Going through the past fourteen years of SA rugby history, anybody will see that we went through some rough patches and at sometimes played brilliant rugby. I started analysing the stats and found one common denominator, no matter which type of gameplan was adopted. The team was consistently successful when the flyhalf was consistently successful. Why is a flyhalf so important and why does it seem that teams in South Africa struggles to field flyhalfs that are consistently good?
Before we can even try to answer those questions, we have to take a look at the stats over the last fourteen years.
Fifteen years since readmission
Since the first test the Springboks played after readmission, there were 15 different players chosen to wear the no 10 jersey. The number of tests played vary from 1 played by Brent Russell to 26 played by Henri Honiball. When we look at the ration of wins to tests started in flyhalf, it is not surprising that it is also Henri Honiball that comes out tops with 88%. What is astonishing is that Naas Botha was the least successful with 20% from the 5 tests he played.
Immediately it seems that this statistics means nothing. How can a great flyhalf mind like Naas Botha has been least successful for the Boks? The answer boils down to the way the game was played at that stage. Everybody was looking for the running type flyhalf and the traditional flyhalf play suffered. This is also the reason why the Boks suffered in those first years after re-admission.
We were lucky to find Joel Stransky at that stage when Naas retired, because Joel was a mix between the traditional type flyhalf and what was that stage considered to be the modern type of flyhalf. Looking at the stats Joel was also comes second to Henry in terms of success. Then came Henry Honiball. We had a running flyhalf that was taught to kick. He had a 88% success rate, which include the 17 test unbeaten run under Nick Mallett.
He had the abilities and he utilised it to the maximum. He was also afforded the freedom to play his natural game. He only started to falter once he was dictated by detailed gameplans. After Henri Honiball the outstanding flyhalfs seemed to have dried up, with Jaco van der Westhuizen and Andre Pretorius placed 4th and 6th respectively in the stats. They however have not played as many games, so their chances to better their positions are still there. Will they?
Before we get to answering the question, let me first give my take on the role of the flyhalf.
Role of a flyhalf
The flyhalf should the first receiver of the ball in the backline. The flyhalf is the one to decide where play is going to go and how. The options to his disposal are running, kicking or passing. By utilising these choices, he can determine exactly where his team will be playing the game. The choice he makes will determine the fate, will they defend or attack, of the team until the next phase of play is established. In short the flyhalf dictates the game. He is the pivot of the team; the Hitler of the rugby field.
The flyhalf will determine the depth from which the backline will execute their play. This is a very controversial issue. Some flyhalf believes that you play from deep if you want to kick and pass, but from a flat position if you want to run. I disagree with this kind of thinking very strongly, reasons being:
I therefore believe that a flyhalf should find a position from where he feels comfortable executing all three options, but to rather err on the flat side than deep. For obvious reasons it is wise to stand a bit deeper when trying to clear your tryline with a touch kick, but it is not always necessary; depending on the amount of pressure you can handle.
To fulfil this role the flyhalf needs certain skills and qualities of which some can’t be taught.
Skills and qualities of a flyhalf
The skills and qualities a flyhalf should have is the following:
A flyhalf with these qualities and allowed to play his game, will dictate any game he ever plays.
Surely most of our flyhalfs had most of these qualities and the ability to dictate, but still some of them struggled not only on international level, but we see flyhalfs at provincial level struggling. Even more interesting is the young and upcoming flyhalfs get selected in the provincial side for the first time, and absolutely blows everybody away with some excellent performances, only to fade away and lose “form”. As soon as this happens the flyhalf is labelled as a confidence player or he lacks creativity.
Creativity and confidence
There is only two reasons why a flyhalf would be perceived as having a lack of creativity:
There is no way that somebody will tell me that Derick Hougaardt or Gaffie du Toit has never had any creativity when they exploded on the senior rugby scene. The latter is the dominant reason why flyhalfs “lose” their creativity. Who will ever forget Harry Viljoen’s instruction to the Springboks not to kick and run everything. This takes away the most important option available to a flyhalf and there is no way he will be able to dictate the game without it. Can you imagine a coach telling Naas Botha, Grant Fox or Michael Lynagh to do something like that. They would have laughed in his face.
The creativity of a flyhalf is thus very closely linked to the freedom he is offered to play within the gameplan. This freedom also influences the confidence with which the player show. So many times have we heard a player being labelled a confidence player; brilliant when confident, poor when not. I absolutely dispise this statement.
