Meyer must trust his gut
1 Jun 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his Business Day column, says the Springbok side for the first Test against England pretty much picks itself.
Given the injury situation, Fourie du Preez is the obvious choice to captain the Springboks against England.
Heyneke Meyer has always been emphatic that his captain will be a player he trusts, a player who makes the starting XV, and a player who will give him comfort as he eases his way through his first international head coaching experience.
Meyer has trusted his gut and he should never waver from this. So many coaches have compromised, tried to please a certain province, a certain media or a certain sector of the public, failed and regretted not doing it their way. I hope Meyer stays true to his gut feeling on what represents a match 22 good enough to win without much coaching in the Test opener against England in Durban.
Meyer would have had three training sessions with the match 22 before that first Test. To pick a bunch of young guns would be a recipe for disaster. A coach builds over four years, not in his first week.
Some will argue that Meyer’s selection will be biased and favour the Bulls. Others will argue that it is a conservative selection and some will never be pleased because of his history with the Bulls. I see any selection Meyer makes, based on his comments to the media and several discussions with him in recent months, as the most logical to see off an England challenge that will be dangerous in the first Test but should get easier as the series progresses.
Injuries have ensured Meyer’s ideal XV won’t start and he may well find his ideal XV never starts in the next four years. He won’t be the first Bok coach to experience that kind of frustration. He won’t be the last.
Crucial to the first Test will be the performance of Bismarck du Plessis, Pierre Spies and Willem Alberts. If these experienced players show the necessary application, attitude, physicality and brutality, there will be enough of a platform to fashion a victory.
I am not expecting anything but a workmanlike display in the first Test, with an emphasis on protecting the ball, playing field percentages and attacking the defensive vulnerability of England’s halfback pairing, who ooze talent but aren’t blessed with natural physicality.
I don’t rate England a top-five side. I think their struggle against physical packs like those of Scotland and Italy is more indicative of their limitations than the smashing of an Irish team that lacked the oomph up front to threaten at Twickenham.
SA will produce a decent pack, which will get stronger once internationals like Schalk Burger and Juan Smith return.
Du Preez, given the lack of Test match experience among the forwards, was an obvious choice to calm the nerves and implement a percentages match against England.
The side, on form, pretty much selects itself. Morné Steyn has done more than enough to play the master tactician at flyhalf and while he will always have a defensive issue at Test level it has seldom been exposed because so few teams dominate the Boks physically.
Frans Steyn and Jean de Villiers are formidable in the midfield and Meyer won’t look beyond the experience of Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen on the wings. As the international season unfolds he will tweak in areas like the back three and there will be more of an integration of new faces than a discarding of the old.
Meyer has been consistent that 2012 is about winning Tests and building a winning culture. He will think about 2015 in 2015 and if his selections have been consistent between now and the next World Cup, it will be a squad that rewards form, youth and experience that arrives in England with conviction and not just the hope that came with the reputation of those who failed in New Zealand last year.
I’d start with Pat Lambie at fullback, but Meyer may feel pressured to pick Zane Kirchner because of a lack of black representation in his match 22. It’s an awful situation because Kirchner has played well enough to be picked on merit, as have Juan de Jongh and Chiliboy Ralepelle. But others, who just happen to be white, have also played at a standard that makes a healthy case for inclusion.
Meyer will be a bundle of nerves in his first Test and that is why Du Preez and De Villiers, more than any other players, will be more influential and instrumental in Durban than any of the coaching staff.
Meyer has been very clear that in the first Test he wants to be judged on the win and that the style of play will evolve over the season. Again, it is the most logical of statements that deserves the most logical of acknowledgment from the country’s fanatical support base.
249 Comments
1 Jun 2012, 11:26 am
Heyneke Dragon must pick best players on current form, and select the more experienced players on the bench to cover should things not go as plan
1 Jun 2012, 11:27 am
faaarp
1 Jun 2012, 11:27 am
Not Kirchner. Aplon should start at 15, which also takes care of any colour issues there might be.
1 Jun 2012, 11:32 am
I would not go with Kirchner either.
1 Jun 2012, 11:35 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-4: I see what you did there.
1 Jun 2012, 11:37 am
For one I agree with Keo. Meyer simply does not have the time to gel a team before the first test. He needs to rely on the old work horses. South Africans have short memories! Less than a year ago Fourie du Preez was rated the best scrumhalf in the world. What has changed besides him playing in Japan. He didn’t all of a sudden loose tallent. It makes sence to bring back the tried and trusted if they are still availeble. Meyer and his team will make us proud!
1 Jun 2012, 11:37 am
As for the squad announcement tomorrow. It is not going to be such a big revelation.
I can probably pick out the 10 guys that will drop out of the 42man squad right now:
Pat Cilliers
Ryan Kankowski
Josh Strauss
Jean Deysel
Piet van Zyl
Peter Grant
Elton Jantjies
Akona Ndungane
Lwazi Mvovo
Jaco Taute
1 Jun 2012, 11:39 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-5:
Maybe I did it subconsciously then. I’m that subtle.
Please just let me know if I think I did what you think I did.
1 Jun 2012, 11:40 am
Sharks Front Row
Bulls Locks
Alberts, Brussow, Spies
Fdp, Steyn
Steyn, Jdv
Habana, JP, Lambie
1 Jun 2012, 11:42 am
@Beast(Beast)-6: I agree. The problem was that his shoulder was still injured when he played in the WC. I think the time in Japan helped his body to recover and get his mind sharp.
Now the only problem is, will he be match fit for international standards?
1 Jun 2012, 11:43 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-8: To create the illusion of being balanced, you “conceded” Zane simply to pave the way for another piece of Bulls propaganda. Oldest trick in the book. So what will it be? More smoke up the Spies bum? The merits of Olivier in the midfield? Gary Botha out of retirement?
1 Jun 2012, 11:43 am
KEO “I’d start with Pat Lambie at fullback, but Meyer may feel pressured to pick Zane Kirchner because of a lack of black representation in his match 22. It’s an awful situation because Kirchner has played well enough to be picked on merit, as have Juan de Jongh and Chiliboy Ralepelle. But others, who just happen to be white, have also played at a standard that makes a healthy case for inclusion.”
how many games has lambie played at fullback this year, 1? so when has he played fullback better than zane? if you said joe pietersen, yes, but lambie…
1 Jun 2012, 11:44 am
@Chris4Lions(Chris4Lions)-10:
Well, put it this way.
He last played an international when all of the other Boks played an international.
Or this way:
The last time the Boks played, he was the starting 9.
Really not the “massive time away from rugby” that everyone makes it out to be.
1 Jun 2012, 11:44 am
agree with keo. pick experience first and start to bring in the new generation as season unfolds should the experienced players not deliver.
1 Jun 2012, 11:46 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-11:
You wrong me, sir.
I have consistently had a problem with Zane – even at the Bulls.
I am not happy at his selection at the Bulls, and I would not be happy with his selection at the Boks.
Dawn always takes me on about it.
I just don’t like his “crash ball in slow motion into the biggest defender he can see, and then holding onto the ball on the ground” repeat trick.
Truly, in this case I wasn’t laying the groundwork for future posts. I was just shooting from the hip.
1 Jun 2012, 11:49 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-11:
In any case, doing so in relation to Sideshow Bob would be way to clumsy an effort from me.
That would be like saying: “I agree that Bakkies has a bad disciplinary record”, to try and pretend I’m with a Stormers fan on some topic.
Low grade effort, it would be.
1 Jun 2012, 11:50 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-16:
to = too
1 Jun 2012, 11:50 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-13: @Chris4Lions(Chris4Lions)-10: Completely agree. Fourie might just be in a better shape than most of the guys that are in the S15. He has not been exposed to the brutality, so should be pretty fresh and hungry. The England will battle if he is fresh. He has always been sharp around the scrum, and if he is hungry we might just see him break away for a couple of tries. Remember RWC 2007. He almost humiliated them singlehandedly.
1 Jun 2012, 11:50 am
The reason why a large percentage of the non white population in the Cape support the All Blacks, Crusaders and Chiefs is because of the brand of rugby these teams play.
Peter De Villier thought he could replicate that brand of rugby which was his downfall then had to go back to the players to dictate matters.
If Meyer is successful and manages to reach the “pie in the sky” 80% win ratio, I predict the template to a ball in hand physical approach, played at a high tempo. Tactical, highly accurate positional kicking will also be part of that strategy. So if that brand of rugby is called “skop en jag” then so be it.
I think it’s time we as Bok supporters begin to realise that the AB’s and Wallabies play their way and we should embrace our own style whether it is flamboyant to not.
