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
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635 Comments
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5 Jun 2012, 10:30 am
Heinkie vd Merwe does have a loose game but its his destructive scrummaging that is advantage. Most consistent dominating loosehead we have playing today.
My head tells me the Beast will struggle to contain Dan Cole. Jannie is a weakness at 3. I await the first scrum with much eagerness.
5 Jun 2012, 10:30 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-82: It is a strong team katman, and although likely to be a little underdone on Saturday, still strong enough to beat England if they play well imo.
5 Jun 2012, 10:31 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-83: You mean he picked the players that had just won the RWC. Wow.
5 Jun 2012, 10:31 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-85: I missed the comments after Saturdays game….. should have been a hoot!
I wonder if anyone noticed that headless chicken running around in the No 15 pink jumper??
5 Jun 2012, 10:31 am
True Greybeard, As much as we all love getting a dig in to any Bulls supporter, poor old tacitus is having to deal with the lunatic fringe here. What a waste of energy!
5 Jun 2012, 10:32 am
daar is altyd mense wat ongelukkig is oor n bokspan, dis nou tyd om saam te staan en h.ulle te ondersteun soos dit nou lyk. gaan daar: 22 suid afrikaners teen die engelse speel .
nie 5 Bulle, 3 stormers, 7 Sharks,nie. wie gee om wie in die bokspan is solank ons die britte se gat skop. Die manne op die Site K@K en kerm oor dinge wat hulle geen beheer oor het nie. GO BOKKE
5 Jun 2012, 10:32 am
Sparticus
I think the squad was picked well in advance.
The captain, though, was approached by Meyer on Sunday, once the squad had assembled.
What don’t you understand about that?
5 Jun 2012, 10:32 am
@Bod(bod)-86: Jeez, Bodster, for a moment there I thought you were describing the opening scenes of your first foray into adult TV acting.
5 Jun 2012, 10:32 am
@BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-90:
Nowhere did I say JdV doesn’t deserve it.
What I’m saying is if it took a IRB law to keep Matfield away, a Japan based Du Preez to decline to captaincy before Meyer eventually decided Jean was his man, a guy who was more than willing to do the job from the get go then surely we should question Heyneke’s decision making and planning if he couldn’t see the right short term leader while the guy was right here, week in week out?
5 Jun 2012, 10:32 am
If you were going to war you would choose your allies right! You won’t choose your arch enemies (Stormers). It is not the starting team that is a problem. It is the statement he made by choosing players that everyone knew would never be considered that is causing the storm. Maybe it is Erasumus who has gripes? But storms blow over eventually…
5 Jun 2012, 10:34 am
@Bod(bod)-103: At least she was noticed. Basson and Spies must have gone underground cause fcked if I could see the anywhere.
5 Jun 2012, 10:34 am
@BullDog15(BullDog15)-96: Lambie doesn’t feature in those lists. And here I was all along thinking Lambie is a much more exciting player…better take my pills again.
5 Jun 2012, 10:34 am
Greatest 13 Gerber.
Points taken.
The scrums are important on saturday for sure.
Let’s see.
5 Jun 2012, 10:34 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-106:
Meyer is short sighted.
He had to court Matfield and Du Preez for weeks while all the time he had the right guy for the job slogging it out here in SA with a huge desire to still play for his country.
5 Jun 2012, 10:35 am
@Bod(bod)-103:
Yeah I did! I was at the game and made time to come on afterwards. Win or lose…
You could hear a pin drop when Habanna went over to score. The looks on the faces were priceless…
I think we have done the Sharks a huge favour… They could sneak in and I will give them a win at home against the Pink dolls…
5 Jun 2012, 10:35 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-96: De Viliiers is only captain to please the folks down in the Western Cape. How can Meyer be Bulls Bias if his captain is from the Stormers ?
The question again is why wait for the announcement of Captain ? We all knew Matfield was a choice a long time ago , then Matfield was not eligible and then FDP was the choice , we all knew that as well , then FDP pulled out so howcome Meyer did not communicate the Jean that he is next in line , I am sure Meyer knew all along who his next choice would be ?
