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Springbok flanker Schalk Burger has been tipped to become captain but his care-free attitude may clash with Heyneke Meyer's military-style coaching.
Now that the cat is long out of the bag that Heyneke Meyer is the chosen one to coach the Springboks the question beckons on who Meyer will choose to lead his team.
After saying that he would consider coming out of retirement if Meyer is Springbok coach and is asked to do so, former Springbok lock Victor Matfield made a dramatic u-turn denying that he would come out of retirement to lead the Springboks under Meyer.
“Like I’ve always said. Don’t believe everything you read in the papers,” Matfield tweeted yesterday.
Whether Matfield stays in retirement or comes back it doesn’t solve Meyer first big problem of finding a long term leader for the Springboks.
A handful of long serving Springboks have been touted to take over from John Smit namely Schalk Burger and Juan Smith but will the pair be the leaders Meyer is looking for?
Burger may have the respect of his peers in South Africa and abroad and has held his own as Stormers and Western Province captain but will Burger buy into the vision and philosophy of Meyer or will Burger’s seemingly carefree leadership style lock horns with Meyer’s military style leadership.
Then there is Smith, who looks to be in the mould of what Meyer might be looking for in a leader but can Smith inspire and unify players from other unions or is his leadership limited to Bloemfontein and those who have followed him blindly as the captain of the Cheetahs?
But there is more to being a Springbok captain then leading through actions.
There is the slippery political banana peel while it will be critical for the chosen one to also be a unifier in the team while having the gift of the gab in handling the often unforgiven South African and international media.
A thick skin is also an important requirement as there will be times when criticism may seem personal from the media and rugby mad South African public while the politicians will take any opportunity to stick the knife into rugby.
Can Burger and Smith handle the pressures of being Springbok captain or will Meyer have to look for some fresh blood to take the Springboks all the way to the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England?
With many of the elder statesmen in Springbok rugby having retired or opted to bolster their pension funds with lucrative contracts abroad Meyer may be forced to look at young guns like Bulls captain Pierre Spies or even Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle to lead the Springboks back to the top of world rugby.
Apparently Meyer was a big supporter of Ralepelle becoming Bulls captain this year and if Ralepelle is to outplay Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis then Ralepelle could finally fulfil the prophecy of becoming the first black Springbok captain after having led a Springbok XV six years ago. – Pretoria News
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Spock101, wrote
Schlak Burger - NO!! He is forever giving away penalties, only knows thud and thump and probably has more yellow cards than all the other forwards put together. To my mind, he isn't even the best flanker, never mind the best captain! I'm afraid I have to agree with Greg Shark - Jihn Smit was the best captain but as he is no longer here or even wanted, I do not think that there is anyone else who can adequately fill the vacuum he has left.
jay, wrote
Oh no not Schalk!!!!! he is the epitome of ill discipline, with him off the field it means we would be one player short and no captain as well, he wont be a good investment
Chilliboy, wrote
You guys are just racist qha. Chilli deserves to be given a chance as well. He is strong in the tackle like Bismarck. He makes turnovers all the time like Bismarck. He is a good scummager like Bismarck. He is athletic more than Bismarck. He throws better than Bismark in the lineouts. If you disagree you should know that your decision is motivated by your racism. That he should be captain is not for us to make. Just do not jaundice a debate with your racism.
sakman, wrote
I think neither of the above mentioned players fit the bill for me, why don't we try something new and give Heinrich Wilhelm Brussow a chance. i mean he give 100% for the country, he is steal young and he certainly is the best that we have in the country in his position. lastly he can be a good leader given a chance
GT, wrote
Adrian the Shark fan, wrote
Its too early to start talking about the captain. Please not Chilliboy. Some guys here are right. If Chilliboy gets the captaincy, then Bismarck should go overseas. For me Juan Smith is the man, if he can get over his injury problems
Tim, wrote
Not Schalk - he is a walking potential yellow card and with the Captain off for ten minutes could cost a match. Bismark may be the way to go
Greg Shark, wrote
this is a really touchy subject, still there is not a better leader still playing rugby than john smit (and the heavens fell in!). unfortunately he's only the 2nd best behind bizzy and i dont think he would put up with the insults that would come his way. so who to be captain?
Edwin, wrote
Ralepelle is not the first choice hooker for the Boks. Please do not advocate a captain of colour now that we have a white coach. Best man should get the nod irrespective of colour. Schalk Burger could be the man.
Mike, wrote
Burger does not cut it as a captain - part of Stormers problems. If Jean was a certainty he should get it but is not. Josh Strauss is way above Spies and could be a shock selection as captain.
Ryan, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
there is no way on earth Ralepelle can start over Bismarck. He just isn't good enough. I feel this article is jumping the gun a bit
Charles, wrote
Cou;dn't agree more except to say that he is not even that good!!! Schalk is the only logical choice
Athol, wrote
If Chilli Boy gets the captaincy then Bismark may as well head overseas. I reckon we will ose him for sure, it will have a very familiar ring to it, him being kept out of the team by the captain who is not as good as him. I do rate Chilli Boy, but I think that him and Bismark together one as front line the other as impact player will be a great combination for turning over ball.
Funky , wrote
Robo, wrote
Ho-hum...............politics again, Ralepelle is our fourth best hooker for Pete's sake, how could he possibly be considered as the captain?
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