1 Jun 2012, 11:56 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-16: Perhaps, but not likely. You’d never really admit to something like Bakkies being a thug. In fact, there are very few Bulls weaknesses yo’d ever mention, even as part of a calculated PR campaign. Zane is one of about three arrows in that little quiver. Your other options were “Johan Sadie is taking longer to discard the shackles of stormers rugby than we had expected” and “Chilliboy’s years of quota selection has profoundly affected his confidence”.
1 Jun 2012, 12:01 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-20:
Hehe.
You’d be surprised. I have a lot more issues with the current Bulls team than I did with the legendary one.
Anyway, moving along.
1 Jun 2012, 12:04 pm
this whole thing smacks of arrogance… “hmm we don’t have a captain, so let’s go with FdP. oh don’t worry that he’s been playing in Japan, it’s only England we should be fine.” etc… we could be in for a very nasty surprise next weekend
1 Jun 2012, 12:09 pm
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-22:
You got it totally backwards.
If we were playing the All Blacks, Heyneke would go for Du Preez even more certainly.
It’s not about who the opposition is. It’s about Heyneke having 1 week to prepare the team.
1 Jun 2012, 12:11 pm
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-22: I disagree it is a compliment to the English, HM is taking no chances and he is trying to be conservative because he thinks very highly of the English team. If he did not he would have chosen all the unexperienced players to blood them.
1 Jun 2012, 12:17 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-23: i understand your perspective, but i still think it’s more of a risk to play du Preez than Hougaard, considering Hougaard has been playing top flight rugby for the past season and given du Preez’s known issues with captaincy.
1 Jun 2012, 12:17 pm
@Airwell(Airwell)-24: yes i also understand where you are coming from, but maybe it’s a sign of panic more than respect. but fair enough, i get your point.
1 Jun 2012, 12:18 pm
I dont know about you okes but I cant wait for these tests,3 tests 2 mid week games old school touring at its best.
Good idea to start FDP he will be fresh and has a great record against the poms,I think our bench is going to be super potent.The team will not be as jaded as many think as the likes of beast,Alberts had time off for injury and bad form FDP has had time off Frans Steyn wrapped up his commitments in France 3 weeks ago.
Can anyone tell me why the SA barbarians teams that are going to take on the poms in the midweek games are made up of from what I can gather are vodacom cup players if that as I have never heard of any of them.Why are they not made up of players on the fringe of bok selection eg the Eberson twins,Ashleigh Johnson Whitehead etc.Is there some edict that states they have to be unheard ofs?
The poms thrashing the midweek team could give them go forward that could come back to bite.
1 Jun 2012, 12:19 pm
Tac… How bout sharing you’re 22 for the first test with us
1 Jun 2012, 12:20 pm
Hmmm… Fourie Du Preez couldn’t have lost form in only a few months? Weird… since he was in terrible form last year! I hope he improved, if he is to be included!
1 Jun 2012, 12:21 pm
I think Hougaard has been ordinary at getting the basics right as a scrummy but his rugby brain is first class,he would be starting on the wing for mine.
1 Jun 2012, 12:24 pm
@4moreyears(4moreyears)-30: in place of who? Mvovo? JP?
1 Jun 2012, 12:26 pm
Both Fourie and Bakkies carried injuries into RWC2011 and put there own self interest ahead of the team.
So FDP is now fully fit and should be at his best against the Poms.
1 Jun 2012, 12:28 pm
@kingrichard(kingrichard)-28:
Lambie/Aplon
Hougaard
Pietersen
De Villiers
Frans Steyn
Morne Steyn
Du Preez (c)
Spies
Alberts
Brussouw
Juandre Kruger
Etsebeth – but I reckon his already injured shoulder will be stuffed after tomorrow
Jannie
Bismark
Beast
Reserves:
Some prop
Adriaan Strauss
Flip van der Merwe
Keegan Daniel/CJ Stander
Ruan Pienaar
Wynand Olivier
Aplon/Lambie
1 Jun 2012, 12:28 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-12: Beast, JP and Habana = 3 black players. Meyer has 5 days to get the team ready, can’t they just let it go for this 1st crucial game?
1 Jun 2012, 12:29 pm
In place of either,both those players are good,mvovo good at scoring tries can be sus on defence,JP great on defence but has forgotten how to score tries.Hougaard complete package.
1 Jun 2012, 12:33 pm
Anybody know if the End of Year Tours will also be similiar, 3 games vs 1 country?
Would be awesome to go up against the French 3 weeks in a row.
1 Jun 2012, 12:34 pm
if we can’t find a single full-time wing who is not better than our 2nd choice scrum half, we have problems
1 Jun 2012, 12:35 pm
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-36:
And would lessen the familiarity factor we’ve come accustomed to by playing Scots England etc.
Good to see we’re only playing the AB’s twice this year, can’t wait to see the Argies with G.Henry’s input as well.
1 Jun 2012, 12:36 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-33: Good team but I would not have Ruan as it is overkill 3 scrummies I would rather have another lock or loose forward on the bench. I would also replace De Villiers with JDJ or Ebersohn
1 Jun 2012, 12:38 pm
@Bok Shark(Bok Shark)-34: WHO?
1 Jun 2012, 12:38 pm
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-37: Basson, Habana, Mvovo? Who is better than him?
1 Jun 2012, 12:39 pm
“SA will produce a decent pack, which will get stronger once internationals like Schalk Burger and Juan Smith return”
Does this mean that Juan is on the ment and will return shortly.
Hopefully Keo knows something we dont.
1 Jun 2012, 12:41 pm
@Airwell(Airwell)-41: i’m agreeing with you though, it’s a sorry situation
1 Jun 2012, 12:46 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-40: Whoever makes Meyer feel pressured to pick Zane. Lambie playing again at 15 this weekend, he had a good game there last week against stomers.
1 Jun 2012, 12:56 pm
Basson good winger and will make the possi his own soon.
1 Jun 2012, 12:56 pm
@Bok Shark(Bok Shark)-44: Rather Kokerot please if we have to worry again about race
1 Jun 2012, 12:57 pm
@4moreyears(4moreyears)-45: I agree
1 Jun 2012, 12:57 pm
Actually my Bok wingers going forward would be Hougaard and Basson.
1 Jun 2012, 12:59 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-40:
You and your brethren.
1 Jun 2012, 13:02 pm
i dont think lambie’s out of hand kicking is all that good to warrant selction as the bok fb.
kirchener or joe p.
1 Jun 2012, 13:03 pm
I’d start with Pat Lambie at fullback, but Meyer may feel pressured to pick Zane Kirchner because of a lack of black representation in his match 22. @Airwell(Airwell)-46: I’m not worried about race, Mark Keohane is
1 Jun 2012, 13:04 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-50: I do not agree I think he is the best allround FB we have
1 Jun 2012, 13:08 pm
@4moreyears(4moreyears)-45: Basson’s defense is nowhere near good enough, imho
1 Jun 2012, 13:09 pm
the days of political selections must end
Lambie has never let the Bok side down. offers more then Zane.
1 Jun 2012, 13:16 pm
@4moreyears(4moreyears)-27: Yip can’t wait, got my test tickets by my bed
Also couldnt recognise any of the players in Sa Barbarians games, thought it would have been a great opportunity for the guys just missing out on the test series to prove themselves and soften up the poms
1 Jun 2012, 13:18 pm
@Airwell(Airwell)-52:
ok
we disagree.
anyway, its his out of hand kicking i think is not the best for a fb (or of the fb’s).
1 Jun 2012, 13:20 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-54: Why MUST place be made for players in the team? You are either the BEST in a position or NOT. If Lambie is not the best 10, nor the best 15 – he should be benched as a utility back covering 10 and 15, or not be on the team sheet at all. If a player has been the best performing dude in a specific position for a period of time (I.e. S15 thus far) that player surely to hell has the inside track for the specific position in which he has excelled? Why on earth would Mvovo, JPP, Habs etc perform all season – only to be jilted for a guy who IS a 9? Or Joe Pietersen and Kirchner do their thing all season at 15, only to be shunted for a player who isn’t the 1st choice Bok 10, but ‘needs’ to be on the field? Nah man – this is such a Graham Henry 2007 approach. I don’t like it.
1 Jun 2012, 13:25 pm
Mallet is so harsh on poor Spies. Has never rated him at all… Strange I haven’t either…
1 Jun 2012, 13:27 pm
If you want people of colour chosen then go for the Kolisis, Ralapheles, Ndunganes, etc…
1 Jun 2012, 13:29 pm
How many players of colour must be in the team? Just asking!
1 Jun 2012, 13:34 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-59: He should choose Adriaan Strauss – he has yellow hair, blue eyes and red cheeks.
1 Jun 2012, 13:34 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-57: However proving yourself at Super 15 level is very different to test level and Lambie is the incumbent Bok 15
1 Jun 2012, 13:48 pm
LAMBIE at fullback!
