Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Home Blog Page 3

Legacy of the Lions

By
admin
-
0
Lions 2015 Currie Cup

Restoring a Pride

Every sports cliche comes to mind when I want to start writing about the current Lions Rugby team. From rags to riches. A Cinderella story. Underdogs. Hard work pays off. There is no I in team. Went back to the drawing board. They wanted it more. Putting in the hard yards. All cliches, but all very applicable to this current pride of Lions.

A pride of Lions is couldn’t be a more apt description. I grew up in Lions country and although I’m a Bulls supporter at heart, I know very well the pain and anguish my mates have gone through, sticking with their team through the darkest of days. The pride is restored and I couldn’t be happier. Celebrate your team guys, rub it in our faces and don’t stop bragging! The Lions are currently building a legacy, and we look back to the legacy of the Golden Lions Rugby Union.

The First Century 1889 – 1990

The Transvaal Rugby Union was formed in Johannesburg in 1889 after members of different clubs around Johannesburg decided to form a central union in the region. Before they were known as the Lions, the Transvaal team were simply know as the “Rooibontes”, referring to their white jerseys with red hoops. In 1920, Western Transvaal broke away to form a separate union and in 1938, Northern Transvaal was formed in Pretoria. This didn’t stop Transvaal from becoming one of the strongest provincial teams in South Africa, in fact, they won their first Currie Cup in 1922 and they also won the very first Currie Cup Final in 1939 against Western Province at Newlands. Further Currie Cup wins would come in 1950, 1952 and 1972. Although they only won the Currie Cup five times in their first 100 years, it doesn’t take away from the fact that Transvaal were one of the toughest teams to beat and they were consistently one of the strongest provincial teams in South Africa.

Over the years the Golden Lions have produced some of he greatest Springboks including Dougie Morkel, Jan Stegman, Lukas Strachan, Tony Harris, Jan Lotz, Okey Geffin, Hennie Muller, Wilf Rosenberg, Martin Pelser, Avril Malan, Syd Nomis, Kevin De Klerk, James Small, Hennie le Roux, Francois Pienaar, Andre Vos, Joe van Niekerk, Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana.

The Glory Days

Sharks fans will quickly point out that their team was dubbed “The Team of the 90’s”,  but the Lions were just as dominant during that decade. Louis Luyt was elected as President of the then Transvaal Rugby Union in the early 80’s. He immediately rebuilt Ellispark to the 63 000 capacity fortress it is today. But with an under performing team, suite sales didn’t go as planned and the Union was soon in financial trouble. But things slowly started to turn in 1986 when Transvaal reached the final of the Currie Cup. They again featured in the 1987 final, but again lost. Some tweaks to the team and management at Ellispark ensured the Union built on that momentum and in 1991 they played Northern Transvaal in the Currie Cup final at Loftus Versfeld. Transvaal finished the season on top of the log, but lost out to an experienced Bulls team. In 1992, under the captaincy of Jannie Breedt and the coaching of Harry Viljoen, Transvaal vowed to rectify their bad run in Breedt’s final season. The fairy tale end wasn’t to be and a tearful Breedt said goodbye to SA rugby after Theo van Rensburg missed a penalty late in the final against Natal at Ellispark.

Transvaal 1993 Super 10

But the foundations had been laid for success. In 1993 a large group of players left Northern Transvaal to seek greener pastures south of the Jukskei. Among these players were Uli Schmidt, Hannes Strydom, Phillip Schutte, Gavin Johnson, Johan Roux, Charles Rossouw, Heinrich Rogers, Rudolph Straeuli and later on Gerbrand Grobler. But the ace up Luyt’s sleeve was the recruitment of the Pretoria Harlequins coach, Kitch Christie. Kitch soon brought discipline to the Transvaal team and brought Schmidt with him. Both would be key to Transvaal’s success in 1993. Christie was supported by Ray Mordt as assistant and they ensured that Transvaal finally lived up to expectations.

