Boks will miss ‘The Mule’
1 Oct 2011
JON CARDINELLI writes that Frans Steyn’s tournament-ending injury will impact on the Springboks’ game plan as well as the composition of the match 22.
The Boks were expected to win Pool D, but there were always going to be casualties. Several players hobbled off injured during the course of a Friday’s brutal pool finale, and it was later revealed that Steyn, a player who finished the match, would play no further part in the tournament.
The blow couldn’t have come at a worse time for both player and country. While the Boks squandered a series of attacking opportunities at North Harbour Stadium, they showed signs of the structure and application that won them the World Cup in 2007, as well as a British & Irish Lions series and Tri-Nations in 2009.
Over the course of the pool stage, Steyn has shown himself to be a key ingredient to the winning formula, and on Friday he again contributed two outrageous penalties from inside his own half.
Bok assistant coach Dick Muir said in the build up that Steyn had the X factor. Muir explained his statement by referring to Steyn’s prodigious kicking game. Be it in the tactical- or goal-kicking department, Steyn can swing a game.
His ability to strike the ball further than any one else can be the difference in a tight finish. He weighed in with some booming tactical punts in the first pool match against Wales, and has over the course of four matches kicked some monster penalties from as far as 60m out.
Which other international player, or indeed which other rugby nation, can boast such a weapon in their arsenal?
Sadly, Steyn’s World Cup is over. The Boks will no longer have that cannon of a boot at their disposal, or that versatile player who can excel in several different positions.
Injuries to Jean de Villiers and Butch James forced the selectors to move Steyn to inside centre for the matches against Fiji and Namibia. Steyn impressed as a ball carrier and defender, and managed to make the No 12 jersey his own as the play-offs drew nearer.
His versatility meant that Peter de Villiers could pick five forwards on the bench. Francois Hougaard and Jean de Villiers were the only backline reserves for the Samoa game, because the coaches knew that Steyn could cover flyhalf and fullback in the event of an injury.
Now that he’s out of the picture, they have no such luxury, unless of course they reconsider bringing the underplayed Ruan Pienaar in from the cold.
Regardless of where he played in the quarter-final, Steyn would have, as Muir suggested, offered the Boks that precious little bit extra. The Boks’ game plan is all about playing in the opposition’s half, and they rely heavily on the boots of Fourie du Preez, Morne Steyn and Frans Steyn to win the territorial battle.
The latter player is especially influential when he lines up at 15 and produces those ground-gaining punts. It could be viewed as conceding possession, but it allows the Boks ample opportunity to chase and apply defensive pressure, or contest the opposition lineout if the ball drifts into touch.
If all the players were fit, I would still bank on De Villiers at inside centre and Steyn at fullback. Pat Lambie is the future of Springbok rugby and should be seen as the answer at flyhalf after this World Cup, but at present he lacks the experience to be a success within the Boks’ current World Cup game plan.
As it stands, Lambie will continue at 15 for the remainder of the tournament, while De Villiers will resume his role at 12. The Bok brains trust will need to revise their bench dynamic, and adjust their game plan for the upcoming clash.
While Lambie is a talented kicker, he’s not yet in the class of Frans Steyn. The Boks will miss Steyn’s momentum-shifting qualities, from his ability to nail long-range penalty and drop goals to his raking tactical probes, when they come up against a Wallabies side stacked with players that are as gifted with the boot as they are with ball in hand.
126 Comments
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1 Oct 2011, 05:16 am
BrokenDragon
1 Oct 2011, 05:17 am
I hope Pdiv has lost Meisiekind’s mobile number.
1 Oct 2011, 05:23 am
This is just all sorts of bad. Has such a huge effect on our bench dynamic, no place for specialist lock on the bench, Alberts will have to cover Lock and Loose forward. Spies will have to start and three backs on the Bench, FH, Gio, JDJ / Butch and worst of all RP is being considered cause of his versatility. Have this horrible feeling that JDJ and Butch are going to miss out and RP is going to get the nod.
1 Oct 2011, 05:26 am
@francois93(francois93)-3: Furthermore if they select RP, could even mean that Gio loses out and bench ends up as FH, RP and JDJ. All I can say is that Ruan better go to every shrink in NZ if selected and they had all better give him the “you can do it speech” and pills lots of them.
1 Oct 2011, 05:31 am
@francois93(francois93)-4:
Rather Gio on the bench. Then you have:
FH covering sh and wing.
Gio covering fullback
JDJ covering 12 and 13.
Lambie can slot ion at flyhalf if Morne has to go off.
Ruan doesn’t have to come into the equation.
