Old and new a sign of good times
4 Feb 2013
MARK KEOHANE, in his Business Day column, writes that veteran Juan Smith’s performance was a reminder of a good Bok past and Jan Serfontein’s qualities are about a good future. Both are an asset to our rugby.
There is no such thing as a pre-season friendly in South African rugby. What was a supposed first hit out for the Stormers could easily have been a Super Rugby match played at the most critical juncture of the season. It was full on.
It was unrelenting and both teams were playing to win. Both teams kicked for goal at vital times and neither bought into the 10-try feasts usually associated with warm-up matches. Tries were at a minimum and both sides tackled.
The quality of the math was remarkable given it was the first week of February. The Cheetahs won with an injury-time penalty but the biggest winner was surely the sight of Juan Smith back on a rugby field and as imposing as ever.
Smith is one of the great loose forwards of the last decade. He is also one of the least spoken and written about, but every South African supporter would have kept an eye on his comeback in Bloemfontein.
Schalk Burger’s return is a week or two away and if Smith and Burger can make it to July with knees, hands, feet and head intact the Bok pack will again be the envy of the rugby world.
Smith was darn good given he has been out for 18 months with an Achilles injury that threatened closure on his career. What a wonderful view to see him rampant and playing as fearlessly as is his norm.
In Smith South Africa has a legend but watch centre Jan Serfontein of the Bulls. He will play for the Boks before the year is over. He was the world U20 player in the Baby Boks tournament-winning effort in Cape Town last year and he has been nurtured into senior rugby without haste and with plenty conviction.
Some players simply make the transition from juniors to seniors and Serfontein is one of those. He is a also a beast, physically the most imposing centre in South Africa and one of the biggest in the game. He’s just 20 years old but it’s his skill and natural feel for the game that is even more impressive than his physical presence.
Not since Danie Gerber weaved destruction has a player looked as capable of doing as he pleases from broken player. If Bok coach Heyneke Meyer battled with some positions in 2012 it won’t be the case this season.
There is so much new talent in the South African game and there is also massive changes to what paraded as Super Rugby in New Zealand and Australia.
It is heartening to see how the Lions have embraced their year out of Super Rugby. Johann Ackermann is bringing through another generation of player and the Lions have been committed in everything they have done on the field this year.
The year regrouping could be the best thing that has ever happened.. The core of the Super Rugby team is on loan to other South African franchises and there’s a very promising group being played in the season’s first month of matches.
Rugby in South Africa is strong and globally it is healthy.
The sevens in New Zealand was the best tournament I’ve watched and Kenya were 10 seconds away from a miracle win. The Africans had beaten the Boks, beaten hosts New Zealand and were leading England 19-12 with 10 seconds to go. They turned over the ball, England scored and in the sudden death scored again to win the tournament.
But what a display from the Keyans who have benefited from the structure and intelligence of English coach Mike Friday. Kenya now play the game like they understand it and not just on natural feel. They understand defence, thrive on it and they were the most physical of teams at the tournament. A coach does make a difference.
The Boks have opted for more agility and players blessed with a step but not with size. There is no substitute for physicality in rugby. When the Bok Sevens have had more bulk than balanced runners they have been effective.
Paul Treu is currently trading on goodwill as coach as the Sevens has been in free fall for some time now. It can’t be a fait accompli that he is the best there is. Result don’t make a convincing argument.
Finally the Six Nations delivered on the promise with Wales diabolical against Ireland and England ruthless against Scotland.
The global game needs seven to 10 teams to be a factor in between World Cups and England and France most definitely are the equal of South Africa and Australia with New Zealand still out in front, but not by a lot.
The rugby season will run until December but the break over the last two months has been too long. Just like Juan Smith’s performance on Saturday it is full on from hereon in and be confident that South Africa’s Super Rugby challenge can deliver a winner this year.
1,605 Comments
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4 Feb 2013, 08:08 am
And dont forget Lionel Cronje….now that is a TALENT!
4 Feb 2013, 08:11 am
Welkom terug Juan… tyd sal leer. Ons hoop daai ou bene hou.
Respek.
4 Feb 2013, 08:12 am
The Keo Dragon curse will strike!!
1. Bok pack the envy of the world….phhhhhht!! when?
2. Jan Serfontein – buddy if I were you dont read Keo it will be the end of your career!!!
How does the Kenyans fit into a predominately Saffa rugby column????
4 Feb 2013, 08:13 am
Keo….you put Smith and Burger together in a loose trio and we back in the dark ages where Waugh, Smith and Mc Caw had us for breakfast…..
How are you going to accomodate them in a loose trio?
By playing Sckalk as an opensider….
all over rover…..
4 Feb 2013, 08:24 am
Let young Serfontein develop on his own terms.
Punting him for Bok colours after a pre season friendly is unrealistic and only places unnecessary pressure on him.
4 Feb 2013, 08:46 am
As a guppy I must say that Serfontein is the real deal – forget wannabees like Jordaan and Whitehead hell man even Frans Steyn is ordinary compared to the worlds best centre in the making.
4 Feb 2013, 08:49 am
Keo,
“There is so much new talent in the South African game and there is also massive changes to what paraded as Super Rugby in New Zealand and Australia.”
What is that supposed to mean?
As far as I am concerned, this new talent pool is a myth. We have heard about it for years, yet during the golden era it was the old boys of Matfield’s ilk that were the reason for the success.
As for dissing the New Zealand and Aussie conferences, can you please remind what team it was that disappointed the most at the business of last years comp.
Super Rugby is about winning the main event, which is why I have trouble reconciling your off hand dismissal of the game outside of SA with reality.
4 Feb 2013, 08:53 am
Juan and Schalk were our best combo for a while.
@grant10-4: As in they fetched us ?poached us? No they didn’t old man so shut the hell up . It wasn’t until Brussow arrived on the scene till we saw a blood hungry poacher .They were all good flanks that were competitive at the breakdown but nothing on the scale that Brussow was
4 Feb 2013, 08:56 am
@RL-6:
Lets wait and see after the S15. Sadie was also punted by Keo, and we al know how that worked out.
4 Feb 2013, 09:05 am
If the bulls outside backs can get enough ball they will ba a handfull with mapoe,engelbrecht,basson, visser, mastriet.
I think we will see young serfontein playing off the the bench st best.
Also some of the looseforwards on display.
Cooke? He looks as if might go places as well.
4 Feb 2013, 09:06 am
@Mr Black-9: You mean the S14 and the Kings
4 Feb 2013, 09:10 am
Ok. this article mentions three players.
Juan (6 times)
Jan (3 times)
Schalk (2 times)
4 Feb 2013, 09:14 am
“The quality of the math was remarkable given it was the first week of February”
true, no free kicks from lineouts.
“Not since Danie Gerber weaved destruction has a player looked as capable of doing as he pleases from broken player”
uhm.
4 Feb 2013, 09:15 am
I didn,t see anything amazing from lionel cronje?
Pollard flattening hollenbach on the crashball after only being on the field for a minute was impressive but there was little else to guage in his short time on the field.
4 Feb 2013, 09:16 am
It’s important for the Stormers to not get complacent. They are unlikely to lose against Boland so this is hopefully a good wake up call for them.
4 Feb 2013, 09:17 am
@RL-6:
” As a guppy I must say”
are you a bloody guppy now?
4 Feb 2013, 09:18 am
@Mr Black-9: let’s wait for the start of the competiton my guppy brother. Can’t wait to see who will partner a fit and lean Steyn in midfield. It could be JPP, Jordaan or Whitehead – your view?
4 Feb 2013, 09:18 am
@Staal-2: sekondeer.
4 Feb 2013, 09:21 am
Of some concern was the fact that i cant remember seeing one ball stolen at the breakdown?
Is that a fair contest?
The refs were enforcing the tackle release and roll away very strictly to the extentarriving players wouldnt even have a go.
4 Feb 2013, 09:21 am
simon borchadt – if you still check keo – add jan serfontein to your list of bankable frontpage posterbous for SA Rugby Mag.
4 Feb 2013, 09:24 am
RL is a sellout
4 Feb 2013, 09:25 am
Brads
wouldn’t worry too much about keo dissing Aus and NZ. he is known as the master of ruining a teams chances by tipping them
remember, thi is the bloke who tweeted after 2009 that “NZ rugby is k@k”
since these prophetic words, the Bok have won 1 game out of 8 against our k@k rugby.
as for the incredible depth in SA rugby, one wonders to the legetimacy of this statement especially when their union has to throw in a team to assist the other 4 teams
The circus just continues to get better year after year
doot doot oodle doodle oot doot do do
4 Feb 2013, 09:25 am
@shooter-12:
Why does Keo promote Burger and Smith’s return as a reason to celebrate.
Surely this huge talent pool he harps on about is awash with stars that can fill the boots of these yesterday hero’s.
4 Feb 2013, 09:25 am
Al sink Nuweland in die see bly ek WP.
4 Feb 2013, 09:25 am
Note to SA Rugby
Please don’t feature Serfontein or Juan on any of your covers soon.
Reserve the next six months for the entire Crusaders, AB’s , Wallabies, Chiefs, England and Sharks teams.
Thanking you in advance
4 Feb 2013, 09:27 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-14: What I liked about Pollard was that he slotted in seamlessly and looked very much at-home.
Hope he leapfrogs Fouche on to the bench.
4 Feb 2013, 09:27 am
@the curse-22:
I don’t worry, I am also not in any doubt Keo will remain silent.
4 Feb 2013, 09:27 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-19: Steggies stole a beaut.
4 Feb 2013, 09:31 am
@wpstormerbok-21: it is on brokeback – julle gaan kak.
@Transformation-16: several of my guppy mates invited me to spend the season in Debben.
4 Feb 2013, 09:31 am
To all you Keo bashers,
If cumulatively, you had half Keo’s rugby insight, then perhaps I would regard your drivel with some merit but ….. No !
4 Feb 2013, 09:33 am
@Brads-23: Actually, there are a few positives from what I can see. The talent is there, always was there. Its up to the coaches now.
and actually, Bok rugby is not the focus now.
We’ll know better after the S15, who the new talent is.
4 Feb 2013, 09:36 am
@Jappers-30: calm down Shane
4 Feb 2013, 09:36 am
26, we,ll see. Too often we see talented kids who are 20 year old supermen come to nothing. Fouche is a case in point, looks very talented in spells but drifts in and out of games. Hell, i imagine the bulls managment have not aligned to anyone yet as the other young Scoeman maywell also ba interested in making something of himself
4 Feb 2013, 09:36 am
@Jappers-30:
Wow, are you saying Keo gets his wrong predictions from skill, and we all get our ignorant forecasts right by luck?
Keo should change occupation. He should be front and centre in a betting agency tipping odds. What ever he predicts, the book goes the other way.
Win win
4 Feb 2013, 09:40 am
@wallabie.-3: whatsapp wallabie?
Better believe it. Heyneke’s pack is going to be brutal.
4 Feb 2013, 09:40 am
Cricket SA’s new President, Vice-President, Chairman & Board:
http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-02-04-csa-stranded-between-sascoc-and-the-wishes-of-mbalula-and-judge-nicholson/
One would think that after all their posts of a few weeks’ ago about this topic , E.T., Neilanate & wnbb would’ve had something further to add?
But just absinthe … … … makes the heart grow frothier
4 Feb 2013, 09:43 am
@Taahirah-26:
Amen.
Fouchebag is a donkey.
4 Feb 2013, 09:44 am
Predictions in rugby, as in all sports is a fickle gamble.
How many experts predicted Italy to win?
Keo’s punting of Wales is a long shot and not the best one ever, but for the majority he does get it right more often than not.
4 Feb 2013, 09:44 am
Also a shout out to janno vermaak who also looked sharp this past weekend.
4 Feb 2013, 09:45 am
@Jappers-30: Easy, keo does pull out some soundbites to generate hits.
4 Feb 2013, 09:45 am
@the curse-22: I was not dissing Aus and NZ. I said the NZ playing franchises have also undergone some huge player changes, with the Blues in particular fielding 18 new caps in their match v Reds.
I was celebrating the excitement of new talent in the tournament in SA, Aus and NZ. I obviously articulated it poorly.
4 Feb 2013, 09:46 am
@shooter-31:
I am not dissing SA rugby or the likely talent that is in the wings, I take issue with forecaster’s like keo who dump their views on blogs like this without an iota of support.
Dear Lord, the man is supposedly an award winning journalist, so I would expect him to have the where with all to maintain his standards.
Sure this is a blog and he is putting out his personal opinion, but how do you get it so wrong so often, unless you have lost it!
4 Feb 2013, 09:46 am
@Brads-23: Because the game is defined at Test level by the quality of a squad not a run on XV and if the duo remain injury free and reach the form of previous seasons they remain among the best in the world. Why would you not celebrate this?
4 Feb 2013, 09:47 am
@Angostura-36:
DM always a worthwhile read.
I wonder if Big Norm will start sending the players abusive texts again now that he is back in the mix.
And judging from his record CSA better employ a driver for him at all functions.
4 Feb 2013, 09:49 am
@Jappers-30: Thanks for the kind words but I don’t see it as bashing but as others simply expressing a view, some or however more informed than others.
There is no right and wrong but we all have a perspective and when they are all in the pot perhaps we are all a bit more informed a day later.
4 Feb 2013, 09:49 am
Congrats to Juan, good news to see him back.
Many times in 2012 we looked short of experience for the Boks and had he been fit he would have been Capt.
If it came to a choice I would take Juan over Shalk … we need to keep DV and Flo as first choice… Would love to see – Coenie, Biz, Guthro, Eben, Bekker, juan, dv and flo ..
4 Feb 2013, 09:50 am
@keo-43:
Was hoping for an in depth article on the Varsity cup.
Had to put in predictions that can only be considered as a very long shot, no clue about the teams or strengths.
4 Feb 2013, 09:54 am
@RL-17:
Steyn and Jordaan. Whitehead can be there for rotation purposes and injuries.
4 Feb 2013, 09:54 am
@keo-45: Indeed.
We do it coz we love you.
4 Feb 2013, 09:56 am
@grant10-4: That’s why the 3rd player in the back-trio shouldn’t be Spies. With Burger and Juan you have enough grunt and power, so rather go with a player like Vermeulen and Flo, who both showed ball stealing capabilities or even Brussow if he can find form this season.
If they can stay injury free these two MUST be in the Bok mix, even if only to show the young ones the benchmark.
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