Lancaster not fazed by mysterious Boks

Lancaster not fazed by mysterious Boks

5 Jun 2012

Stuart Lancaster says in the absence of footage of a Heyneke Meyer-coached Springbok side they have been forced to review Bulls matches and garner information from within his own squad.

The Springboks have only four days to prepare for the first Test against England in Durban on Saturday, which is clearly a significant obstacle. However, their advantage stems from England’s limited analysis material, whilst Meyer and technical analyst Rassie Erasmus have a wealth of information from England’s Six Nations campaign on which to build their challenge.

Lancaster acknowledged that it was a disadvantage but explained that there are avenues they have explored in order to fill in the gaps in their knowledge.

‘You go back through previous teams that he coached, he has a long association with the Bulls, and he also spent seven months at Leicester. We have six or seven players who’ve worked under him and given us insight into him as a person as coach,’ Lancaster said. ‘The beauty of this tour is that we play each other three times in three weeks so we are going to know each other inside out at the end. It’s more about who learns quickly during the game and who adapts to the match situation.

‘South Africa would have had a good chance to have a look at us during the Six Nations, while their last game was the World Cup quarter-final in 2011. So that’s a clear advantage. But again it’s about adapting quickly, especially in the first Test because come Sunday both sides will have a clearer idea of the other’s strengths and limitations.’

Click here to read Stuart Barnes’ take on Stuart Lancaster

Lancaster also explained that the experience and familiarity of the Springboks’ senior players will soften the impact of an inadequate build up.

‘The Springboks have had limited preparation for this series, but they have a core of players who played not only in the World Cup but prior to that as well. There will be a common understanding and philosophy. South Africa are a difficult side at home, irrespective of their preparation time.’

England last won in South Africa 12 years ago. It signalled the start of a golden era which culminated in them winning the World Cup in 2003. Asked whether this was their best opportunity since that last victory to return with the Bok scalp, Lancaster offered: ‘I tend not to look back, but rather forward to where we want to go.

‘This is undoubtedly a huge opportunity to test ourselves against high quality opposition in their own back yard. A tour doesn’t get any tougher than facing South Africa in South Africa, as the British & Irish Lions found out in 2009.’

By Ryan Vrede, in Durban

Follow Ryan on Twitter
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635 Comments

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  • 51.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:15 am

    @sparticus(sparticus)-47:

    Sigh.

    Because the last S15 game had to be completed before the team could be announced.

  • 52.BullDog15: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:15 am

    Absolutely correct. Why should HM pick a team to please the majority and to keep the peace? He clearly has a game plan (unlike Pdiv) and picked players to suit the game plan.

    Explain to me how De Jongh can be considered backup for De VIlliers and Frans Steyn, our likely 12 and 13? Forget about De Jongh’s abilities and form, the question is, should one of our first choice centres become injured, who would slot into the pattern easily? De Jongh or Olivier?

  • 53.SteveWarren: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:15 am

    if werner kruger comes on at any stage our scrum is going to turbo reverse.

  • 54.garth: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:15 am

    PDV made far superior selections.

  • 55.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:16 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-38: :)

  • 56.hensopper1: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:16 am

    Greatest 13 Gerber.

    With all respect, Heinke and BJ have always been useless at international level. In fact BJ was gemoer in the scrums last they were down here.

    Both offer absolutely nothing in the loose either.

  • 57.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:16 am

    Unleash the Doedpoes.

    I hope he is putting in the work with pieter de villiers.

    I would like to seem take over from Jannie du Pap at 3.

  • 58.garth: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:16 am

    @BullDog15(BullDog15)-52: Kick and chase, not exactly a gameplan that works.

  • 59.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:17 am

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-50:

    Tac forgets what he says! Most of us do! ;)

  • 60.greybeard: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:17 am

    @hensopper1(hensopper1)-48: Your knowledge of the English players is very helpful – instead of thumbsucking a number that we will win by, we should all be studying the opposition instead. Disrespect these Poms at your peril chaps. Heyneke and the Boks certainly will not be doing so.

  • 61.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:17 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-46:

    My only hope is that all of this has been a big smokescreen by Meyer and we’ll see a Bok with a bit more guile & smarts this time around.

    Or will it just be bash it up Frans & Jean, forwards form a line at the ruck like sort of tunnel thing where the scrumhalf eventually retrieves it after 2 minutes only to kick it high and deep with wings chasing it down for all their worth.

  • 62.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:17 am

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-50:

    Fourie was going to be captain until mid last week, when he withdrew.

    Meyer said from the start injuries would dicate his chioce of captain.

    Hence, until Jean was confirmed as fit and ready after the Loftus game, what would be the point of announcing him as captain?

  • 63.garth: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:18 am

    @hensopper1(hensopper1)-56: I agree, BJ never made the stepup. Did Heinke get enough of a chance?

