Why PdV went with 23
15 Jul 2009
Peter de Villiers is worried about the lack of depth in the Springbok squad.
The coach selected several fringe players for the third Test against the British & Irish Lions, most of whom he says failed to take the opportunity. Of course, 10 changes were made for that game, which made it difficult for someone like new cap Zane Kirchner to make an impact at fullback, when his wings (Jongi Nokwe and Odwa Ndungane) have made only a handful of appearances at this level.
De Villiers, though, believes he overestimated the depth in Bok rugby and has only selected 23 players in his Tri-Nations squad, rather than the normal 28.
‘We have guys who are very good in the Currie Cup when they play against each other, but have not quite made it at Test level,’ he told the Cape Times. ‘The Lions tour opened our eyes and made us see that our depth is not that good. We cannot just look for quick-fix solutions. Sometimes it takes longer for players to adjust to a higher level.’
The Bok coach said he could call up additional players at any time.
‘We are trying to keep our options open going forward,’ he said. ‘The guys who don’t play in the Tests get frustrated and need game time. That’s why those who were part of the squad for the Lions series and did not make this Tri-Nations squad can now play for their provinces. They are just a short flight away from the squad if we need them.’
117 Comments
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15 Jul 2009, 13:47 pm
#99 goyougoodthing2: think it is due to all the injuries he has suffered…….has had a rather bad run of injuries…..think he will be good once he gets enough exposure
15 Jul 2009, 13:47 pm
#98 goyougoodthing2: Not sure but we need someone urgent. Even scout overseas if Plum must. Sharks going to struggle there this year I think.
Out of here now mate. Back later. Thanks for all the info about the season tickets at the Tank.
15 Jul 2009, 13:50 pm
#102 Puma: No worries. cheers!
#101 EEE: Let’s see, maybe he shines! If he could (or anyone) learn from Beast about putting in the long hours in the gym etc he’d also be unstoppable.
15 Jul 2009, 13:51 pm
#101 EEE: Chili was very good in the under 19′s. He will get better, for now must just come off from the bench. His all round play was great, just the scrums is where he battled and thats where we struggled a lot in the first half in the Lions last test.
Cheers all out of here now.
15 Jul 2009, 13:57 pm
#64 XHOSAKID . My distinct impression was that in the first half of the last test against the BIL , while Chilliboy was in the front row the Boks were struggling. In the second half when Bismark replaced him, the scrums seemed to be more solid – in particular the front row. As such I think that Bismark is the better scrummager than Chilliboy but I guess there are other factors which come in to it which are beyond my comprehension.
15 Jul 2009, 14:04 pm
Makes sense with our first 3 games based in SA. Good to see that the jersey is valued again…
15 Jul 2009, 16:28 pm
#98 goyougoodthing2: Free State have some good locks, that would maybe like to join family and friends at the coast.
15 Jul 2009, 17:45 pm
We cannot just look for quick-fix solutions. Sometimes it takes longer for players to adjust to a higher level.’
Pity this is being learnt by the coaching staff at this late stage at national level. I suppose, at least it is being learnt.
15 Jul 2009, 19:17 pm
#12 PissAnt: Can’t understand why Willem De Waal has never made the Bok team. For some reason JW didn’t rate him, yet he is a banker, a player you can rely on to win the close games.
I would rather have him on board than FS and have Ruaan as backup for FdP & Willem.
15 Jul 2009, 22:31 pm
SA rugby what is up with you guys.PdV can never do right by you. . . he leaves certain players out and you slam him for it. He gives them a chance (and they under perform-read Wynand Olivier) and you still slam him. I’m yet to see a good word published about him in SA Rugby. He won you the lions series and its still not enough . . .c’mon guys give him a brake, in fact back him dont bash him ( thats for you judge)
15 Jul 2009, 23:24 pm
#1 Pietman: That does not make sense at all! If he is worried about the depth and ability for the next level players to fit in, surely he should be bringing them into the Boks squad system and getting them used to the way that the Boks play? And he should be introducing inexperienced players into test matches for small amounts of time to get them more experience, not drilling the current crop until they drop?
And these fringe players should be gymming and training to get into top physical condition with the Boks, so that if/when thay are called on- and lets face it injuries will mean that they ARE going to be called on- they will have the best chance of fitting in and making the step up. Playing them in CC will mean greater risk of injury, at levels not advanced enough to give good experience, possibly developing bad habits under some **** CC coaches.
Also, I think his thinking is very mixed up about the 3rd test. They lost badly because they were playing the unstructured game again like last years 3N. And their tight five were lacking- not their backs. The two locks in that game in particular I dont rate very highly – Muller and Sykes. I much prefer bekker, Fondse, or some of the other new players coming through. And Deon Carstens was nowhere. Also, in terms of scrumming, the prop/hooker combo weren’t effective.
15 Jul 2009, 23:37 pm
#111 SjamBok: Thats right they going to let the ship sail right on by into the sunset.. just like they always do.. just too sh’t scared to take risks when they should be taken and then try get it right when the horse is long time bolted long into the night.
16 Jul 2009, 04:40 am
i find myself in the strange position of agreeing with PDV on this one. No point having bench warmers for home games. If an emergecny arises they are aphone call away.
16 Jul 2009, 04:45 am
#112 skopskiet:
PdeV cannot afford to take chances now, he HAS to win this Tri…this is not the time to blood greenhorns.
16 Jul 2009, 08:17 am
Congratulations must go to PdV as that is the best thing i have heard him say in ages, it is good for the players to get game time as well
16 Jul 2009, 10:26 am
Chillie is 23. Why must a black player mature at 25 whereas a white player mature at 20.
16 Jul 2009, 11:16 am
Let me play the role of the Devil’s advocate.
The Super 14 is a international competition.Some of the squads are so lucky that they are able to field teams
consisting almost of international players.
No why is it when these teams play each other nobody says
they are not good enough to compete at international
level?
Surely it has a lot to do with the manner local coaches
structure their games and the positions they play,their players in.You’re only as good as the guy next you and
are used to,that players battle to find their feet in the test arena.
I am pretty convinced that a fully fit Bulls and Sharks
team with all their Boks available would have put the BIL
away in a far more convincing manner the selected Bok
teams have been able to do.
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