Big news doing the rounds is that Grey College fullback Henry Immelman has been included in the Free State Currie Cup 2014 training squad. At this stage it’s unclear whether this is a genuine call-up or just some sort of I don’t know marketing or incentive ploy that rugby unions like to make use of from time to time. Either way the story kind of reminds me of Jaco Taute from back in 2009 when we was a 6 A’s matric student at Monument in Krugersdorp and got to make his debut for the Lions senior team at just aged 18. Taute played at his second Craven Week that year, then for the SA under-20’s over the next 2 years and was a regular in senior rugby just months after he matriculated. He went on to play for the Springboks, making his debut under coach Heyneke Meyer at just aged 21 in 2012. It’s been an amazing career in the making; on paper at least. In reality it’s definitely been no fairytale rise to the top. Now at the age of 23 now, Taute is a player who’s career has been set back by numerous injuries which has robbed him of game time, form and some of the physical attributes needed to set himself apart as a top sportsman in his field. I can’t help but wonder if the fast tracking is to blame for his frequently recurring woes which have turned him from a world class international rugby star in the making into Joe Average.
Interestingly at 1.90m and well over 90kgs Taute is more or less the same dimensions as Immelman. Immelman is however already under-19 and had to play wing not fullback in his last year of Craven Week eligibility last season plus he’s only have one shot at making the Baby Boks. So he’s very much behind Taute in track record to date. Nevertheless the Free State youngster is very talented and is a key figure in the successful and so far unbeaten Grey College 2014 team. Due to being pressured into playing against local Free State schools, Grey has a massive 24-game fixture list stretching from March to August this year. Add in another few games for many of their boys that also play provincial under-18 youth week rugby. That’s already a huge ask of the Grey Bloem players!
Who knows Immelman might make his Currie Cup debut this year with it turning out to be the best decision made by new coach Rory Duncan and co. However given how Taute’s career has panned out so far, the long term effects on the body should be taken into account as well. It might be prudent of the Free State to hang-5, allow Immelman to complete his schooling, get a bit of off-season rest and then work with him in the new year to see just how far up the rugby achievement ladder his potential can carry him. Based on his capabilities there’s a bright future ahead for Henry Immelman if properly managed.
@RBugger: Just remember that testing was not common in those days……
@Amalekite: A 118kg sub 11 second 19 year old – genetic freak of nature!!!!
Rewind to the 1995 World Cup where a certain 19 year old wing from New Zealand took the rugby world by storm, and had all the more experienced players shaking in their boots!
Lots of interesting points above.
I’m still not big on the idea of a schoolboy jumping straight into senior rugby on the back of a longish school season.
Once his is out of school and able to play rugby full-time no problem fast-tracking him.
I would love to find out the route the likes of James O’Connor, Matthew Tait and a couple of others that were highly successful 18yo’s followed to the top and whether or not it involved playing school rugby in the same season they go their big breaks.
@Djou: They are already playing for Tuks without pay where they could join other clubs and earn some good money. All they want is to play.
@Pedantic: I would not be surprised, I mean, the sharks are looking lean in the loose department – Deysel, Daniel, Coetzee, Alberts and possibly Kanko all not available. Now say Tera gets injured, we are then looking very thin. Could be a very interesting CC.
@Tjoppa: Then ask them whether they want to play without pay? Then select those who say yes.
@Pedantic: No, some recent examples are the NZ boys who played in the 2014 IRB Junior u.20 competition and for the Highlanders/Chiefs.
Frans Steyn is still a success. Problem is coaches who want him to play a certain structure and style. From schoolboy level onward he always was like Willie le Roux. He will make some mistakes, but his individual brilliance won more games.
Also, Jaque Fourie still is one of the best centres in world rugby.
What I m trying to say is it is easy to find fault – and we don’t bother to look at the positives. As the commentators say, if you are good enough, you are old enough.
I think Rory won’t push Immelman if he is not convinced he will make it at CC level.