1 Jun 2012, 13:50 pm
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-62: All I’m saying is, if this game is as professional as we like to believe, Lambie should be the incumbent Bok 10, if he was to be the incumbent Bok ‘anything – because that is where he plays, and where one can measure his progression, AND can compare him to other contenders. If he is the Bok 15 – then he is a 15 – that’s all, and he plays there all season for his franchise, as well as the boks (if he the best). If you can honestly tell me that Lambie (in his what, 2 appearances at 15 this season?) is a better 15 than Joe P (at this stage) – then you also buy into the ‘must have him on the field at all costs’ theory. You can’t even compare Lambie to Joe P at the moment, because Lambie hasn’t played enough at 15. Lambie wouldn’t let the Boks down – but he sure as ticky isn’t the best 15 in SA. And NO, the Super 15 isn’t test level – but how on earth else does a player prove himself, if he doesn’t even get a shot at test level (because his position is being reserved for a chap who plays it ‘part time’.)
1 Jun 2012, 13:58 pm
@Bok Shark(Bok Shark)-60:
Are you a person of coloured?
1 Jun 2012, 13:59 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-64: I agree with you, Lambie should be playing at 15, but Plumtree wanted Michalak at 9 most of the season, that’s way he played at 10. I think Lambie should focus on 15, cause Goosen is the way forward!
1 Jun 2012, 14:00 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-65: I’m as white as they come.
1 Jun 2012, 14:04 pm
@Bok Shark(Bok Shark)-67:
Well done on being white
1 Jun 2012, 14:07 pm
@Bok Shark(Bok Shark)-67:
Just taking the piss Bok Shark, at a flippin terrible aspect of our game, I hate with a passion.
Kirchner is a player I just can’t relate to and cringe when his in the team. Same goes for Wynand Olivier.
Meyer can choose whoever he wants to it’s his neck on the line. And no their no numbers he has to adhere to.
1 Jun 2012, 14:10 pm
Meyer will be under pressure to select black players
If they find that all his 50-50′s go for non-black players the heat will be turned on
My advice to him is to demonstrate the desire and willingness early on
1 Jun 2012, 14:13 pm
wow and the *** creeping begins Mr Keohane!! now your man is in charge a more empathetic approach to the boks has evolved. I wonder for how long? well i hope for the next four years!! although i’m sure you might have something to say about the colour of his t-shirt or his hair cut, cause lets face it you know vok all about rugby!! I mean Juan Smith would walk into the team without having played a game if it was up to you! Seriously i think you should think about commentating on hockey or may pin ball not rugby please!
1 Jun 2012, 14:23 pm
I am a Bulls supporter but it seems like when Zane plays for the Boks he gets stage fright and only runs straight into defenders or makes poor kicks…I think he is good enough and had a couple chances without making an impression. Good luck if you get another chance…but it should be on merit…
Anyhow the Bulls would beat the poms anyway, so the only changes i would make is adding Jdv, Bismarck, Frans and Fdp. Hougie is better at wing anyway…
HM should build a team around the Bulls and surely he will….sorry sharks and stormers….win a trophee first and then try to stake you claim!!!!
1 Jun 2012, 14:28 pm
Nice article keo, but this is a horrendous oversight: “and while he will always have a defensive issue at Test level it has seldom been exposed because so few teams dominate the Boks physically.”
1 Jun 2012, 14:28 pm
The Poms aren’t exactly the World Beaters, not sure what’s the fuss?
Also what HM might have perceived as the ‘Safe Options’ with FdP, Habana, JdV or Morne Styen may not necessarily be that safe
The Safest option for HM’s job security however would be to pick the Beast, Chiliboi, Kolisi, JP, Habana, JdJ and Aplon in his match 22!
1 Jun 2012, 14:31 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-74:
Black power hey….
1 Jun 2012, 14:33 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-70: @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-59:
That will be bad for the wagers taking like myself, the test results will become too predictable
I suspect that there is a pressure mounted on HM lately to include more quotas than he originally undertook to when appointed for the job, you need to read Keo’s between the lines, he is well connected.
1 Jun 2012, 14:35 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-74:
Calling a “spade a spade”.
In a previous post I said there’s no numbers he has to adhere to but the English tour is his opportunity to show his cards and the numbers will definitely reveal the way forward.
1 Jun 2012, 14:39 pm
What’s all this about people of coloured.
1 Jun 2012, 14:41 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-78:
I dunno some people still seem to classify…
1 Jun 2012, 14:51 pm
Agreed on jp, forgot about him. He is sa best 15 right now. I would wanna c goosen for next 10 jersey…that being said I dont know what pos would b best for lamb, utility?
1 Jun 2012, 14:52 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-70:
” My advice to him is to demonstrate the desire and willingness early on….”
My advice would be the same.
Be your own man from the start.
Take no ****.
Be true unto yourself.
Select on merit.
1 Jun 2012, 14:53 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-78: @ossewa(ossewa)-79:
Lambie or Zane at 15 because of black representation. Mark Keohane started it! Simley face!
1 Jun 2012, 14:57 pm
@cane(cane)-81:
Peter De Villiers has left the building but the more things change the more they stay the same.
1 Jun 2012, 15:10 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-83:
A Coach is appointed to “do a job”.
In the professional era of Rugby …………………………This means win.
Or at least do the best, with what resourses and talent he has available.
If he is hamstrung, then it should be public knowledge.
1 Jun 2012, 15:11 pm
I hope Meyer doesnt play Side Bob Kirtchner. It’s embarrassing for a top rugby nation to have such an average player at fullback. Lambie in for Sideshow, if black representation is a problem take out the quota Spies and put in a real 8th man like Johnson. Not only is he a far a better player but he’ll appease the politicians too.
1 Jun 2012, 15:14 pm
@ossewa(ossewa)-72: He doesn’t do much when he plays for the Bulls either. He’ll kick a bomb or do a funny shuffle and run straight into a defender. Ridiculous to have such an impotent player starting for the Springboks.
1 Jun 2012, 15:20 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-54: Aplon has never let the Boks down, offers WAY more than Lambie.
1 Jun 2012, 15:20 pm
@SpiesIsWorthless(SpiesIsWorthless)-85: 100% Cause Krusty said so!
1 Jun 2012, 15:21 pm
Mallet at it again
Cape Town – Former Springbok and Italy coach Nick Mallett says players plying their trade overseas should not be picked for the Boks.
He told Beeld those players aren’t keen on the hard, physical game here in South Africa and are seeking and easy way out to make money.
He hinted at scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, who is a strong candidate to lead the Boks, when he spoke about the upcoming three-Test series against England.
“The guys that go play overseas, especially Japan, often see it as an easy pay-day and they know they won’t suffer like they would had they played here in South Africa.
“The rugby there is much easier and calmer in comparison to the guys who play Super Rugby week in, week out.
“I feel really sorry for Heyneke (Meyer, Bok coach). To play against England a week after two derby matches (Bulls-Stormers, Lions-Sharks) is no joke,” said Mallett.
The first Test against England starts in Durban next Saturday (June 9), followed by Tests in Johannesburg (June 16) and Port Elizabeth (June 23).
1 Jun 2012, 15:32 pm
@SpiesIsWorthless(SpiesIsWorthless)-86:
Dont really agree, he is a good defender and very fast. Yes he does kick Bombs with a capital B….how long will it take people, moreover how long will it take some South Africans to appreciate that it is the essence of SA rugby and you should cheer when a player does it well….I just watched the Rebels get done with a simple SA game plan. Nothing special but Jakes boys won to a team rhat smashed the crusaders….
F the non believers HM will choke the **** out of opponent with the Bulls (SA) blueprint…
1 Jun 2012, 15:32 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-78: Keo always starts the “colour” debate….it’s the HITS baby
Will PdV stay colour blind?
Monday, May 4th, 2009
In 2008 Peter de Villiers picked his side on merit and he needs to persist with this policy despite injuries to several non-white players, writes Keo in Business Day.
Post-election analysis concluded that 15 years after democracy there was still too much emphasis on race in determining voter allegiance. I fear race will be as contentious an issue when Springbok coach Peter de Villiers names his first match 22 for the British and Irish Lions series.
Just six months ago, De Villiers was wondering what all the fuss about non-white selection was. He confidently picked coloured and black players because they were the best in their positions — consistently selecting six in his national starting XV.
South African rugby, with a non-white coach and good non-white representation entirely merited on ability, was in a racial state of calm. Team selection discussion focused on player ability, not pigmentation. It was bliss.
It won’t be the case in a few weeks. Conrad Jantjes, last season’s first-choice Bok fullback, is out with an injury. Adi Jacobs, the preferred option at outside centre, is in doubt and Ricky Januarie, at scrumhalf, can’t command a start with the sad sack Stormers.
