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Mailbox: PDV`s nightmare run

Tuesday 26th August 2008

No kidding around: Bok fans are fed up

Following South Africa's loss to Australia over the weekend, the rugby public are calling for Peter de Villiers' head.

Already this season South Africa have notched some notable firsts: the first whitewash at home for over a hundred years, the first home loss to Australia since 2000 and the first time that the Boks have lost two consecutive home matches in the Tri-Nations competition.

Perhaps the memory is failing me, but this past weekend's 27-15 defeat at ABSA Stadium in Durban also sparked what was either a first or at least an extremely rare occurrence when the Springbok team, captain and coach were booed at home.

The lone appearance on the positive side of the list has been the win over the All Blacks in Dunedin, the first on New Zealand soil in ten years and the first ever in that particular south island spot.

This is what you have to say about it all...

Ask any South African, honestly, what is the only other team they really want to play and it is New Zealand. Ask any Kiwi, and I expect you'd get the same response. Its what every Bok supporter lives for.

The new coach De Villiers has been handed a Rolls-Royce in terms of quality, potential, and more importantly, results. As the new coach he should understand his position and his responsibility. Peter De Villiers, you have not taken over, some punch-drunk, confidence-shattered, shambles-of-an-outfit, circa 2003/4, as your predecessor did and turned them around into the unit that made the entire nation proud less than a year ago. Understand - you have been given a world cup winning team: you haven't earned that - humbly remember that. Make your improvements as I believe you have the potential to do so, but not at the expense of your players trust. Remember the 'tongue is shaper than the sword'. Grow up, Sir! These men under you have walked, where you, right now, can only dream of. Continue as you are doing now with your flippant disregard and it shall be you falling upon your own. This is a team of unbelievable greatness - so do your job as anybody befit of the immense responsibility should.

It is one of the greatest privileges to be the rugby coach of the Springboks. Act like one.

If I want humour, I have the Comedy Channel. And believe me, they are much funnier, and smarter, than you.

- Matt Devine (Beijing)

This was not a bad defeat. The ELVs are still frustrating the Boks. They must just hang in there and it will come together. The Wallabies were very lucky to get that first try by Robinson. I would not have awarded it. The SA management must simply go back to rebuild mode and do some unemotional analysing.

- Bok supporter

No matter if the Boks lose 20 games in a row, Pieter Devil Ears will never get sacked, he has the most secure jon in Bok history.

- John

Sad to say that PDV has the backing of the politicians, who do not give a damn about winning as long as the masses of people living in squalor perceive the ANC government as having the upper hand over the "settlers".

This will continue to be the Republic's problem until a country blessed with potential, slowly dims into the oblivion that is deepest darkest Africa.

- Marlon

Get rid of Peter ASAP!

- Boris McRad

SA Rugby has got untold wealth. Why would a few million rand worry them? Do you not realise what mineral wealth that country has. Flowing rivers of money is no problem to that government. All they need to do is turn the tap and out she comes. Don't worry, all will be well within South African rugby soon. Money is no object.

- Marco (NZ)

Evident now, Peter de Villiers reached his level of competence when coaching South Africa U20's.

He talks the most astounding and embarrassing load of rubbish in post-game interviews and his views on taking "a year and a half" to convert Springbok style of play is stuff made for the looney bin. In less than one season he has dragged Springbok rugby down from World Champions to the depths of despair, and his hopes of turning around our fortunes over the next week haven't a snowball's hope in hell. As a Bok coach, this man is worse than Rudolf Straeuli. He needs replacing, and with a coach of the Robbie Deans or Graham Henry mould, not another yahoo who suites the racialistic desires of nincompoops such as Cedrick Frolick and his sports committee.

The Sharks' New Zealand-born coach, John Plumtree, a few weeks ago said South Africa had the depth of players to win the Tri-Nations, but he never counted on them not having a coach to do the job: to motivate, coach and prepare the players in a manner that would bring victory.

Planet Rugby is right, there is something really sick in the nation and it begins with the new brand of racism that insists that race, not quality, determines who is the Bok coach. At this rate we might end up struggling to beat a minnow like Canada. We've become pathetic!

No wonder so many South Africans have turned to supporting the All Blacks. They are sick of bad government, violent crime, corruption, government interference in sport and now through its racialist pressures. And of course, the appointment of an incompetent 'black' coach who talks a load of hot air that for amusement could possibly begin qualifying for Punch magazines jokes of the week.