Francois Pienaar 1993

Only the Blue Bulls of 2009/2010 could rival the Transvaal team of 1993/1994 in terms of trophies won. In 1993 Transvaal became the first ever Super 10 winners by defeating an All Black laden Auckland team at Ellispark in a closely contested final. Two Uli Schmidt tries sealed a famous 20 – 17 win. Transvaal also won the M-Net Night Series, Lion Cup and the Currie Cup in 1993. The Currie Cup triumph was particularly sweet as the last time they won the coveted trophy was way back in 1972 under Piet Greyling’s captaincy. Transvaal outplayed a strong Natal team in the last 10 minutes of the 1993 final and Schmidt again sealed the victory with a try in the corner after a smart box kick by Johan Roux.

Transvaal 1994 Currie Cup

Pienaar’s men were flying high and they continued that form into 1994. They handed Northern Transvaal their biggest loss in a Currie Cup game, winning 57 – 13. I still recall that game. I was 12 at the time and went to the game with my dad. We came home dejected after the heavy defeat and my mom decided it would be a great idea to make Transvaal flags and stick them to the door of my room. I wasn’t impressed and I still hold a grudge. But that team was good. Really really good. Another four trophies were won in 1994, the M-Net Night Series, the Percy Frames trophy, the Lion Cup and again, the Currie Cup. Transvaal scored a record 56 points in the final, a record that still stands today. Eight trophies in two years – not bad. Transvaal were the best provincial side in the world in 1993 and 1994. The core of the Springbok team that won the Rugby World Cup in 1995 came from Transvaal and of course, by 1995, Kitch Christie was entrusted with leading the team to glory. Chris Rossouw, Balie Swart, Hannes Strydom, Kobus Wiese, Francois Pienaar, Hennie le Roux and Japie Mulder all played in that final.

1994 All trophies

When Kicth Christie left, things went quiet in Johannesburg. Some of the senior players either retired or lost form. Pienaar was sacked as Springbok captain and left for Saracens. They were competitive between 1995 and 1999, but didn’t set the world on fire with their play. Young players like Joe Gillingham, Jannie van der Walt and Louis van Rensburg started to make names for themselves, but they lacked that world class edge the team needed. In 1998, the decision was made to merge the Lions and the Cheetahs into the Cats. A regional super team comprising players from two of the strongest unions in South Africa. But the experiment failed spectacularly and the Cats found themselves at the bottom of the Super 12 table in 1998 and 1999.

Time for Louis Luyt to step in again. He recruited former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains as new head coach of the Lions and the Cats. The Lions also recruited senior players like Rassie Erasmus, Werner Swanepoel and Chester Williams to bolster their ranks. It worked. The Golden Lions won the Currie Cup again in 1999 and in 2o00 and 2001, the Cats reached the Super 12 semi finals. The Lions won three Currie Cup titles and a Super rugby title between 1993 and 1999. Natal won four Currie Cup titles during the 90’s, so it’s a toss up who the team of the 90’s really was.

Lions 1999 Currie Cup

The come down

It’s called a come down for a reason. You are flying high as the top team in South African rugby and then it all goes pear shaped. To write about all the reasons why the Lions declined so spectacularly in the 2000’s would take another couple of blog posts. They played in the 2002 Currie Cup final, but were trounced by an in form  Blue Bulls team. I still have this vision in my head of Dries Scholtz running over Jorrie Muller in that game. The Cats experiment failed miserably and finally, with the expansion to 14 teams, the Lions and Cheetahs went their separate ways. The impact was immediate and under Eugene Eloff’s coaching, the Lions were competitive in the 2007 Super 14 competition, even winning a couple of games overseas. They also played in the 2007 Currie Cup final, but lost to the Cheetahs, with the Springboks away on World Cup duty.

Then it really got bad. Between 2008 and 2010 the Lions plummeted to new depths and it all culminated in 2010 when the lost all their games in the Super 14 competition. John Mitchel was brought in as coach and he had some success with the team, winning the Currie Cup in 2011. It was an important win, but it needs to be taken in context. It was again a World Cup year and most top players weren’t available for Currie Cup duty. The Lions didn’t provide too many players to the national setup at that stage, and although a win is a win, it felt more like a temporary plaster on a festering wound.

Lions 2011 Currie Cup

SARU made a tough decision in 2012. The South African team that finished lowest on the combined log in Super rugby would make way for the Kings in 2013. It was the worst timing for the Lions. The players revolted against Mitchel and they wanted him gone. They got their wish and Johan Ackerman was asked to step in as interim coach for the last couple of games in the 2012 Super rugby season. It was too late to salvage the season, the Lions were out and the Kings were in.