De Villiers, in 2008, could not once be accused of not picking on merit. There were contentious selections, like Jacobs instead of Fourie, but it was based on the coach’s belief in rugby ability.
Can he be as consistent when the non-white numbers are not there because of injury and loss of form? If he isn’t, it will be a regression.
De Villiers has a responsibility to select on merit, but the South African rugby media has as big a responsibility to respect that right of any national coach, and to focus on the rugby merits of those chosen to beat the Lions.
There are many dial-a-quote politicians, retired rugby players and administrators who will give a sensational sound bite based on numbers and the colour of those numbers. They have to be ignored. Too many trees have been lost in giving these guys a platform.
Transformation will have passed a test if the only cross-examination of De Villiers’s selection is confined to rugby.
This entry was posted on Monday, May 4th, 2009 at 1:40 pm and is filed under Lions Tour, Springboks.
1 Jun 2012, 15:33 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-87:
Dude you must be high….
1 Jun 2012, 15:34 pm
@Izwe Lethu(Koos van der merwe)-89: he’s right though
1 Jun 2012, 15:34 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-91:
Wow you can copy paste….
1 Jun 2012, 15:36 pm
@Izwe Lethu(Koos van der merwe)-89: cue Tacitus with a b.Itch a.ss moan
1 Jun 2012, 15:41 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-87:
I wouldn’t mind Aplon at 15. But then we have to be very carful who we pick at 11 & 14.
For example, if FDP starts at 9 and Meyor plays FH at 14, then Lambie is your man. Cool, calm and can put the more explosive players away.
Personally, my back 3 would be:
15: Lambie
14: JPP
11: Aplon
I not sure we have the right wingers to compliment Aplon at 15.
1 Jun 2012, 15:45 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-74: Don’t take this the wrong way, but players like Aplon, Habana and JdJ are not black enough anymore to satisfy the powers that be.
1 Jun 2012, 15:45 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-57:
Because Form is not the only criteria
1 Jun 2012, 15:46 pm
@ossewa(ossewa)-72:
Agree with you on Zane.
But you do realize the only Bulls in the run on 15 are going to be:
Kruger (and only because Bekker is hurt)
FH
Morne
How can you suggest that HM builds his team around a Bulls team that only provides 3-4 players?
I do however believe that the Bulls gameplan from 2010 is the way to go.
1 Jun 2012, 15:47 pm
Marcell Coetzee and Eben could be the only new caps in Meyers squads
1 Jun 2012, 15:56 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-87:
agreed.
i would say all of aplon, joe p and kirchener are better out of hand kickers than lambie is.
but i’m specifying solely on the fb role/position.
1 Jun 2012, 16:01 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-101: did you see the way aplon hit that line for the “forward pass” try last weekend?
lambie doesn’t possess that kind of gas…you look at boys like andre taylor and kurtley beale who are weapons on attack…lambie is SOLID at best and threatening.
1 Jun 2012, 16:08 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-101: the All Blacks have a “ricky” situation on their hands
Hansen’s first big call: To axe woeful Weepu
MARK REASON
Last updated 05:00 30/05/2012
OPINION: Steve Hansen’s first big decision as the All Blacks coach is to drop Piri Weepu. It doesn’t matter if the World Cup scrum-half is now marginally slimmer than Homer Simpson. It doesn’t matter if Weepu has met his “targets”. All that matters is the fact that Weepu hasn’t played any decent rugby this year. That is not good enough for an All Black.
1 Jun 2012, 16:15 pm
I look at this article and wonder whether you and Bobby Skinstadt were seperated at birth. How England is written off – defensive vulnerability of halfback pairing, but Morne’s similiar weaknesses are being brushed aside. I see that Heyneke Meyer is also getting all the kudo’s. I’ll keep watching this space.
1 Jun 2012, 16:17 pm
Got to laugh at Keo and his “transformative” agendas…
Got to laugh at his hypocrisy…
Keo the racial equality crusader…
Yet, have a look at Keo TV, have a look at the picture of Happy Smiley faces… 2 Blonde, very white Transvestites, 1 Blonde white Percival, 1 very White poisonous gnome and 1 white Ryan Vrede…
No “ethnic” Black African in sight…
What a farken larf…
Talk about Talking Left and Walking Right…
1 Jun 2012, 16:19 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-102:
yip, agreed on lambie.
i really like the boy and he is absolutely solid as a player whether its at fh or fb but as the ozzies say ‘he doesn’t have the gas’ for fb and to my mind doees not have the best out of hand kicking either for the type of full back sa rugby wants / and the type of game plan the boks play.
oh what i’d give for a christian cullen type fb to grace the boks.
1 Jun 2012, 16:20 pm
Keo TV obviously has”Transformation”, Cape Town style in mind…. No “refugees” in sight
1 Jun 2012, 16:20 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-103:
my heart say hansen’s gonna fark the ab’s up.
1 Jun 2012, 16:22 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-106: Ag, you talking out of your Pink Koei ruminantarsehole man… The only FB that Lambie doesnt match for speed in SA is Aplon… Then again Aplon is a wing too… and as a wing he is not the fastest… Both Mvovo and JPP strip him for pace.
1 Jun 2012, 16:24 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-108:
hahahahaha why? tl tl tl
1 Jun 2012, 16:26 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-109: i don’t know hey, a dash between aplon, mvovo & jpp?
i think jpp would be eating dirt regardless.
1 Jun 2012, 16:29 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-111: First 10 m JPP might be behind, but I could almost guarantee you at 25m, another gear.
Over 40-50m sprint:
JPP
Daylight
Mvovo
Aplon
Over 10-15
Mvovo
Aplon/JPP
1 Jun 2012, 16:40 pm
Whatever they decide on Lambie’s future must be decided now and in full consultation of him (Lambie) and all his coaches. I think his best position is at 10/12. He is solid enough at 15, but will never be extraordinary.
His current ranking at 10 and 15 is -
15) Aplon, Lambie
10) Goosen, Steyn, Lambie
But he must sit down with Plum and Heyneke and demand clear answers about what they expect from him. He should also make it clear where he sees himself.
1 Jun 2012, 16:46 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-108:
won’t happen we both know that, besides he’s still got Ted and Waynes phone number just in case
1 Jun 2012, 16:52 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-114: INTERESTING…
Name changes for Maori, Sevens
1/6/2012 3:00 AM
All Blacks’ name status is to be conferred on the New Zealand Maori and New Zealand Sevens teams in future.
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) announced on Friday that the name changes which will see the teams referred to as the Maori All Blacks and the All Blacks Sevens, will come into effect later in the year.
The Sevens will first use the new name when the IRB Sevens circuit begins while the Maori will use their new name on their end of season tour to the Northern Hemisphere.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said: “This recognises a commonly held perception the world over, whether it be fans, sports media and, at times, other rugby unions and tournament organisers.
“Both teams already wear a black jersey and the identical silver fern; this name change simply catches up with how many people already see these teams as being linked to the All Blacks.”
The changes would also expand the commercial and partnership opportunities available to the NZRU to provide funding for all levels of the game in New Zealand.
“We need $100million a year to sustain our national game, to produce and retain the best players in the world and to keep making the community game attractive to young players, but opportunities are more limited in New Zealand and the economic climate also makes it very challenging,” Tew said.
More opportunities for international companies to associate with the All Blacks would result with the greater global reach.
“The All Blacks Sevens and Maori All Blacks can do that by flying the All Blacks’ flag virtually around the world throughout the year. They are both wonderful ambassadors for our game,” he said.
“From Las Vegas to Dubai, the Sevens teams plays in more places, more often than the All Blacks.
“The next season extends from October to May and will be longer in coming years as more tournaments are added. As well, the Olympics provides a fantastic new opportunity on the biggest sporting stage in the world,” Tew said.
There would be no greater place to showcase the All Blacks style of rugby to the world that at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro when Sevens makes its Olympic debut in 2016.
“Likewise with New Zealand Maori. We see them as also carrying the All Blacks’ message around the world. We are now working on securing sponsorship and support to put in place a regular overseas touring programme,” he said.
The definition of an All Black would not change. To be recognised as a capped All Black a player must take the field in a 15-a-side Test match.
“But by taking these steps we can better sustain the game we love, continue to produce winning All Blacks and ensure New Zealand rugby continues to be the powerhouse of world rugby,” Tew said.
1 Jun 2012, 16:54 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-115:
I see the kiwis lost 31 bar hosting the best world cup ever.
1 Jun 2012, 16:55 pm
HEY
Reyhan aint white
1 Jun 2012, 16:57 pm
NZ finally seeing the All Black light???
