en-route to RWC medal #2

Making his test debut on 8 Oct 1994 at the tender age [for a prop] of just 22, against Argentina and his last Springbok appearance on 20 Oct 2007, against England in the Rugby World Cup final, Os du Randt is the longest serving Springbok player ever with an international career spanning 13 years, 12 days.

Known for his phenomenal work-rate, Jacobus Petrus du Randt, or “Os” [Ox] as he is better known throughout the rugby world, is the 5th most capped Springbok of all time. He is the only South African rugby player to hold two world cup medals and is probably the best loose-head prop the modern game has ever seen.

BlogSpotRugby caught up with Os du Randt and asked him a few quick questions regarding the scrums.

Here Goes:

• Dooley: Os, there has been a lot of speculation with the interpretation of the scrums this year. With calls going the way of one team, then the other. What is actually happening at scrum time?

Os: Scrums will always be a debatable, because no Ref has ever played in the front row. He will blow what he sees on the day and at the end of the day it is only a gut feeling of what he thinks is happening. Everybody has to accept that the scrum is a really difficult set piece to judge correctly, same as to when is it hands in or when is the ball playable.

• Dooley: You had a long and successful career in the front row. The value of John Smit’s captaincy is clear for all to see. Do you think he can make it to the 2011 RWC and still be a force to reckon with?

Os: I think he can make it, but I strongly feel he must rest from rugby for at least the super 14 next year. If you go look you will see he has played a lot of games in the last 4-5 years. I think mentally he is really tired, as the captaincy also takes a huge toll on him, not to mention before the RWC, where everybody wanted him out of the Bok squad. After the RWC he stayed behind to play in the French league, then came back and is still playing with no proper break.

• Dooley: What are your thoughts on PDV’s policy of non selection of overseas based players? Do you think exceptions should be made for certain players of great value, such as JDV and Frans?

Os: I definitely think there should be exceptions.

• Dooley: What do you think could be done to better police and control the current problems with the interpretation of the scrum?

Os: I don’t know. Ref’s will always think you want to coach them in what to do and what will favour your team. Even John Plumtree said that the Cheetahs scrumed illegally in our semi’s, and I feel the Ref was spot on at every call he made at scrum time. So the scrums will always be debatable.

Os du Randt flattens Richie McCaw: [RugbyDump]