Jean is captain!

Jean is captain!

30 May 2006

Jean de Villiers is Jake White’s shock choice to captain the Springbok XV against the World XV on Saturday.

Announcing the team in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, White surprised the gathered media by naming the talented inside centre to lead the team for the festival match.

De Villiers has 20 Test caps (and 11 tries) to his name and is considered by many to be one of the most naturally gifted players in the country. He has obviously, at 25-years-old, got a long career ahead of him.

This elevation could be the beginning of his apprenticeship to eventually taking over from Smit full-time in the next few years.

De Villiers was not considered by any for the position in speculations in the past week. After it was vacated by the injured John Smit, AJ Venter, Wikus van Heerden and Victor Matfield were expected to carry the torch.

Both Venter and Van Heerden are included in the squad and were considered the only candidates in the race, after Victor Matfield dropped out because of injury last week.

The squad of 23 includes three players who have not previously played for the Boks – lock Johann Muller, scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar and centre Wynand Olivier – all on the bench.

Wayne Julies will travel with the squad to Johannesburg as cover, while the rest of White’s charges will remain in Bloemfontein to continue preparing for the first Test against Scotland in Durban on June 10.

After white toyed with the idea of fielding a young and inexperienced line-up, he has actually chosen a team full of experience for a match that will help map the way forward in an extremely congested international season.

Certain combinations will be tested against a World XV that arrived on Tuesday morning vowing not to just make up the numbers.

The match 22 is extremely experienced with a combined 400 Test caps behind them, while the starting XV has 345 caps, broken down to 150 among the forwards and 195 in the backline.

Springbok XV versus the World XV:

1. Deon Carstens
2. Hanyani Shimange
3. Eddie Andrews
4. Danie Rossouw
5. Albert van den Berg
6. Wikus van Heerden
7. AJ Venter
8. Joe van Niekerk
9. Ricky Januarie
10. Jaco van der Westhuyzen
11. Gaffie du Toit
12. Jean de Villiers (captain)
13. Jaque Fourie
14. Andre Snyman
15. Percy Montgomery

Replacements:
16. Gary Botha
17. Lawrence Sephaka
18. Johann Muller
19. Pedrie Wannenburg
20. Ruan Pienaar
21. Wynand Olivier
22. Brent Russell
23. Wayne Julies

By Andrew Hollely


319 Comments

Pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 » Show All

  • 51.big g: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 13:59 pm

    kevin w bahah wawhahaha tears to my eyes ha ha, pedrie best loosie in SA bwahahaha hahah thanx for thatone dude, i needed a good laught after all those tequilas…

  • 52.Brickwall: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:00 pm

    Someone in the bok camp is mocking the media cause We have had 3 different teams and a few injuries reported and yet its to be seen whats actually gonna happen.

    Hahahaha……

    Fiction?

  • 53.Vundu: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:00 pm

    Pussycat,

    You do realise that have “good looks” is not a criteria for a great leader. This is why women should never have been taught to read or write, let alone use a computer. Go get some extra batteries for your “Jean de Villiers Vibro-2000″…

    Yoda… What I am saying is that England used a host of youngsters against this “World XV” side. The England scrum-half was really ****, but his game certainly improved as time went on. All I am saying is that this is a great opportunity to try some of the fresh meat. As far as the locks are concerned, you cannot be 100% happy with the combination of Rossouw and Van Den Berg, when you have the likes of Johan Muller and Bekker waiting in the wings.

    Man, its not even a test. Its like an old-school tour game.

  • 54.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:01 pm

    Brick not the Bok camp it’s got to be Keo and his well placed inside source.That source must be the kit manager judging by Keo and co’s quality of inside misinformation.

  • 55.bok_befok: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:01 pm

    Great to see that Jake keeps his lucky charm with him

  • 56.Rudebud: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:01 pm

    Gecko

    Jake has become the supreme bullshit deflector. AJ and Wikus were captains of their respective Super 14 sides. Against near All Black and Wallaby sides on occasion in the Super 14.

    Jean is perhaps a seasoned Springbok player, but he has got no experience as captain, even on Super 14 level !

