Something nobody speaks about is the way Naas kicked a wet leather ball....the games he won by himself in the rain with a wet leather ball drop kicking in the run. Technically brilliant.
Ah yes, those leather balls! We haven't seen those for nearly 30 years now hey! Naas was a brilliant player, no doubt about it! I don't think I've ever heard someone say they did not rate him. Thanks for watching. Appreciate the support and glad you enjoyed the video!
Notwithstanding the evil of apartheid, it was a pity that some great players never had good mileage in the team at their peak in the 80s. Such is life: Naas is an interesting fellow - its worth sitting down with him to get his views on...Life My memory of him live was actually his last test when SA was defeated by England in Twickenham, but he showed his greatness by dropping a goal from a pivot position. Almost like giving us his last act of genius :)
I'm so glad you enjoyed the interview. You're quite right many great players had very short careers as a result of what was going on in our country at the time. To think we were still a top rugby nation and we were only using 10% of our population. It's scary to think how powerful we could have been if we were using 100% of our population! But it's all hypothetical now. I remember that 92 Test too. I was just a young boy at the time but it was very clear by how the adults around me reacted that this man was one of the greats.
The NZ vs SA game in 1992 was a great example of the difficulties of playing at altitude. The ABs went up by a considerable margin but the last 20 minutes you could see that NZ were out of breathe and really struggling. Danie Gerber meanwhile was having a field day.
That's a great point you make. Had it been played at sea level we may well have taken a beating like we did the following week against Australia in Cape Town. Yes, I know the weather was dreadful at Newlands that day too but we were behind the top sides at that stage and it was always going to take a few years to get back up to speed. Having said that if that Test at Ellis Park had gone on for another 5 minutes or so we may very well have won it. What a return to international rugby that would have been! Thanks for your comment and really glad you enjoyed the video.
@@frontrowrugby They couldnt tackle Gerber towards the end so its probably right. On the other hand true tests are like that if this had happened or that happened. In the end the scoreboard is all that matters. The wet weather conditions would of favoured Aussie. it definitely would of favoured NZ as its much more common in NZ to play in the wind and rain than the other 2 countries.
Quite right. Gerber was my favourite in those days and what a joy it was to watch him run through that All Blacks defence like a hot knife through butter! I've been trying to get him on the show you know but we just can't find a gap in his schedule. I'll keep trying! And as you say the kiwis would have loved playing in those wet and windy conditions. And yes, the scoreboard is all that matters at the end of the day!
Naas’s comments about provincialism were very interesting. Somewhat reminds me of the management challenges the B&I Lions face when putting their squad together.
Naas Botha, the King of drop goals. He kicked 135 drop goals in 179 matches for Northern Transvaal ( the Blue Bulls ). And 23 drop goals, in 28 tests, for South Africa. Legend.
I remember so well watching Naas play. Yes, his defense was not good but man his tactical awareness and game management was high standard, and man could he kick accurately, especially under pressure. I remember still, shouting, " get the bloody ball to Danie!". Good days. Hard tracks. Brutal men of men. It would be very good if you could try to get to interview Danie please.
I think the vision Naas had was just second to none. Similar to the quarterback in American Football where he just was able to dictate play and almost make the game bend to his will! On Danie, I have been speaking to him actually. He is a very busy man but we are trying to work out a date and time. I will not stop trying! I promise. Thanks again for the support and the kind words. Glad you're enjoying the content!
Naas really was a fantastic player. It was as if he could win games single-handedly. Thanks for watching. Appreciate the support and glad you enjoyed the video!
Well spotted! I have put those tags up in the hope to show where everyone is but remember it might not always be from their house, office or home town. Thank you for the support (and for noticing the location tag!). Really appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed it.
@@SupremeBros2012 Yes it was still the case at the time of this interview. He actually mentions it in the second part of the interview how he is assisting India.
Naas would have been recognised as being in the top 3 flyhalves of world rugby - in the same breath as Dan Carter/Jonny Wilkinson as he would have adapted his game accordingly
Waar is die kaas, Naas? In the center Mr.Venter. Naas Botha can never, ever be regarded as a "legend." Since Naas played at "10"... Let me state my case in 10 points as follows: 1. He never won a World Cup in his day....his fault for retiring earlier to play golf on the weekend. 2. He was extremely afraid to tackle and be tackled...hence the name NAAS 3. Hardly passed the ball...could only pass to his right side... mostly did not know how to pass. 4. Kicked the ball way too much... a symptom of his afraidness to be tackled. 5. Almost missed critical kicks...but I noticed. 6. Was not liked very much by his teammates some of the time....a legend must be liked all of the time. 7. Only represented rugby as an Amateur player....so not a professional rugby player...."Amateur Era" 8. Only played for fame and maybe some money. 9. Only got very little to no money compared with today's real pros... He was an Amateur. 10. At the end of the DAY...as NAAS use to SAY... "Just look at the above scoreboard."
