A heart of green and gold
22 Jan 2013
John Plumtree remains adamant that for him when it comes to rugby, South Africa is No 1, writes MARK KEOHANE in Business Day Sport Monthly.
John Plumtree’s wife is South African. His son is South African. His team of choice, as a player and coach, the Sharks, is South African. Often, Plumtree is referenced as the Sharks’ New Zealand-born coach, but he sees it differently. When it comes to rugby he’s more South African than Kiwi. In fact, he’s more Shark than anything else.
Plumtree has aspirations to coach the Springboks, as is the case with any South African coach. He identifies with South African rugby more than any other and while there will always be a proud Kiwi in Plumtree, when it comes to rugby the identification is very South African.
The jersey Plumtree prides most is a Springbok Sevens jersey, earned in 1994 when representing South Africa at the Hong Kong Sevens.
‘I reckon I must have been the first Kiwi to wear the green and gold,’ he jokes. ‘It was a surreal moment in the change room; a very special moment. A very strong Springbok Sevens team went to Hong Kong in 1994. Andre Joubert, Henry Honiball and Joost van der Westhuizen were among the stars of that team and I felt proud to be considered good enough for the squad,’ says Plumtree.
‘I grew up a Kiwi kid with dreams of playing for the All Blacks against the Springboks and here I was wearing the Springbok jersey and I felt massive pride in playing for South Africa. They were New Zealand’s traditional foe and they were the team that commanded the most respect among the older folk.
‘The greatest challenge for an All Blacks player was to beat the Springboks in South Africa and I grew up with a sense of wonder and awe at the men in green and gold. They had a mystique for me. As a young rugby player I always wanted to play in South Africa; I got the chance in 1988 and ended up staying for nearly 10 years before returning to the Sharks to coach in 2006.’
South Africa is home to Plumtree and has been for some time. Professionally, his coaching may still take him to Europe or New Zealand, but in an ideal world home is Durban, South Africa and work is in South Africa.
‘The country has given me a family, a home and a wonderful lifestyle. It has given me opportunity. South Africa has been very good to me and I’d like to think I’ve embraced the country and given as much as I can to it. I’ve been in South Africa for the best part of 20 years and love being here,’ says Plumtree.
‘My coaching took me to Wales, where you could say I did my apprenticeship with Swansea as a young coach and furthered that with four years as Wellington coach in New Zealand. But for the rest it’s all been here in Durban, as a player and as a coach. I’ve never felt I had to choose between New Zealand and South Africa; if anything I consider myself fortunate to have experience of both because of the strong rugby connection. I have enormous respect for the rugby in New Zealand and an equal feeling for the game in this country.’
Plumtree has worked with some of New Zealand’s and South Africa’s best players and says the similarities make the rivalry so intense.
‘Both have an appetite for physicality and for playing a direct game. Both want to be the best in the world and have the work ethic that goes with it. If there was a difference I’d say there’s more pressure in South Africa at schoolboy level to win because of the rivalry between the major rugby playing schools, whereas in New Zealand there is a greater focus at schoolboy level on playing good rugby. The pressure here would be to win at all costs; there the pressure would be in the skills evolution of a player at schools level.
‘Professionally, though, there isn’t much to choose and that is why there seldom is much in matches at Super Rugby and Test levels. There has been the odd blowout from the Boks and from a South African and Kiwi Super Rugby side, but generally, as a Kiwi side, you have to play bloody well to win in this country, and the same is true of any South African team wanting to win in New Zealand.’
Plumtree played 80 matches for the Sharks between 1988 and 1997, having played 40 provincial games in New Zealand prior to that, which culminated in selection for All Blacks trials in 1989. His best rugby memories are playing for the Sharks and winning two Currie Cup medals and he takes pride in the achievement of winning the Currie Cup as a player and as a coach.
‘I was part of the 1996 squad as a player and in my first season as head coach in 2008 we won the cup again for the first time since 1996. To say I have won the Currie Cup as a player and a coach is a big thing for me because it also shows just how long I have been here and it is a competition that means a hell of a lot to me. I understand the history of the competition and I know what it meant to win it as a player at the Sharks. So I will never treat it as secondary.
‘There’s Super Rugby, which we want to win and there’s the Currie Cup, which we want to win. Both have equal status. One is the premier international tournament we play in and the other is the premier domestic competition. We had a chance to complete a rare double in 2012 in winning both and fell at the last hurdle. It hurts because we got so close to something really special, but the motivation has to be that it is possible to succeed in both tournaments and the group of players this year is more experienced, more mature and equipped to certainly be successful.’
The defeat in the Currie Cup final against Western Province rankles Plumtree more than the away defeat against the Chiefs in Super Rugby because it was a final he believed his team was good enough to win.