Flyhalfs loose confidence when no confidence is placed in them, ie strict, to the book gameplans based on the oppositions attacking abilities instead of our teams’. It sometimes seems that the gameplans are in such detail that an ape would be able to follow it. We must remember that any person will start to question their own decision making abilities, if they are told what to do all the time. This is not only applicable in rugby, but all walks of life.
I am not against gameplans, but you need to offer the players chosen for their talents, a chance to display those talents. A gameplan should be a broad outline; a strategy and not a detail prescriptive instruction of how to play. Flyhalf is the one position that will be restricted the most by a gameplan that doesn’t allow him to play his natural game.
Why haven’t we found our Daniel Carter
We have found a few Daniel Carters, but they are not allowed to play their natural game. For some or other reason most coaches in South Africa, thinks that evaluating the attack of the opposition and countering it, is more important than letting the your pivot and his backline play their natural games, therefore giving your team the initiative on attack. These coaches are reactive and not proactive. Instead of attacking the opposition on their strong points, they tend to defend them. I need not remind any South African of the Currie Cup final of 2005. Rassie Erasmus attacked the Bulls strongest weapon and left it to the natural talent of his flyhalf and his backline to dictate the game. This is proactive and will always bear fruits.
Unfortunately Rassie Erasmus and Alan Solomons was the only provincial coaches thus far that I have witnessed taking this approach, since the game turned professional. The closest a Springbok coach came to this approach, was Nick Mallett. Since then this whole reactive mindset has gotten worst and worst with every coach and now we are at a point where we are a great defensive team, with no creativity to attack or dictate.
No amount of video analysis will give your flyhalfs the ability to be creative; only talent, skill and the specific qualities. They are on the field at that moment and they read the circumstances much better than the coach on the sideline. We have talented flyhalfs in the form of Andre Pretorius, Jaco van der Westhuizen and Derrick Hougaardt and youngsters coming through like Morne Steyn, Ismaheel Dollie, Jody Rose and Naas Olivier.
Taking all this into consideration, will Andre and Jaco be able to increase their scalps? Maybe they will add scalps, but their success rate won’t reach Honiball’s. The only way for any of these players to become truly great flyhalfs, is if their coaches start being proactive, believe in the flyhalfs’ decision making abilities and let the flyhalfs dictate on the field, not dictated too.
February 5th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Testing
February 6th, 2006 at 9:02 am
interesting points, and i agree with most, looking at honnibal, and his win percentage and what you said about a flyhalf that was taught to kick, is the same reason why i believe jean de villiers
will be an outstanding flyhalf.
pretoors should have been our carter, he has all the skills, the reasons for this is mostly what you eluded to in this piece
February 6th, 2006 at 9:26 am
I knew you would find something in there to validate your point on Jean de Villiers.
Still I am not sure if I will agree on that.
February 6th, 2006 at 9:31 am
jean has all the skills you mentioned, and is lightyears ahead of everyone when it comes to those skills looking at vision, depth perception, pace of the mark, distribution and dictating a game, the only thing he lacks, is kicking – but like honnibal, a naas botha can take him under his wing and spend 6 months with him teaching him the finer points.
i JDV is given the freedom you elude to at flyhalf, every record honnibal or any other flyhalf has in this country will be smashed.
forget only honnibal – SA’s most successful flyahlf, look at the most succesful flyhalf from Aus, larkhem, exactly the same attributes and by far the best attacking flyhalf of the modern game, JDV will be even better than him in my view.
February 6th, 2006 at 9:33 am
and of course i will use this article to substantiate my view on JDV – i’d be stupid not too!!!!!!!
you basically justified his inclusion in this position through your article, read it again and then tell me JDV is not the perfect guy for this position????
c’mon, i dare you!!!!
February 6th, 2006 at 9:34 am
Donner,
The scary thing is that if we follow your argument through to its logical conclusion, we see that we are in deep trouble come the World cup, unless we start changing the way the game is coached in SA.
February 6th, 2006 at 9:34 am
Ah Got your back up, didn’t I. LOL
When I started the article I disagreed completely, but at about draft no 106 I did realise what you are saying.
February 6th, 2006 at 9:36 am
PA,
Agreed. Then play Julies or Bosman at inside centre with Fourie or Joubert at outside centre. Still need a backup fullback though.
February 6th, 2006 at 9:36 am
Genl. Joubert
Scary indeed. The sad psrt of it is that we have lost so many years of Gaffie du Toit and the likes. I am again excited for Gaffie to be playing under Rassie. Rassie will probably the only coach now in SA that can get him to show what he is really made of.
