Kanko, Johnson surplus to requirements
10 Aug 2011
Springboks loose forwards Ryan Kankowski and Ashley Johnson have been sent home after Pierre Spies and Danie Rossouw came through two training sessions without trouble.
Spies (groin) and Rossouw (gastroenteritis) had been unable to train with the team on Monday, prompting Kankowski and Johnson’s call-up. However, they have now been released back to the Sharks and Cheetahs respectively, following Spies and Rossouw’s recovery.
Spies is expected to start at No 8 against Australia in Durban on Saturday, while Rossouw could be deployed at blindside flank, given that coach Peter de Villiers has stated that he will fill that role at the World Cup should Juan Smith fail to recover from an Achilles injury. Heinrich Brussow looks set to complete the loose trio at openside flank.
It is yet unclear whether the Sharks and Cheetahs will revise their squads to accommodate the return of their Boks.
55 Comments
10 Aug 2011, 16:14 pm
Hope Brussow is in the side!!
10 Aug 2011, 16:15 pm
Any idea’s of what the side might look like?
10 Aug 2011, 16:24 pm
Glad Spies is playing. Can be shown up as the useless player that he is. Otherwise would have had easy ride to WC.
10 Aug 2011, 16:24 pm
1. Mtawarira
2. Smit
3. J Du Plessis
4. Botha
5. Matfield
6. Brussow
7. Rossouw
8. Spies
9. Du Preez
10. James
11. Habana
12. De Villiers
13. Fourie
14. Pieterson
15. F Steyn
16. Steenkamp 17. B Du Plessis 18. Mostert 19. Deysel 20. Hougaard 21. M Steyn 22. De Jongh or Van Der Linde
10 Aug 2011, 16:24 pm
C’mon Bokke, annihilate these aussies and undermine their confidence even further. Then knock over the AB’s in PE a week later.
The momentum is building!!
10 Aug 2011, 16:26 pm
First-choice Bok 22 will have:
Smit, Matfield, Burger, Smith, Du Preez, De Villiers and Fourie
All valuable leaders.
Which other side can boast such a leadership core?
No excuses then, surely?
And Bakkies, James and Habana are also vets who must lead from the front…
10 Aug 2011, 16:26 pm
@puff(puff)-4: Not a bad side at all!!
10 Aug 2011, 16:27 pm
That’s actually one helluva bench.
All those players can make significant impacts.
10 Aug 2011, 16:35 pm
Rugby is a simple game – and coaching is also simple – man management and tactical acumen – do these clowns possess either? Let’s hope all you cheerleaders are correct – I have a bad feeling about the next 2 Saturdays and also about the World Cup. We simply are not ready.
10 Aug 2011, 16:35 pm
The wallabies might not be the biggest or the strongest but they are the smartest. I cant remember who said it but it goes along the lines of if you are 6 foot 6 inches tall , it is the last 2 inches (brains) that matter. The wallabies have a deadly back line kick and chance to them all day at your own peril SA.
10 Aug 2011, 16:37 pm
I would start with Deysel at 7 and not Danie.
10 Aug 2011, 16:37 pm
Well said Drlector – and I fear we know no other game plan and its too late to change.
10 Aug 2011, 16:39 pm
Puma remember that Danie is part of the 50+ club – lets see how he goes with the more experienced Spies and Brussouw alongside him. Last 2 tests he was playing alone essentially.
10 Aug 2011, 16:40 pm
What is the likely SA starting XV for this weekend?
10 Aug 2011, 16:42 pm
@hatethe3stooges(hatethe3stooges)-13: He was not great in the last two tests, where as Deysel playing with those same B Boks was. I would go with Deysel and Brussow.
10 Aug 2011, 16:45 pm
@Puma(Puma)-15: I hear you – but remember that the last 2 games were exceptionally loose and unstructured – I dont think Deysel will be as effective now that the other teams have had a better look at him. Anyway, lets hope that whoever plays has a good game.
10 Aug 2011, 16:46 pm
@hatethe3stooges(hatethe3stooges)-13: Also keeping my fingers crossed that Brussow goes well and don’t come away with any injuries. He is our trump card for wc.
Is it wise to start with him here? I am not sure. Thinking about it might have only played him for 35min this game. Then start him against the ABs and see how he goes for the 80min there. We can’t afford for him to get injured.
Anyhow think PdV will go with: Spies, Danie and Brussow.
10 Aug 2011, 16:47 pm
@Puma(Puma)-17: Agree with you on all counts. I just hope that we have moved away form the aimless high kick and charge tactic – but I’m not optimistic.
10 Aug 2011, 16:48 pm
@hatethe3stooges(hatethe3stooges)-16: I think he will be affective. Remember ABs had a good look at him when we played Oz.
Anyhow it will be: Spies, Danie and Brussow to start. Can’t see PdV not starting with those players. Just hope Brussow goes okay and no injuries. We need him for wc.
10 Aug 2011, 16:50 pm
@hatethe3stooges(hatethe3stooges)-18: I think we will be playing the kick and chase stuff. Just can’t see us playing any other style. Had we kept Lambie then I might have thought otherwise. Keeping Morne tells us we will be playing the kick and chase. Even with Butch there.
10 Aug 2011, 16:50 pm
@Puma(Puma)-19: I thought Brussouw was good agaisnt WP on Sat but I hope this isnt a step up too soon – its faster and more unforgiving than Currie Cup by a long way – and he was panting a bit after his 30 mins or so last week.
As you say though – lets hope no injury to him.
10 Aug 2011, 16:53 pm
don’t be surprised if the boks loose this one. they haven’t played together for almost a year.
10 Aug 2011, 16:54 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck(logie_Jumpbuck)-22: I will be surprised if we DONT lose this one. Although, history has a funny way of repeating itself, and the Wallabies record here isnt great – add to that the jet lag thing. Maybe we can hope.
10 Aug 2011, 17:02 pm
Habana to have a screamer. I think he is so hungry to perform in a bok jersey, he can hardly wait.
10 Aug 2011, 17:03 pm
@puff(puff)-4:
Good team there puff
Very good bench
Could differ in a couple of changes to bench:
Option 1:
16.Bismark 17.Guthro 18.CJ 19.Deysel 20.Hougaard 21.M.Steyn 22.De Jongh
(As Danie covers lock)
Option 2
16.Bismark 17.CJ 18.Mostert 19.Deysel 20.Hougaard 21.M .Steyn 22.Aplon
(F.Steyn covers midfield)
10 Aug 2011, 17:05 pm
@hatethe3stooges(hatethe3stooges)-21: Yeah he played really against Province. Was thinking this is a test this week and not CC. So thought, if it was me I would be cautious with him. As he is a MUST for world cup. Would only bring him on in the last 35min or even the full 40min in the 2nd half. Then play him for 80min against the ABs. Or 60min, but start him there. BUT make sure he is injury free after.
10 Aug 2011, 17:05 pm
@Puma(Puma)-26: meant = played really great against Province.
10 Aug 2011, 17:13 pm
Div calls himself a man manager and then bounces guys around to the point where they don’t know if they are Arthur or Marthur! What a waste of space pr!ck!
The team should be decent at a bare minimum- whether or not the following factors are enough to overcome Oz and what is to come (NZ and WC) is another question, but I remain blindly optimistic:
1. a new defensive system being implemented
2. Old timers having 1 last sojourn
3. A panel of tw@t coaches
4. No apparent gameplan
5. Being rested versus match-fit…
Fingers crossed.
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-25: Any one of those few options SHOULD be good enough to do the business… should.
10 Aug 2011, 17:14 pm
Spies has to show up
To be outdone by Ben McAlman ….unacceptable
Sad to say this but I would have preffered to see Johnson start but hopefully Pierre has a above avg performance..to do that he has to do 3 simple tasks expected of ANY international 8:
-Make your tackles
-Carry by efficiently over advantage more often that not
-Clean assisting your fellow loosies either on attack or to help in turnovers
Simple enough, dont need mega athleticism for all that…just effort, skill and heart.
10 Aug 2011, 17:39 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-29:
from your mouth to god’s ears, here’s another player who is not so much old, but who has been continuosly picked despite player like Alberts and Vermeulen showing better form. I think PdV has no option here with all the injuries, but to my mind there are at least 3 no 8′s in the pecking order above spies Alberts, Vermeulen and Schalk (if brussow is at 6 and juan at 7).
10 Aug 2011, 17:41 pm
Great, so probable starting loose trio of Spies, Brussow and Roussouw are either coming off long term injuries or sickness! while they could be great in combo what happens if they all struggle to last the distance with just Deysel i’m assuming to come off the bench..
10 Aug 2011, 17:48 pm
@crash13(crash13)-31:
nonetheless, I kind of really like the look of this backrow.
maybe deysel also an option.
but that gives us plenty of lineout options, groundfloor grunt, physicality and pace.
10 Aug 2011, 18:00 pm
The Boks should win it, the Wallabies under Deans are simply woeful
Number of first choice Boks’ forwards are coming off injury breaks but the opposition will not test them badly, it will require however a 5:2 bench.
I expected Dean to be sacked last Saturday but that didn’t happened
10 Aug 2011, 18:10 pm
the best back 3 would be Spies, Deysel and Brussow
Russouw is slower and a poor defender at times , also deysel does help in the fetchi8ng department , russouw does not
10 Aug 2011, 18:11 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-32:
The combo is adequate against the Wallabies this week but that’s about it
I would prefer J. Cronje’/JvN at 8, F Louw/Deysel at 7 and Brussow/Stegmann at 6 (open side)
D Russouw is only suitable off the bench now, a poor ball carrier and poor pair of hands.
10 Aug 2011, 18:32 pm
I have been out of circulation. Can you guys tell me more about this Mostert guy. Where from, what mould (a Bakkies or a Victor?)? How do you guys rate him?
