Damian Markus: The Next Springbok Star?

[@johanroodt2371]

Missed your videos, what an awesome one for your return. Him and Henco could be such a fun watch

[@tasanalytics]

Thanks man, it's good to be back after a few months. Took a break before the busy international season that is starting this weekend. So you'll be seeing a ton of content this next 4 months. As for Damian and Henco, it would definitely be fun to watch them pair up in the future. Love the way they play the game.

[@johanroodt2371]

@@tasanalytics Thank goodness, your content is amazing and you have so many ways to monetize this - I've got a few ideas to boom some fan lead rugby content for SA, would love to chat more about it with you even as early ideation

[@donniehendricks6772]

​@@tasanalyticsWhere is he currently? I don't see him part of the stormers squad for 2024.

[@johanneszulch3882]

I have been aware of Damian's talent since he came down to Cape Town and played for Stellenberg. As a schoolboy I feared he might be a bit too arrogant, but it seems he managed to dial that down. He impressed me in his few Currie Cup appearnaces this year. We should be reminded that he is still only 19 years old and he will surely be the under 20 boks starter next year under a different coach. I expect a bright future from him.

[@codepuncher]

Awesome vid and comments, Imagine him and Henco van Wyk as a pair. His U20 try was just insane. I do reckon he is a too often too high on the tackle though.

[@tasanalytics]

Yeah they would compliment each other perfectly. Together they make the perfect midfield, you have the attack and flair of Damian at 12 and then at 13 you have a defensive genius in Henco. I would definitely pay to watch that live. As for his defence, it's probably because of his size, he probably feels like he needs to go higher because he's shorter than other players. But he is still young, that is something that can easily be coached out of him. But I like how he uses his low centre of gravity at the breakdown, that is something that Henco also excelled at since his school days. Together they can be like 2 extra loose forwards at the breakdown

[@codepuncher]

@@tasanalytics cheers man. Do you have any thoughts on the new trial of chip in ball ? I thought that would have been big news.

[@tasanalytics]

@@codepuncher Yeah I think there's huge potential there. I spoke to a few refs about it and they're very keen to start using it. But from my understanding it's World Rugby that is slow to integrate it in the game. But I know the broadcasting companies use it, that's how we see all those cool stats with the heat maps, kicking meters etc. So there are cool ways to also make it fun for the audience, but obviously it would be much more important to use it to help refs, especially with forward passes and basic stuff like that. But it's probably a few years off from being used in international rugby.

[@codepuncher]

@@tasanalytics But they are trialing it at the U20 Champs now. I have heard a few comments made by the commentators during a match.

[@tasanalytics]

@@codepuncher Yes they are trialing it in the U20 champs. But the broadcasters have been using it for a while now and seems like it's effective. It's definitely something World Rugby has to do with the technology available. Because that would also lessen the pressure on the refs because they then can base some of their decisions on the technology, so fans can't blame them for certain forward passes and stuff like that. Wayne Barnes talked about it, and although I'm not the biggest fan of how he officiates (Not saying he's bad, just think he favors the home team too much). But he made great points on how technology can be used to actually help the refs.

[@charlpieterse3529]

Great video, thanks for that. My only comment would be: Attack is a tiny proportion of the game, and yes exciting, but if the claim is "next Bok" then you need to show a) Warrior Status b) Defencive decision making c) #strongertogether . Lukanyo, is the ultimate team player. That pass to Mpimpi RWC19, I mean, giving up a chance to score at a RWC final. The first try for the Boks in a final. What a legend.

[@RicksPhatPharm-vw2lb]

Would like to see what he does next to Henco van Wyk

[@princemishkin1601]

Good clip, very irritating sound track.

[@kelsofire7366]

i can see this young man giving my ABs a hard time when hes older oml

[@locominyana8916]

Nah...Sam Tuitupou's son owned him during the u20 tour.

