Venter to captain Boks
25 May 2006
Sharks loosie AJ Venter is favourite to be named captain of the Springboks against the World XV at Ellis Park next Saturday.
The Springbok management has yet to decide on who will replace John Smit, but it will definitely come from one of either Venter, Wikus van Heerden or Victor Matfield. A final decision will only be made following the Boks warm-up match against Shimlas on Friday evening.
With John Smit ruled out with a groin strain, speculation has been rife in Bloemfontein as to a possible successor to lead the Boks for the unofficial Test on June 3. Smit may also miss the opening Test against Scotland in Durban, which would mean the man appointed for the World XV game may then become South Africa’s 52nd Test skipper the following weekend.
It is thus a decision that White and co will not take lightly. And only the most deserving of men have been handed the captain’s armband in Springbok Tests.
Several candidates have presented themselves with strong credentials though, but it seems Venter will get the nod. Jake White is a known fan of the leaderhsip abilities of Wikus van Heerden, but it seems the tearaway flanker will not feature in the starting line-up.
Lock Victor Matfield is another with captaincy experience, but he and White are known not to see eye to eye and it is doubtful the Bok coach will elevate Matfield to that position.
Gary Botha is expected to replace Smit in the No 2 jumper, but if Hanyani Shimange starts, then Van Heerden may actually start ahead of Solly Tyibilika and provide him with the opportunity to captain his country.
Cheetahs captain Juan Smith and Stormers duo De Wet Barry and Schalk Burger are not considered strong contenders. The latter two are unlikely to play in Johannesburg anyway.
Possible Springbok XV to play World XV:
15 Percy Montgomery
14 Gaffie du Toit
13 Jaque Fourie
12 Jean de Villiers
11 Andre Snyman
10 Jaco van der Westhuyzen
9 Ruan Pienaar
8 AJ Venter (captain)
7 Juan Smith
6 Solly Tyibilika
5 Victor Matfield
4 Danie Rossouw
3 Jannie du Plessis
2 Gary Botha
1 Eddie Andrews
By Andrew Hollely, in Bloemfontein
213 Comments
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26 May 2006, 08:10 am
they say tru leadership abilities are only refleted when times are bad. and to be honest the last couple of years have really been bad for the cats, and has wickus really shown any ability to rally his team to some kind of cause?
26 May 2006, 08:10 am
The Cats actually had more success without Wikus – AJ did well with the Sharks before John Smit came back.
Anyway Wikus will probably burst into tears if we lose – he came pretty close a few times in the super 14.
26 May 2006, 08:15 am
fuzzy, i think you may be right. always had the feeling jake white was eyeing JvN as leadership potential. the problem is his injuries have made it difficult for him to be a permanent fixture in the side.
26 May 2006, 08:17 am
Fuzzy
Big Joe needs to “mature” or more bluntly..grow up! Yes, he does have more flair and creativity than AJ, but I doubt whether captaincy will help the maturing process. I just can’t see him having the players respect from a captaincy perspective. Maybe from a players respective.
26 May 2006, 08:32 am
I think I watched AJ try about five back flip passes to Britz this year for the sharks and not one worked.
He’s hard player but like his website http://www.ajventer.com abit ******* stupid. Watch the forwards light up the field yawn. Cant wait to watch yawn scrum after scrum after AJ trys to drive from back of scrum in his white boots and bleached hair, **** me Id rather watch paint dry.
26 May 2006, 08:35 am
Whatever Fuz!
Still, couldn’t help to giggle on your 205 comments. The question remains : Who do you make captain if Yawn Venter is not the man? And please someone else besides Big Mama’s Boy Joe!
26 May 2006, 08:36 am
So Fuzzy, if I am right you LIKE Fabio?! Yes!
26 May 2006, 08:38 am
Big Joke , no way bring back Skinstad
26 May 2006, 09:12 am
Either the media are dumb and getting bum information or they are using their platform to influence Bok selections
Gavin Rich says that Wikus is heading for the captain’s spot
He also says that this would break up the 1st choice loosie selection of Schalk Burger, Joe van Niekerk and Juan Smith. No mention of AJ.
Andrew from keo.co.za says it is going to be AJ Venter.
http://www.iol.co.za says it is going to be “Victor or Schalk likely to captain Boks” – Matfield looks out now
So 3 ‘repuatable’ sources are punting 4 different captains.
I could find more.
In some ways I find this good news in that clearly White is not leaking his decision as these guys are clueless.
My guess is that given the relative unimportance of the World XV game and the injuries we are going to see the top side rested.
26 May 2006, 09:16 am
You guys think the game will be on tv ?
26 May 2006, 09:35 am
Viva AJ!
26 May 2006, 09:35 am
Fuzzy,
AJ is ranked 8th best loose forward of the series.
Made 59 passes and 9 offloads of which only 7 were ineffective in 903 minutes (11&3rd out of the 13 games).
He further stole 7 lineout’s and won 47 on own through.
Had a 89% tackle strike rate, etc.
I would say that is what you need from a no 8, making an impact with minimal errors.
26 May 2006, 11:40 am
I would rather play Wikus and make him captain, AJ is a great leader dont get me wrong but I think Wikus deserves a chance???
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