Injuries force rethink for Meyer
25 Apr 2012
Heyneke Meyer says his plan to field an experienced Springboks squad has been compromised by injuries to key players.
Meyer had repeatedly intimated that he would retain many of the senior Springboks who had served over the last eight years for the three-Test series against England in June. However, speaking at the conclusion of the second of three Springboks planning camps with selected players from the Bulls and Sharks in attendance, Meyer said injuries had changed his plans.
‘I must say when I started the team that I thought probably would start, and I’ve said I would give everyone a fair chance has changed a lot,’ Meyer said.
‘Like I said, I thought it would be an experienced side just to get us going and get the continuity because the guys know a lot of the stuff and lead the youngsters. But it’s changed a lot and I think we’ll go for a younger team than I expected to go with.’
Several Stormers players who keo.co.za understands were in Meyer’s plans are doubtful for the England series, while others from other franchises are only just returning from lay-offs.
Besides injuries, Meyer’s intentions have also been curtailed by by experienced midfielder Jaque Fourie’s announcement that he would be unavailable for selection as well as Fourie du Preez and Danie Rossouw’s uncertainty about their desire to continue their Test career.
Meyer added that his choice of captain would also be affected by the aforementioned factors.
‘Obviously I am looking at the captains of the five franchises and a few senior guys, but there are a injuries,’ he said. ‘I am actually quite happy that I didn’t announce the captain because I probably would have been in trouble. I think it is probably the right thing to wait until the first test match.’
Meyer added that that appointment would most likely be a short-term one for the duration of the series only.

110 Comments
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26 Apr 2012, 09:12 am
@hensopper1(hensopper1)-51:
Schalk Britz is better
26 Apr 2012, 09:20 am
13Gerber.
Better at running in open spaces.
26 Apr 2012, 09:28 am
Tacitus.
I am responding to the article. If a senior player will captain the Boks, and as the article suggests Matfield; DuPreez and Burger are not available, that leaves Spies 0r Devilliers. But if this article is accurate, Meyer will also look at leaders within the franchises.
By your tone it seems you know something nobody here does.
26 Apr 2012, 09:48 am
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-100:
youre right
you’ll have to go online for foreign journalism to read reports based on the truth.
26 Apr 2012, 09:54 am
@wmp11(wmp11)-75: Brussouw has poor defence – where did you suck that fact from? The guy is at number 8 in the competition for tackles made.
26 Apr 2012, 09:59 am
@hensopper1(hensopper1)-103: he knows nothing. he just assumes because meyer is afrikaner and a former blue bulls coach he has the inside scoop/lane to meyer’s thoughts/ideas, that’s all.
ditto with vic.
8)
26 Apr 2012, 16:54 pm
Bismark has done 0 to enhance his reputation so far this season. Now that JS is finally out of his way, he’s not really stepping up. Chilli has enjoyed a very good season so far and Adrian Strauss just keeps on delivering good games one after the other. By my account Bismark has done nothing this year to warrant selection other than his reputation.
Drop the Dups, Jannie has always sucked anyway, and bring in Chilli as captain. He’s been groomed as such a long time ago, now let him have a go. I think he’d do remarkably well.
Of the franchise captains the only two who really seem to inspire their team on the field to any degree are the two Strausses. Spies is just a bad player, JdV’s time is over and who even captains the Sharks? They could certainly do with a captain at this stage in their dismal season.
26 Apr 2012, 18:15 pm
Makes tacked yes, but also not the most reliable defender. Ei
26 Apr 2012, 21:53 pm
Jong ek kan lekker lag vir julle sogenaamde rugby kenners, Frans Steyn gaan 12 speel en basta. Kolitjie het nie nkans nie, as bekker reg is sal hy 5speel saam elstad of Flip, ek sien iemand hier het sommer vir Steenkamp in. Met mossie weg is daar nie n goed genoeg 13 nie. Morne sal 10 wees. Ek dink en hoop die verassing sal op 8wees mer Daniel wat my keuse is. Op 7 soek ons n danie tiepe speler miskien josh of potties. 6 is vir heinrich bespreek. Bisie sal sy lynstaan werk moet opknap maar HM kan maar enige van die 4 kies. Op vleul is dit habs en jp en agter sal dit pat of pietersen wees.stutte sal coenie, greyling, rooikop, en beast wees. Met kruger as buiteperd
27 Apr 2012, 12:15 pm
Vasteses.
Jong, jy het 4 loskoppe genoem en maar net 1 ‘buiterperd’ Vaskoppetjie genoem. So kan n mens nie toets rugby speel nie of hoe?
Flip en Elstadt is nie naastenby die beste no 4′s wat ons het.
Ek dink ook dat Daniel n besonders goeie speler is wat ingestel kan wees.
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