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, 10:47 am
@Bod(bod)-145:
You know what you say about dynamite and small packages.
5 Jun 2012, 10:47 am
@vasteses(vasteses)-106:
Een regstelling; 15 Suid Afrikaners teen omtrent 10 Engelse, 2 NZ’ers, ‘n Somoaan en 2 hans kakies.
5 Jun 2012, 10:48 am
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-151:
*they
5 Jun 2012, 10:48 am
To be honest the only combonations that migth be a problem is at lock (have not played together) and the loose forwards (have too many injuries/ also best no 6 was excluded from team (Brussouw)) The rest of the team know each other and have won against northern opposition in the North.
I believe if they can stick together and form a good team spirit then we could see a good game from the HM boks. But I think the best players will be the three youngster (Etzebeth/ Coetzee and J Kruger).
5 Jun 2012, 10:48 am
i know this will get taken the wrong way by those who wish to always take things the wrong way… but i mean it sincerely and with the best of intentions…
heyneke should hire a media advisor to assist him with how best to put his message and announcements out to the public… don’t need to go into detail the debate and uncertainty created by his announcements should be evidence enough…
but in general he does seem to be contradicting himself on occasion and/or sending mixed messages…
i still do support the man and want him to be the most successful coach in south african history… and want him to klap the ABs and everyone else 6 love 6 love goodnight nurse over and out the end… even if he selects an all blue bull team… just as long as he wins and keeps winning…
but he does seem to be struggling to communicate his intentions effectively… and a little help in this regard would go a long way…
and as a public official it is not up to rugby fans to understand him… it is incumbent upon him to make himself understood to the public…
5 Jun 2012, 10:49 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-128: Well then Meyer also stated that he will pick form players and by that statement you made of Meyer rating Kanko it seems as if Kanko was picked on reputation ?
5 Jun 2012, 10:49 am
It will be interesting to see, from a man-management perspective how much guys like Spies and Flip, who have never looked that good in a Bok jersey, will perform under a man they trust and who his known for his ability to motivate.
5 Jun 2012, 10:49 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-150:
maybe you should join your buddies over there.
@Bod(bod)-145:
lolapalooza.
you were fiddling in your lycra over him when he was playing for province last year.
5 Jun 2012, 10:49 am
@vasteses(vasteses)-142: Hulle is pateties want hulle het nie genoeg vaardigheid nie.
5 Jun 2012, 10:50 am
The days of Juan de Jong type Bok centres are over for the foreseeable future. Meyer will always favour the Jacque Fourie 100kg midfielders.
That’s his gameplan. And if he wins matches with it, who cares how good the players are that got left out?
5 Jun 2012, 10:50 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-150: I like them wearing pink, they lose in pink.
5 Jun 2012, 10:51 am
@ufo(ufo)-155:
Point taken. It is quite refreshing to have a Bok coach whose utterances we can understand to the point where we can identify contradictions. With Divvie you never knew what he said so it was impossible to know if he ever contradicted himself
5 Jun 2012, 10:52 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-158:
Naa I like you better!!!
5 Jun 2012, 10:52 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-160: We dont have many 100kg midfielders with the skills of Jacque Fourie
5 Jun 2012, 10:53 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-160: There’s been ample examples that size can be overcome. ask oom Dawie.
5 Jun 2012, 10:53 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-160:
Good on him.
What if he loses?
Here I thought becoming a Bok was open to everyone as long as you were good enough, not big enough.
5 Jun 2012, 10:53 am
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-162:
hehehe…
point taken…!
5 Jun 2012, 10:54 am
@Drewster(Drewster)-161:
Me too!!! But I have to rub it in…
Which rugby team can be taken seriously wearing pink…
5 Jun 2012, 10:54 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-150: No… its ok for the team to be in pink….. its their supporters that are the ridiculous ones.
50000 man-boobed, hippo gutted, ajay short wearing, knock kneed apparitions is not easy on the eyes…
Its been good again… outta here
5 Jun 2012, 10:54 am
I just hope that HM’s game plan and selections are knee jerk reactions to him not having enough time to prepare and select a team for the England series. If he is the rugby thinker that everyone reports him to be, then he has to realize that the kick and chase game is going to play into the hands of the Aussies and AB’s in the rugby championship. It may work against the Argies, but even they may surprise him.
5 Jun 2012, 10:54 am
@greybeard(greybeard)-129: I will not be watching or supporting anyone. Will I be sad if the Boks lose , probably , emotions beat brains on any day and no-one like to see their Country lose. I have been a Bok supporter since forever. I went to every Newlands test almost , the highlight being the 95 opening game and about 3 years ago against the ABS which even though we lost on that day I stood next to a Huge afrikaaner singing nksosi sikele with our arms around each other and tears of pride in our eyes. One of my highlights ever.