1 Jun 2012, 16:58 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-64: Good point
1 Jun 2012, 16:59 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-115:
smart move, leverage off the biggest name in world rugby and make more money
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-116:
ok 95 was the best ever happy now
1 Jun 2012, 17:16 pm
stormers to get a klap tomorrow
dawn will try and drown her sorrows with a papsak of outie juice as per usual
1 Jun 2012, 18:08 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-7:
I’ve got a surprise for you when it comes to Kankowski, Deysel and Taute. I know you don’t rate them. But somebody else does.
1 Jun 2012, 18:13 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-12:
HM rates Lambie as a better 15 than a 10.
1 Jun 2012, 18:36 pm
@IAAS: all well & good then…lambie it will be.
Can’t have the ‘future of SA rugby’ sitting idle now can we?
1 Jun 2012, 18:42 pm
Congrats Mark Keohane. Spoken like the white racist you are.
1 Jun 2012, 18:46 pm
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-123:
I think it is more due to having Steyn and Goosen at 10. He can also fall back on Grant, Jantjies, and so on.
But I can’t speak for the coach.
1 Jun 2012, 18:47 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-124:
But he did say that Kirchner has the inside track right now as HM reckons he’s played decent rugby so far this season. However, personally I don’t remain a fan. But tomorrow could be a final trial particularly if Aplon has a blinder. And that’s what it’ll come down do.
1 Jun 2012, 18:51 pm
@Big Jack(Big Jack)-126:
HM rates Goosen highly. He’ll get his opportunity on the EOYT or maybe introduce him in the Rugby Championship depending on when he comes back from injury.
1 Jun 2012, 18:56 pm
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-128:
Yes I know. Tried to sign him for Bulls. Hope he can reach the hights we all expect and stay injury free.
1 Jun 2012, 19:07 pm
@Zinto(Zinto)-125:
You are delusional. Keohane exposed the bitter racial problems in Springbok rugby in 2003 while Strooli was in charge. It was the basis for his resignation as communications manager.
1 Jun 2012, 19:20 pm
This is a poor, tired rehashed article. Typical from Keohane. He clearly doesn’t know anything about English rugby. hence the broad comments and lack of detail. For example, England’s defensively vulnerable half-back pairing… Really? Firstly, there is no settled half-back pairing, with Hodgson and Farrell sharing and Flood to come back into the mix at 10, and Lancaster hasn’t settled on Dickson or Youngs with Care to come back into the mix at 9. Of these players only Hodgson is defensively frail.
1 Jun 2012, 19:37 pm
Keohane banged this out in 5 minutes cos he is busy with more important Olympic stuff in London
1 Jun 2012, 19:38 pm
@Zinto(Zinto)-125: howdy Zinto, long time man.
how is the Kwantu Rugby Club doing man? havent seen your lads around for a long time?
1 Jun 2012, 19:47 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-132: flying business class no doubt.
pointless imo.
economy in the middle of the middle row feels like an emergency exit seat in first class for the dwarf.
1 Jun 2012, 19:55 pm
Indeed business class.
Only the best for the monarch
1 Jun 2012, 19:55 pm
boots and all is such a load of k u k since darren the racist left (unceremoniously).
but watching bobby review the stormers loss was quite simply fantastic.
1 Jun 2012, 19:56 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-135: athletes to the back!
1 Jun 2012, 20:03 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-135:
keo flying business class?
as long as he remembers to return the airhostess to the upright position before landing.
1 Jun 2012, 20:09 pm
Where are Joanne and the other girl?
No Keo TV?
1 Jun 2012, 20:10 pm
Carol will be miffed
1 Jun 2012, 20:12 pm
I dont see jpp beating mvovo or aplon in a 60 m dash.
1 Jun 2012, 20:25 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-140: Carol is already milfed
1 Jun 2012, 21:25 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-140: hey Angie, spoke to G10 he’s coming to the P.E. pom test…should be good.
1 Jun 2012, 21:30 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-143:
Just remind him that the bok skipper hasn’t been announced yet. We all know who the last two Bok coaches picked as skipper. And this new one likes to pick his skipper out of the retirees in silver pines.
So you never know.
1 Jun 2012, 21:37 pm
I had an online chat with a couple of England supporters. By the sounds of it they feel relatively confident. This is a very good England side chaps. Don’t be surprised if we see a similar performance from them to what we saw from Wales in the World Cup.
1 Jun 2012, 21:48 pm
@Big Jack(Big Jack)-145:
What I find refreshing about the new Bok coach is that he wants to instill a culture of winning. Where every test is important. Whereas previous Bok coaches also said “judge me on the World Cup.” That god, those days are over. And he wants to win his first test. He always talks about mental toughness. And also about the lack of conditioning of the players – that’ll have to improve. At test level, everyone has to make a step-up. And that includes the coach himself.
1 Jun 2012, 21:54 pm
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-146:
Agree fully. Refreshing to hear those types of comments. England will be tough, make no mistake. The first test especially. If we lose the first, the second and third are must-wins. Then we will need all the mental toughness we can gather.
1 Jun 2012, 22:01 pm
@Big Jack(Big Jack)-147:
Anyway out for the evening. Nice chatting. Last qestion. Remind me, which team do you support?
1 Jun 2012, 22:32 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-7:
Cilliers can play both 1 and 3.He will stay>Dean Greyling will drop out as Coenie & Beast are better LH.And Mvovo will go ahead of JJ Engelbrecht. JP Pietersen covers 11/13 better than he does.And Mvovo is a better winger than JJ.
Amended list to drop out:
Dean Greyling
Ryan Kankowski
Josh Strauss
Jean Deysel
Piet van Zyl
Peter Grant
Elton Jantjies
Akona Ndungane
JJ Engelbrecht
Jaco Taute
1 Jun 2012, 22:45 pm
Bok 30 IMHO
1.Beast,Coenie
2.Bismark,Strauss,Chilliboy
3.Du Plessis,Cilliers
4.Etzebeth,Flip
5.Kruger
6.Brussow,Coetzee
7.Alberts,Stander(Alberts to also cover lock)
8.Spies,Daniel
9.Hougaard,Pienaar,Du Preez
10.M.Steyn
11.Habana,Basson
12.De Villiers,F.Steyn
13.De Jongh,JP(utility cover)
14.Mvovo,Aplon
15.Lambie,Kirchner
1 Jun 2012, 22:51 pm
Habana not really deserving of a spot. So too Kirchner. Lambie to cover fly half. Hougaard on wing ( why would we have 3 scrummies)
1 Jun 2012, 23:05 pm
@5 katman you are one crazy guy
Tac @8 nice comeback (used to think you had no humour in you)
2 Jun 2012, 00:28 am
What does his gut tell him????
That’s the question.
Make FdP captain? Make VM captain? Play Vet Frans at inside centre? Make all the Bulls Bokke?
Exactly what are his guts telling him?
2 Jun 2012, 00:36 am
@Kleuter(Kleuter)-151:
On what grounds does Habana not deserve a place in the Bok team?
His performances in 2010 and 2011 or his performance in 2012?
Afa I’m concern, somebody has to nominate me a left wing who out-performed Habana in 2012 before we can drop him for the Boks.
Please don’t mention Le Roux because his defence is even kakker than Bjorn Basson.
So, at left wing, we have Habana, Le Roux, Mvovo, Basson.
Who amongst those, is the best?
2 Jun 2012, 00:55 am
@nama1(nama1)-154:
@nama1(nama1)-153:
I like your posts, glad I stayed long to get a business call from across the water so I was able to read it
Like I said here earlier, read between the lines because Keo is well connected!
Give the guy a slack, he hasn’t shown his hand YET
2 Jun 2012, 00:58 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-23:
Dammit Tac.
Even before Heyneke got the job, he KNEW that he would have only one week to prepare for the English. It’s not as if the Boks playing program became known AFTER he was appointed.
Stop using that as an excuse,
Pink Bullcrap, man.
2 Jun 2012, 01:11 am
@nama1(nama1)-154: Mvovo?
2 Jun 2012, 02:04 am
Nama
No, you can tell me on what grounds he deserve his place. Tries? Defense? Turnovers?
No, not le Roux. Too white!
No, not Basson. Too blue!
Maybe Mvovo.
2 Jun 2012, 02:58 am
back to the same ultra conservative chickenshit boring SA rearguard rugby philosophy all over again
Play Spies, FdP, Morne Steyn, Frans Steyn / Olivier, Lambie and / or Kirchner
And I’m pretty OK with the result going to England in any or all of these three tests.
If that the only way these chickenshit coaches learn the lesson to get out of their chickenshit conservative cowardice then so be it, get beaten by lowly England at home.
2 Jun 2012, 03:07 am
England not lowly at all. Not much between them and Wales. Anyone thinking they are weak is either uninformed or keeping a back door open to fire a few shots at HM.
