It’s one of those intangible elusive qualities a rugby coach will endlessly strive for.
It becomes even more important on away tours, when over 30 fully-grown, ultra competitive men find themselves cooped up with only each other for company for a minimum of three weeks.
If Saracens hooker Schalk Brits is anything to go by, then Heyneke Meyer is presiding over a very happy camp indeed.
He bounds down the stairs of South Africa’s Killiney hotel and drops his back pack on the ground with an authentic, ‘ah, sorry I’m late late.” He steps forward, finds a column to lean against and gleefully accepts the inquisition.
Almost six months after his 31st birthday, Brits is a star of the Aviva Premiership, but he had all but resigned himself to an international career than spanned just three tests and four weeks in the summer of 2008. As tends to be the case, his first reaction to the dream-come-true was sceptical.
“I thought my friend was taking the piss out of me to be honest. I got a text from him. I’ve got one before from my mates saying I’m in the Springboks squad and it never happened.”
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Once he authenticate the news, his guard fell.
‘ I’m really over the moon to get this opportunity – I feel even better than that. It’s just a dream come through.”
Ten minutes earlier, Meyer had suggested the hooker as the model of the attitude he wants from players in his squad.
“A guy like Schalk is a great example, because when I phoned him, he said: ‘Coach, I don’t care what I do. Even if I just hold bags for three weeks I just want to be part of the setup.’”
Without prompting, Brits corroborated the story almost word-for-word. Though his account included the possibility of a minute or two of test action. After all, it has been a long wait.
“When I signed at Saracens I knew that the probability of me playing for South Africa was almost next to nothing. I’ve probably played my best rugby over the past three years and I haven’t been picked. I always support the Springboks, but never thought this day would come.”
Our colleagues from South Africa ask Brits about a ‘lingering perception’ that he is something of a luxury as a hooker. Well able to crash and bash in open play, but without the skill-set and know-how to dictate tight exchanges. They suggest that his longevity at the top level in England suggests he may not, in fact, be such a loose cannon after all.
“Well, I do see myself a bit as a loose cannon.” He responds with a laugh, but it’s not exactly a joke.
“With Saracens. I came over with this perception that I won’t survive in the English Premiership: ‘It’s too hard, it’s too tight Everyone’s just focusing on scrums and line-outs and driving.’
David Jones/PA Archive/Press Association Images
“And in the beginning it was tough to be honest. The weather was difficult. I’m still getting used to it, when you run onto the pitch and there’s snow next to it, it’s tough to get yourself up. But I’ve learned a lot.
“I’ve learned to love scrums: definitely in the northern hemisphere it’s not just a way to start the game it is the way – that’s how you win penalties. and I’ve learned to play both sides of the game. There’s times when I need to keep it tight and there’s times when I need to shine. Whatever the team needs within a structure.”
And structure is something the ex-Stormer greatly admires about the incarnation of the Springboks he has rejoined under Meyer. Asked what his country needed to improve upon after a third-place Rugby Championship finish when they were the only side to hand anything other than a defeat to Argentina, Brits could still see only reason for joy.
“Somehow we lost our way of how we want to play as South Africans. What’s nice to see is that we’re moving back to our strength. I think we shouldn’t try to be anything else than what we’re strong at and I’m glad we’re going back to the core of what makes Springbok rugby that good.
“We’ve always had a good kicking game, we’ve got massive guys so we like to be physical, that’s what we’re good at. We take the boys on and the backs, if they see opportunities, take it.
“Bryan (Habana) has played some of his best months I’ve ever seen him play. It’s just great to see the backs back where they belong, you know. Running around and the forwards being physical and getting over the advantage line.”
Everything in it’s right place. Perhaps keeping a squad happy is not so difficult after all. Just let them do what they do best.
Happy to be here: ‘Loose cannon’ Brits welcomes return of Springbok values
THE ‘HAPPY CAMP’.
It’s one of those intangible elusive qualities a rugby coach will endlessly strive for.
It becomes even more important on away tours, when over 30 fully-grown, ultra competitive men find themselves cooped up with only each other for company for a minimum of three weeks.
If Saracens hooker Schalk Brits is anything to go by, then Heyneke Meyer is presiding over a very happy camp indeed.
He bounds down the stairs of South Africa’s Killiney hotel and drops his back pack on the ground with an authentic, ‘ah, sorry I’m late late.” He steps forward, finds a column to lean against and gleefully accepts the inquisition.
Almost six months after his 31st birthday, Brits is a star of the Aviva Premiership, but he had all but resigned himself to an international career than spanned just three tests and four weeks in the summer of 2008. As tends to be the case, his first reaction to the dream-come-true was sceptical.
Once he authenticate the news, his guard fell.
‘ I’m really over the moon to get this opportunity – I feel even better than that. It’s just a dream come through.”
Ten minutes earlier, Meyer had suggested the hooker as the model of the attitude he wants from players in his squad.
“A guy like Schalk is a great example, because when I phoned him, he said: ‘Coach, I don’t care what I do. Even if I just hold bags for three weeks I just want to be part of the setup.’”
Without prompting, Brits corroborated the story almost word-for-word. Though his account included the possibility of a minute or two of test action. After all, it has been a long wait.
Our colleagues from South Africa ask Brits about a ‘lingering perception’ that he is something of a luxury as a hooker. Well able to crash and bash in open play, but without the skill-set and know-how to dictate tight exchanges. They suggest that his longevity at the top level in England suggests he may not, in fact, be such a loose cannon after all.
“Well, I do see myself a bit as a loose cannon.” He responds with a laugh, but it’s not exactly a joke.
“With Saracens. I came over with this perception that I won’t survive in the English Premiership: ‘It’s too hard, it’s too tight Everyone’s just focusing on scrums and line-outs and driving.’
“And in the beginning it was tough to be honest. The weather was difficult. I’m still getting used to it, when you run onto the pitch and there’s snow next to it, it’s tough to get yourself up. But I’ve learned a lot.
“I’ve learned to love scrums: definitely in the northern hemisphere it’s not just a way to start the game it is the way – that’s how you win penalties. and I’ve learned to play both sides of the game. There’s times when I need to keep it tight and there’s times when I need to shine. Whatever the team needs within a structure.”
And structure is something the ex-Stormer greatly admires about the incarnation of the Springboks he has rejoined under Meyer. Asked what his country needed to improve upon after a third-place Rugby Championship finish when they were the only side to hand anything other than a defeat to Argentina, Brits could still see only reason for joy.
“We’ve always had a good kicking game, we’ve got massive guys so we like to be physical, that’s what we’re good at. We take the boys on and the backs, if they see opportunities, take it.
“Bryan (Habana) has played some of his best months I’ve ever seen him play. It’s just great to see the backs back where they belong, you know. Running around and the forwards being physical and getting over the advantage line.”
Everything in it’s right place. Perhaps keeping a squad happy is not so difficult after all. Just let them do what they do best.
Guinness Series: Ryan hoping to knock the stuffing from the Springboks
Northern lights: Meyer ‘concerned’ by South African exodus to Ireland
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