Jake’s Boks start to fire
3 Apr 2006
Jake White’s senior Springboks are running into form at the right time. However, there’s not much secondary ammunition firing in the Vodacom Super 14.
In a weekend when the bones finally hit the jackpot in calling six from six (yup we knew the Bulls in New Zealand are more putty than concrete), several of the seasoned Boks of the last two years showed themselves to be the leaders in their positions.
One or two are still battling for form, among them Sharks fullback Percy Montgomery. However, Montgomery started the season brilliantly and tailored off in his last game before returning home. He was ordinary against the Reds, but he is a big game player and he remains the best option for the international season.
In the midfield Jean de Villiers showed the touches that make him the best No 12 in the country, while the biggest positives continue to emerge in the Sharks pack where AJ Venter and John Smit showed their value to the region and to the national equation.
Venter, in tandem with Schalk Burger and Joe van Niekerk, helped shape a destructive loose-trio in 2004. Injury robbed White of Venter’s services last year, especially on the end of year tour. But with Venter on fire and Shaun Sowerby to add to the loose-forward depth, White will pick a loose-trio that won’t have to stand back to the All Blacks. Physically, it will be as effective and imposing.
The key, obviously, is the back-up depth and none has been consistently good. Luke Watson enjoyed his best game for two seasons agains the Force, Wikus van Heerden has dabbled with the very good and the ordinary and Pedrie Wannenburg has also been a mixture. Jacques Cronje also seems to deliver too infrequently on his talent. Warren Britz is another who blossomed against the Reds, but has not done it with enough regularity, while Juan Smith is injured. Hopefully he will be back by June because he certainly has a role to play with the Boks and a fit Smith currently would be picked ahead of a fit Joe van Niekerk.
Flyhalf has given White few answers. Meyer Bosman has been the best of an average South African lot, with Derick Hougaard again letting himself down in the match that was always going to be crucial to him. Hougaard has kicked brilliantly at home and against an average Force side was also very good. The moment he played in New Zealand he looked half the player and some of his misses were simply unbelievable.
Jaco van der Westhuyzen and Andre Pretorius have enhanced their reputations, purely by not playing.
Scrumhalf is an area where Ruan Pienaar has added to his growing support base and Bolla Conradie has shown signs of better form, while Ross Skeate, BJ Botha and Wynand Olivier have been the most prominent of the emerging players.
The Ndungane twins have also had their moments on the wing, but I’d still pick Breyton Paulse to partner Bryan Habana on his return from France in June.
Fitness permitting, this is the the team I’d like to see start the international season against Scotland.
15. Monty
14. Paulse
13. Fourie
12. De Villiers
11. Habana
10. Van der Westhuyzen
9. Januarie
8. Smith
7. Venter
6. Burger
5. Matfield
4. Botha
3. Van der Linde
2. Smit
1. Du Randt
Incumbent national squad players who have not done their international status justice so far in the competition include Eddie Andrews, Hanyani Shimange, De Wet Barry, Marius Joubert, Solly Tyibilika and Jacques Cronje. They have five weeks to get it right.
White currently has 22 test players who can go toe to toe with the All Blacks. They, in turn have 44, who can battle South Africa. And over a period of two months, that will be the difference in winning the Vodacom Tri Nations.
It is this depth that White has to develop this year once the first team has given the international season momentum with a two-nil series win against Scotland.
PS: The Bones … climbing, climbing and soaring!
Week one: 4/7
Week two: 4/7
Week three: 4/7
Week four: 5/6
Week five: 5/6
Week six: 5/6
Week seven: 5/6
Week eight: 6/6
38/51 = 74.5 percent
91 Comments
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3 Apr 2006, 10:55 am
Mole,
Wrong mob to be pissing off in here, prepare to be ripped up, you went a little low buddy.
Just like what Billy said, prepare yourself.
3 Apr 2006, 10:57 am
Cab
I watched a game in the UK early this year and Paulse was dealt to heavily by Tom Varndell, the next big thing in English Rugby (according to them of course), anyways, Paulse had 5 tries scored on him by Varndell, not a good night for him.
3 Apr 2006, 10:59 am
Keo
any news on Ben Tune punching Bismarck after the whistlehad gone on Saturday. It’s seems to smack of a typical Tune. Always doing something underhand.
3 Apr 2006, 11:00 am
Kom Mole jou Kontkop,
Die mense wag vir n verduideliking…
Terwyl ons wag, manne soos Anton Rupert en Chris Barnard was ook Dutchmen….
