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

  • 51.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:42 am

    Quint, I’m almost sure my gran could have score at least 2 of those tries.

  • 52.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:43 am

    Wolbeer,
    Lyk my die Boere het jou nie genoeg gemoer toe jy n kind was nie…

    Staal
    Wanneer gaan ons n dop drink?

  • 53.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:43 am

    Will the ball ever come to the wings ? boks normally play with there forwards. Focus on our centre’s instead. They need to get trough the gaps. There’s a few guys who can cover on wing. Gaffie , Brent ,Pauls, i know alot of people think that Paulse is finish, but we need his experience on the field. As things look to me at the moment , we in for a bad year with so many injuries. This world team is going to beat us and we can be sure of another few injuries coming in. Things doesn’t look good at the moment.

  • 54.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:43 am

    Oh Bryce, the compliments are really heartwarming.
    :lol:

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

    Andre, arent you worried about what they might do to your beloved province?

  • 56.homer: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:45 am

    Back to rugby, Does anybody know about Spencer comming to the Lions? Is it true or just wishful thinking?

  • 57.RugbyStudent: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:45 am

    Andre_WP

    I wanted to ask that as well. If Paulse plays, he will be more, ironically, involved in defensive. Its a testament to his ability to read the game. Between Jean and Jacque, we don’t really need wings.

  • 58.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:46 am

    Homer, I havent heard but it sounds like good news.

  • 59.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:46 am

    RC,
    Even Jorrie would have scored more tries.

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

    Stan,

    ek is soos jy kan sien maar min oppie site want ek is min in SA en meer in Afrika. Laat weet as jy in Pta is dan maak ons ‘n plan.

  • 61.Paws: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:48 am

    Homer .. the Lions wanted him, but could not afford the R2 million price tag.

  • 62.homer: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:49 am

    There was an article in a news paper about a week ago speculating.
    But i’ve heard nothing since then

  • 63.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:49 am

    Ek is huidiglik hier tot die 4e.
    Stuur n nommer ma my epos adres toe.

  • 64.ddrek: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:51 am

    Paws and Rugby student
    I think you guys are close. Conservative selections bearing in mind injuries. I think Gaffie may well feature,backup boot in all departments.
    Not all boks come to the boks full of bokability.
    Rastafox…the Ndungane’s have shown way more this season (and last season for Akona) than probably anyother new wings in the land. For me they have shown that they can rise to the occasion,unlike Chavanga and co.JP Pietersen is definately the only other one that absolutely needs ‘managing’.

    I say get them in the 45 man squad and take it from there. Same with Watson….many say he doesnt have the class,even for a world team,….I recon put him amongst good players and he will GROW. Guys dont have to be all time toi make teams….they become all time if faith and chances are given to them and they respond.

    Its really dissapointing as they are young ,injury free (a big thing) and its often the 1st 2 or so seasons when given a chance that guys make their biggest impression. Guys like Breyton and hbana werent given a big chance and look what they did right off the bat.
    Unfortunately we dont seem to have any real surprise exciting additions this season.
    But Jake usually pulls a few rabbits ,so lets see.
    I do like AJ,Juan and Schalk as our loosies BIG TIME.

  • 65.homer: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:51 am

    They sell Joe and Habana, yet they are not prepared to buy a big player. Eish I don’t know. Fransie takes all the profits it seems like

  • 66.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:51 am

    The point remains that until it is broken his name will be written in the record books.

    I also don’t like the fact that he did it against possibly the weakest team in world rugby but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

  • 67.Smellthis: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:53 am

    RONNIE COOKE!!!!!!!!!!! Decent defence and has that finishing quality. I wonder what Jakes blah blah excuse would be for not selecting him.
    Cooke reminds me of Jacque Fourie. No frills, no fuss, just does the job.

  • 68.Smellthis: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:54 am

    Oh yah….and he’s not exactly slow either!

  • 69.Spearsfan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:55 am

    Oh the irony of Afrikaans people complaining about discrimination…

  • 70.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:55 am

    Staal,
    jy het epos.
    bel my.

  • 71.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:57 am

    Spearsfan, generalization is a dangerous game to play…

  • 72.ddrek: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:58 am

    Smells
    I like the way Cooke goes ankle height….he is not big so he knows what he can do….and heck he does it well.
    No ****,does the job – a bit of a Matt Giteau in the making…..if we decide to use him and not loose him.
    Given the right attitude twds this boy (for example) we can help create a possible great (or atleast good backup) or we can will him away to the waiting wilderness that is bigger paychecks and less complications.

  • 73.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 08:59 am

    Staal

    Na watse lande gaan jy toe in Afrika?

  • 74.Spearsfan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:00 am

    Redcard, I agree, but personally I like reading the opinions of the overseas posters, and if they can’t read what we saying, then they not going to keep posting – save Afrikaans for the Tackler and St Michael.

  • 75.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:00 am

    jurgens,
    en die hoer wat hom gebaar het…

  • 76.ddrek: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:00 am

    If we all speeled in the same game mekaar we could all moer each other lekker…..it seems

  • 77.rednik: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:01 am

    ‘E-pos’, I never fail to collapse in hysterics every time I see that non expression. Even the French call them e-mails.
    I see Stan ‘the mans man’ is back now that everybody has forgotten that game in Christchurch.

