Crunch time for Boks
29 May 2006
The race for places in Jake White’s 2007 Rugby World Cup squad starts against the World XV on Saturday.
“The guys are starting to compete for a place in the World Cup squad on Saturday. If they don’t grab the chance with both hands, they musn’t blame me,” White told Die Volksblad.
The Boks face the World XV at Ellis Park in five days (kick-off 3pm) in a match that will not count as a Test, but will provide White with an ideal opportunity to view certain individuals and combinations in a virtual Test arena.
“Even though Saturday’s encounter isn’t a Test, the guys are going to represent the Boks. I’m not going to give everybody a chance on Saturday, because I could just shoot myself in the foot.”
After revealing his hand in a warm-up match against the Shimlas on Friday evening – which the Boks won 90-5 and the game was called off after just 60 minutes – White has now decided to mix things up a bit more.
“I’m now also going to pick players who will play in the Test against Scotland,” he said.
It was initially thought that White would select a so-called dirt-trackers team, but he has probably changed his mind in his quest to start on a winning note against the Wrold XV, who were beaten 46-19 by England on Sunday.
Two players he may want to keep his eye on are Jaco van der Westhuyzen at flyhalf, who had been playing at fullback for the Bulls, and how Andre Snyman (wing) combines with some of the established backs.
White said: “He hasn’t played flyhalf this year and I must give him a chance in this position.”
Van der Westhuyzen played flyhalf for a few minutes against the Shimlas. It seems as if White wants to start with Meyer Bosman against the World XV.
Also, players who sat on the bench for their Super 14 teams and did not get a lot of time on the park, will probably be given a chance to prove themselves.
This includes the likes of utility back Brent Russell, flanker Solly Tyibilika and hooker Hanyani Shimange.
The performance of the tight five minus Victor Matfield, John Smit, Bakkies Botha, Os du Randt and CJ van der Linde will provide the coach with a valuable yardstick to his depth in those key positons.
“It gives us a chance to give others the opportunity to show what they can do. Someone like Victor is getting a well-deserved break.”
8 Comments
29 May 2006, 07:17 am
If Victor’s rested who is going to play on the wings and centre’s when the rucks n’ mauls are taking shape?
29 May 2006, 07:18 am
imagine if the bulls played the saders in the final this weekend and lost.man we wouldnt have heard the end of that especially with the weather conditions.all those bulls fans would have harped on for months about the poor viz etc.
29 May 2006, 07:30 am
LOL
29 May 2006, 07:36 am
CJ vd Linde and Gurthro will add allot of power to the pack once they are back.
I imagine that we will have quite a strong side once the injuries are gone.
1.Steenkamp + du Randt
2.Smit + Botha
3.vf Linde and Andrews
4.Botha and Rossouw
5.Matfield and Bekker
6.Burger and Van Heerden
7.Smith and Venter
8.Cronje and Wannenburg
9.du Preez and Pienaar
10.VD Westhuizen and Bosman
11.Habana and Russell
12.De Villiers and Barry
13.Fourie and Olivier
14.Paulse and Snyman
15.Monty and Jantjes
More than enough talent there to kick ***.
29 May 2006, 07:45 am
Don’t forget Pretorius,he’s better than Bosman
29 May 2006, 08:12 am
Yeah and what about Big Joe, he is a much better no.8 than Cronje, and also Albert Van Det Berg.
29 May 2006, 08:29 am
Wickus van Heerden is not a no. 6! Joe can play 6 and so can Jaques Botes from the Sharks.
29 May 2006, 09:32 am
As long as smit is captain-the team will be not only physically but mentally strong!!!
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