PdV sticks with Smitty
6 Oct 2011
John Smit has been reinstated as the starting hooker and captain for Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final against the Wallabies.
De Villiers started Bismarck du Plessis in the last pool match against Samoa, and it was rumoured that he would continue to play a bigger role in the knockout matches. But with Thursday’s team announcement, De Villiers stuck to the original script, favouring the man he made a promise to in 2008. Smit will start ahead of Du Plessis because De Villiers believes that the former is an indispensable leader.
Du Plessis has been named on the bench, but the Boks could certainly use his particular skill set in a game of this nature. More mobile and aggressive than Smit, he also possesses a strong breakdown game and is known to make the odd steal off the deck. Against the Wallabies, you’d want players of this ilk on the park from minute one.
It is also false to claim that the Boks don’t have the leadership outside of Smit to see them through a knockout match. Victor Matfield has captained the Bulls to three Super Rugby titles over the last four years, and has led the Boks admirably when Smit has been unavailable.
Matfield will play alongside Danie Rossouw in this match, as regular second row partner Bakkies Botha is unlikely to recover from injury. Beast Mtawarira is left out of the match 22, with Gurthro Steenkamp starting at loosehead prop. Other changes to the side that fronted Samoa see Jean de Villiers replacing the injured Frans Steyn at inside centre.
The Bok coach has also reverted to a traditional four-three split on the bench. There is still no sign of Johann Muller, and Willem Alberts will cover lock once again.
Francois Hougaard will cover several backline positions, and Butch James will give the team an alternative flyhalf option if Morne Steyn and the Boks’ one dimensional game plan doesn’t come off. Like the benching of Du Plessis, it’s a selection the coach will soon regret, as James’s skills are tailor made for this type of opposition.
The Boks have spoken about playing a forward-oriented game, but someone like Gio Aplon will lend them attacking impetus in the final quarter. Aplon has been used sparingly in this tournament, but will provide the Boks’ with a lively running option against what should be a tiring Aussie defence.
Again, the team may have been better served if Aplon was selected to start rather than ride the bench. Like Du Plessis and James, he has the ability to influence the outcome of a match and ideally these sort of players should be playing a greater role rather than a bit part in a do-or-die fixture.
Springboks – 15. Pat Lambie, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Jean de Villiers, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Schalk Burger, 6. Heinrich Brüssow, 5. Victor Matfield, 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. John Smit (c), 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Subs: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. CJ van der Linde, 18. Willem Alberts, 19. Francois Louw, 20. Francois Hougaard, 21. Butch James, 22. Gio Aplon.
486 Comments
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5 Oct 2011, 21:54 pm
@puff(puff)-166:
and he’s right
If we had started this with
Steenkamp, Bismark, JdP
Danie, Matfield (c)
Brussow, Burger, Alberts
Hougaard, Steyn
Habana, JdV, Fourie, JPP
Aplon
Beast, Smit, CJ, Louw, Spies, FdP, Lambie/Butch
I say we would have walked this game in our sleep…
Starting it the other way around it has now become a 50/50 call and Aussie can take us to the cleaners if they build up an early lead around a dead beat hapless Smit, Spies and FdP.
5 Oct 2011, 21:55 pm
@mako(mako)-198:
Let’s bring out the national drum and beat it for the Bokke!!
5 Oct 2011, 21:55 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-193: A 56% record with an established team that is worse than Straeuli’s win/loss ratio is atrocious. I dont believe Jake Whites record was anywhere near as bad as that… and will call you on that. It may not be a duplicitous lie but could well be a mistake.
Nevertheless White had to pick up the pieces after Straeuli, like the next coach will have to do after the Dipstick Clown… But maybe Rassie will save his bacon in this world cup.
If you think 56% is okay for this great group of players then you are more farked than I ever thought possible.
5 Oct 2011, 21:56 pm
*Nasty boksies (damn iPhone!)
5 Oct 2011, 21:57 pm
@Puma(Puma)-192:
Puma, they beat us 5 times out of the last 6 games– why not again?
Nothing has changed.
Look, I hope we win but i reckon if their pack stands up to ours (and I am sure they will) we have not much chance. They have so many game breakers- Genia, Cooper, Ioane, O’Conner, etc—–we do not really have any (maybe Habanna?) – and our gameplan is outdated- we rely on kick and jag.
You better pray for rain and a typical Wellington Hurracane on Sunday because in good conditions they are going to run the ageing fading bok team off the park
5 Oct 2011, 21:57 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-196: Unbelievable!
5 Oct 2011, 21:57 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-49: Errmm.. a 3-0 whitewash over NZ including two wins in a row on NZ soil? A 3N title? Breaking the 80 year Carisbrook jinx?
5 Oct 2011, 21:57 pm
A story from a poster on 365
Thats why Superman wears Schalla pyjamas.. Spy glass
Schalk Burger
Have a great story about Schalk.
Couple of my mates watched the Boks train yesterday morning NZ time, and they met up with Schalk, who had a huge crowd around him, but cheerfully signed every autograph.