10 Aug 2011, 19:27 pm
@ whistleblower(whistleblower), mostert is a number 4 lock, similar to bakkies but not as physical and not going to have brain explosion and get carded. A good player, he will be behind matfield, bakkies and danie in the pecking order
10 Aug 2011, 19:29 pm
@Puma(Puma)-11: yes, me as well Puma…..Danie too slow on the quik track in durbs….we better pray brussow comes through fine because he will be fighting a lonely lonesome role at the breakdown with no Bissy to support him, and we all know spies has feet of clay.
10 Aug 2011, 19:35 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-35: can you believe it Hondo….we actually agree on something….I also like those loosies and the roles they could play…
10 Aug 2011, 20:33 pm
I have a feeling Spies is gonna have a cracker. I don’t like him, I think he’s been sh*t, but surely now he must feel he needs to perform and prove his critics wrong. We all know he has the ability… As much as I don’t like his attitude, he is the most talented athlete in that team and can tear teams apart (granted it’s been awhile).
Smit on the other hand….
10 Aug 2011, 20:48 pm
@grant10(grant10)-39:
Money talks, and I will put my bet on the Boks, the spread depends on the selection
I am pretty sure that Rassie calls the shots now, the Three Stooges are at nominal roles only.
Spies and Russow are not the answer for the Test line up, anyone must have seen it by now, and without Vermulen there is no other bona fide No 8 in SA Rugby, no Smith nor SB either so what would you get?
Selection is pretty much obvious!
10 Aug 2011, 20:54 pm
@cab(cab)-30:
Schalk and Albert aren’t No 8 as good as their other attributes
SA No 8 now are:
1. JvN
2 J. Cronje/Vermulen
3. Daniel (weight)
4. Whitely (weight)
Anyway, the Boks won 2 RWCs WITHOUT a No 8 specialist!
10 Aug 2011, 20:55 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-42: If Bekker was not injured he could have played 8
11 Aug 2011, 00:15 am
Wow… Brussow is going to have to play his best game yet to carry Mangina Spies and Danie the sleepy drunk. Hopefully Spies rips his arse and can’t make the world cup.
Some players just need to p!ss off.
11 Aug 2011, 00:46 am
As much as I think Juan Smith is the best No 7 the Boks have ( I personally think he should be captain), if he does not play in the next two tests then he will not have the game time behind him to go to the world cup. The pace of the TN tests we have seen this year is an indication of what he has to come back to. Cant rely on him to be at his best nor can we put the pressure on him to perform at that standard. He basically starts his season at the World Cup??? The same goes for Brussouw. When last has he actually played? Boks are relying on two injury proned not yet fit players 20 something days from the WC!!!!
11 Aug 2011, 00:52 am
Australia has the same problem ie Rocky Elsom. Injured and did not play all season. Yet walks into the national team ahead of better players and is shown up as too slow. However he now has had a few games under his belt.
11 Aug 2011, 01:03 am
@Champs 95 07 and Beyond(Champs 95 07 and Beyond)-45:
He didn’t seem to have that issue when he walked back into the side in the 2010 3n. In fact he was easily the best player on the field.
@Champs 95 07 and Beyond(Champs 95 07 and Beyond)-46:
Elsom has always been bad. Don’t let a season of bumping off small Irish players trick you. I can see where Deans is coming from making him the captain though… it was either him or the walking d!ck, Nathan Sharpe.
Juan and Brussow will have plenty of game time coming in the group stages.
11 Aug 2011, 01:12 am
Am I the only one who cringes when Rossouw carries the ball? Seems almost all the time he gets it ripped or loses control.
11 Aug 2011, 03:55 am
@Kobus Kitty: 48 Agreed. Like he is carrying a block of ice
@Kobus Kitty: 47 Aussies have same problem as Boks. The captain is on a contract guaranteed to go to WC whether he is in form or not.
11 Aug 2011, 04:15 am
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-47:
Elsom is a good player. Dont know where you come up with some of those things.
About the Irish, those small guys have beaten the Boks 3 out of the last 4 outings.
11 Aug 2011, 04:45 am
“Aye Elsoms a good player ayyyeee.. for some reason I’m posting during work hours in NZ aye…”
11 Aug 2011, 06:56 am
That loose trio looks good. Brussouw will trouble that old devil Pocock.
11 Aug 2011, 07:20 am
Ja, just pointing out the elephant in the room. Pocock has curly hair which means he has native African in him.
11 Aug 2011, 08:26 am
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-48: Don’t understand this fascination we have with Danie let’s look at what he brings:
Ball Carrying, he almost always loses it in contact,
Tackling he has a poor technique and therefore his tackling is almost as bad as Spies.
So in reality what is it that he offers, I am failing to see it and present?
11 Aug 2011, 09:28 am
@Stoan(Stoan)-54:
Ja. The only thing I can think of is that he offers another lineout option, adds weight to the scrum and has “experience”.
Come world cup time, Alberts is the obvious option if Juan Smith can’t make it (But I doubt he won’t)
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