Pete’s pointless panic
22 Jun 2010
They were good enough to beat Wales, and there’s no reason why a second-string side can’t do the job against Italy.
What is with the doom and gloom following last week’s win over Italy? The two-Test series was always targeted as an opportunity to field new combinations with the 2011 World Cup in mind, but judging by some of Peter de Villiers comments, you’d think the Boks had just lost at home to Australia rather than beaten Italy by 16 points.
The high error-rate is unacceptable, but this shouldn’t be a reason for panic. There’s no reason to retain a few first-choice players this Saturday, as it robs the fringe players of an opportunity to shine.
The way the Boks lined up in training on Monday, it seems Ricky Januarie and Morne Steyn will continue as the team’s halfbacks. Juan de Jongh will start at No 12 with his Stormers team-mate Jaque Fourie returning to claim the 13 jersey. The big loser in this situation is Butch James, while Jean de Villiers is forced to the wing, a position he’s widely known to abhor.
James is a player who can offer the Boks plenty in a mentor capacity, but he still needs an extended run if he’s going to offer anything as a player. He played out of position last week and failed to gel with De Villiers, another player that was played out of position at 13, and suddenly he’s set for the chop. James is not likely to be in the starting side come the Tri-Nations, so one has to question the management of the World Cup winner over the past two weeks.
In Witbank, James should have started alongside Ruan Pienaar at halfback with De Villiers partnering Juan de Jongh in midfield. There could also have been a strong case for Wynand Olivier’s selection at No 12 given his dominant form in the Super 14, but there wasn’t much logic behind the selection of James at inside centre.
The same backline should have been retained for East London, but it seems James will continue to lose out, as will Pienaar. The argument against their selection may stem from the need to find synergy ahead of the Tri-Nations, but come on, Italy’s backline attack and defence isn’t on par with a Super 14 side, let alone that of a Tri-Nations outfit.
The inevitable response to this is: why play a second-string combination when there’s nothing to be gained? There is something to be gained for Pienaar and James, especially for the latter who only recently made his comeback to the Bok set-up. Pienaar has enjoyed precious few opportunities at scrumhalf, and with Fourie du Preez out, he will provide cover for Januarie in the Tri-Nations.
De Villiers looked better when he moved to 12 in the last 15 minutes of the Witbank clash, while De Jongh is a natural fit at 13. He was moved to 12 in the 2009 Currie Cup to fill a void, and retained there to fill another void (in the absence of De Villiers) in the 2010 Super 14. Given that the Boks already have Olivier and possibly Frans Steyn (if he’s picked in the Tri-Nations) as 12 options, De Jongh should focus on providing cover for Fourie.
John Smit will return to the fold, and given the strength of the Italian scrum when compared to that of the All Blacks and Wallabies, this is one area where the Boks will want to build some synergy. Starting Smit with Gurthro Steenkamp and BJ Botha, with CJ van der Linde covering both props on the bench, makes sense.
Andries Bekker will get some valuable game time at Test level before the Tri-Nations, and hopefully he’s selected in tandem with Danie Rossouw. To think this could be the Boks’ back-up lock pairing at the 2011 World Cup is an encouraging thought.
Juan Smith will return to rugby in August and Schalk Burger’s ongoing injury concerns suggest Dewald Potgieter and Francois Louw should continue in the Bok starting line up, as they will be the understudies at the global tournament. It also pays to remember Heinrich Brussow will be back in 2011.
Ryan Kankowski also needs game time, but can’t provide the same go forward as Spies in a Test environment. While he wasn’t selected for the first four ‘trial’ Tests, the Boks seriously need to consider bringing in Duane Vermeulen. A banker at the back of the lineout and a robust runner around the park, Vermuelen is surely South Africa’s best alternative to Spies at No 8.
By Jon Cardinelli
47 Comments
22 Jun 2010, 05:22 am
Last game till the Tri-Nations, it would be correct to play the best available team.
Jean at 12, Jaque at 13, JDJ on bench, Butch James back at Bath. There was plenty of rubbish on the field last week, filter it out.
22 Jun 2010, 05:36 am
Snor is a smart operator and IMO I think they are
playing players out of the
game to bring in his favourites. Nothing Mallet or White did not do of course!
Probably trying to get running rugby off the ground but remember defence wins world cups.
