Two appointments that will boost local rugby

There are few happy accidents in sport where teams triumph despite not having prepared fully or having the right structures for success, and a key feature of the greatest franchises is that they make the right appointments – people of great ability in the right positions.

It’s not just about picking a game-controlling general at flyhalf or a square-jawed, tenacious opening batsman, but also about having the right people in key offfield positions. Last week’s column pointed out how the Titans do this and are dominating South African domestic cricket.

So I was delighted this week with two rugby appointments that were made and which should inspire much more confidence in the Springboks and the Bulls.

Warren Whiteley’s circuitous route to Springbok captain saw him arrive in Johannesburg in 2010 after failing to break into the big time with the Sharks and spending a year with the Eastern Province Elephants, at the same time as John Mitchell took over as Lions coach.

Mitchell’s tenure would end in tears, but there is no doubt he inspired some of the tremendous success they are currently enjoying. While Whiteley has admitted “it was tough with him as coach”, he acknowledges how much he grew under the former All Black mentor, whom he described as “extremely honest and technically brilliant”.

I imagine Whiteley’s tremendous work-rate and his skills as a classical No 8, as well as a great rugby brain, met with approval from Mitchell, himself a No 8 who played for New Zealand, though never in a Test.

Allister Coetzee’s decision to appoint Whiteley as Springbok captain was the obvious choice. He is one of the most respected players in the country, and is leading the best team by quite some margin.

The appointment also points to the Springbok coach’s desire to play a brand of rugby that is closer to the style that has made the Lions a potent force in Super Rugby; it would make no sense for Coetzee to make Whiteley captain, thereby ensuring he has the vital @KenBorland No 8 role, if he does not want to use the free-ranging style of play he embodies.

The fact that Duane Vermeulen will play alongside him in the loose trio is pleasing too because it shows the desire to ensure the right balance is struck between expansive rugby and ensuring sufficient attention is given to defence and the gain-line battle. These typical South African rugby strengths are also cornerstones of the Lions’ success, along with the most solid of set-pieces.

The number of overseas-based players has been kept to a manageable four and Vermeulen, Francois Hougaard and Frans Steyn bring some much-needed experience to a young side; Hougaard and Steyn also provide important cover in positions where the stocks are dangerously low. The inexperience and lack of defensive steel on the wings is now the main worry.

Mitchell has also returned to South Africa this week as the new executive of rugby for the Bulls. Although all indications are that he is a changed man since his tempestuous days at the Lions, there is no doubt he will lay down the law at Loftus Versfeld, which is exactly what a team laden with talent but low on performance needs.

One has to congratulate Bulls president Gert Wessels, the board led by John Newbury, and CEO Barend van Graan for a brave appointment which promises a massive culture shift, and not just because they have appointed an English-speaking New Zealander as their head of rugby.

Mitchell is not only going to change the way they play and train, but also the way their whole scouting and contracting set-up works, and will even have a voice on the board.

Nollis Marais is set to continue as head coach for the Currie Cup and will still be involved in the Super Rugby team, which is a great decision honouring the investment the Bulls have put into growing a talented coach, whose hands were tied behind his back in many ways due to a lack of structural support.

It is bound to take a while for the changes to take effect, but I predict the re-emergence of the Bulls as a major threat in Super Rugby next year.

A figure of Mitchell’s standing would not have come cheap, but it is great to see the Bulls bosses being willing to invest in their team. They seem to have realised that success is not going to come without high-powered appointments.

In last week’s column I suggested that Cricket South Africa had downgraded the scorers in their annual awards evening. Altaaf Kazi, CSA’s head of media and communications, has pointed out, however, that the scorers were never previously honoured during the live TV broadcast segment of the awards, whereas this year their presentation from the breakfast was shown live on SuperSport. The reshuffling was due to the pleasing inclusion of three extra awards for women’s cricket.