2 Jun 2012, 03:36 am
@Kleuter(Kleuter)-160:
Yep… plenty of ignorant half-wits here… when last did the Boks beat France in France…
Poms have picked up some good momentum with 5 games with one loss to the 6N winner ending with an away win in France and an absolute smashing of Ireland…
Under-estimating them the brains-trust won’t be… that’s the job of mug-punters…
2 Jun 2012, 03:59 am
Bryce…
Yeah, no easy games in June. England, Wales, and Ireland. All big tests. NZ should make it 3 zip especially now with O’Connol out. SA and Aus should be happy with 2-1.
2 Jun 2012, 04:06 am
‘lowly England’ is the general consensus of the majority of SH rugby affiliates , the only dumb fck halfwits here are these fckwit arsetralian wannabe schmucks trailing their arses in Ibetuwanaland who rate FdP – Morne and Spies as their insurance policy against failure
Play these backbeat boys like Spies FdP Steyn Olivier Kirchner and it will be the best rewarding medicine if England fck these chickenarsed cowards straight back into the rearguard laager they emerged from. I for one have absolutely no qualms if England stuff this conservative chickenshit cowardice straight back into the chickenshit cowardice closet it belongs in.
2 Jun 2012, 04:28 am
this meyer schmuck isn’t trusting his gut he’s trusting his chickenshit cowardice bang broek head to renege on bravery and resort to chickenshit rearguard cowardice philosophy making FdP captain and going Spies, Steyn, Kirchner as his backbeat backbone I hope England do him the honor of Fckng him up to kingdom come so the lesson gets learned well and hard, let them beat these chicken arsed cowards 3 zip, that’ll be just the reward they be looking for by resorting to chickenshit cowardice fear of losing gutless rearguard action policy.
2 Jun 2012, 04:31 am
@louis schropnel(louis shrapnel)-163:
“‘lowly England’ is the general consensus of the majority of SH rugby affiliates”
Really? Clearly you the only narrow-minded fckdilly that doesn’t read the Aus and NZ rugby press…
Both ENG and WAL are rated as a chance of an upset in their first tests…
Oh you such a toothless kak-tjanking old toppie!
2 Jun 2012, 04:34 am
Olivier will not get a look-in, I still not sure FDP will even make the team let alone start, doubt Kirchner will get a start nor the 22… and Spies will be there with Vermeulen out… so go to bed old man… you’re embarrassing yourself…
2 Jun 2012, 04:37 am
Louis…
Are you serious???
No wait, you must be pissed out of your mind Skoplap!
2 Jun 2012, 05:05 am
FdP is touted as HM’s captain
Kirchner is regarded as an ‘experienced’ full back
Spies is the only ‘experienced’ No. 8 we got because the schmucks like White, Meyer and PdV rated him above proper 8′s like Van Niekerk or Vermeulen.
Olivier is ‘rated’ above JdV by some morons supposedly ‘in the know’.
Keohane doesn’t ‘rate’ England as a top 5 playing nation
So what we got here is a beautiful recipe for a grand scale disaster of epic proportions, it will make Pdv’s fckups look the likeness of chicken feed.
Nope you poor arsetralian doos, I ain’t the one embarrassing myself here the only one gonna be mightily embarrassed is Heyneke Meyer if his chickenshit rearguard action policies of trotting out Spies FdP Steyn (Olivier) and Kirchner backfire like they gutlessly and immaculately should
2 Jun 2012, 05:31 am
this Mark Keohane obviously don’t know squat about rugby, just read this frivolous garbage about Heyneke Meyer ‘trusting his gut’ when he’s actually doing nothing of the sort, all he’s ‘trusting’ is his chickenshit cowardly fear of losing reverse gear reliance, that why he tried for Matfield and second prize is Fourie du Preez.
Then Keohane reckons when Burger and Juan Smith return our forwards gonna get bolstered, wtf this schmuck actually smoking?
If Heyneke got ANY guts to actually trust, he’ll start looking FORWARDS instead of through his review mirror in retrograde reverse.
2 Jun 2012, 05:45 am
louis schropnel your 4 or 5 posts are fairly typical of the level of c*r*a*p that is so often spewed on this site. You toss out this adjective littered invective (and clearly your little head cant get much further than compound adjectives using the word chicken) yet you dont actually have ONE sound piece of rugby analysis in all of this waste of space. Calling Meyer a coward does not make him one – any more than saying that player x y or z is weak makes him so. Go back to bed you p^r*i*c*k and leave the grownups to talk rugby in peace
2 Jun 2012, 06:28 am
England to surprise the Prickboks first game up
2 Jun 2012, 06:40 am
@bokke baiter(bokke baiter)-171:
Ireland to win 3-0
2 Jun 2012, 06:50 am
@bokke baiter(bokke baiter)-171:
For 20 minutes maybe…
@slavedriver(slavedriver)-172:
Care to wager on that? They may win the 1st half of the 1st game, but it will be about 27ish – 16ish by full time, look for a blowout by 40 in the last game
2 Jun 2012, 06:59 am
@Kleuter(Kleuter)-158:
Would have to be Basson & Ndunganie surely? With Kirshner in the boot & Aplon on the bench.
Will it be Lambie on the bench as the impact man, we all know it will be Steyn, but he is yesterday’s man
2 Jun 2012, 08:16 am
big game for Stormers today, think they need to show some character and show their professionalism by putting the team first. The worst case scenario should be a bonus point loss, with a chance to win it in the last 10. Even with a relatively ‘easy’ run into the play-offs, the players need to believe they are good enough to play winning rugby and turn this ‘defensive’ mindset around
2 Jun 2012, 08:45 am
I do hope that the Bulls smash WP today.
2 Jun 2012, 08:57 am
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-176:
And I don’t.
But I’ve got the Bulls to win on superbru. It’s a home game for them after all.
It’s called an emotional hedge.
2 Jun 2012, 09:01 am
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-177: I hear you… I can’t bring myself to do it sometimes, but i hear you.
Sharks!
2 Jun 2012, 09:07 am
i see old
schropskiet
is still at
the papsak
i will go
for the
bulls
today
but with the
heart
only
it is no
foregone
conclusion
the young
bulls team
have now fallen
in the
structured trap
as the season
progresses
too structured
perhaps
but bulls
anyway
2 Jun 2012, 09:19 am
Stormers to romp home. The Bulls think they only need to turn up – Go Stormers…
2 Jun 2012, 09:30 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-180: how about a nice boring draw ?? Bulls 15 Stormers 15, Now that would be great for the Sharks
2 Jun 2012, 09:32 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-180:
The Stormers are determined not to lose to a team playing in pink.
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-181:
How about the Lions causing an upset?
2 Jun 2012, 09:33 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-181: Would mean stormers are ahead though
2 Jun 2012, 09:36 am
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-182: Those Lions are a banana skin waiting to happen, I really really hope not
2 Jun 2012, 09:40 am
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-184:
The Lions have absolutely nothing to play for. But in sport sometimes that can make a team dangerous.
I’ve got the Sharks by 20+.
2 Jun 2012, 09:41 am
@louis schropnel(louis shrapnel)-163: Skoppie, I don’t like your style, but I do agree with you wholeheartedly about FdP, Kircner and meisiekind. I’m not convinced that HM will select them, but if he does, he will be the doos that I think he is.
Typical old SA mindset……HM and his bybelstudiegroepie trekking lager in Snorcity. Maybe it will work for now, but in the long run they will be overrun.
2 Jun 2012, 09:41 am
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-185: Me too, but as you say, sport!
2 Jun 2012, 09:47 am
I can’t understand this claim that the Bulls are a young side, when you consider their players experience. The only two “inexperienced” players at this level is JJ and Stander.
As much as I hate to admit it, I reckon the Bulls will take this.
2 Jun 2012, 10:01 am
I see some predicting a runaway Bulls victory today. The Pinksters have lost their last two games and were lucky not to lose all as they squeaked the games against the Tahs and Rebels! I don’t mind them being favourites but they’re in for a battle today. Smash them Stormers!!!!!
2 Jun 2012, 11:56 am
David @ 188
Very similar age/experience…
Bulls average age today is 26,1
Stormers average age today is 25,3
2 Jun 2012, 11:58 am
Imagine old Meyer watching the tries scored in the Chiefs game tonight thinking what have we got outwide to match that, he wouldn’t have had to think for very long.
2 Jun 2012, 12:22 pm
@ufo(ufo)-190:
That’s why I mentioned experience. Average age is misleading as players like JdV push this up. Overall, the Bulls forwards individually, are more experienced playing at this level whilst the backs are on a par.
2 Jun 2012, 12:47 pm
old grumbling Greydoos at 170 offering his grey arsed opinion because his grey entrusted hero Heyneke is looking decidedly out of his depth looking to re implement his same shade of grey ‘blue’ print he instigated before 2007 and looking to play his grey grim ou doos has been’s as his insurance policy against losing, shows one thing only, he’s chicken, so take your RT grey arsed hero’s cowardice and shove it where your grey enthusiasm is dimly glimmering.
