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, 09:24 am
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-50: i sadly did not even see the incident,
so ur saying it was done on purpose?
1 Oct 2011, 09:48 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-51: No. He fell badly in a tackle, that’s all. At least, that’s when he started clutching it and looking uncomfortable.
1 Oct 2011, 09:50 am
Please just leave Wynand at home …
I cannot imagine the SH quarters or semis will become any less physical and seems all the SH sides are loosing players
1 Oct 2011, 09:53 am
Won’t repeat myself here but posted something about this on the Steyn thread.
Anyhow what a massive loss to lose Fransie. Doubt we will win it with the centres we have now. What a pity. Was so worried for injuries yesterday to key players. Though even if we won by one it would be fine as long as we got out of that game injury free.
Should have rested some key players and played the replacements. Probably easy to say that now but we should have.
1 Oct 2011, 09:57 am
@frunobulax(frunobulax)-52: Think it was near the end and Fransie seemed to be at the bottom of a pile of Samoan players. It looked to me as if one of the Samoan players fell on Fransies arm. He was facing up and his arm seem to get flattened there. Think that is where he picked up this injury. Doubt it was on purpose from the Samoan players. Think it was the way Fransie had fallen at the bottom. Then the Samoans falling onto him.
Ag, feel so devasted to read today he is out. Saw him clutching his arm after and was hoping like crazy he was fine.
1 Oct 2011, 09:58 am
As I said on the first thread, I think the out of the box man for man replacement for Frans should be Johan Goosen. Same big boot, flair, solid defensively and Cooper-like on the run. Also he is new and thus unanalised at this stage and can play 10, 12 and 15. Frans version 2.0
1 Oct 2011, 10:03 am
@Derrida(Derrida)-56: As good as Goosen is he can’t just slot into a wc squad buddy. He has only played CC. We have no idea how good or bad he will be at this level.
Sure he has a big boot too but Fransie brings more than that.
Heck feel devastated to read this morning Fransie is flying home injured.
1 Oct 2011, 10:06 am
@Derrida(Derrida)-56: Don’t think Goosen is as big (frame) as Fransie either. When any try to tackle Fransie it takes a few players to do so. So taking a few out of position quick as well.
We will miss him huge. NONE of our replacement centres on tour are in the same class as Frans Steyn. Simply none. With Fransie there I had no fears of Nonu either.
1 Oct 2011, 10:09 am
Fransie, Burger, Bissie, Danie and Brussow. All very strong and powerful players. Takes a few to bring these players down. Out of them Fransie and Bissie probably the strongest for any opposition to tackle.
We have lost a massive weapon with Fransie out.
1 Oct 2011, 10:10 am
@Puma(Puma)-59: Add Alberts there. He too is one powerful player.
1 Oct 2011, 10:12 am
@Puma(Puma)-58: Samoa has soiled the game of Rugby
1 Oct 2011, 10:13 am
@Puma(Puma)-60: and G’Day brudda
1 Oct 2011, 10:15 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-62: Howzit brudda.
Jeez I feel devasted to see Fransie is gonna be flying home. What a huge loss.
We should have played replacements yesterday and saved our key players for the play offs.
How good was Lambie yesterday? Thought he had a great game. Forget what Keo says. Lambie is solid as a rock at fb. Now just hope he don’t pick up a injury as well.
1 Oct 2011, 10:15 am
@Puma(Puma)-63: sorry typo meant – devastated
1 Oct 2011, 10:17 am
@Puma(Puma)-63: agreed bro
Lambie is absolutely brilliant , i dont care what most say negatively about him,
Frans was called fat boy and useless not so long ago by most in here, and now?? his loss could cost us the WC or a chance at winning it
1 Oct 2011, 10:19 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-61: They have and really those thugs should never be allowed to play the game again. Crikey all they wanted to do was hurt us all game long. Thugs.
I have lost all my respect for Samoa. Actually since they hurt A. Joubert in 95 lost respect for them. They still the same dirty bunch of thugs.
The ref was totally useless. Probably the worst reffing in this world cup. He had no clue how to control the off the ball stuff. Barnes on the side was just as useless. Both refs should be dropped totally. Both out of their depth.
How Mark Lawrence never got selected to ref at this world cup is a mystery. Saffa refs are the best. Not cause I am SA but we have the best refs in the world right now.