    I think Jake has realised that Wikus will be unable to hold his own position in a fully fledged Springbok side. But he cannot admit that, can he ?

    Bullshitter of note.

  • 57.ikeys_forever: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:02 pm

    Vundu, 53, so you think we watch rugby for the beauty of the game??? :shock:

  • 58.cab: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:03 pm

    yoda, think he’ll be fine, lets see.

    very experimental team, pack lighter, backs more solid, should be interesting.

    agree with gecko on wanneberg, not great in contact but probably the form no 8. reckon White quite rates Carstens actually, big surprise selection.

  • 59.gecko: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:04 pm

    Rudebud – White has never picked Wikus for a test XV – so I think he knows that.

    Also, Venter is cemented in the Sharks team, but not the Bok team. He wants to play without pressure to ensure he start the test XV. Make sense to me.

  • 60.Brickwall: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:04 pm

    I just wonder how many of JW’s comments are actually his own and not some twisted media version.

  • 61.ikeys_forever: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:04 pm

    mmmmmm, if Carter were AB captain we’d get more close ups when he argues with the ref :twisted:

  • 62.yoda: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:04 pm

    big g

    did u even c p3 play

  • 63.shai: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:06 pm

    Vundu

    You are pretty much ahead of Jake in that stakes

  • 64.Brickwall: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:06 pm

    Vundu

    Bit hard on the ladies hey?

  • 65.kevin w: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:06 pm

    big g

    joke’s on you mate … you seem to be one of the very few who don’t believe Wannenburg is the form no 8 at the moment.

  • 66.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:06 pm

    Ag Vundu go take a short leap off a high cliff.

  • 67.Attie Heunis: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:06 pm

    Even as a Bulls supporter, I’m quite pleased about Jean de V.

    He has the right attitude and I think he’ll be a good captain.

  • 68.big g: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:08 pm

    and u’d like that to he ikeys my babe…
    yoda, yes i did, and although he was the most creative player in the bulls pack, that really doesnt say much… he is still way behind joe, schalk juan , aj and kie but hell is miles ahead of cronje…

  • 69.shai: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:09 pm

    Kevin W

    januarie was fantastic for us last year. he lead the fightback against the kiwis over there. Are we supposed to drop him because he was in a **** CATS setup?

  • 70.yoda: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:09 pm

    At least we know that jean will never be second best in his position. cant say the same for wickus or AJ, even sometimes our real cappie…

  • 71.Brickwall: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:10 pm

    Cronje’s inclusion is a Joke. There is plenty of inforcers in thye team and way to few fetchers!

  • 72.gecko: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:11 pm

    By the way, this game will be on Sky Sports

    Sat 03 South African XV v World XV (2pm) SS3 2pm

  • 73.kevin w: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:11 pm

    yoda,

    colour wasn’t supposed to matter according to Hoskins and White – more bullshit again.

    Colour wouldn’t be a problem if form players like the Ndungane’s were chosen ahead of “has beens” like Gaffie and snyman and “never have been or ever will be’s” like Januarie get picked ahead of Pienaar.

  • 74.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:13 pm

    It seems rather simple if you take a breath and look carefully at the lineup.Only 5 of the players are regulars in Jake’s preferred run-on XV: Jacques Fourie is a youngster,Joe van Niekerk has his place under threat and it seems has been given a chance to play his way into or out of the 1st XV,the same can be said of Jaco v/d Westhysen and Ricky Januarie.Percy is not a long term option and the rest are all Test hopefuls.This decision makes perfect sense to me.

  • 75.yoda: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:13 pm

    big g

    dont let your hate for the bulls cloud your judgement. even on the silver fern(NZ site)they were suggesting that he was the form 8 of the s14, not just SA. open your eyes dude, if the kiwis can see it, so should u

  • 76.Brickwall: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:14 pm

    Kevin w

    We all agree on one thing. There is a few plonkers in the squad ahead of better in form players. Should’nt be about collour.

    Ndunga’s should have been selected ahead of: Gaf, Snyman, Barry, MJ while Watson should have been selected ahead of Solly, Brits ahead of Shimmie, Dlane ahead of Cronje and the list is long.

