Bok babes not ready
29 Jun 2006
Lions and SA U19 coach Eugene Eloff has warned against pushing the new Springboks too far too fast.
Four new caps were included in Jake White’s squad yesterday, but Eloff was referring in particular to the three recent Baby Boks – Pierre Spies, Chiliboy Ralepelle and JP Pietersen. Akona Ndungane, the other new cap, has a few years of senior rugby under his belt and should cope alright.
“I think it is very exciting times for those three guys,” Eloff told keo.co.za, “but they need to be managed properly as I believe they are three big stars for the future.”
Often in times of crisis a coach will look to youth to revitalise his flagging fortunes. White currently finds himself in a situation that requires just that and may end up making a panic call instead of his usual calculated decisions.
“It is good they have been brought into the squad so they can learn from the experience of being around the older guys. Obviously all three performed well in the Super 14 and were in great form for the U21′s, but they must not be used to plug a gap.”
Eloff said he would also have chosen them at this stage, but hoped White would ease them into the Test arena slowly. The baptism of fire for a new Test player is especially hot in Australasia. With three matches and having to cross the Tasman twice, this year’s tour is tougher than any before it.
“I don’t think they are ready just yet, but it won’t be long before they can contribute,” added Eloff.
The Boks play the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 15, before travelling to Wellington in New Zealand to play the All Blacks the following weekend. They then have a two week break, but must return to Sydney for the second match against Australia on August 5.
By Andrew Hollely
43 Comments
29 Jun 2006, 13:23 pm
why is he worried, how many o21 lions are there in the squad?
29 Jun 2006, 13:28 pm
Not sure I agree about Spies and Pietersen, but to play a front row player that is so young will not bee too good for him. Spies and Pietersen have both proved themselves at S14 level, so the step up will not be too much of a jump. There is no way that Chilliboy will cope. He is not strong enough YET!! If they play him with Steady Eddie, he’s had it. GAME OVER!!
29 Jun 2006, 13:28 pm
Loffie, worry eerder oor jou eie span want hulle gaan pakslae kry die naweek!
29 Jun 2006, 13:29 pm
Yet all of us congratulate the Aussies for considering a 17 year old flyhalf for the WC next year.
WTF?
29 Jun 2006, 13:30 pm
Sticking your neck out there a bit SupaRugby. Should be a great game.
29 Jun 2006, 13:31 pm
There have been quite a few very young backline players, but even 17 is too young. Can’t wait to see that kid in the s14 or on the Aussie end of year tour, then I’ll make up my mind.
29 Jun 2006, 13:32 pm
BoksForever
They are questoning the inlcusion of the forward baby boks to my understanding.
Not a scrumhalf.
29 Jun 2006, 13:32 pm
Hooker
Have to stay positive! Must say i’m looking forward to seeing if these team really have good depth. Bulls missing quite a few players and lions also.
29 Jun 2006, 13:33 pm
Can someone answer a question for me. I hav’nt watched Chiliboy when he plays that much, but is his scrumaging & lineout throwing any good. I know he has a lot of potential and is quite mobile, but surely if you are going to pick a smallish mobile hooker, why not pick Schalk Brits. I suppose this is a stupid question coz regardless of the comparison between the two, the deciding factor is the skin colour
29 Jun 2006, 13:35 pm
Supa, good to keep positive. My team, the sharks were scraping the bottom of the barrel a while back , and things are looking up again. At least the bulls have only lost players for the CC and they will all be back at S14 time.
29 Jun 2006, 13:37 pm
chiliboy is quite strong and throws well. The deciding factor at the moment is that he has been earmarked as the first black Bok captain. Should be a great player in 2 to 3 years time.
29 Jun 2006, 13:38 pm
Jonny Wilkinson, Drew Mitchell, that u/21 Ozzie hooker that got capped and Jason Leonard (test prop at 21) will all disagree.
29 Jun 2006, 13:39 pm
Pete – he is not small
29 Jun 2006, 13:40 pm
jond
Flyhalf, not scrumhalf. But Chilliboy isn’t my point. His merit is debatable. The others who have played S14 are my point.
This article would look pretty lame if it was just Chilliboy, so they just lump the other 3 names in.
Smells of hypocrisy to me.
29 Jun 2006, 13:40 pm
Supa, this Lion supporter will not be making too many predictions about the game on Saturday. We have our backs against the wall (one would think we were in CT) and and severe underdogs.
But should the Lions pull this one off, you’ll hear it on Monday
29 Jun 2006, 13:41 pm
Gecko, i agree that there are many backs that are very young, but the number of forwards is few and far between. Maybe these youngsters are good enough, but they should be tested against lesser team than the All Blacks and Aussies. Don’t forget Fedrico Mendez who made his debut at 18 against England in the front row. Who will foget his punch on Paul Ackford that knocked the big man out.
29 Jun 2006, 13:42 pm
Hooker2 – even better example!
29 Jun 2006, 13:44 pm
i say schalk for bok hooker
29 Jun 2006, 13:45 pm
Peole mustn’t see these youngsters as the answer to SA ruby’s problems. John Smit will start all the games, and Danie Coetzee may get 10 minutes at the end of each. i will be very surprised if chili gets more than one 10 minute run on. As for Spies and JP, maybe 10 minutes against the Aussies won’t be so bad, I think that they are there to get experience and hold tackle bags.
