Rugby

Mzwandile Stick's Bok return: I was hurt the first time but never doubted myself

23 September 2018 - 00:00 By KHANYISO TSHWAKU

It's been an interesting time in Mzwandile Stick's life, rugby-wise. He's been part of a Springbok coaching setup that's mixed defeats against Argentina and Australia with a win against New Zealand.
Yesterday, he tied the knot with his sweetheart, Pherina Mulder, in Stellenbosch and on Saturday he'll be overseeing his second Test in his hometown, Port Elizabeth, when South Africa host Australia.
Last year, things were quite different for the 33-year-old Springboks Sevens legend turned Springbok backs coach.
"When the Boks played Argentina in PE last year, I was watching from the stands with my fiancée and my friends as supporters. My first Test in PE as an assistant coach was against Ireland in what was a deciding Test where JP Pietersen scored and the supporters pulled that game through for us. It's also worth remembering the Boks haven't lost at the new stadium in PE," Stick said.
TOO GREEN
With this being Stick's second tenure as a Springbok assistant coach, the environments couldn't be more different.
Under Allister Coetzee's stewardship, Stick was viewed as too green for his position and unfairly blamed for the 2016 failings, when the Boks won four from 12 Tests.
Stick was demoted to the Under-20's last year but returned under current coach Rassie Erasmus.
Stick is not bitter over what happened two years ago but felt that greater clarity over his role would have made life easier for him.
"When you're an assistant you don't make final calls because that's the coach's job, but that wasn't explained to me. As a coach you don't want to be involved in boardroom fights and I still believed in myself and knew I still had a lot to achieve in the game. I was hurt but I never doubted myself and knew I'd get an opportunity again. If you want to judge me as a coach, it's going to be between the four lines," Stick said.
"The most important thing is the environment that Rassie has created and everyone is treated on the same level and people have to earn their stripes. Rassie's also a very honest coach and plays open cards. You know where you stand with him and if you don't shape up, he'll let you know."
While Coetzee kept his job after the 2016 debacle, Stick sunk under the radar and allowed the dirt thrown at him to wash off as Chean Roux's assistant. Stick said his upbringing steeled him for the challenges he's faced in his coaching career.
"When someone asks me how I remained positive during those dark days, I tell them about where I came from (New Brighton) and the tough background that was moulded by the township.
"Me being strong every day is who I am because I believe rugby gave me the opportunity of being who I am now and I respect this position. I know if I mess up this opportunity, I don't have the secure support structure of a rich family. I'm the breadwinner at home and I provide for the family," Stick said.
"Challenges are part of my life and every time I wake up, I have my game face and I know I have to do the right thing. I knew when I decided to become a coach, it was going to come with its challenges; one of those is living in this unique country. One of those is that when you have a Jabulani in the team, there are people who won't be happy and there are those who won't be happy when there's a Van der Westhuizen in our team. However, those challenges are what make us stronger. I remain strong, you should never doubt me."
Despite the once-in-a-blue-moon win against the All Blacks, the jury is still out on the trajectory the Boks have taken.
They've won matches when they expected to lose and dropped games when they were odds-on favourites.
Such inconsistency is enough to inflame impatient SA rugby supporters but Stick said the process has to be trusted before it pays off. "We also get hurt when we don't get results but the bigger picture is having a strong squad to compete with against any team in the world.
"We still have room for improvement and we don't want to win one-off matches against the All Blacks and Australia," Stick said.
"Rassie also made it clear that there were three main goals: creating a winning culture, achieving transformation, and the image of the team being respected. Some coaches become nervous when they talk about transformation and Rassie is open about that.
"But to achieve those goals, sacrifices have to be made, even when the team is winning. Depth has to be created because to be competitive at a World Cup, you need 33 very good players. If you don't test your depth now, you're not going to have another opportunity."..

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