Bok captain quandary

Bok captain quandary

25 May 2006

Springbok captain John Smit has been confirmed as a non-starter against the World XV next weekend.

Smit has been withdrawn from field training sessions due to an unresolved groin injury. According to the Springbok medical staff, this is a proactive and precautionary measure.

Smit will receive intensive medical treatment and rehabilitation at the training camp, but will not be risked against the World XV. His likely replacement in the No 2 jersey will be Gary Botha – with Hanyani Shimange on the bench – but who will take over the captaincy remains a mystery.

The logical choice seems to be Bulls lock Victor Matfield, but White has indicated earlier this season that he may go for Cats skipper Wikus van Heerden. White was hoping to rest Matfield for the game in any event.

Van Heerden has taken a full part in the Bok training after recovering from a knee injury in the latter stages of the Vodacom Super 14, but if indications at practice are to be believed he is probably not even going to make the starting XV.

Smit’s absence from the international season’s opener has been confirmed, but no official word was forthcoming on who a likely replacement captain would be. With all five of SA’s Super 14 captains in attendance, the name will probably come from them. Matfield (Bulls) and van Heerden (Cats) are the early favourites, while De Wet Barry (Stormers), Schalk Burger (also Stormers), Juan Smith (Cheetahs) and AJ Venter (Sharks) are outsiders.

By Andrew Hollely, in Bloemfontein


62 Comments

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  • 51.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 13:22 pm

    Ek lees nou net op news24 Pienaar is ernstig beseer en is vir 8weke uit! :mad:

  • 52.Bloem Leeu: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 13:26 pm

    You Lie!!!

  • 53.tompig: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 13:51 pm

    Here comes ****, I suppose NDK will get another lucky call up !!!!

  • 54.asha1: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 13:56 pm

    supa
    jou liegbek, was nou daar. jou idee van ñ grap? jy’s siek man

  • 55.MysticBoer: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 13:58 pm

    AJ and Wikus are the only options. Matfield has already proven a failure as captian and Juan Smith needs to mature a bit – he lost his cool a few times in the Super 14 this year and the opposition will have taken note.

  • 56.spokie: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 14:17 pm

    AJ,JUAN anybody except Victor!
    Barry and Burger are no cappies.Barry has ‘stampt’ his head to many times and Burger needs to play Hulk in the loose…but please no Vic!

  • 57.cab: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 14:53 pm

    well it sounds like Wickus will need to be picked at 7 in that case, if Jw is true to his word.

    6. Burger, 7. Wickus 8. Juan/AJ.

  • 58.Sampioenman: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 15:28 pm

    AJ or Juan. They’re both exceptional leaders.

  • 59.Kudu: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 15:39 pm

    Not only is Barry the most creative player in the Bok squad, but he also has an educated left and right boot. Pure class I tell you. This guy is a legend.

  • 60.capi: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:36 pm

    Matfield has made to many comments this season about players from other unions to be considered for the captaincy. Wickus or Juan would be the logical choice. For me Wickus is the better captain out of the 2.

  • 61.cab: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:49 pm

    kudu, i also like Barry, but educated left boot?

  • 62.wpforever: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 18:25 pm

    yes bring back Kepler lol

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