JDV is getting ousted. JDeJongh benefits
FSteyn is gone. Zane benefits
Raun Pineaar or any other scrummie. Tubbie benefits
Hooker. Chili benefits
No back up flyhalf. Burton to benefit.
Should have rested Morne Steyn.
Vic replaced by Bekker
Adi to make a return too!
Hougaard to become utility player and then become irrelanvant.
Every coach has favourites and every team has an old boys club which always plays a season too long before they retire(Fourie excluded of course). I think dificulties lie ahead after we see retirements and none of the Old heads to steer the team.
By the time the WC comes next year we will see some shock inclusions as players return from injury!
This weekend the team will play more as a unit and hopefully more tries.
22 Jun 2010, 05:38 am
”out of sight”
22 Jun 2010, 05:38 am
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-1: Who is your best available team Kobus?
Would be interested to see people’s loose forward setups, and if they have Ruan starting at scrumhalf, or on the bench covering both halves positions.
22 Jun 2010, 05:39 am
‘James played out of position last week and failed to gel with De Villiers, another player that was played out of position at 13′
actually they linked up pretty well, although Jacque Fourie would’ve been much better running onto those James offloads.
There’s too much criticism of the performance imo, the Boks were cruising at 22-3, everything was pretty much going smoothly, it was only when the replacements came on and the Boks were down to 14 that things began to get dis-joined.
22 Jun 2010, 05:39 am
”’not out of mind”’
22 Jun 2010, 06:28 am
@DonutDunning(DonutDunning)-4: I’d have Ruan at 9 with Steyn at 10, although I don’t have that much of an issue with Januarie at 9. As you point out, I like the idea of Ruan on the bench covering 9, 10 and 15 at a stretch and then a player like de Jongh to cover the centres and wing.
Backrow would be Francois Louw, Potgieter and Spies. Centres would be de Villiers and Fourie.
22 Jun 2010, 06:35 am
imo James given a poor deal here….he is by far the 2 nd best 10 in this squad,give the man a fair shake PDV.
22 Jun 2010, 06:56 am
It will be ridiculous if Ruan Pienaar and Butch James don’t start as the halfback pair on Saturday.
Then bringing James back into the fold would be a waste.
And Pienaar would have no test level game time at 9 going into the Tri-Nations.
Bottom line:
If fit, I believe PDV will take both Juan De Jongh and Adi Jacobs to the world cup.
Jacques Fourie will be there.
Which means either JDV or Wynand Olivier will miss out.
PDV will go for JDV because of his experience, plus he will point out his utility value (able to play 13 and wing).
I believe Olivier will not go to the world cup.
Also, I am not holding my breath for Frans Steyn or Ruan Pienaar to make it.
Fourie Du Preez and Ricky Januarie will be the scrumhalves, and Francois Hougaard will replace Pienaar as the back-up and utility player.
Zane Kirchner, Gio Aplon and a returning Conrad Jantjes will be considered for 15.
Mark my words!
22 Jun 2010, 06:58 am
The big problem with the above scenario is you lose goal-kicking options if you don’t take Frans Steyn or Pienaar to the World Cup.
All you really have is Morne and ???
Butch?
Peter Grant?
22 Jun 2010, 06:59 am
Well, that’s one of the big problems at least.
I could think of a few more.
22 Jun 2010, 07:15 am
@puff(puff)-9: agree 100 %….
James is not a 12 imo….no reason to test depth there with a host of [players like jdv,WO and JDJ all more than capable.
Its at 10 we have a serious issue….if MS goes down we will be in trouble….at least Butch shoild be competing in the position where he adds the most value….or , indeed, its been a wasted exercise.
22 Jun 2010, 07:17 am
i have heard that F Steyn will be available for the tri nations squad……
22 Jun 2010, 07:18 am
and this JDV at wing….silly imo…..he certainly doesent like wing, thats a fact!
22 Jun 2010, 07:46 am
Looking from the point of view of PdV, except for Matfield, the 24 players currently in East London is the best players available. He will add Matfield and another player to this squad for the tri-nations tour. That player may be either JP Pietersen or Hougaard.
22 Jun 2010, 07:47 am
Would like to see the starting 15 but hopefully i would not recognise the names…. cause imo we need to give the regulars a rest.
