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 2 3 4 5 [6] 7 8 9 10 11 … 33 » Show All

  • 251.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:03 pm

    @Transformation-245: As I said: to the manor born…..

    @Britney Spies-247: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Griquas.

    @the curse-248: Most guppie backlashes involve copious amounts of cheap mens cologne, gold plated jewellery and faux leather manbags at dawn…..

  • 252.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:03 pm

    @Transformation-245:
    To them it’s a feather in their cap, next months’ Shark magazine will be full of bragging about the new upper class supporters they have aquired.
    You know that on their annual gala when they put the dress code as formal it means you must wear shoes and teeth. :-)

  • 253.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:05 pm

    @RL-250:
    Brakpan is territory of whoever Brakpan decides to be territory of.
    Jy se nie vir hulle nie, hulle se vir jou. :-)

  • 254.the curse: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:06 pm

    @nortierd-249:

    like this you mean?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DG-pNt5fus

    :lol:

  • 255.the curse: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:09 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-251: that explains this then

    “FLORIDA – USA – Marine biologists have been baffled at the major increase in numbers of ghey sharks around the world’s oceans, and scientific data suggests that ghey sharks are just as dangerous as straight ones.”

    seems ranger hasnt been telling us the full story when he goes out “spear” fishing…

  • 256.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:11 pm

    @the curse-254:
    that about sums it up.
    :-)

  • 257.RL: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:11 pm

    @nortierd-253: now that is true – women in white track suits or wedding dresses if you like – little boys with mullets and beards – hardcore bullies all of them. Lions can go anywhere in Joburg with their red jerseys except for Brakpan and Springs.

  • 258.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:16 pm

    ‘There’s good news for the Sharks, with coach John Plumtree confirming that Bok eighthman Ryan Kankowski is expected back in Durban this week.

    Kankowski has been with the Toyota club in Japan for the last six months, but apparently wrapped up his commitments to them over the weekend and should be on his way back to the Sharks to join them for pre-season. This is according to a quote on the Sharksrugby website late last week.

    The news is less good for forgotten Sharks scrumhalf Conrad Hoffmann, whose horror run with injuries simply won’t let up. Hoffmann came to the Sharks (injured) in 2010 on a two-year deal and has spent the vast majority of that period in rehabilitation for some or other ailment. His contract, we understand, was not renewed at the end of last year and since he is currently, yet again, on the injury list, he’s apparently without a professional gig at all at the moment.

    Hoffmann is understood to be back in Cape Town, looking for a day job, raising the interesting question of who, exactly, the Sharks third-choice scrumhalf will be this season.’

  • 259.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:17 pm

    @nortierd-252: It’s not a ‘gala’, it’s the ‘Royal Agricultural Show’. (That show that keeps supporters away from dynamite stadium)

    @the curse-255: :) This is what the average guppie fan will be wearing this year of ourlord 2013

    http://www.google.co.za/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1024&bih=554&tbm=isch&tbnid=AlMfi6KESKj29M:&imgrefurl=http://barbaricpoetries.blogspot.com/2012_04_01_archive.html&docid=TVht5NVJt_BDBM&imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRJnA9xwS0w/T5200-qLKWI/AAAAAAAAAAc/1G5_RU5wAyg/s1600/bling.jpg&w=313&h=472&ei=PaYPUZSVJIiAhQf194CYCA&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:6,s:0,i:96&iact=rc&dur=922&sig=108288402377673691124&page=1&tbnh=187&tbnw=130&start=0&ndsp=10&tx=60&ty=76

  • 260.willievz: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:17 pm

    Please Keo

    A Burger (6) and Smith (7) combo has proven to be very ineffective against teams that are good on the carpet.

    No thanks.

  • 261.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:19 pm

    @nortierd-246:

    I play on Fox Sports where points are only awarded for what he gets through… so yeah Watson will be a very good purchase.

  • 262.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:20 pm

    @hendrikp-261:

    Al is hy ‘n doos.

  • 263.willievz: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:20 pm

    @CharlesM-103: Who gives a flying damn what Poppa thinks?

  • 264.the curse: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:21 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-259: :lol:

  • 265.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:23 pm

    @hendrikp-261:
    That does make sense then.
    Business is business

  • 266.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:23 pm

    @willievz-260:

    Still gladly have them both in the Bok setup – if they’re fit of course.

    ’09 when we had Brussow on the openside, Smith on the bench and Burger coming off the bench we were dominant.

  • 267.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:24 pm

    @Robzim-119: Hi Rob, yes v d Sluys was on the bench for WP at the end of the season. Johannes is quite quick around the park – not the biggest of players but gets through a lot of work. Lehmann is the captain and isn’t too bad himself

  • 268.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:26 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-259:
    :-)
    I’m worried about the ring bling though.
    Almost looks like it say Magic Juan.
    In that case it might be applicable to De Jongh or Smith.
    The green does go well with them, seeing that it is the color of envy

  • 269.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:27 pm

    @willievz-263: Well Willie if you read what we talked about: it was about the Blues – poppa is not convinced about their potential for the season with Ali Williams as captain. Be careful not to generalize !

  • 270.RL: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:27 pm

    @John Galt-258: the hoff is out of contract – guppies dumped him. Is that true or just spin by the Cape Media?

