‘Two good men’ front north-south derby

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The DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls renew hostilities in Cape Town on Friday, and MARK KEOHANE has praised the respective coaches for “doing justice” to one of SA rugby’s greatest rivalries.

Over the past several weeks, Stormers coach John Dobson has opted for selection consistency, fielding a similar side in both the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup, while Bulls chief Jake White placed a premium on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, resting a host of heavy hitters from European duty.

In his TimesLIVE column, Keohane extols the rugby IQ of the two South African tacticians, and suggests that the Springbok debuts of Canan Moodie, Evan Roos, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Manie Libbok in 2022 would not have been possible had it not been for Dobson and White’s ability to unearth talent.

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“Dobson and White are special coaches, from different coaching eras but not from different rugby eras. Both were schooled in the history of the game in this country,” he writes.

“Both understand authority, albeit in a different way. White was a pupil and master at Jeppe, while Dobbo was a pupil at Bishops, courtesy of his legendary late father Paul Dobson, the revered rugby historian, referee and school master disciplinarian.

“The only difference is you won’t get Dobbo taking on a school teaching role. That role he reserved for rugby coaching.

“I love the latest cover of SA Rugby Magazine because it honours White and Dobson, the Bulls and the Stormers, and the theme is if both these provinces are strong, then the Springboks are strong.

“The cover describes both as ‘Two good men’ and implores them to continue to build their respective dynasties in the north and south.

“So much in this country is made of the Springboks coach, but if the coaches leading the north and south domestically are getting it right, then the quality of players produced will prosper, regardless of who is coaching the Springboks.

“It won’t be about Dobbo going four in succession or Jake making it one from four. It will be about a game of rugby that does justice the great rivalry and respect for this South African rivalry. It is one not to be missed.”

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Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

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Devin Hermanus