Hopefully the defeat to Australia will bring matters to a head - and see the end to buffoons like Oregan Hoskins and his hoard of SARU hamfists..

- Rob Porter

South Africa has a proud history as a champion rugby nation... as great sportsmen.

Get rid of Peter de Villiers. He is OBVIOUSLY not capable of putting together a winning side and has the cheek to place all blame on his players AND the referees. Also get rid of the people who put Peter de Villiers in charge of the team. They have an agenda that places race above their countries' success.

STOP playing the race game and employ the right man for the job based on ability... NOT colour.

It WILL be money well spent (even at a high premium) to terminate the contracts of all those responsible for this self-indulgent fiasco.

- Ando (South African in Oz)

Please fire the whole administration!!!

Biggest dumb-ass organisation currently running with absolutely no insight what so ever!

They managed to lose a World Cup-winning coach Jake White. People like Jake White are high above these dumb assholes. No wonder he moved on to mingle with a higher quality.

I bought myself the Jake White book "In Black and White" to read up about these dumb-asses running this disorganised organisation. Will read it soon. Unfortunately the pressure from a racist government will kill the Boks like they have already done to South Africa.

- John

PdV was interviewed/assessed and employed by Hoskins with the clearly mentioned fact that PdV was NOT the best rugby coach, but he was appointed for "other reasons" (we all know what that reason was and is) that were more applicable and important at the time.

I suggest that Hoskins (who I personally think knows NOTHING about rugby - hell, his attitude, comments, focus, decisions, etc suggests this) and his useless team of provincial rugby leaders are fired along with PdV now!

R5 Million is a lot less that the damage that this idiot, calling himself an international coach can do to the Bok brand that has been built up over 100 years of proud men... FIRE THE MAN - PLEASE!

Bring back a coach that has got the game of rugby in his heart and mind (and not politics!) there are many such men - Heyneke Meyer, Rassie Erasmus, Naas Botha, Jake White, Nick Mallett... take your pick.

A last thought, why is New Zealand the best rugby team? Because they ONLY pick the best!

Hoskins don't you want us, South Africa to be the best? Well then, step down and before you do, fire Peter de Villiers!

- Stonewall

Is South Africa playing his worst 3N since a lot of time? Yes.
Could PdV choices be a reasons for these bad performances? Maybe.
Should PdV be fired for this? Of course not.

South African players are playing top-level rugby uninterruptedly from September 2007, some have lost their perfect form and they're tired, some are young and need to grow up, and there are brand new players who need experience. And PdV as a head coach has to balance these players and begin to develop a good team which have to play together for years. IMO it's not a thing you can do at your first Tri-Nations.

Looking at Jake White's run in 2004, you have to look also at Australia and New Zealand, which they weren't the same (in terms of power, players and condition) of these days. The only team that repeated good performances after winning the World Cup was Australia in 1999, a solid and assorted group that continued to stay together for a couple of years at least. England, after the 2003 RWC, had to rebuild and played very badly in the following Six Nations!

Give PdV time, at least another year, under a lot of p.o.v. he's doing well, he is improving, trying to change the classic (foreseeable) SA way of playing rugby!

- Marco (Bologna, Italy)

Yes, South Africans are very passionate about rugby and have a tendency to criticize quickly. However, the excuses De Villiers has put forward for the incredibly poor performance of his side merely provides fuel for the fire of criticism aimed at him. Considering SA Rugby's endorsement of De Villiers over Jake White and the blind faith they placed in a coach who has not got a great deal of experience in coaching teams who compete on the international arena, one feels compelled to criticize the effect on the performance of the Springboks, if only to highlight to the South African Rugby administration that political agendas should not be a factor in deciding what is best for the national side.

While De Villiers states that the players have played a lot of Super 14 and international rugby, have the All Blacks and Australians not done the same? Does this explain the loss of basic skills? The new style of playing he makes reference to is surprising as I have no idea what style he is trying implement, hopefully he isn't merely referring to adapting to the ELV's.

It appears to me that the excuses listed are incredibly weak and nothing more than a thin veil to explain the embarrassing performances. I should think that certain basics should not be forfeited in the implementation of a new style of rugby. The players should still play for 80 minutes and get to the breakdown and clear out effectively. Support of the ball carrier would be nice too. Retaining our possession once we have the ball should perhaps be focused on and attacking through carrying the ball up perhaps attempted before kicking away possession aimlessly.

I understand that De Villiers has an extremely difficult job and is under immense pressure, but perhaps he and the side should accept some responsibility for their dismal performances instead of blaming poor refereeing, new rules and dirty opposition. Rugby is a contact sport and is dynamic on the field, this is why it is such a popular sport. Mr De Villiers asks the South African supporters for more time and understanding as he is trying to play a new style, but why should the South African supporters be patient? Were South Africa not the World Cup winners? Did they not have a side who were confident and professional and whom we felt had the talent and ability to beat any side in the world. While some senior players left the international arena, there were still plenty senior players left in the squad to encourage and support the new members of the squad.

While I'm sure the coach carries much of the responsibility for the team's performance, the players themselves should also step up and take some responsibility for their performances. The players' skills have degenerated to the level of beginners to rugby and while the coach dictates the gameplan and style of play, the players have the onus to carry the strategies out. Surely if the gameplan is being carried out to the coaches desire, it would be seen that the style of play is not working and a new strategy would need to be adopted. Many of the losses can be attributed to poor skills and lack of ball retention. You won't win games if you have to tackle for 80 minutes! The players are professionals and earn a considerable amount of money for playing the sport they love, perhaps they too should take some responsibility and give the undertaking to improve their skills even just to the point that the team could complete five phases without turning over the ball due to errors on their part.

De Villiers should spend less time thinking of excuses and rather focus on getting things right. Communicate to the supporters, whom he has appealed for their patience from, what new style he is attempting to play and how he is going to get the side to adopt his vision and play in a manner where the supporters can be proud of them, win or lose.

- Grant Hollins

Firstly let me say, De Villiers is a joke!!! It is my opinion that he is nothing but Hoskins' puppet and he is not doing the dance according to his strings, so why not put the puppet master in his place and let Hoskins become the new national coach and play the game according to his politics. SA has nothing left to lose, even the pride has gone out of the ring. These are World Cup champions and they can't even catch a bloody ball.

As for the excuses that De Villiers is offering, what "new playing style" is he trying to get out there as we are yet to see one. If it's playing crap well he has mastered that. Then to blame Super 14 and Test matches, I always thought that the more games you play the more experience you gain. My sympathy lies with Jake White, everything that he worked for has been destroyed, he made a team that made the nation proud, I was an ardent Bok supporter, but now I am embarrassed to say the least, the All Blacks are now the team I support.

South African rugby became the new battlefield for politics and the proof is in the pudding, just look at the log positions for the Tri-Nations. We have a coach that doesn't know what the hell he is doing, to make comments such as "we're getting there", they should be there, they are the damn World Champs and "Rome wasn't built in a day", Rome was built during the World Cup, he should be making it stronger.

Why do the players need to lose to do any soul searching, get a councilor, but for heaven's sake play rugby. I also don't think that Victor Matfield and De Villiers have got a coach/captain bond and that also contributes to a lot. The players play as individuals and there is no unity in the side, the basics are shocking, there is not support for the ball carrier. All these aspects cannot be blamed on coaching staff, this is the responsibility of the players on the field. Butch James has done absolutely nothing since returning to South Africa and I don't understand why he is still here, send him back to Bath and give someone else a chance! For a South African born and bred player to struggle with the climate - bah, what a joke! De Villiers should take a position coaching Little League and trying out is new style of play there before rolling it out with the national team because at this moment he is making a joke out of himself. I wonder if he even attends practice sessions. In my opinion SA Rugby is something of the past, the nation will be better off supporting the Bowls team.

- Ex Bok supporter (East London)

Pieter De Villiers is not the one who is playing the rugby at the end of the day. It comes down to the players and there attitude. You can't tell me that PDV doesn't put in 100 per cent and Matfield is not an international captain. I think there is a certain group of players who have been retained since the World Cup who are not performing. However he is the one who is doing the selecting.

SA have a lot of depth in their provincial/Super 14 sides. It appears that some of the players currently in the Springbok set-up are only there because they won the World Cup and not on current form.

