Happy times... for some

sport365 columnist and former Springbok Robbie Fleck has a lot to talk about this week - from Peter de Villiers's contractual issues, to his UCT side's superb performances in the FNB Varsity Cup.

Well, it's hard not to wake up with a smile on my face these days - especially after UCT's 52-16 win over TUT on Monday night.

However, that smile can disappear quickly when you pick up the newspaper to find that the Springbok coach, who was appointed about two months ago, still does not have a Springbok contract.

I read this morning that a compromise has been reached, but frankly, I just cannot understand all this fuss.

Peter de Villiers has been given the opportunity to coach the Springboks - this opportunity can't now just be taken away from him. As I have said before, he is a rugby man. He might not have the technical knowledge of say a Heyneke Meyer, but if he is surrounded by a Gary Gold and a Dick Muir, he will have the neccessary support.

SARU, however, rushed into making an appointment back in January and now they seem to be back-pedalling. The fact is, they appointed De Villiers, now they need to give him the opportunity to coach the team. Imagine if he were to walk before even coaching the team in one match? Once again, we would be the laughing stocks of world rugby...

If this whole mess was simply down to a contract negotiation then somebody needs to look at De Villiers's agent, Rian Oberholzer. When it comes to contracts, coaches (and players) should have absolutely nothing to do with it.

Now, if De Villiers's agent is demanding as much as Jake White was getting paid at the end of last year, well, that is not on. As far as being an international coach is concerned, De Villiers is still a novice and he needs to serve his apprenticeship before his representatives can start demanding a top-dollar salary. He needs to work as the Bok coach for a full season, with some success, before more money can be demanded.

I don't blame De Villiers here.

Of course, SARU, too, need to be more flexible in negotiations. Would Graham Henry or Robbie Deans work for somebody if they were not allowed to pick their own matchday 22? If Jake White and Nick Mallett, before him, were able to pick their own Springbok teams - albeit through some fighting too! - why can De Villiers not be afforded the same 'luxury'?

It should have nothing to do with Hoskins, Stofile or Basson - if Peter de Villiers believes Luke Watson is a better flank than Jacques Botes, then so be it, it's his reputation and career on the line, nobody else's.

Give De Villiers the team he wants, let him be judged on what he does and then make a call on him. This poor man is almost being hung out to dry before even lacing his coaching boots in anger.

I see De Villiers isn't the only international coach facing difficulties, with England's Brian Ashton under pressure after losing to Scotland. According to the English media, win or lose, Ashton is a gonner, with Jake White seemingly lined up to replace him.

Well, I just hope Jake doesn't make the same mistakes as the World Cup-winning coach before him, Sir Clive Woodward.

Jake needs to 'lie low' still and continue to absorb his World Cup success; play some golf with the kids, do some talks, help with schools coaching and keep building his rugby knowledge in the process. We all know his man-management skills are superb, but one is never too old to learn as a coach.

The reality of international sport is that foreigners will be coaching in other countries - look at Deans in Australia, Mallett in Italy and Gatland in Wales - but Jake mustn't rush into anything just for the sake of it.

Woodward went from a RWC-winning coach to an absolute failure as the Lions coach less than two years later. Is that how Jake wants to be remembered?

Right, onto better times and then... and more specifically onto the FNB Varsity Cup!

We were obviously a very happy coaching staff on Monday evening, but even more pleasing was hearing the guys moaning afterwards that they haven't hit their straps yet! There is nothing more pleasing as a coach to hear that the guys themselves want to raise the bar. It makes your job so much easier.

I've said it before, but these guys have been an absolute delight to coach. They're young and carefree, but they've pulled together as a team and they play for each other - you only have to witness a fitness session down at UCT at 8.30 at night. Nobody moans, they just get on with it. They know that people have written them off - you only have to read the official Varsity Cup website for proof of that - and they know they are up against some bigger names, but it just doesn't seem to faze them.

Also, the off-field talk around Cape Town has been impressive. I have never heard people talking about the Ikey Tigers as much as they are at the moment. You can read about the team in some of the newspapers, there are reports on the radio - the guys are doing themselves and their university proud!

Of course, getting those five points against TUT and moving back to the top of the log was the best thing that we could've done. Psychologically, for us, and for our opposition, being top of the log before the George Festival is a massive boost.

After Monday's game the TUT coach went on record as saying that we could go all the way. He also praised us for adapting to the ELVs better than most and without trying to sound arrogant, I must agree with the second part of his statement.

UCT have always been an intelligent rugby-playing university. We knew the guys would adapt to the ELVs and it has been one of our strengths thus far. At the same time, we have adapted some New Zealand philosophies in our game and head coach John Dobson spent some time at Murray Mexted's Academy in New Zealand last year, learning even more about their approach to the game.