ALL of them.
22 Jun 2010, 07:48 am
I dont see how Peter is panicing. He is trying to build depth in certain areas and giving players a run in the 1st team in those positions.
22 Jun 2010, 08:05 am
@DonutDunning(DonutDunning)-4:
15. Steyn
14. Aplon
13. Fourie
12. de Villiers
11. Habana
10. Morne
9. Pienaar… although it’s too late now, Ricky time!
8. Spies
7. Louw
6. Burger
5. Matfield
4. Botha
3. Botha
2. Smit
1. Guthro
Would be my starting 15. I know Steyn probably won’t play in the TN but I don’t want Kirchner.
Missing the Beast, du Plessis, Brussow, Smith, FdP…
22 Jun 2010, 08:39 am
@puff(puff)-10:
I Agree Peter will go for his tjommas when he picks a squad for the world cup so Adi and Janjies are in for sure as will be Januarie, Aplon, JdJ, Zane and one of either Earl or Burton will aslo be in there.
The Springboks wont win the world cup if this is the case, some of these players are good enought to make the squad but some are not even good enough to play vodacom cup “Earl”
Januarie is a very weak link and will cost the boks the tri nations this year.
22 Jun 2010, 08:43 am
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-18: Dont forget about JPP.
22 Jun 2010, 08:45 am
About the only thing I agree with is Juan de Jongh needs to provide cover at 13, not 12, as we have no-one after Mossie.
22 Jun 2010, 08:47 am
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-18: Good team – maybe you can move Aplon to 15 and bring in one of the Bulls flyers. Like Shadow or Hougardt. Is is an absolute joke to have Papsak Januarie in the team – he is slow, can’t kick and gives poor service. He is clearly selected becasue of his colour, I do not have a problem with that – just admit it then Ruan can sleep in the evenings knowing why he doesn’t get selected.
22 Jun 2010, 08:49 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-21: I think JDV can cover 13 – he is versatile enough for that – WO will be solid at 12 if he plays enhoug. Obviously the coach will bring AD back as his no.1 – 12 or 13, doesn’t really matter to him.
22 Jun 2010, 08:49 am
@groenie(groenie)-19: you’re quite positive about the future of our rugby aren’t you
22 Jun 2010, 08:52 am
i se the new “buzz-word” is…
combinations….
ai … en steeds is daar net 4 lyne….
22 Jun 2010, 08:54 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-21:
Fransie Steyn / Gio Aplon
JP Peterson / Gerhard van den Heever
Jacques Fourie / Juan du Jongh
JDV / Wynand Olivier
Habana / Francois Hougardt
Morne Steyn / Butch James
Fourie du Preez / Ruan Pienaar
Pierre Spies / Duane Vermeulen
J Smith / Dewald Potgieter
Schalk Burger / Brussow
Matfield / Lang Bek
Bakkies / Danie “the Raw Beast” Rossouw
BJ / CJ / Jannie
Smit / Bissie / Gary Botha
Guthro / The Beast
Now this be an interseting match-up.
22 Jun 2010, 08:55 am
a few weeks back is was momentum……
22 Jun 2010, 09:04 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-24:
The Bulls will always be a good team yes!
22 Jun 2010, 09:07 am
I see Barritt is making his debut for England against the Maori
22 Jun 2010, 09:08 am
panic?
this from a journo who wants to select the team?
PDivvy is doing a fine job, actually a great job really. i remember well the despair in 2006 and from 2002-2004.
and no one can claim this is “jakes team” anymore can they?
haha, go PDivvy!
22 Jun 2010, 09:09 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-29: good luck brad!
22 Jun 2010, 09:21 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-30: The man is smart IMO
Instead of playing some of the fringe players for 5-10 min at the end of the game, he is starting with them and while he knows that he has the insurance of experienced players, albeit out of position e.g. Butch @ 12 with Pienaar @ 10 for Wales (even though it did not materialise) and now JdJ @ 12 while JdV is at wing… why would he want to play many rookies at the same time.
come 3N JdV will slot into his normal position, if fit ofcourse… nothing is a given.
22 Jun 2010, 09:25 am
@theOracle(theOracle)-32: exactly.
maybe jean at wing is a bit of a fitness exercise?
chase those kicks down jean, you are not at munster anymore tonto
simply put, we are winning games whilst STILL building depth in combinations (sorry staal). contrast that to the sacrificing of games that jake was content with at the same stagte of the run into the 2007 wc.