I think that a lot of the players who are in the team are the sort of players suited to a more structured gameplan - like that, which a coach like Eddie Jones would instill. However, the players who are suited to PDV's style of rugby (expansive, or whatever that may be) are in SA but not in the Springbok team.

South Africa: 15 Francois Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean De Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Wikus Van Heerden, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Johan Muller, 4 Andries Bekker, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit(c), 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck Du Plessis, 17 CJ Van Der Linde, 18 Pierre Spies, 19 Hendro Scholtz, 20 Neil Powell, 21 Robert Ebersohn, 22 Jongi Nokwe.

The team above, for example, is a team, which could be taken forward into the future.

- Richard Milbank

South African rugby has proven to the world that having a puppet coach does not work. SA Rugby should know by now that rugby is a sport and politics should be kept out just as much as sports should not interfere with the running of the country. A new-look is in order, employ coaches and players that have proved themselves before playing them to the detriment of the country"s sporting body.

- Brian

South Africa needs help. I am for South Africa wanting to play an expansive style of game and they are doing it pretty well but the execution on the final phase is not right. It is so hard to believe that a talented team such as South Africa can perform so poorly. The coaching is right but the technique is not. The breakdown has become an art under the ELVs. The issue it seems that the coaching staff of South Africa is not experienced enough to coach the expansive style to the Springboks. But I totally agree with them, if South Africa gets it right, they would be unbeatable. Just getting the technique and execution right. Perhaps they need to get someone from NZ or Oz as a technical advisor to get the mix right. Perhaps Eddie Jones or the Stormers coach. He did a very good job in the Super 14 so he should be considered.

Well done to Australia, they took their opportunities, defended well and got South Africa's help to win the Test. I am sure South Africa will come back stronger next year as they now know what they need to work on. Also I am so happy for the Wallabies as after so long, they have a shot at some glory. Hope they make it.

- Fijian in NZ

Unfortunately I'm predicting another loss in Jo'burg for the Boks - five losses from six in this Tri-Nations campaign for a team that actually should have been in a good position to win the tournament, based on their experience and talent. Well done PdV for taking a world-class team, breaking them down, destroying their morale, slagging one of the most successful coaches (Jake White) in recent history, and for being a totally arrogant and obnoxious idiot throughout it all. What a tosser we have landed up with here. He has taken a world champion team and turned them into a bunch of bumbling fools - shame on you for destroying everything this team worked for over the past four years. What Jake White and his team achieved for SA has been successfully dismantled. He is starting to make the Rudolf Straeuli era look good, and that says it all. But of course the "brains trust" in SARU will stick by their political appointment and reduce the Bok brand to a laughing stock in world rugby. I'm embarrassed and angry as a supporter, but how do you think these talented players feel having to work under such a fool?

- Stu Anderson

Peter de Villiers is another product of the failed South African quota system. He is a puppet and only there because of his skin colour. Sack him now before we have another version of the failed Andy Robinson experiment with England. He is way out of his depth. Let SA Rugby be and just play to our strengths.

You can still play expansive attacking rugby, but you do need structure and you do need to win at the breakdown. Hey Peter, here's a thought, take a look at Australia and New Zealand's style of play, you idiot!!!

- Chris

Where does one start? The Wallabies are not really that good but the Sprongboks are just awful. Wrong selection choices, no gameplan, no plan B, retaining Butch James at fly-half but worst of all a coach not selected on merit but on race. I feel sorry for Peter de Villiers, but hey, no doubt he will blame the ref, the assistant refs, the TMO and the media.

- Gerry Portegys (NZ)

A commander-in-chief that publicly blames his soldiers for the mistakes that led his army to lose a battle, has already lost the war itself.

PDV has no idea of what being a leader is. The best teams are those that discuss and solve their problems within their own quarter's walls. A team never lets its opposition learn that internal dissent exists. If it does the way that PDV just did, then the team becomes a lot more vulnerable to the enemy's attacks who in turn have a much easier time defining where exactly to hit their blows in order to cause the maximum destruction.

With his public comments, PDV has already given Australia a huge advantage for this Saturday's Test match in Johannesburg.

PDV, you are in charge of a team made of basically the same players that conquered the world nine months ago. If your team cannot win and you want to find a scapegoat for that I am sure that you will find it very quickly when you look into your mirror tomorrow morning.

- Antonio De Almeida (Restelo, Portugal)