29 Jun 2006, 13:45 pm
dont know about the Boks babes, but i sure wouldnt mind giving the Bulls babes a bit of a push..
29 Jun 2006, 13:47 pm
klippies, as good as Schalk is, he has more chance of qualifying for New Zealand right now. There are too many hookers above him on JW’s list. Maybe he should do what Rawlinson did and go qualify for another Country.
29 Jun 2006, 13:47 pm
Hooker2 – he can’t. He played for SA A – htus tied to SA.
29 Jun 2006, 13:48 pm
Now you’re talking bluebard. i support the Sharks, but those girls make it hard……(to support the sharks i mean!!)
29 Jun 2006, 13:49 pm
I though that only test matches counted. Oh well, if thats the case, then the poor chap willonly ever play S14.
29 Jun 2006, 13:49 pm
you should check the photo’s on the website.
yum yum.
29 Jun 2006, 13:50 pm
Hooker2 logging out. got to visit the bulls website.
29 Jun 2006, 13:50 pm
Hooker2 – test matches, midweek tour games, A games and 7′s binds you.
Right, pub time.
29 Jun 2006, 13:50 pm
hooker2,
your team is looking ****-hot this season, i know there was unhappiness about exclusions, but it’s def going to be in your favour..
29 Jun 2006, 13:52 pm
On the one hand we complain about not enogh sharks in the Bok team, but on the other hand it does do well for CC. Can’t say that many Sharks deserve bok caps this year though.
29 Jun 2006, 13:52 pm
Chillieboy is an increadibly dedicated rugby player. He has been acknowledged for his ability to play the game before his skin colour.
Its 1 thing to be a quota selection, but to be a captain shows true ability and respect amongst his peers, irrespective of what the public thinks or may persceve.
29 Jun 2006, 13:53 pm
Gentlemenit’s been fun, but work is calling once more. Enjoy the games on the weekend. gecko, have one for me..
29 Jun 2006, 13:54 pm
last comment from me. Well put Hardcore!!
29 Jun 2006, 14:12 pm
Said here Chilliboy throws well and is strong – where is his benching stats? His line out thorws is excellent, but he was pushed by French u 21. Scrum improved when Blonde Strauss came on. Chilly is no Mendez, he is great and should have been given time to develop in S14 and the gym.
Spies – is great, but did not impress when the games were real tight.
29 Jun 2006, 14:25 pm
I’m very curious as to Spies’s intended role in the side. Has he been drafted in as a 6,7 or 8?
29 Jun 2006, 14:34 pm
Waar is Sean Plaaitjies onthou julle hom hy sou eerste gekleurde bokkaptein geword het en toe is dit Gobani Bobo ons weet almal wat sy talent is. So ja gebruik vir Chillyboy maar moet hom nie te gou in die diepkant gooi nie!!
29 Jun 2006, 14:52 pm
Hardcore
Spies is very mobile and I’ve seen him take the ball out of the oppositions hands before so he can stand his own in the loose. I am not sure he is a true fetcher. He seems to be more in the Big Joe/Juan mould. He is not better than either of them. Having him play with those 2 will agian leave us without a real “dog fight specialist” in the back 3.
29 Jun 2006, 14:53 pm
Lemoen – die ou wat die suparugby.co.za website run, wat omtrent elke JW keuse kritiseer, skryf gereeld Plaatjies op as ‘n beter keuse as Solly ens. Plaaitjies speel vir Valke – tans ‘n enkel besering.
29 Jun 2006, 15:17 pm
(4) Boks4eva
The difference is that the aussies are considering him as a replacement for larkham. They will condition him before that time comes.
In SA like recently what has just happened the U21 do well and now we want to elevate them to senior level in the same year.
I read here that some players have done well in u21 level and they are considering them for bok selection this year – what the!
Opposition at u21 level is totally different to senior level and all u21 players dont make the national side later on in the years just because they are not good enough.
We must stop fast tracking junior players to band aid a crisis.
Russia vs namibia can prove to be a very tough game and some good players can stand out but would they make the next level when playing against quality players.
29 Jun 2006, 15:19 pm
(38)
I hope one can make sense of this post. repeated myself.
It is late.
29 Jun 2006, 15:20 pm
I read today the 17 year old Ozzie can’t tour end of the year as he has to sit his final school exams. Seem the Queensland flyhalf will now get the nod.
29 Jun 2006, 15:20 pm
Chuck,
Thanks, I needed the reassurance that I wasnt the only person who felt that he can play 7 or 8.
I do however feel that SA has a bad track record of using players qualities against them ie, Spies being quick, especially for his size, therefor he would make a good fetcher, hence trying Joe at no 6. The same can be said for players like Percy and his boot, before SA coaches realised he could kick he was one of the nicest runners of the ball the added pressure killed that flair of his game.
29 Jun 2006, 16:07 pm
JP and SPIES are good inclusions, whereas chilliboy playing at hooker is a risky
inclusion cuz hookers are monsters outthere.Mealamu will have him for breakfast.
1 Jul 2006, 02:09 am
Under 19′s are mere doughy schoolboys. Young, dumb and full of… well, you finish that off.
Under 21′s are, in the main, mere half-cooked boys. A freaky prodigy out on the wing or at fullback may be a very rare exception.
Over 21′s are proper, hard-baked men. Test material.
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