1 Oct 2011, 05:33 am
@francois93(francois93)-4: I hope so, I really hope so.
1 Oct 2011, 05:34 am
thats sad news for Steyn, and SA, has had an excellent RWC.
1 Oct 2011, 05:40 am
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-5: I think that they might say with FS down the only other kicking options they have are Butch and RP, think that they will be thinking of a very conservative approach against Wallabies and AB’s and Ruan trumps Butch and Gio, because he can supposedly cover sh, fh, wing and fullback and supposedly kick very well.
I think its b.s once apple crumble pie always apple crumble pie. Lets see what happens.
1 Oct 2011, 05:41 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-7: Thanks BP, hope Richie is okay for you guys in the next round.
1 Oct 2011, 05:46 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-7:
Seems like that no. 12 jersey is jinxed when in the WC. Just wondering who Pdiv will call up. Looks like he doesn’t even know himself.
1 Oct 2011, 05:47 am
Looks like Aus have lost Drew Mitchell as well, hammy gone , ka’snapp ! against the vodka slurps
1 Oct 2011, 05:49 am
As we would rate Carter as probably our most influential or as some say “best” player, who would SA claim as theirs?
1 Oct 2011, 05:57 am
@KiaKahaNZ(KiaKahaNZ)-12: I would say Schalk Burger on current form. People on here are quick to criticize him, but the amount of work he gets through in a game is just unreal. He is all over the park like the Duracell bunny of old- slamming into rucks, making hard tackles etc.
1 Oct 2011, 05:58 am
The Ruskies have posted 22 so far against the Ockers, great second half. Not that theyre going to win, but hell, its more points than we posted a few weeks ago against the Ockers. Well done Russia. Another minnow success story
1 Oct 2011, 05:58 am
I just hope and pray mc caw recovers from the foot injury.we want to face him in top form.
1 Oct 2011, 06:01 am
@bangkok-bok(bangkok-bok)-13: Yeah, I used to have FdP up there, but I think Shalk seems more important to getting the Boks over the advantage line – sort of like our Kaino., and equally stoic in defense.
On form though I still think FdP can be a game changer for you, more than what Shalk can.
1 Oct 2011, 06:03 am
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-15: He’s fine. No point risking him against the Cannucks. Its the same nggly injury he has had all year, so no surprise. But I would also suggest the cartel had to mention some injury status rather just say hes being rested
1 Oct 2011, 06:04 am
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-15:
You have to beat Australia first, on the back of your performance last night that won’t be happening.
1 Oct 2011, 06:04 am
Russia have hung in there 2nd half
Not sure what is wrong with oz?
1 Oct 2011, 06:09 am
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-10:
it was noticeable watching the HT chat during last pms game in the Bok changing sheds, that Krusty was nowhere to be seen when it came to ‘coaching’ the team or team-talks. It was Gold and Rassie. It seemed to confirm what we’ve suspected all along, that Krusty is really just the spokesperson, the frontman.
A real shame Frans has gone from the Big Stage. Old-school skills, tough nut, has the BMT. Is more than a 1-trick pony but still think he was better at 15 with his howitzer boot, albeit his lack of pace was less exposed at 12.
Hoping its Timotei if the Boks and ABs meet in Semi….
1 Oct 2011, 06:11 am
True NZ I forgot about that.
Sitting on my porch,drinking cuppachino and looking out over the dam:-)
1 Oct 2011, 06:12 am
True NZ I forgot about that.
Sitting on my porch,drinking cuppachino and looking out over the dam.Life in the Republic is sweet as.
1 Oct 2011, 06:21 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-7: Good sportsmanship. Thank you.
1 Oct 2011, 06:24 am
Drunk Samoan tweets about ‘racist ref’
Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:50
Drunken and racist rant! (c) Getty
The Samoan player who compared the World Cup to “slavery” was at the centre of another row on Saturday when he accused a referee of being racist and biased in an expletive-filled Twitter rant.
Centre Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono took to the micro-messaging site with an angry tirade against Welsh referee Nigel Owens and the International Rugby Board after a spiteful Samoa lost 5-13 to South Africa, which ended their quarterfinal hopes.
Owens’ Facebook page was also defaced by irate and offensive messages among more than 300 comments posted by members of the public after the game.
Sapolu Fuimaono, who mentioned that he was drinking at the time of the post and appeared to announce his international retirement, claimed Samoa was the victim of a conspiracy and directed fire at Owens after several other contributors criticised the referee.
“I can understand the hate!! Haha good luck u racist biased prick,” tweeted the 30-year-old Sapolu Fuimaono, who plays for English club Gloucester.
