Several weeks ago, Butch James was not even in the thoughts of new Springbok coach Peter de Villiers. Well, he is now. And he should be.
Peter Bills writes in The Star that the first training squad announced by De Villiers for the build-up to the Test series against Wales contains many new names. It’s a thoroughly sensible combination of old and new.
For me, there is no greater moment to blood some of these newcomers or previous reserves than in the Tests against a weakened Wales. For example, I’d start with the Stormers halfbacks Peter Grant and Rickie Januarie against Wales. Fourie du Preez has not been at his best in this Super 14 but even if he had, I’d try out the Stormers duo.
Similarly, there is no better time to give Luke Watson a meaningful run-out in Test rugby. Schalk Burger isn’t fit so it’s time to look at Watson.
But in my view, if De Villiers spends every match looking at players solely with the 2011 Rugby World Cup in mind, I think he’ll be making a big mistake. Looking too far ahead is dangerous.
Two major fixtures loom up, iceberg-like, ahead of the Springboks this year. They are both against New Zealand; in Wellington on July 5 and in Dunedin, seven days later. If anything is going to define De Villiers’ tenure as Springbok coach, winning in New Zealand wouldn’t be a bad start. Jake White never managed it.
Those two games are the key matches of the year. And who is the man to control the Springboks’ game in Wellington and Dunedin, from the crucial flyhalf slot? Peter Grant? No. Injuries permitting, I would pick Butch James for both.
Even though he had an ordinary game for Bath in the end-of-season playoff semifinal in London on Sunday, James is a transformed player and was instrumental in the Boks’ World Cup win.
He’s got world class stamped all over him and he’s nowhere near finished. What is more, he’s had a long layoff this year because of a dislocated shoulder so he’s mentally fresh and now physically fit.
If the Springboks want to draw a new line in the sand of southern hemisphere rugby by winning in New Zealand, I suggest they must choose James to mastermind the job. Grant may well be one for the future, time will tell. And he will have myriad further opportunities this year to make his case, not least on the end of year tour.
But winning major matches defines a team and an era.
South Africa have a World Cup winning No 10 available for this year’s Tri-Nations. He’d love to play and the Boks should pick him, certainly in New Zealand.
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I agree with the sentiments in this article, but NOT with having the jersey snatcher in the team.
no brainer really. i was relieved to see Butch’s name when the squad was announced, i was a touch worried that he wouldn’t be there.
To see Butch and JdV playing along side one another while both on form would be great.
It will be so nice having Butch on the field again.
jersey snatcher?
@knersboy (Comment 4) : NO. 46
Luke Watson stole his Bok Jersey he didn’t earn it.
Luke “my daddy says I get to be on the team or else” Watson 👿
Ok…let me speak up for Luke (and it’s not because he’s black)…
He’s not my fav person around but he’s played really well this season and I think it’s about time he returned the jersey he stole last year for one that was well-earned.
@blackshark N.R.N.S! (Comment 8) :
Point taken but I have an issue with that.
Januarie has also played well this season but nobody is saying he must get a bok cap becasue of it. We are saying he must get a Bok cap because he is the best scrummy we have at the moment.
Watson is not the best loosie we have, so he shouldn’t get a cap.
You don’t get caps for having good seasons, you get caps for being the best.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 9) : but the best is injured. Isn’t Luke second best?
ah yes, no 46.
Wickus is 2nd best methinks
@molly (Comment 12) : ok – I have a blind spot there. Sorry, just can’t help it
@robdylan (Sharks Forever!) (Comment 13) :
I know the feeling.
For the first time Bills writes a bit of sense, only to spoil it with some kak comment on Watson again.
This man is in love with him I am positive.
@MorneN (Comment 15) :
For once I actually agree with you!!! 😉
@Dive Pass (Comment 16) : and the trumpets blew and the angels sang
@robdylan (Sharks Forever!) (Comment 17) :
Thanks for that song St Rob….
@Dive Pass (Comment 16) : Get used to it – resistance is futile – soon the whole world will think like I do!
@Dive Pass (Comment 18) : amen
@MorneN (Comment 19) : 🙂
DAMN RIGHT.
Even “I” feel the same way as you about this piece. 😯
@MorneN (Comment 19) :
Ja your team does play a bit like the Borg and they are appear to be trying all the professional rugby players in SA into their team 😉
How much truth do you think there is to the allegations made by White about Watson’s inclusion in the Bok squad? Especially the clandestine meeting with “The Lawyers?”
@Dive Pass (Comment 22) : We just following the example set by some other union in SA – seemed to work for them… 😉
@MorneN (Comment 24) : but the Bulls did appallingly this year… 😳
@Waz (Comment 23) : they would have sued the pants off him if that incident had never happened.
@MorneN (Comment 24) :
Ja but at least assimilate the farmers into surfers, not pofters who forget how to scrum 😉
@Dive Pass (Comment 27) : Does Ackerman surf? Would give a million bucks to see that!