The rebirth

What to do if you are not playing Super rugby? Well, you win the Vodacom Cup and try and play some competitive friendlies against other provincial sides. The Lions’ focus for 2013 was simple. Get back into Super rugby. That meant they had to beat the Kings in a two match promotion-relegation series and they literally scraped through. It didn’t matter, they were back. Ackerman knew he had to rebuild a broken team. They didn’t have any big name players or key Springboks, but they had a plan, they were realistic and the powers that be at Ellispark backed Ackerman to turn things around.

2013 wasn’t that long ago, so it still amazes me how this side has turned their fortunes around. The focus was on team play, supporting the guy next to you, looking for space and backing your team mates. Ackerman instilled a strong team ethos and there was no space for egos. The only way back to the top was through sheer hard work and determination. Three years ago, few people knew who Warren Whiteley, Jaco Kriel, Ruan Combrinck and Faf de Klerk were. Today, they are household names and the best in their positions.

They were competitive in the 2014 Super rugby season and deifnitely punched above their weight. They were competitive in the Currie Cup and played in the final against Western Province where they naroowly lost. They continued that form into the 2015 season, finishing 8th in Super Rugby and going unbeaten in the Currie Cup, the only time this has ever happened.

Lions 2015 Currie Cup

So here we are, the Lions are in the Super Rugby final. I hope this team can win the title on Saturday. That will be vindication for years of hard work and it will prove that rugby is a team sport. You don’t need big names or 100 caps to play good rugby. You just need a clear plan, the player’s buy in and dedication. You also need to reward form and not experience. We are obsessed with experience in South Africa and it needs to stop.

As a Bulls fan, I will always want my side to win, but this Lions team excites me in a rugby calendar that can really get dull. I love their brand of rugby, I love their players and I wish them all the best for Saturday. You have already done what no other South African side has done, so just add the cherry on the cake. You deserve it. Make us proud and restore the Golden Lions Rugby Union to the glory days of 1993 and 1994.

Here are some highlights of the Transvaal side of 1993 and 1994

Marvel at the legend that is Jaco Kriel

Joost van der Westhuizen – Fearless Champion

By
admin
-
0
Joost van der Westhuizen

The Greatest Springbok Scrumhalf

My life as a Blue Bulls supporter can be split into different eras. There was the late 80’s when Northern Transvaal dominated the local rugby scene, the 90’s which was was a roller coaster decade with just two highlights and the glorious 2000’s when the Bulls became the greatest provincial team on the planet. The 90’s was the least successful period, but the Bulls did produce some great players like Jacques Olivier, Andre Snyman, Krynauw Otto and leading the charge, Joost van der Westhuizen.

Joost van der Westhuizen

Early Days

There were three scrumhalves in the mix at Northern Transvaal in the early 90’s, Robert du Preez, Johan Roux and Joost van der Westhuizen. Du Preez left to play for Natal in 1992 which opened the door for van der Westhuizen and in 1993, Roux moved to Transvaal, ensuring van der Westhuizen had the sole claim to the famous blue jersey.

I remember when Joost appeared on the scene in 1992. He hit the local rugby scene like a hurricane and very quickly made a huge impression on this ten year old. It was Naas Botha’s final season and I needed a new hero. Step up Joost. The reason he made such a big impression is because he wasn’t a conventional scrumhalf. He was big and strong, unusual for a position historically reserved for the vertically challenged player. He also had deceptive speed, could kick with both feet and he could break around the fringes. In fact, that would become his trademark and no one has done it better since.

Van der Westhuizen played in the Springbok trials in July 1992 and performed well, but Robert du Preez was selected ahead of him. He did however run out for the Junior Springboks against the All Blacks, the last time we would see the Junior Boks in action. After a strong Currie Cup performance for Northern Transvaal, van der Westhuizen was unlucky not to be selected for the end of year tour to France and Britain.

Van der Westhuizen kept building on that momentum in 1993 and was an exceptional player in an average Northern Transvaal team. He was selected to play for the South African ‘B’ team against the touring French team and scored two good tries, but again wasn’t selected for the Springbok team, still behind Robert du Preez in the pecking order.

