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, 20:37 pm
What happened ?
5 Feb 2013, 20:37 pm
@victoriabok-1029: I reckon he will open Pats eyes a bit… Not to mention some slight deprogramming from the Bok setup.
Either way, hopefully its all good… A specialist FH coach for Lambie – dont reckon hes had one his entire career.
Can only be good come to think of it…
5 Feb 2013, 20:38 pm
@CharlesM-1039:
you also have great knowledge of the game being an active coach…
your posts are always worth a read and add value whether about rugby or life in general…
5 Feb 2013, 20:38 pm
@Dawn-1031:
> Victoria humping Herr Gwathole
BTW speaking of humping, when last did you get some?
When last did a hardup drunk guy help you out?
5 Feb 2013, 20:40 pm
@CharlesM-1048:
Hy kom terug soos kakiebos in jou blombeddings, as jy weer sien is hy maar hier
5 Feb 2013, 20:40 pm
@victoriabok-1054: A boemelaar – there from the harbour ek se….
5 Feb 2013, 20:40 pm
@the curse-1046: Quelle surprise… Poops you talking to me?
Huzzit hanging you sheepshagging shitstirring knobba
5 Feb 2013, 20:42 pm
@Heavens Game-1044:
> Just poetry, poppers and PC
Sounds like a Jane Austin chick flick
5 Feb 2013, 20:42 pm
@victoriabok-1047: VB, you know, I reckon must be the only Sharks supporter not dilly about Reinach…
Still reckon McLeod got something good to offer…
Also Hoffman… his pass is the sweetest thing I ever did see (Other than Banshee of course)
5 Feb 2013, 20:43 pm
@Dusky-1056:
Hy’s krom maar hy “hit the spot”?
5 Feb 2013, 20:43 pm
it is good to see lambie getting the coaching and mentorship… and starting position to take his game to the next level…
as talented as goose and elton are… i rate lambie and would have him as my bok 10…
he’s got the consistently clear and cool thinking rugby brain the boks need…
and with carlos’ guidance… reckon he’s gonna surprise a lot of people…
imo or course…
5 Feb 2013, 20:45 pm
@Heavens Game-1059:
No he’s the real deal, just very young
Will be a much better scrummie than Hougie, not as talented a ball player but a very good scrumhalf who does the basics very well
5 Feb 2013, 20:47 pm
@Dusky-1050: Lol… You 100% right… But I like the old Camps Bay revolutionary… You know, despite the EMO, I reckon I have a similar outlook to this Game played in Heaven…
Other than Puke (Me and VB gonna get a fund going for the first Puke PK… Bonus for the perpetrator – you in?)
And of course his illogical anti Barny hormonal mindfck…
But yeah with Gwanty as editor it could be all rubber duckys, Pink feather Boas and emotions…
5 Feb 2013, 20:49 pm
@Heavens Game-1057: nah, Im telling you, not talking to… ok mamparra
me, stirrer? you must be mistaken, I fire the first friendly “tongue in cheek” salvo, but such is my reputation others fall over themselves to provide “corrective justice”..
and its summer here, so I try not to let them hang to much, you know, being around sheep and all it attracts flies…
so now you have two kiwis looking after your super team, wont be long until you become a Capesader surely? (vatso katvis my capesader chum)
5 Feb 2013, 20:49 pm
@victoriabok-1054: Twas plus 25 thou shots whilst on the Hore…
5 Feb 2013, 20:51 pm
@victoriabok-1062: Yes he is good… And no substitute for speed… will see this year though – 2nd season blues after breakout season last year, he’s got to get through first…
5 Feb 2013, 20:53 pm
@Heavens Game-1063:
Skop could write “Coaches Corner”, he thinks he knows more about rugby than anybody period
5 Feb 2013, 20:54 pm
serious question, did Serfontain play Super Rugby last year?
he seems to be the next “wunderkind” that is being hyped to no end, much like the goose who should not have been thrust into the poisoned chalice that is the Bokke 1st 5/8th position until he had a couple of years of super rugby under his belt..
5 Feb 2013, 20:55 pm
@Heavens Game-1059:
> his pass is the sweetest thing I ever did see (Other than Banshee of course)
Her pass?
Or her ball retention?
Is she better in the tight or loose phases?
5 Feb 2013, 20:55 pm
Oersond Gorgonzola.
Wtf?
Is this truly the name of the Griffons’ coach?
5 Feb 2013, 20:56 pm
@the curse-1064: Lol… Vatso Katvis yourself…
How many times I got to tell you – Plum more Shark than Sheepshagger now… In fact the moment he put on Black and White he became a Shark forever…
Plum now a true son of the Last Outpost… He is claimed.
His Fiefdom is Kings Park and hopefully his legacy will rival Ian Mac’s in time… Starting this year with a Double – Super Rugby and CC…
Its not impossible…
5 Feb 2013, 20:56 pm
@ufo-1053: Thanks for the kind words;@victoriabok-1055: Dit kan jy weer sê !
@Heavens Game-1059: It’s strange that reinach was picked above Mcleod at the end of the season. Mcleod will really have to perform to stake a claim.
It’s a real pity about Hoffman’s injuries ! Good player IMO
5 Feb 2013, 20:57 pm
@Dilligafrican-1070: Yes it is !!
