Captaincy concern for Boks?
October 8, 2012 in rugby, sport, springboks
WHO IS THE NEXT BOK CAPTAIN?
ANY SUGGESTIONS – Who is there to pick when Jean gets injured or steps down?
Adriaan Strauss
Andries Bekker
Francois Louw
Frans Steyn
Who do you think could do the job?
Go and read David Moseley says.
Replacing a talismanic leader like John Smit will be no easy task for Springbok management in the years (months, perhaps?) to come. Right now centre Jean de Villiers is doing a fine job with his losing speeches and applauding of the crowd for their fervent support. But the 31-year-old is unlikely to make another Rugby World Cup. Who, then, to lead the Boks into the future?
John Smit left some mighty captaincy boots to fill. Say what you like about his playing ability towards the end of his career, but there’s no denying that the man was the greatest Springbok captain of all time, a leader whose talents may only be fully appreciated as time goes by.
Jacques said on October 23, 2012
Based on my last comment, I have to say that Taute didnt impress me at all and it seems that size and some moments of brilliance is all it took HM to select Taute. I don’t always understand the reasoning behind some the selection of HM and co but as much as bitch and moan on this site and so many others, who are we kidding? Do we really think HM or someone on his staff will actually take the time to read these articles and make calculated decisions from this? I doubt it but at least we express our views and discuss what is best for SA rugby and not a certain franchise.
Play the player on merit, skills, attitude, accomplishment and pure glory but don’t pick someone because of their skin colour or because they from a certain union or because you don’t like the way they brush their hair or speak their mind in the cloakroom after the match etc. We have more players to choose from in various positions than alot of countries would dream to have but we do not manage them properly. We always choose guys to fill in someone else’s position when injured etc. To keep Chilliboy on as the 2nd hooker after Bismarck is an insult to guys like Burden, Strauss and Scarra who are all better. Same can be said for other positions and players, center pairing like Jean and Jaque Fourie was phenomenal but now what? Jean is getting to the end of his international career, Jaque is in Japan but at least we F Steyn. With the youngsters coming through, should we not give those guys some game time or wait till after their 21st birthday, get them to a certain weight, speed or ability before playing for the Boks? Food for thought, the sooner we bring youngsters to the plate to learn from the guys like Bismarck, Jean, F Steyn etc, the better for the whole country. Understudies have always worked to a certain degree as Bismarck was John Smit’s understudy but the only thing is, Bis was always the better player than Smit but at least they tried to accommodate by shifting Smit to the props for Bismarck. Hougie being the understudy for the legendary Fourie du Preez who made M Steyn look better than he actually was. Hougaard is not du Preez, he lacks the kicking strength and dynamics of du Preez but Hougaard has some serious talent, pace and vision which is exactly what you need around the fringes. We have other scrummies as well coming through the ranks and not be biased, Reinach and McCleod have impressed all year. Jano Vermaak is another great choice.
The combination of Hougaard/Reinach and Lambie/Jantjies at 9/10 will be the deciding factor come end of year tour. In my humble opinion, I feel more comfortable with Lambie at 10 than Jantjies or Steyn. I would seriously put Lambie in at 10 and I’m sure HM will stick to JdV and F Steyn at centers but should he choose to go for youngsters, I would bring Jordaan in the mix with Taute moving to 15 where I think he is a much better player than 13. Remember, Jantjies will be in the bench and should anything happen to Taute, Lambie can always move there to make space for Jantjies at 10 but we also have F Steyn, Pienaar, JP Pieterson who can all cover very well at 15.
Just throwing ideas out there, especially seeing we meant to be building a young team to be unbeatable in WC2015 or am I mistaken?
Jacques said on October 23, 2012
Based on what Smit did for the Sharks and the Boks, he definitely does leave a huge gap. In my mind, Bismarck would be my first choice as he is mammoth of a human being and doesnt back down for anything but more importantly, he is HIGHLY respected by his own players as well teams and fans worldwide. His injury this year has left a massive hole and in my opinion, Strauss did play well considering the shoes he had to fill but is he truly 2nd best? But of bigger concern to me is why T Liebenberg is the 3rd choice! Really? Is this oke truly the 3rd best hooker in SA rugby? Thats kind of sad. He did ok for WP/Stormers but I dont know about playing for the Boks though. I think if Burden got given more game time he actually might become the closest to a Bismarck. He has strength, pace, good in the scrum, steals occasionally but sure as hell better than Liebenberg hands-down. Just a thought and dont forget Scarra, far better than Chilliboy ever was except maybe a game or 2 where Chilliboy didnt just surprise us but himself as well.
