Cape Town - Peter de Villiers has been named the first black coach of the Springboks, succeeding Jake White at the helm of the Rugby World Cup champions.
De Villiers, currently the coach of the Springboks' Under-21 side, was "a strong leader, a coach with proven track record," the South African Rugby Union (Saru) chief executive Johan Prinsloo told a press conference.
"Peter has created history today by becoming the first black person to coach the Springboks."
His appointment is a surprise with most commentators predicting that the job would go to Heyneke Meyer, a former coach of the Pretoria-based Bulls Super 14 franchise.
Former South Africa assistant coach Allister Coetzee and former Super 12 Cats coach Chester Williams were also on the four-man shortlist.
Asked why the board had eventually opted for De Villiers over Meyer, the president of Saru, Oregan Hoskins, acknowledged that the desire to broaden the racial base of rugby was a factor.
"I want to be honest with South Africa and say the appointment did not take into account only rugby reasons... We took into account the issue of transformation in rugby very, very seriously when we took the decision," Hoskins told reporters.
Saru has been heavily criticised by the South African government over the racial make-up of the Springboks.
Thirteen of the 15 players in the starting line-up in the Springboks' recent World Cup triumph over England were white in a country where around 85% of the population are black or coloured.
De Villiers, who has been given an initial two-year contract, told reporters that colour would be irrelevant when it came to selection.
"The fact that I am the first black coach must end now," he said.
"Players out there must understand they will all stand an equal chance... If they are good enough, talented enough and work hard enough they will be part of the squad."
White departed from the post at the turn of the year, angry that Saru wanted him to reapply for his position even though he had steered the Springboks to World Cup glory in France in October.
From Sport24.com
NVDL: The future bodes ill for SA Rugby and Reconciliation. I read this and feel angry. Do most of South Africa's black people really even care about rugby, because all this 'transformation' is being done in their name? Worse still, will the Boks ever be the Boks again? Will they ever be capable of giving the All Blacks or the Wallabies a real go?
Showing posts with label rugby lessons from jake white. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rugby lessons from jake white. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Fire Oregon Hoskins
Jake White’s book presents the perfect case for holding the custodians of sport accountable for their (often dubious) curatorship.
It is obviously untenable that Hoskins could be let off the hook for his speech made to the Bok team (whilst handing out their jerseys), on the eve of their game against the world champions, in which he admitted to the Boks:
- he was a victim of Apartheid
- as such he had supported the All Blacks in matches against the Boks
Naturally, this presents a personal ethos incompatible with his position in SA Rugby management. It is the sort of thing on a CV that would disqualify an applicant. So why did he even apply?
In this scenario, how can anyone expect this sort of person bringing their personal background into play, to contribute positively or supportively to the South African side? He has clearly admitted to subverting sport, and as it turns out in White’s book, the idea seems to have been to subvert and score political points all along, as though the Springbok rugby teams were a newspaper, not a bunch of professional sportsmen, and they were being used to convey personal political messages back to the South African public.
Truly Blessed
Rugby loving South Africans were truly blessed to have someone who not only loves and knows the game, but also demonstrated a stubbornly loyalty to the sport because of this. He also did his best to transform the side, not artificially, but using the good players he could find. But management was impatient, irrational and apparently disconnected to the game. White had to resist political opportunists who constantly took the ANC and the president’s name in vain. Ironically enough, when White decided to see the president himself to find out what was happening,and what he needed to do, he was threatened by Hoskin’s et al that he would lose his job and his chance to go to the World Cup. Crazy!
Double Jeopardy
This further demonstrates not only a personal agenda on the part of Hoskins’, but a double agenda. One agenda seemingly for the ‘disadvantaged’ (thus a political agenda) and the other, based on settling personal issues.
Interestingly, the Watson saga further demonstrates how easily political will could be forced over the Boks, despite Whites’ integrity and work ethic. The good news is that the sponsors, the media (hopefully) and the South Africa public, en mass, are now savvy as to how these political machinations are brought about. One hopes they will not miss a beat, and that both the press and public will not allow political interference, not allow the perpetrators of this interference, to get away it any longer. SARU management, you have been warned. This does beg the question: with their hands tied in terms of ostensible political point scoring, what exactly will the likes of Stofile and Hoskins do at SARU for kicks, as one assumes they were never there for the love of the game?
White Vs All Blacks
The great pity is that White did not get to see his dream realized, and it is a dream all rugby loving South Africans dream: to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand. Unfortunately, Jake White will never get his chance to do this, something he admits is his greatest regret. It’s also a cogent reminder why we ought never to not let SARU management forget who SA rugby really belongs to...
It is obviously untenable that Hoskins could be let off the hook for his speech made to the Bok team (whilst handing out their jerseys), on the eve of their game against the world champions, in which he admitted to the Boks:
- he was a victim of Apartheid
- as such he had supported the All Blacks in matches against the Boks
Naturally, this presents a personal ethos incompatible with his position in SA Rugby management. It is the sort of thing on a CV that would disqualify an applicant. So why did he even apply?