5 Jun 2012, 10:36 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-109:
Amongst the forwards you guys seem to have a problem with the fact that Meyer doesn’t rate the Stormers second choice loose trio as better than the first choice loose forwards of the Sharks and Bulls.
Amongst the backs you seem to have a problem with the fact that Meyer doesn’t rate small centres and fullbacks.
5 Jun 2012, 10:36 am
@vasteses(vasteses)-105:
Ondersteuners kan hul stemme laat tel.
Net omdat jy gelukkig is met die k@k beteken nie ek gaan jou soos a skaap volg en Amen n ja baas nie.
5 Jun 2012, 10:36 am
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-50:
Please dont use Logic in your argument , it will infuriate the likes of tact and co.
5 Jun 2012, 10:36 am
@vasteses(vasteses)-105: Well said mate!
5 Jun 2012, 10:37 am
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-113:
Listen mate the pain not to make Britney captain almost killed him. It is like playing rugby with your son and not choosing him in your team even though there are better. HM had to do what he had to do…
5 Jun 2012, 10:37 am
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-108:
jean was nie sy eerste keuse, maar hy is nou, HM is n goeie afrigter wat weet wat hy wil he, as andries skalk en duane nie beseer was nie sou hulle in die apn gewees het sou julle dan beter gevoel het, watter ander stormers behalwe, jdj en aplon kon die span maak.
5 Jun 2012, 10:37 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-107: Quit thta stuff along time ago after receiving numerous threats from Mark Whalberg and his lawyers. I was making him look stupid apparently…
5 Jun 2012, 10:37 am
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-113: He is the coach, so he is the guy who must make the plans. And when Plan A doesn’t materialise, he is the man who must make Plan B or C. Which he did quite well, given the tight deadlines here. Not really sure what the problem is.
5 Jun 2012, 10:38 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-116: Actually I rate Marcel Coetzee highly , think along with Kollisi he is the form flank. Kanko and Potgieter though is another story. Both were injured and in Potgieter case still is ? I could be wrong though.
Coming back to Kanko , even when fit he is at best a good Super rugby player.
5 Jun 2012, 10:39 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-116: Your statement about the loose trio is 100% accurate. The Stormers leftovers are better than those from the Sharks and Bulls.
5 Jun 2012, 10:39 am
@Bod(bod)-122: Ja, I heard you were fluffing for Wahlberg at one stage. And I agree, your jelly and feather boa routine was making him look a little stupid. I can see why he let you go.
5 Jun 2012, 10:39 am
@sparticus(sparticus)-124:
But here’s the thing.
Meyer apparently rates Kanko.
So there you have it.
5 Jun 2012, 10:39 am
@sparticus(sparticus)-118: Ok sparticus we are all bored with this now – nail your colours to that mast for all to see bud! Who are you shouting for on Saturday evening – Boks or Poms?
5 Jun 2012, 10:40 am
Third straight day, same old arguments.
5 Jun 2012, 10:40 am
@vasteses(vasteses)-105: Well said.
5 Jun 2012, 10:40 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-116:
Brains always wins over brawn! That is a fact. Size matters and what has it helped the boks over the past four years? Flokall… We have become a bunch of losers happy to win the odd game and then say we have improved where we lost… Nothing has changed until we change the way our players are being coached. The Baby Boks played the style of rugby we have played for many years…
5 Jun 2012, 10:40 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-107:
el bodo is quite the home movie buff.
he is chairman of the Edgemead Doggers.
5 Jun 2012, 10:41 am
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-117:
die meeste Strmrs op die site is moerig omdat daar so baie bulle is ek verstaan dit dit gaan maar oor die jare lange haat tusen die twee unies, ek se ook nie jy moet ja en amen nie, ek dink net ons moet nou saam met die bokke staan wie ookal gekies is.
5 Jun 2012, 10:41 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-131:
But here’s the thing:
Meyer rates big players.
So there you have it.
5 Jun 2012, 10:41 am
I find it quite interesting that some people think that players will transform from being mediocre, one-dimensional and braindead into rugby superstars just because they play under a new coach. And that in the space of a week!!!