“Get s.a into next round. The plan was obvious. Can’t wait 2 meet irb members in public,” he added.
The comments come after Sapolu Fuimaono was forced to apologise for comparing the World Cup to “slavery”, “apartheid” and even the “holocaust” after Samoa had only a few days to prepare for their key game against Wales, which they lost.
Samoa have also been embroiled in controversy after wing Alesana Tuilagi was heavily fined for wearing the wrong sort of mouthguard, an incident which prompted a minor outcry in New Zealand and various offers to pay the sanction.
Samoa threatened a major upset in Friday’s final pool match against defending champions South Africa, but David Lemi was penalised as they attacked during the second half, and fullback Paul Williams was sent off for striking Springbok flank Heinrich Brüssow in the face..
“wasn’t about world cup today. RWC has been invalidated when they give us half the rest as the rich. It was about us v world champs,” Sapolu Fuimaono tweeted.
“I’m proud to be Samoan! Irb, my bum, kiss it!” he said.
Captain Mahonri Schwalger also criticised the performance of Owens after the game, calling the refereeing “one-way”.
“I thought the ref was pretty hard on us,” he said after the game. “There was a lot of times when they were slowing our ball down and for me it’s got to be fair on us as well and make sure he gives us a chance as well.
“I felt like it was one way, but we can’t change the result, it’s done.”
Owens admitted on Saturday that it was the hardest game he had overseen, but added that he had “no regrets”.
He did not mention the stream of vitriolic messages on his Facebook page.
“That was the hardest game I have ever had to ref. Did my best and no regrets. Will review later,” Owens tweeted.
Samoa’s team manager Matthew Vaea Tagitau, the IRB and tournament organisers were not immediately available for comment about the latest outburst.
But Samoa’s media spokesman Fatu Tauafiafi said the squad was now dispersed with many players heading home, adding that it would be up to the IRB to investigate.
However, he said New Zealand television channel TV3 had raised NZ$10,000 (US$7,600) to pay Tuilagi’s mouthguard fine, while reports said the equipment’s manufacturer had also offered to contribute.
Samoa had stopped short of banning players from Twitter after Fuimaono’s “holocaust” rant, with assistant coach Tom Coventry saying, “we try not to gag anyone”.
1 Oct 2011, 06:26 am
Its time that the IRB bans these Cannibals from rugby! they are a disgrace! They want to pick on Nigel Owens? Why don’t they pick on Bakkies or Danie? They will be moered dik!
1 Oct 2011, 06:35 am
Ah well, if FS is out then turn off TV, unplug from wall, put back in box and sell.
With FS out then Lambie will be next as the opposition will run through the 10/12 channel at will and Lambie will have to tackle a tidal wave and probably get injured.
Then we’ll get Aplon at #15.
Game over.
1 Oct 2011, 06:35 am
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-22:
good for you buddy will be a great game next week too early in the tourney for these 2 teams to be meeting
1 Oct 2011, 06:42 am
Mmmm, bummer but we will get through.
Seems the Samoans are not only dirty fcukers but learned well from their cousins the AB’s. They are world class whingers
”Some Samoan players complained after the match about the refereeing of Welshman Nigel Owens and the sense of injustice spilled over for centre Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono who vented his frustrations with an angry tirade on his Twitter site.
Sapolu Fuimaono, who mentioned that he was drinking and appeared to announce his international retirement, claimed Samoa was the victim of a conspiracy and directed fire at Owens after several other contributors criticised the referee.
“I can understand the hate!! Haha good luck u racist biased prick,” tweeted the 30-year-old Sapolu Fuimaono, who plays for English club Gloucester.
“Get s.a into next round. The plan was obvious. Can’t wait 2 meet irb members in public,” he added.”
what is it with tbeing a twit on twitter
1 Oct 2011, 06:43 am
Geez and the minority complex shines through. Bunch of fat mofo’s…..
1 Oct 2011, 06:44 am
minority = inferiority
1 Oct 2011, 06:46 am
Losing Frans Steyn is a catastrophic loss for SA’s World Cup challenge, he had transformed their attacking backplay and of course the value of his 3 point scud missiles goes without saying. They will look that much more one-dimensional without him.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say the Boks can’t win the WC without him but the imo return of Botha becomes that much more important for them, with the loss of attacking impetus Steyn provides they need every edge they can get up front and Botha is a world class lock with a physical edge that is unrivalled in most nations.
I read somewhere Juan Smith is fit again? if true, they should consider putting him in for Spies asap. Imo even a half-fit Smith out of position would contribute more than Spies.
1 Oct 2011, 06:49 am
tragic news this for boks…..really sad man!
1 Oct 2011, 06:51 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-31: Good post. You DO know the game.I just wish PdV could read this (and understand it).
1 Oct 2011, 06:55 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-31:
Spies was poor
Hey BH
I dont think Juan is fit i wish
I was also not impressed with Victor in 2nd half
1 Oct 2011, 06:56 am
@Sannie Bill Who??iams(Xkreni-WP)-28: I did not hear them complain after FIJI had the short end of decisions in their outing.Bryce was shocking in that game. And Samoa had the inside track.
TO MANY RULES!!. It is time to get the rules right where the umpiring has less influence on the game.A shrill whistle brings instant anticipation in both teams ,as both teams know they are most likely doing something wrong.
1 Oct 2011, 06:57 am
Firstly has anyone thought this might just be a ploy to trick our next opponents? If my memory serves me correctly Bakkies Botha was also written off after his injury and was meant to be at home already? Funny thing is he is still there
If Steyn is injured then this would be my Bok 22 to face Australia in the 1/4 finals…..
15. Patrick Lambie.
14. J.P. Pieterson.
13. Jacque Fourie.
12. Jean De Villiers.
11. Bryan Habana.
10. Morne Steyn.
9. Fourie Du Preez.
8. Pierre Spies.
7. Schalk Burger.
6. Heinrich Brussow.
5. Victor Matfield (vc).
4. Bakkies Botha.
3. C.J. Van Der Linde.
2. John Smit (c).
1. Gurthro Steenkamp.
16. Tendai Mtawarira.
17. Bismark Du Plessis.
18. Danie Rossouw.
19. Willem Alberts.
20. Francois Louw.
21. Francois Hougaard.
22. Gio Aplon.
1 Oct 2011, 07:03 am
@francois93(francois93)-4: Priceless! You can do it speech and pills!
1 Oct 2011, 07:11 am
@ShaunSwindon(Karma-zaf)-36:
You forgot Jannie Dup at 3
CJ covers 1 and 3
1 Oct 2011, 07:12 am
I heared Carter injured himself @ the captain practice …. i doubt for the rest of the tourny
1 Oct 2011, 07:13 am
@grant10(grant10)-32:
Welcome back Grant.
Hope you bought a new Bok jersey.
That other one would be too stinky to wear by now. Even your dog would run away from you.
1 Oct 2011, 07:33 am
@poppa69(p0ppa69)-39:
Looks like it might be.
1 Oct 2011, 07:49 am
Damn… This is not the news we need to wake up to on a saturday morning…
JC… how about actually doing some real work and finding out what the injury is…?
1 Oct 2011, 07:51 am
okay… i did it for you…
he crocked his shoulder…
1 Oct 2011, 08:14 am
@grant10(grant10)-32:
no, its tragic new for frans steyn maybe butnet tragin news for the boks…just a big setback thats all.
jdv will go back to midfield and lambie will play fb.
sa will win thewc.
1 Oct 2011, 08:15 am
Watched the Fiji game live, between them and their booing fans I hope their Island disappears into the Pacific. Same can be said for the dirty Samoans and, by all accounts, these dirty Tongans too.
Get them out of rugby the filthy vermin
1 Oct 2011, 08:21 am
There are maximum 3 games left. That is equal to a Tri-nations tour. At this stage 28 players will be enough. They will keep Frans Steyn in NZ if there is a possibility
he can play the final. They can even replace him with a forward.
If Juan Smith is fit he would have been in the Cheetahs side. The same applies to Andries Bekker.
1 Oct 2011, 08:43 am
@poppa69(p0ppa69)-25: I have to say, I was amazed that Nigel Owens did not card a Samoan
1 Oct 2011, 08:47 am
@optiplay(optiplay)-35: crock – just hold refs accountable. Rules are straight forward. Refs create the problem with inconsistent, one eyed and incompetent officiating. The joke has gone on for way to long.
As for samoa, you just lost a supporter
1 Oct 2011, 08:53 am
@JamesNkomo(JamesNkomo)-48: 100% correct James
Rugby does not need this kind of dirty play or behavior, and this current Samoan team is an insult to their countrymen who have built the game in their country
and Tonga just beat France
1 Oct 2011, 09:10 am
The Samoans have caused great social problems in NZ, as unwanted immigrants, with their violence and mindless sense of self-persecution. Ask any Kiwi how they have ruptured the harmonies of that country.
I will never forgive them for what they did to Frans Steyn.
He was essential if we were to keep our Cup.
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