[@Ivanoskyao]

At this level he can shine. Let’s see at senior level against the big boys. Hope I am wrong

[@normanmcdermid1951]

A player who jumps over the one who has just scored a try, should be repremanded. The first thing the scorer does after scoring is to get up. A knee could end a career

[@TiegoThyssen]

Damian markus and jc mars My goats

[@antonmoller624]

Very much like Adi Jacobs of old.

[@tasanalytics]

I think he's a different type of player than Jacobs, I think he's better on attack, but I'm not going to lie, the white scrum cap and his size, makes him look exactly like Adi.😂

[@jayshreenarshi686]

Exactly what i was thinking.

[@jdQuinnn]

Pity the U20 coach benched him after he scored an amazing solo against Italy.

[@Heinrich.Fourie]

yes i was waithing for the next game after that and learned he is on the bench would have love to see him and the boogie man next to each other but the boogie man played wing

[@brettg4784]

Going forward he is very good, but no front on knock back tackles, 12 channel has ball carriers marauding down their

[@gigtimes]

Amazing talent. Too small for senior international 12 though

[@frontierlandfrank5314]

Nah

[@aidan-ator7844]

Not true. If he develops his skills and rugby iq even further, then I would take him over de Allende or Andre esterhuizen.

[@gigtimes]

@@aidan-ator784480 kg... Maybe he will grow... Main responsibility of a nr 12 is battering ram and solid defence again 110+ kg men running at you, especially when the flyhalf (very often) lacks the physical. He can be moved to the wing or perhaps fb, but against todays teams he will get blown away in defence

[@tasanalytics]

@@gigtimes They've been saying Damian is too small since he was in high school, and he kept being the best player on the field. It's the same with Henco, people said he was too small and not big enough for professional rugby, yet in in 1st year in the URC starting for the Lions, he was the best defensive 13 in the whole competition before his injury. Hy best ranked centre in the top 100 URC right before he got injured. In general, I agree with what you're saying with regards to size, but the thing that separates players like Henco and Damian, is that they perfected their technique on attack and defence, in order to make up for their lack of size, so they counteract their lack of size with great technique. Also I shouldn't even say they're small, it's more like they're short, but you look at their weight to height ratio, they're actually big for their size. Also with their low centre of gravity, they're extremely effective at the breakdown as jacklers. So it's not a complete weakness to be small, as long as you make up for it in other aspects, and so far they've been doing it at every level.

[@andrew7368]

Aligned with your fast forward thinking. Like Damian McKenzie ("DM") at youth level too small... Is DM not starting for All Blacks this weekend? Fast forward a couple of years, Damian Marcus (DM) starts for the Springboks... I wonder if its the "too small" or the "DM" thing. Anyway, aligned with your fast forward thinking.

[@jacoct35]

What is his main position? 12?

[@tasanalytics]

He used to be 13 at school but looks like he transitioned to 12 since then. It also seems like 12 is natural to him, so I would think it's going to be his main position going forward. Although I have no doubt that he can still be excellent at 13. But I prefer him 12, then there is potential to see him pair up with Henco van Wyk one day.

[@jacoct35]

@@tasanalytics let's see what the stormers do next season. He seems super exciting, excellent off loading game, putting people in space.

[@tasanalytics]

@@jacoct35 Yeah that is what I like about him at 12, he really is great at creating opportunities for his outside. It's a bit different than what we're used to in South Africa where we have 12's who try to get over the advantage line with brute force

[@smipermg_rsa6541]

Hi

[@menzimngadi6793]

I don't see it

[@CptRumcan]

lets play him out of position like every other player and then complain when he isn't filling the role

[@Daze-b5j]

Whats with the sissy music?

[@DamianHendricks-lh2qo]

Hy en jurenzo julies lngs mekaar 🥺

[@Heinrich.Fourie]

Wou ook dit gesien dit maar die boogie man was op wing en hy was sowaar gedrop na dai mooi drie wat hy gedrik dit

[@ContendformyFaith]

​@Heinrich.Fourie No surprise than that the Boks fared so poorly. Bad selections

[@menzimngadi6793]

He is too round