'You can never underestimate what sort of knowledge or intellectual property they are getting from a guy like Fourie du Preez'
The dominant pack and the educated boot of Morné Steyn are getting plenty of accolades. Fleet-footed backs like Travis Ismaiel, Stedman Gans, Cornal Hendricks and Kurt-Lee Arendse are also getting their share of réclame. However, retired World Cup-winning Springbok Fourie du Preez has made a significant contribution to the Bulls’ rise to the top of the South African domestic totem pole – writes Jan de Koning.
The Bulls are sitting pretty at the top of the Super Rugby Unlocked standings after four rounds – a position cemented by their 39-6 demolition of the star-studded Stormers team at the weekend.
Their most serious challenge appears to be from the Cheetahs – the one team that has beaten the Jake White-coached Bulls this season.
White acknowledged the influence of Du Preez, widely acknowledged to have been the world’s premier scrumhalf for the better part of his 11-year career.
Du Preez, now 38, played one of his 76 Tests when he starred for Jake White’s Bok team in a 15-6 win over England in the 2007 World Cup Final.
That relationship has spilt over into the improved form of the Bulls’ two current Bok scrumhalves – Ivan van Zyl and Embrose Papier.
Van Zyl, 25, played the last of his six Tests against Wales in Cardiff in November 2018.
Papier, 23, has one Test more – but his last appearance in the Green and Gold was in the same Test against Wales in 2018.
Papier started in the No.9 jersey that day and Van Zyl played off the bench.
The work done by the legend that is Du Preez could see the Bulls duo challenge for inclusion in a Bok squad in the not too distant future.
Van Zyl outplayed current Bok squad member Herschel Jantjies at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend.
“All we do is let him train with Fourie Du Preez once a week,” Bulls Director of Rugby and coach Jake White told a post-match media briefing after his team’s impressive win at the weekend.
“You can see the impact Fourie du Preez has in helping the scrumhalves.
“We didn’t get to see Embrose today [Saturday], but I can tell you it is the little things and the detail that Fourie du Preez helps them with.
“The confidence they gain when you get a guy like him to come in and help them with their technical stuff and the understanding of the game.
“They are getting a feel for what their roles are. You can never underestimate what sort of knowledge or intellectual property they are getting from a guy like Fourie du Preez.”
White also had plenty of praise for veteran Bok flyhalf Morné Steyn, who at the age of 36, is handing out rugby lessons to the youngsters in real-time.
“I watched him play when he was at Stade Francais – and I was coaching at Montpelier – and he was still winning games there,” White said of Steyn’s masterclass in flyhalf play at the weekend.
“He was still winning Man of the Match awards,” White said of Steyn’s seven-year stint in France – which only came to an end this year when he returned to Pretoria.
“When he was there Stade Francais won the league [in 2015], when he was one of the most important players for them as well.”
White said the experience that more senior players like Duane Vermeulen (captain), Jacques van Rooyen and Steyn bring is almost invaluable.
“They are the role models.
“The kind of performances they’re giving is making it so much easier for the coaching staff to get those juniors to play like that, because when they play like it rubs off on all the junior players.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments