Wales take on the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday at 15:30 SA Time.
This weekend sees the start of the Southern Hemisphere Test season and with the Super 14 having taken place just last weekend the Bokke are not at full strenght due to the fact that it is wise to rest a few weary players.
We look at the match and the Welsch squad who also does not appear to be at full strengh.
With the exception of about 5 players, the Springboks are still very close to a possible 1st choice side. The exceptions to a possible 1st choice side is probably CJ van der Linde, Francois Louw, Joe van Niekerk, Ricky Januarie and Odwa Ndungane.
On the bench there is a definate bunch who should not be considered near the first choice namely, Chilliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Alistair Hargreaves and lastly Meyer Bosman. Zane Kirchner, Bjorn Basson and Ryan Kankowski however does the bench no harm.
Key for the Springboks will be how this mix-and-match squad gels together in the first Test of the season but some strong combinations who are used to one another can still be found in the ranks… John Smit (hooker) and BJ Botha (tighthead), Danie Rossouw and Victor Matfield (locks), Juan de Jongh and Jaque Fourie and Gio Aplon (centres and right wing).
It will be interesting to see how Francois Louw, Dewald Potgieter and Joe van Niekerk combine as backrow forwards, to me the balance here is just a bit odd, both flankers being somewhat of the same type of player combined to a No 8 who has’nt played with SA Flankers for a couple of years.
To my mind, Frans Steyn is playing in his best position at fullback and in Odwa Ndungane there is a solid yet unspectacular left wing.
The Halfback pairing of Ricky Januarie and Ruan Pienaar is a strange one…. and a big part of win or lose will hinge on these 2 pivotal positions. With Ricky not even considered No 1 scrumhalf in his franchise, if might have been wiser playing Ruan at scrumhalf with a recognised flyhalf at No 10…. someone like Morné Steyn or Peter Grant, which should be the case next week against the French.
On the other hand we have the Welsch side, themselves not a settled combination with the likes of Andy Powell, Gethin Jenkins and Shane Williams missing from the squad.
Wales have the settled halfback pairing of Mike Phillips and Stephen Jones, with B & I Lions midfielder, Jamie Roberts next to them at inside center… these 3 are a dangerous combination on any given day.
The Welsch front row is strong with Mathew Rees (hooker) and Adam Jones (tighthead) but the locks should not be as good as the Springbok locks….
To me the backrow forwards are a bit of an unknown quantity but it will be interesting to see how they go against a Bokke combination who has never played as a unit.
James Hook simply does not have the class of Jaque Fourie and the back 3 on the Welsch side should not easily have the wood over the Bokke back 3, both from an offensive and defensive point of view.
Playing as a TEAM and supporting one another as combinations will be key to the outcome of this match!
In the beginning of a Test season it is always difficult to make clear predictions and the mix-and-match nature of the Springbok squad only adds to my conundrum in making a prediction for this game.
My biggest worry, apart from team members lies in the Springbok coaching staff where I feel neither Dick Muir (backline coach) or Gary Gold (forwards coach) are close to the best SA has to offer. Dick Muir was found severely lacking this year at the Lions, to the extent that he deserves to be dropped from any position at the Bokke… and Gary Gold has never really impressed me, ever. We seem to be stuck though, with these 2 sub-standard coaches in this, the highest test arena of rugby for the rest of the year and maybe beyond that.
I’m not one to easily pick against history though and the Welsch have only beaten the springboks once, 10 years ago… so I still predict a Springbok win….. Bokke by 5.
Recent results:
2008: South Africa won 20-15, Cardiff
2008: South Africa won 37-21, Pretoria
2008: South Africa won 43-17, Bloemfontein
2007: South Africa won 34-12, Cardiff
2005: South Africa won 33-16, Cardiff
Teams:
Wales: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 James Hook, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom Prydie, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones (captain), 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Deiniol Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 John Yapp, 18 Alun Wyn Jones, 19 Rob McCusker, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Dan Biggar, 22 Andrew Bishop.
South Africa: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Odwa Ndungane, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Joe van Niekerk, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 François Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 CJ van der Linde.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Meyer Bosman, 21 Zane Kirchner, 22 Bjorn Basson.
Date: Saturday, 5 June 2010
Kick-off: 14.30 (13.30 GMT; 15.30 SA time)
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Expected weather: Sunny intervals. High of 21°C, low of 11°C
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Dave Pearson (England), Robin Goodliffe (England)
TMO: Jim Yuille (Scotland)
Thanks Tighthead,
I agree that either by circumstance or design the combinations look better than what they did when the touring party was first announced, but……well, let me put it this way: I’ll be more than happy to say that you got it right come Saturday eve! 😉
@ grootblousmile:
Yes, good logic GBS.