My mates are huge Burger fans, so 1 of them told him “Schalk, we’ve watched you for 3 WC. We still remember you playing number 8 against Georgia in2003.”
To which Schalk grinned and said, “2003? are you sure it wasn’t my dad playing?”
They then asked him if beer was allowed in the Springbok camp, and Burger said, “Of course! Beer gives you strength. The more you drink the stronger you get.”
What a character! Honestly, huge Burger fan aside, I would imagine that Schalk is the best member of the SA team to share a beer with.
He looks like genuinely great company, and apparently Jerry Collins thought so too, he always tried to meet up with Schalk when the ABs were in CT.
They also managed to take pictures with
Habana, who was grinning quite happily
Brussow, who looked slightly distracted
And check it out, Pieter De Villiers, PDV himself, who for some reason kept giggling to himself while they were taking the picture, even when no one was saying anything. . Jeffrey
5 Oct 2011, 21:57 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-194: Yes have said so last night remember. My biggest worry is Bryce. He cost our Sharks a definite few games in SuperRugby.
Like Dan Retief wrote. The style of the 31st man on the field has too strong a bearing on the outcome of a match.
It means the Boks’ chances of beating Australia in Wellington on Sunday could depend not on their own expertise but on the 31st man.
WE just have to hope the Ref blows fair to both sides. Bryce is definitely not the best.
5 Oct 2011, 21:58 pm
@Jinx2(Jinx2)-200: I hope so.
5 Oct 2011, 21:59 pm
4,742 secs left, Ladies.
get them in while you can !
5 Oct 2011, 22:00 pm
@JL1(JL1)-195:
I am a realist, nothing to do with being a Judas.
5 Oct 2011, 22:01 pm
Springbok success is Malema’s nightmare. Signs are looking up.
5 Oct 2011, 22:01 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-212: Half glass empty?
5 Oct 2011, 22:02 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-212: I am an optimistic realist
5 Oct 2011, 22:02 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-211: Don’t worry BP we will be facing your boys next week…lol.
5 Oct 2011, 22:02 pm
JdV is actually the kingpin in this side.. he is the go to man in the back line and he’s gonna prove it..
He’s also the best option for captain once things go pear shaped he has the best rugby brain of them all on there and he’s the most level headed…
Its overall a very good team
Butch could be a bit of a hit and miss selection but otherwise barring the omission of Beast it has all the makings of success..
But ONLY if Smit, Spies and FdP come out firing and give EVERYTHING to hold Aussie at bay and hold parity long enough for the REAL game breakers and warriors of Bismark, Alberts, Hougaard, Louw and Aplon to take the game by the scruff of the neck and show Aussie no mercy…
And that is quite a big maybe…
Butch is actually a safety valve and not a winning call… probably a J. Smit inspired selection .. Beast or De Jongh on bench might have been better.
5 Oct 2011, 22:03 pm
@JL1(JL1)-208: Ja, Banshee had a big chat with him in a hospitality box after Saracens vs Boks… He tried to flog her Burger wine… We still get the farken Burger and sons winelist in the post from time to time… But pleasant enough.
5 Oct 2011, 22:03 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-211: Welcome!
How are you? Nervous yet, how is your breathing?
5 Oct 2011, 22:03 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-211: Wrong site, bud. Check the other tab – should be your dating site.
5 Oct 2011, 22:03 pm
@JL1(JL1)-214: Robs mom is a Aussie that is why….hehehe. Not so Rob you support Oz over us?
5 Oct 2011, 22:04 pm
@Puma(Puma)-209: Hopefully he pulls an Ireland with us and favours the dominant scrum. Hopefully the Boks dominate the scrum too. But I wont hold my breath.
5 Oct 2011, 22:04 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-218:
your Banshee chatted up old Schalla
Now I know you are a true green blooded supporter
5 Oct 2011, 22:05 pm
@Puma 197 – I meant kiwis supported boks over England in the last final. Couldn’t stand the appalling English gloating over being 2-1 up over the ab’s and the bokkes.
Hey – if the bokkes knock us out an win the thing, you’ll be back to back champions, you will have done I wih a tough draw, and you will be 3 from 5 at world cups. While kiwis will be hurting, it will be hard not to applaud an amazing achievement!
Still – a couple of big games against your southern hemisphere foes before we can start contemPlating that scenario took ok seriously.
5 Oct 2011, 22:05 pm
@Puma(Puma)-221: Then he says he is a realist
Aussies do not even like rugby. When I was there you could only get a paragraph on rugby in the papers
5 Oct 2011, 22:06 pm
Heaven 181;who ever said good management doesn’t mean matey- matey or buying the last round for all the players. Man, even clowns have the ability to keep a team happy and cheerful.
By the way, am busy editing my book on famous Snorre quotes since ’08. White mechanis/black mechanic remains best so far.
5 Oct 2011, 22:06 pm
I think they’re still gambling on JPP at the moment – yesterday he said he was still in some real pain.
