Shovie, shovie, haak!

From Hoskins pleading transformation to Stofile claiming pure skill and talent, Pieter De Villiers has probably already beaten Jake White’s 2007 scores as the most media publicized figure of 2008. Everybody has got something to say about this guy. A lot of it good, just as much bad. I just finished reading a review of positive and negative points raised about him and a huge interviewed where the man shared some of his thoughts and philosophies and it just seems like it’s going to go on.

The thing I’m just waiting for is for the first person to criticize this man in my face. You know the normal skits about choosing a coach on based on merit and not skin color? I’m just wondering wheter it will stand up to him? If you check his CV against Meyer he wins hands down in the international arena. His reluctance to commit to the whole 2007 Springbok squad could open the field for some healthy competition, and his (seeming) openess to input could give him everything he needs to make the shortcomings that he could have.

But let’s be serious, in the end the proof is in the pudding. We can speculate and discuss all we want but the fat lady doesn’t sing until the next World Cup final. I’m really praying that the South Africa that he’s fighting for will fight back for him. That they will give him the trust and faith he needs to pull this through. And that for once maybe they’ll keep all their negativity for themselves and give the rest of us who actually wants this country to succeed, and is willing to support it through their successes and mistakes, a much needed break from all their whining.

No, I’m happy with Pieter De Villiers. Just as happy as I was with Jake White and just as happy as I’ll be with our next coach.

~ by Schalk Holloway on January 14, 2008.