John is too slow, Victor is past it, Ricky is rubbish, Morne is average, Meisiekind is anonymous and Kirchner is not of international class. These are the frank views Australian World Cup winning coach Bob Dwyer gave of the Springboks.
Peter Bills – IOL
John Smit is not up to standard, he’s too slow. And the Springbok captain no longer seems to have any real enthusiasm for the game.
As for Victor Matfield, he may well be past it.
Australian World Cup-winning coach Bob Dwyer last night produced a devastatingly frank assessment of Peter de Villiers’s ailing Springboks.
Dwyer’s view on Smit? “He is not up to standard. He’s too slow and doesn’t seem to have much enthusiasm for the game anymore. In the case of both Smit and Matfield, it is feasible that as team leaders they are struggling with their own games versus the team’s game. But I think Smit is past it and Matfield may well be past it.”
Dwyer offered a serious alternative to the long-established Victor Matfield/Bakkies Botha second-row partnership.
“I think the two best locks in South Africa right now are Danie Rossouw and Andries Bekker. They complement each other and are terrific competitors. But I’m not sure you can play Bekker and Pierre Spies in one team because they’re both wide runners and you might be short of guys in close to do the hard yards.”
Saturday evening at Brisbane’s Suncorp stadium represented a much improved Wallaby performance, in Dwyer’s view. It condemned the Boks to a third straight loss and virtually no chance of defending their Tri-Nations title.
“I have described the Wallabies’ performance as much improved and declared them on the right track,” said Dwyer.
“This is accurate but I don’t want to give cause for too much optimism – yet. Over the past two weeks, I have described the Springbok performances as poor, so a performance with any sort of quality should have produced a win against them, with their current squad and form. They have, after all, conceded about 100 points in the last three weeks.”
What then for the Boks?
“Their capitulation on last season’s end-of-year northern tour was nothing short of astonishing, and that same form has continued into this year’s internationals.
“Certainly, they are missing Fourie du Preez, Heinrich Brussouw and Jannie du Plessis, but their established players are just not producing.
“Dare I say it? Victor Matfield and John Smit look past it, and even the great Bryan Habana is having no impact on the game. Why is that, in Habana’s case? There were a number of parts to his game: he had a fantastic kick-chase game but the kicking is now not as accurate because all the kicking is now in the domain of Steyn, whereas before it was shared by Steyn and Du Preez. So the defence against the kicking can be much more focused and the kicking is subsequently not as accurate.
“Habana’s attacking game had two strings to it. One was at the end of a backline attack which, without Du Preez, and Jean de Villiers at centre, has lost most of its sting and there are now virtually no opportunities for him.
“His other attacking opportunities came either as first receiver or as pick and go when he injected himself in close. But the South Africans’ ball recycling has become so stilted that no opportunities exist.”
What of some of the other players in the Bok back line?
“Zane Kirchner is a good player but I have real doubts as to whether he’s a world-class player,” said Dwyer. “He doesn’t have any distinguishing features. He’s reasonable under the ball, reasonable on kick return, fair as an injection into the backline and on defence. But in no facets of the fullback game is he a world XV choice.”
Gio Aplon? “I like him; he’s a nuggety type of player prepared to have a go. But he’s yet to prove himself international class, even though he was outstanding in the Super 14.
Wynand Olivier? “I had to ask a colleague whether he actually played in the second Test against the All Blacks. That may explain Morne Steyn’s absence of form.
“I am most impressed with Steyn’s development as a flyhalf rather than just being a kicker but I haven’t been impressed at all with his international performances.
“But this may well be influenced by a less-than-great performance by the scrumhalf (Ricky Januarie) and inside centre (Olivier). It’d be pretty impressive to play well if you had duds inside and outside you. For me, Januarie isn’t up to it, whereas Ruan Pienaar is quality at both 9 and 10.”
What of Pienaar’s former Sharks colleague Frans Steyn, who is now playing in France?
“Frans Steyn is one of those guys that produces the occasional sublime moment. So I’d always pick him. He is a big strong kid, has pace too and can kick a goal from 60m to win you a game.”
