Venter to captain Boks

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

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All

  • 1.shai: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:24 pm

    Victor or Schalk likely to captain Boks

    May 25 2006 at 03:13PM

    Bloemfontein – With captain John Smit likely to miss the Springbok season opener against the World XV in Johannesburg next week, the task of leading the team will probably fall on the shoulders of Victor Matfield or Schalk Burger.

    The match will not count as an official Test, so the captain for the day will not receive official kudos as skipper.

    The Springboks ran two sides in training on Thursday, the first clear indication of the starting team to play against the World XV and perhaps some of the combinations coach Jake White will be looking to cement ahead of the Scottish Series and Tri-Nations.

    ….

    With so many injuries the team takes on a greenish look, with Cheetahs prop Jannie du Plessis set to start with Eddie Andrews on the tight-head and Gary Botha at hooker.

    There is also a new look at scrumhalf
    Matfield did not train on Thursday but he should be fit and he will take his place next to Danie Rossouw with Albert van den Berg on the bench.

    The loose trio is also a good indication of the type of game White wants to implement, with the combination of Burger, Juan Smith and Solly Tyabilika presumed to start.

    There is also a new look at scrumhalf with the promising Ruan Pienaar set to start and he should be teamed up with Jaco van der Westhuyzen.

    At centre, White looks to have a settled combination in Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie, while it seems two recycled wingers will turn out in Gaffie du Toit on the left and Andre Snyman on the right.

    That leaves fullback and from the training it looks like veteran Percy Montgomery will get a starting run, with Brent Russell likely to be an impact player in the second half.

    Russell has looked especially in fine nick at training this week. With the injury cloud settling and seemingly not going away just yet, the Springboks had a settled look and put in a more than decent training effort. – Sapa

  • 2.St.Petersburgbok: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:25 pm

    I guess they’ll make anyone captain these days.

  • 3.Ou Grote: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:27 pm

    Some new news, Andy well done. It was along day.

  • 4.JUSM: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:29 pm

    ja start shimmie and make wickus captain!!

  • 5.shai: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:30 pm

    Conflicting reports from IOL

  • 6.Skim: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:31 pm

    I should captain the boks. I have excellent leadership qualities.

  • 7.French: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:31 pm

    AJ Venter is the best choice for Springbok captain. He has got experience and has had a good season with the Sharks this year. Wikus van Heerden also not a bad player, but he’s not in the top 4 loosies in SA and AJ is. Victor Matfield isn’t the best option for captain although his the best lock in SA. I hope AJ Venter is Bok captain.

    That “possible” Springbok team of yours aren’t too bad.

    Keo, please, I’ve subscribed at SA Rugby mag at the begining of the year and I still haven’t got the newest mag. Aren’t I supposed too get it before it hits the stores?

  • 8.Ou Grote: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:32 pm

    Frenchy, This is not the SARUGBY complaints line.

  • 9.wpw: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:33 pm

    It is amazing that now that there will be 2 white wingers there are suddenly 2 black players amongst the forwards…

  • 10.Skim: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:34 pm

    Absolutely

  • 11.Ou Grote: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:34 pm

    wpw, Welcome boet. Where were you the hole day?

  • 12.jondood: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:35 pm

    wpw

    In other words if your poepel turns white your mouth will be brown?

  • 13.Jackal: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:37 pm

    Well, I have to agree with AJ taking the honours of captain as he will have the respect of the balance of the team as he has been there awhile and had a blinder of a season. Wickus might not be bad captian but he isnt the best player and I wont accept second best! I like the idea of rotating the hooker and loosie for the “baba`s game” Botha and Tryblika and then Shimange and Burger. Lets ssee if Solly has what it takes after no season at all..

  • 14.Jackal: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:37 pm

    Well, I have to agree with AJ taking the honours of captain as he will have the respect of the balance of the team as he has been there awhile and had a blinder of a season. Wickus might not be bad captain but he isnt the best player and I wont accept second best! I like the idea of rotating the hooker and loosie for the “baba`s game” Botha and Tryblika and then Shimange and Burger. Lets ssee if Solly has what it takes after no season at all..

  • 15.bluebarb: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:38 pm

    i’m a big matfield fan , but maybe AJ will be a better captain. he will be better dressed if nothing else.

  • 16.jondood: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:38 pm

    bluebarb

    You mean in his white slacks?

