Old and new a sign of good times

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

Pages: « 1 … 10 11 12 13 14 [15] 16 17 18 19 20 … 33 » Show All

  • 701.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:18 am

    @playtheball-699: I just looked as well. It seems Scope Magazine has finally gone online.

  • 702.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:21 am

    @stormer in a teacup-701: The brandy and coke in the coat of arms is impressive too.

  • 703.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:23 am

    The white blubber is showing his lack of class with his stupid comments about how his 70 kg son will beat SBW. I wont be surprised if they carry him out on a stretcher on Friday night if he is going to take the fight so lightly.

  • 704.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:26 am

    @stormer in a teacup-701:

    You think the tits are real?

  • 705.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:30 am

    @Robzim-703:

    Its called trash talk and any good boxer does it.

    Rory Kocket would floor SBW imo.

  • 706.gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:30 am

    @stormer in a teacup-701:

    Oh Nikita.

  • 707.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:31 am

    @Dawn-704: Who cares if they are real?

  • 708.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:31 am

    @stormer in a teacup-697: :) :) :) :) @gunther-695: :) :) :) :)

    @playtheball-699: The Bulls biggest fan he is…..

    @Simon-700: Thank you for the info.

  • 709.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:33 am

    @Simon-700:

    Are you going to allow freedom of speech like keo does?

    In other words, a free for all?

  • 710.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:34 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-708:

    You will probably not be allowed to say anything on that site with all the swearing etc. :lol:

    Youfoulmouthstormerbluesfan

  • 711.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:35 am

    @Robzim-703: Folk laughed at me when I said the fatfuckwasfar2bigforhisgeriatricboots….

    Don’t be surprised to see Botha folded like a pretzel past it’s sell by date :) If SBW is still breathing after 3 rounds, the fattiesshytegetsreal…..fuckingfast :)

    (Another option I have given some thought to is: this fight has aready been fixed. Theoldfattie get’s a few million to fall flat….and SBW get’s to continue boxing….(he has said he will retire if he is beaten).. All this pre fight posturing by the oldfattie, is to make any SBW ‘win’ look legit?)

  • 712.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:36 am

    @Mr Black-710: Shitfuckpants. That would be tragic :( I guess I’m staying right here with the other filthymouthed sailors?

  • 713.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:36 am

    @Mr Black-705:

    Lennox Lewis never really did it, neither did the Klitsckoffs (spelling)

    It will be a case of an ageing, very experienced has been who never had a good punch but can frustrate an opponent with his “smothering” style up against an inexperienced but very well condition bloke who does have a very good right hand punch.

    So imo it can go to anyone….. If SBW catch Botha early with the big right it will be over- I doubt whether Botha will be able to knock SBW out with one punch but he might frustrate him and wear him down with “”wrestling techniques” and body punches (sort of slow poison)

    Botha is the favourite but SBW certainly has a chance imo.

  • 714.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:38 am

    @stormer in a teacup-702: :)

  • 715.Simon: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:39 am

    @Mr Black-709: Yes. But racism/homophobia etc won’t be tolerated.

  • 716.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:44 am

    @Robzim-713:

    Any boxing bout can go either way, especially with heavyweights, but on pure ability SBW doesnt stand a chance. Botha is a very accomplished boxer with a strong jaw. Its not gonna be a stand a deliver boxing match, botha will take it up close where his extra weight will wear sbw down to point that one good uppercut will do serious bodily harm to sbw.

    Hope i’m wrong and the 2 boxers beat the living daylights out of each other, but the fight might not last 3 rounds imo. Botha to take it.

  • 717.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:45 am

    @Simon-715: Awesome!

  • 718.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:47 am

    @nortierd-696: the web design needs to change slightly:

    1. The cue is the hore thread which in reality had morphed into a general chat room thread.
    2. One needs to retain the current web design/layout as at present (a chronology of rugby articles with a comments section).
    3. But just above the articles should be a permanent general chat room (no article) thread where anyone (any registered & logged on blogger) can post anything; this thread has to be continuous which necessitates that the latest comment should always be at the top, not the bottom, but one should be able to scroll back & be able, when posting, to reply to a specific prior general post in that GENERAL thread.
    4. This will work well – the general thread will carry the blog, & the specific articles will add spicy variety to the strong opinions du jour expressed in the primary (general) thread, written for free (noga!l) by the registered bloggers.

    {imo}

    Any thoughts?

  • 719.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:48 am

    @gunther-695:

    “You can’t buy that for a Dollar…”

  • 720.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:48 am

    @Mr Black-717: What are you guppies going to call us now? Brokebacks is on the banned list ;)

  • 721.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:48 am

    @Mr Black-705: the same Kockerott who got floored by a flattie from Adam Thomson? :roll:

  • 722.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:49 am

    @Simon-715: Will you be shutting keo down at some stage then?

  • 723.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:51 am

    @Transformation-721:

    Are you drunk? It happened the other way around.