  • 64.Bod: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:18 am

    Same old tossers still on here I see.

    I finally gain the energy to get back here and the first thing I read is that my ol buddy Zane is a sure in for fullback… once again I am losing the will to carry on living

  • 65.BullDog15: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:18 am

    @sparticus(sparticus)-47: Because in recent memory there was always a clear front runner. Francois Pienaar, Gary Teichman, John Smit, etc.

    Unfortunately the front runners this time around are injured / semi-retired (read: playing in Japan), or contemplating unretiring (new word; P.A.F.).

  • 66.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:19 am

    @Tacitus(Deucalion)-51: Sigh , you really trying hard hey , why not announce the squad later then ? Like say in ALL the previous times of Bok announcements. Why 15 minutes after the final whistle which does not give you enough time to speak to your captain ?

    Now continue acting dumb , it suits you actually.

  • 67.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:19 am

    Boks by 14.

    Beast, Hougaard and Habana to score tries.

    Haskel to get roughed up by Bissy and Etsebeth, and then also sent off.

    Morne to kick 6 from 6.

    286 Stormer supporters here on keo to “give Heyneke the benefit of the doubt”.

  • 68.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:19 am

    @garth(garth)-58: Works fine for Stormers, yeah?

  • 69.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:20 am

    @Bod(bod)-64:

    how is the apple season going?

  • 70.greybeard: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:20 am

    @SteveWarren(SteveWarren)-53: With respect, have you ever actually watched the work Werner Kruger gets through? Also with respect, did you ever scrum at 3 in your life?

  • 71.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:21 am

    @Tacitus(Deucalion)-62:

    If Meyer knew since mid last week that Jean was going to be captain he could’ve told him so but only confirm with the public if he wasn’t injured.

    Instead he fooled us again with his talk of discussing the captaincy with the seniors before the announcement as his plan to make Spies captain fell flat when the Bulls got shown up.

  • 72.BullDog15: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:21 am

    @garth(garth)-58: What are you so sure there will be a kick and chase game plan? Only one team ever played that game plan and that was the Boks under Pdiv for two seasons (1 successful; 1 a failure). And if you are hinting at the Bulls having a kick and chase game plan you need to subscribe to DSTV and watch some games.

  • 73.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:21 am

    @sparticus(sparticus)-66:

    It really is pointless arguing with someone this thick.

    The squad had to leave for Durban on Sunday. The announcement for straight after the Loftus game had been planned months in advance.

    I don’t understand this issue of yours.

    But that you have an issue is clear. Maybe someone else can help you out.

  • 74.Bod: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:21 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-69: A bit of a slog at the moment as I had a very hard and tiring grape harvest

  • 75.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:21 am

    @Bod(bod)-64: Boderick, you sound down. But I guess such is the topsy turvy life of a casual farm hand. Hang in there.

  • 76.BullDog15: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:22 am

    ****? My comment awaiting moderation? I’ll post something worth moderating next time.

  • 77.hensopper1: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:23 am

    Why this conspiracy nonsense about DeVilliers?

    Move on, Meyer chose him to captain the Boks. He is the captain.

    Can we talk about actual ‘stuff’ please?

    True about the level of experience Greybeard.

    England were where we are now a good few months ago.

    They will be desperate to beat us in the first test. I am sure the Bok players and management are not as naive.

  • 78.BullDog15: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:23 am

    This is how the team trained yesterday:
    Kirchner
    JP Pietersen
    JDV
    Frans Steyn
    Habs
    Morne
    Hougie
    Spies
    Alberts
    Coetzee
    Kruger
    Estebeth
    Jannie
    Bissie
    Beast

  • 79.garth: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:24 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-68: That’s S15. It’s a different game. when last have you seen kick and chase be successful at international level against quality opposition?

  • 80.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:24 am

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-71:

    De Villiers was one of the candidates. Maybe the strongest candidate. But maybe Meyer really did only decide on him on Sunday.

    What’s the problem with that, if so?

  • 81.SteveWarren: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:24 am

    I bet we going to see that c r a p little line behind the ruck that supposedly gives the scrummie more time for a box kick. Why not just pass the ball to your flyhalf which is at least three times further away than that little ruck abomination.

  • 82.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:25 am

    @Bod(bod)-73:

    I’m sorry to hear that lycraman.

    I’m sure the hanepoot stock options made it worthwhile.

    Will you being heading towards Iberia for the orange season?

  • 83.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:25 am

    @BullDog15(BullDog15)-77: Great team. Kirchner wouldn’t have been my 15, but that’s still too much for the Poms.

  • 84.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:25 am

    @garth(garth)-54:

    of course he did, he just picked who jake did before him,ne?