I’m sick to the teeth of watching chickenshit SA rugby coaches capitulate into their chickenshit grey shaded laager mentality because they simply too chicken to go out and win so they rather try and play it nice and grey and ‘safe’ which brings about more losses than wins.
If grey bearded groupies is Heyneke’s idea of his insurance policy against losing then I’m all for it if he gets taught the lessons due as a result of his outright lack of any go forward innovation and totally gutless glum grey decisions.
2 Jun 2012, 12:57 pm
Skop give HM a break, ffs.
Let see what team he selects and how they perform on the 9th and judge him after the game.
PDV went all guns blazing and look at the legacy he left behind.
2 Jun 2012, 13:03 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-191: Meyer won’t be too bothered. We won’t be using the Blues defensive pattern.
@louis schropnel(louis shrapnel)-193: The longer your posts, the more idiotic you sound.
2 Jun 2012, 13:13 pm
HM hasn’t shown his hand yet, wait few hours before opening up
2 Jun 2012, 13:17 pm
PdV got blown right out the water by all the grey bearded grey enthusiasm that has gripped this country’s rugby legacy ever since Carel Dup strode out to play some creative clear sighted rugby before all the grim grey beards got hold of it.
Pdv should have stuck to his guns instead of capitulating to the over arching grey grip of fear endorsed and enforced by those grey hero’s such as FdP, John Smit and the holy glum grey groupies gravy train.
2 Jun 2012, 13:24 pm
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-195:
Fair call but you might have some niggle from broken play, lets see how the Irish go next week that will be a good guide.
2 Jun 2012, 13:26 pm
Absolutely Skop (agreeing with a tik kop is always good), you are so right bring back PdV, under Jake White of course with John Smit as forwards coach, Pierre Spies, Schalk etc for the loose trio and Louis Koen or Braam van Straaten (great servants of SA rugby) coaching the backline. Have a Sharks place kicking coach; either Henry Honiball or Andre Joubert who specialised in two bounces before reaching the goal line and causing a great importation of Frog kicking legs to KZN ever since. Go Snotskiet.
2 Jun 2012, 13:35 pm
Skop @ just about everywhere.
The toad is in residence today as evidenced by banner with a toad rampant
fluttering above Toad Hall.
The team has not been chosen,but he would sooner have the Boks lose
if certain players are selected.
Truly he gets slimier with each post.’
His weapons of choice are foul language and the insult.
If you say good things about teams other than the one you support then you
are labelled a gatkruiper or a gatgabba.
Being insulted by him is like being attacked by a rabid sheep.
Expect an incoherent diatribe soon.
Where were you spawned?
2 Jun 2012, 13:38 pm
UFO.Going to be very physical.Hope it is a good
game.Regards.
2 Jun 2012, 13:40 pm
Both Carel and PDV had the most talented Boks of our generation at their disposal put couldn’t implement their attacking philosphies onto those players.
They didn’t have the communication skills to translate what was in their minds and make them believeable to the players.
Simple as that.
2 Jun 2012, 13:42 pm
Greybeard @ 170.Nobody could have improved on your post.Regards.
2 Jun 2012, 13:55 pm
Carel was a rugby genius that should have been allowed to see out his far reaching vision to fruition, instead it was handed over to Mallet to run with it as far as he could and he got stopped short of the continuity when Carel’s visionary genius ran out and Mallet couldn’t implement any genius of his own. Carel’s team was his own from inception, he created the Mallet team and just when they found their feet and their rhythm the rug was pulled from under his feet.
Pdv a different kettle of fish, his philosophies were side swiped and overriden by the holy grail of the 2007 lucky packet WC captain and his collective of grey gratuitous gravy trainers, he never got out of second gear because already by mid 2008 the grossly overrated grey groupies of Smit and FdP had shoved the throttle firmly into reverse gear and it never got anyway further than that. Reverse all the way from 2008 – 2011, not one brave step forward since Carel Dup was stuffed in the eye by the grey beards that run rugby into the ground around here.
2 Jun 2012, 14:02 pm
ryecatcher you arsecreeping and backslapping much better so true to your arse creeping back slap ‘regarding’ mentality, good Lordy Lord, ain’t that just a grey groveling grumbling grumpy turnup for the books ?
and some these archaic archangel grey beards actually live under the self deluded disillusioned denial that they’re the grumpy greyarsed grownups around here.
2 Jun 2012, 14:08 pm
There we go.All a sputter and trembling with rage.
The alliteration is getting so tiresome.
As I predicted.”Incoherent”
2 Jun 2012, 14:16 pm
come on groupie arselicker looking for backslapping appreciation, surely you can do much better than that, there hardly a splutter or a trembling of rage going on here, purely just seeing precisely who all the precious arselick backslapping grey arsed contingent of mutually admiring chickenshits are around here.
2 Jun 2012, 14:22 pm
Ag shame man.
2 Jun 2012, 14:41 pm
no shame is all yours man.. poor self righteous backslapping arse creep looking for mutually admired appreciation.., shame is all yours and no amount of sucking up to some pie in the sky good Lord cowering with your two faced back slap ‘regards’ will ever change any of that. too bad.
2 Jun 2012, 14:41 pm
Hehe, there is going to be a lot of pissed off Stormers supporters tonight, for 2 reasons!
2 Jun 2012, 14:45 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-210:
PA.
A bonus point will be good enough for me.
2 Jun 2012, 14:49 pm
which 2
what if Stormers win .. who gonna be pissed off then? keo and his cahoots of cohorts and cronies
Meyer gonna have to produce the goods and show he ain’t the rearguard action conservative coward I somehow starting to reckon he might fundamentally be, in spite of his entourage of baying praying grey groveling groupies expecting deliverance from out the shadow of the valley of destitution cast upon the springbok grey waters by the ineffective idiot predecessor PdV…
2 Jun 2012, 14:53 pm
TOAD.
The 8th deadly sin is being boring.You have that characteristic in spades.
Insofar as “regards”
is concerned.It is a civility I have practised for years.I would not
expect you to understand. A question of breeding you see.
Your stagnant pond awaits you.
Human/amphibian communication truly sucks.
2 Jun 2012, 14:59 pm
So here we are last game before Internationals.
If Sharks beat Lions with a 5 pointer that effectively gives the Sharks 54 points on the log including a bye.
Should the Stormers draw with the Bulls, this gives the Stormers 52 pts and Bulls 50 pts
Should the Stormers beat the Bulls, which will never be a 5 pointer, the Stormers will have 54 and the Bulls 49 (with bonus point)
The most likely scenario is that the Bulls beat the Stormers with a 5pointer which leaves the Stormers on 50 and the Bulls on 53…
So, at 9 o clock tonight we shall see the SA conference looking like this:
Sharks 54
Bulls 53
Stormers 50
Bulls and Stormers likely to win their first games after the Intl break with likely 4 point victories leaving the log at
Bulls 57
Sharks 54
Stormers 54
The championship game will then be played by the Sharks and Bulls with the Sharks likely to get a 4 pointer and Bulls a possible 1 point BP loss. Stormers could come short against the Cheetahs with a losing Bonus point.
The standings will be
Sharks 58
Bulls 58
Stormers 55
The last game of the season will play out as such
Sharks 63
Bulls 63
Stormers 60
Leaving the dynamite with a home semi…
You read it here first.
2 Jun 2012, 15:00 pm
yeah your breeding is so civil and enlightened you have learned the human art of gatkruiping to the Nth degree… endorsing this with a two faced embellishment of a ‘regards’ to endear your highly bred counterparts into this falsifiable delusion of self endorsed ‘breeding’ you are so auspiciously self righteously imbued with you self serenading falsely enlightened highly civilized poor delusional schmuck.
2 Jun 2012, 15:02 pm
@louis schropnel(louis shrapnel)-212: Never ever going to happen… Bet your mjondolo and whatever outhouse you may be building, Bob.
2 Jun 2012, 15:02 pm
Sharks are going through with either Bulls or Stormers joining them.. unless Lions can actually do the unthinkable and shove these overrated guppies back into the sharkshit delusion they precociously occupy.
2 Jun 2012, 15:03 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-216: how much you betted already.. come on how much you got riding on this game Stormers lover of ill repute that you are?
2 Jun 2012, 15:04 pm
Will laugh if the great Stormer Holy Cow, Donkey De Villiers, is not named in the Boks squad never mind being named Cappie…
Whooo ha
2 Jun 2012, 15:07 pm
@louis schropnel(louis shrapnel)-218: Hows about a name change riding on the outcome?
