It is perhaps too early to comment, and I would hate to jinx him, but Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is certainly making the right noises ahead of the international season.

While De Villiers has managed to lodge his foot firmly in his mouth on more than one occasion since taking over the job, we would all do well to remember how often that happened to his predecessor Jake White in the beginning — and in the middle, and finally the end — of his tenure as Bok coach.

By the end of his time in charge White was voted the most media friendly sports personality in the country?

Living under the microscope of public expectation is no easy thing and nowhere is the focus quite as intense as it is on the coach of the Springboks. You should expect a few clangers here and there and trust me the media will not miss a chance to splash it across the headlines when those said clangers drop.

But despite De Villiers?s earlier blunders in the press (including his prediction that we would have three teams in the Super 14 semis), it is clear that the new Bok coach wants his team to be an open book — both to the press and the public at large. What a breath of fresh air!

Too often in the past the Boks have adopted the laager mentality and closed themselves off to everybody not donning a green blazer. It has caused unnecessary friction and more often than not it has resulted in a damaged Springbok image.

And De Villiers?s assertions that he wants the Boks to become known as the ?people?s team? proved to be more than just hot air when the players practiced in front of a large crowd of fans in Somerset West, before finally signing autographs and posing for photos after the session.

The Bok coach may have irked some fans with his desire to change the demographics of South African rugby, but it is pretty obvious that he has the best interests of this team at heart, and I for one find his desire to have his players open themselves up to the very people who support them a fantastic initiative.

He is also willing to hand the bulk of responsibility over to the players, which is something that has been a long time coming as well. South African players have seldom been allowed to think for themselves on the field and it has led to a lack of creativity when it is needed most. Some of the most talented players this country has ever seen tend to err on the side of caution, too afraid to take a chance because of a fear of failure?

It has led to predictable gameplan and South African rugby has suffered because of it. De Villiers has now handed them the reigns and told them to take that chance.

Of course, we have seen new ideas at the helm before, and like I said it is perhaps too early too tell. Harry Viljoen was known for his creative approach and in his first game in charge of the Boks he instructed his team to not kick the ball at all, rather they must run at all costs. The move backfired horribly, much like Viljoen?s time as Bok coach.

Viljoen went from a pro-attacking mindset, to a backline containing Louis Koen, Braam van Straaten and Trevor Halstead. It was his final game in charge?

De Villiers is certainly on the right track in my mind, but his true test will come when the Boks lose a couple of games. Because, like it or not, South African fans will not take kindly to a team losing, regardless of how open they are to the public.

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