  • 85.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:25 am

    @Tacitus(Deucalion)-35: I suppose that puts to bed your theory that the Bulls were off their game due to the fact that they had the Boks game in mind ?

  • 86.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:25 am

    @Bod(bod)-64:

    Ja! Pink is hip mate. When things are going their way they are here in numbers…

    It diverts from Saturday’s realy rugby…

  • 87.Bod: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:26 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-74: I can take anything in life… calluses on my hands, sweat pouring off my overalls, my pittance of a wage….. anything….. just not Zane Kirshner.

    Table Mountain here I come….

  • 88.hensopper1: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:27 am

    KATMAN.

    Nothing would draw greater admiration and respect from these Boks if they rough tough guy James Haskell up.

    You know the oke who was accused of verbal sexual harrassment of a hotel cleaner in New Zealand?

    The same oke who assaulted Justin Downey? He has a moermy aseblief gesig bar none.

    Bets??

  • 89.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:27 am

    @sparticus(sparticus)-84:

    Imagine if AC was coach and chose the Stormers team and reserves. Say no more…. I would personally have bliksemed him, but that is me. Some think it is endearing…

  • 90.greybeard: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:27 am

    @Tacitus(Deucalion)-79: Tacitus you really are f*a*r*t*ing agaionst thunder here – these fellows want to believe in a Bulls conspiracy so they will – dont even answer them anymore – come Sunday morning they will all hopefully be singing from a different hymn sheet. Rather give us your thoughts on the composition of the bench – that interests me.

  • 91.BreakdownBoy: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:27 am

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-71: Dude, you are blowing a dead goat.

    HM wanted to avoid the John SMit fiasco f the last 8 years, where the captain was chosen in spit of form. HM wants the cpatain to be chosen on form, not just leadership skills.

    JDV is the best centre in SA that is available, his great captancy has brought a depleted Stormers side through victories that many thought would not come. He deserved the job and so HM saw this and made the decision. He is not trying to please anyone, he does not care about anything besides winning.

    Don’t make up **** or contrive controversy, it makes you look stupid.

    Also I am a stormers supporter.

  • 92.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:28 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-82:

    I agree, pretty good side, Kirchener is there because Lambie covers a multitude of positions from the bench.

  • 93.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:28 am

    Fk sakes you Stormers can moan.
    Had AC managed his players properly this would have been the Bok side this weekend.
    1 Beast
    2 Bissie
    3 jannie
    4 Eben
    5 Bekker
    6 Marcel
    7 Alberts
    8 Duanne
    9 Hougi
    10 Morne
    11 habana
    12 F Steyn
    13 JdV c
    14 JP
    15 Kirchener

    So thats 5 Stormers. 3 Bulls. 7 Sharks. And a Stormer as captain.

    Couple of questionable reserves who will only end up holding tackle bags.
    So dry your fking eyes the lot of you.

  • 94.Bod: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:29 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-81: Si…. el dinero con los narangas es mucho, mucho mas de aqui…

    No Hanepoort…. my refined taste buds are only tuned to Mistella nowadays

  • 95.hensopper1: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:29 am

    He is what the English regard as ‘WELL HARD’

  • 96.BullDog15: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:29 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-83: As for all the criticism on the selection, we are still able to put a really good team on the park. Agree with you; I’d have gone for Lambie. However, interesting stats:
    Zane Kirchner
    2nd on list for most try assists (8)
    10th most line breaks (4)
    3rd most turnovers (29)

    I didn’t see that coming; I’m kinda speachless, really…

  • 97.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:29 am

    @sparticus(sparticus)-84:

    Explain to me what your issue is with De Villiers’s selection as captain.

    Meyer wanted Vic. Then the IRB prevented that.

    Then Meyer wanted Du Preez, and du Preez declined.

    So no, De Villiers wasn’t Meyers first choice. But in the end he settled on him. When precisely he came to that decision, only he will know.

    What exactly are you miffed about?

  • 98.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:29 am

    @garth(garth)-78:

    it’s a different game?

    do you look as dom as you sound?

  • 99.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:29 am

    @Tacitus(Deucalion)-72: There you go , have a personal swipe at me, Takes the focus off everything. Every sentence you utter contradicts a previous statement. Meyer is well planned and will pick the best you say. Well he cannot name his captain with his squad filled with Bulls players , some not even first choice , some injured and some new to their positions and uncapped, but nope Meyer will be fair.

    The bulls were off probably due to the fact that they knew they were part of teh bok squad you said. But Jean probably was not informed before hand , I mean he is only the captain. Continue with your spin stories. Next you will try and say that JJ is better than Juan……wait a min…..

  • 100.BreakdownBoy: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2012, 10:29 am

    @SteveWarren(SteveWarren)-80: It’s called the huamn centipede.

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