  • 77.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:14 pm

    Should be an intresting game. Will make time to watch the game on Saturday.

    :-) Go Boks

  • 78.yoda: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:15 pm

    kevin w

    clour will always matter!dont let them fool u

  • 79.mossel: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:15 pm

    Back to locks- Rossouw has proven time and time again that we are waiting in vain if we expect any fireworks from him on international level.

    Albert is ook al ‘n paar keer geweeg en te lig bevind…

    Why not give the new guys a run?

  • 80.Brickwall: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:17 pm

    What bothers me is that I don’t think JW is planning ahead.

    Our major problem areas is 10 and 15. Why is there not more talented younster in the squad covering 10 and 15?

  • 81.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:18 pm

    Vinnie Rudebud is lying…

  • 82.pale_toe: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:18 pm

    who is going to play lock when rossouw gets spear-tackled? venter?

  • 83.big g: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:18 pm

    yoda in the loose you need fast creative players with some flair and skills more than just the one dimensional pick and drive… so its not a hate of the bulls but rather not a slip in the skill levels when u compare him to what else is available…

  • 84.gecko: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:18 pm

    Muller

  • 85.cab: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:19 pm

    kevin, come on take you sharks cap off, Januarie was one of the revelation in the 3N last year, Piennaar is also good, but Januarie is also good.

  • 86.big g: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:19 pm

    i would have preferred muller or bekker starting next to danie and keep albert as mr impact like he always has been and probably always will be…

  • 87.Rudebud: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:19 pm

    Jake should have handled this whole selection just a little smarter.

    Earlier today a muppet, citizenc, suggested Jake should have selected a bigger squad like the All Blacks (91 players). He then could have included both Ndungane’s, Luke and Schalk Brits. And while they were there he could have tested them like he did with the other players.

    And no one would have had anything to say whatsoever. Instead Jake now babbles saying, ja i did make mistake; should have chosen one of the Ndungane’s etc. Plonker.

  • 88.pale_toe: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:20 pm

    missed that one.

  • 89.kevin w: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:20 pm

    shai,

    I’ve never rated Januarie to be quite honest – he has never been a really good scrummie. He has passion and mongrel, but his passing, kicking from the base and general scrumhalf play rank up there with his ability to speak on a television advert! Pretty poor. Wh@t the f@ck were Supersport thinking …

    Senior players should lift a Cats team, not use it as an excuse and a crutch for their own inability …

  • 90.big g: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:20 pm

    marmite is also good

  • 91.yoda: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:21 pm

    big g

    like who AJ? also just runs it up field

    Joe hasnt passed a ball since he left the lions?

  • 92.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:22 pm

    The only thing that big joke has been passing is the plate with white lines on it.

  • 93.kevin w: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:22 pm

    cab,

    Januarie should never start ahead of du Preez – not last year, not any year … and this year’s Super 14 was particularly poor – that’s why Pienaar should get the nod, not because it’s a Sharks thing.

  • 94.Brickwall: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:23 pm

    91 devided by 15 is 6 teams. Thats all S14 teams + the Spears.

    LMAO

    Good idea though. Especially since White put so much emphysis on the stats.

    For Example: Chavanga is **** fast, therefor the fact that he is a bad defender or cather of the high ball does’nt matter.

  • 95.Rudebud: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:23 pm

    Vinnie

    RedCard is trying to lead you down the garden path…. :-(

  • 96.big g: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:24 pm

    yoda the force is obviously not with you… joe has more talent in his left hand than most of our nr 8′s and yes i do rate aj… personally i rate luke even higher but would start juan, scalk and joe with aj and danie on the bench so that both could cover lock and loosies… anyho, thats my opinion

  • 97.big g: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:24 pm

    100.

  • 98.mossel: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:25 pm

    Brick

    Who will be our World Cup 10? If not Jaco (and I hope its not) we do not have much time to get cement someone else into the position.

    As things stand now it seems that we will be stuck with Jaco.

  • 99.big g: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:26 pm

    butch and pretorius with bosman for cover…

  • 100.ikeys_forever: Reply to this comment
    30 May 2006, 14:26 pm

    100

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