That is what I mean about coaching decisions, that may let us down.
I think it is vital to only play a new cap that you honestly believe has a good future as a Bok.
As you have put across, you then bring them in to gain the necessary experience in a well thought out manner.
A Bok team is no place for experiments, or for any selections that are not viewed as potential long term.
Top class coaches are paid well to be excellent evaluators and have to have the ability to make the correct decisions that lead to long term stability in the team.
I always believe that it is a sign of weakness when you hear the coach say, “I will see how he goes”
The coach should know the answer before selecting the player.
What a hectic day. Finally able to blog a bit.
@ Snoek: 3 – Snoek, I feel the same. Boks should win this game. I too have them on bru by 10. Will be surprised if they lose. Two positions I think maybe we could have gone with other players. Ricky has only played about 10min for Stormers in each of the S14 games. So not too sure about Ricky, though he is fiesty and will up his game wearing the Boks jersey. Still slow though. I would have liked to see Kockott getting a chance. CJ not too sure about him either. We know what he can do but heard he has not being play that well up north. Joe will give everything I know but would liked to have had the speed of Kanko at 8.
Otherwise think we have superb talent in this team.
Go Boks. CAN NOT WAIT. HEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAA. Bokke season is here. So wish we had a test at the Tank. Still pleased that all the Tri-Nations tests are at altitude
hehehe.
Go Bokke.
@ grootblousmile:28 – GBS, Now that would have been my team too. Now we talking…..hehehe. That loose trio is a monster…hahaha. With Flo at 6 and Deysel at 7 and Kanko with speed at 8. (Feel Deysel got snubbed really. He has been in devasting form) NOT Grant though gbs, I would have had Ruan left at 10 and Kockott at scrummie. Then agree with the rest of your choice there.
@ tight head:
32 – TH, Would you have chosen Deysel and Kockott for this tour? I feel they both have got a raw deal here. I would have selected both of them for this Wales test.
Everytime I log on everyone has left for lunch or in the traffic driving home. Damn it was a hectic day for me. Probably again tomorrow and Monday until Wednesday.
Okay only me here. Back later.
34@ Puma:
Ruan will have to play scrummie from next week onwards, in Du Preez’ place, settle him there now! The sooner he settles there, the more continuity we have at No 9 from now on.
Peter Grant is there or thereabouts for inclusion in the broader Bokke squad and his form this year has been good (never rated him before but this year he’s been good)… as backup for Morné Steyn… and Grant has the added benefit of knowing Juan de Jongh and Mossie and Gio, with whom he played all season…. in other words defensive structures in place.
Kockott is a bit hot under the collar and not Bokke material in my estimation….
@ Puma:
Deysel yes, although I am not sure if he is injury free and fit to play.
Kockott, no.
I would have made Ruan the scrummie for this test and told everyone that he is the first choice for the season.
That would give Ruan confidence and the backing of the team, who also would feel comfortable that we are not going to start changing the vital number 9 jersey every week.
This way everybody is settled and we would get the best out of Ruan at scrum half.
Out for a while boys.
Cheers!!!
40@ tight head:
Tjorts, I’m also going to the shops now….
I would select the following Bokke team for the French…
Front row: Gurthro Steenkamp – No 1, John Smit (c) – No 2, BJ Botha – No 3 (with Gary Botha & Werner Kruger on the bench, they know the locks and calls well)
Locks: Danie Rossouw – No 4 & Victor Matfield – No 5 (with Bekker on the bench if his foot is OK, otherwise Flip v/d Merwe on the bench)
Loosies: Schalla – No 6, Dewald Potgieter – No 7, Pierre Spies – No 8 (with either of Francois Louw or Duane Vermeulen or Jean Deysel on the bench)
Scrummie: Ruan Pienaar (bench is a problem now that Francois Hougaard has had a hand operation… not Ricky, maybe Jano Vermaak or Sarel Pretorius)
Flyhalf: Morné Steyn
No 11: Bryan Habana
No 12: Wynand Olivier (with Juan de Jongh to cover as center utility)
No 13: Jaque Fourie
No 14: Gio Aplon (with Michael Killian or Bjorn Basson or Lwazi Mvovo on the bench…. should Zane go off for some reason, Gio moves to No 15 and a wing is brought on)
No 15: Zane Kirchner
All positions and events covered….
@ tight head:
39 – TH, Thanks. Never thought that Deysel was injured. He could be who knows. Remember Kockott and Ruan out played Grant and Dewalt in the Stormers game. Was just thinking of that. Think Kockott is a better choice than Ricky at this stage. Though Ricky always surprises us once he plays for the Boks. Though have visions of him coming on in the first test of the BIL test at the Tank and he knocked on straight away. He also has not played much this year. Maybe 10min a game for Stormers. So have to see.
