Boks need for speed

Boks need for speed

24 May 2006

Following the injury to Bryan Habana at the weekend, the Springboks are looking decidedly thin in the wing department.

Habana’s absence along with long-time injury candidate Ashwin Willemse means that out and out wingers are as rare as hen’s teeth in the current Bok squad.

Habana is only expected to return to the starting line-up in three week’s time – possibly against France in Cape Town – while Willemse is unlikely to get back onto a rugby field again this year.

This wing crisis was starkly illustrated at Tuesday’s afternoon practice at Shimla Park. Only 27 of the original 45-man squad were able to train, which in itself must be a major worry for coach Jake White, but more alarmingly not one of them were recognised specialist wingers.

As the squad was put through its paces by specialist coach Anthony Eddy, the two backlines – with only six men each – featured Andre Snyman and Ruan Pienaar on the wing at one stage. Pienaar though was restored to his usual position of scrumhalf a little later – he also ran for a bit at No 10 – and Gaffie du Toit, Brent Russell and Jaque Fourie took turns on the outside.

All three have played in either the No 11 or No 14 jersey, but du Toit and Russell are considered utility backs, while Fourie’s most potent position is at outside centre.

Granted the wing situation is expected to improve by the time the Vodacom Tri-Nations swings into focus, but the potential lack of pace out wide for the Tests against Scotland (2) and France could come back to haunt the Boks. Tonderai Chavhanga, who is also a recognised wing, did not take part in training, but was spotted at the team hotel. No official news was forthcoming.

A silver lining though is that France-based Breyton Paulse has not yet joined the squad and his experience will prove invaluable in what is fast becoming a problem position. Paulse is expected to fly in after the World XV match.

On another positive note, the forwards gave the new Enforcer scrum machine a torrid working over under the expert eye of World Cup-winning prop Balie Swart.

Boks currently on the injury list: Andre Pretorius (groin), Ashwin Willemse (leg), Bakkies Botha (Achilles), BJ Botha (neck), Bryan Habana (ankle), Butch James (groin), CJ van der Linde (leg), Danie Coetzee (foot), Eddie Andrews (shoulder), Gurthro Steenkamp (wrist), Marius Joubert (hand), Pedrie Wannenburg and Wayne Julies (knee).

By Andrew Hollely, in Bloemfontein


148 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 3 » Show All

  • 1.Moegrat: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 06:38 am

    hey hey

  • 2.Moegrat: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 06:40 am

    Now Jean is going to move over to wing and we are gonna sit with the legend Barry on inside centre

  • 3.folanke: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 06:51 am

    Pity jake is so stubborn…it means we have lost the world cup without even starting !!

  • 4.Pete77: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:04 am

    Why o why don’t they just run Russell on the wing. Granted he is probably not as quick as Habana and Willemse, he is def not slow. He also can join the line with great effect. Surely this is the oppurtunity to give Russell a good run in the team.

  • 5.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:09 am

    Russell is not good on defence. That is why I will never select Russell in my starting line up. Good as a Impact player though

  • 6.iceman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:22 am

    Jan Cloete of the Falcons would be my option at this stage!

  • 7.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:26 am

    Iceman

    Is Cloete no a specialized Full back. Must admit I have not seen him much except for the Vodacom Final. He made a huge impression.

  • 8.Jurgens: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:28 am

    What about the Ndukane brothers, last time i checked they were fast

  • 9.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:33 am

    Jurgens

    Klim terug in jou karavaan. Jake hou nie van die Ndungane boeties nie. Hoekom weet ek nie. Ek fok mos net aan met Chavanga

  • 10.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:35 am

    Ek bedoel hy fok mos net aan

  • 11.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:36 am

    The Ndungane’s are simply not Test standard and it is for this very reason they are not in the squad.There are precious few quality wingers in SA rugby at present.Henno Mentz,Bryan Habana, Ashwin Willemse and Breyton Paulse are the leading exponents but all injured or not here yet.As long as wing is seen as a “soft quota” position and SA teams refuse to play an expansive game this trend will continue.We are seriously kidding ourselves if we think that Chavhanga,Nokwe and the Ndunganes are Test quality.

  • 12.Jurgens: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:39 am

    kwensie

    Jys reg ek kies nie eers vir Chavanga in die slegte WP span nie. Wat nn great geleentheid so dit nie gewees het om een of dalk altwee daai broers n kans te gee teen die wereld span nie. maar jake weet mos altyd beter, jammer nie genoeg om n wereldbeker te wen nie. Of glo hy regtig die WP senters gaan dit vir hom doen

  • 13.Staal: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:39 am

    Ons kort vir Jorrie of Gus op vleuel. MIskien kan ons ook dink aan Slaptjips vir ‘n comeback – of dalk vir Wylie.