The only ref from the north that is decent is Clancy. From the sh only the saffa refs.
1 Oct 2011, 10:22 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-65: I know read that what most said about Fransie. Fransie has always been my favourite player. Always. We both had often spoke about him and the loss it would be to Sharks when he left.
He is world class. Lambie was superb yesterday. I take no notice of the idiots that say he is not up to it. He saved our butts yesterday with a brilliant tackle. He is solid at the back. I am happy with him there in this wc.
1 Oct 2011, 10:25 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-65: Without Frans Steyn our chances had dropped considerably. If we get past Oz then Nonu will have a field day with JdJ and JdV. Both teams will be feeling a sigh of relief that Fransie is out.
I prefered Frans at inside centre. Think Frans talent was wasted at FB. He was outstanding at 12.
1 Oct 2011, 10:28 am
@Puma(Puma)-67: very true , i have no respect for them , their whole game plan was to intimidate through foul play,
1 Oct 2011, 10:29 am
68. Puma – either way, wherever you play him, with Frans you win … don’t know if it was deliberate … just a tragedy and the tipping point against our chances; for once Keo’s summary is pinpoint on the money – we’d need Carter to not play to restore our chances – it’s that big
1 Oct 2011, 10:38 am
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-70: Another thing without Fransie, Morne becomes a liability again. Morne played far, far better with Frans at inside centre than with any of our replacements centres.
So without Fransie everything changes again. I had plenty hope with him there against Oz and Nz.
Not sure who they will bring but heck hope it is not WO. He too is just not up to it at all.
1 Oct 2011, 11:46 am
“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.”
Exactly THREE clearances against Wales of more than 40m.
Exactly TWO penalties in four matches. Both between the half way line and the 10m line of the opposition. Definitely not 60m.
Jeez man.
1 Oct 2011, 11:57 am
This is bad news!! He is so central to our gameplan of accumulating points. The fact that he can step up from within our own half and nail most penalties is absolutely devastating for the opposition. They know psychologically that they cannot infringe at all, even in the opponents half. I hope he makes a miraculous recovery. Looks like Jean will move to 12 and Butch can cover 12 also, but still Morne doesnt have that kind of range that Frans does. But the future looks rosy, I would love to see a Johan Goosen and Frans Steyn 10-12 axis as the both of them can seemingly kick 60 penalties at will.
As for the Samoan Suipola, what an absolute idiot. I have (had) a lot of respect for the Samoans, but im afraid there certainly was no bias in favour of SA. After all i think the worst decision of the whole game was that the legitimate try that Bismarck scored was not awarded. If Samoa had come back and won, it would not have been fair as that try should have been awarded. Really in a situation like that Nigel Owens should have asked the question “Is there any reason why I cannot award the try, rather than saying “Try yes or no.” The IRB really need to look into this as that could be a travesy of justice going forward!! As for all the late tackles and the numerous high tackles, i thought a Samoan should have been carded far earlier.
1 Oct 2011, 12:09 pm
So the free loaders from the Pacific not only disgrace themselves but also inflict damage on our best centre.
Ban them for their play and for their racist remarks.
1 Oct 2011, 12:33 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-74:
What racist remarks? what did they say?
1 Oct 2011, 12:36 pm
@nama1(nama1)-75: They called the referee, ‘a racist and a pr.ick’ on twitter.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/RugbyWorldCup2011/Samoan-blasts-racist-ref-20111001
1 Oct 2011, 12:42 pm
@nama1(nama1)-72:
oh dear…
the kicks were not in fromt of the posts……
the guy had a good world cup.
tell me about your issues…
1 Oct 2011, 13:30 pm
These things happen, NZ might be losing carter, fortunately we have depth at centre and Fourie looks much better next to JDV… Still a big blow…
1 Oct 2011, 13:36 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-77:
Great kicks they were.
My issue is with “journalists” who blow up everything the boy does as you can see from the sentence I quoted.
Btw, how is your dad?
1 Oct 2011, 13:37 pm
@Getafix(phil72)-78: JDV is cra.p. GARBAGE
1 Oct 2011, 13:43 pm
Bad headline. Frans might get stripsearched st customs now.
1 Oct 2011, 13:44 pm
Looking forward to JdV making all these dumb tosse rs eat their words.
