Stick can rejuvenate Boks’ attack

George. 061208. Mzwandile Stick celebrayes their win over New Zealand during the IRB Sevens World Series in George. Picture Leon Lestrade

George. 061208. Mzwandile Stick celebrayes their win over New Zealand during the IRB Sevens World Series in George. Picture Leon Lestrade

Published Apr 13, 2016

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While many people seem to think that Mzwandile Stick will only be carrying cones and rugby balls for Allister Coetzee over the next four years, the people who have been close to him say the new Springbok backline coach is no “yes-man”.

The former Blitzbok captain, and the man who steered the Eastern Province Under-19 side to the provincial title last year, is what they call “ hardegat”, and also the type of guy who is going to make a top contribution to the Boks.

“What most people don’t know about him is that he is a very strong character,” former Springbok prop Robbie Kempson, who is the current EP Kings Currie Cup coach, said.

“He demands respect on the field, and in a coaching environment he really gets involved with the players, and makes them understand what the game is all about.”

Kempson says Stick is also the type of guy who doesn’t think about the game in a conventional way, and that he is maybe the guy who can breathe some life into the Boks’ attack.

“He is a very much a guy who thinks outside of the box,” Kempson said.

“We have probably had a conservative plan over the last few years, but he is much more of an expansive type player.

“He thinks about different aspects of the game.

“With the Sevens background he looks more for the space than running into brick walls.

“So he is very much aware of providing an outcome regarding the flair of the players at his disposal.”

“He is a guy who is a straight-talker, he says what he feels. He knows what he wants from people, and how he wants people to treat him,” Stick’s former SA Sevens coach Paul Treu added.

“But he also knows his place, and he knows that he still has a lot to learn. He is also a competitor, and that is why the progression from player to captain and to coach has been so easy.”

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