The Boks went on a three test tour of Australia and this time Joost was on the plane. He didn’t play in any of the test matches, but he was exceptional in the mid week games he played, particularly against New South Wales. His star continued to shine and everyone know it was just a matter of time before he made his debut for the Boks.

His long awaited debut came against Argentina on 6 November 1993. He scored the first try of the match, something South African rugby supporters would become accustomed to over the next ten years. The Springboks weren’t great on the day, sneaking home 29 – 26, but Joost was solid. He scored another try in the second test a week later in a comfortable 52 – 23 win. He finished off 1993 on top of the world.

1994 turned out to be a roller coaster year for Joost. He started off as the incumbent scrumhalf for South Africa, but after a shock loss to England in the first test at Loftus Versfeld, van der Westhuizen was dropped for Johan Roux in the second test. The coach at the time, Ian Macintosh felt that Roux had a better kicking game and less ‘high risk’ than Joost. The Boks won the second test at Newlands and Roux subsequently kept his place in the starting line up in all three tests against New Zealand later in the year. Admittedly, van der Westhuizen didn’t play his best rugby on that tour and things needed to change.

Change came in September when Macintosh was replaced as Springbok coach by Kitch Christie. And how South Africa and van der Westhuizen’s fortunes would change.

Joost van der Westhuizen7

The Glory Years

Argentina toured South Africa in October 1994 and van der Westhuizen was again back in the starting line up in the second test at Ellispark and scored a great try to seal a hard fought win for the Boks. He would repay the faith coach Christie had in him with superb performances on the tour of the United Kingdom. The test against Scotland will stand out for Joost. He scored two absolutely brilliant tries in a man of the match performance that is still spoken about today. I can still recall the excitement in Bill McLaren’s voice. Joost finished off the 1994 season with a strong performance against Wales at Cardiff arms park. The Boks had won four tests under Kitch Christie’s guidance and they would carry that form into 1995.

Rugby fever hit South Africa in May of 1995. It was the Rugby World Cup and we were hosting. The Springboks had erratic form in the three preceding seasons and few rugby pundits gave us a fair chance. The Boks had a tough opening encounter against reigning world champions Australia at Newlands. To this day I don’t think any team would have beaten us that day. Joost was brilliant, took pressure off Joel Stransky, took the right options and defended like a Trojan. He was key the Boks’ success and they famously won thee opening match 27 – 18.

Van der Westhuizen was the first choice scrumhalf throughout the World Cup and although he didn’t score any tries during the tournament, he was definitely a key cog in the Springbok machine. In the semi final van der Westhuizen had to leave the field in the last couple of minutes with a broken rib. He struggled to breathe and was in severe pain in the week after the semi final win, but he made it very clear to Frans Verster the team doctor that come hell or high water, he was going to play in the final. He was fed strong pain medication and his ribs were taped up for the final. The title of this article is ‘Fearless Champion’ which refers to one moment of brilliance, but also encapsulates his entire career. The player of the tournament was Jonah Lomu and he tore defenses to shreds with his combination of power, pace and skill. Early in the final, the All Blacks struck with a planned scissors move and Lomu cut through the defense line, only to be met by Joost who tackled him low and head on and felled the giant to the ground. Not bad for a player with broken ribs. Everyone know the rest of the fairy tale. The Springboks won against the odds with a perfect drop kick by Joel Stransky, but Joost deserves as much credit as he gave the perfect pass under tough pressure from Graeme Bachop. He was the best scrumhalf in the world after that World Cup and he proved this by scoring arguably his best try for the Springboks against England at Twickenham. Watch it in the video below, it’s truly brilliant.

Rugby turned professional in 1995 and in 1996, Northern Transvaal performed admirably in the new Super 12 competition, finishing third on the log and losing in the semi finals to eventual champions, the Auckland Blues. An interesting fact about this game is that van der Westhuizen was picked at wing to defend against Jonah Lomu, but coach John Williams forgot that it is a team sport and the Bulls were blown away at Eden Park.

The Springboks had an up and down season in 1996 winning eight out of thirteen tests, but famously losing the last ever test series against the All Blacks. Van der Westhuizen scored three tries during that series, but it wasn’t enough and New Zealand rewrote history. The Springboks turned the tide and went on an unbeaten tour to Argentina, France and Wales. The highlight for Joost was his brilliant hat trick against Wales at Cardiff Arms park.

