Well done Monty

Montgomery has quickly become one of the first choices in any Springbok team.

He has a 17 from 18 kicking record over the last three Springbok tests. His career average is heading towards 75%, and he lends maturity and stability to the backline.

John Smit is quoted on keo.co.za as rating Monty as the most valuable member of the Springbok team.

Smit said, "He is the conductor at the back. He brings calmness to the back and his organisation of defence and attack at the back is very good."

It is difficult to believe that there are still those calling for Montgomery's head. The typical complaint is that fans want a more attacking fullback.

Montgomery has been the player to create much of the space on attack over the past year. His roll has changed dramatically since his unbelieveable match against Scotland in 1997. From that match, Montgomery became a marked man. More and more, Montgomery's role has been to join the line to create the overlap or draw defenders.

Further, see the next post about the Springbok attacking alignment. I believe the backs are taking the ball flat footed, making it very difficult for Monty to break the line.

Percy Montgomery Stats from SARugby.co.za

Playing Position: Fullback Montgomery burst onto the international scene in 1997 after being plucked from relative obscurity by then Bok coach Carel du Plessis. The speedster scored a try on his Test debut at centre, but blossomed fully when Nick Mallett moved him to fullback following an injury to Justin Swart on the 1997 tour. He celebrated his 50th Test cap in November 2001 against Italy and is only the third South African to have scored more than 200 points in Test rugby. In his 50 tests, Monty has scored 261 points from 15 tries, 42 conversions, 31 penalties and 3 drop goals. He was a SA Schools representative in 1992-93 before joining Bob Skinstad, Robbie Fleck and Selborne Boome in the highly successful Western Province under-21 team. He made his Super 12 debut for the Stormers in 1996. For the past three seasons, Montgomery has been playing for Newport Gwent Dragons in Wales where he has earned a reputation for creating chance out of nothing and as an accurate and reliable goalkicker. Fullback and record holder for the most points scored by a Springbok, Percy Montgomery will earn his 60th Test cap in the test match between the Springboks and England at Twickenham (Nov'04). Personal Details Full Name Percy Nick Name Monty Surname Montgomery Height 185cm Weight 87kg Birth Date 3/15/1974 Birth City Walvis Bay Marital Status Single Favourite Film American Pie Favourite Music Various Primary School SACS, Cape Town Secondary School SACS, Cape Town Tertiary Education Cape Tech Springbok Career Debut British Isles 1997 Caps 66 Tries 16 Conversions 85 Penalties 75 Drop Goals 4 Test Points 487