A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience.– Oliver W. Holmes
In less than a months time the French Tricolours arrive to play a three test INCOMING SERIES against the Boks.
1o June: Boks vs. France at Loftus
17 June: Boks vs. France in Durban
24 June: Boks vs. France in Johannesburg
Allister Coetzee is yet to name his captain.
Who will it be ?
It’s one of those tough calls which every coach has to make – or is it really a tough call to make ?
The debate however rages on.
Do you pick your captain first?
Or should you pick your team first – and then your captain from ” within the team ” ?
History provides us with more than a moment’s insight – especially when one considers that BOK GEES has long been the No.1 playing card of former Bok coaches.
In 1995 Kitch Christie picked an inspirational young RAU & TRANSVAAL captain , Francois Pieneer , to lead the Boks .
He was well rewarded with RWC GOLD in 1995.
In 1999 Nick Mallet dropped one of South Africa’s all time great captains, Gary Teichmann, just prior to the World Cup.
He picked his captain, Joost van der Westhuizen, from ” within the team ”.
The team came unstuck when the real pressure mounted.
In 2007 Jake White backed an inspirational captain, John Smit, against all the playing odds.
He was well rewarded with RWC GOLD in 2007.
In 2008, Pieter de Villiers recalled John Smit from exile to captain the Boks.
John Smit went on to play 111 games for the Boks, leading them with distinction on 83 occasions – with win ratio of 72 % –
John Smit – a leader who had an innate talent to
unite diverse people in mutual trust and purpose.
Heyneke Meyer prolonged an injury ridden career of Jean De Villiers – calling back a great leader who saw the bigger picture in SA rugby.
Jean de Villiers knew all about building national gees.
If we can lift our nation and give pride and hope to our people, then I think we’re doing our job , because our job is not just playing rugby for South Africa, it’s so much more than that : Jean de Villiers
In 2016, Allister Coetzee picked his captain, Adriaan Strauss, from ”within the team”.
Adriaan Strauss – a reluctant captain.
The team slumped to an all time low – 30 % win ratio in 2016.
Here’s a story from many moons back which sums up just how important the role of the BOK captain can be – when the pressure is on .
On returning from circumnavigating the world in a single expedition from 1577 to 1580, one of Francis Drake’s sailors was asked this about his worldly possessions:
You have nothing after so much time and effort?
The sailor’s reply was:
No, I’ve not made much, I’ve been cold, I’ve been hungry, shipwrecked, desperately frightened, but I have been with the greatest captain who ever sailed the seas
Ok, time to now pick your captain for our turbulent rugby waters?
My personal opinion is that there is only one captain who has the resolve and resume to restore BOK GEES.
A man who has a proven record of turning teams around .
I believe the man who has played an integral role in resurrecting Lions rugby , should be given his chance on the bigger stage to
– re-foster NATIONAL GEES .
He has all the C’s of a great leader – a great CAPTAIN : Capability, Commitment, Character ,Charisma, Courage, Congruency , Consistency, Clarity, Certainty , Control ,Creativity, Challenge ,Calmness, Coolness , Concentration and Confidence
Let’s see who Allister picks ?
Please let me know what you think ? Your feedback is always appreciated .
GO BOKKE GO
READ PREVIOUS FEBRUARY BLOG ON TRICOLOURS :
BEWARE BOKKE, SOMETIMES A SPECIAL KIND OF PLAYER COMES ALONG FOR THE RIDE
Rob Opie is a Brand Expert, Author, Speaker, and Performance Coach to Business Executives, Corporate teams, Sports teams and Individuals.
GET IN TOUCH . robopie@thegameplan.co.za
Find out more about his ” Growing South Africans Great” POWER TALKS in 2017 :
THE GAME CHANGERS : GOOD TO GREAT TO GREATER. Taking it to the next level
Find out more about his soon to be launched ONLINE SHORT COURSE ,
THE GAME CHANGERS . POWER UP YOURGAME .POWER UP YOUR BRAND .POWER UP YOUR LIFE
And here’s some more Insight, Innovation and Inspiration for Mahala :