He added: “I’ve just felt in recent times that the South Africans’ adherence to quality technique had really taken some forward steps.
“But in the last year their game seems to have fallen apart. They don’t seem to be doing anything, that seems the biggest problem.”
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July 27th, 2010 at 8:59 am
Agree with most of what he is saying and he is also convincing me of some other things I do/did not agree with.
Always liked Dwyer’s views on Ruggamatrix and his own website and rate him as a real “kenner” of rugby. I do think however he is a bit harsh on the likes of Steyn and Ricky – especially considering the bad ball they have been getting from the forwards.
As for Matfield – not past it just frustrated and dare I say tired!?
WO – agree with Dwyer & don’t rate him as an international centre.
Zane – agree but no one else if FS is not making himself available.
On Bekker and Spies in the same team – agree 100%!! Kanko may be the better option at 8 IMO not for Grunt but for his ability to step and make yards in traffic through midfield!
July 27th, 2010 at 9:02 am
Two things, one; we got through a bad patch and every man and his dog wants to put the boot in?! Two; Bob does know what he is talking about
July 27th, 2010 at 9:16 am
So from the S14 to the Tri-Nations Matfield went from best in the world to past it? Ag nee wat
Kirchener is solid maar ook maar net dit.
Meisiekind het ook nog niks gedoen om my te oortuig nie. Maar hy was goed in die S14.
July 27th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Reply to asteroth @ 9:02 am: Agree. The non SA press seem to be frothing at the mouth and putting the boot into the Boks with rabid enthusiasm.
(Boks did give them plenty of ammo though.)
July 27th, 2010 at 9:20 am
It is the same everywhere, when you are losing, you will be kicked while you are down, once you win, you are king.
July 27th, 2010 at 9:21 am
Just go back to this exact time in our archives in 2006…
You will be surprised at how similar all this is…
July 27th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Agree for the most part, not on Matfield, other than clearly being over-played his defensive stats have been pretty good (showing he still has the enthusiasm)… another tough one at lock as Bekker is out for the season, Bakkies banned, and Danie also been playing the entire season of S14…
Smittie should have stayed at prop (whether that be 1 or 3) and Snor has been reluctant to blood the other form hookers not injured (and he clearly downright doesn’t rate Ralepelle) so it has been a catch 22 at hooker…
JDV and Butch James are not playing rugby in RSA yet they are in the side… I blame the coach for not having Frans there… bit harsh on Crusty… but yes whilst he has been the form 15 during the S14 (other than Joe P) he really does not have the ‘x-factor’ needed at this level (not that many of the youngsters coming through do when one looks at the O’Connors, Dagg’s, Coopers etc)…
Always rankles when it comes from an OS coach… but Dwyer knows his stuff and he’s not far from being spot-on…
This brings me back the coaching ‘brains-trust’ they have no ‘analysts’ like Dwyer in the fray particularly now… why not?
July 27th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Reply to Morné @ 9:21 am:
or how we kicked last year when the Kiwis/Aussies were down
July 27th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 9:29 am:
hmmm – Smit at prop!? Weren’t you one that was giving divvie all sorts of hell for doing just that last season??
July 27th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 9:29 am:
Steyn is unavailable due to his own accord, or that of his club – Div has nothing to do with it or can do nothing about it.
Ask Boertjie about it, he has the detail
July 27th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Reply to Morné @ 9:35 am:
The way I see it he could have gone against his club if he wanted to and play 3N. Then he would have to stand down for 6 weeks in the Top14 in France.
Between a rock and a hard place. He decided to rest now…
Am I far off the mark?
July 27th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Reply to JT @ 9:36 am:
No pretty much spot on.
He opted for the security in the money he is getting over the Boks and frankly I see nothing wrong.
Especially given how reputations were damaged on this tour!
July 27th, 2010 at 9:44 am
As for Dwyer he makes some good points, but for my money if you are not part of the squad any ‘expert’ opinion is simply guesswork.