1 Oct 2011, 13:45 pm
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-82: Not likely. The carthorse is just as useless as habana. a HAS BEEN.
1 Oct 2011, 13:47 pm
Like I said….
1 Oct 2011, 14:20 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-76:
That’s not true. Lies
There was no ‘they’, it was one person.
Stop trying to blow it into some national thing
1 Oct 2011, 14:36 pm
This is a big loss, no doubt.
But let’s still be positive.
You can win a game of poker with several card combinations.
1 Oct 2011, 14:40 pm
@willievz(willievz)-86:
In rugby there is no bluffing, you always have to eventually lay down your hand.
1 Oct 2011, 14:43 pm
And hold your nerve.
1 Oct 2011, 14:46 pm
Chch 87
Disagree.
Rugby is as much a mental game as it is a physical one.
This is why positive journalism and media spin are so important going into a particular fixture.
And positive blogging.
1 Oct 2011, 14:51 pm
Without a big hitter ball carrying wise and collision wide in midfield as well as big boot.we need sumthin different.Maintainance of forward dominance and collision points-Alberts in for Spies.And a bit of guile & speed in backline with-Juan de Jongh at 12,Gio at 15.Boks can still pick 5-2 split as Lambie on bench covers various positions-10-12-15.
Revised backline:
9.Du Preez 10.Morne 11.Habana 12.De Jongh 13.Fourie 14.JPP 15.Aplon
De Villiers will only limit our gameplan even futher.No puch in contact,suspect defender vs powerful runner & not player he once was.
If youngsters like Steyn & to a extent Lambie can play well,why not de Jongh?He has played alongside Fourie,solid defender and has pace and good feet.
No need for a midfield replacement as we still hav de Jongh,JdV and Butch to cover midfield.
1 Oct 2011, 14:52 pm
@chch(chch)-85: ‘They’ are whinging all the way home, regardless of who said it. He should be banned for life, in all forms of rugby, pathetic to say that. Imagine if John Smit said that after his pathetic yellow card.
Half the world would be calling for execution at dawn.
1 Oct 2011, 15:26 pm
having thought more about it….the Boks should just continue to stick to the “plan”
5-2 bench split. Hougaard and Aplon for me. We will just need to chance it and have Pat slot in at 10 and do the kicking if morne is injured. that is how Frans Steyn made his name 4 years ago anyway. Pat appears to have a morne like temperment anyway.
Jean in at 12 and needs to deliver on all the years of promise.
that is the only solution that makes any real sense. no need to start shifting the entire selection process around.
1 Oct 2011, 15:29 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-92: I agree.
1 Oct 2011, 15:32 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-92:
Isn’t it ironic that frans steyn got his chance from a jean devilliers injury picked up 4 years ago in a game against samoa?
1 Oct 2011, 15:37 pm
Personally I feel that Samoa should be questioned by the irb or the ref being questioned withregards to their behavior yesterday. It appears that none are prepared to ask questions because they (samoa)carried the “under dog” sataus.
they were dirty as fck yesterday with way to much shoulder and height in the tackle all game long. Had we have done that there is no doubt we’d have had 2 in the bin before half time.
1 Oct 2011, 15:40 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-90:
dejong is hype, I doubt his international or even domestic career will go much further. He has no pass and is limited as a ball carrier. The one trick side step thing is as one dimensional as anything else out there.
really doubt the next bok coach would consider him as a center with the calibre of other players coming through.
1 Oct 2011, 15:42 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-95: Agree again. I’m done with those island cockroaches.
1 Oct 2011, 15:44 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-92: Against Aus I might go with a traditional 4/3 split.
1 Oct 2011, 15:47 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-91:
Yes but if John Smit said that would you run around saying it was the South African team?
1 Oct 2011, 15:54 pm
Fair enought that JdV comes back in at 12, but there must be a contingency for 12 if or when he gets injured. And we better hope Mossie does not get injured.
If JdV gets injured then our options are JdJ, Butch or Lambie at 12. I doubt JdJ will play on the bench because with Rassie’s 5/2 split the backline players will be Hougaard and Pienaar.
I wouldnt be surprised if we land up with Lambie in the centre at some time during the knockouts… I have this sneaking suspicion that JdV will get another knock – I actually think that he is not completely 100% fit either.
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