Springbok coach Jake White on Tuesday asked the rugby public to view South African Vodacom Rugby Super 12 teams’ performances over the past few weeks in context, because, he said, there are other elements critics are not taking into account.
White said although he is as disappointed as everybody else in the country with the recent losses, the future is not all doom and gloom.
”It is a very tough competition,” said White. ”With a side that lacks Super 12 experience such as the Stormers, the new boys on the block will inevitably make mistakes. The Stormers’ first 20 minutes against the Blues on Saturday gave us the best performance by a Super 12 side anywhere this year.
”The Crusaders are everybody’s favourites to lift the title, but the same Stormers players led against them for 40 minutes or so.
”It easy to forget that it is only Jean de Villiers’s first season at this level. Tonderai Chavanga, Luke Watson, JD Moller, Hanyane Shimange and a few others in the Stormers set-up are new at this level of play, and it’s not easy, believe me.
”The Stormers do not have the most experienced side in the tournament.”
White pointed out that the Stormers team that came third in the competition last year had the same management, but more experienced players.
”So you can’t blame the coach, otherwise we will hire and fire coaches without applying our minds properly to the facts in front of us. The current squad does not have Corne Krige, Hottie Louw, Robbie Fleck, Selborne Boome, Pieter Rossouw and other players with great experience.”
He added that with time, the current young players will show their worth.
The Bok mentor also noted that he has viewed some positives in the Cats and Sharks players, although they are not doing well in their three weeks away from home.
”There were genuine positives in this weekend’s performances. Let’s also not forget that the Bulls have won the last three fixtures.”
White also lauded Gert Smal for his contribution to the process of transformation in the game.
”In his starting line-up last Saturday, he had five black players. That should say something about his transformation ideals. He deserves a pat on the back for giving these players a chance; it can only be good for the overall good of the game in this country.” — Sapa-AAP