Everyone seems to be aspiring coaches and selectors and week after week we watch matches and air our views where we either slate the coach or sing his praises.
So, I would like to invite every Blogger to post his or her 23 players for the First upcoming Springbok Test against Ireland. Also I will put this up for each Test so we can eventually see who gets it right overall as well as each individual Test.
In the team you must choose from the players available and not players you are aggrieved about not being there, this is about trying to see if you can understand your Bok coach, it is not about whether you like or do not like him.
The team can be either about what the team should be as per your point of view, or if you are not sure select the 23 players as you think the coach will select, also remember with the new laws up north you need to have a full front row on the bench and thus the selection is now 23 players and not 22.
Take into account that we have no knowledge as to the 32nd player which has not been named yet, when this player is named and does play in the 1st Test you will get acknowledgement for that player.
Springbok squad
FORWARDS: Willem Alberts, Arno Botha, Schalk Brits, Pat Cilliers, Marcell Coetzee, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Juandré Kruger, Francois Louw, Tendai Mtawarira, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Adriaan Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe, Franco van der Merwe, Duane Vermeulen.
BACKS: Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (capt), Francois Hougaard, Elton Jantjies, Zane Kirchner, Pat Lambie, Lionel Mapoe, Lwazi Mvovo, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Raymond Rhule, Morné Steyn, Jaco Taute, Jano Vermaak.
118 @ Sharks_forever:
Thats it I agree, it was his defence that cost us against ABs. He was not that great against the Aussies either to be honest. The reason I want to have Juan to start, not only that he adds more there. The very reason I do rate Jordaan so highly as well is his defence is brilliant. Can’t wait for SR now that we will have Fransie back with probably Jordaan at outside centre, hope Plum plays Jordaan there as he may start with Whitehead. Have to see.
Lambie, Fransie and Jordaan playing together gonna be awesome. Also with young Reinach there for next year, though I still rate Mcleod as well. Anyhow just hoping no injuries now on this eoyt.
120 @ Sharks_forever:
They leading the way again? Wonder what our Sharks done with all their travel at the end? Read they were also doing the hydration thing on the plane. Was it just the drinks to keep them hydrated or something like the ABs are doing?
Look I am totally against the “sleeping tab” for flying. Sure it might keep them from getting tired for lack of sleep, but really it should not be given. It adds to the deydration and that is dangerous and keeps the person from moving their legs while flying. So that is the only wrong thing they are doing, well as far as I am concerned. Rather get to the otherside a bit tired from not sleeping. Safer. I know keeping oneself hydrated can prevent dvt, but keep moving the legs on the flight is important, so knocking oneself out with a sleeping tab is crazy. Anyone can get dvt in the fittest person. I know it happened to me.
@ Puma:
deydration = dehydration
@ Puma:
My brother in law is an endurance athlete and swears by them as do many of the top athletes. Apparently they are great for regulating sleep when there is a lot going on, ie rest stops/bivouac at the evens, flying etc.
He tells me that he gets his rest and wakes up with no side effects whatsoever.
I must assume that at the top level these guys are hydrating constantly as their metabolism must be running at high most of the time.
Just reading the Independent from Ireland. One has to wonder how we lose so many of our youngsters to clubs overseas. It seems many are not only wanting to play their rugby over there, but to also play for their adopted countries. I suppose there is only so many that can play in the Bok team. Still a worry to lose such great talent.
From the Independent.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Meyer Fears talent draid to Irish
WE think we know plenty about emigration in Ireland, but South Africa’s exodus is something to behold.
There are a multitude of reasons for the mass migration of people from the beautiful, complex nation since the end of apartheid, and recent estimates suggest that there are 1.5 million South Africans living abroad today, with London being the most popular destination.
There is a reason that a number of businessmen took over Saracens and recruited heavily from the country’s massive player pool in an attempt to become an effective ‘London South Africans’, looking to stage matches in Cape Town and tap into the market of rugby fans far from home who have to watch Currie Cup and Super Rugby action from afar.
Leaving home is just something that many young South Africans expect to do, and with so many having the natural physique and strong coaching to make it as professional rugby players, it’s no surprise that they make the most of the opportunities.
However, Springbok head coach Heyneke Meyer yesterday expressed his concern about the IRFU’s policy of recruiting young South Africans with a view to playing for Ireland after three years of residency.