‘It is the one area we simply have to correct as a squad. When we are looking down the barrel we somehow find an escape and a way to win but when the hard work has been done and the expectation is there that we should win we have stumbled. Western Province played very well to win the final but home finals are occasions you have to make count. We had done all the hard work, benefited from consistency in getting a home semi-final and final and then to stumble … well you pick an adjective …’
Consistency is something Plumtree feels the Sharks have lacked in Super Rugby and to win the tournament he believes a team has to start well and end well.
‘The Crusaders and Bulls in their best years showed this consistency. They won enough to get the home semi and home final and while it is a huge advantage playing at home in the final it is also reward for a consistent season,’ says Plumtree. ‘I know we were up against it last year in having to travel to Australia, back to South Africa and then to Hamilton in New Zealand in 10 days but had we started the tournament better, it would have been another team doing the travelling to Durban.
‘It is the nature of the competition and it’s a competition I love being a part of. It tests everything about you as a player and as a coach. It tests the depth of your squad, the mental resolve and it also tests the ability of the coaching staff to manage the playing demands of the squad. I personally love the tournament and I enjoyed the expanded version in 2012.’
Plumtree favours the June break when internationals are played and says a tournament as long as Super Rugby needs a break.
‘I guess the key is not to have too many international players away on Test duty because we saw how a team like the Crusaders struggled post the June internationals. They were just hitting a peak before the All Blacks’ three Tests against the Irish and their players, who were superb at times against Ireland, just never hit the same heights in the remainder of the tournament.
‘The Sharks, by contrast, benefited from the break. We had a chance to reassess, get our injured players back on the park and we also had the benefit of a bye in the first week after the break. I found our players were refreshed and our Springboks gained a lot from that one-week bye. We went on a roll, so it works both ways. As a coaching team we learned a lot from last year, in terms of managing the squad and maximising game time for the entire squad.’
Plumtree, six days after the Sharks’ Super Rugby final defeat in Hamilton, started the Currie Cup campaign against Western Province in Cape Town, and he made 14 changes to the side beaten by the Chiefs.
‘The travel and playing demands forced those changes and we won in Cape Town, which shows you what is possible. I think having so many players away on international duty has allowed us to develop talent at Currie Cup level, which may not have been the case if all our players were available every weekend. It is why the Currie Cup for me will always have prestige, as a tournament, and as a showcase of the next generation of star players in South Africa.’
Plumtree has an expectation of his squad, but won’t differentiate between the need to win and develop quality players and improve the quality of those already in the system.
‘It can’t be one at the expense of the other. The nature of the sport is you have to win but you can develop and win at the same time if your identification is right. I have been so impressed with what Gary Kirsten has done with the Proteas. He has taken risks, always spoken of a bigger picture, be it an ODI World Cup, a T20 series or a Test series. You know what he wants to achieve and he hasn’t been afraid to introduce youngsters at the same time.
‘He has a clear plan, which has been well communicated, but he has also been very clear about the priority in results, which was to win the Test series in England and Australia … which they did. In the interim he has introduced a virtually new T20 side and made many adjustments to the ODI side. I think South African rugby, at national and provincial and regional levels, can learn a lot from what Gary has done with the Proteas cricket side.’
Plumtree, this season, wants a closer working relationship with the national coaches and with whoever can add to the success of the Sharks.
‘I don’t think we share enough in South Africa. I think we can learn from each other, at franchise level, and at national level and we definitely can learn from other codes,’ says Plumtree. ‘A lot of rugby people look to New Zealand but the system is completely different, especially the way in which the NZRU contracts the Super Rugby players and the working relationship that exists between the national coaches and the franchise coaches. You could only take from New Zealand if Saru was contracting the players. They aren’t.
‘There’s a lot right with rugby in South Africa and we have the luxury of so much natural talent. I’d say we need to invest more in the intellectual capital that there is on a coaching front in this country, encourage our players to have a go and take risks without fear of being dropped. We certainly also need to talk more, among ourselves in rugby and to those in other codes, to make South African rugby an entity that can consistently be as strong as New Zealand, and hopefully even stronger.’
– This article first appeared in Business Day Sport Monthly, which is distributed FREE with Business Day newspaper on the second Friday of each month.
720 Comments
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22 Jan 2013, 14:48 pm
@ufo-348: will always be a legend and command respect in NZ..
has earned it
22 Jan 2013, 14:48 pm
@Heavens Game-349:
Lambie is the Boks answer at 10,also a Natal boy.
22 Jan 2013, 14:49 pm
@NZINCHINA-333:
you say that as if i’ve ever lied to you, China
22 Jan 2013, 14:50 pm
@ufo-350: Very well, thanks bud.
At work, and keeping an eye on Cricinfo.
