaching style.
Mitchell said he was eager to continue his coaching career in South Africa and plans to remain proactive during his suspension.
“At this stage I’ve been in the game for 18 years, directly in coaching, so there’s the ability to go into the media … thinking about imparting knowledge in coaching the coaches throughout the country,” Mitchell told Ballz Visual Radio about his immediate plans.
Mitchell made it clear that his goal is to return to coaching full time. “I’ve been in two major development jobs [at the Western Force and the Lions] since the All Blacks so it might be time for me to go into a good structure and a reliable organisation going forward,” said Mitchell.
“Right now, obviously, I’m still suspended and going through a hearing but I’m in a very good legal position and I just need to trust the process and the truth will eventually come out.”
Mitchell, asked what advise he would give under-fire Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer – whose current 42 percent win ratio is the worst of any Springbok mentor since Carel du Plessis (37 percent) in 1997 – echoed the sentiments of former Springbok World Cup-winning coach Jake White that he should trust his structures.
“I think the advise by Jake is exceptional advise. You’ve got to stand by what you believe in and be convicted to that. Heyneke needs to be congratulated on that.
“In saying that, he needs to be thoughtful of his application to make adjustments. I think there’s exceptional talent in the country and while people may see it as a rebuilding phase and the team having a lack of experience, it still comes down to execution. If you look at the weekend, they certainly had a far greater attacking intent, but their execution needs to improve.”
Mitchell said he would overhaul the current backline and introduce a string of young, inventive players into the back division and employ a more expanse game plan.
“I, personally, would love to see a backline of … the development of [Francois] Hougaard’s pass, [Johan] Goosen, [Pat] Lambie, [Juan] De Jongh, JP Pietersen back, [Bryan] Habana and I think Jaco Taute and Francois Steyn could really have a crack for the fullback position,” said Mitchell.
“I think that side would have a far greater attacking intent, certainly have the ability to beat a player one-on-one. I’d like to see the outsides get a lot more ball and they can still maintain a good set-piece and a tactical kicking game, which has always been a great strength of the Boks,” he added
18 Sep 2012, 22:49 pm
@grant10-444: He has my vote!
18 Sep 2012, 23:09 pm
@grant10-444: I will vote for that backline.
18 Sep 2012, 23:35 pm
@grant10-444: Yes that could be a excellent backline.
So Mitch still wants to coach here, but in a good structure and a reliable organisation. Could only be Bulls, Stormers/Province or Sharks here in South Africa. Most definitely will not be Kings as they are still building. Doubt it is Cheetahs either. Can only be one of the big 3.
If he is talking about Boks backline, could it be with the Boks? Remember reading once Meyer saying he was good friedns with Mitch and Plum for that matter.
I am actually pleased he is still in South Africa. He is a fine coach. Have no idea what went on at the Lions with him and the players, but he sure as heck made them a great cc team last year. This year there were just too many players out injured and one can’t judge him on their Super Rugby performance because of that.
Where is Carlos? Hope he is still around. Meyer needs to give him a call.
18 Sep 2012, 23:38 pm
@Puma-447: typo – friends
19 Sep 2012, 01:47 am
How have Australia fared in Super 15 vis-a-vis SA?
In the two years since the conferences and S15 came into being they have produced one Super Rugby champion and one Super Rugby wooden-spooner. SA has produced no champion and one wooden-spooner.
19 Sep 2012, 09:33 am
@wnbb-417:
Jan Coetzee seems like a top guy.
Interesting observation he made referring to Danie Craven about the country coming first.
Effectively he said that once a player pulls on the national jersey, provincialism should be forgotten.
Forgotten to me is that message from the past for a lot of folk on these boards.
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