1997 had a similar trend as 1996 with the Springboks losing a home test series against the British and Irish Lions with Joost scoring two tries in the series. The Boks again won eight out of thirteen tests and again went on an unbeaten tour at the end of the year. The Springboks played out of their skins on the end of year tour, scoring tries and breaking records. Unfortunately, van der Westhuizen was badly injured in the first test against France and his tour was over.

Joost

He made his comeback in 1998 and was in scintillating try scoring form. He dotted down eight times that year, unheard of for a scrumhalf. His most memorable tries were scored against New Zealand at Kings Park and against Wales and Ireland on the end of year tour. The Springboks were on top of the world in 1998, winning the Tri-Nations and only falling at the final hurdle against England. The highlight for Joost in 1998 was the Blue Bulls’ success in the Currie Cup. The last time the Bulls won the famous cup was in 1991 and under Eugene van Wyk’s coaching, the Bulls were the team to beat in 1998. Ruben Kruger was team captain, but was injured earlier in the season. The captaincy fell on Joost’s shoulders and he lead the Blue Bulls to a famous Currie Cup win against Western Province at Loftus Versfeld. Van der Westhuizen later said it was as special as winning the World Cup in 1995.

Van der Westhuizen was injured during the 1999 Super 12 season and wasn’t available for the first five tests of the season. After abysmal performances by the Springboks against Wales, New Zealand and Australia, Gary Teichman was unceremoniously dropped as Springbok captain in favour of the younger and more dynamic Bob Skinstad. Nick Mallet needed an experienced player to lead the Springboks to the World Cup and he turned to Joost who made his comeback as captain against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld. The Springboks were outplayed and well beaten, but Joost, again, scored a good try.

The Springboks weren’t the favourites in the 1999 Rugby World Cup and mostly went under the radar until the quarter finals where they met England at the Stade de France. I was lucky enough to be there that day and I watched Joost score a great try and lead the Springboks to an emphatic 44 – 21 win. The Springboks lost to Australia in the semi finals, but beat the All Blacks to finish an admirable third.

Joost

The Final Flourish

Between 1999 and 2002, the Blue Bulls were in dire straits and finished 9th in the Currie Cup in the 2000 season. Van der Westhuizen’s personal form mirrored that of the hapless Bulls and he was dropped for three games in favour of Werner Swanepoel. Van der Westhuizen played in all the tests in the 2001 season, but it was a forgettable season, both for Joost and for the Springboks. Injuries kept van der Westhuizen out of the Springbok team in 2002, but he again lead the Blue Bulls to a Currie Cup victory. The Bulls lost all their games in the Super 12 in 2002 and no one expected the turnaround in the Currie Cup. But with Joost’s leadership and a young general, Derick Hougaard, taking charge the Bulls swept the Lions aside in the final, winning 31 – 7 at Ellispark.

The Bulls had a strong Super 12 season in 2003 and Joost was back to his best, and earning a spot in the World Cup squad later in the year. The Boks weren’t a strong side in 2003 and were knocked out of the World Cup by New Zealand in the quarter final. That was to be van der Westhuizen’s 89th and last test for the Springboks. He scored 38 test tries, a record I doubt will ever be  broken by any scrumhalf.

Joost

In my opinion, Joost van der Westhuizen was the greatest scrumhalf that ever played the game. Yes, even better than Gareth Edwards. He is someone who refuses to be knocked down, which is evident in his current battle with MND. I had the great privilege of meeting Joost last year and although the body wasn’t responding, his sense of humour and wittiness was still there. You could see the fight in his eyes and he lives life the same way he played rugby: without fear and on his own terms. He founded the J9 Foundation to help research MND and look for a cure. You can follow this link to find out more and to make a contribution http://joost.co.za/

Below are extensive highlights of Joost’s career. There are many highlights, because he was that good.

Thanks for the memories Joost.

Naas Botha – The Perfect 10

By
admin
-
1
Naas Botha

The Golden Boy of South African Rugby

Naas Botha played rugby on his own terms. To this day he still divides opinion among the South African rugby public. You either loved or hated Naas Botha, there was no grey area. The reason for this? He was a match winner and he either did it for your team, or against your team. What cannot be argued is that Botha was a true rugby genius, Doc Craven said so himself.

