Prof. Tim Noakes in a letter to Regan Hoskins writes that the Springboks are headig for WC disaster becaue they are too old, tired and unfit.
Rudolph Lake and Stephen Nell, Rapport
Nokaes suggests that important steps must immdediately be taken if the Sprinboks wants to be at all competitive next year.
Noakes says the best thing will be to rest several top players, rather than using them to try and regain lost pride in the remaining TN tests. He suggests resting them for up to 8 weeks, and then subjecting them to a 4-8 week special fitness program.
In the run up to the WC next year they should only play in a few matches so as to be fit and fresh for the tournament.
Noakes’ advice in January was for them to play less en to concentrate on conditioning. They must then try to dominte the Super15 in 2011 and to win the TN at home and – like in 2007 – not to use the top players for the away leg of the TN.
“Jake White’s aim was to get the top-22 at the WC in the best condition of their lives. It worked.”
He says 13 of the 37 players should not have gone on the EOYT because they had by then used up their quota of matches.
“The number of those players that lost their form of had to go for operations is proof that the amount of rugby you play in a year or two determines your future.”
Noakes warns that Boks like Morné Steyn, Victor Matfield and Zane Kirchner is in a “danger zone” due to a heavy plying programme. Others in the danger zone are Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, Schalk Burger, Danie Rosouw and Jannie du Plessis.
However, he says players must be treated individually, because Juan Smith, JP Pietersen and Bismarck du Plessis can gain by playing. The majority of the players must have no further part in the Currie Cup or must be rested for the EOYT.
“These players need an unbroken rest period of 8 weeks and a conditioning period of at least 4 weeks.”
Noakes is of the opinion that key players will not last six games in a row in NewZealand because they will be to old.
Thats why the Boks can score long term if they give players like Duane Vermeulen, Dewald Potgieter, Gerhard van den Heever, Bjorn Basson, Alistair Hargreaves and Gary Botha exposure, while resting the senior Bok
August 9th, 2010 at 7:49 am
It was said in October last year but nobody listen, will they listen now, I do not think so, SA Rugby is al about the money they make and not for what rugby does.
We can see that when it was said they did not even care if JW lost the 2007 WC for they wanted him to be fired. Winning the WC 2007 JW created a problem for SA Rugby.
I fully agree with the article like I did last year.
August 9th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Reply to Jacques(Bunny) @ 7:49 am:
The discussion will always come back to whose responsibility it is to rest the players, S14 franchises or National setup.
August 9th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Reply to Ollie @ 8:22 am:
this discussion only turns up when we lose
August 9th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Reply to JT @ 8:45 am: But it was clear that it will happen and that is why we have this discussion now again
August 9th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Groot kak therem Ollie
Both have legitimate claims to players
A few years ago the Sharks refused to rest players because SARU would not pay the player salaries in a break… and of course the provovincs contracted players with the intention that big name players would attract crowds… and would win games…
August 9th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Reply to DavidS @ 9:07 am:
Yep, and always will be with the current structures.
August 9th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Happy birthday! Bill Payn
August 9th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Speaking of old Boks and JS, how did Chiliboy play this weekend?
P.S. Bryce, you need not reply, I know what your answer will be
August 9th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Bill Payn
Full names: Cecil
Date of birth: 9 Aug 1893
Place of birth: Harding, South Africa
School: Maritzburg College
Debut test province: Natal
Physical: 1.92m, 94.37kg
Date of death: 31 Oct 1959 (Age 66)
Test summary: Tests: 2 Tries: 0
First Test: 16 Aug 1924 Age:31 Flank against Britain at Kingsmead, Durban
Last Test: 23 Aug 1924 Age:31 Flank against Britain at Wanderers, Johannesburg
Test history:
Date Age Position Opponent Result Score Venue Prov
16 Aug 1924 31 Flank Britain Win: 7-3 Kingsmead, Durban Natal
23 Aug 1924 31 Flank Britain Win: 17-0 Wanderers, Johannesburg Natal
http://www.genslin.us
August 9th, 2010 at 10:13 am
I wonder if Noakes CC’ed Dawie in his letter
August 9th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Reply to Ollie @ 10:13 am:
August 9th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Reply to Ollie @ 10:13 am:
Too scared he’ll get a snotting and get found out as a charlatan when it comes to rugby…
I wonder what ROSS TUCKER HAS TO SAY?
Morne would you mind chatting to Ross to hear what he has to say?
August 9th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Reply to Ollie @ 9:51 am: Didn’t watch Bulls game so also wondered.
Names mentioned in match reports were Kuun, Van der Merwe, Jaco Pretorius and Stephan Watermeyer. Not a word about Chiliboy.
August 9th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 4:14 pm:
Could be interesting to hear what Ros says.
Reply to Namboer @ 4:21 pm:
It would be interesting to hear how the frontrow did as a whole
August 9th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Reply to Ollie @ 4:40 pm:
Yep, agree. I only read a few reports and some were summaries of all the games for the weekend. Not that accurate a gauge.
August 9th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
WP annihilated the Kwas
in 2nd half.
Perfect defence.
Lions tried their hearts
out v the Guppies, lost
the plot in conceding two
intercepts.
Doppies more and more looking
like a good centre. Pity he
has that carthorse Murray
next to him.
August 9th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Reply to DavidS @ 4:14 pm:
davidS if itwere up to you you’d still have Jannie Breedt as your lions captain, but older guys cannot play as well. Its just a fact. the scientist are not trying to be rude ok?
Ask Mannetjies Roux if he’s be up for a game?
Players get tired, old and demotivated. I am sorry to break it to you mate.
August 9th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Reply to Brendon Shields @ 5:59 pm:
Did you check the ages of our players you twab?
Probably not
Just not bright enough to count over 25…
August 10th, 2010 at 1:54 am
Noakes has been spot-on in his calls almost a year in advance and down to the month at that!
Just another example of how under-done this Bok management team is compared to the last one… totally out of their depth!
August 10th, 2010 at 10:39 am
How old was that nutty / cheapshot-highlight samoan Brian Lima when he hung em up?
Guy seemed timeless.
August 10th, 2010 at 10:54 am
Reply to DavidS @ 9:21 pm:
Todays 25 year old in rugby is yesterdays 34 year old, if they played the same amount of games.
I would love for you and your smart arse lawyer buddies to sit down with Noakes and explain your expert east rand theories.