On Saturday, Bloemfontein’s Richardt Strauss is expected to make his debut for Ireland, a country where he has lived for three years. When he was signed for Leinster as a 22-year-old converted flanker, this day was always part of the plan.
Last summer, Munster recruited former Junior Springbok captain CJ Stander (20), Leinster added highly-rated second-row Quinn Roux (20) and Connacht signed centre Danie Poolman (21), who scored a try on his debut for the Westerners last weekend.
All three are designated as ‘special projects’ and the union are hoping that they will be able to bolster the resources of the international side in years to come.
“We are obviously concerned,” Meyer said when asked about the growing trend. “You want the best players in South Africa. I don’t think suddenly we can have a lot of guys leaving without affecting the depth that we had.
“There’s a perception that we had all this depth. But look at the amount of youngsters we have had to use this year. I just went through the players playing overseas and you would get an unbelievably strong Springboks side just from the players overseas. In every single position there is a great player who is playing overseas.”
As a coach who was willing to uproot himself and take over Leicester Tigers, and even apply for the Ireland job a number of years ago, Meyer can empathise with Strauss and, while he is concerned by the exodus of young, potential Boks to this country, the senior coach can understand why players leave.
“I’m really happy for him. I’ve always thought he was a great player,” the 45-year-old said of Strauss.
“He moved on before I was there. I’m very happy for Strauss and I know he won’t do us any favours.
“He can understand Afrikaans and he’ll understand all of our line-out calls, but he’s a great individual. I hope he gets the opportunity to play for Ireland.
“I would like all the players to play with South Africa but that’s the modern game. I’m looking forward to seeing him play.”
Strauss isn’t the only familiar face that Meyer will encounter this week: he has a good knowledge of two key members of the Ireland brain’s trust who are preparing an assault on his team.
“I have a lot of respect for Gert Smal as a forwards coach and I have worked with Les Kiss and coached against him. He’s a great attack and defence coach, even a great head coach,” said Meyer.
Much has been made of the fact that Ireland are coming into this fixture on the back of their humiliating 60-0 defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton, but Meyer expects a response from the home side.
“When I look at that result I think they will be even more dangerous,” he said. “Guys always lift it for the Springboks, especially at home.
basics
“Ireland could have won the second Test in New Zealand, they played superbly, so you can’t just look at one performance. It’s going to be a tough Test match. If the basics are not up to scratch, if the goal-kicking is not up to scratch, there’s no way we will win.”
Both sides are struggling with injuries, with the Boks likely to start the inexperienced Pat Lambie at out-half. Strauss’ cousin Adriaan is expected to pack down at hooker, while Jean de Villiers trained yesterday and should lead the side.
Meyer says that the unknown quantities in the Ireland team could be the difference. “Although we’ve got a lot of injuries and Ireland have injuries, it’s still quality players out there,” Meyer said.
“You know the (Brian) O’Driscolls of the world, you know what to expect. Sometimes you don’t know what to expect of the young players. I don’t always know what to expect of our players, which makes it even more exciting.
“Defence will probably win the game. It will be a quality Test match.”
– Ruaidhri O’Connor
Irish Independent
So it seem we have lost:
R. Strauss
CJ. Stander
Q. Roux
D. Poolman
All to Irish clubs and eventually to Ireland, as it seems they will all play for Ireland after their 3 years there. All young and talent. The biggest talent out of those is CJ Stander. How we lost him was just crazy. Roux might came back, but not sure about it.
Pity for us to be losing such great talent.
124 @ Stormersboy:
Its not good for the circulation. That is the problem, any form of medication slows down the circulation and while flying it is more dangerous. Especially that if one does take a sleeping tab while flying they sleep. So not moving the legs for most of the duration of the flight could cause dvt. Even if well hydrated. Whether young, super fit it can happen.
@ Puma:
Indeed Puma – a great pity. But . . . looking on the bright side (and this has been the upside of things in my mind for a while now) SA has LOTS of very talented youngsters. In fact – I went so far about a month ago as to say that I could see SA winning the next 2 WC if they start with a squad of youngsters now, and try keep the core group together for 8 years or so.
128 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
We do have so many talented players and suppose there is only so many that can play for the Boks. Though years back we never lost any going overseas. Times have changed I suppose.
@ Puma:
I didn’t know that, intersecting.
@ Stormersboy:
interesting. Sorry Typo.
130 @ Stormersboy:
Yip, so best to arrive safe and tired.