Naas Botha

As a young boy, obsessed with rugby, no other player really mattered to me. I grew up at Loftus, my dad had season tickets until I was in Matric and it was the absolute highlight of my week. I could spend quality time with my old man and I could watch my hero in action. Every day I would do one of two things; either watch old rugby videos or play rugby, against myself, in our back garden in Roodepoort. I had the same blonde hair and being a Blue Bulls fan, I always imagined I was Naas Botha kicking the All Blacks to pieces. I turned out to be an average rugby player, but there was one thing I could do well and that was kick… Below is a photo of me and my older brother in our Springbok gear, ready to take on the All Blacks around 1986/1987.

Werner Frost

There’s a reason Northern Transvaal fans were so crazy about Botha, he was a winner and he had a big impact on how much the Northern Transvaal team won between 1977 and 1992. We like winners and you will see Loftus full when the Bulls are winning. It was no different during the 1980’s.

The early days

Naas Botha was born on 26 February 1958 in a small town called Breyten, but he completed his schooling in Pretoria at Hendrik Verwoerd. He was a multi talented athlete who excelled in softball, tennis, hurdles and of course, rugby.

The buzz started in 1977 when everyone took notice of the young blonde general playing under 19 rugby for Northern Transvaal. The coach at that time was Buurman van Zyl, the legendary Northern Transvaal coach. Oom Buurman took notice and after being selected for the South African under 20 side, Botha was quickly drafted into the Northern Transvaal senior team, rubbing shoulders with giants of the game like Thys Lourens and Moaner van Heerden.

His star continued to shine and after a brilliant performance in the 1979 Currie Cup final, Botha set himself up for what would be his real breakthrough year in 1980.

The 1980 rugby season was an oasis in the rugby drought called isolation. Nine tests was played and Botha featured in all of them. He made his debut against the South American Jaguars at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on 26 April 1980. He made an immediate impact and scored a drop goal in his first couple of seconds of international rugby. Just a taste of things to come.

The Boks won without too much effort against the South Americans and it was valuable match practice for the real test, a four match series against Billy Beaumont’s British & Irish Lions team. Botha was absolutely brilliant against the Lions and such was his brilliance that it didn’t take the British press too long to come up with a nickname for him; “Nasty Booter“. Naas also showed how calm he could be under pressure. With the Boks 2-0 up after good wins in Cape Town and Bloemfontein, the Boks had to win the third test in Port Elizabeth to avenge the series loss in 1974. We were trailing 6-10 in pouring rain when quick thinking by Gerrie Germishuys and Theuns Stofberg resulted in a try in left hand corner. It was ten all and Botha had to kick the conversion, from touch, in pouring rain and with a heavy wet leather ball to seal the series for the Boks. He hit it low and hard and it sailed through to win the match and the series for the Boks. This was just the first of many games Botha won with a difficult kick.

1980 was also the year in which Botha was selected as captain of the Northern Transvaal team. It was quite unusual for a 22 year old to be made captain, but Northern made the final that year and hosted Western Province in the final. With Botha leading the charge, the Blue Bulls won 39 – 9, still a record margin in a Currie Cup final.

The next season Botha again won the Currie Cup with Northern Transvaal and he played in all six test matches that year. The first two was against Ireland and in the second test the Springboks struggled to dominate. Botha kicked three drop goals to win the game for South Africa.

The tour to New Zealand in 1981 was again an opportunity for Botha to show the world what he is capable of and two games stand out, the match against Auckland where he scored two great tries and of course, the second test in Wellington where he scored 20 points to steer the Boks to a famous 24 – 12 victory to tie up the series.

Botha always conducted himself as a professional, even in an amateur game and in 1982 he got the opportunity to play professional sport when he was scouted to play American Football in the NFL. Botha played for the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots before returning to South Africa at the end of 1984. It took some fine work from Dr. Danie Craven to get Botha his status as an amateur back, but he did and between 1985 and 1989, Naas Botha was at his peak.