  • 271.willievz: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:28 pm

    @CharlesM-269: I know.

    Best to avoid Poppa at all costs, would be my advice!

  • 272.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:29 pm

    @nortierd-268: 2 Players they would love to have :)

    @CharlesM-267: vd Sluys was our U/21 captain last year wasn’t he? He didn’t end up playing much though, because he was drafted into the senior CC squad.

  • 273.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:34 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-272: He didn’t have a lot of game time but I didn’t realise that he was captain of the U/21 side

  • 274.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:36 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-272:

    Only played 3 games (Lions, Bulls & Leopards) before getting the call-up. Captaincy then went to Ricky Schroeder. Wonder what Schroeder is going to do now – doesn’t look like they see him breaking in ahead of the other 3 so he will have to make a name for himself in the Varsity & Vodacom Cups.

  • 275.grant10: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:38 pm

    @RL-270: Connradd Hoffman….

  • 276.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:39 pm

    @hendrikp-274:

    Whoops he played against the Eagles later in the season as well – Schroeder retained the captaincy however.

  • 277.Doughnut: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:40 pm

    @hendrikp-242: Dear me Watson at 8 ? Is there a reason why you cant select kiwi no8 K Read ?

  • 278.Britney Spies: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:41 pm

    Wat het van Joanne geword? Nou is die ‘eye candy’ nie meer nie.

  • 279.RL: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:42 pm

    @grant10-275: yes him. I would have kept him and dump the oupa McCleod – seems like he is indeed dumped by the guppies.

  • 280.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:43 pm

    @willievz-260: we don’t get to play against a lot of lesbians.

  • 281.gunther: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:43 pm

    @Britney Spies-278:

    Indeed.

    Now we have to stare at Tank’s tits instead.

    :lol:

  • 282.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:43 pm

    Hashim Amla now #1 ranked Test Batsman in the world

  • 283.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:45 pm

    @Doughnut-277:

    Because it’s fantasy rugby, and Kieran Read doesn’t put up the same sort of numbers in FANTASY rugby.

  • 284.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:45 pm

    @hendrikp-274: I like Schroeder…..most def plenty of scope for him to do something in the other tournies.

  • 285.Doughnut: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:45 pm

    @hendrikp-266: Taking up a younger players places .. only room for one “veteran” and i would take Juan .. if he can stay fit.

    You just know that Shalk will injure himself .. its just the way he plays and dare i say it he is no spring chicken .. !

    More concerning is our lack of incision in the backline and centres .. lets hope Frans comes in strong and gets our 13 (JdV?) away ..

  • 286.Britney Spies: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:46 pm

    @gunther-281:

    :lol:

  • 287.Britney Spies: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:47 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-284:

    Jy ken mos almal. Waar is Joanne?

  • 288.Doughnut: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:51 pm

    @hendrikp-283: Ok i did wonder .. if its fantasy maybe Britney would best .. he does live in a fantasy world of ponies and rainbows .. ;-) )

  • 289.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:52 pm

    @Britney Spies-287: Ek het hier gehoor dat Keo sy blog van HSM ‘re-claim’ het.
    Dit beteken dat hy nou ‘solo’ operate.

    HSM (met al die verslaggewers wat hier was) sal nou vir HSM skryf, op hul nuwe rugby site, wat nog nie gelaunch is?

    Ek is nie 100% seker wat die nuwe site se addie is ens. Maar ek dink Keo en Tank Lanning jol nou hul blogs saam, en al die ander het met HSM (SA Rugby Mag) gebly.

  • 290.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:52 pm

    @Doughnut-285:

    Injuries are just one of those things… you can’t predict them. And regardless Schalk is still a great player who will walk into the Bok squad.

  • 291.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:54 pm

    @RL-270:
    Feel sorry for him actually.

    Good player but was always injured. He’s been out for so long and now he’s injure again.

    Thats why the Sharks, or any other union for that matter, havent re signed him.

  • 292.Britney Spies: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:54 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-289:

    :shock: Dit is soos die dood. :lol:

  • 293.grant10: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:56 pm

    8 man…..vermeulen….kanko…….keegan….

    blind siders….W Alberts….J Smith….Schalk….Kolisi….deysel….

    Opensiders…..Brussow….Flo….Minnie…Steggies……

    Dont fark around with the mix HM…

  • 294.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 14:57 pm

    http://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/PakistaninSA/Ex-SA-legends-slam-Proteas-20130204

    Sad thing this……….

  • 295.polaris: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 15:00 pm

    @Transformation-204: “Appearance” must have something to do with “turning up”, I guess. :D

  • 296.the curse: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 15:03 pm

    one has to wonder how good this proteas team really is..

    the first SA side EVER to lose ANY type of series to NZ at home, and that with a very very ordinary NZ cricket side..

    cricket is in the same situation as rugby, where the standard worldwide isnt very good.

    :D

  • 297.the curse: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 15:04 pm

    @polaris-295: I see the avearge IQ in SA of 70 sits very comfortably on you..

    you do it proud..

  • 298.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 15:04 pm

    @the curse-296:

    Test side stupid.

  • 299.grant10: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 15:04 pm

    @the curse-296: Proteas are the most frustrating limited overs team to support…..

    But hell those boys can play Test Cricket…….

  • 300.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2013, 15:05 pm

    @the curse-297:

    As do you.

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