I change mine to your choice… should Stormers win
You change yours to my choice… Should Bulls win…
Come, get off that flip flopping fence and show some Shark style Keegan Daniel ballas for a change….
2 Jun 2012, 15:08 pm
Stormers to take bully brekers at home in spite of every negating naysayers wishes and hopeful dreams they bidding and praying for with every ounce of their ungracious love affair with all things W. Cape endowed.
Wanna see the howls of disgruntlement and disappointing denial when that little jacaranda blossom pops in the heilige blue and black and white sky ..
Out for a rukkie.. sien julle na die game.
2 Jun 2012, 15:10 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-220:
OK deal.. you lost last time.. you got everything riding for you now cause bulls got at least a 70/30 chance going for them at home with Stormers plugging leaks like the little boy at the **** of Meyers pond.
Chose your options.. I going out now.. see what your proposition is when I return.
2 Jun 2012, 15:11 pm
Something like:”Skopskiet loves Righteous Black and White Dynamite” will do just fine…
2 Jun 2012, 15:12 pm
TOAD.”Breeding” is not what you are born with.
It is the attribute of common decency that people apply in their
lifestyle . my opinion. You would not understand.
It transcends race,culture and circumstances.
Ag shame man.How does one
convince an amphibian?
2 Jun 2012, 15:14 pm
TOAD.Ag shame man.
2 Jun 2012, 15:14 pm
Even better: “Skopskiet Loves FuckingDynamite Sharks Forever”
2 Jun 2012, 15:20 pm
better you go ask your fake Lordy Lord who the toads are from the highly bred human species you reckon you are. poor deluded ignorant schmuck seeking recognition and ‘regards’ on a rugby blog of all auspiciously civilized places.
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-223:
whatever you decree is OK with me… though you got one huge unfair disadvantage this time.. if it were money I wouldn’t be betting not with Stormers carrying the woeful wounded into the Loftus cauldron of ill repute.. But pride and prestige don’t worry about results.. Stormers gonna still take these heathens up in their heilige high veld fortress. Watch.
2 Jun 2012, 15:22 pm
Out till later
much later
2 Jun 2012, 15:26 pm
@louis schropnel(louis shrapnel)-227: Good man… We shall see snot en trane later…
2 Jun 2012, 15:34 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-214:
Its not the Bulls or Stormers you should be worrying about.
2 Jun 2012, 15:37 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-214: You forget, that in the first week after the internationals, when the sharks have a bye, they will earn 4 points anyway. So, I hate to say, it looks even better for the sharks than you predicted
2 Jun 2012, 15:38 pm
@TooMuchRugby(TooMuchRugby)-231: Sorry, I see you have already included the points. My mistake…..
2 Jun 2012, 15:40 pm
@TooMuchRugby(TooMuchRugby)-231:
Sharks will finish 2nd at best though so will more than likely have to travel to NZ, HG thinks its the Curry cup must be a hangover from the old isolation days
2 Jun 2012, 15:53 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-202: Carel was not given the time. He had one season in which he tried to take the Boks from the Maakgraaf era into a more expansive allround game. The difference between the lions series of 1997 and 2009 was one single successful kick at goal. In 1997 they had it and in 2009 we had it. The fruits of Carel’s labours were there to see. His last game was a record victory against Australia. The stalwarts of Mallets regime were identified and developed by Carel. The impatience shown by the SA hierarchy when he was sacked was the biggest step backwards since readmission.
2 Jun 2012, 15:56 pm
Oh woke up from your drunken stuper did you louis schropnel? Well done – yawn – still no intelligent analysis but more foul mouthed rhetoric that reminds me of a famous playwright who said “It is a tale told by an idiot – full of sound and fury, signifying nothing” Go F*u*c*k yourself you miserable little ponse – maybe your sister is waiting for you in the garage.
2 Jun 2012, 16:00 pm
202 ryecatcher – thank you for your “toadying” lol – what a miserable bore the man is – I will not answer him again.
2 Jun 2012, 16:03 pm
Fact is i am neither a Bulls supporter nor a Heyneke Meyer supporter particularly but do love my rugby and like to read intelligent analyisis from all sides on here. People like schropnel spoil the experience somewhat.
2 Jun 2012, 16:06 pm
If therw were no injuries this would be my bok team:
15 Jaco Taute
14 Gio Aplon
13 Jean De Villiers
12 Francois Steyn
11 Bryan Habana
10 Peter Grant
9 Francois Hougaard
8 Duane Vermeulen
7 Marcell Coetzee
6 Schalk Burger
5 Andries Bekker
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Jannie Du Plessis
2 Bismark Du Plessis
1 Tendai Mtawarira
16 Adriaan Strauss
17 Coenie Oosthuzyen
18 Juandre Kruger
19 Joshua Strauss
20 Jano Vermaak
21 Juan De Jongh
22 Joe Pietersen
….
23 Chillyboy Ralepelle
24 Werner Kruger
25 Willem Alberts
26 Heinrich Brussouw
27 Ruan Pienaar / Piet Van Zyl
28 Morne Steyn
29 Lwazi Mvovo / JP Pietersen
30 Patrick Lambie
2 Jun 2012, 16:25 pm
Rye @201
Yes, it will be very physical… I hope you team is up to it.
Good luck to them…!!
Oooohhhh… You mean the Bulls/Stormers game…!!
Yeah, it will be. Bulls should take it. But I’ll be backing mine…
STOOORmerrrs…!!
PA @ 210…
Have you seen the embargoed Bok list…?
No prob either way…
Trust the flu’s cleared up…!!
2 Jun 2012, 16:30 pm
My Springbok team if there were no injuries:
1. Beast
2. Adrian Strauss
3. Pat Cilliers
4. Etsebeth
5. Bekker
6. Brussouw
7. Duanne Vermeulen
8. Schalk Burger
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Goosen
11. Mvovo
12. Frans Steyn
13. Jean de Villiers
14. Willie le Roux
15. Joe Pietersen
16. Bismarck
17. Jannie du Plessis
18. Coenie Oosthuisen
19. Juandre Kruger
20. Francois Hougaard
21. Peter Grant
22. Brian Habana
2 Jun 2012, 16:42 pm
But as it is with ijuries;
1. Beast
2. Strauss
3. Pat Cilliers
4. Etsebeth
5. Juandre Kruger
6. Brussouw
7. Marcel
8. Spies
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Peter Grant
11. Mvovo
12. Frans Steyn
13. Jean de Villiers
14. Willie le Roux
15. Joe Pietersen
16. Bismarck
17. Coenie
18. Jannie
19. Willem Alberts
20. Francois Hougaard
21. Patrick Lambie
22. Brian Habana
2 Jun 2012, 16:43 pm
UFO @ 2239.
Hi Pal.Hope all games injury free.Go SHARKS
2 Jun 2012, 16:49 pm
Yeah Rye…
injury and ref-controversy free…
good luck to your sharks…
but today i have to back the lions… (as futile as that may be…)
2 Jun 2012, 16:52 pm
Far too many Stormers Rhys.
Grant?
Seriously?
Worst tackler of all our flyhalves?
I’ve also seen Thai chicks shoot pingpong balls further than he can kick the ball.
2 Jun 2012, 16:54 pm
Greybeard @ 236.Like you I love rugby.Particlarly when played by
THE SHARKS & BOKS.
The alliterative ****** has strutted and fretted his hour upon
the stage.Hopefully to be heard no more.
GO SHARKS.
2 Jun 2012, 17:43 pm
how’s THIS for a f’ng TURNUP FOR THE BOOKS
SharkieVarkie getting stuffed like the overrated guppies they Are !!
Whoopie I couldn’t have dreamed this ANY better than this
HG I reckon your overrated nick should read
Black/White SHITE is the rugbybitch of the Rampant Red Tide
Forget Stormers / Bulls Lions just turning the screws and the tables already turned 180 degrees from last week
GO LIONHEARTED LIONS OF MIRACLES OF MITCH
Little Lambiekins and Bossieslemmertjie getting OWNED by none other but LIONEL OF THE LiONS
2 Jun 2012, 18:01 pm
ryecatcher @ 245 – wonderful post!!! LMAO. But wait – I think i heard a yobbo’s voice again. Oh never mind…..enjoying the game but unfortunately cheering for the other team to you – mixed feelings here as I want to see the Sharks in the last 6, but cant help loving it when the Lions triumph (which they havent done yet mind). Cat help but think this puts the Kings debacle into persepctive – these Lions are on the right track and but for some rotten luck could have been so much better this season….
2 Jun 2012, 18:53 pm
Hard luck ryecatcher – and not a great result for SA rugby all round but DAMN I’m glad for the Lions!!!
2 Jun 2012, 18:58 pm
Aplon for Bok fullback, Lambie onto the bench.
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