5 Oct 2011, 22:07 pm
@JL1(JL1)-214:
fark man, I have tried hard to remain optimistic- have defended Piet for a long time but eventually came to the conclusion that he has indeed sold out to the **** boys and is only a puppet.
Starting Smit ahead of the worlds best hooker is just plain stupid imo.
And there are other stuff too.
But lets see- I am not Moses
5 Oct 2011, 22:07 pm
@ skop
You deepthroat Helium for about 5 paragraphs, and then rip JS a new one……again.
Can you not see the stupidity of yourself.
Seriously.
5 Oct 2011, 22:07 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-207:
I think you should give that serious consideration before you put pen to paper
touch….pause….brain-engage ?!
5 Oct 2011, 22:08 pm
@Puma(Puma)-221:
I support SA but the Aussies are my second team.
And then England.
5 Oct 2011, 22:08 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-228: Three games to glory
240 or so minutes…
These Boks look seriously committed to go all the way
5 Oct 2011, 22:09 pm
@Puma(Puma)-163:
How could you possibly ask “Bok’s or Aus”?
I am an honourary Saffa….Remember?
5 Oct 2011, 22:10 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-205: The last game we should have whipped their butts. We had them for sure but our poor handling errors and not passing cost us. Stupid stuff like that. Otherwise we should have beaten them. Also the game before we sent our C team.
They were lucky to beat us here last year when Flip got a penalty against them and a very good kick from Beale. So those 3 games could have been different.
Also we knocked em stupid at Ellis Park when we were down and out that year.
Boks will be up for this. They don’t want to come home yet. Also Ireland beat Oz they will not be that confident. Gert Smal worked em out well. Until then never even thought Ireland were up to much. So just shows. Also Italy had them 6 each at the break. So we have a very good chance. Had Fransie still been there then I would say with total confidence we would beat them. Have to see how JdV plays.
5 Oct 2011, 22:11 pm
@Puma(Puma)-234: Meant – Flip got a penatly against Boks.
5 Oct 2011, 22:11 pm
@carol(carol)-233: Yeah, just kidding…hehehe.
You still running?
5 Oct 2011, 22:12 pm
@JL1(JL1)-223: Hehehe. For the Banshee it was more like going to the zoo and staring at the silverback… She is full on England! Fark, thats why I hope beyond hope that Le Bleus win on Sat or Wales in the SF… My life will be over if Eng make the final or heaven forbid win the damn thing.
5 Oct 2011, 22:13 pm
@JL1(JL1)-225:
Aussies are not bad at sport.
They even won the Tour de France and the Rugby world cup although Rugby Union and cycling are anything but their main sports.
And they are the only country in the world who has a rock star as cabinet minister
5 Oct 2011, 22:13 pm
The ONLY way we win this thing is by slowing things down. Our tackle record SUCKS. By playing kicking game we are gifting them run ball, the only thing they are masters at. They’ve worked that one out long ago. Mark my word, forwards need to grind this one out and lets hope enough players can scramble and stop Morne’s useless half tackles.
5 Oct 2011, 22:14 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-231: Well it is understandable that Oz are your 2nd team that your mom is from Oz. Boks first though that is good.
England? What the heck for? Sorry to our resident Brit……hahaha.
I just have one team that is Boks. Though if Boks don’t win this time or get through the quarter I will support the ABs against Oz. Rather see ABs win it that Oz. The winner will come from our side of the draw. Almost certain of that.
5 Oct 2011, 22:15 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-207: Well there you have it. South African Sheepshagger Tackler is Dippie’s number one fan.
Are you sure you dont support the Boks?
5 Oct 2011, 22:16 pm
@Puma(Puma)-236:
Thank heavens for that, for one moment I serioulsy thought you may think I would support Aus over the Boks!
Yip, still running…however my ‘Trainer’ has told me I need to start getting fit for the next Argus!!
5 Oct 2011, 22:16 pm
@Puma(Puma)-236:
I ran with her only two weeks ago.
She is very fast……… but i beat her
5 Oct 2011, 22:16 pm
@bokke bo(bokke bo)-226:
Classic!
5 Oct 2011, 22:18 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-238:
“How can you sleep when your world is turning, how can you sleep while your beds are burning” ??
Our politicians are not that cool….!
5 Oct 2011, 22:18 pm
@Yetirat(Yetirat)-227: I definitely think so too. That knee injury sounded painful. So hope it does not get worse. Cause if we win on Sunday we sure as heck need JPP for the semi.
Aplon will cover and he will be coming on for sure. I have no doubt. Just can’t see a injured player playing the whole game.
5 Oct 2011, 22:19 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-238: Boring nation, my sister is married to one. They are really boring people, the ones in Melbourne and Sydney
Queensland a little bit different
5 Oct 2011, 22:19 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-243:
5 Oct 2011, 22:20 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-243: Good. You sure have trained our resident Brit here well…lol.
5 Oct 2011, 22:20 pm
@JL1(JL1)-247:
The most boring men I have ever met have been American!
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