February 6th, 2006 at 9:53 am
Genrul,
I think the coaches got this gameplan idea from the NFL, but went overboard with it. If you look at the way the NFL teams prepare, you will see that they do have plays set out, but it is still the quarterback that calls the moves according to his take on the game at that stage. The coach do have input, but it is limited while the game is going.
Our coaches wants to dominate the decision making on the field, with the captain to have some authority.
February 6th, 2006 at 10:01 am
no problem with your centers there genrul.
jantjes and roets is sufficient back up for the 15 jersey in my view, then we still have a young and exciting pietersen coming through.
February 6th, 2006 at 10:02 am
donner,
draft 106 hey?????
pretty soon i will change all your views !!!!!
it is plan d in my quest for world domination….
soon all will see the light!
February 6th, 2006 at 10:48 am
Donner,
Agree on Gaffie. The only problem is that I think that Rassie sees him as a fullback. Have to say that I would rather see him at flyhalf with Fortuin at fullback and Bosman at inside centre. I do not believ Willem de Waal is the long term answer in the S14.
February 6th, 2006 at 10:56 am
bliksem genrul.
you basically named the perfect backline rassie could choose imo. agree 100%
February 6th, 2006 at 10:56 am
with that talented youngster outside bosman or lowen for stability.
February 6th, 2006 at 10:59 am
Genrul,
Very true. I don’t think De Waal has got what it takes for S14. Cheetah supporters wil obviouly disagree with me, but at best he will be a up and down CC flyhalf.
February 6th, 2006 at 11:21 am
Donner, the scary thinh is I’m a Cheetah supporter and I don’t think de Waal is up to it.
PA, agree totally. I think start the game with Lowen (for his experience) and then bring on Hollenbach or Goodes later in the game.
On Gaffie, when he is good, he is bloody good. The problem is that when he has an off day, he is frikkin terrible. Still believe you should start him (to improve his confidence) and if he falls apart you can sub de Waal on.
February 26th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
I spent three weeks on this arti and only 17 comments. Damn I feel appreciated.
February 26th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
Make that 19.
What a GREAT arti!!!
April 19th, 2006 at 10:40 am
Wonder if Davids will find me?
April 19th, 2006 at 10:43 am
Maybe not, but I just did!
How are the Capetonians today?
April 19th, 2006 at 10:44 am
Great and you?
Back in the saddle again.
Thanks again for a great weekend.
April 19th, 2006 at 10:48 am
Ya, the saddle has got a few lumps in, but nothing that a few good whacks with a heavy hammer cannot solve!
Speak to you soon!
April 19th, 2006 at 10:55 am
What’re you hiding away from me Donner?
April 19th, 2006 at 10:58 am
Nah, seeing as you are talking behind my back I thought at least I move the focus to PissAnt’s favourite topic.
April 19th, 2006 at 11:01 am
We won the cricket btw.
Steyn took 5/57
April 19th, 2006 at 11:01 am
glad to see you are beginning to see the light
April 19th, 2006 at 11:04 am
I’m talking behind your back?
:question:
April 19th, 2006 at 11:05 am
Oh no PA
Just another accolyte tricked by your false prophecies
April 19th, 2006 at 11:23 am
Is this where it’s happening?
April 19th, 2006 at 11:24 am
Heehehehe
The province guys talking about the Chetahs now
Good arti Donner
Can anyone remember my June August 2005 wailings on Voldi’s site about Meyer Bosman to play 12 with Hollenbach
I agree, Rassie must play Gaffie at 10- MB 12 Cooke at 13 as he is maturing well in that Role
Will like to Hollenbach back un-injured
Tiaan Liebenberg is playing rather well
How do you guys rate him?
April 19th, 2006 at 11:30 am
I like Cooke a lot. Wish he’d come to Durbs!
April 19th, 2006 at 11:33 am
Knew you lot had to be somewhere on this blog!!!
April 19th, 2006 at 11:41 am
OO
Damned highly
Murph was going on about the same thing – Bosman being an inside centre and not a flyhalf
April 19th, 2006 at 11:58 am
Yeah – Liebenberg is a good guy.
April 19th, 2006 at 12:02 pm
Dig Cooke
Are you keeping him or is he going back to Kimberley?
Liebenberg is the mustard big time.
What’re you going to do with him and Leota?
April 19th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
What is going on here!!!???
April 19th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
Shit. Busted.