  • 14.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:44 am

    Die stormers senters kon die hele seisoen niks reg kry nie. Ek kan nie sien dat hulle skielik in die toetse helder oomblikke gaan beleef nie. Ek is nie ‘n groot aanhanger van Wynand Olivier nie maar op huidige vorm kies ek hom bo De Wet Barry, met Jacques langs hom

  • 15.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:46 am

    Staal..

    Jy wil nie dalk he ek moet vir Gerrie Germishuys kontak nie. Of dalk Edrich Krantz en Ray Mordt

  • 16.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:49 am

    Staal jy wil nie dalk die volgende vleuels nooi na die oefenkamp nie:

    Edrich Krantz
    Ray Mordt
    Gerrie Germishuys
    Carl Du Plessis

  • 17.Paws: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:50 am

    Did JW bring back Snyman as a wing or a centre? .. from my understanding Snyman played on the wing at his club.

  • 18.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:51 am

    Nobody knows what JW motive was with Snyman

  • 19.Fuzzybear: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:51 am

    Whats the name of that balding eagle on the right wing for the cheeta’s? He’s got some pace, but I dont think he has half brain cell.

    Kwensie the bok centres are JDV and JF. End of story.

    9. Pienaar
    10. Bosman
    12. JDV
    13. JF
    11. CHAVANGA
    14. PIETERSON
    15. MONTY

    Put that in your ****** moer kofie mate!

  • 20.Staal: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:52 am

    kwensie,

    sorry ek het vergeet van daai manne. Hel nou is my besluit eers moeilik. Maar nou ja miskien kies JW dalk vir Die Wet op vleuel – die man moet mos in.

  • 21.Staal: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:54 am

    fuzyy 18,

    wanna take a bet that Die Wet sal in daai span wees???

  • 22.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:56 am

    Snyman was brought back as cover on the wing a’la Thinus Delport a few seasons ago.

  • 23.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:56 am

    Pienaar….Yes
    Bosman…..No
    JDV……..Maybe
    JF………Yes
    Chavanga…****** NO… Please NO
    Pieterson..****** NO
    Monty……Yes

  • 24.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 07:58 am

    Ek stem Staal. JW sal vir Matfield drop en Barry laat slot speel as dit moet

  • 25.Staal: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:05 am

    kwensie 23,

    verseker want volgens hom kort ons ‘n kort hunchback tipe vas aan die slaap slot, wat nie kan tekkel nie, maar kaptein van die kaap is en wat die basiese dinge van rugby by Fester geleer het.

    sorry De Wet net ‘n grappie – moetie stress nie.

  • 26.Fuzzybear: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:07 am

    Kwensie give me alternatives please
    I think, Pieterson, of the sharks, is one of the most gifted young footballers we have.
    I don have my doubts about Chivanga butwho else?

    I would play Habana anyday but he’s injured.

    JDV will be played alongside JF, De Wt will be an impact player and so will Russell.

    Dont start trying to bet online Staal, in which team the 45 squad, the run on team or what?

    Barry wont play only as an impact player thats it.

    They have to stick to combinations now, cant **** around

    I would play that young chap from sharks Pierson on the wing. Incase injury you dont have major issue slot Russel or that Blonde *** looking bulls centre in anywere.

  • 27.Fuzzybear: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:09 am

    Why so much ******* afrikaans I dont understand whats going on? Hello were not in Springs anymore this is the global web!

  • 28.Paws: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:10 am

    JW will start with the following team in the first test because he will say that it is the first test of the year and that it is important to start with a win .. and these players have experiance and he knows what they can do for him …

    9) FdP / January
    10) Jaco
    11) Jdv
    12) de Wet
    13) Fourie
    14) Paulse
    15) Monty

  • 29.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:12 am

    Ask Dell, if you can get coke you dont need speed.

  • 30.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:12 am

    Fuzzy do you see the bit at the end of the url that says .co.za, deal with it.