Its a shame that you feel the need to be so negative. And you say you will state your case in 10 points but 4 of those points is just you repeating yourself. Just because he played in the amateur era does not mean that he can't be regarded as a legend of SA rugby. Thats being very shortsighted. You say Legends should be liked all the time? Have you ever heard about Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant? Instead of spewing negatives maybe ask the channel to line up a interview with who you would like to see? He may surprise you.
@@janstemmet1401You made one critical mistake in your reply Jan. Michael Jordan and Kobe were actual professionals in there specifc sport. Apart from when Naas was scouted to play American Football in the NFL, playing some professional football for the Dallas cowboys and the New England Patriots in 1982 he will remain an Amateur in the annuals of sporting history, forever as far as Rugby is concerned. You should only compare apples to apples...like real professionals, like I do. Your mistake is a classical example and proof of your own Amateurness. Furthermore the "repetitiveness" of my last 4 points only serves to emphasize the very critical distinction between the Amateur and the Pro's. I herewith add a bonus point to my case. 11. Naas played his Rugby during and under the evil of the "Apartheid" regime (As a Amateur) which does not qualify him as a legend by any moral standards. THE END.
@@rssv1770 you have no idea what you are talking about. The legend Danie Craven labelled Naas (and Morne du Plessis) a genius. Actually stated that his name would be first on the team sheet. Would have been higher regarded than Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson had he played in pro era.
@@rorysullivan4913 Rory Sullivan it's clear that you're still living in the past, much like the era of amateur rugby that people like you are so fond of. Naas Botha being called a genius in an Ameture era...Well, I suppose it's all relative. It's like being the tallest person in a room full of tiny toddlers - sure, you might stand out as a giant among them, but that doesn't necessarily make you a professional basketball player. So if an amateur rugby player like Naas playing against other Amateurs of his time is called a genius by another Amateur someone like Danie Craven, it's probably safe to assume that Naas was the best of the worst, or as they say, the cream of the unskilled *Amateur era-crop.." And speaking of amateurs, I'm happy to concede that you're now the undisputed champion. Congratulations on being the Naas Botha of amateur arguing!
Something nobody speaks about is the way Naas kicked a wet leather ball....the games he won by himself in the rain with a wet leather ball drop kicking in the run. Technically brilliant.
Ah yes, those leather balls! We haven't seen those for nearly 30 years now hey! Naas was a brilliant player, no doubt about it! I don't think I've ever heard someone say they did not rate him.
Thanks for watching. Appreciate the support and glad you enjoyed the video!
Notwithstanding the evil of apartheid, it was a pity that some great players never had good mileage in the team at their peak in the 80s. Such is life: Naas is an interesting fellow - its worth sitting down with him to get his views on...Life
My memory of him live was actually his last test when SA was defeated by England in Twickenham, but he showed his greatness by dropping a goal from a pivot position. Almost like giving us his last act of genius :)
I'm so glad you enjoyed the interview. You're quite right many great players had very short careers as a result of what was going on in our country at the time. To think we were still a top rugby nation and we were only using 10% of our population. It's scary to think how powerful we could have been if we were using 100% of our population! But it's all hypothetical now.
I remember that 92 Test too. I was just a young boy at the time but it was very clear by how the adults around me reacted that this man was one of the greats.
The NZ vs SA game in 1992 was a great example of the difficulties of playing at altitude. The ABs went up by a considerable margin but the last 20 minutes you could see that NZ were out of breathe and really struggling. Danie Gerber meanwhile was having a field day.
That's a great point you make. Had it been played at sea level we may well have taken a beating like we did the following week against Australia in Cape Town. Yes, I know the weather was dreadful at Newlands that day too but we were behind the top sides at that stage and it was always going to take a few years to get back up to speed.
Having said that if that Test at Ellis Park had gone on for another 5 minutes or so we may very well have won it. What a return to international rugby that would have been!
Thanks for your comment and really glad you enjoyed the video.
@@frontrowrugby They couldnt tackle Gerber towards the end so its probably right. On the other hand true tests are like that if this had happened or that happened. In the end the scoreboard is all that matters. The wet weather conditions would of favoured Aussie. it definitely would of favoured NZ as its much more common in NZ to play in the wind and rain than the other 2 countries.
Quite right. Gerber was my favourite in those days and what a joy it was to watch him run through that All Blacks defence like a hot knife through butter! I've been trying to get him on the show you know but we just can't find a gap in his schedule. I'll keep trying!
And as you say the kiwis would have loved playing in those wet and windy conditions.
And yes, the scoreboard is all that matters at the end of the day!
Naas’s comments about provincialism were very interesting. Somewhat reminds me of the management challenges the B&I Lions face when putting their squad together.
Yes, that's a very good comparison actually.
Naas Botha, the King of drop goals. He kicked 135 drop goals in 179 matches for Northern Transvaal ( the Blue Bulls ). And 23 drop goals, in 28 tests, for South Africa. Legend.
He truly was a one-of-a-kind player. A genius!
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the support!
