From a South African perspective,
operation first concern should be to cement Siya Kolisi in the nr 7 jumper.
Recently Siya has been jumping between positions six and seven quite frequently
and the shift is most probably unpleasantly disturbing. The roles differ
immensely and to reset your approach every single week would make life tough on
any professional athlete. As of 2018, Siya Kolisi found himself wearing the big
C on his chest and one would like some stability in position, and in
performance from your captain.
The past has proven that the captain’s
role goes a long way in determining world cup glory. Some rumors have it that
Francois Pienaar might not have been the best option at six in 1995, as is the
fact that Gary Botha, Lukas van Biljon, Schalk Brits, Adriaan Strauss and
Bismark du Plessis all at some point might have been a better option for Jake
White regarding the number two jumper during his reign as Springbok coach, but
no one came even remotely close to leading their respective squads as well as
Francois and John had done.
Recently Eben Etsebeth and Warren Whitley
lead the Springboks and they both did a fantastic job of it, but things changed
on June the 9th. Siya Kolisi was elected Captain of the Springboks
on the 28th of May 2018 and the media had a blast. Being named the
first black African captain of the renowned Springboks made headlines all over
the world. Personally the story of the first black African person to lead out
the Springboks didn’t faze me too much, as I strive to look beyond color.
However, what did faze me abundantly was the story of a kid, growing up in a
township, being raised by his grandmother, coming from dirt poor circumstances
and changing the stars to fulfill his destiny and become the captain and leader
of a national rugby side. That fazed me! It’s an unbelievable journey and the
feeling that filled Ellis Park on June the 9th, was a feeling only
experienced in 1995 when Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar lifted the William
Webb Ellis Trophy. For the first time since 1995, rugby felt united in South
Africa. One team, supported by the whole of South Africa. It really is
something special to experience….
All that said, I love the fact that Springbok
rugby took the first step to becoming a power house once again, by
structuring the leadership within the group. Siya Kolisi, Warren Whitley, Eben
Etsabeth all have worn the armband and with senior personnel such as Duane
Vermeulen the job becomes seemingly easier.
Rassie Erasmus, selected old stalwart
Francois Louw and rookie Marco van Staden in his squad of 35. Both these
players are known for their ability to play towards the ball. In South Africa,
(and only in South Africa) the player in the number 6 jumper plays towards the
ball. In recent years the position is often referred to as the “fetcher”. The
player makes a menace of himself at every breakdown opportunity whilst the
player in the number 7 jersey takes the ball up over the advantage line and
carries the ball into space. While the number 6 defends close to the rucks the
number 7 is often found out wide defending behind the backline. The rest of the
globe has the same approach, but everywhere else in the world the number 7
plays in the close quarters whereas the number 6 plays the part of the bigger,
stronger ball carrier playing trade a channel wider.
I would love for Siya Kolisi to own that
number 7 jumper. Make it his own, and to see Erasmus backing him up. Opt for a
real live-wire in the number 6 jersey that can actually contest for the ball at
every breakdown. If not, Matt Todd and David Pocock will have the time of their
lives poaching balls galore all championship long. Now is the time to invest
heavily in our captain and to get the balance right in the back row. Obviously
Duane Vermeulen and Warren Whitley has two totally different approaches to the
number eight role, but we could use that to our advantage.
Jean Luc du Preez, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Cyle
Brink can fight out the spot on the bench and the competition would be healthy
if anything. I love the fact that an amazing youngster with heaps loads of
potential such as Du Preez has to fight for playing rights, and the fact that he
can gain so much from senior personal such as Francois Louw and Duane
Vermeulen, whilst warming the bench. Proper development and player management is
something long forgotten in South African Rugby. For too long has the culture
in South Africa been to play the person in form and to drop him as soon as
things get tough. By doing so, we never develop players and hence the
catastrophe concerning depth at scrumhalf…
Personally, I love the way Steve Hanson
is backing up Beauden Barrett. The media all had a fair bit to say about Richie
Mo'unga and how he is the inform first five eight at the moment in New Zealand.
New Zealand coaches tend to back potential above form and it shows in results!
They always tend to back the player in the driving seat and yet their player
pool only turns bigger and better.
By the time this article gets published
Erasmus will already have announced his 23 players taking on the Pumas from
Argentina in their first clash of this year’s Championship, and I would really
hope that he strikes the balance perfectly within the back row and hands Kolisi
that Golden number 7 jumper before all else.