****************************************
Attention All Users:
There is nothing to see here. Go about your
regular day-to-day business
Thank you
****************************************
April 19th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Admin
Go and bother Kandas with something….
This is men’s business.
April 19th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Ja Admin,
Give Kandas a backrub or something, we don’t want you here.
April 19th, 2006 at 12:11 pm
BTW Admin
Yesterday was Husband Appreciation Day. Did you appreciate Kandas?
April 19th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Donner, did I miss something???
April 19th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
Tafelberg
Nothing.
Now go and sow a nice frock or cook or something womanly. The men are talking
April 19th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Sheez
It seems that Easter has tensioned someting instead of relaxing it
BTW since we are talking Rugger
RobD
I hope Cooke, Liebenberg & Frans Viljoen Joins Free State
But Frans will have his work cut out to get a first team place
Ronnie Cooke has re-joined Griquas from leopards because of his family in Kinberley.
Tiaan Liebenberg is a Cheetah youngster who left when Naka & Shimmy was here
Maybe he will be playing for Free State Come the domestiCCtiff 2006.
April 19th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
OO,
I agree with you on Bosman at 12.
If you look at the Boks the backline should look something like this.
9 Pienaar/Du Preez
10 Jaco/ Andre / Monty
11 Banana
12 Bosman
13 Joubert
14 De Villiers
15 Jacque Fourie
The back three will need to start playing there shortly to build the combination. They would be unstoppable come WC 2007
April 19th, 2006 at 1:25 pm
Hey – I don’t see Brad Barrit in your team, Donner!
April 19th, 2006 at 1:30 pm
Easy does it Robd.
He is on the bench.
April 19th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Donner Yes
I think Bosman has got someting- but he is too cumbersome at 10- A proper 10 will release him at flat speed when he reaches the point of tackle( not necessarily the gain line)
He can also be used like goodes- to mini- blitz opposition 10
His main weapon is a long pass to both sides- at 10 that will gets intercepted often
He will also be the perfect secondary flyhalve for your double attack-line- linking up with doubling up 10 and then jaques Fourie- jumping with great speed into the line- who will become the de-facto outside center of that attack move.
Both Habana and the left wing will still be on their feet if a line break occurs- shyte to hit fan at great speed…
I would like to see De Villiers then developing a kicking Game ( PissAnt must be relishing the idea :grin:)
Maybe Habana at 13 and Brent Russel At 11- substituting with Peterson- perhaps
Was it only me but I thought Willemse was looking rather Sharp & nifty saturday before the inevitable injury
April 19th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
Barrit is good RobD
I hope that he will be in the mix
The most important player in that backline of Donner- though is the Coach
I vote for Carel Du Plessis
Time for Jake to smokim-peacepipe- next to Van Hunks and his buddies
April 19th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
OO,
I would also swop Unpeeled Banana with Marius, but I just can’t think of dropping a “hatrick against NZ” Bok. Marius still has what it takes and playing him on wing is a waste.
If I was forced to do it, the backline from 11 would be
11 JdV
12 Bosman
13 Unpeeled Banana
14 Paulse
15 Fourie
Jsut for the WC 2007. After that we will need another 14.
You are so right with Carel as backline coach for WC 2007 and then taking over from Jake after WC 2007. That would ensure our success towards 2011.
April 19th, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Teams for WC 2007
A Team
1 CJ
2 Smit
3 Os
4 Bakkies
5 Vic
6 Schalk
7 Juan
8 Pedrie
9 Du Preez
10 Andre
11 Jean
12 Bosman
13 Habana
14 Paulse
15 Fourie
B Team
1 BJ Botha
2 Schalk Brits
3 Deon Carstens
4 Johann Muller
5 Skeate
6 Botes
7 Big Joe
8 AJ
9 Pienaar
10 Jaco
11 Pieters
12 Barrit
13 Joubert
14 Ndungane (Bulls)
15 JP Pieterson
April 19th, 2006 at 2:08 pm
I hated it with Willemse
He looked damned sharp against the Chiefs and against the Sharks before he went off with the inevitable injury.
I mean against the Chiefs it’s not every man who stands up to a Maori sidestep of Sitiveni Sivavatu and leaves the big AB lying on the ground in a daze wondering how come he’s there and the ball knocked on!!!!!
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT!!!!
April 19th, 2006 at 2:21 pm
Willemse will be ahead of Paulse if fit in my A team
April 19th, 2006 at 3:06 pm
#%K coming up