Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer reckons the hunger and attitude he has seen from the players in this short week building up to his first test match in charge has been the best he has seen in two decades of coaching.
Sport24
That is good news, for Meyer also nervously admits that his team will be going into the test match against England at Kings Park without the safety net they have had for nearly 10 years – an experienced world class lock pairing that has played together often and knows each other well.
“It is quite strange to think that we are going into this match with two new locks. It is a new experience for the Springboks and a new experience for me and much is going to hinge on how the players adapt to test rugby,” said Meyer.
“Fortunately though both Eben Etzebeth and Juandre Kruger, while new to international rugby, are both extremely talented players and I have utmost confidence in them.”
The Bok traditional strength has been at forward so it is interesting to note that the pack is where the inexperience is on Saturday. Flank Marcell Coetzee is also playing his first game for the Boks.
“Fortunately we have experience around them and they will help guide the youngsters,” said Meyer.
He’s not wrong about that. The all Sharks front row seldom takes a step backwards, and Pierre Spies and Willem Alberts were part of last year’s World Cup effort. What excites Meyer though is the energy he is witnessing at the start of a new era for Bok rugby.
“This has been the best week I have ever had in terms of pure attitude since I started coaching, and I am not just saying it because it is the Springboks. After last week’s tough derby matches in Super Rugby I couldn’t believe it when at the start of the week the medical staff told me everyone is fit to train.
“I have always said I will only pick players that are 110% hungry to play for South Africa and the 22 I have chosen for this game reflects the attitude I have seen this week. Every player has trained every day this week and not in my wildest dreams did I think that will be possible at this stage of a tough season. I can sense the players know good enough is not really good enough, only the best is good enough.”
Referring to his decision to appoint Bismarck du Plessis, who so long played in the shadow of John Smit, as his captain, Meyer said he could see leadership potential in the hooker, who could be in line to lead the team should Jean de Villiers fail to fire in these three tests against England or be injured.
“I believe Bismarck is a great leader and that we have three or four of the best hookers in the world,” said Meyer.
“Adriaan Strauss will come on for Bismarck at some stage during the game and take over the vice-captaincy. Chiliboy Ralepelle and Tiaan Liebenberg are playing well for their unions as well.”
Meyer added that his choice of Zane Kirchner ahead of Patrick Lambie at fullback was directed by the small amount of time the Boks have had to prepare.
“I feel both fullbacks are top quality but I went for combinations and guys who knew each other well,” he said in reference to the fact that there are also Bulls players in both halfback positions.
I like the fact that the Bokke are so hungry…. it’ll be a massive boost.
Attitude counts for a huge lot!
Geez, you would think that there would be enough food to feed them all.
Why don’t they just take some extra bread rolls from the breakfast buffet?
I’m hungry too, it’s almost lunch time
hahaha julle is nie een lekker nie!!!!
4 @ Tripples:
Daar’s niks fout met ons nie… met ons nie… met ons nie !
Ek’s ook flokken honger… miskien behoort ek ten minste op die bench!
can someone please tell heyneke that the phrase “dont feed the animals” doesnt refer to the springbok team?
Test Experience at lock
Now zero
Last team VM 109 and Danie 62
another WC lock that was available BB 75 Tests
amazing
7@ superBul:
Remember as posted earlier that do not think Boks are facing England’s first choice lock pairing as Courtney Lawes and Louis Deacon are both missing. Also I think if you add the numbers of test matches played then I think you will find Boks pack is way more experienced than England’s. And remember lasy year’s Super 15 when Bulls had all the experience of those 3 players you mention plus Fourie and Gurthro and where did we end up, not even making the players, so while experience does count for a lot it is maybe not the be all and end all of things, am sure our two ‘rookie’ locks will do just fine.
@ Bullscot:
I dont fault HM,s picks at lock , i just pointed out the amazing difference.
Whow 0,0 vs 110,76 and 63
Ollie: Bok bench a big plus
2012-06-07 23:17
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Ollie le Roux (File)
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Cape Town – Former Springbok prop Ollie le Roux believes the impact players on the Springbok bench could prove decisive in the first Test against England in Durban on Saturday.
Bok coach Heyneke Meyer earlier this week said he doesn’t believe in having substitutes, but rather “impact players”.
And the South African bench is full of players capable of making an impact on the game at Kings Park this weekend. Hooker Adriaan Strauss, prop Coenie Oosthuizen, lock Flip van der Merwe, flank Keegan Daniel and backs Ruan Pienaar and Patrick Lambie are all exciting players capable of providing the spark which could swing the game in the home side’s favour.
And Le Roux, arguably South Africa’s most successful impact player who fulfilled that role in 43 of his 54 Tests, believes Meyer made the right call with his “impact-bench”.
“You always pick your bench with injuries in mind but you have more firepower if you have an impact-bench. It’s nice for a coach to know he has more firepower and could add more intensity to the play from the bench,” Le Roux told Volksblad.
“It’s wise from Heyneke to view his bench like that. That’s how I was also used as impact player.”
Le Roux feels Strauss and Oosthuizen, especially, could make a big impact up front on Saturday.
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