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Butch James has the ability to dominate a game, but his costly disciplinary mistakes could cost the Boks if they take him to the World Cup.
Can the Springboks afford to take Butch James to the Rugby World Cup in September? Has the Lions pivot’s indiscipline finally undone his World Cup ambitions?
The point must deeply trouble Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.
In a single match last weekend, James emphasised his credentials for a place in the national squad but also the liability factor he would invariably represent.
James played a key contributing role in helping the Lions to that astonishing 30-9 lead over the Sharks.
But when John Plumtree’s men lit the blue touch paper of their comeback, where was James?
At the most critical moments, idly kicking his heels in the sin bin because of another example of his indiscipline, his high tackle on Sharks flanker Keegan Daniel.
By the time James returned, the die was cast. Without him, the Lions lost their game management skills. Even with 20 minutes left and that 21-point lead still intact, you could tell they didn’t know what to do – hunt for another try, which would have killed off the Sharks once and for all, or try to shut up shop and hang on. It was a classic “stick or twist” dilemma, which they never looked like solving in James’s absence.
When James was yellow-carded, 14 against 15 meant that the Lions had no choice but to try to hang on. But it proved fatal. Just when the Lions needed James to boom some long kicks downfield into touch, to relieve the pressure and give his tiring forwards some breathing space and the opportunity to attack the Sharks lineout inside their own 22, he wasn’t there.
When he finally returned, it was too late to stop the Sharks charge.
At his best, James remains a highly valuable player. He is strong, kicks like a mule and positively relishes his defensive duties. He can take the ball up into the heavy traffic with power and authority; he can put his team into propitious situations on the field.
He is combative, highly competitive. But he is prone to losing his head. Those crazy rushes of blood that seem to have been a part of most of his career continue to haunt him.
So this indiscipline remains in his game. It was often in evidence during his time in the English Premiership with Bath and the bald fact is, you cannot afford indiscipline at a World Cup.
Under the searing pressures of a tight World Cup match at the vital knock-out phase, losing any player, even only for 10 minutes, could make all the difference between winning and losing.
When it comes down to the last four, there won’t be a whole lot between any of the countries left. No side can afford to play any part of a semi-final or final a man short.
James won’t start for the Boks, that much is obvious. Yet he could be a useful back-up to Morné Steyn, a utility player. What is more, he might have to step into the breach if Steyn got injured. But in a tight quarter or semifinal, James’s indiscipline could cost South Africa hugely.
Will De Villiers take Steyn, Patrick Lambie and James to the World Cup? I am quite sure he will take the first two.
If fit, Steyn will begin as first choice, a crucial ingredient in De Villiers’ World Cup plans.
Lambie is the obvious back-up because he has shown a growing maturity in the Sharks team this season.
But James as well? I think De Villiers will take him, but it could be a huge risk.
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Anonymous, wrote
YES! Cater and co are dead scared of him and he is still the No.1 pivot in SA perhaps the world. Rugby is not for sissies!
BEE GEE, wrote
In that case why dont they all stay at home and send Bafana to do the job.They always tend to kick the ball over the crossbar.Viva Bafana Bafana
Gavin Cohen, wrote
I took 610 about Butch being taken to NZ, I felt it was a 120 shot, if he is walking he will go to NZ, that is a certainty...
Spock101, wrote
If you are going to leave Butch at home because of ill discipline then you also have to leave Bakkies & Schalk behind as well. How often have they not given away penalties at crucial times through ill discipline - how many times have they not been sin-binned and banned for that same reason. Leave Butch at home by all means, if you feel that he is going to be a liability, but then do the same for all the others who are equally ill disciplined - what's good for the goose is good for the gander as well, guys...
Duane, wrote
I can’t believe what I’m reading?? Butch has to be in the WC squad end of story! His proven himself in big games when it really counts for SA and he will do it again. His gone 3 years without being dished out any yellow cards for foul play. Maybe not start with him, but definitely in the starting 22. And if you don’t agree you don’t know anything about rugby. End of story!
Judy, wrote
It seems that Butch is the only player in the SA "sqaud". Surely there are other players who are equally equipped to do the job. Butch is too great a liability and also being suspended definitely does not seem fair to allow him to go to the WC. He needs to be taught a leeson.....he needs to behave himself and stop acting like a spoilt brat!! He is past his sell by date.Give some other well mannered, talented player a chance and leave the has beens at home.
Jacques, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Butch is not only able to keep the ball in the oppositions half of the field, he also has BMT, for which there is no substitute.
Anonymous, wrote
dees, wrote
Most comments have dealt with the fact that he was more than good enough for a world cup winning team of 2007. Is he good enough now? As an armchair expert - yes. The real problem is poor reporting especially of dated stories ie high tackle and dirty play. This is old news. great comment on green latern though
Duncan, wrote
I don't understand the need to always be bringing up his discipline, yes there was a high tackle but he went the WHOLE last world cup with no problems. If that is not enough proof that he can do it I don't know what is. Really if there are any questions to be asked its about speed, etc...
Robin, wrote
Do you have a short memory or what. butch was outstanding at the last world cup and if there was a bit more consistency with the way players are sited that would also help. If a Kiwi or an Aussie had committed the same tackle nothing would have happened. Isn't it time that SA Rugby took a stance and did something about the inconsistency in this regard. Have a nice day now
ET1, wrote
I simply don't see the need for bringing in players from overseas, escpecially not with the current pool of players we have. There's not one position in the Springbok squad who can't be filled by a more-than-qualified player. In fact, I the biggest problem we face is not who will be able to play in a certain position, but who gets left out. The flyhalf position is no different. Between Steyn, Lambie and Grant, it's already a difficult choice on who to keep. Why complicate it even further by adding another name, especially one that sparks more controversy than necessary?
Greg Shark, wrote
i've always been a Butchie fan even now that he is playing for the lions. yup the tackle was not good and especially that james tried his best to rip off keegan daniel's head after the hit in the neck. @douglas - daniel was not running at james, he got high tackled from the side. personally i dont think any sharks player would be too worried about running at him, class player or not! bills seems to imply james was off the field most of the game, forget not that while he was off for 10min were any points scored? if the lions want to play their game and rely on a single player to manage or direct them then they're in for a hard time currie cup time. just ask the sharks who have overly relied on alberts or deysel to carry the ball up - soon as the team plyed as a team they undid the bulls. james could be a valuable asset for world cup but just like the fouling bakkies he could be the archillies heel!!!
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
mdk, wrote
Same goes for SBW for the All Blacks. Mr Shoulder Charge still hasn't gotten into trouble.... but he will
Bakkies Bothug, wrote
James is several seasons past his use-by date. If the Bokke have no one better, forget about the WC.
Gavin, wrote
@witbooi, that is why we must leave Bakkies and Butch behind - they are both great players who lose their heads too often. @Douglas, no he can't tackle and never could. @Anonymoius 05.02 - the citing officer obviously knows nothing - he got a 4 week ban for something that was "not really that bad". Do we wait until he causes serious bodily harm before we see him for what he really is. Leave him behind!!!
Witbooi, wrote
if the Lions were at a loss when Butch was off the field, does that not say something about him as a valuable player? Have you not considered how many times Bakkies gets yellow carded in crucial games? Show me another fly-half with that amount of aggression!!
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