July 27th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Reply to JT @ 9:32 am:
Nope I was not in the slightest… to all the cries of how Smit wasn’t a TH… I was saying ‘who else’ and there still aren’t any I’d rate as world-class in RSA…
Whilst Gurthro was one of my favourite players in the S14… the Sharks front-row did start to come into it’s own with Smit at LH, Bismark and JDP…
Boks currently are short two hookers that are ferocious around the paddock particularly at the break-down…
Reply to Morné @ 9:21 am:
I prefer not to ‘pray’ that historical cycles repeat… and be pro-active…
July 27th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 9:57 am:
Bryce the fact remains that it is extremely difficult for a team to be on top for a number of years. Ross Tucker pointed this out and I see lots of evidence in teams from all over the world – slumps are almost unavoidable simply because rugby today still, does not put a lot of faith in the science that comes with pro-sport.
We will therefore always have these slumps.
July 27th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 9:57 am:
ok – I thought I was the only one here that has been saying that Smit is a prop.
When Bismark is back I think he will revert back to prop.
July 27th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Reply to Morné @ 10:02 am:
Yep and it’s how they ‘bounce back’… after the 49-0 drubbing they came directly back the next test in Sydney and lost by 2 pts in the dying minutes… I’ve seen no such improvement here… not too mention I was not all ‘doolally’ about last year’s wins…
I’m not holding thumbs nor my breath the current trio (and their lack of support staff) have what it takes to do just that…
July 27th, 2010 at 10:13 am
As an aside… is Joe Pietersen still injured?
Only seen a few CC games and I saw Goose-step was back…
July 27th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 10:13 am:
Joe is gone I believe – went to France.
July 27th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Reply to Morné @ 10:14 am:
In my books he just has the wood over Aplon/Kirchner as a more complete 15 that can play 10, wing, 15 and kick for posts…
Just read the Frannie bit above… so did you guys follow it up in the end?
Don’t remember seeing the result… (other than above)…
July 27th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 10:35 am:
Boertjie got some details on that which closed the issue.
It is all his club really, so he and Peter compromised – I think we will see Frans in a Bok shirt this year still.
July 27th, 2010 at 10:41 am
From comments by Bok layers and management it seems we have reached a level of denial last seen in Strauli’s era.
Remember John Smits book:
He said that for all Strauli has done he never bothered to formulate a proper gameplan, and that a team cannot win big games if your game plan is not up to standard?
And so here we are again – with some great players, unable to do fuckall.
July 27th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Reply to Morné @ 10:39 am:
EOYT
I still believe that FS should be the Bokke’s 1st choice 12! He is playing that position for his club and he is excelling in it! He has a leadership role in that position which he has grown into. His defense is better than I have ever seen it before and he organizes the defense well.
At 15 he has his moments but I believe he could be that missing link we need in the back-line at 12.
Who then at 15 – well torpedo is slowly getting back to full fitness
But I would go for Lambie or even Ruan!?
July 27th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Reply to JT @ 10:44 am:
Lol… ironically Lambie is now a 12 too…
July 27th, 2010 at 10:55 am
JT thats the way to go.
I’d have Frans at 12 and Ruan at 15. No sweat.
Let Hougaard deputise for FdP from now on.
De Jong at 13.
July 27th, 2010 at 10:55 am
I suspect for the home leg we will see 1 or 2 of the older players being rested and some new call-ups for the squad.
Is there any news on when some of the injured players are expected to return?
July 27th, 2010 at 10:56 am
cheack frans’ step in world cup final at 12! Plus penalty long distance, in final.
Hell we can do with this such attributes right now!
July 27th, 2010 at 10:57 am
I am not sold on Ruan at 15, I think he might be a defensive liability there. No facts, just a hunch
July 27th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Reply to Ollie @ 10:55 am:
Cannot see any new names being read – would have gone for Stegman, but he is injured.
July 27th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Reply to Brendon Shields @ 10:41 am:
game-plan? You think that what the AB’s and Aussies are doing is a game “plan”? It is a game philosphy with heads up rugby to take advantage of opportunities that arise.
Good looking when it works but mark my words here today: when faced with an organized defense that gameplan will fall flat on it’s face like it did last year. AB’s did nothing different to last year! Bokke just not executing their plan effectively.
