The Springboks have dropped to sixth in the latest World Rugby rankings – only the second time they have dropped this low since the rankings began 13 years ago. The teams now ranked better than South Africa are: New Zealand, England, Australia, Ireland and Wales. The Boks arrived home on Monday morning with no obvious move from coach Allister Coetzee to suggest he’ll quit despite a win record of 33.3%. During the defeat against Wales he had the appearance of a man about to face his executioner but bizarrely suggested after the match that this was “a new dawn for South African rugby”. Under the current circumstances it seems hard to believe this year ushered in something positive for the future, unless you reckon it can’t get any worse than this. If there is a “new dawn”, it comes in the form of a new captain as Adriaan Strauss ends his international career on the lowest of lows. But who takes his position? Sport24 editor Garrin Lambley offers some thoughts. – David O’Sullivan
By Gareth Lambley
While the future of Springbok coach Allister Coetzee remains undecided, one thing is however for certain, the team needs a new captain.
Due to the peculiar mid-season revelation that Adriaan Strauss would retire from the international scene at the end of the year (but continue to play for the Bulls), a new candidate to lead the Green & Gold in 2017 – and beyond – is required.
Sadly, the candidates are few and far between.
Much has been made about Toulon-based Duane Vermeulen taking over the reins, but let’s ponder that selection for a moment.
Vermeulen was well below his best (by his own admission) in the Test and a half he played against Ireland in June, before picking up an elbow injury.
A further knee injury sustained while playing for his French Top 14 side Toulon ruled the burly No 8 out of this year’s Rugby Championship.
Vermeulen then, according to Coetzee, turned down the chance to play for South Africa because “his reputation took a bit of a knock” in that Ireland series.
Hoping for huge farewell for Adriaan Strauss. Ultimate gentleman, fearless player. Despite the year, still gr8 servant of Bok rugby #ssrugby
— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) November 26, 2016
So, it’s a case of Vermeulen first, Springboks second, then?
Coetzee then threw in that age-old excuse of “Vermeulen’s wife is expecting a baby” (which to the best of my knowledge still hasn’t happened and hasn’t stopped him from playing for Toulon on the same weekends the Boks were in action on their end of year tour).
Side-note, All Blacks hooker Dane Coles’ wife did actually give birth, amid the devastating earthquakes in New Zealand, while her star hooker husband was training and playing for the All Blacks in Europe. Matches missed? Zero.
All this in addition to the bombshell Vermeulen dropped during last year’s Super Rugby, when, while recovering from a neck injury, he jumped on a flight to France to thrash out a deal to move to Toulon without even informing his Stormers employers!
While, when on form, there’s no doubting the capabilities of 30-year-old Vermeulen, is this really acceptable behaviour from the player we want leading the country into battle? Someone who clearly puts his own best interests before those of the national team (and provincial union)?
At the same “review” of the Springboks’ annus horribilis scheduled for Friday, December 9 where Coetzee’s future is expected to be decided, SA Rugby will rule on the selection of overseas-based players.
#Springboks can turn things around next year!Take the advice from @VictorMatfield : You need a passionate leader who can call the shots!!
— Naas Botha (@NaasBotha10) November 27, 2016
Currently the rule is that no overseas-based player will be considering as captain. Should that rule remain in place, Vermeulen would need to return to South Africa.
Will the WPRU welcome him back with open arms? Will the WPRU even have enough money to pay him, considering their controversial application for liquidation in recent weeks?!
It’s a massive investment – and risk – to place so much stock in one player turning around the fortunes of the nation.
Whatever the identity of the Springbok coach come that first Test against France on June 10, 2017, he’ll need to appoint a skipper he has the utmost faith in.
That’s a Handre Pollard or Warren Whiteley for me, certainly not Monsieur Vermeulen… – Sport24
Source: http://www.sport24.co.za/Columnists/GarrinLambley/duane-vermeulen-next-bok-skipper-why-20161128
