Comments on: Rise up, Ruan

By: Big Hit

Big Hit — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 13:53:37 +0000

@mshiniwami-9: He's only had 14 starts at scrum-half and many in weakened Bok sides, I thought he was good in the last two RC games (v NZ & Oz). Aaron Smith is a front-foot player, he crumbles on the back-foot with no kicking game.

By: stormer in a teacup

stormer in a teacup — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:24:05 +0000

@hendrikp-5: Leave Greyling off that list. We are in the paddling pool by that stage.

By: mshiniwami

mshiniwami — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:51:48 +0000

Average player

Has never had an outstanding game at 9 in his 50 plus tests.in fact his best game in green gold was at 10 vs Eng in 2008

He is the scrum half version of Pierre Spies.

Many trying so hard to make his case for him through everything BUT on this pitch

Neil de Kock also dominated in Europe for many years.b,ah blah blah

Aaron Smith already a better 9 in 1 season and a handful of Test.i would take a fat Weepu ahead of unibrow

Average,best suited as a utility back

By: Brendope

Brendope — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:32:38 +0000

Fantastic player who has proved a lot of supposed kenners dead wrong this season. World class player with X factor and should be our no. 1 SH going forward.

I am still surprised at how genuinely ignorant some fans are. If you aren’t able to appreciate what Ruaan brings to the table, you’re one of them.

By: Jappers

Jappers — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 12:19:53 +0000

Average player not convinced until I see him snipe more.

By: bokfan1

bokfan1 — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 11:29:42 +0000

Stuig op Ruan!

By: hendrikp

hendrikp — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:51:57 +0000

Heyneke Meyer Depth Chart:

1 Beast Mtawarira – Gurthrö Steenkamp – Heinke van der Merwe – Dean Greyling
2 Bismarck du Plessis – Adriaan Strauss – Schalk Brits – Chiliboy Ralepelle – Tiaan Liebenberg – Craig Burden
3 Jannie du Plessis – Coenie Oosthuizen – Pat Cilliers – CJ van der Linde – Frans Malherbe – Werner Kruger
4 Eben Etzebeth – Flip van der Merwe – Bakkies Botha
5 Andries Bekker – Juandré Kruger – Franco van der Merwe – Marco Wentzel – Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Francois Louw – Marcell Coetzee – Heinrich Brüssow
7 Schalk Burger – Willem Alberts – Jacques Potgieter – Siya Kolisi
8 Duane Vermeulen – Pierre Spies – Ryan Kankowski – Arno Botha – Keegan Daniel
9 Fourie du Preez – Ruan Pienaar – Francois Hougaard – Jano Vermaak – Piet van Zyl
10 Johan Goosen – Morné Steyn – Patrick Lambie – Elton Jantjies
11 Bryan Habana – Lwazi Mvovo – Bjorn Basson – Raymond Rhule
12 Francois Steyn – Wynand Olivier – Francois Venter
13 Jaque Fourie – Jean de Villiers – Juan de Jongh – Lionel Mapoe – JJ Engelbrecht
14 JP Pietersen
15 Jaco Taute – Zane Kirchner – Gio Aplon – Joe Pietersen

By: race of tan

race of tan — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:48:24 +0000

puff – Agree. I have always liked RP, Eddie Jones couldn’t praise him enuf, it is his time to shine and stake a permanent claim for the Bok 9 jersey!!!

By: goodstuff

goodstuff — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:41:46 +0000

Hope this is true, I have in the past doubted his dedication to the bok cause, maybe it was due to the shating around he recieved at the hands of SA coaches.

Hope he blows us away on Saturday.

We need to forget about both Fouries. We need a new generation of future world cup winners!

By: puff

puff — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:29:57 +0000

Good article, Ryan, and I agree.
Throughout Pienaar’s Bok tenure I have seen glimpses of the player he could be.
But I have not yet been convinced that he will ultimately become that player.
In many ways, his rugby journey can be likened to that of Percy Montgomery’s.
Montgomery was clearly viewed as talented from the outset, was capable of playing across the backline, but was prone to moments of inconsistency.
His return to the Springbok fold after his stint in Wales, the security Jake White gave him by backing him as the first-choice fullback and goal-kicker, plus the mature professionalism and dedication to his work and role in the team, saw Montgomery transform and shine.
Most people regarded Victor Matfield as the man of the match in the RWC 2007.
For me, it was Montgomery.
The English did their best to rattle him, but he remained unflappable.
Supporters were calm when Montgomery stepped up to kick for poles.
They knew he’d invariably convert.
Compare that to now when the Bok kicker steps up to the kicking tee.

By: wpallday

wpallday — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:09:07 +0000

Probably the most underrated Springbok we’ve had. Seems to be a sentiment among South African coaches and fans; locks and scrumhalves MUST be from the Bulls.

Dragons