What does HM possess that will make Spies become more physical, the Steyns more creative, Habana hold onto a ball, Kirchner actually counter attack and Hougaard clean the ruks faster? People who think that we will play any other game plan than forwards in pods attacking the advantage line, Hougaard and Steyn kicking the ball all day long and centres having to clean out rucks is totally delusional.
Hence the selections, my dear friends. No place for players with individual brilliance. HM believes in the game plan and the success of the team will be measured against how well they can stick to the game plan; not the individuals’ moments of brilliance. Get used to it.
5 Jun 2012, 10:41 am
@vasteses(vasteses)-121: It’s not about the injured WP that are not there, it’s about the pathetic players that have been selected.
5 Jun 2012, 10:41 am
@greybeard(greybeard)-128: Option three is to join gwantie in the colours of Namibia. It’s the rugby version of a hunger strike.
5 Jun 2012, 10:41 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-114: Did someone make the obvious and logical statement that its about time they actually stopped this churlish and stupid fascination of pink, returned to blue and started concentrating on their rugby again.
Thereafter, they might just be able to sneak it against the Lions
5 Jun 2012, 10:43 am
@SteveWarren(SteveWarren)-80: The treintjie. I nearly wept when I saw the Baby Boks do it last night as well…..
5 Jun 2012, 10:43 am
I actually don’t see what the issue is with HM only picking three stormers.If you ask me he has done them a favour. Allows the squad to get fully rested and repaired before the few warm up games ahead of the S15 playoffs
5 Jun 2012, 10:43 am
@garth(garth)-137:
hoekom is hulle pateties om dat hulle bulle is?
5 Jun 2012, 10:44 am
@vasteses(vasteses)-121:
Nee, wat my beter sou laat voel het in die eerste plek is as JJ & Wynand nie daar was nie & Aplon & Juan wel. Asook vuurvreter flank Kolisi in die ewe talentvolle maar beseerde Potgieter wat vir ‘n maand geen rugby gesien het nie.
As Potgieter ‘n gesoute Bok was soos Juan Smit of S. Burger sou ek geen probleem gevind met die besluit nie.
Maar albei Kolisi en Potgieter is ewe nat agter die ore en ewe talentvol maar ek het klaar my rede gegee oor hoe ek voel soos ek voel.
5 Jun 2012, 10:44 am
@greybeard(greybeard)-129:
he’s going with the poms.
although he’ll be wearing yellow,
5 Jun 2012, 10:45 am
@garth(garth)-111: Personally I thought this new superhero JJ whateverhisnameis was the match standout…
Made Kolisi look like a dwarf…
5 Jun 2012, 10:46 am
Will Meyer still be coach when the Boks lose 3 zip and the Stormers win the Super 15?
5 Jun 2012, 10:47 am
ek dink die stormers wat daat moet wees is beseer en die wat daar is moenie daar wees nie behalwe Etsebet maar ek sal hulle support.
5 Jun 2012, 10:47 am
@greybeard(greybeard)-89: simply explain how JJ and lets say Jano Vermaak makes the team ? In my opinion they should not even be in the reserve squad. I believe Chad Mcloud and Juan deserves to be there, I base my selection of the fact that they both form players , both solid defenders and Juan have a great attacking step. Chad fast around the fringes , good pass and box kick. Both are experience as well which seems to what Meyer wants for the first test and both are boks. Juan can play 12 and 13 as well with ease.
5 Jun 2012, 10:47 am
@garth(garth)-103:
ja….and he just kept picking them non-stop and fcked it right up in 2008 didn’t he? Just a year after winning in 2007.
if memory serves me correctly.
there were only 3 changes to our side in 2011 to the one in 2007.
brussow
morne
lambie
and you could argue that at least 2 of those where injury induced (jean smith,jean devilliers)
so, yeah, wow……talk about copy-and-pasting a teamsheet.
5 Jun 2012, 10:47 am
@Bod(bod)-139:
Rugby Talk Bulls are pissed off with the Pink! I think the Real Bulls supporters moved over there. Those here love the pink and then point fingers at other teams being girly…They say which team can be taken seriously if they wear pink… I must say Britney and Meisiekind look good in pink, but Greyling – well that is another story. You can see the peed look in his eyes…
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