  • 724.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:51 am

    @Simon-715: ahhh sorry for Capo

  • 725.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:53 am

    This is classic!

    http://www.voelmyhoring.com/wp-content/gallery/spotprente/sharks_victories.jpg

  • 726.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:53 am

    @Mr Black-716:

    Ja, look, i agree we will not see an exhibition of the “sweet science” between the 2 and Botha will try and slow SBW down. He might succeed if he does not walk into a right early in the fight and if he is fit enough to still breath after 4 rounds or so.

    Of the rugby players/cricketers turned “boxers’ Carlos Spencer looks the best. No wonder Corne Krige pulled out of the proposed fight, against Spencer- it was a rare moment of his brains ruling over his undeniable courage :)

  • 727.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:54 am

    @Transformation-721:

    Dont worry, we are used to it that you get everything wrong on this site.

    Yesterdays 400 post argument between you and poppa was a new low.

    Have to admire your persistence though.

  • 728.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:55 am

    @mrblack: lol yeah you’re right…it was the filthy guppy that struck! :lol:

  • 729.Predawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:56 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-720:

    Cape Crusaders is the closest to the truth…fair weather supporters that you are.

  • 730.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:56 am

    @Robzim-726:

    I havent seen carlos box. But you are not the first that say he can box.

    Worst must have been Flintoff, never seen such a usefull display of skills in a ring.

  • 731.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:57 am

    @Robzim-726: Back in the day Keppler Wessels was a very well respected amateur boxer. He won a few charity matches down under.

  • 732.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:57 am

    @Mr Black-730: Meant useless

  • 733.Predawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:59 am

    @Mr Black-716:

    Methinks Botha has a glass jaw…Money Bin Williams will be trying for a KO…..first round.

  • 734.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 10:59 am

    @mrblack: oh shampies, did you feel.left out? :cry:

    poor kid, nobody is here to hold your hand sonny :lol:

  • 735.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:01 am

    @stormersboy-731:

    Yes, I remember- the story goes that he once gave Rod McCurdy a moerse hiding after an argument at cricket practice (they both played for EP at the time)

  • 736.Predawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:02 am

    @stormersboy-731:

    Always wondered why his schnozz was so flat…prolly been broken a few times.

  • 737.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:04 am

    @stormersboy-725: Ohdear……

    @Predawn-729: One doesn’t get more ‘fair weather’ than supporters who only started supporting ‘their’ team in the 90′s……

  • 738.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:05 am

    @Robzim-726:

    “Of the rugby players/cricketers turned “boxers’ Carlos Spencer looks the best…”

    Then you never watched Anthony Mundine fight…

  • 739.Simon: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:05 am

    @stormersboy-722: No, keo.co.za continues under Keo himself.

  • 740.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:08 am

    @bryce_in_oz-738:

    Ja, ok, he is a different class…. i agree…. but was he really famous as a rugby player before he boxed or did he box at an earlier age as well? I am not that familiar with him , just know that he is a real top class boxer.

  • 741.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:10 am

    @stormersboy-725: hehe “Do you mean defeats ?” Where’s HG now to comment ?

  • 742.Predawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:13 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-737:

    Says you Cape Crusader..it’s the 21st Century and your cousins are more confused now than they were in the 80′s..

  • 743.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:13 am

    @bryce_in_oz-738: That’s SBW’s mate right. Also from the Nasser stable of sportsmen?
    He was known for his boxing though….? First and foremost?

  • 744.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:15 am

    @Robzim-740:

    Yeah he was top of the game in rugby league at the time…

    Recently lost (last week) in the fight of the year (I have seen so far)…

    Brilliant hand-speed, power, foot-work, pedigree (his father is a legend)… unfortunately an absolute douche-bag (which is such a pity as he could have been a great Aboriginal role model)…

    Still has a few more top level fights in him skills-wise… not sure mentally…

  • 745.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:16 am

    @bryce_in_oz-738: didn’t mundine get beaten recently? i know sbw was miffed about “crooked judges” last week.

  • 746.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:17 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-743:

    League first… then retired to start his pro boxing career… and yes the original Nasser convert (to Islam too)…

    Quade Cooper’s also on the card…

  • 747.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:17 am

    shot…

  • 748.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:18 am

    @Predawn-742: Who are my cousins old fella? Do you know them? Steven did struggle with map directions in the 80′s, but he’s fine now with the advent of GPS. And Nicole, although helluva confused about her hair colour back then, is now a committed blonde. (She
    lives in the UK now though…..)

    Fuckmeitstooeasytomakeyoulooklikeadumfuck. No challengeatall. Dismissedtouworthlesswolfpackofone. Tsek.

  • 749.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:19 am

    @Transformation-745:

    Oui… we all scored similar to the judges on the night at our table…

  • 750.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 11:22 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-748:

    Urgent announcement :

    We the National Association of Husbands and Boyfriends
    (NAHAB),wish to announce our annual 3 Day
    strike which will commence on 13 Feb and
    end on 16 Feb.

    Pls Note: Our cellphones will not be working during the strike and our
    relationship commitments shall commence on
    Feb 17.

    Viva NAHAB Viva!!!

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Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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