5 Feb 2013, 20:57 pm
@victoriabok-1067: The Rugby Vegans column…?
5 Feb 2013, 20:57 pm
Anyhow guys I’m out for the night ! Any bets on a new article tomorrow morning sometime ??
5 Feb 2013, 20:58 pm
@the curse-1068: As far as I know he only played Vodacom Cup rugby
5 Feb 2013, 20:59 pm
@Heavens Game-1063:
> Me and VB gonna get a fund going for the first Puke PK
I saw a photo of Pukie and Comrade Daddy in the newspaper the other day, Pukie’s got quite a boep on him
So much for him and Transie gymming together
Dusky doesn’t want to contribute, he wants to administer the PK himself
5 Feb 2013, 20:59 pm
@victoriabok-1069: Great ball retention in the tight phases…
And them cuffs are never ever loose…
5 Feb 2013, 21:01 pm
@Heavens Game-1074:
And Dawn could write for the female rugby players
“How to get rid of a sweaty smelly Vay Jay”
5 Feb 2013, 21:01 pm
@CharlesM-1076: thanks Charles, hope you are well.. I see people talk about him becoming a bok before the year is out so will keep an eye out for him..
5 Feb 2013, 21:01 pm
@CharlesM-1076: BTW Serfontein was an excellent junior tennis player (I’m speaking about under 13 /14 – he was ranked in the top 4 in the country at the time). I saw him playing tennis – I also saw his dad Jan snr (Boelie) Serfontein at the time. He was a mean number 8 in the Eastern Province days of Danie Gerber
5 Feb 2013, 21:02 pm
@the curse-1068: Agree 100%… He does look talented though… Not sure whether 12 is his best position though… I reckon he could be an asset in time at 13… Lord knows SA needs a few of them too.
5 Feb 2013, 21:03 pm
@Heavens Game-1078:
Any knock-ons and has she spilled the ball in the tackle?
Good scrum technique?
Crouch, pause, touch engage?
5 Feb 2013, 21:03 pm
@the curse-1080: I’m just concerned that he bulks up too much and lose some pace. I guess the conditioning guys will monitor that
5 Feb 2013, 21:03 pm
@CharlesM-1072: Yeah, but Reinach had a few excellent games to stake a claim and McLeod was going through a dip and injury…
Reckon the competition could drive both on – especially McLeod…
5 Feb 2013, 21:04 pm
@victoriabok-1077: FarkLOL
5 Feb 2013, 21:04 pm
@CharlesM-1081:
> He was a mean number 8 in the Eastern Province days of Danie Gerber
All the EP players were mean an tough
Tobie Oosthuizen, Pote Human, Schalk Burger and probably the toughest dirtiest one of them all, Adri Geldenhuys
5 Feb 2013, 21:05 pm
@victoriabok-1079: Vay Jay…Vajazzle? Didnt know a bald eagle got smelly…
5 Feb 2013, 21:07 pm
@Heavens Game-1088:
Ask a female rugby player after a game, especially one of the heavy props
5 Feb 2013, 21:07 pm
@victoriabok-1083: Fark that… Its just engage… no pause…
Them English Roses stop for nothing… Wuthering farken heights
5 Feb 2013, 21:08 pm
@CharlesM-1081: I don’t know if anybody can recall Andrew Johnson – he was part of the EP loosies with Jan Boelie. During one match against WP, Andrew hit Gert Smal from behind – almost like Burger Geldenhuys on Andy Dalton. Gert told Andrew to watch out because he was going to get him at some stage where he least expects it. Every match against WP, Andrew was pis$ed scared that Gert would hit him…………..he never did though. One day after retirement they bumped into each other in the Cape Town Waterfront and Gert pretended to be ready to punch him but then just started laughing about the whole incident.
5 Feb 2013, 21:10 pm
obviously he may step up this year and force his way into the bokke side, but I’m not a fan of rushing players in on potential. let them cut their teeth for a year or two first in super rugby imho.
5 Feb 2013, 21:10 pm
@victoriabok-1087: I can’t recall the name of the Nothern Transvaler but there was one player that Adri had for “breakfast” every match they played. I’ll ask my brother in law who used to play with him for Despatch and occasionally for EP (mostly on the bench though). Adri hit him time and again !!
5 Feb 2013, 21:11 pm
Now I’m finally out ! Cheers all !
5 Feb 2013, 21:11 pm
@victoriabok-1087:
george rautenbach…
5 Feb 2013, 21:11 pm
@CharlesM-1091:
Good story…
A sight to behold were the 2 Blakeways playing on opposite sides… No least expecting it there whatsoever…
5 Feb 2013, 21:12 pm
cheers charles…
maybe we get a story tomorrow…!
5 Feb 2013, 21:13 pm
@victoriabok-1089: A prop with a Vajazzle…? WTF?
Actually no… can picture it… The Stormers ginger ninja – I reckon prime candidate…
5 Feb 2013, 21:13 pm
yep me too. heading to Canberra for the one dayer
HG black and white are NZ colours, you do know this.?
e Noho ra
5 Feb 2013, 21:14 pm
cheers popps… enjoy it…!
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