The Last Time The Goats Had A Quality 12 ...

Jean was a very tactically aware player, and a great reader of the game (note intercepts, his greatest threat and undoubtedly the best exponent of the intercept in Bok rugby history), as well as an organizer. He was a very reliable defender and a consistently reliable carrier. I'd say Jean is one of the most intelligent Boks of all time, and having him as part of the game-planning phase was a big boost to the team, and having that presence on the field. I wasn't always convinced by his leadership for the Boks at times, but in the end, I am satisfied by he served in that capacity. However, he wasn't the most refined player in terms of skills. His distribution wasn't always great, and he had a tendency for tunnel-vision, which reminds me of his days on the wing. If you wanted a 12 you could play off of, Jean was not our best 12. This improved a little in 2013 - his best ever season - but it was never a strength. Wasn't renowned for his boot either. Didn't run the sharpest lines either, and this was brought up occasionally in 2007 and 2011. 

As far as completeness goes, Frans and Andre are more complete 12s. Both more physical, both with better skills, better boots and slick offloads and range of passes. Their defence is better, and far more brutal. Both better on the ground as pilfers and counter-ruckers. Frans is the most competitive 12 we've ever fielded; he always seeks to dominate his opposition. Andre is not as assertive, but is very calm and level-headed, making good decisions when play breaks down. I still maintain that Barry's 2004 was a little better than Jean's 2013. Barry's range of kicks and passing was a big part of what was a very high-powered attacking Bok side. He is underrated and we never really explored what he had to offer, to his potential. A reflection of the thinking of Bok rugby at the time more than the ability of the player. 

CC

Jacques once during an interview referred to what Gainsfod said hen visiting his father.   Roughly he said that he and his brother was kicking and catching balls when Gainsford turned up.   Gainsford asked him what they were doing and they said they were practicing to play rugby.  Gainsford said that kicking is not playing rugby at all they should rather learn how to pass and run with balls.

De Villioers took that to heart and remembered and try to practice it irrespective in which position he was playing.   The first time I saw in life De Villiers playing in real life was in 2003 in a game between WP and the Griquas and De Villiers.  At the age he was pure magic and later played for the Springboks and he had the pace to play both at center and on the wing,    So he was  without doubt a quality 12 and 14 as well.

Forget about what  Idiot Speaker AO writes above,  Neither Steyn nor Esterhuizen deserve to be mentioned in any topic in which De Villiers featured .   The Idiot thinks that he is an expert in rugby and his total knowledge is less than a ten-year old knows about the game.  Steyn and Esterhuizen  -  LMAO                

I have never made a poor call at centre. That's my position, especially 12. You probably only played luggage carrier. 

You need a luggage carrier to show you the way and teach you to count to 12, which you are obviously unable to do.  LOL .  

Best not raise the topic of maths, I'm sure Mozferatu can recount many an interesting tale concerning you! 

Mike

I started reading OrganPuffer's post until I got to this line....

"As far as completeness goes, Frans and Andre are more complete 12s".....

I happen to have every game Jean ever played for the Boks on disc. If you think you can find examples of Jean distributing like Esterhuizen or Frans, please do recount them. As per physicality? Jean was not more physical than them as a runner or a tackler. Was Jean a better kicker? No he was not. Slowly, but surely Herr Grumplegump's house of cards tumbles to ruin. So where does Jean have an edge? Is it on the ground as a pilferer or counter-rucker? No, this isn't so. Where then can his edge be, to make him more complete? You've painted yourselves into a corner. Again. 

It looks like your only saving grace is to refer to the strengths I outlined in my first post. How embarrassing for you! 

….whatever(sigh)

You may have everything in disc - but is too stupid to understand what happened in games.   A total idiot when it comes to rugby.  The only person who should be embarrassed are you.    

Personal attack, the swat of a kittens paw? I'm asking you to demonstrate this superior knowledge that you possess. I mean, you are so much the superior specimen that your carry the title Clever as part of your name. Why resist such a simple request? 

What request - monsieur L'Idiote?