Now what I would like to see from SA however is a bit more heads up rugby to take advantage of certain situations instead of strictly following a game plan. You can only do this when confident in what you are doing, and having the players in TDM positions (tactical decision making) that have the balls and the ability to do something. And unfortunately I don’t think Morne has the confidence to do this when not partnered by FdP. Butch on the other hand has the arrogance to do it regardless which may work sometimes and fail other times.
WO I do not believe has it in him either but Juan de Jongh has it because IMO he is still fearless. WO has been here before and maybe he is playing it conservative to keep his spot and the 12 jersey by not making mistakes and Ironicaly it looks like that is exactly what might cost him his jersey. Just my 2 cents on that…
July 27th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Bismark won’t be back, Strauss won’t be back till EOYT… would not surprise me to see JPP come into the mix… and would like to see GVDH on the EOYT…
July 27th, 2010 at 11:06 am
we agree JT.
Our game plan last year worked because it was executed.
This year its not. So do you select new players and tell them to execute the game plan properly, or do you realize that the players are not inspired by it he game plan itself and thus make some changes to it?
Players or game plan? Something has to give.
July 27th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 11:05 am:
No idea what will happen at lock… although Snor has kind of played his hand giving Hargreaves a 5min cap…
July 27th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Hey Brendon… are you the Shields ‘formerly known as NewBok’?
July 27th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Reply to Brendon Shields @ 10:57 am:
Matfield and Smit will probably be rested, Bekker is out, Bakkies is out.
PDV is practically forced to call in some new blood, it probably won’t be wholesale changes, but i think at least 2 new(ish) players to get a call and maybe 3 or 4 changes to the run on 15.
July 27th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Reply to Brendon Shields @ 11:06 am:
IMO it depends on your philosophy…
Do you select the best players and create a game-plan with them in mind or do you have a game-plan and select the players to execute that game-plan effectively.
Bok coach has the luxury of a broad band of players and can go with the 2nd option.
I on the other hand am dealt a hand with which I have to work and go with the 1st option. I try to bring the 2 option close together but no matter how good my game-plan is you still need the players to execute it. Thus I have to comprimise and play to the strength of my better players and work out a game-plan/tactic that I can utilize their talents the best.
It looks like PdV and co are stuck between these 2 options. They want to keep their core of (in their eyes) best players and yet force the game plan. FdP is an integral part of their game-plan and without him the game-plan has lost an important component and then it unravels. Plan B SHOULD be to change game-plan to suit what is available or take chances in selection to get the players (maybe 3rd choice) that can execute said game plan.
July 27th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Reply to JT @ 11:13 am:
IMO they don’t have the personnel to go with Plan B… not in the current form…
July 27th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Reply to Ollie @ 11:10 am:
Soccer city squad I would like to see:
1. Beast (give Gurthro a rest)
2. Chilli
3. CJ
4. PK Rossouw
5. Matfield (cap) – no other opion
6. Burger
7. Juan Smith
8. Kanko
9. Ruan
10. Butch
11. Basson
12. JdV
13. Juan de Jongh
14. JPP
15. Aplon
16. Gary Botha
17. BJ
18. Flip
19. Pottie
20. Louw
21. Ricky
22. Lambie
July 27th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Reply to JT @ 11:23 am:
With a game-plan to play heads up rugby! If the kick & chase is on – go for it, if there are gaps out wide get the ball through the hands (NO SKIP PASSING!!!)
July 27th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Reply to JT @ 11:23 am:
Not bad, but you’re taking a gamble up front and Matfield desperately needs a rest. Let Burger take the helm for one match
July 27th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Reply to Ollie @ 11:28 am:
who you going to replace Matfield with??
PS: he has 3 weeks to rest now
July 27th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Reply to Ollie @ 11:28 am:
Time for Chilli to show what he has got!
Maybe leave Smit in the 22 instead of Gary Botha!?
July 27th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Reply to JT @ 11:28 am:
Good question, but there must be somebody out there. Van Zyl, Hargreaves?