I am slightly concerned about our ODI team in general.
22 Jan 2013, 14:51 pm
@Heavens Game-337: Hey,you doooos !Can’t you read?Transie said that they were only there for their kicking!Ok.
22 Jan 2013, 14:51 pm
@Fern-352:
i dont think so fern, just my opinon
but i think he has a ceiling and its not going to be as a great
i think Goosen or Pollard will supplant him.
and dont kid yourself if you think Morne’s not going to make a comeback.
22 Jan 2013, 14:52 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-356: Morne is, most certainly, not going to make a comeback.
22 Jan 2013, 14:53 pm
@Fern-352: Yes. Up to Pat now.
Another thing…The only thing wrong with Plum is not that he was born a Kiwi – because he is now a converted and died in the wool Shark, which makes him more Saffa than most of these Keolings from the Kape – but that he was a Sader…
A Durban Sader…
Softcocks generally, but Plum may be the exception…
22 Jan 2013, 14:54 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-356:
Be fair and give Lambie as much chanches as morne had.
I agree with Willie,no comeback from him.
22 Jan 2013, 14:54 pm
@the curse-347:
like i said
judging by the manner of your wins… i noticed…
22 Jan 2013, 14:54 pm
@willievz-354:
cool… i have a tv in the distance…
year… as nz’s odi team does better that their test team… our odi team doesn’t seem to do as well… strange phenomenon and i haven’t got a clue as to why… but i don’t have the same confidence in the odi team as i do in the test team…
22 Jan 2013, 14:54 pm
Lambie – oi – nat sleutelborde
22 Jan 2013, 14:55 pm
@Heavens Game-358:
I agree on the Dbn Saders feckin strokers of note.
22 Jan 2013, 14:55 pm
@wnbb-355: WTF you know about rugger… Nothing… Less than Transie probably…
Now STFU and get the fck off this real rugby thread about a real rugby man…
Hear me, poodlepimper?
22 Jan 2013, 14:57 pm
@willievz-357:
That has to be great news for the Bokke, Goosen ran more at the Ab’s in 5 minutes of test football than Morne did in 5 years.
22 Jan 2013, 14:58 pm
@willievz-357:
i wouldn’t bet money on that, willie
@Fern-359:
agreed, let him have a good shot at it
but you must remember Morne started out winning more and only ended off losing more.
will we let Lambie start off with a losing streak in the hope he improves?
22 Jan 2013, 14:59 pm
@Transformation-334:
do you believe in womens rights and equality for all, Transie?
22 Jan 2013, 14:59 pm
lambie can’t even tie gooaen’s boots at 10.
22 Jan 2013, 15:00 pm
@Fern-352: better at 12 imo…
Bakkies, you mean the 20 wins in 21 games? that “manner of wins”? was the ref blind in all those games? like he was at soccer city when we didnt get a penalty until 60 mins and STILL outscored you guys 2 points to 1?
ok then, and hey, watch out for the tokoloshe, I hear he feeds on paranoia..
22 Jan 2013, 15:00 pm
@Britney Spies-362:
hehehe
hou op roer
22 Jan 2013, 15:01 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-366:
Morne is last weeks news,give Lambie a chance and play Reinach at 9.
Hougaardt is not a 9.
22 Jan 2013, 15:01 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-366:
Bakkies can you explain exactly why you’d want Morne back running the Bokke show?
22 Jan 2013, 15:01 pm
@NZINCHINA-365: Morne will be back, the goose lacks BMT
tis true
22 Jan 2013, 15:01 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-370:
Is ja is
22 Jan 2013, 15:02 pm
Maak al die Saaarks bokke
22 Jan 2013, 15:02 pm
i also reckon patrick is the answer for the boks at 10… sure he may need work on a few aspects of his game… which will happen now that he’s gonna be given the 10 jersey… and carlos has been mentoring him…
but he is stronger mentally than both elton and johan… imo… and i’d rather have a clear-headed quick-thinking 10 who may not be able to kick the ball 70 meters… but 50 will do nicely most times…
and johan has to show he can still get through a season without an injury… which hasn’t happened yet… i hope he does stay fit… the competition will be great between the three and that can only be good for bok rugby…
but think our rugby will be best served by patrick and elton… instead of relying on johan’s boot as we have on morne’s for the last few years…
22 Jan 2013, 15:03 pm
@Heavens Game-364: What you know about rugby is scary.Don’t even get me started on your prediction ability. !!
22 Jan 2013, 15:05 pm
@ufo-376:
We need a 10 who can run and have a cool head under pressure and that is Lambie.
Morne has had plenty of chances.
22 Jan 2013, 15:05 pm
@bakkies: yes & very much againt people being subjected to prejudice based on their religion, appearance or choice of clothing.
