Halfway through the tournament, and the Bulls and the Stormers are still very much in it, albeit not in the way that they would have liked it to be.
The Bulls lost a game that they never should have. Poor discipline, poor tackling and a lackluster showing by some of the stars of the team proved to be their undoing. As well as the fact that no-one in the team, excepting Dewald Potgieter, really tried to follow up any kicks. Gerhard “Shadow” van den Heever, played like his nickname, proved to be utterly useless chasing anything, the boy cannot defend, and is clearly out of his depth.
The Stormers lost a game, because they were arrogant and childishly pathetic, slipping tackles, and looking as if they would rather have been lounging somewhere on a bloody beach. Some of the team’s warhorses in Andries Bekker, Schalk Burger and Tiaan Liebenberg, was simply nowhere to be seen, except at those times they were knocking on the ball of course. Sireli Naqelevuki, after a resurgent season, tackled nothing except himself, and was worse than pathetic, even the commentators jeered him.
OK, that was the previous week, both teams returned to winning ways again in round 8, and that is not easy to do on an overseas tour. It is the way that they returned though that made all the difference, they stuck to their strengths, and proved, that they can do, what they do, better than anyone else.
Without disrespecting anyone, I would like to state, that most of what is needed in the Springbok setup can be found within these two teams, with the rest of the South African franchises merely adding some seasoning, to an already mouthwatering proposition.
Outside backs
Joe Pietersen has definitely been the toast of the South African fullbacks this season, his boot is more than useful, he is 100% solid under the high ball, and he has plenty of pace to burn on the counter. Here we also find one of the garnishing touches, in Patrick Lambie, who, in the few games he played, showed us that he might be ready for the step up, maybe not 100%, but he is getting there. (Bubbling under Zane Kirchner)
Wings
One cannot deny the obvious lure of Bryan Habana, his work ethic has much improved since his move to the Cape, and he is turning into a great team player, in addition to his magnificent individual skills. Lionel Mapoe of the Cheetahs certainly put his hand up in a big way, with his magic feet, and line breaking abilities in a team that has never really fired. Gio Aplon’s versatility makes him an excellent player off the bench, being both fearless, and lightening quick, he has the ability to make defenses grab at thin air, and you can ask Pierre Spies…he can tackle as well. (Bubbling under Francois Hougaard)
Centres
Jacque Fourie is without peer in the No. 13 berth in South Africa, and maybe even the world, the Stormers setup fits him like a glove, and he is thriving in an environment of skilled backs all round. Wynand Olivier has been the No. 12 in form in the competition thus far, has had a few questionable games, but what you cannot question is his ability to break the line, and his no-nonsense defense. With Juan de Jongh capable of playing in both centre positions, you needn’t look far to find an adequate impact player, and the jury is quite settled on this one. (Bubbling under Meyer Bosman)
2nd 5/8 (Flyhalve)
Morne Steyn, quickly approaching 200 points in the 2010 Super 14 should regain his 2009 position, however, a clinical kicking, passing and defensive display from Peter Grant raised some eyebrows, and one has to ask if this isn’t maybe the time to give him a real opportunity in the Green and Gold, his previous 3 tests merely giving him 18 minutes of play. (Bubbling under Ruan Pienaar)
1st 5/8 (Scrumhalve)
Fourie du Preez is regarded as the number one scrumhalve and maybe rugby-player in the world, and this will probably continue to be the case for the boks, but in Dewald Duvenhage, the Stormers have crisp service and a very accurate boot, playing the game that purists wants a scrumhalve to play, distribution, distribution, distribution. (Bubbling under Jano Vermaak)
Number 8
Pierre Spies and Duane Vermeulen has stood out head and shoulders above all comers this season, Pierre with his line breaking speed, and Duane with his support play, defense and general play in the loose. I’d have both players in my matchday 22, and I wouldn’t have a care in the world. (Bubbling under Ryan Kankowski)
Flankers
The ‘Incredible’ Schalk is back, he is once again ferocious, averaging 14 tackles a game, winning balls on the ground, and generally making a nuisance of himself for all opposing teams. On his right, played one of the unsung hero’s of the tournament, Francois Louw, he isn’t missing tackles, he is winning turnovers, he is crossing the advantage line. His work ethic is incredible, and he is definitely walking the walk. No Bok team can be complete without Juan Smit, and although the fiery flank is having some personal issues at present, we know he will be back. (Bubbling under Cobus Grobbelaar, Dewald Potgieter)
Locks
Victor Matfield survives on reputation and the fact that you’d be an idiot to leave him out of your team if he was available. Andries Bekker is the form lock of the tournament, leading the stats in tight-forward tackle counts, line-out steals, and yards covered. He defends, drives, runs, jumps and side-steps his way around all comers, and is finally ready to ascend the throne. Flip van der Merwe was hugely impressive when he got a chance, and the Bulls are foolish to play Rossouw above him, this man is a certainty for the future, we will hear big things. (Bubbling under Stephen Sykes)
Props
Brok Harris has been the most consistent tighthead in South Africa this season without a doubt, his scrumming is solid, and he can boot a ball 65 meters, without breaking a sweat. Guthro Steenkamp is simply a juggernaut in the past few games, he seems unstoppable, running, tackling, jumping up and tackling again, he seems to be close to the form he was when the Bulls first kidnapped him from the States. (Bubbling under Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit and WP Nel)
Hookers
Gary Botha solidified a crumbling bulls pack with his retun, his skills are non-negotiable, and the woth he adds to the team is immense. However, in Tiaan Liebenberg he has a player possessing the same qualities, and maybe even some more, when we think about, Liebenberg’s ability to take the ball up into contact. (Bubbling under Bismarck du Plessis)
That is my team, and I’d play them against anyone, depth in 2010 should not be a problem, SA is blessed with potential.
