'Flower of Scotland is easy to learn and at least it is all in one language'
It is all happening at once for Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman as he celebrates his first call-up to the Scotland squad in the same week as the Vodacom United Rugby Championship delivers him his first clash with his old team.
Schoeman, who was called up to the Scotland training camp that starts on Sunday after completing his three year qualification requirement, admits it is a bit weird to be preparing to play against old friends and teammates. He’d love to mix with some of his old Vodacom Bulls teammates a bit more, and is a bit miffed that the Pretoria team is staying outside Edinburgh until the eve of Saturday’s big game at the DAM Health Stadium.
At the same time though, he knows there can be no love lost in the battle between the white lines, and he also knows that a big performance could secure him an opportunity to play against another team that will include several former teammates and friends of his, and also a side he grew up supporting as a boy – the world champion Springboks.
The Boks are in Edinburgh shortly for their end of year tour test against Scotland and by being called up to the training camp for the Autumn Internationals, Schoeman has put himself in with a chance of being part of that Murrayfield occasion.
“It would be a massive honour to play in that game, particularly at Murrayfield, and it would also be a bit personal, so hopefully there won’t be too many swear words,” laughed Schoeman when he considered the prospect of playing against the country of his berth so early in his Scotland career.
“It will be a bit weird singing the national anthem of Scotland, but Flower of Scotland is easy to learn and at least it is all in one language.”
If Schoeman doesn’t make it into the Scotland team for the imminent clash with the Boks, his longer-term goal of being at the next World Cup in France in 2023 should see him playing against the team he says he spent his boyhood dreaming about playing for. Scotland are in the same group as the Boks in that tournament.
In the meantime Schoeman is relishing the opportunity to play against teams from South Africa again, and says that in terms of physicality, the game against the DHL Stormers last weekend was a step up for him and his Edinburgh teammates.
“I was so excited to be playing against South African players again and the local boys were too. We knew it would be more physical than we are used to, and the Stormers didn’t disappoint in that regard, they were physical on defence and on attack too. The guys were all a little bit more excited and nervous than they normally are before a game and many of them admitted afterwards that it was closer to a test match than a normal PRO14 or URC match.
“While it was all out between the white lines, it was also fun. I spoke some Afrikaans before the time. I know Warrick Gelant from my time with the Bulls and I also know Evan Roos quite well, and Brok Harris was playing club rugby over here for many years. But it was very competitive on the pitch, and a bit more personal than usual.”
Not making it too personal is something that Schoeman is having to work on this week as he prepares for Saturday’s clash with his old team.
“It is a bit weird to be playing against the Bulls, I keep thinking back to those days where we sat around Loftus after training sessions talking about the next match and our chances,” he said. “The Bulls are coming through on Friday and I am hoping to meet up with some of them. There are a few guys in the team and in the management who I know well, and it will be nice to have a coffee with them on Friday. Rugby is known for the brotherships that are built up, and it will be nice to meet up, but then the next day, as Bakkies (Botha) would say, you put everything into it.
“There is more motivation for me playing against the Bulls but I have to try and treat it like another game. There is a fine balance between being motivated and getting carried away and being too enthusiastic. So the key is to try and not make it too personal as that might make you deviate away from the team goal and plan and rugby is a team game.”
Edinburgh are in the process of trying to embrace an all-encompassing attacking game, and it is has been a big talking point in Scotland, but Schoeman says that does not mean the home forwards will be taking a backward step against the feared Bulls eight.
“Mike Blair is an amazing coach and we have been learning so much from him about playing the ball and playing more exciting rugby, but he is also big on the pride that was built up at the club under the previous coach Richard Cockerill, who is now an assistant coach at England,” says Schoeman.
“We had some big wins over the last three years, including beating Newcastle twice, Montpellier, Toulon and Wasps. There were some big games we pulled through because of the set-piece emphasis and robustness that was key to Richard’s coaching. Our new coach wants us to play innovative rugby but he is also adamant we must stick to the fundamental of earning the right to go wide. But within that structure we are free to express ourselves and do offloads and things.”
The South African teams all struggled initially in their introduction to European rugby through the URC but Schoeman reckons he is now seeing what he always knew would happen – a quick adjustment and adaptation that will soon make the South Africans not only formidable contenders in the URC but in time in Europe in the Champions Cup too.
“The Stormers, Emirate Lions and Bulls and Cell C Sharks all play to their strengths. The Bulls are physical and come at you around the corner with their big forwards and of course they have a strong kicking game, the Lions’ set-piece is a strength, the Stormers focus a lot on offloads to bring their back three into the game and the Sharks are physical and also have flair.
“We are already seeing the transition. Coaches are innovative and speak to the opposition coaches after the games and to referees. South Africans are very good at adapting quickly. We talk about going back to the drawing board, and we do that quickly, we adapt quickly. And I am seeing that happening. In a few years all these young players are going to be very experienced at European conditions and European playing styles and that is going to make them feared opponents no matter who they play against.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments