Aplon in, Bismarck out
20 Sep 2011
The Springboks have made five changes to their starting line-up to face Namibia at the North Habour Stadium in Auckland on Thursday.
In the back division Bryan Habana and Gio Aplon replace JP Pietersen and Odwa Ndungane on the wings. The latter duo are dropped from the squad completely. Francois Hougaard gets a start at his preferred position of scrumhalf, with Fourie du Preez playing off the wood.
Among the heavies, Willem Alberts starts at openside flank in place of Heinrich Brussow, whose is named among the reserves alongside another specialist fetcher, Francois Louw. CJ van der Linde earns his first start at the tournament at tighthead prop in place of Jannie du Plessis, who’ll watch from the stands.
Chiliboy Ralepelle, omitted from the 22 for the first two Tests, will get game time off the bench, while Ruan Pienaar and Juan de Jongh’s versatility means the back division are well covered.
After the victory over Fiji in Wellington coach Peter de Villiers said that he valued continuity in selection, but on Tuesday explained that he needed to rotate with a view of having a full fit squad.
‘The biggest challenge for us it to manage the players. We’ve had two bruising encounters and we have to be sensible if we want to have 30 players fit throughout the tournament. We’re getting thin in some areas, injuries are our biggest concern at this point,’ he said.
Captain John Smit acknowledged the difficulty of preparing for a match just five days after their victory in Wellington, but stressed complacency wouldn’t be a factor.
‘There are challenges every weekend, but motivation isn’t one of those. It is important for us to be ruthless. There are still a lot of areas we want to improve and if we don’t have the proper focus we won’t get what we want out of this match,’ he said. ‘This is an opportunity to carry on the journey to where we want to be and improve our standards. Having played two games here and a couple before some guys have had enough game to move towards their best form. That needs to continue.
‘In a week like this with as short a turnaround you don’t get that much field time to prepare. So the challenge is achieving perfection in the base areas of our game, the set piece and so on.’
The Springboks are expected to beat Namibia comfortably and should negotiate Samoa’s challenge without too much problems, setting up a quarter-final against Australia. Asked whether he had cast his mind ahead to that epic tussle Smit said: ‘One thing about the World Cup is that at this stage there are so many permutations floating about. If you get wrapped up in what lies ahead you may lose sight of what you want to achieve at present. We have to think a week at a time and not worry about what lies ahead.’
De Villiers was bullish when probed on the issue of Habana’s form, arguing that the former IRB Player of the Year wouldn’t have breaking the South African try-scoring record (he is the joint-highest scorer) as a central focus.
‘I don’t think people understand the ethos of this team. If you can point out one player that puts his personal interests above those of the team’s I’ll send them home immediately. There are personal goals we achieve in life and if Bryan breaks the record it will be a wonderful achievement. But what if he scores and we lose? That ultimately is no good.’
Springboks – 15 Pat Lambie, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Willem Alberts, 5 Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (c), Gurthro Steenkamp.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Francois Louw, 19 Heinrich Brüssow, 20 Fourie du Preez, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Juan de Jongh.
608 Comments
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20 Sep 2011, 05:02 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-100:
Think he burned that bridge a long time ago….
20 Sep 2011, 05:15 am
sooooo, Namibia
“Pool of Death”, right ?
~chortle~
20 Sep 2011, 05:27 am
f uk off troll
20 Sep 2011, 06:21 am
For the Kiwis every four years is a Pool of Death and the always die…
20 Sep 2011, 06:32 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-102:
whats a ‘~chortle~’?…hmmm? is it the stifling sound a kiwi makes when the
ch ok ing (can’t believe keo blocked the word) sensation’s about to break?…
20 Sep 2011, 06:38 am
I love it when bloggers put statements down without thinking it through first.
DOH!!!
20 Sep 2011, 06:46 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-67: Ortiz asked for it! he headbutted Floyd 3 times in a space of 4 rounds, now when he gets caught by the ref he wants to apologise & hug…floyd did well to clock his overzealous arse.
did you see the post-fight interview with larry merchant?
20 Sep 2011, 06:59 am
So clever, these foolish clowns. We are playing 3 blindside flanks in the starting lineup and two opensiders on the bench. Happy to see Aplon and Brian get game time as they should not play a part in any other games.
20 Sep 2011, 07:03 am
@garth(garth)-108:
ja, but flanks as locks really raised quite a laugh on sat, no?…
20 Sep 2011, 07:09 am
PDV is a tool, is it clearer now?
He has insulted decent rugby folk, made a mockery of merit selection and decided to embarras everyone in SA with his pathetic comment about the HAKA.
Fire him right now. I have been in New Zealand 3 weeks and the kiwis have been awesome hosts, the only negative thing they have said is our coach is a clown.
Feeeckkkk oofffff
20 Sep 2011, 07:20 am
He’s either opening his mouth about the haka cause he’s worried about jinxing the team over the FIJI clash or, he is getting confident again. You may note how quiet he’s been of late. He always has to say something stupid. Maybe part of the grand plan…
20 Sep 2011, 08:03 am
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-110: ag i agreed fully with his comment about the haka.
does it really deserve randoms doing it on every street corner, sticking out their tongues and trying to be intimidating?
its a cultural practice that simply loses its value when it becomes a part of pop culture imo.
thats my opinion though, maybe kiwis feel different but i had haka-fatigue after the opening ceremony already.
20 Sep 2011, 08:07 am
90% of the Kiwi comments I’ve seen regarding what Div said about the Haka agree with him.
20 Sep 2011, 08:07 am
A good team chosen , but surely Bismark should have started?
If you are resting the likes of JAnnie and JPP?? then why not Smit?> and even schalk? surely now would have been the time to give Flouw a start?
20 Sep 2011, 08:25 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-114: I reckon Chilly should have started , I think they will play 30min and then make changes
20 Sep 2011, 08:29 am
@capebull(capebull)-115: not sure i agree purely as bismark is the one that will start if smit were to get injured etc
SMit should have been rested along with the others
20 Sep 2011, 08:34 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-116: howdy man.
nah, i reckon smitty is getting better with each game he plays.
remember, he had a long time out of the game and had a lot of niggles during the s15.
i like how he is being used to grind the opposition for the first 50 mins and then a younger explosive player comes on to run them ragged.
biz and now chili fill the role perfectly.
awesome, simply awesome.
20 Sep 2011, 08:35 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-107: That for me was the low point, “you don’t know sh it about boxing….”
To which Larry said, “if I was 50 years younger I’d kick your a ss….”
LOL
Talk about face.
20 Sep 2011, 08:37 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-117: hey bro
yeah ur prolly right , just felt now would have been a good time to let bismark start so it would also calm down the attitudes , i am sure you know what i mean
20 Sep 2011, 08:37 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-118: hahaha, thats hilarious!
20 Sep 2011, 08:38 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-117: Morning all.
I for one am very glad with Smit’s form. Especially with Victor not playing, it’s vital to have him there as a leader, but it’s gratifying to see him step up as a player.
Shutting up some of his critics.
Or am i being too optimistic on the last point?
20 Sep 2011, 08:39 am
I am glad that the 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 combo has another opportunity to bond…
20 Sep 2011, 08:41 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-121: GM M
Yeah he has stepped up brilliantly , although you will notice his haters still give no credit
20 Sep 2011, 08:43 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-123: Hi T, yes I guess they will be very slow to come around,
I’m sure of the Boks exit in the semi’s or something like that the whole thing will be blamed on him, and if we win they’ll say something like “we could have won easier if….”
Just no pleasing some I guess.
20 Sep 2011, 08:49 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-124: lol yup ur 100% correct, that is when they will come shout , and and of course if we win this thing , it will surely not be due to any part he played
20 Sep 2011, 08:49 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-121:
Not at all bud…
He has definitely stepped up… As the stats gurus say… made the most tackle against wales and is putting in the hard work and grinding down the opposition with a solid scrum for the first 50 or so… as ranger said…
i still believe we have an excellent chance of winning this thing… and again… have said that way before the comp started…
20 Sep 2011, 08:50 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-124: Morning all. SB the problem is that players get played into the ground and then lose form and all of a sudden they’ve become **** players. Remember 2 years ago what folks were saying about Jannie DuP during the EOYT after a gruelling season. As Noakes has said countless times managing a players playing time is vital to retain sharpness and form because the time taken to get it back is exponentially more than the time taken to lose it. We are seeing the fruits of sticking with Smit to get his form back now and this is the reason PDV has stuck with him for this game. He knows what he has in Bizzie and Bizzie is primed and ready to go.
I think its great that he is giving Jannie a break as thats the area we are thin on the ground in.
20 Sep 2011, 08:54 am
@ufo(ufo)-126: Yes i agree. On the day we can beat anyone, and it’s nice to see some of the players hitting form at the right time. Hopefully some of the niggles will sort themselves out and we can field the strongest team possible.
Soome of the other teams are also struggling with injury hassels which will disrupt their momentum too, so it’s the same for many of the top teams I guess.
20 Sep 2011, 08:56 am
Smit should not be starting they going to perhaps start Bismark vs Samoa they got it wrong way around. Wtf Alberts is doing at 6 is like sending in a howitzer firing tank into a kiddies street skirmish. This the one game they could have given all the bystanders a chance to play some rugby, probably the message is put up 50 and we send on the B players.
Louw should be starting, Brussow, Louw, Spies would work a dream this game, far better than Alberts, Burger, Spies. Alberts should be at 4 again and Bakkies should be resting.
Nice to see Aplon and Habana on wing, about time Aplon got a run.
20 Sep 2011, 08:57 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-121: probably
but man, he was clearing rucks like a beast vs fiji.
20 Sep 2011, 08:59 am
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-127: Yes, I agree with you on Jannie. We need to manage him well, as he is really hitting peak form at the right time and as you say, it’s not as if we are well stocked in that area.
It’s nice to see the scrums looking solid these days. it really gives the guys a heap of confidence to play off a solid base like that.
20 Sep 2011, 09:03 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-129: It was great to see some of the versatility in postitions last Saturday, even if ot was against Fiji.
Nice to see Schalk packing at lock and getting a tighthead out of it.
20 Sep 2011, 09:05 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-132:
and watch him take credit for it hehehee
20 Sep 2011, 09:09 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-107: @stormersboy(stormersboy)-118: That’s some funny sht. Mayweather is a decent fighter, but the biggest c*ck since Prince Naseem. Pity he doesn’t have the balls to face the Pacman.
20 Sep 2011, 09:10 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-133: LOL It was quite something to watch though. First we had Alberts at Lock. Then Flo. Then Schalk,
Talk about taking one for the team…..
20 Sep 2011, 09:11 am
I would have given Flo game time at 6 and let Albert start at 8. Think once Flo does come on Alberts will move to 4 for Bakkies. Flo should have had a full game here at 6.
Think John should have been rested for this game, unless PdV gonna let Bissie play a full game against the Samoans. Think our starting front row all needed to be rested totally for a game before the quarters.
Pleased to see Lambie is over his injury. Had a good game on Saturday. Also pleased to see Hougaard starting at 9.
20 Sep 2011, 09:13 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-135: lol. Yip and they all played well there.
20 Sep 2011, 09:15 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-134: Yes he is on both counts.
I’m sure at some stage the Pac-man fight will happen. Too much money involved not too.
They don’t call Floyd “Money” for nothing
“You don’t know sh it about boxing!!!”
LOL. Cracks me up each time i watch it.
20 Sep 2011, 09:15 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-121: Agree. I feel the same.
20 Sep 2011, 09:16 am
Seems PDV is constantly one step ahead of us all.