I remember so well watching Naas play. Yes, his defense was not good but man his tactical awareness and game management was high standard, and man could he kick accurately, especially under pressure. I remember still, shouting, " get the bloody ball to Danie!". Good days. Hard tracks. Brutal men of men. It would be very good if you could try to get to interview Danie please.
I think the vision Naas had was just second to none. Similar to the quarterback in American Football where he just was able to dictate play and almost make the game bend to his will!
On Danie, I have been speaking to him actually. He is a very busy man but we are trying to work out a date and time. I will not stop trying! I promise.
Thanks again for the support and the kind words. Glad you're enjoying the content!
Naas was a winner. He hated to loose. And sorry Naas you one of the best fly halfs ever.
Naas really was a fantastic player. It was as if he could win games single-handedly. Thanks for watching. Appreciate the support and glad you enjoyed the video!
I believe Naas lives in Bloem now and not in Pretoria anymore..... Naas was in absolute league of his own, a master tactician!
Well spotted! I have put those tags up in the hope to show where everyone is but remember it might not always be from their house, office or home town.
Thank you for the support (and for noticing the location tag!). Really appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed it.
At one point I heard he was coaching India Rugby, has he finished this stint or is he coaching virtually :)
@@SupremeBros2012 Yes it was still the case at the time of this interview. He actually mentions it in the second part of the interview how he is assisting India.
Naas truly was, and still is, Baas!
Oh yes!! Love your rhyming talent!
Lol...Naas is baas
Sien ou Peter het nuwe hare gekry. Well done lyk goed.
Haha, dankie boet! Lekker om van jou te hoor. Dit is my nuwe sjampoe! ;-)
@@frontrowrugby selfde daar pal.
Naas would have been recognised as being in the top 3 flyhalves of world rugby - in the same breath as Dan Carter/Jonny Wilkinson as he would have adapted his game accordingly
No doubt about it! He was an outstanding player. Thanks for the comment, Rory. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Tos editing
Waar is die kaas, Naas? In the center Mr.Venter. Naas Botha can never, ever be regarded as a "legend." Since Naas played at "10"... Let me state my case in 10 points as follows:
1. He never won a World Cup in his day....his fault for retiring earlier to play golf on the weekend.
2. He was extremely afraid to tackle and be tackled...hence the name NAAS
3. Hardly passed the ball...could only pass to his right side... mostly did not know how to pass.
4. Kicked the ball way too much... a symptom of his afraidness to be tackled.
5. Almost missed critical kicks...but I noticed.
6. Was not liked very much by his teammates some of the time....a legend must be liked all of the time.
7. Only represented rugby as an Amateur player....so not a professional rugby player...."Amateur Era"
8. Only played for fame and maybe some money.
9. Only got very little to no money compared with today's real pros... He was an Amateur.
10. At the end of the DAY...as NAAS use to SAY... "Just look at the above scoreboard."
Its a shame that you feel the need to be so negative. And you say you will state your case in 10 points but 4 of those points is just you repeating yourself.
Just because he played in the amateur era does not mean that he can't be regarded as a legend of SA rugby. Thats being very shortsighted.
You say Legends should be liked all the time? Have you ever heard about Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant?
Instead of spewing negatives maybe ask the channel to line up a interview with who you would like to see? He may surprise you.
@@janstemmet1401You made one critical mistake in your reply Jan. Michael Jordan and Kobe were actual professionals in there specifc sport. Apart from when Naas was scouted to play American Football in the NFL, playing some professional football for the Dallas cowboys and the New England Patriots in 1982 he will remain an Amateur in the annuals of sporting history, forever as far as Rugby is concerned. You should only compare apples to apples...like real professionals, like I do. Your mistake is a classical example and proof of your own Amateurness. Furthermore the "repetitiveness" of my last 4 points only serves to emphasize the very critical distinction between the Amateur and the Pro's. I herewith add a bonus point to my case. 11. Naas played his Rugby during and under the evil of the "Apartheid" regime (As a Amateur) which does not qualify him as a legend by any moral standards. THE END.
@@rssv1770 you have no idea what you are talking about. The legend Danie Craven labelled Naas (and Morne du Plessis) a genius. Actually stated that his name would be first on the team sheet. Would have been higher regarded than Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson had he played in pro era.
@@rorysullivan4913 Rory Sullivan it's clear that you're still living in the past, much like the era of amateur rugby that people like you are so fond of. Naas Botha being called a genius in an Ameture era...Well, I suppose it's all relative. It's like being the tallest person in a room full of tiny toddlers - sure, you might stand out as a giant among them, but that doesn't necessarily make you a professional basketball player. So if an amateur rugby player like Naas playing against other Amateurs of his time is called a genius by another Amateur someone like Danie Craven, it's probably safe to assume that Naas was the best of the worst, or as they say, the cream of the unskilled *Amateur era-crop.." And speaking of amateurs, I'm happy to concede that you're now the undisputed champion. Congratulations on being the Naas Botha of amateur arguing!