Just read on Sports24 that Taute will probably start at outside centre. Jeez come on Meyer did you not see Taute against the ABs at 13? He cost us that game with is putride defence there. Also was not great agains Oz either. So it seems SOME get many, many chances whether they play well or not while others will only get ONE chance. The brain boggles with Meyer really, what does it take for Juan to get to start? WHAT??????? Taute should be on the bench to cover fullback and if he HAS to outside centre. JdJ should have been selected to start this game after the disaster Taute had in that position in his last two games there. Had that been Juan playing like that against the ABS he would not even have been selected again. But Meyer’s favourites no matter how bad they play they get selected over and over and out of position too.
This from Sports24
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Boks: Taute set to stay at 13
2012-11-07 07:48
Cape Town – Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is likely to spring a surprise by retaining Jaco Taute at outside centre for their Test against Ireland in Dublin.
There was big speculation about who will wear the Bok No 13 jersey in Saturday’s Test but according to Die Burger’s website Meyer is set to stay with Jean de Villiers and Taute as his midfield generals. The two guarded the Bok midfield in their last Test, a 32-16 reverse to the All Blacks in Soweto.
This will come as a surprise to many, especially after Juan de Jongh’s solid performance at No 13 in the Currie Cup final for Western Province.
Skipper De Villiers will start on Saturday, despite fears that he may miss the game due to a hamstring injury which ruled him out of WP’s final two Currie Cup games. He trained with Taute in midfield on Tuesday before taking a breather when De Jongh and Taute combined in the practice session.
In further good news for the Boks, flank Francois Louw also looks likely to be included when Meyer names his side on Wednesday. Louw hurt his neck playing for his English club Bath a fortnight ago but he trained on Tuesday and should start ahead of Marcell Coetzee.
After the Test against Ireland on Saturday, the Boks face Scotland a week later in Edinburgh before concluding their tour against England in London on November 24.
Likely Springbok starting team:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Meyer is obsessed with BIG is better. Sometimes dynamite comes in small packages. Without a doubt any other coach would have selected Juan at outside centre, especially that he has plays next to JdV at Stormers/WP. Also especially that he is on tour with the Boks. He is there dammit.
This tells me he will never select Paul Jordaan either as he is too small for Meyer’s liking. So if you not a tall big player you have no chance with this coach it seems.
plays = played
See JdV and Flouw also over their injuries, though a neck injury and a hamstring injury can linger and come back when you think it is gone. So if any of these players have to leave the field with their injuries recurring, who will be on the bench. Marcell will cover for Flo and Juan for JdV. What if Zane then picks up a injury who goes to fullback? Probably poor Lambie will have to slot in there and Elton will have to come in at fh. Should have Mapoe on the bench then to cover centre and wing with Taute going to fullback. That is how I would go, with the new rule of 8 on the bench with a full front row we will have a 5/3 split on the bench no doubt. So it will be Elton, Juan and I would have Mapoe there.
@ Puma:
The sharks have lost the services of one of their top up and coming wings, Rosco Specmann has signed with the Puma’s.
Canr really blame the kid as the Sharks have a lot of wing depth, So the Kid prolly felt with the Puma’s atleast he is getting game time.
137 @ Sharks_forever:
Annoyed to read that actually. Was hoping he would be part of our Super Rugby squad. Big loss I think. Actually if he had to go anywhere he really should have gone to Kings as they are going to be playing Super Rugby. Thought he was superb against Province in the really wet conditions in CC. Was truly hoping to see him in our SS squad. Now we lose him, huge pity. Who do we have on wing? Mvovo, JPP, Sithole and Odwa. I would have had Speckmann instead of Sithole actually.
138 @ Puma:
Fark, you guys have enough Wing depth, give the oke a chance!
Want your bread buttered both sides?
Specmann would not have seen a single game of Super Rugby in 2013, with the wings above him in the pecking order at the Sharks… and by being stingy and wanting him to stay at the Sharks you are now guilty of EXACTLY the same thing that you accused Heyneke Meyer of when Lambie was warming the bench at the Bokke and not getting game time.
Let the youngster get game time week after week at the Pumas, if he shapes, then some or other Super Franchise will use him sooner rather than later… when he’s ready!
139 @ grootblousmile:
Hehehe. SF and Wounded Knees are going to give you Groot K@K for telling that little truth.
Don’t you know that those that swim with the boneless predators are above criticism and are never wrong?
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