28 – Saint, Where have you been the last few years huh??? Habs has always created opportunities buddy. Habs, defence has been very good for a few years now. Go back and look at wc 2007 his defence was superb there and also the last 3 or 4 years at Bulls.
Me thinks you are stirring here…..hehehe.
morning all
hmmm, i see its “6 of one and half a dozen of the other day” today isnt it?
Banana has been rather under whelming imo.
Straeuli_Forvever @ 33
morning broetsie
Ashley,
LOLZ, lekker and u?
Mmmmm, Saint is tainted….
Ek luister nie meer eers vir jou nie Saint, want die kak loop by jou pen uit….
Come man, you think Habana’s defence has improved…. puleeeaaaaaaaasssseeeeeeeeee, trek ‘n ander tiet!
You think the Stormers have more game breakers…. puleeeeeeeaaaaaaaasssssseeeeee, trek nog ‘n ander tiet!
Oh, and continue to underestimate Gerhard van den Heever… at your peril. Anybody who rates Naqelevuki above Shaddow needs his head read…. in any department of play.
Anybody who cannot see the clearly differing roles between No 5 and No 4 lock, does not know his rugby, to be brutally blunt, same with the difference between Openside and Blindside Flankers…. jy praat jou flokken kop se kaas!
You see only Stormers… that much is clear. To you it is a matter of Fark the Bulls, Fark the Sharks…. I will choose a Stormer because my glasses filter out anything good a Bull or a Shark can do.
Een-ogig, arrogant, blind… en jags innie kop!!!
#29
Kruger Park, I was on leave for a while, trying to get a pc working in the Kruger Park is almost impossible. Their internet cafe’s never worked, I told GBS I’d do an article on the Stormers game, but I never came round to publishing it. Agreed they were diabolical.
However, on the Habana issue, no I am not stirring, I am honestly of the opinion that Habana has acquired better defensive skills in a team sense. If he is contacted, I am sure he will admit as much.
It’s impossible for a player to be perfect, never learning anything new, I think the guys saying that, must be out of their minds. Everywhere you go, something new is added, the Stormers aren’t the Bulls, for instance, a small guy like Aplon or Pietersen would never have been considered in Pretoria, only because of their size.
So, we are not the same, if a player is perfect, and can’t learn anything new, I’d be very much surprized…but hey, if you guys said it, it must be true?
gbs @ 36
hmmmm, IEMAND het lanklaas gesaag!! 😆
#36 – Groot farken Blou Smaail
I would appreciate it if you could show me where the hell I said there was no difference between a number 4 and Number 5 lock, the same for the flankers. READ OU MAN, READ! I said, Bekker is able to fulfill BOTH roles, in other words, he can play 4 AND 5, as is Louw and Burger, both of them can play SIX AND SEVEN, as they have done in the past, a 7 isn’t supposed to be the fetcher, but in the Stormer setup, Louw is stealing more balls than anyone, also please explain, how you can even begin to rate Deon “the walking sin-bin” Stegman, who is having an utter KAK season, being outplayed by Kuhn, everytime the ex-hooker comes on the field, you read just what you want to read, and because it is not your opinion, it is supposedly tainted…well let me be blunt.