  • 17.Skim: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:39 pm

    Fabiolous

  • 18.tsiko: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:40 pm

    …and that shows exactly how ridiculous the “transformation system” is. If HS plays, then Wikus plays and captains. If not, then Solly plays and someone else captains. Nausiating stuff indeed

  • 19.Ou Grote: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:40 pm

    Jake is going to get hammered for the lack of black players in the team.

  • 20.Skim: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:41 pm

    He should pick the Ndugane’s.

  • 21.tsiko: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:43 pm

    Exactly Skim, bet his regretting his selections now!

  • 22.yebo: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:43 pm

    What happened to JW comment about “you pick your captain 1st, then the other 14 are the best in their positons around him” !!

    Speaking of most deserving….why the hell were Robert Skinstad and Corne Krige given this honour !!!!

  • 23.Ou Grote: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:44 pm

    I agree, Chivanga is going home so he can replace him with one of the Ndugane’s

  • 24.St.Petersburgbok: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:44 pm

    Ou Grote

    He might get away with it because it is not a proper “test”

    but then some would saythat because it is not a test……..there shoukld be as many “previouslies’” as possible.

  • 25.tsiko: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:45 pm

    yebo, first of all they were both good captains, let down by the system at the time.

    Secondly, who else?

  • 26.bluebarb: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:45 pm

    dont start the political **** now. next thing were all fighting and I’m calling stormer fans ugly names.

    this is a strong team , and I’m quite keen to see how they do. expect a lot of substitutions, with a good mix of players of all colours getting game time.

  • 27.Skim: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:45 pm

    If he picks the best players in their positions why doesn’t he pick Schalk Brits and Luke Watson? What is Solly doing there?

  • 28.coldwatershark: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:45 pm

    I am sure there will be enough on the bench.

  • 29.coldwatershark: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:46 pm

    Skim,

    This urgument has been done to death mate, get over it.

  • 30.Ou Grote: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:46 pm

    I hope so for is sake.

  • 31.Ou Grote: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:47 pm

    is=his

  • 32.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:47 pm

    Jondood comment 12 – LMAO

  • 33.bluebarb: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:47 pm

    yebo,
    he has done exactly that, and now has to wait for injuries to clear up.

  • 34.Skim: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:48 pm

    Where do you get this hostility from?

  • 35.Cheetha Champs: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:48 pm

    I smell big problems:

    1. Only two players of colour
    2. Only three Free Staters :)
    3. Completely different team to the team we have had for the past few years.
    4. No certainty on captain
    5. The oldest back three in world rugby

    Thank God Jannie dup is there.

  • 36.coldwatershark: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:49 pm

    Skim,

    Do you mean me? I was just saying that no-one understands it but it isn’t going to change.

  • 37.bluebarb: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:50 pm

    apparenty AJ is out of the game!
    his hairdresser has come down with a mysterious groin injury and Fabio wont come out of his room!
    Keo, do you have any info on this?

  • 38.cab: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:51 pm

    not bad, backline should be good to watch.

  • 39.bluebarb: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:52 pm

    cheetah chump,
    its your jocks you’re smelling dude. and you are right, it’s a big problem.

  • 40.bluebarb: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:54 pm

    I really like the look of this team, nice balance. with the players that are currently injured, we have fair strength in depth..

  • 41.Skim: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:54 pm

    Gaffie could add some value with the boot.

  • 42.Kudu: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:54 pm

    Yebo,

    judging from your comment, you obviously don’t know much about leadership and the game as a whole. Skinstad and Krige, although many do not like them and both had their fair amount of “negativity”, both of them were outstanding captains in motivating the teams they represented. Most of all, they had the respect of their fellow players and their opponents. Like John smit.

  • 43.bunce: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:54 pm

    Victor is **** he thinks he is a wing…

  • 44.coldwatershark: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:56 pm

    Kudu,

    I partly agree with you. I don’t think Boby was as well liked as Krige.

  • 45.Skim: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:56 pm

    How is Andrè Snyman’s kicking?

  • 46.Ou Grote: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:56 pm

    bunce, Out which tree did you fall?

  • 47.bluebarb: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:57 pm

    kudu,
    the jury is still out on Krige, as far as I’m concerned.

  • 48.coldwatershark: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:57 pm

    Ou man,

    Is this the new thread? the old one has died, not before I got 590 though.

  • 49.Ou Grote: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:58 pm

    I got 591

  • 50.bluebarb: Reply to this comment
    25 May 2006, 16:58 pm

    John Smit is a great captain in my eyes. Teichman was a legend.

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