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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5 Feb 2013, 14:45 pm
@the curse-843: ” wtf do
you mean? never ever commented on her
nail polish”
what did you talk about Poeps, her earings,?
5 Feb 2013, 14:47 pm
@Nikita-850: bit of a contradiction there isbnt it? no gutter talk yet you call me poeps.
looks never amount to class, thanks for proving it..
5 Feb 2013, 14:48 pm
@the curse-852:
Endearment Poeps endearment. I’m glad you like my nail pollish.
5 Feb 2013, 14:49 pm
@Transformation-851: defintiely wasnt her nail polish Trans..
question is, why are you so worried about my thoughts on Nikitas lack of dress sense.
carrying a torch for her are we?
5 Feb 2013, 14:50 pm
@Nikita-853: ok scrubber… just a term of endearment, seeing as we are sharing pleasantries..
5 Feb 2013, 14:51 pm
@the curse-855:
I love you too.
5 Feb 2013, 14:54 pm
@Transformation-846:
Top of what?
Mavis opted out of UIF because she likes to double dip in her grants.
I threatened to report her but she said she would report my hydroponic boidiversity project in Atlantis to the Boere.
5 Feb 2013, 14:55 pm
Sheesus but Poeps is as sensitive as a goat’s foreskin.
5 Feb 2013, 14:57 pm
@gunther-858: you know how sensitive a goats foreskin is..
each to their own buddy, Ive always said you liked kids, guess I was 100% right huh?
5 Feb 2013, 15:02 pm
@the curse-859:
You are the most sensitive little soul here.
And the most abused.
Do you think there is a correlation?
Hmmm.
5 Feb 2013, 15:04 pm
@the curse-854: are you a stylist at night Poeps?
“worried”? not at all…it was strange the 1st time you went on about Nx’s”dress sense”, to bring it up again is just hilarious in my eyes…
give her makeover advice Poeps.
5 Feb 2013, 15:05 pm
@gunther-860: do you think it worries me? lol
you all seem to claim some moral high ground by “abusing” people in cyber space?
reality check bud, its actually quite pathetic..
but you cling to that if it helps you feel better about yourself..
seems you truly need the validation huh?
5 Feb 2013, 15:06 pm
@Transformation-861: why was it strange, I said I didnt like her earrings because they were too long..
but you make of it what you will, and insinuate what you like..
you seem good at that..
but hey, its great to see my opinion ALWAYS gets you guys worked up enough to have to mock and deride me..
that is worth every bit of it..
5 Feb 2013, 15:07 pm
@gunther-858:
@ ” Poeps is as sensitive as a goat’s
foreskin.” bwahahahahahahahahaha :dead:
5 Feb 2013, 15:09 pm
@Transformation-864: yawn..
the self named transformation now sucking up to the baas?
hahaha still under the jackboot trans huh? even though you try not to, it seems you like that submissive role
does Rossi make you wear the sissy clothes?
5 Feb 2013, 15:11 pm
The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it’s still on the list.
5 Feb 2013, 15:13 pm
@Nikita-866: Careful. Sticks and stones may break his bones
But whips and chains excite him…….
5 Feb 2013, 15:14 pm
@stormer in a teacup-754:
Clearly you don’t watch boxing!
It took only 10 professional fights before he challenged the legend Sven Ottke and went 10 rounds with him…
He bounced back to become World WBA champ yes WORLD WBA Champ and defended that title…
Danny Green a ‘bum’? Pull the other one pal he’s a mutliple world champion and Mundine made him look decidedly average in the loss… Danny recently won another world title…
And this recent bout was a ‘re-match’ against world IBF champion Beale who he had previously beaten…
Stick to talking rugby mate… you’re looking mighty foolish!
5 Feb 2013, 15:14 pm
@the curse-865: what “baas”?
is that why you left nz Poeps, to work for a “baas”?
ujwabi lwebhokhwe = goat’s foreskin in isiXhosa….
5 Feb 2013, 15:17 pm
@the curse-863: poor Poeps
” but you make of it what you will, and
insinuate what you like..
you seem good at that..”
you not “returning serve” today huh? content with being sanctimonious he he he
5 Feb 2013, 15:18 pm
@goodstuff-659: The All Blacks have been poaching those islands for years.
Only a matter of time before the Yanks followed suit.
5 Feb 2013, 15:20 pm
@Transformation-864: Turning into quite the leghumper I see?
5 Feb 2013, 15:20 pm
@stormersboy-867:
War does not determine who is right – only who is left.
5 Feb 2013, 15:21 pm
My heart says Botha.
My mind says SBW.
5 Feb 2013, 15:23 pm
@Transformation-869: Hey Transie, just ignore “it”.
“It” will eventually disappear.