And its okay, Rassie stopped all the metro sexual kak – Luke even cuts his hair at a barber now!
And I reserved ‘special’ praise for the Sharks in my article for tomorrow – check it out tomorrow!!!
@MorneN (Comment 28) :
Look forward to reading it….
What’s with no 46’s “Beckham-esque” tatoo on the inside of his arm though?
Was hoping the cameras would go for a jersey snatcher zoom over the weekend so I could read it – probably says something along the lines of “Special One” in Xhosa translated into Chinese alphabet for aesthetic purposes 🙄
@robdylan (Sharks Forever!) (Comment 26) : Fair point!
@Le Requinny (Comment 30) : if I know 46, it will have some religious significance. Which is fair enough.
Thats what you are saying now!!!
Tomorrow everyone hates me again!
@MorneN (Comment 33) :
Not if you say nice things about the Sharks 😉 …
@MorneN (Comment 33) :
Ja but that’s fun …….if we had some Tah supporters we could be picking on them but you will just have to do….
@Le Requinny (Comment 34) : I only have nice things to say about SA Rugby!
@Dive Pass (Comment 35) : I live for it!
Anycase I am off, cheers.
@MorneN (Comment 36) : koebaai
46 ain’t no 6, never was at the top level… was shown up again when Schalk was injured… a great ‘utility hybrid linking 8’ for the Stormer’s in CC and S14 yes… we don’t need one of those at test level… we are fortunate to have two super-fast, big, strong, nail spitting 8’s that even the Kiwi’s rate in Kankowski and Spies… and Vermeulen is coming up through the ranks now too… giddy-farkin-up!
And in Schalk, Wickus, Botes, Brussouw we have the in-form 6’s…
@Waz (Comment 23) :
If it wasn’t true the TWatsons would have taken legal action by now.
@MorneN (Comment 24) :
No problem with that but you are fishing in our breeding dam now. 😉
Well Rassie won’t be able to buy Cobus Visagie, coz he has just joined Eddie Jones’ coaching team at Saracens.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 42) : isn’t Cobus older than Rassie anyway?
@robdylan (Sharks Forever!) (Comment 43) :
Nope.
And AJ?
Full Name Johan
Nick Name Rassie
Surname Erasmus
Height 191cm
Weight 98kg
Birth Date 5 November 1972
Birth City Despatch
Full Name Albertus Johannes
Nick Name AJ
Surname Venter
Height 198cm
Weight 112kg
Birth Date 29 July 1973
Birth City Bethulie
Full Name Izak (Cobus)
Surname Visagie
Height 176cm
Weight 85kg
Birth Date 31 October 1973
Birth City Stellenbosch
Jeez I’m getting old!!!!
it’s close, though!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 44) : Visagie does bloody well for an 85kg prop. Must be very strong.
Or is that the nandrolone talking? Remember, he’s one of the ones whose body “naturally produces” the stuff. What a gas!
@robdylan (Sharks Forever!) (Comment 47) :
Hehehehehehe
mAybe the Saru stats don’t want to make it look like he bulks up 🙄
i could picked this Visagie. 😆
Full Name Dirk Jakobus
Nick Name Cobus
Surname Visagie
Height 188cm
Weight 90kg
Birth Date 2 January 1986
Birth City Cape Town
He’s a wing though. 🙂
on a slightly similar subject.
HOW do SARU decide who to put in their Profiles data base?
Look at this guy.
Jakobus Isak Visagie
Playing Position: Lock 2006 – Namibia U18 Craven Week
Personal Details
Full Name Jakobus Isak
Nick Name Kobus
Surname Visagie
Height 188cm
Weight 85kg
Birth Date 21 March 1988
Birth City Windhoek
Marital Status Single
Favourite Film Braveheart
Favourite Music Rock
Favourite Food Steak
Primary School Home school
Secondary School Elnatan
Was born outsied SA, went to school outside SA and played u/18 Rugby for another country.
Does this guy EVEN LIVE in SA?
Yet he is in the SARU register
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 45) :
Ja looking at some of these dates makes me realise it as well.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 49) : I think he took part in a competition organised by SARU…
85 kg is visagie’s birth weight
@knersboy (Comment 52) :
😆
Huge database that. Bound to be some errors
Saracens website is probably right.
Sponsored by: Prestbury Group PLC
Nickname:
Position: Prop
Born: 31 Oct 1973
Height: 6′ 1 (1.85m)
Weight: 18st (117kg)
Date Joined: 10 Nov 2003
Previous Clubs: Western Province, The Stormers
Honours: South Africa
Debut: Rotherham (30 Nov 2003)
Total Appearances: 92
Interesting little bit of info i wasn’t aware of.
Sponsored by: Prestbury Group PLC
All the players have individual sponsors. I presume this is sort of like the Matfield sponsorship for returning to SA.
So this is something else SA lags behind in. 🙁
@KSA Shark © (Comment 56) : I would personally sponsor Brad