Honestly, I would rest Matfield for at least a full month, no CC, nada. Likewise with Smit
July 27th, 2010 at 11:35 am
Reply to Ollie @ 11:34 am:
Mabeta? Hargreaves? Which of these 2 are the better option? If similar then Mabeta should get the nod
July 27th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Started reading
Then saw
Peter Bills IOL
So my favorite refrain
Peter Bills
FUCKOFF you brainless alcoholic dolt… did you know other journos laugh at you behind your back when you pull out a notepad and pen at a presser and they all hand in their dictaphones
Dwyer
So you coached RWC winning Aussies
So what?
What did you do afterwards…. buggerall
Jake White also won RWC and so did Clive Whingeward… neither makes them gods of rugby or even knowledgeable commentators… the game has moved on…
July 27th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 9:29 am:
Snor has been reluctant to blood the other form hookers not injured (and he clearly downright doesn’t rate Ralepelle)
=========
Really? So why then does he keep
on selecting him?
AA?
Right now I think there are six
or more hookers better than Fatty.
And Matfield can be as good a
captain.
Give Fatty the glory of cap 100
and then send him packing.
July 27th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 12:48 pm:
funny how these words were exactly the same in 2006
This time however I tend to agree
July 27th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Reply to JT @ 12:52 pm:
I rate Chilli better than Fatty
July 27th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 11:09 am:
Hey Brendon… are you the Shields ‘formerly known as NewBok’?
which
========
Ja, he keeps on changing nicks,
talking the same
should be a clear give-away.
Also went by the nick of entropy
for a while.
July 27th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Reply to JT @ 12:52 pm:
Same here, plus another five
or so.
Strauss, Gary, Liebenberg,
even Craig Burden.
July 27th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Reply to Boertjie @ 12:48 pm:
Matfield’s been a great S14 captain… but I don’t rate him for the Boks…
Cannot think of anyone outside of the square (bit difficult when they’re always getting injured, carded or combo’s changed)…
The fact that Snor has not been including a VC every game is infuriating…
Juan Smith is a good option… Schalk has been good at WP… but I’d rather them just get on with their games…
Mossie is another…
Reply to Boertjie @ 12:53 pm:
Lol… I thought Entropy was someone else…
July 27th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Chilli can mos be captain? He’s done it before.
July 27th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Reply to manvanstaal @ 1:04 pm:
He is going to be! And I will be one that will back that decision – I also think the earlier it is doen the better! Especially with enough senior bokke still there to give him guidance. HOWEVER they need to buy into it
July 27th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Reply to JT @ 1:11 pm: As long as he’s the best I have no problem with it.
July 27th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Ralepelle… will never be the first choice hooker for the Boks… nor will he captain them… and that applies to any other Super rugby team including the Lions…
Why… he is simply not the best hooker for his union nor his country…
But then in RSA anything is possible for an uber-qouta…
July 27th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 1:17 pm:
disagree
July 27th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
And you only have to listen to Ralepelle speak to know he does not have the moxie… despite language barriers…
July 27th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 1:20 pm:
He is no Ashwel Willemse but he is ok, no!?
July 27th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Sauces have it that Patrice Motsepe intends to do a Roman Abromavich with the EP Kings (think Chelski). Huge financial injection to build a premier team. Chilli earmarked as potential captain.
Reckon better start ordering our jerseys. Goodness knows wearing an EP Kings supporters crown is far better than being painted blue, a cow ring through the nose and moerse horns stuck on your head
Chilli is so talented he’ll even coach the team ala his mentor John Smit
July 27th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
I know it’s only the CC ( ironically Ralepelle would still be third choice in this league)… one needs look no further than the immediate impact Adriaan Strauss made on his return against the Bulls…
Speed, power, scavenger of note, hands… as opposed to ‘average’…
July 27th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Reply to JT @ 11:35 am:
I’d go Willem Steenkamp before either… he is being groomed to replace Matfield… and has all his attributes (probably not the brain nor leadership abilities…
On loan to the Sharks he looked far superior to Hargreaves when he came on… and was the only real shining light in the Bulls pack this weekend against the Cheetahs… easily made twice or even three times more tackles than Mabeta…
July 27th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 1:40 pm:
forgot about him! he does look useful!
Hargreaves and Mabeta are a bit skinny for my liking!