3 Apr 2006, 11:01 am
Stan, if you’re buying, I would like a glass of the finest Shiraz that Loftus has to offer.
3 Apr 2006, 11:02 am
Stan ek sal vir jou n dubbel brannas en coke koop as jy vir my box seat organize.
3 Apr 2006, 11:02 am
I really don’t understand why you continue to promote the cause of Breyton Paulse. You clearly haven’t seen much of him recently. His performances in Europe have been at best modest and against Leicester, he was quite simply pathetic (his opposite number scored four tries). I watched him quite carefully during the game, and he seemed to spend most of his time deliberately getting into positions where he didn’t have to make a tackle. He’s not returning to South Africa for nothing, and I’ll be very surprised indeed if he makes the Western Province side for the Currie Cup. How he could even be considered as a Bok candidate is beyond me. It’s sad to say, but I’m afraid his best days are long past.
3 Apr 2006, 11:02 am
you guys are making a Voortrekker monument out of a mole heap now
3 Apr 2006, 11:05 am
Bliksem check your mail! I will give you R150.00 for that Polar?
3 Apr 2006, 11:06 am
Anton Rupert, now there was a mass murderer of note. Probably single handedly responsible for millions of nicotine related deaths in SA.
Also produced some excellent red wine, so I will forgive him.
Chris Barnard had a couple of sexy wives.
3 Apr 2006, 11:07 am
Keo – Its not that hard to pick the squad/team, if you listen to Jake White, and watch the games with an open mind.
For some reason though, most of the morons appear either deaf, blind, or a combination of both. Certainly a lot are dumb… although it doesn’t keep their mouths shut.
I think Willemse may force his way in should he show form over the coming few months – Jake is a know admirer. That said a back three of Habana, Willemse and Percy, would leave Percy very exposed. Paulse defensive qualities are largely ignored.
You’d then be forced to pick FDP, or Pretoors to ensure sufficient defensive kicking options. I think FDP should have been a fullback or flyhalf. I dont rate him as a scrumhalf.
3 Apr 2006, 11:08 am
Everyone said that about Paulse a couple of years back.
Anyone reckon that the reason he is coming back is because he prefers the coaching here… don’t be surprised to see him perform again in the Bok jersey. He has never let the side down and can turn a game on its head. White will make full use of his experience on the field.
3 Apr 2006, 11:20 am
CSI,
yip Paulse is a smart player with a great step, but he’s defense has always been suspect and he’s definitely not as sharp as he used to be. Varndell is good, the poms should have selected him ages ago, much better than Cohen.
We need a more solid wing on the other side, especially to face the kiwis/aussie monstrosities. All the sides have powerful wings these days, Lamont for Scotland or Horgan for Ireland or Rougerie for France or Cueto/Cohen for England or . Its a useful tactic since it stetches defences who often need to committ two tacklers. Hopefully Willemse is finally over his injuries.
3 Apr 2006, 11:22 am
cab – JP Pieterson – i know hes a lightie and all but hell he has a great step, great pace and can also play full back. Hes not such a small lad either
3 Apr 2006, 11:26 am
So what happened Jannie and Wian from FS ? .Did ‘nt see their names in the emerging list.
3 Apr 2006, 11:32 am
I agree about Pieterson, but think that he is more likley to replace Percy – probably sooner rather than later. If this happens, I’d be inclined to bring back Joubert at centre alongside JdV and play Fourie on the wing given his outstanding abilities as a full back.
3 Apr 2006, 11:33 am
Ig, yup agree he cant be far off, very nice runner. Chavanga and Nokwe while blistering are lightweights.
3 Apr 2006, 11:44 am
Ig – I like your thinking. Play JP on the right wing – and groom him to replace Monty.
In my mind he’s the only youngster currently playing in SA who I think has the ability to be a long term bok solution at 15 once Monty has finnished breaking records. The rest are average to solid at best. Others have the tempramentality of rice paper.
Willemse and Habana to compete for jersey 11.
3 Apr 2006, 11:55 am
I said it last year already. Jake will have alot to think about this year. I believe we have alot more players this year that will stand out in a Springbok jersey. Don’t no how he’s going to select the best 15 this year. People will say that Paulse is not the answer on wing , that the bulls full back are much beter than percy. That pienaar is our best scrummy this year. With so much tallent i think it’s going to be a hard process of selecting the best team this year.
3 Apr 2006, 11:58 am
Keo
Any news on Jake Whites plan to select a Bok second 15 for the June / July games with the first choice players only playing the end of year tour?
