SA Rugby a New start[For Biltongbek]

As an admirer of the Boks,second in SH to my beloved All Blacks,a few comments.
It is to be assumed that the new coach,will have the best available backups to
him available.First do you consider Biltong,the relative decline in both the Bulls
and the Boks.?
The changes in intrepratations of the laws in 2010,or was it injuries the failure
to adapt?
Do you think he will continue to look abroad for his Players or use Home Grown
talent.I know you rate Frannie Steyn highly,and his RWC form was good,his
form in the 2010 3Ns frankly below par.
Given the dearth of young talent especialy at half back will he go for more
attacking style,or stick with the Bulls approach?
The 4Ns is going to be a monster this year,OZ will want to retain the title they
won.The All Blacks to prove a RWC was`nt a fluke and regain it SA try to win it for a
4th time.
Argentina looking to break into the Tier 1 world bring it on.

Will some Moderator please repost this inthe I nternational section.thankyou.

Alan the decline of the Boks and Bulls do have parallels.

Frans Ludeke and PDV both held onto players who were out of form, have not shown hunger to win and stuck to the same game plan without wanting to add any unpredictability to their game.

Both teams relied heavily on Fourie du Preez. His shoulder injury in my opinion has ended his ability to be a match winner, he has been living off a reputation for the past 3 years, and rearely shown any ability to control a match.

This coincided with the total loss of confidence for Morne Steyn who since the Lions tour have shown the only international quality talent he posesses is to kick goals. Without Fourie du Preez in top form next to him, he annot perform and control a match.

The Bulls and South Africa have had the same problems in midfield as well, neither Wynand Olivier or Jean de Villiers can create much, they can hit the line, but even once they gain the advantage line lack vision.

The biggest mistake Heyneke Meyer can make is to bring the retired Springboks back. What concerns me most is the tight relationship he has with victor Matfield and fourie du Preez. He will go down in my estimation if he holds on to those two players.

Although Matfield and Du Preez could still be decent at international level, that is all they can be. Francois Hougaard or Duvenhage or Sarel Pretorius must now be given opportunity to make the 9 jumper their own.

Andries Bekker will be the new Springbok number 5, we do have a problem at four, Meyer mght get away with having Matfield there for a short period while finding a replacement, I doubt and don't want Bakkies Botha back.

The danger for Heyneke Meuer is his human factor, most coaches have favourite players and are biased in selecting them. There has been a lot of criticism for the way PDV held on to John Smit, who in fairness did not have a bad world cup. But it was at the expense of Bismarck du Plessis.

Meyer should not allow for the opportunity of the sam criticism.

Yes, I rated Frans Steyn in the world cup, anyone who didn't, doesn't know much about rugby.

One thing Meyer should and ust learn. Frans Ludeke the Buls coach and PDV has shown him over the last four years exactly what not to do, he must learn from their mistakes.

My thoughts more or less precisely,Biltong,You have ALL the Players you need resident in SA.Matfield`s role was like to be as an assitant Coach[lineouts]few better at that.
With the extension of the TMO,plus League style Ref reporting hopefully less
Professional fouls.
Finally last I heard Franz Steyn was resident in France,but there was talk of his coming home.Anything further on that?

Alan there has been talk by his agent that there has been talks for a possible return to SA, his contract expires at the end of June.

All I know is he is still in rehabilitation with hs shoulder.