CJ set on Bok recall
25 Mar 2009
Leinster tighthead CJ van der Linde is determined to face the British & Irish Lions this June.
Van der Linde’s departure at the end of the 2008 Tri-Nations saw Peter de Villiers shifting John Smit to No 3 with Brian Mujati named the official back-up. A spate of injuries following the Scotland fixture saw Jannie du Plessis called up to the squad with Van der Linde only mentioned as an emergency option.
Weekend reports suggested Van der Linde, along with Butch James, will play for a Namibia XV this May. This invitational side will front the Springboks as they prepare for the Lions Tests, the first of which starts on 20 June.
Van der Linde, however, believes he could be an asset to the Boks, and despite his overseas status, is available for selection.
‘I’ll always want to represent the Springboks, and I’ll always be available for selection,’ Van der Linde told keo.co.za. ‘I can understand why Peter wouldn’t want players to head overseas, but as I understand it, three overseas-based players can still be selected for the squad.
‘I was aware of this when I moved to Leinster last year otherwise I may have had to rethink my options. If I don’t get picked for that Lions series because of my overseas status, it will be a massive regret. But it shouldn’t be a factor.’
The 59-Test veteran would be a massive boon to the Boks. Despite his vast experience at the highest level, he’s able to play both loosehead and tighthead. As seen on the previous tour to the UK, he would be invaluable in the event of injury.
When asked about the fixture with the Namibia XV Van der Linde admitted he was excited and would give his all no matter which side he plays for.
‘It’ll be a great opportunity. If I play for the Namibia XV, I look forward to going up against guys like Beast [Mtawarira].’
It was initially reported that Stormers loosehead Wicus Blaauw would join Van der Linde in the Namibia XV front row, but when contacted by this website, Blaauw said he will not feature in this match.
By Jon Cardinelli
107 Comments
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25 Mar 2009, 23:30 pm
cheers mate
many of us here have started saving for a RWC ticket fund. its gonna be expensive for us, but not too bad on exchange rates.
what you reckon abt a flutey and BOD centre pairing?
hope we deal to lions this time round. i was still in SA for last your. remember the game at newlands where teichman fell for dawsons dummy
killed me.
26 Mar 2009, 07:11 am
#88 BlackPanther:
Hi Panther.
Sorry I had to leave early yesterday.
You mention some really great props, and your best AB front row is spot on in my opinion, although Richard Loe is a guy that every team wants to take to war.
Thanks for a great post.
It is a pleasure talking rugby here with guys who are passionate and knowledgable.
It sure beats the hell out of 90% of the other bullshit that goes on here.
Hope you get this reply.
Cheers mate.
26 Mar 2009, 07:31 am
#87 SodaJoe:
Well Soda, as I mentioned to Panther it is a pleasure discussing rugby and not petty politics here with people like yourself and a few others.
After all this is a rugby blog, and that is why we log on here.
I hope you get this reply.
Take care.
26 Mar 2009, 13:36 pm
#102 tight head:
I have to admit to trying to filter out a few of the BS’ers on this blog, they know who they are. I enjoy nothing more than talking good code but there are some absolute opportunists out there that rile me. I suppose that comes from having grown up in the amateur days, and I count myself lucky for that.
‘Sir’ Richard Loe, as he is known in NZ, was an utter beast. But sheesh, was the guy STRONG. He was our frontrow kingpin when the Boks 1st toured NZ post-isolation, 1994. I watched the battle of the front rows from the banks of Carisbrook, having flown down there for the 1st visit to Dunedin post-graduation. Its fair to say the whole country just wanted to watch the frontrow & pack battles, such were the Boks reputation there. Sir Richard made Balie Swart do a triple-twist at 1 of the 1st scrums and had to be carted. I tell you, the whole Carisbrook terraces went NUTS.
It is these battles within the war that we really turn up for, I have no doubt Bok fans have their own favourites. The Lions tours have always had legendary tales of SA and Im sure 2009 will be no different. I get the sense the SA Management are taking this lot more seriously than they did in ’97 when they still had their heads in the clouds post-’95 RWC glory.
26 Mar 2009, 14:06 pm
#104 BlackPanther:
Yes Panther, true rugby lovers appreciate these battles within the war as you put it.
I think a Lions tour is something to really look forward to.
Saffas, Kiwis and Aussies play a lot against each other and a Lions tour brings a different perspective.
There is always the debate around SH vesus NH quality of rugby, and that can be broken down again into those various areas of the game such as the front row.
26 Mar 2009, 17:20 pm
If CJ is so good, why does he concede at least 2 or 3 ‘illegal scrummaging’ penalties during a match.
Just a question …
26 Mar 2009, 17:48 pm
#106 Osama the desert seagull:
Maybe its not because he is ‘so good’ but that he is just slightly better than the next guy in a certain facet of play ?
Personally I rate BJ Botha at prop, CJ never did anything to make me sit up and notice. I reckon there is this strange perception that players ‘better themselves’ overseas and out-of-sight-out-of-mind when it comes to their weaknesses.
I read here lots about B.James ‘bettering’ himself at Bath and there is this call to get him back involved with the Boks. Yet how many of those guys are taking this concept at face value and not even seeing Bath matches and whether his form is up to it ?
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