  • 78.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:01 am

    Ddrek

    Agreed that the Ndunganes are the best of a miserable lot.Jake has backed Chavhanga and Nokwe before and must now show faith in these two players.Not much mention has been made of Nokwe’s failure to make the training squad and Jake would be loathe to make the same mistake twice.The Ndunganes are older and this will count against them as there are a number of quality young wingers hovering on the edge of the radar and would be better long term options.
    I may be proved wrong,but I stand by my opinion that even at Super 14 level the Ndunganes are found wanting too often.

  • 79.bigg: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:02 am

    spearsfan are you another darkie with a chip on his shoulder?

  • 80.ddrek: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:02 am

    Whose Christchurch ?

  • 81.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:03 am

    rednik,
    net voor jy n maagspier trek van te lekker lag.
    Niemand het die game vergeet nie.
    Ons het verloor, maar ten minste was ons daar.

  • 82.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:03 am

    More muppits!!

  • 83.Bloem Leeu: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:03 am

    More ouens

    Ek was gister by die oefening. Dinge lyk nie sleg nie. Andrew het basies net ‘n halwe storie vir julle vertel…

    Lyk my vd Westhuizen gaan loskakel speel, hy het meetste van oefening daar geoefen met Russel op die vluel. Monty het nie geoefen nie.

    Die forwards het gister met die Eforcer geskrum, baie meer eenvoudige masjien wat ek gedink het. Die voorspelers het goed geskrum met Matfield wat ‘n volle oefening kon klaarmaak.

    Die Coetzee het selfs geskrum met ‘n voet stut (Stress fractuur onder die voet). P3 het nie gister geoefen nie, net gedraf so ek weet nie wat sy besering is nie. Os het ook nie geoefen nie.

    Balie Swart weet wat hy doen, hy gaan nog ver kom. Sy intensieteit by die skrum sessies is baie hoog. ek kon gister sien die ouens het baie respek vir hom.

  • 84.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:04 am

    Hallo Andrew!

  • 85.Bloem Leeu: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:04 am

    * Danie Coetzee*

  • 86.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:05 am

    ddrek

    Christchurch is the quant little village in Canterbury in New Zealand somewhere off the coast of Australia somewhere south of Africa where the Crusaders live!!!

  • 87.BobZimmerman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:05 am

    Spearsfan 69
    You obviously dont live in S A or you would hear / read on a daily basis the following:
    “I was never like that” and “Im not a racist, BUT……”

  • 88.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:05 am

    BL,
    Hoe lyk Danie behalwe vir sy besering?
    Ek rate hom hoër as enige ander haker.

  • 89.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:07 am

    Stan the man!!

    How goes things? Flippin freezing here in Bloem… :(

    How’s weather your side?

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

    Redcard I have tio show maners?
    I can tell your inbred by the way you adress this matter.
    I should show manners to you afrikaaners its like Im farm labourer or something.
    You people are such hipocrits its disgusting!
    Ive got better things to do !

  • 91.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:08 am

    I am in country.
    ****** koud hier in Pta ook….

  • 92.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:10 am

    Fuzzybrood,
    Leer spel voor jy verder wil kak praat.

  • 93.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:11 am

    Wish I had Kitty here to keep me warm… ;)

    Dit was -3 too ek opgestaan…

  • 94.ddrek: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:12 am

    Rasta
    Oh,right…..
    I think i was there once 10 years ago…just forgot it existed.
    Boring cobblestoned British wannabe town.

  • 95.Redox: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:12 am

    RedCard

    Jeez , ur gran must have some serious pace and a moerse sidestep there we go folks the solution to the boks wing problems Redcards’s Gran :)

    FuzzyBear

    Come on u dont understand afrikaans ? its not my first language but as a south african u should have picked it up by now.

  • 96.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:13 am

    the winters in Sa is much worse than in Europa.
    windy dusty and so on.

  • 97.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:15 am

    redox,
    Hy wil nie verstaan nie, dis al.

  • 98.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:15 am

    But the chicks are much hotter!!! Agree?

  • 99.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:16 am

    Just be glad this hasn’y happened in SA yet.

    Rugby teams to be 100 per cent local
    22 May, 2006

    GABORONE – Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) secretary says the union has resolved that all national squads must be 100 per cent citizen with the exception of the senior national team where the ratio will be 80-20 per cent citizen and non-citizen respectively.

    This means all under-18, 19, 21 and 23 national teams will consist of Batswana only. Currently we have no competent Batswana to play rugby but slowly we are getting there. We have set this as our target for the strategic plan but we are far behind.

    The Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) can only assist us if the squad is 100 per cent national. However, our wish is to work closely to the strategic plan, Oupa Pandor said.

    He added that in their endeavour to have a national squad fully dominated by Batswana players, they have come up with development programmes to promote the sport among young Batswana and foster competition.

    We would like to encourage people to form clubs because when there is a reasonable number of local clubs national teams selection would be broadened. That is also the only way players would progress into the senior national squad, he said.

  • 100.Stan: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 09:16 am

    much much better…

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