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

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  • 201.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 12:51 pm

    @gunther-200: Dunno howthefuckhesgonnaexplainthat. They were quite simply crushed by the best team in the world.
    Nothing more, nothing less.

  • 202.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 12:53 pm

    @Mr Black-183: typical.guppy :roll:

  • 203.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:05 pm

    so the cricket is over?

    another absolute smashing by the proteas, these guys are looking unstoppable at the moment.

  • 204.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:06 pm

    @polaris-195: you are catching on quicker than the precursor :-) ’

  • 205.the curse: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:09 pm

    Trans – yawn

    when do the kings make their first super rugby “appearance”?

  • 206.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:15 pm

    here’s a great read (for cricket fans):

    http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/600880.html?addata=col_mod

  • 207.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:19 pm

    @the curse-205: about the same time as those hopeless blues i reckon :lol:

  • 208.the curse: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:21 pm

    those blues know how to win final appearances, unlike your sharks ranger

    is it 5 now that they’ve choked in? :D

  • 209.RL: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:21 pm

    @Transformation-202: I’m with mr black – how dare you single out the guppies in your reasoning when it would have been more appropriate to nail the real chockers, the brokebacks. Yes they were mored in the semis at home twice! And twice in the playoffs before that as well.

    Nc nc nc nc tranformer – up your game man. :smile:

  • 210.ufo: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:22 pm

    Gavin Rich – SuperSport
    Cape Town – Springbok centre Juan de Jongh is racing against time to be fit for the Stormers’ opening Super Rugby fixture against the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday, February 22.
    According to the Supersport.com website, De Jongh’s hamstring injury was the only real concern for the Stormers in their warm-up fixture against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this past weekend.

    The outside centre’s hamstring was to be assessed on Sunday with the results disclosed on Monday, but coach Allister Coetzee was hoping that the injury would necessitate a 14 day lay-off which would enable him to be available for the Bulls match. However, it seems likely it might be a bit longer, which means he could be in doubt for the derbies against the Bulls and the Sharks the following week.

  • 211.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:22 pm

    @The Rangerman-207: ‘Hopeless’? I’ll take your ‘hopeless’ and raise you a ‘refreshingly competitive’….

    No team with Henry involved in any way shape or form, can be called a ‘joke’…..

    (3 Weeks with the Argies, and they were running lines never seen before in SA….)

    Blues tight 5 – suspect for sure….but ‘hopeless’? Take the ‘pleasantly competitive’ odds I am offering you.

  • 212.RL: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:25 pm

    @The Rangerman-207: what’s up rangergirl – is the secret guppy greeting still blub blub .. blub blub.

  • 213.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:25 pm

    Juan Smith the best flanker of last decade

    loyal OVS man

    Jan Serfontein comparison to Gerber????????

    big call

  • 214.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:25 pm

    @the curse-208: @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-211: how sweet :lol:

    i only recall last season watching the blues fight the lions for last place and the sharks whallop the stormpies to get to the final :lol:

  • 215.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:27 pm

    @RL-212: :lol:

    whats up red pu ssy.

    i see you are a shark this year. well done and welcome.

    expect a brokeback backlash though :lol:

  • 216.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:28 pm

    ok, i must wek.

    you guys and gals enjoy.

    poops, you can go hump your hand.

  • 217.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:30 pm

    @The Rangerman-214: Funny, all I recall is the look on K-dogs face after flying 40 0000 air miles in dodgy flight socks, only to be abused by the Chiefs…..

    Guppies truly are the Mitt Romney’s (the fella HG think’s is seated at the right handofgod in the White House) of Super rugby…..

    1. Mormon ^fucking55555….

    2. Best and only runner ups…

    3. Huge runs at the end, with loads of momentum, only to crash and burn when it counts.

    Mormon ^5′s all round anyone?

  • 218.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:31 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-217: haha, this from a stormers fan?

    :lol:

    beyewdiiiiiful.

  • 219.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:32 pm

    what the hell is mormon fukkking?

    some kind of stormers weekend pasttime for when it rains on the mountain?

  • 220.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:33 pm

    Well done Protea’s.

    Our bowling attack at the moment is awesome and up their with the best in the history of the game.

    The Roberts, Garner, Holding and Marshall attack is still at the top of that list (imo)

  • 221.Britney Spies: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:34 pm

    Cheetahs 2013 Super Champions. Lag lekker jou drolle. Heel eerste hier gelees. Dit is geskryf.

    Enige drol wat die Sharks ondersteun omdat hulle span gepos is – is dom donners. :lol:

  • 222.RL: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:34 pm

    @The Rangerman-215: no worries my guppy mate – I have tough hide, Lions hide! It is going to be fun doing battle with the brokebacks this year – on and off the field. I’m going bury them alive in their own foolish words. :grin:

  • 223.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:41 pm

    @The Rangerman-218: CC 2012….

    @The Rangerman-219: Ask HG….

    @Britney Spies-221: The Cheetahs were brilliant at times on Saturday. Juan back in business is possibly the best news for all SA rugby fans full stop.

  • 224.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:42 pm

    Love it when the Lions switch alliance to the Sharks, similar to the Bulls supporters suddenly becoming Sharks when their side is out.
    You deserve each other.
    The Stormers are not interested in fair weather ” I’m a Shark for a day” supporters, so enjoy donning the black & white and by the same token, don’t uncork thqat champagne to soon. Your new team for a day will bring you the same joy as your own team who crashed and burned already.
    :-)

  • 225.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:43 pm

    @Britney Spies-221: Enige drol wat die Sharks ondersteun is ‘n dom donner full stop.

  • 226.the curse: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:44 pm

    and how did they go in that final ranger

    so many finals, so many final losses

  • 227.Britney Spies: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:45 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-225:

    @#%$ spot on Doggy. You must be so desperate.

  • 228.Britney Spies: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:46 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-223:

    Ja hy is ‘n SA grote.

  • 229.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:46 pm

    @nortierd-224: There is only one SA team who has supporters as loyal and die hard as the Stormers….the Cheetahs.

    Guppies float like butterflies between the teams they ORIGINALLY supported (back in the day when Natal played social league rugby only and all ‘guppie=to=be’ fans had a CC team they supported at the time: Tvl, N-Tvl, WP, OFS etc etc) and their ‘own’ team, result dependent of course. ;)

  • 230.RL: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:47 pm

    @nortierd-224: :wink:

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-225: did you have to drag poops into this – he will not be happy with you.

  • 231.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:49 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-229:
    True, however, I can understand if the Cheetah supporters feel an affinity towards the Sharks seeing as it is basically their A team playing for them. :-)

  • 232.the curse: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:49 pm

    lets imagine for a moment Sanzar didn’t reward mediocrity by allowing the 6th and 5th best teams to qualify for the playoffs

    when was the last time the sharks made it? 2007?

  • 233.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:49 pm

    @Britney Spies-227: Ek het mos voorheen gese: toe die Guppie span in sy huidige form bekend gestel is, was daar maar MIN ware rugby ondersteuners in die land wat nog nie ‘n ‘ware span’ gehad het.
    Guppies het al die left overs gekry….die ‘kenner fans’ wat al weggejaag is deur N-Tvl, Tvl, WP, OVS ens.

    Odd bins specials in daardie kakbokse by Checkers ;)

  • 234.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:51 pm

    @RL-230: Pops is a Blues man. And from what I can gather, he doesn’t dislike any Saffa team bar the Bulls…

  • 235.Britney Spies: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:51 pm

    @Britney Spies-227:

    Ek moet liewers met die Afrikaans bly. Wat ek daar gese het weet min. :lol:

    Ruck ek hettie vir jou gese jy is desperate nie. Ek praat die Engels deliciously

  • 236.Britney Spies: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:52 pm

    @nortierd-231:

    Not a MOER.

  • 237.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:52 pm

    @the curse-232:
    Post of the year Pops.
    Thanks for that.
    Get ready for the backlash of the dynamite brigade though.

  • 238.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:52 pm

    @nortierd-231: Oh boy. Most Cheetah fellas I know, hate the guppies more than most…..purely because it’s a Cheetah ‘A’ team running out in the ‘Boom and White’.

    Guppies…..to the manor born.

  • 239.RL: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:53 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-234: drol = a little poops explain that. :razz:

  • 240.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:53 pm

    @Britney Spies-236:
    :-)
    Neem jou nie kwalik nie, so sal ek ook nie my siel verkoop nie.

  • 241.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:53 pm

    @the curse-232: :) :) :) :) :) :) Now you are bringing on the Boom…..

  • 242.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:53 pm

    My ‘base’ team for Fantasy Rugby… obviously changes during byes and in case of injuries.

    1 Ben Alexander
    2 Ged Robinson (c)
    3 Coenie Oosthuizen
    4 Eben Etzebeth
    5 Hugh Pyle
    6 Marcell Coetzee
    7 Liam Messam
    8 Luke Watson
    9 Francois Hougaard
    10 Johan Goosen
    11 Julian Savea
    12 Francois Steyn
    13 James O’Connor
    14 Digby Iaone
    15 Ben Smith

    Might have to look at Israel Folau though if he keeps scoring tries!

  • 243.Britney Spies: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:55 pm

    @the curse-232:

    Net so.

  • 244.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:55 pm

    @Britney Spies-235: Ek weet presies wat jy daar gese het. Enige mens wat die guppies support moet desperate wees….. :)

  • 245.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:56 pm

    the Guppys can’t be happy with the type of Brakpan Lions riffraff they seem to have attracted :-)

  • 246.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:57 pm

    @hendrikp-242:
    Won’t Watson cost you points if his team doesn’t win?
    He will be playing pretty much every minute and will be worth a couple of off loads, but do your players get points if their team wins or no points if they lose?

  • 247.Britney Spies: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:58 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-244:

    Ek is eintlik ‘n Griekwa – in Reivilo gebore. Olivier ‘backwards’. ;)

  • 248.the curse: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 13:58 pm

    @nortierd-237: :D

    “Get ready for the backlash of the dynamite brigade though.”

    you mean the brigade that got to hamilton and went p00f?

  • 249.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:00 pm

    @the curse-248:
    :-)
    Some dynamite have short fuses.

  • 250.RL: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:00 pm

    @Transformation-245: lol the Lion in question is a west rand Lion born and bred … and fyi Brakpan is Valke and Bulls territory – it is farken true!

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