5 Feb 2013, 15:24 pm
@S_K-872: leghumper? i was toying with Poeps before anyone here…
5 Feb 2013, 15:25 pm
@Nikita-873:
“In peace the sons bury their fathers, but in war the fathers bury their sons.”
5 Feb 2013, 15:26 pm
I for one hope that the Bulls rather let Handré Pollard, Jan Serfontein & Francois Venter play their rugby together at Vodacom Cup level, rather then wasting their time on the Bulls bench.
10 Handré Pollard
12 Jan Serfontein
13 Francois Venter
Pollard has only just left school. Use him if Morne Steyn goes down, because then he’ll see some game time at Super Rugby level. Otherwise just leave him to pick up some momentum at Vodacom Cup level.
Jan Serfontein would be used sparingly behind Springboks Wynand Olivier & JJ Engelbrecht, with non-capped Springbok Lionel Mapoe also available. Another that will be wasted off the bench. Rather let him pick up momentum towards the U20 World Cup, and later the Currie Cup (when Wynand Olivier will probably be heading off again).
Francois Venter plenty of talent. Wish he’d go somewhere like the Cheetahs rather where he could be used more for ball-in-hand ability rather then having to put his head down but as an outside centre, and alongside the 2 mentioned prior, I reckon he could definitely come good. At this stage one of the most under-utilized players in South Africa (Arno Botha also).
5 Feb 2013, 15:26 pm
@willievz-875: hahahahaha
ah Willie, you really are a laugh..
you maintain youre ignoring me yet you cant stop referring to me in your posts.
classic..
5 Feb 2013, 15:27 pm
it’s just banter willie i promise
5 Feb 2013, 15:29 pm
@Transformation-880: I hope so.
All this talk about foreskin makes me a little worried
5 Feb 2013, 15:29 pm
@Transformation-880: of course its banter, cant talk rugby because you guys just dont compete..
so it alleviates the feelings of inadequacy you guys have for being at best 2nd best, yet in reality probably about 4th best..
5 Feb 2013, 15:29 pm
@stormersboy-877:
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
5 Feb 2013, 15:31 pm
@the curse-862:
Poops you of all people should know by now there is no moral high ground on Keo.
But you are the first to have a miscarriage and throw your placenta all over the interweb when anyone plays a tune you don’t like.
5 Feb 2013, 15:31 pm
@the curse-882: actually, 5th best if you take it from 2010 onwards..
NZL – 35 wins 4 losses 1 draw (87.5%)
FRA – 22 wins 12 losses 1 draw (62.9%)
AUS – 27 wins 15 losses 1 draw (62.8%)
ENG – 22 wins 13 losses 2 draws (59.5%)
SAF – 20 wins 13 losses 2 draws (57.1%)
makes for sad reading huh?
5 Feb 2013, 15:33 pm
@willievz-881: look Poeps can’t deny that he had a dig at Nix’s earings & clothes, so i’m not accusing him or making up anything
5 Feb 2013, 15:33 pm
@Transformation-869:
He doesn’t realise that you are the Baas now.
Stuck in the past.
5 Feb 2013, 15:33 pm
@the curse-885:
Laugh at your problems, everybody else does.
5 Feb 2013, 15:34 pm
@Nikita-883: What’s new pussycat? Woah, Woah
What’s new pussycat? Woah, Woah
Pussycat, Pussycat
I’ve got flowers
And lots of hours
To spend with you.
So go and powder your cute little pussycat nose!
5 Feb 2013, 15:34 pm
@willievz-874:
What does your wallet say?
5 Feb 2013, 15:35 pm
@gunther-890: Botha
5 Feb 2013, 15:36 pm
@Nikita-888: wow, some saffas are laughing at me? oh no, woe is me…
I laugh at your rugby, your “justice” system and your arrogance..
its a lethal mix..
5 Feb 2013, 15:37 pm
@stormersboy-889:
I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not sure.
5 Feb 2013, 15:38 pm
@the curse-892:
My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am right.
5 Feb 2013, 15:40 pm
@Nikita-893: I haven’t had this much *** since I was a Boy Scout leader..
5 Feb 2013, 15:40 pm
@Nikita-893: Stop flirting and go write an article.
5 Feb 2013, 15:41 pm
hey i’m nobody’s baas & noone is the baas of me.
5 Feb 2013, 15:41 pm
@stormersboy-895: If the *** is what I think it is.
Well, then:
5 Feb 2013, 15:41 pm
@Transformation-886:
To be fair Nikita’s earrings aren’t the first thing you notice about her.
Maybe Poep is in the extreme makeover business.
5 Feb 2013, 15:42 pm
@Nikita-894: seems white line fever has you firmly in its grips..
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