Boks loss is Lions gain
8 Jun 2006
Springbok coach Jake White has done an about-turn on Wikus van Heerden, which is why the player was sent home from the Bok camp.
White was clearly a fan of Van Heerden’s and even went as far saying he was the Boks reserve captain should John Smit be injured.
However, despite Smit’s absence from the Springbok XV at Ellis Park, van Heerden was overlooked as captain in favour of Jean de Villiers. His ejection from the trimmed down squad followed shortly after.
It is clearly evident that the Van Heerden is no longer a sought-after commodity by the Springbok coach, but van Heerden vows to keep fighting for his Bok dream.
He now has a chance to impress the national selectors when the Currie Cup kicks off in a little more than a fortnight. The Lions will be hungry to bury the memories of a sorry Super 14 campaign, when they played as the Cats.
“Jake was very honest with me and said he saw me as a six flank and that I was reserve to Schalk and for that reason as long as he was fit I would not make the match 22,” van Heerden told keo.co.za.
Van Heerden is clearly disappointed to have not made the grade, but his focus is now on the Lions, for which he expects to play exclusively in the No 6 jersey. “I have spoken to Loffie (coach Eugene Eloff) and we will try it. I have played there before and only under (former coach) Frans (Ludeke) was I switched to seven.â€
The hard-working loose-forward says he actually prefers playing as a fetcher and was looking forward to honing his skills in the Currie Cup. “I only had my first session this (Wednesday) morning and I’m looking forward to getting back into it.â€
The Lions will be looking to break the shackles which have hampered the Cats in the Super 14 and re-build for the new season.
“We have a few new guys and some youngsters, but are missing the guys involved with the Boks. It is a good chance to blood some new talent.â€
By Andrew Hollely
18 Comments
8 Jun 2006, 06:30 am
Dragons man I’m on a roll.
8 Jun 2006, 06:39 am
your mother would be proud, pompies!
8 Jun 2006, 07:08 am
Thank’s dude.
8 Jun 2006, 07:31 am
I’m a hugh fan of Wikus, but agree that currently he just falls short of being at the boks .. I’m glad he is back at the Lions, he will make a difference … and I sincerly hope that he plays in such a way that he will make it back to the boks, not because of his captancy skills, but because he is pushing for a starting place.
8 Jun 2006, 07:54 am
WvH backup to SB, so Jake once again confirms LW not even a back up to no-one. go Wikus, concede less penalties than SB, secure more turn overs and you might just be in the mix.
the ? now is where does Pierre Spies feature for he is IMHO, and could prove it be a better back up than all to SB, if he gets more game time in next years S14.
8 Jun 2006, 08:13 am
Hang on…I thought Solly was backup to SB!?
WTF!! I mean Solly has never been part of a losing Bok team…(and the wool is removed?)
8 Jun 2006, 08:20 am
Pompies is the Lone Dragon.
8 Jun 2006, 08:42 am
Chuck there’s a dragon slayer out there and he’s keeping a beedy eye on us all.
8 Jun 2006, 08:49 am
Ja Pompies, but he does’nt have a chance against your speed and finesse
8 Jun 2006, 09:09 am
So does Jake expect Schalk to play every game? Would it not be good to have Wikus in the match 22 occasionally to get him in tune for if SB is injured or needs a rest.
Seems Jakes not been so straight with him…and saying that after Solly ,Wikus is in line.
There needs to be better management of Burger. Jake put your money where your mouth is,or do you really expect SB to play every game?
8 Jun 2006, 09:27 am
jake may be honest but his thinking is deurmekaar and when you have some coach who is deurmekaar he does not remember everything he said before so thats the story with solly
one minute van heerden is standby captain and in one game he is out
does that make sense
8 Jun 2006, 10:00 am
If Wikus is backup to Shalk Burger then he should be in the squad!
What the hell is Solly doing there? Oh that’s right, quota ****.
8 Jun 2006, 10:57 am
yeah very comittd player, but does not have the impact of Burger. White is right in seeing him as a 6.
8 Jun 2006, 12:15 pm
One avaerage game whwre all the boks were average should not relagte this boy to orange peeler status.
Many now say he’s not bok standard….well most of the big names were afforded a number of games to prove themselves. Hey Eddie Andrews is still trying to prove himself to all of us ,to name one.
8 Jun 2006, 12:33 pm
Jake is the only International coach who would even think Wikus is a no 6 flank. Wikus is quite clearly a no 7 flank every where in the world except South Africa. No wonder Jake relies so heavily on first phase posession – he clearly has no idea of the role of a no 6 flank.
8 Jun 2006, 13:23 pm
Lions to win CC!!!
8 Jun 2006, 14:08 pm
This Saturday the Lions are playing against the Force at UJ, kickoff at 1pm
Click on my name to visit my website if you require more details
8 Jun 2006, 16:29 pm
Cats Crusade
1st Phase possession if vital in the northern hemisphere. Jake’s main focus is only on the WC. It would be great to do well in the 3N But France is the focus. Ask anyone that knows European rugby well and you’ll here that 1st phase possesion from Scrums and lineouts, then maul the ball is how its done in the UK/France. Backs need to play with skill and force.
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