I think the question to ask is rather why must a young boy be forced to play. Because in the professional era unions only have so much funds available to pay for players. Therefore if the senior group experience a lot of injuries there is no money to pay match fees for senior players outside the contracted group. A interesting discussion the other night led to the senior management of Tuks admitting that even Tuks second stringers is good enough to play and maybe win the CB B competition but the Bulls/Limpop Bulls can not use them because there is no budget to pay them.
@Djou: Are those NZ U19’s from the islands? Could be a case of late birth registration like we experience here in SA or just a case of them being naturally athletic from a young age.
Frans Steyn was a success at the time, but one wonders how it has affected him in the long run – a rather controversial character these days and lacks the consistency he showed as a youngster. We could be breeding monsters by pushing them too early.
@RBugger: So we could see the Jean-Luc or Schramm in the Currie Cup?
We need to be objective. We will find failures, but also the successes. James O’ Connor was only 18 and played for Aus. Frans Steyn was 19 and played for Springboks. In NZ they pick 19 year olds for Super teams all the time.
Some players can make it, others won’t. Only time will tell in this case. Hope he will make his matric though – and that the Currie Cup does not interfere with his exams.
Definitely no roomer – confirmed by Os. He is part of the squad and has practiced with them. If he will play – only time will tell.
@Pedantic: I by no means disagree with your sentiments, I am simply coming from a strength point of view – ie, they are just as strong as the older men.
Mental strength is an interesting one and will come down to the individual one thinks. A Lambie or James O Connor or Wilkinson for instance, are more than mentally tough enough and proved so when only 18/19 yrs old
I would think the mental toughness will be determined by how they cope to public criticism – should they have a bad game, getting ridiculed in the paper etc, this could be difficult for anyone to handle, never mind a young 19 year old.
I am telling you right now, whether it is right or wrong, youngsters are going to be exposed in the Sharks CC side this year – have a look at the loosies, they are all gone! One or two injuries and all I can see is u19 replacements.
@RBugger: Not only are these young giants still growing and and susceptible to injury , but what about mental toughness?
Mental toughness is where I think they need to grow before being ready for senior rugby – I see the step up from 1st team SBR to Craven Week is huge, then the step from U18 rugby to pro U19 rugby is another huge step – we then want to push them into pro open rugby? Doesn’t really make sense.
Even when coaching, we use progressive methods to teach players more complex skills, IMHO we should do the same through game time … steady progression means you give yourself every chance to succeed.
Human nature is that we’re always looking for a shortcut to the next big thing – a lot of discipline required from all parties to ensure the correct progression is implemented.
I think it is very clear to see, that the difference with age has diminshed massively over the years.
Many a young 19 year old could comfortably play at CC Level and hold his own.
The question posed by Beet is one which is yet unanswered – ie, they are strong enough, but are the guys joints perhaps a little weaker, resulting in more injury?
That I am not sure about – but one thing is for sure, the whole difference between man and boy has just about gone, in terms of physicality at least.
Thomas Du Toit by no means dominated at the u20 World Cup, yes he played well, but he did not dominate his opposition, yet at S15 level, he held his own eben against the mighty Franks – to me, this proves that these young men are fast becoming there older peers equals at a far younger age!
Johan Goosen
Taute’s career development has certainly been hampered by some nasty injuries but I’m not sure that you can attribute them to being fast tracked. He was already a big guy at 17-18 and if memory serves even played a few games for the Lions U21 side at 17 in Grade 11. Jaque Fourie was another fast tracked youngster from Monna who played Currie Cup in his first year out of school.
Stem heeltemal saam. Nog ‘n voorbeeld is Dawie du Toit, ook ‘n heelagter v Monnas in 1991-1993 en dieselfde storie het met sy loopbaan gebeur – tragies. Taute was ‘n puik losskakel (alhoewel hy nie SA Skole gespeel het nie) in sy matriekjaar, inteendeel een vd bestes wat ek nog op skolevlak gesien het, en Hans Coetzee sal dieselfde se van du Toit en ongelukkig te vroeg ryp gedruk.