Naas Botha

In his prime

Botha was named SA Rugby player of the year in 1985 and in 1986 he got the opportunity to captain the Springboks against the touring New Zealand Cavaliers. In the third test at Loftus Versfeld, Botha scored his first test try and as expected, the crowd went ballistic. The Boks won the series 3 – 1 and many people felt that South Africa would have been very strong contenders for the Webb Ellis trophy if they had the opportunity to play in the 1987 Rugby World Cup. It wasn’t to be, but Botha played in another final in 1987. In my humble opinion, the 1987 Currie Cup final was Botha’s greatest game he ever played. Transvaal were the hot favourites the win the Cup at home and were leading half time. Botha’s instructions to his team at half time was “Give me the ball”. The pack delivered and he ensured his team played on the front foot for the rest of the match. He kicked four penalties and four drop goals in pouring rain and at times hail to help his side to victory. The final score: Naas 24 – Transvaal 18.

Norther Transvaal again won the Currie Cup in 1988 and shared it with Western Province in 1989. Botha played in two tests against the touring World XV and scored a nice intercept try in the first test at Newlands.

In 1990, Northern Transvaal dominated the local rugby scene and easily topped the Currie Cup log. They would play Natal in the final who punched above their weight in their centenary year. Northerns beat Natal easily in a Percy Frames match at Loftus two weeks before the final, so the expectation was that they would walk away with the gold… To this day I cannot tell you what went wrong. Pieter Nel hurt his leg while running onto the field before kick off and that was probably an omen. Take nothing away from Natal, they deserved the win as they were the better side on the day. After the match Naas famously said: “Noord-Transvaal sal volgende jaar weer in die finaal wees, maar ek twyfel of Natal in die finaal sal wees, want dis ‘n ander ding om ‘n kampioen te wees en ‘n kampioen te bly. Natal moet bewys hy is ‘n kampioen deur daardie beker weer te wen. ‘n One off? Vergeet dit…“.

Botha predicted the events of 1991 correctly and Northern Transvaal again won the Currie Cup with him as captain against Transvaal at Loftus Versfeld.

His final bow

1992 would be Botha’s last full season as a player in South Africa and he was appointed Springbok captain against New Zealand in our return match at Ellispark on 15 August 1992. Things didn’t go that well for the Springboks in 1992, only winning one out of five tests, against France in Lyon.

In 1993 he played an invitation game for a Northern Transvaal XV against a World XV and in 1995 he made a brief comeback. I remember the newspapers reporting that 2000 people gathered at B field of Loftus to watch Botha’s comeback in a club game. He played his final first class match for a Danie Craven XV against a World XV in Stellenbosch in 1995.

Naas Botha

Botha was more than just a points machine. His tactical understanding of the game was outstanding and his ability to dominate a match with the boot beyond compare. He read the game better than anyone and continuously kept the opposition on the back foot. Botha had natural talent, but what gave him the edge was the amount of effort he put into practice. He was the first to arrive and once all the players have left, he would still practice his goal kicking.

Botha wasn’t just a kicking fly-half and to place him in that box is inaccurate. He had fantastic hands and an awesome ability to get the back line away and to pass to the right player. The reason people tend to remember him as a kicking fly-half is because he kicked better than anyone. I doubt whether Carel du Plessis, Danie Gerber, Ray Mordt and Jaco Reinach would have scored so many tries for the Boks if Botha never passed. What also set him apart was his ability to make the right decision on the field. He knew when to run, when to kick and when to pass.

Botha will also be remembered for his uncanny ability as a drop kicker. In the wink of an eye he could change the course of a game with a beautifully struck drop goal, and trying to defend against it was impossible given his ability to make the snap drop-kick without warning and with either foot. In one match against Natal in 1992, he dropped five goals, the first South African to do so.

During Botha’s 15 year career, Northern Transvaal won the Currie Cup six times. He captained the province a record 128 times and scored a record 2 511 points, including 1 699 points in the Currie Cup. He played 28 tests for the Springboks and scored 312 points.

In 2015, Naas Botha was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. A fitting tribute to the greatest match winner South Africa has ever produced.

Thank you Naas for all the memories, from that young boy kicking a leather ball barefoot in the backyard.

Below is a compilation video of Naas Botha at his best, we hope you enjoy!

Danie Gerber – The Greatest Ever

By
admin
-
15
Danie Gerber

Die Doring van Despatch

In the book “The Chosen” written by Andy Colquhoun and Paul Dobson, Danie Gerber was selected as the greatest Springbok ever. Well, one cannot argue with facts…

Danie Gerber

As a youngster growing up in the western suburbs of Johannesburg in the 1980’s, only one player really mattered. Naas Botha. He was the hero of Loftus and the hero of this writer for many many years. Only later in my life did I realize that the greatest Springbok ever actually came from a small town in the Eastern Cape, Despatch.