In this scenario, how can anyone expect this sort of person bringing their personal background into play, to contribute positively or supportively to the South African side? He has clearly admitted to subverting sport, and as it turns out in White’s book, the idea seems to have been to subvert and score political points all along, as though the Springbok rugby teams were a newspaper, not a bunch of professional sportsmen, and they were being used to convey personal political messages back to the South African public.
Truly Blessed
Rugby loving South Africans were truly blessed to have someone who not only loves and knows the game, but also demonstrated a stubbornly loyalty to the sport because of this. He also did his best to transform the side, not artificially, but using the good players he could find. But management was impatient, irrational and apparently disconnected to the game. White had to resist political opportunists who constantly took the ANC and the president’s name in vain. Ironically enough, when White decided to see the president himself to find out what was happening,and what he needed to do, he was threatened by Hoskin’s et al that he would lose his job and his chance to go to the World Cup. Crazy!
Double Jeopardy
This further demonstrates not only a personal agenda on the part of Hoskins’, but a double agenda. One agenda seemingly for the ‘disadvantaged’ (thus a political agenda) and the other, based on settling personal issues.
Interestingly, the Watson saga further demonstrates how easily political will could be forced over the Boks, despite Whites’ integrity and work ethic. The good news is that the sponsors, the media (hopefully) and the South Africa public, en mass, are now savvy as to how these political machinations are brought about. One hopes they will not miss a beat, and that both the press and public will not allow political interference, not allow the perpetrators of this interference, to get away it any longer. SARU management, you have been warned. This does beg the question: with their hands tied in terms of ostensible political point scoring, what exactly will the likes of Stofile and Hoskins do at SARU for kicks, as one assumes they were never there for the love of the game?
White Vs All Blacks
The great pity is that White did not get to see his dream realized, and it is a dream all rugby loving South Africans dream: to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand. Unfortunately, Jake White will never get his chance to do this, something he admits is his greatest regret. It’s also a cogent reminder why we ought never to not let SARU management forget who SA rugby really belongs to...
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
In Black and White: Rugby Lessons To Learn From Jake's Book
We have some valuable insights into SA rugby through White's book, but will we live the lessons learned?
South Africa's losing streak in 2006 (including the shock 49-0 loss in Brisbane)came about because of unnecessary outside pressures and distractions on the team. How do you build a winning team?
1) Clarify contractual issues. Imagine how it would affect YOUR work performance, if, after each and every assignment, your job is up for review? Imagine if, having performed well, your boss keeps postponing meetings meant to clarify your future. Whilst the likes of Markgraaf believe this uncertainty is good, as it keeps you on your toes, some people are dedicated and have a work ethic that has them on their toes anyway, and hence - in this sense - the uncertainty approach is counterintuitive.
2) Manage the media. The likes of Dale Granger have done a disservice not only to SA rugby but to journalism. Twisting comments to sell newspapers adds pressure and distraction to the mix. Jake White may have made the mistake that when incorrect news was made, he did not instantly issue a correction. Perhaps a relationship with one consistent writer ought to be maintained, who is constantly updated on the true state of affairs (when reports go awry).
3) The media are co-conspirators. The media are part and parcel of South African rugby. Are they constructive towards the sport and the sportspeople or do they serve their own interests? Thus far, we've seen people climbing onto the bandwagon for their own interests and egos. That will have to change.
4) SARU Management ought to accountable to the public interest, which means serving the interests of sport (above and beyond their own interests). To this extent they are answerable to the ordinary shareholders whom the Springboks represent: the South African public, in whose name the national team plays
5) Rest is crucial to sustain long term performance. Long term success depends on resting key players for big games.
South Africa's losing streak in 2006 (including the shock 49-0 loss in Brisbane)came about because of unnecessary outside pressures and distractions on the team. How do you build a winning team?
1) Clarify contractual issues. Imagine how it would affect YOUR work performance, if, after each and every assignment, your job is up for review? Imagine if, having performed well, your boss keeps postponing meetings meant to clarify your future. Whilst the likes of Markgraaf believe this uncertainty is good, as it keeps you on your toes, some people are dedicated and have a work ethic that has them on their toes anyway, and hence - in this sense - the uncertainty approach is counterintuitive.
2) Manage the media. The likes of Dale Granger have done a disservice not only to SA rugby but to journalism. Twisting comments to sell newspapers adds pressure and distraction to the mix. Jake White may have made the mistake that when incorrect news was made, he did not instantly issue a correction. Perhaps a relationship with one consistent writer ought to be maintained, who is constantly updated on the true state of affairs (when reports go awry).
3) The media are co-conspirators. The media are part and parcel of South African rugby. Are they constructive towards the sport and the sportspeople or do they serve their own interests? Thus far, we've seen people climbing onto the bandwagon for their own interests and egos. That will have to change.
4) SARU Management ought to accountable to the public interest, which means serving the interests of sport (above and beyond their own interests). To this extent they are answerable to the ordinary shareholders whom the Springboks represent: the South African public, in whose name the national team plays
5) Rest is crucial to sustain long term performance. Long term success depends on resting key players for big games.
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