Another thing, if HM is so concerned with size, Goosen isnt that much bigger than Lambie at all. They weigh the same but Goosen is 7cm taller. Does that really make a difference at no10 or no15? I have seen Lambie take on the biggest guys one-on-one and has come out on top more often than not. Why not make Lambie a specialist position on the field and honestly, I am torn between 10 or 15 for Lambie as he so talented that given the right coaching and enough game time, he could become a serious factor for SA in time to come … At least we have better choices at flyhalf than fullback as we have Jantjies and Goosen to step up but at 15 we have Kirchner wasting valuable time on the field while Lambie is waiting on the bench. WTF is Boks management thinking? To have such talent like Lambie on the bench? Its almost like leaving Carter out of the All Blacks. Stupid!! Ludik has been awesome all year and he should be considered as well as using Taute as we actually have specialist centers in Whitehead and Jordaan who are already playing together for the Sharks so if and when HM wants to use the excuse of playing combinations, there is a prime example. Or at least bring the 2 in over time as almost no-one can replace F Steyn lets be honest. We actually have such talent around but I dont think they are being used in the right way or at the right time.
If HM wants to build to the WC2015, the end of year tour would be perfect to take the youngsters along. Jordaan or Whitehead combining with F Steyn in the centers, Lambie at 10, Hougaard/Reinach/Pienaar at 9, Ludik/Taute at 15 with JP and Habana on the wings. Doesnt that already sound exciting and a real prospect for the future?
markusaurilius said on October 9, 2012
I think it will be Bismarck. Don’t see anyone else stepping up. If I had a choice to make then I would want Keegan Daniel… but then where do you play him?
tight five said on October 8, 2012
John Smit was a great captain because he showed ability from his youth and was given the reigns by Jake White after the 2003 WC debacle. The situation is very different now, unless HM finds the courage to back a player with the X factor, ala Richie McCaw, ahead of WC 2015. No time for provincial parochialism, question is, who has the ability?
powa said on October 9, 2012
Leadership skills and teammate respect is not negotiable but I don’t see many of those from where I’m sitting
Darwinia said on October 8, 2012
The captain must make the starting line up every time so leaves us with only one choice: Eben Etzebeth.
punishr said on October 8, 2012
^^ Best comment!
Although Kirchner is also guarenteed to be in the team every game it seems….
GEN DE LA REY said on October 9, 2012
Haha, Eben deff first choice but captain. Maybe captain of the fight club or bar clear our team.
powa said on October 9, 2012
That’s definitely a thought. Young gun that can take the reigns for 4 to 5 years or more
Boesman92 said on October 8, 2012
If HM takes his eyes out of his ass he would select Keegan Daniel in the starting line up to give him some Bok experience, and then in a years time he’ll be the Bok captain, he’s doing a gr8 job at the Sharks and he wont let the Boks down captain and playing wise!
powa said on October 9, 2012
I could live with Daniel as Capt but then I would play him at 7
Boesman92 said on October 8, 2012
Spies did a poor job at the Bulls as captain, so to let him lead the boks won’t make sence, and he won’t get into the team soon! ” J “
powa said on October 9, 2012
True
provincefan said on October 8, 2012
Chilliboy and Spies (if he lifts Vermeluen) also comes into the mix.
The biggest problem is there arent any real senior players in the team putting their hands up
powa said on October 8, 2012
Chili was my prediction last year. My only reservation is that he won’t be first choice unless Bis goes overseas. Spies will return if HM has his way most probably.
GEN DE LA REY said on October 8, 2012
Of the list their Adrian Strauss is prob the most natural leader. But then if Bissie isn’t injured he is not 1st choice. And we do not want the whole captain vs best player debate over again.
I (like David) also like the idea of Flo. He is captain of his club and is a good enough fetcher these days to party with the big boys.
Thing is I also believe the captain of the Boks should atleast play there rugby in SA.
So the Stormers should try and lure him back after the current english season. Thus arriving in time for next year June tests.
powa said on October 8, 2012
Captain must play in SA definitely. Hope HM and co make the right decision.
punishr said on October 8, 2012
It would actually be best if the captain plays in Europe, simply because he won’t be played into the ground all season long, just saying
powa said on October 9, 2012
Truth there too