Van den Heever is KAK, he can’t defend, he misses 60% of all his tackles, and he is scared shitless for half the game, he doesn’t look for work, he just stands around, waiting for things to happen… you are trying to boost him, to prove you don’t miss Habana, which you do, I don’t particularly like Bryan Habana, but he is playing in a Stormer jersey so there it is.
Secondly, the game breaker factor…who the hell do you have? FDP, Meisiekind, and maybe…Kirchner (if he has a good day, but ? The Stormers have De Jongh, Jacque Fourie, Pietersen, Aplon, now Habana, so what seems to be the problem? Steyn is an acurate and solid flyhalve, but hardly a gamebreaker, same goes for Dippenaar, Pretorius, Hougaard and Shadow.
I think maybe you should start realizing that the Bulls Old Boys are not miles better than everyone anymore, there are real contenders.
By the way…usually it is only faaark the Bulls…I never denied their power, I called them the most powerful franchise in world rugby for vark steaks…
As I said earlier on many occasions, I usually clash with their supporters.
I am not biased towards the Stormers, even if they are my team, what I say is my opinion, and your comments are always welcome. Even though we picked almost the exact same team above…strange isn’t it?
@fender
I will be here, I am really sorry I missed last week, but I am ready for any punishment, I usually don’t shirk away from insults and or ridicule.
I have to give it to GBS though,he runs a fair ship, I am an author here, but he holds nothing back, I think we will have a few interesting bouts in games to come.
But I am the Saint, I have conviction in my beliefs, I rebuke the fact that I am one-eyed, and if GBS opens his other eye, he will see it too.
the saint @ 41
“and if GBS opens his other eye, he will see it too” 😆
now
THAT
was well said, hehehe
42@ Asbak – Mmmmm, Asbak, my vrind met die holborsel vir ‘n hairdoo… ek kokkenotch vir jou!
41@ Sainty – Vriend, holbol, moermengsel… janee ons grap maar mos met mekaar…. maar hey, dit beteken steeds ek dink jy is in die bol gepik!
Bekker sal nie ‘n Nr 4 se gat uitmaak as sot, ek bedoel slot nie…. hy, nes Victor, speel te los… hulle hang daar in die agterlyn rond…. veral Bekker… hy is flokken heeltyd op senter en vleuel… Bekker is besig om in ‘n Classic Nr 5 slot te ontwikkel, maar dis waar dit stop… hy issie Superman, Spiderman, Die Skim of een van die ander superhelde soos ekke nie… hehehe
‘n Nr 4 slot speel heelwat vaster tjomma… die Nr 4 is die enforcer wat rucks skoonmaak, wat by elke vaste fasset die meanie is, wat in die vaste los woel…. as hy dalk die bal kry wyer as net om die losgemaal of direk vanuit ‘n ruck dan beteken dit hy was laaste van die grond af op in die beweging wat hierdie ene voorafgegaan het.
Die Nr 4’s in SA wat shine is: Sykes, Flip van der Merwe, Anton van Zyl en Oom Danie Pakslae (tot ‘n mate).. en gaan kyk bietjie hoe betrokke is Sykes en Flip in die fassette waar die enforcer nodig is
Net so tussen ons, dat ek jou nou nie heeltemal embarrass nie… pssssssttttt, kom hoor hier naby…. die Oopkant flank in SA dra die Nommer 6 truitjie, nie die Nommer 7 truitjie nie, in NZ en Ozzie is dit andersom… en jy kan op jou kop staan en Sarie Marais deur jou poepol fluit, maar die rolle van ‘n Nr 6 en ‘n Nr 7 flank verskil hemelsbreed… daar is ‘n goeie rede dat die Nr 6 elke slag aan die oopkant sak.. sodat hy vinniger die bal kan volg, jag en daarby kan uitkom. Indien die 2 posisies maar dieselfde was, sou ons ‘n Linkerflank en ‘n Regterflank gesien het, soos in die ouuuuuuuuuuuuu dae, nie ‘n Oopkant en Blindekant flank elk nie.
Dissie rocket science nie, dissie waarheid… maak maar daai leep-ogie oop volgende keer as jy ruggas kyk, jy sal dit ok so wragtig sien…. wel ek flokken hoop so!
Gerhard vd Heever turned 21 yesterday. Need i say more.
Like Saint says
“As for my supposed tinted glasses, Van den Heever’s qualities as a finisher is by far outweighed by his inability to make a tackle, or any kind of impact when chasing a ball. I am not saying he won’t still develop, but he is FAAAAR away from the finished product”
What a prospect, Go Shaddow
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