SP Marais is in a good home space at Newlands
SP MARAIS has been around the rugby block a lot, and now the big-booted fullback is glad he finally has an opportunity to “attack the space” with the Stormers.
Marais, who has had stints with the Bulls, the Sharks and the Kings, is one of five players who signed with the Stormers during the pre-season.
Marais’ hefty boot might have urged Stormers coach Robbie Fleck to include him in his starting 15 against the Bulls at Newlands at the weekend. But after a massive performance by Marais filled with big support play, sharp running angles and that beautiful try that saw him effortlessly run with the ball in one hand a la Sonny Bill, he should be keen to add more “special” moments at his “special” stadium
“I’ve been around the block, but it hasn’t been by choice. It’s been due to decisions out of my hands,” he said.
“I’m from Cape Town, I enjoy it and I know it well. I went to Paarl Boys. So I’ve always loved playing at Newlands, it’s always been a special place for me. So that game was exceptionally special for me.”
Needless to say, Marais has encountered a number of different coaching philosophies and playing styles while moving between various unions, and the Stormers’ attractive vision is a big pro for Marais, who seems keen on moving from a game plan that revolves around the overused “playing in the right areas of the field” mantra to one that encourages enterprising play.
“I wouldn’t say I added a lot to my game (since signing with the Stormers), it’s just a lot more skill orientated and running orientated now, rather than just traditional kicking. It’s more play what you see and attack the space,” he said.
“People are quick to say that I kicked the ball a lot but they forget that I’m under instruction from the coach and if you don’t do what the coach tells you to do you won’t play. So I’m just happy to be at a place where I do get told what to do, but it suits me perfectly.”
Since Marais has joined the Stormers, Fleck has mentioned that Marais has found his feet with the union and that he seems to be enjoying the culture, and Marais also added that his time spent with a number of different unions had a lot to do with his late start in the game.
Which, of course, makes the prospect of settling with the Stormers even more attractive to the fullback.
“I always had a dream to play for the Stormers because I grew up here, but I had to take the long route. I only really started playing in my second year. I didn’t play in Standard nine or matric or in my first year. So I could only play where they were willing to give me an opportunity,” Marais said.
“I’ve been going to Newlands with my dad since I was five-years-old. So it’s a special place with memories off the field and now on the field. It was a massive honour and a dream come true for me. So I’m happy to have made the full circle and be back here.”
Marais said that his journey to the Kings was fuelled by his desire to play Super Rugby.
Even though Marais was signed for one year by the Stormers, this one season has probably given him more stability than many other.
“I moved a lot due to things out of my control. But I’m just happy to be here. If I play, I play and if I don’t play, I don’t play. I’m just happy for the opportunity and I’m thankful to be with the Stormers,” he said. JOHANNESBURG: New Springbok attack coach Franco Smith, says he is excited about what he saw from the South African teams in the opening round of Super Rugby and believes the national team will be a much-improved unit in 2017.
Smith was on Monday named the Boks’ backs coach in charge of attacking play, taking over from Mzwandile Stick, who’ll now be part of the Junior Bok management team.
The former Bok centre and current Cheetahs coach said the nine-try bonanza dished up by the Stormers and Bulls at Newlands last Saturday makes him very excited about the year ahead. “It was an exciting game, with plenty of good, quality attacking rugby,” said Smith yesterday.
“The players had an attacking mindset, but all the franchises have bought into the way forward for modern-day rugby. It is pleasing to know we are all finally on the same page.”
Numerous meetings have been held since the end of the last international season between the franchise coaches and the national management team to plot the way forward for South African rugby and that process will take a further step forward today.
Bok head coach Allister Coetzee, confirmed in the position on Monday after a tumultuous 2016 season, and his management team will gather in Cape Town today to put in place a plan of how the Boks want to play going forward.
Smith, who coached the Cheetahs to Currie Cup glory last season and also led the Shimlas to the Varsity Cup title in 2015, said he would not copy the Cheetahs style at Test level. “I coached for many years in Italy as well and that involved a lot of proper teaching, of skills and various aspects of the game. It’s all about having the right mindset … and the skills set to beat the opposition.
“I think special attention needs to be paid to our handling, the ‘what do I do with the ball when I get it’ scenario. Each and every player must know how to catch and pass; there needs to be a familiarity when in possession and it’s got to come naturally,” said Smith. “Players must feel comfortable with ball in hand and be comfortable with what they need to do with it.”
The good news for the Boks, said Smith, is that all Super Rugby franchise coaches are trying to follow a similar style of rugby which includes keeping ball in hand for longer periods.
“We simply have to adapt in this country. We’ve always had big powerful forwards but that is not good enough anymore … we need skilful players too.
“There are more than 370 South Africans playing their rugby abroad, but we can still put out six franchises in Super Rugby and we have a rugby fraternity that is very passionate about the game and the national team and we need to use that to our advantage. We’ve got a unique market here and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be successful. All we need is a mindset shift and I hope to help bring that about.”
The new-look Bok management team, including Smith, plus 41 players, will gather for the first of three training camps in Johannesburg starting on Sunday, ahead of June’s three-Test series against France.
I always had a dream to play for the Stormers because I grew up here, but I had to take the long route.”