@ grootblousmile: GBS, Good team though I don’t rate Grant boeta. We have to have another back up I know but don’t for Morne. So think we may see Grant getting selected. Unless PdV selects James for the bench. He can play next week.
Ruan will be our scrummie for this Boks season with FdP out. Well I hope so, really hope it is not Ricky. Toooooo slow I think.
I really rate Aplon, a real grafter and very good getting through the defence, but he was shown up a bit in the final against Bulls and also against the Sharks. But still like the little oke. He is a superb player just tiny that is all. I like Mvovo and he SHOULD have been on this tour instead of Odwa to see what he can do at Bok level.
Yes ja, wat pluk?
Sien ou Langbek vannie Stormpoppies knyp sy stukkie sommer in die park. Unlike a BlouBul, is dit nie moeilik om n Stormpie uit te vang nie. Hehehehehe
Leer die woord diskressie en nie om jul self so te verhemel nie.
Windlawaai Stormpie Briesies.
@ The-Pill:
Pill are you still in the States?
@ Puma:
Yes Puma. Here untill October.
@ The-Pill:
Pill, Enjoy it then. You will be there for the summer. That will be great.
Make the most of it everyday.
The Premier League has responded by issuing a statement that they will take the matter up with the IRB.
The statement read: “PRL regrettably has to make a formal complaint to the IRB alleging a breach of international regulations by SARU through their actions and statements this week.
“These actions and statements have been repeatedly directed against Bath and PRL and seem to have been designed to put unfair pressure on the player and his club, who have acted in accordance with the IRB’s regulations, and to deflect attention away from the real causes of the issue.
“June matches in the international calendar are played in the southern hemisphere and the schedule is settled years in advance.
“Apparently this extra one-off match outside the schedule and in the northern hemisphere was only arranged earlier this year.
“It seems to be primarily a money-making exercise for which SARU is apparently receiving a large fee.”
@ superBul:
What a load of nonsense coming from them again GBS, if they are really ‘regrettably’ making a complaint then why are they making it in the first. Just seems like a case of them trying to flex their muscles. Don’t know all the detail but are you aware of what the exact wording of the regulations are that SARU is alledged to have breached? These things may be according to the letter of the law but their action certainly goes against the spirit of the game, because they would probably point to the technicality of the BaaBaas games not being “official” international games as to why there has been no fuss made about any of the players involved last week and again tonight.
There last statement also shows some lack of professionalism from Premier Rugby, its one thing for us supporters to say these things but another for an official organization. And again as I raised a few days ago why only the reference to SARU, have they come out and complained that Wales is the host to this game and questioned why Wales took the lead in arranging this games outside of the “official window”??? The mind boggles.
From now on let it be known that I hate Bath for this..
@ Winston:
Not sure Bath are to blame for this Winston, it seems they were instructed by Premier Rugby that their players couldn’t play just like Gloucester and maybe others were alledgedly not allowed to let their Scots go for the game against Japan on Tuesday.
I guess BullScot but I still think that its utter crap that the man cant play for his country when selected..
@ Winston:
Agree there especially when there are double standards, they (Premier rugby) seem to have an “internal agreement” with England team which meant there was no problem with English premiership players playing last weekend, this sounds like a nice cosy arrangement I wonder if it would stand up to scrutiny in European court if the SRU (Scotland Rugby Union) had the money and will to take it there. I suppose if you try, really very very hard, to see this in any good light you could think well at least they are more concerned about the welfare of their overseas stars than the English players and so want to limit their amount of games, BUT the cynic in me thinks they did this to the Boks and Scotland because the individual players don’t have as much clout as the collective English ones.
Bullscot,and people wonder why we claim there are conspiracies against us when we have to deal with crap like this..
@ Winston:
Oh well we can only speculate, and I guess time to chill out its a lovely sunny evening here and some good music to listen to cause can’t watch the game, have a good one Winston
Take care bud.
Morning All
Getting ready to go to the match….
Will be strange shouting for another team in Cardiff, but today I will be rooting for the Boks……
OK, getting the Green and Gold out today….
Till later, have a good one all.
‘GO BOKKE’ 🙂
@ Blue Bird:
58 – Morning Blue Bird. LUCKY YOU..HEHE. Enjoy it and remember some pics if you can.
GOOOOOOOO BOKKE 😀
@ Blue Bird:58 – BB, Pleased you wearing the Boks jersey today too. You must be going with all the Bok supporters 😀 Enjoy it.
Users Online
Total 203 users including 0 member, 203 guests, 0 bot online
Most users ever online were 3735, on 31 August 2022 @ 6:23 pm
No Counter as from 31 October 2009: 41,331,503 Page Impressions
_