3 Apr 2006, 12:02 pm
What’s going to happen next year. Any boks going to play in the S14 and 3 nations if there’s going to be a 3 Nations ?
3 Apr 2006, 12:16 pm
Monty is close to his expiry date, but would be a flexible option off the bench.
What has Jantjies done to disappear off the team sheet? His is a natural move from the wing to fullback. Selecting Paulse is also an unneccessary step backwards. Willemse starts playing this weekend, let’s see how he goes.
3 Apr 2006, 13:03 pm
1. Saphaka
2. Shimangie
3. Andrews
4. Davids
5. Boome
6. Solly
7. Kambamba
8. Watson
9. Conradie
10. Hougaard
11. Bobo
12. Barry
13. Joubert
14. Nbumagmae
15. Seconds
3 Apr 2006, 13:32 pm
Hi Guys
My Bacline would look like this after reading all of the above comments.
9- January/Pienaar as backup
10- Pretorius/Jaco as backup
11- Habana
12- Snyman
13- De Villiers
14- Ndungane
15- J. Fourie/Pietersen as backup
Open for comment…
3 Apr 2006, 13:34 pm
How can I forget Willemse as 14- Backup
3 Apr 2006, 13:50 pm
i’d want either willinse/jantjes at 14.
paulse as cover and juan at 7 and aj at 8.
pretorius starting with jaco backup.
3 Apr 2006, 14:41 pm
brumby,
are you insane, what team is that, is it a proposal for the spears, cos that bunch would get twatted at virtually every other level.
1. Lensing 2. Brits 3. BJ
4. Ackerman 5. Rossouw
6. Watson 7. AJ 8. Sowerby
9. Pienaar 10. Pretorius
11. Russell 14. Pietersen
12. Barry 13. Snyman
15. Jantjies
ok Lensing a cheat but fancy that team to take all comers. Guthro when fit.
3 Apr 2006, 15:05 pm
As a former tighthead I cant see why everybody is raving about BJ Botha. Hes solid but nothing special
3 Apr 2006, 15:07 pm
The King,
who do you rate?
3 Apr 2006, 16:40 pm
Bloem Leeu
Not bad, just change around your two centres.
3 Apr 2006, 16:44 pm
Cab
CJ & Bands (If he can ever be real fit)
3 Apr 2006, 16:56 pm
CJ is ok, but Bands as a TH scrummager, you being serious? Bands is very good as a ball carrier, but you rate his scrummaging?
We need a specialist scrummaging TH, which will be invaluable against the likes of England and NZ. If CJ is gets injured, we have big problems, think the sooner BJ is involved and get sused to the squad the better.
3 Apr 2006, 17:20 pm
I thought the story of Richard Bands was urban legend…..
Does he really exist?
3 Apr 2006, 18:01 pm
Munki,
Ask Mccaw, Faan rautenbach and carlos spencer if he really exists..
3 Apr 2006, 18:20 pm
probably, mostly a bit of a haze for those fellas Stan.
3 Apr 2006, 18:49 pm
WHERE’S DAVIDSON?
3 Apr 2006, 19:42 pm
My team on Merit
15. MONTY
14. Snyman
13. Fourie
12. De villers
11. Habana
10 . Jaco vdw
9.Pienar
8.Venter
7.Jaun
6.Burger
5.Matfield
4.botha
3.Bj botha
2.smit
1.OS
3 Apr 2006, 21:23 pm
KEA are you KEO’s brother ?
3 Apr 2006, 21:29 pm
No it’s Keo’s sister. She’s a top player in the Women’s League.
3 Apr 2006, 22:23 pm
The worst thing that ever happend to Solly is Watson. If Luke doesn’t make it and Solly does then it WILL BE RACIST DEVELOPMUNT QUOTA.
STARTING XV
15 Monty
14 Paulse
13 Fourie
12 De Villers
11 Habana
10 Pretorius
9 Januarie
8 Van Niekerk
7 Venter
6 Burger
5 Matfield
4 Botha
3 Van Der Linde
2 Smit (Capt)
1 Os
BACKUP XV
15 Jantjes
14 Willemse
13 Snyman
12 Barry
11 Russell
10 Van Der Westhuizen
9 Du Preez
8 Smith
7 Van Heerden
6 Watson
5 Boome
4 Van Schouwenberg
3 Du Plessis (Jannie)
2 Brits
1 Steenkamp
(PS: Keo, are 6 merit players of colour good enough for you?)
4 Apr 2006, 12:12 pm
Cab i am fair dinkum
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