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03/03/2008 09:49
Gary Boshoff
Apart from the Sharks, the South African Super 14 franchises experienced another terrible weekend. I guess many of us are already eating our words after daring to make predictions before the start of this year's competition!
Though we're only at round three, things are looking ominous for the Bulls, Cheetahs, Stormers and the Lions, all of whom are lingering in the bottom half of the log.
What makes the situation worse is that all of our teams still have to go on the four- and in some cases, five-match tours down under. The overseas leg of the competition will also be the part that makes or breaks the Sharks. Apart from the Blues all their tough games are overseas.
I predicted that the Sharks would lose at Loftus (they then smashed the Bulls) and against the Blues next week. If they can beat the Blues, they will still be in with a shot at the semis, even if they lose all their overseas games. Let's hope they can pull this one through as well.
Top flight
I guess the Springbok coach (It is safe to call him that at last after it was announced that he reached an agreement with Saru on the terms of his contract) is already regretting his statement that three South African sides could make it to the Super 14 playoffs.
That's Peter de Villiers for you; never afraid to speak his mind and as always, positive about South African rugby. I have as of late consistently maintained that De Villiers deserves a shot at the national coaching position because he has proved that he has what it takes to be successful at the top flight of South African rugby.
That opportunity has now come his way, not because someone has done him a favour, but simply because he has proved himself at the highest competitive levels of the game internationally and is one of a few coaches that genuinely understand the plight of black players, coaches and administrators in South Africa.
He faces a huge challenge though, a challenge I am sure he is up for and which he will grab with both hands. Notwithstanding this, he would do well to keep the following in mind as he embarks on his project to build another winning Springbok side:
Modesty - while De Villiers is not someone that minces his words when it comes to transformation and all the controversial aspects of the South African game, he would do well to keep in mind that ultimately he will be measured by the results of the national team (read win as opposed to lose).
It is important that he comes to learn and understand the limitations of his position and how far he as the coach will be able to push the envelope.
It always looks easier from the outside looking in! I certainly would like De Villiers to succeed - talking will however not make him a successful Springbok coach. Perhaps the time has now come for him to retreat from the media and start working on the tough job of putting a winning team together.
Power - with the position of Springbok coach comes a lot of power - power to decide which players are going to get a chance to play for South Africa and yes, which players are going to get a second chance!
Jake White resurrected the careers of Percy Montgomery, Jaco van der Westhuyzen and Os du Randt. He even gave Kobus Visagie and Andre Snyman another shot at the Springbok jersey! De Villiers will also have the final say on the match 22, a huge responsibility - the same power that White had.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that as the national coach De Villiers will have the power to influence the future of talented youngsters, black and white; transformation and opportunity; and a lot of other aspects of the game. However, he must accept that how he does that will be scrutinised, analysed and criticised by the rugby public - by friends and foes alike.
The important thing is not the fact that he'll have power, the important aspect for us would be to see how he uses that power to produce the desired results.
Reason - this has become something that South African rugby supporters more often than not, tend to avoid. We are passionately emotional about our teams and players, ignoring the facts and even reality at times.
As coach of the Springboks, De Villiers cannot allow his passion to succeed and his passion for South African rugby to derail his integrity as our number one authority on the game.
Making statements that three South African sides could make it to the Super 14 semis was ill-informed and my guess is it came from his belief that the teams can actually make it. However, beliefs must be supported by logic and clarity of reason and at the time various rugby pundits could not find any justification for that statement. The recent performances of our teams has borne that out.
De Villiers is a great coach and the right appointment at the right time for Saru. However, he has to realise that he carries the hopes of thousands of black and white, but especially black, rugby players, as he embarks on this epic journey.
I for one certainly hope that De Villiers rises to the challenge and delivers a winning Springbok team that all South Africans can be proud of.
Gary Boshoff is a former Saru player and well-known rugby administrator.
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