I have always loved the way the All Blacks play and the whole Ikeys team has bought into this philosophy. In New Zealand the guys run superbly off the ball and like putting their team-mates into space; two aspects that have been prevelant in our play during the Varsity Cup. We're not the biggest and most physical team around, but we keep the ball off the deck and off-load nicely and I'd like to think that UCT are the pioneers in South Africa when it comes to the 'new' game.

We always seem to be behind the eight-ball in South Africa when it comes to law changes, and it is very evident in the Super 14 how the Kiwis and Aussies are one step ahead of us. However, when I watch a team like UCT play, and again without trying to sound arrogant, I sometimes wonder why this is the case.

We are looking good for a semi-final place in the Varsity Cup, but the George Festival won't be easy and it could make or break our season. However, whether we make the semi-finals or not, or make the final and lose, I think this team has been a success for the way it plays and the spirit displayed - both on and off the field.

It's just a shame that some people still tend to look at us like the poorer cousin when it comes to TV matches and exposure in general...

My Super 14 predictions:

CHIEFS v STORMERS:
Friday, March 14 - 8.35am
Hamilton

The Stormers showed a vast improvement against the Reds, but they butchered a few tries and should - and could - have won by more in the end.

Yes, I did not pick the Stormers to beat the Reds, but Luke Watson made a big difference on the night and Schalk Burger is back this week, too. They will be on a high.

The Chiefs, too, will be confident after their fightback against the Chiefs and the return of Richard Kahui will bolster their midfield.

Fleckie's prediction: This is actually a very tough one to call... But I think the Stormers might just be able to do it... I am clenching my teeth as I type this, but the Stormers to edge it - only just.

BRUMBIES v HURRICANES:
Friday, March 14 - 10.40am
Canberra

The Brumbies did well to smash the Reds two weeks ago - I don't think I will be backing the Reds in a hurry this season! - but they are not the same ACT team of old. I guess most teams would miss the likes of Finegan, Gregan, Larkham and Roff, but their current injuries are not helping either.

The 'Canes, meanwhile, showed great character in holding off the Highlanders, but they are without Ma'a Nonu this week after he was suspended for a dangerous tackle.

Fleckie's prediction: The Hurricanes will take this one.

BLUES v FORCE:
Saturday, March 15 - 6.30am
North Harbour

The Force were good value against the Crusaders on Sunday. They have exciting backs, with Matt Giteau and Ryan Cross looking good against the Crusaders, and their loose forwards got into the game nicely, which put the Crusaders under pressure.

The Blues, however, will be happy being back at home and fired up after losing to the Sharks - a game I had expected them to win.

Fleckie's prediction: The Blues to win.

CRUSADERS v CHEETAHS:
Saturday, March 15 - 8.35am
Christchurch

The Crusaders did well to fight back against the Force, having been 12-24 down at one stage. They are looking like a champion team this season and will take some stopping.

The Cheetahs were brave against the Chiefs and rather unlucky to have lost, but one always had the feeling that their 17-0 half-time lead would not be enough.

Fleckie's prediction: Only one winner here. And it's not the Cheetahs!

REDS v BULLS:
Saturday, March 15 - 11.05am
Brisbane

The Reds seem to be no better than last year and some of their selections this week - the dropping of David Croft and John Roe - smacks of a team that is panicking and in serious trouble.

The Bulls, meanwhile, will be hoping Bakkies Botha is fit after their morale-boosting win over the Lions last week. They have a few problems in their backline with Zane Kirchner out suspended, but they do have JP Nel back from his ban.

Fleckie's prediction: The Bulls to win by a substantial margin.

LIONS v SHARKS:
Saturday, March 15 - 5pm
Johannesburg

I went against the Sharks last week and I was proved wrong. Having said that, the Blues did not hit their straps on the night - but then again, maybe the Sharks didn't allow them to play their natural game.

The Sharks were one of my pre-tournament favourites, but they can, and must, pick up their game even more. They will get some valuable 'batting practice' against the Lions, who must be dreading their overseas leg.

Frédéric Michalak showed some deft touches against the Blues, but I think the overseas teams might target his channel a bit over the next few weeks. He is, after all, no Butch James.

Francois Steyn has been named at flyhalf this week - let's see if he actually plays there - but I am glad that he has been moved closer to the action.

I still think they are missing a trick by playing him at fullback most of the time. Frans, in my opinion, is the best inside centre in world rugby. He should be playing at 12, even if that means relegating Brad Barritt to the bench. Barritt is a good player, but professional rugby is a cruel world.

Fleckie's prediction: The Sharks will win this one, but it won't be that easy.

Until next week,
Robbie Fleck

* Email Fleckie at sport365@365digital.co.za with your Super 14 picks for this week!

* Fleckie's 'Last Word' will appear weekly on sport365.co.za - and also on rugby365.com and iafrica.com - so log on next week for more Super 14 views and predictions.