22 Jun 2010, 09:37 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-5: Ja the Boks always struggle to finish off (as in rack up the points) a game once they’ve sealed it whereas its a big strength of the AB’s.
This doesnt really mean much especially come World Cup time.
PS, very happy to see the ABs peaking this year…
22 Jun 2010, 09:40 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-33: It seems like old DIV has a plan. He has made some “interesting” decisions during his tenure, BUT he seems to learn from his mistakes. He is not pigheaded enough to sacrifice his pride for the good of the team.
I am happy with the way things are going. And even happier to see how the so-called journos on this site seems to be less scathing of the genius that is P DIVVY recently. (little side-potshots excluded)
22 Jun 2010, 09:45 am
@moedeloos(moedeloos)-35: the journos here are scathing in the extreme.
when he said the french top 14 was below the s14 in quality, he was pilloried by all and sundry.
then it was butch james or joe van niekerks exclusion.
PdV owes these players NOTHING. if they prove they will put their bodies on the line for the Boks, he will consider them IF HE NEEDS THEM.
earn that Bok jersey manne, this is not the straueli reign.
22 Jun 2010, 09:51 am
@World Cup(World Cup)-23: wynand will be solid when he plays enough? how many games would you want him to have to prove he cant play at test level?
22 Jun 2010, 09:55 am
@grant10(grant10)-8: Agree that Butch has got a roughie here.
Give him another chance!! Give him another chance… No point in bringing him into the squad, if you not going to give him a run at 10.
We have limitless resources at 12 in JDV, JDJ, Frans Steyn and WO.
Butch is a 10. Lets see him there, or back at Bath.
22 Jun 2010, 10:04 am
Bring in CJ and BJ with Smith as our front row
Fourie du Preez at scrum half
F Steyn at full back
And we can take on any team.
22 Jun 2010, 10:15 am
@groenie(groenie)-19: I dont believe that Januarie is a weak link at all. His technique leaves a little to be desired, but I have a lot fo confidence in him.
But hearing about the possibility of Adi Jacobs, Earl rose, and Jantjes (I dont rate him at all) makes my heart sink.
22 Jun 2010, 10:19 am
@toe-jam(toe-jam)-37: That is one of the most baffling things, the guy has started 18 of the 29 tests, yet for some reason people still insist he must be given more opportunities, I just don’t get it, yes he is in the form of his life ( for the Bulls) but he just cant do it at international level, its that simply.
22 Jun 2010, 10:19 am
When playing Italy, we are giving them too much respect, and not running hard at the line at all with our backs. A few simple moves in the line (like an intense training session) will have us braking it at will. These are not guys that have grown up with the game, like we have, and their reading of moves is not as good.
But I dont belive in destroying continuity completely (a la Straueli – have we learnt nothing?) by replacing the whole team. You rais eth standard of a team by keeping experienced corein there. Swap members of teh core out to give them breaks, but then bring other experienced members in.
Cardinelli, Jake White showed the value of experience at test level. Why are you advising them to igniore these lessons? Thats just dumb.
22 Jun 2010, 10:21 am
@SjamBok(SjamBok)-40: who mentioned Earl Rose, Adi Jacobs and Jantjes?
22 Jun 2010, 10:47 am
@SjamBok(SjamBok)-40: Adi and Burton Im happy with but not Earl or Janjes
22 Jun 2010, 15:35 pm
Jon -
You are using logic – which we know doesn’t prevail. The tragedy and the absurdity is that we are de-grooming Francois Steyn, the most talented rugby backline player since Danie Gerber; a potential World Cup winner.
And that is not logic.
23 Jun 2010, 00:31 am
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-45: Presumably PDV thinks Aplon and Kirchner may be good enough to cover 15. He might be right about Aplon, it will be interesting to see this weekend, Kirchner is iffy.
23 Jun 2010, 14:46 pm
There is no logic in PDV selections. There is hope, a wing and a prayer and also some luck in having experienced, well coached players at his disposal.
His clearly favourites-only selection policy also seems to benefit a particular section of the population, one that bears more resemblance to Snor himself than say the President.
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