Jannie getting a complete break was to be expected.
Bismarck probably would’ve started if Matfield was fit but Div adapted to the situation and doesn’t want to send his team out without a leader so instead he’s kept JS and will be thinking of giving Bissie a start next week with Matfield captaining?
But with JS looking hungry to play again and with an eye on the QF (getting the starting team on the park) Bissie might just have to take one for the team and be satisfied with a bench role again vs Samoa.
Habana we knew was going to start, but Div has surprised with Aplon, creating a shootout between him and Ndungane for the best backup wing and also giving JP a game off.
Hougaard & Alberts starting are good choices, giving them a start which allows Du Preez to come on and try to run at some tired legs to give him confidence to snipe and break again and after the hard work of the first two games this will be a chance for him and Brussow to relax.
20 Sep 2011, 09:17 am
@Puma(Puma)-137: Good thing the Fiji’ans cannot play lineouts to save their lives.
I doubt we’ll get away with that sort of thing against the top tier nations.
20 Sep 2011, 09:21 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-118: but that larry merchant toppie NEVER gives floyd his dues, he always tries to paint him in negative light. floyd has just won a fight and is happy about it but he wants to drive his own agendam f*ck him.
even after floyd outboxed marquez those HBO c_unts allowed sugar shane mosley to get in the ring while floyd was doing his post-fight interview and next thing they give shane the mic to challenge floyd right there on the spot on “why are you avoiding me, i’m ready to go, come on”.
@>^..^< katman(katman)-134: floyd is his father’s son. very arrogant and close to disfunctional but he is a super boxer and that can’t be taken from him. 42 – 0
20 Sep 2011, 09:22 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-141: Yip was not worried with those players going to lock for that game. Not worried about Samoa either. Against Oz we had better hope we have all our injured locks ready.
20 Sep 2011, 09:23 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-142: 25 knockouts.
20 Sep 2011, 09:24 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-142: He’s a good boxer, for sure. But not the best. Manny Pacman should set that record straight.
20 Sep 2011, 09:31 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-142: Boxing has always been full of characters like that, probably always will.
Fact is, Pac Man aside, he’s fought pretty much everyone around him, so he is a legit champ. Good boxer, as you say.
Thing about the post match interview was that there can be no denying that the knock out was controversial, he should have been prepared for those sorts of questions, but ja, trying to pick the “good guy” in the boxing world is like trying to pick out the virgin at an adult expo.
20 Sep 2011, 09:32 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-145: we will have to wait for the fight, floyd is one of THE best ever.
20 Sep 2011, 09:36 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-147:
Manny Pacquaio is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
20 Sep 2011, 09:37 am
This is a bit of an off week for the Boks, they’ll do the business with an eye on improving their combo’s and with the backline chosen we could seea blowout on the scoreboard.
The most important thing for this match is to come out with no injuries.
But I’m much more interested in the grudge match NZ vs France.
With the team they’ve selected I can actually see the French giving the AB’s a good shake.
The ref for that match is Allain Rolland. He alone can cancel out NZ’s home advantage as the French will be much happier with him officiating.
Expect slow ball, if the AB’s are honest their scrum hasn’t fired as yet even to the point of being challenged in this fact by Tonga, they could come under pressure there.
With the AB’s looking to start Thompson at 8 the backrow battle will be decided by the tight 5 that fronts the best.
If French’s experienced #4 can sort out Thorne who has played a lot of rugby this year and with Carter who hasn’t been that good at goalkicking recently im tipping France to take the spoils with a pressure game with their two scrumhalfs playing at 9 and 10 setting them up with their kicking game and when the chances come they have more than capable players out wide, especially down Jane’s wing.
Heaven forbid NZ start SBW on the wing, tears will be washed down in the rain.
20 Sep 2011, 09:40 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-148: since he hasn’t fought floyd, that is arguable…manny has what 2 or 3 losses?
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