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 … 12 13 14 15 16 [17] 18 19 20 21 22 … 33 » Show All

  • 801.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:13 pm

    @Transformation-791:

    Give my regards to Luke.

    ;)

  • 802.the curse: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:16 pm

    @Rockn Rolla-799: perhaps, but Ali fought other great punchers in Norton, Frasier and Foreman so it is a rather futile exercise to try and determine who would win out of the two… its very subjective..

    Tyson lost to Holyfield, who I dont believe was half the boxer Ali was, but again just my opinion..

  • 803.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:20 pm

    @the curse-794:

    But you are right I guess I coudnt giveafuck who wins….in my opinion boxing went out the window along with the Tyson, Hollyfield, Lewis era…..they were the tail end of the back ally east coast old leather fighting gym breed, now it just endorsements and the multi belt convoluted BS on ESPN

  • 804.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:21 pm

    @Rockn Rolla-799:

    We will never know Rocky.

    But when Tyson got in close, he would use his elbows as well as his gloves.

    He was, and still is, the most dispicable Athlete I can recall.

  • 805.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:25 pm

    @the curse-802:

    Although it would be unfair to lable Tyson within the perimeters of just a great puncher,
    He was part Animal as well…..with a pinch of techincality

  • 806.the curse: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:26 pm

    @Rockn Rolla-803: yep, I feel the same about it as you do..

  • 807.the curse: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:27 pm

    @Rockn Rolla-805: he was a rabid mongrel, a brawler who could box some :)

  • 808.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:29 pm

    @cane-804:

    “when Tyson got in close, he would use his elbows as well as his gloves”

    LOL well i guess im a Bok supporter so you can see the parallels……(wink)

  • 809.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:30 pm

    @Nikita-800: hey Nix…all is well here, no articles…

  • 810.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:31 pm

    @the curse-807:

    refer to comment 808 hahaha

  • 811.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:32 pm

    @cane-801: Caner from Lower Hutt. :razz:

    will do

  • 812.gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:36 pm

    Luke at the Wimpy?

    I PAY I ORDER!

  • 813.the curse: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:38 pm

    @Rockn Rolla-808: :lol: Matfield must have made a killing with his “armguard” franchise

  • 814.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:39 pm

    @nortierd-763: I Agree

  • 815.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:42 pm

    @Transformation-809:

    Why? ;)

  • 816.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:45 pm

    @gunther-812:

    Not “I order”…… more like “I DEMAND” in a cosatu accent

  • 817.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:46 pm

    @the curse-807: Tyson might have been a brawler but he still possessed good speed and a really good defence

  • 818.the curse: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:48 pm

    @Skeppie-817: dont disagree at all Skeppie.

  • 819.RL: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:51 pm

    @Nikita-815: did the wee dwarf man have a fight with the fat tank man?

  • 820.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:51 pm

    @the curse-818: He must have been the most intimidating heavyweight ever….I wonder why there is such a dearth of quality heavyweights these days?

  • 821.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:54 pm

    @Nikita-815: keo is at SACS & Tank….well Tank is Tank… :-)

  • 822.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:54 pm

    @gunther-812: FTW

  • 823.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:55 pm

    there’s “cosatu accent”?

    yho :shock:

  • 824.the curse: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:56 pm

    @Skeppie-820: definitely… not sure why, perhaps the corruption within the sport has been a contributing factor? perhaps “sports” such as cage fighting, MMA etc may be luring them from boxing..

  • 825.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:57 pm

    @the curse-824: Yeah I suppose MMA must be having an effect…I just cant imgaine there would be the same money in MMA as there is in boxing…may be wrong

  • 826.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 13:59 pm

    @Transformation-823:

    Have you never heard Vavi DEMAND something !!!!!

  • 827.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:02 pm

    @the curse-824: @Skeppie-825:

    You know what……at my gym the boxing ring is always empty and the MMA cage is overflowing with various training groups

    so i guess you both correct

  • 828.the curse: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:04 pm

    @Skeppie-825: we definitely need a new crop of heavyweight to come through… but Im not sure boxing will ever regain its glory days of the late 60s, early 70s..

  • 829.gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:05 pm

    @Rockn Rolla-816:

    Cosatu accent?

    :lol:

    Too much.

  • 830.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:08 pm

    @gunther-829: i’m thinking Tony Erenreich or better yet phlegmatic Patrick Craven

    :D

  • 831.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:09 pm

    @RL-819:

    I’m just an ordinary blogger RL. How would I know?

  • 832.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:09 pm

    @Rockn Rolla-826: :cry:

  • 833.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:11 pm

    @Nikita-831: liar, liar skinny jeans on fire!

    :D

  • 834.gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:12 pm

    @Transformation-830:

    I’d like to kick Tony E right in the phlegmatics.

    I wonder what he makes of the the government paying casual labour R60 a day? He has been very quiet

    Silly doos.

  • 835.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:14 pm

    @Transformation-833:

    You are funny today.

  • 836.gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:15 pm

    @Transformation-833:

    Sounds like you have the skinny on Nikita’s interweb activities.

    Spill the beans.

  • 837.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:19 pm

    @Transformation-832:

    All the “yellow emoticom faces” in this world couldnt save you from yourself

  • 838.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:24 pm

    @Nikita-831:

    There is nothing ORDINARY about you Niki.

  • 839.the curse: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:26 pm

    @cane-838: just needs to learn how to dress properly

  • 840.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:30 pm

    Poeps still on about Nix’s choice of nail polish :D

  • 841.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:30 pm

    @the curse-839: @cane-838:

    War of the Roses

  • 842.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:31 pm

    @Rockn Rolla-837: right :roll:

  • 843.the curse: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:35 pm

    @Transformation-840: nail polish? wtf do you mean? never ever commented on her nail polish..

    still hurting from yesterdays lesson?

  • 844.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:37 pm

    @Nikita-841:

    Richard the 3rd vs The Tudors.

  • 845.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:37 pm

    @the curse-843:

    Past your bedtime young lady. Brush your teeth and wash your face.

  • 846.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:38 pm

    @gunther-834: i’m convinced TopOfNativeYard scuppered one of your BBBEEE deals or he called you out in public on Maevis’ unpaid UIF :-)

  • 847.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:40 pm

    @the curse-843: :-) school is out poeps..

  • 848.the curse: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:40 pm

    @Nikita-845: thanks Nikita, make sure you wash the floors properly and then you can clean the drains..

    theres a good girl

  • 849.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:42 pm

    @cane-844:

    The evil monarch indeed. Rings a bell.

  • 850.Nikita: Reply to this comment
    5 Feb 2013, 14:43 pm

    @the curse-848:

    No gutter talk today Poeps

Pages: « 1 … 12 13 14 15 16 [17] 18 19 20 21 22 … 33 » Show All

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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