22 Jan 2013, 15:06 pm
@Fern-378:
yip…
22 Jan 2013, 15:06 pm
@the curse-373:
Lets hope he stays of the juice, to be fair as Bakkies said he was truly sorry and promised never to do it again.
22 Jan 2013, 15:07 pm
Ek dog dit is ‘n Plumtree thread die. Waar kom die Lambie vandaan?
22 Jan 2013, 15:07 pm
@the curse-369:
are you sure its 20 in 21, Bigcock?
you know the drill, Popps
dont play innocent
we’ve been through this already
@Fern-371:
hahaha
Reinach at 9..?..
come on Fern, that aint gonna happen
Lambie’s got his shot now, he needs to make it happen (simples)
its no different to Morne, Ruan or any other bok 10′s path into the position.
22 Jan 2013, 15:08 pm
@NZINCHINA-381: Im more worried he may borrow Chilli’s or Bjorns “nasal spray” to be honest..
Lambie is a TRUE 12, and should be playing there…
anywhere else he is wasted, could be another Aaron Mauger if given the chance..
22 Jan 2013, 15:08 pm
If you want distance just play Fransie Steyn at 15 and he can also clear from 10 when distance is needed plus he can drop from 15 from up to 60m out.
He just needs to lose weight and get fit.
He has BMT as he showed in his first RWC.
22 Jan 2013, 15:08 pm
Perhaps the answer is
Goosen 10
Lambie 12
Fransie 15
22 Jan 2013, 15:09 pm
Gollyfuckinggosh. We ain’t even started the foreplay that is pre-season and the guppies are already pulling off theircondomsafter o-r-g-a-s-m.?
Litteringfuckers.
This is going to be one helluva season……
Bambie’s sh y te gets real for starters……
22 Jan 2013, 15:11 pm
@willievz-386:
Can also work.
22 Jan 2013, 15:11 pm
@Fern-363: Yes…
And then you get Quins…
Big okes normally… Big bluff scruff
But you know that saying… “The harder they are…”
22 Jan 2013, 15:11 pm
@Britney Spies-382:
22 Jan 2013, 15:11 pm
@willievz-386:
it could…
22 Jan 2013, 15:11 pm
Goosen will be the Bok ten.Goosen is the ultimate ten in our game …if he can just stay clear of injuries.Lambie is,at best, a second-rated flyhalf for the Boks.He had a poor season last year.The Frenchie basically saved the Sharks bacon last year.Lambie was so poor in the super final.The Chiefs basically just kicked the ball to him,just as most teams did when Habana was in poor form.
22 Jan 2013, 15:12 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-387:
Bambie en Reinach is nou die ‘flavours of the blog’. Ai fokkietoggie
22 Jan 2013, 15:12 pm
@Britney Spies-382: Alle Sharks-artikels in die geskiedenis van Keo raak aan minstens een van die volgende tydens gesprekke:
-Lambie vs enige ander 10
-Durban vs Kaapstad
-Sharks vs WP
22 Jan 2013, 15:12 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-383: yep, ABs lost 1 game in 21..
7 wins at the WC 2011
3 Wins versus Ireland
6 Wins in 4 Nations
1 draw in third bledisloe versus Aus
3 wins and one loss EOYT
7 + 3 + 6 +3 = 19 wins
+ 1 draw equals 20 games WITHOUT a loss
England game was 21st game and FIRST loss
correct me please, because “apparently”. weve been through this???
22 Jan 2013, 15:13 pm
@NZINCHINA-372:
its not really about what i want, China
i’m just being realistic and pragmatic about the likely progression of events.
if Morne plays a blinder in super rugby and scores the most points only for Lambie to get the nod for the boks and they were to struggle, there would be motivation and pressure for the coach to look at picking him.
same for Goosen.
Morne will probably make either the home or away squads so will be in the frame and if neither Lambie, Goosen or Jantjes delivers and losses start piling up the coach will be in the same boat he was last time round.
22 Jan 2013, 15:13 pm
@the curse-384:
Yip for some reason the SAFFA’s think Steyn is a 12, he’s a 15 albeit a slowish 15 but with a great boot, Goose 10. Little Lamb 12 Steyn 15, anybody but Hougarrd at 9, this lineup could see them beating Aussie more than once every 3 years or so.
22 Jan 2013, 15:13 pm
@willievz-386: Nope… The answer is
10. Lambie (circa 2010)
12. Steyn
15. Dont know… Lots of maybes
22 Jan 2013, 15:13 pm
@Heavens Game-389:
i am only 1,75.
Really?
Rich coming from a coward who had to execute a king hit from behind on his opposite number:-)
22 Jan 2013, 15:14 pm
@Heavens Game-398: Andries Coetzee
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