  • 31.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:19 am

    Sorry for the Afrikaans Fuzzy

    So damn cold in Gauteng its to hard to type the second language

  • 32.Jurgens: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:19 am

    Fuzzy

    **** u

  • 33.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:21 am

    The hallmark of quality wingers over the years has been the knack of popping up at the right place at the right time.We have had in SA some great wingers that could sniff out the smallest oppurtunities at will and one has to ask why guys like Carel du Plessis,Gerrie Germishuis and Ray Mordt are used in some way to assist with the development of a position where we have struggled for depth in recent times.Habana should be a Bok great as he has all the qualities to be a top winger.I really enjoyed watching the Falcons winger Riaan Viljoen on Saturday.He was always on the lookout for work and his 55m dropgoal was superb.He was also used to clear the lines and featured in all aspects of the game.Having re-watched the Bulls vs Crusaders last night it was apparent how little involvement there was from the Bulls wingers even compared to the Crusaders wingers.Wether this is due to instruction I don’t know,but there is nothing better than a winger that is always switched on and in the game.This is one area the Ndungane twins have impressed me this year.

  • 34.kwensie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:21 am

    On seconds thoughts….

    Yes **** you Fuzzy!!!

  • 35.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:22 am

    Fuzzy, just be calm about it. No need to be derogatory. I’m sure all of us dutchmen would gladly translate/explain. Just use some manners.

  • 36.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:22 am

    lol @ Kwensie

  • 37.Fuzzybear: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:23 am

    FDP was so shocking against the crusaders it was disgusting.
    His first 20 minutes were terrible. Shocking !!!

    Pienaar is going to make huge impact this year mark my words he’s our no.1 scrumi.

    Jaco is not bad but play Bossie, he’s such a class player. Bossie or Jaco.

    Agreed about Paulse but not DeWet at inside centre. De Wet let through four try scoring tackles in last three s14 games.

    Jake play Pieterson from sharks! Most natural footballer Ive seen from there this year.

  • 38.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:24 am

    Fuzzy

    Ons is mos in Suid Afrika en Afrikaans is een van 11 amptelike tale in die land.Miskien sal jy dit verkies om in isiZulu te “post”.

  • 39.RugbyStudent: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:26 am

    The team for the first test is probably going to look like this:

    15.) Percy Montgomery
    14.) Tonderai Chavanga
    13.) Jacque Fourie
    12.) Jean De Villiers
    11.) Gaffie du Toit
    10.) Jaco van der Westhuysen
    9.) Fourie du Preez
    8.) AJ Venter
    7.) Juan Smith
    6.) Schalk Burger
    5.) Victor Matfield
    4.) Danie Rossouw
    3.) Eddie Andrews
    2.) John Smit
    1.) Os Du Randt

    16.) Lawrence Sephaka
    17.) Hanyani Shimange
    18.) Albert van den Berg
    19.) Pedrie Wannenburg
    20.) Ruan Pienaar
    21.) Butch James
    22.) Breyton Paulse

  • 40.Fuzzybear: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:27 am

    So were still in laager country, gosh, didnt relise were still in the new age of the rainbow bigot !
    Dont they have an afrikaans rugby chat site.
    Doesnt Naas got something for you morons yet?

  • 41.homer: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:28 am

    Fuzzy klim op jou walvis en f*kof.

  • 42.BobZimmerman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:31 am

    Fuzzy
    You have now unleashed the Taalstryders – this site will soon resemble Litnet or the university of Stellenbosch’s tearoom.

  • 43.Fuzzybear: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:33 am

    Flippin joke unless you speak dubledutch you cant discuss **** here

  • 44.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:34 am

    Fuzz, making derogatory comments about a culture and a language of people who are different to you and you have the audacity to use the word bigot in the same sentence?

    Fresh, very fresh.

    BTW more people in SA use Afrikaans as their 1st language than English.

  • 45.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:35 am

    We ca discuss what a prick you are this morning. Get over it. As I said to you in an earlier post, manners will help.

  • 46.homer: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:37 am

    What’s wrong with you okes?
    Dis nie ons skuld julle kan nie meer as 1 taal praat/lees/skryf nie.

    Dis f*kken onodig om te diskrimineer.
    So f*k julle almal.

    Just to be fair – F*ck all of you

  • 47.Staal: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:38 am

    fuzzy,

    wies jy?

  • 48.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:42 am

    Don’t forget that Tonderai Chavanga holds the SA record for scoring the most tries in a match, albeit against weak opposition.

  • 49.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:42 am

    Ahhhh, the quality of this site’s posters astounds me more and more each day!

  • 50.bunce: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:42 am

    russell is too good to be left on the bench, only in SA will they not use a talent like him.

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