Danie Gerber was born on 14 April 1958 and after representing Eastern Province in the Craven week, he initially made his name at Orange Freestate where he represented the “Blikore” 24 times before moving back to Eastern Province where his legend grew. After missing out on the British Lions series in 1980, Danie made his inevitable debut against South America on 18 October 1980 in Montevideo, Uruguay. As expected, he scored a brilliant try and scored another in the second test a week later. Together with Naas Botha, Willie du Plessis and Ray Mordt, they tore the Jaguars to pieces and showcased their brilliance on attack.

In 1981 the Irish visited our shores and Danie himself has described the first test at Newlands as probably the best test he has ever played. He was everywhere and scored two fantastic tries, the second of which will fondly be remembered as he caused two Irishmen to run into each other trying to tackle him as he glided through their defenses.

1981 will also be remembered for the Springbok tour to New Zealand which was marred by demonstrators and made the tour a difficult one. Danie didn’t score any tries, but he was on the lips of all the New Zealanders who saw him play. I had the great privilege to have spent a weekend with Danie and his family in December 2011. He told me that he was in New Zealand earlier that year for the Rugby World Cup and people on the street in Wellington still recognized him from that 1981 tour. Such was his impact and it goes to show – true fans never forget the legends of the game.

Danie hit a purple patch of form between 1982 and 1986 and he was undoubtedly the best centre on the planet. After scoring a hat trick against the Jaguars at Loftus Versfeld in 1982, he did so again against England in 1984. He was red hot, and the world knew it… Unfortunately, isolation from international competition meant that Danie had limited opportunities to showcase his power, pace and killer side step. In May 1986 he did get an opportunity, together with Naas Botha, Flippie van der Merwe, Schalk Burger Snr and Carel du Plessis to show the world what South African rugby players were made of.

They were invited to participate in a centenary match at Twickenham between a Five Nations XV and a Southern Hemisphere XV. Danie scored two tries, Carel another and all five players shone in a great display of running rugby. Later that year Danie would again shine in a magnificent Springbok back line against the New Zealand Cavaliers. A series the Boks won 3-1, although most New Zealand supporters will consider this a non event. Danie scored one of the greatest Bok tries in the third test at Loftus Versfeld.

Continued isolation and some injuries meant that Danie didn’t play for the Springboks again until 1992 when South Africa re-entered the international rugby scene. On 15 August 1992, South Africa made it’s comeback against our arch rivals, New Zealand at Ellispark. Danie was already 34 at the time and wasn’t the first choice to play at centre. Brendan Venter was originally at the front of the pecking order, but broke his leg playing for Freestate against the Allblacks and that opened the door for Danie after a very strong performance by him in the trials in July.

He didn’t disappoint. He scored two of his best tries that day and showed the world what it missed in the 1980’s. He ran with the same pace, power and enthusiasm as he did in 1980 and was still just as potent on attack. He played another 4 tests in 1992 against Australia, France and England before retiring from international rugby at the end of the season.

Danie Gerber 2

Danie played a couple of seasons for L’Aquilla in Italy before finally retiring at 37. In 1995 he played his last game on South African soil when he represented a Danie Craven XV against a World XV at Stellenbosch. He again scored, created opportunities and tore the defense to shreds. Class, as they say, is permanent.

He later went on to coach at the Pumas in Witbank before moving back to Port Elizabeth where he currently resides. In 2007 he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame and in 2015, he was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. The famous Scottish commentator Bill McClaren named Danie in his greatest ever XV and Dr. Danie Craven named Danie as one of the five greatest players of all time.

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF DANIE GERBER

To this day, I still get excited when I look at old footage of Danie in his prime, the only other two players who ever made me sit up when they touched the ball were David Campese and Christian Cullen. I doubt whether we will ever see another player of his caliber. He was a once in a lifetime type of player who will simply be remembered as – The Best Ever.

 

123Page 3 of 3
- Advertisement -

RECOMMENDED VIDEOS

Follow us on Instagram @realrugbysa

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv