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All or nothing for James

Wednesday 30th July 2008

A bit out of sorts, but not done yet: Butch James

Springbok fly-half Butch James has admitted he has not been playing his best rugby lately but has vowed to fight for the number ten jersey, saying he could retire from international rugby at the end of the Tri-Nations if he cannot regain his best form.

"I have not been playing well," James told The Mercury newspaper on Tuesday.

"I'm the first to admit that, but I think people are getting carried away with the way they are writing me off and I hope to get an opportunity soon to prove the critics wrong."

There has been speculation in the media that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers plans to give Ruan Pienaar a run at fly-half against Argentina next week, but James does not believe that Pienaar's international future lies in the number ten jersey.

"I think Ruan can do a job there, but it is not his best position," said the 29-year-old.

"He is a brilliant scrum-half and that is where he wants to play. If anybody should be given a chance at fly-half it should be Peter Grant."

James, who has struggled to regain the form that made him the best fly-half in last year's World cup says he will make a decision regarding his Springbok future in the coming weeks .

"I don't enjoy it when I am not playing well and not keeping up and I am very keen to get a chance to prove to myself that I have still got it," he said.

"I need to know whether I am going to be good enough to play for the Springboks next year. At the end of the Tri-Nations, if I am not happy, then it will perhaps be time to retire from international rugby."

James returns to Bath at the end of the Tri-Nations and will soon enter the second and final year of his contract with the English club.

"They want to talk to me about an extension on my contract when I get back, and from their point of view it would be easier if I was no longer involved with the Boks," he explained.

The former Sharks fly-half is however quick to point out that this does not mean that the 31-Test veteran is choosing club over country.

"Not at all. I love playing for the Boks," he said.

"The desire is the same. There is the same massive excitement on match day and huge pride when I pull on the jersey.

"But form obviously is what counts and if I am not going to be in the plans for the British Lions tour next year, which is a major carrot for me, then I will move on from the Boks and concentrate on finishing my career with Bath. They have been very good to me. I have enjoyed my time there."

James denied says speculation regarding a return to the Sharks next year.

"I signed a two-year deal with Bath and have never had any intention of dishonouring my commitment to the club. I would not let them down by going back on my word," he explained.

But is the debate surrounding James' form justified?

"I think everybody, including myself, has got a bit carried away," he commented.

"I did not play well against the All Blacks, but was better against Australia. It has only been a few games. A dip in form happens to nearly everybody. Also, the back-line did not get good ball in those games.

"Ricky Januarie was under pressure in all three Tests because of the bad ball he was getting and from bad ball it is difficult for the fly-half to run on to the ball and make things happen."

James says the whole Bok team, "from one to fifteen" needs to improve its cleaning-out skills at the breakdowns.

"In Perth, where we got a hiding at the breakdowns, it was mostly a case of Australia being better than us in that area of the game. They stole so much ball because we allowed them to," he points out.

James also said it is "rubbish" that he has been battling to adjust to the ELVS after having played under the old rules at Bath.

"It's not the laws. I find it easier playing under them. I don't think there is anything major wrong with my game. That is why I am so keen to get a chance to prove I still have it," he said.