But sadly I cannot go on , the argurements I have , the defending of the selections I cannot do. I don’t believe it myself anymore.
So I shall be watching schools rugby in the Western Cape.
5 Jun 2012, 10:55 am
Drerwster
That’s why De Villiers has to stand in for him at 13. But ebgelbrecht is a big strong player, who Meyer no doubt believes can fill that void in the long run. Remembering that Jacque Fourie was a retreaded fullback before he became a star 13 at test level.
5 Jun 2012, 10:55 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-168: My sentiments exactly
5 Jun 2012, 10:56 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-160: What a wonderful message our ‘coach’ is sending out to the entire SA player base (especially the youngsters) – ROID UP OR SHIP OUT.
5 Jun 2012, 10:56 am
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-136:
i’d say apoln is hard done by missing out but not dejong.
he’s as one dymensional as trevor halstad ever was. Olivier was the only center that looked to step,straighten and pass this past weekend.
In fact, the only reason the stormers scored is because dejong didn’t touch the ball and it fell to kolisi. Kolisi will be a bok this year so everyone should stop panicking.
to quickly the stormers forget that they got only 30% territory and possession. That’s a stat that’ll win you the odd game but not the championship. but enjoy anyway just don’t spend too much time wondering when the **** starts happening.
5 Jun 2012, 10:57 am
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-143:
JDJ kan verdedig dit gee ek toe, maar wat maak hom n meer kreatiewe speler as JJ. Ek stem saam Aplon is ongelukkig en ek hou ook nie van Krishner nie ek dink dis n fout om hom te speel maar ons het nie goeie heelgaters in SA op die oomblik nie niemand staan uit nie. ons het ook nie goeie senters nie niemand staan uit nie. Jean is daar omdat hy ondervinding het en ek glo n goeie kaptein sal maak maar hy het ook nie die wereld aan die brand gespeel nie. Julle driee rekord bewys dit, as julle julle aanval kan uitsort sal julle die S15 wen maar huidiglik sien ek dit nie gebeur nie.
5 Jun 2012, 10:57 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-160: So what about the hundreds of thousands of young De Jong’s out there in the plattelande or townships ? What message is this to them ?
what message is this to the U21′s ?
5 Jun 2012, 10:58 am
@sparticus(sparticus)-171:
enjoy
5 Jun 2012, 10:58 am
The Sharks should insist on them playing in Pink! They should change their gear to light blue… A guarentteed win I say…
5 Jun 2012, 10:58 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-172: A little too soon for JJ, dont you think. Needs a full season in a position to see if he actually has the aptitude. Was a wing for WP
5 Jun 2012, 10:59 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-174:
Yeah, I predict a deluge of talented players leaving our shores. Alternatively they could all gun for Bulls contracts and thus ensure selection
5 Jun 2012, 11:00 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-172:
Jacque Fourie was a protege who at 19 was already showing signs he would be an awesome Springbok.
Comparing him to JJ who’s been a bit part player this year is ridiculous.
5 Jun 2012, 11:00 am
@sparticus(sparticus)-177:
Yeah a sad comment indeed. I don’t think Tac meant it though. He tends to say things he never means… He has a heart of pink I tell you… Nothing will change that…
5 Jun 2012, 11:00 am
Was it not HM who had a mouthful to say about Jake not selecting Ettienne Botha because he was reportedly to small for Bok rugby?
5 Jun 2012, 11:00 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-179: I think even HG would agree to that for a guaranteed win
5 Jun 2012, 11:01 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-175: Then in the same breath the Bulls had 70% possession and could not score. What does that say of the their backline ? The same backline who if I think about it is picked for the Bok squad.
5 Jun 2012, 11:02 am
I really don’t mind JJ selection. If HM sees a certain quality bin him then that’s great. But WTF is WO doing there? Zane, oh my fck. Why would anyone pick him?
5 Jun 2012, 11:02 am
@ufo(ufo)-155:
look, you’ve been reading this blog for long enough. How do you know that meyer is communicating incorrectly?
this website is notorius for cherry-picking sentences from coaches out of context.
Hell, Vrede swore blind last week that fourie dupreez would be captain……”speaking to sources”.
everything with a healthy handful of salt on this website
5 Jun 2012, 11:03 am
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-184:
Wasn’t he also the person who said he would never coach the Boks, after losing out to PdV? I may be wrong and don’t want to open a can of whoppas now…
5 Jun 2012, 11:03 am
@vasteses(vasteses)-176:
Ek was een was Jean en Habana se grootse kritici die jaar maar beide van hulle het hul spelpeil gelug so nou is my mond toe vir eers.
Stem saam dat die driëe nie vir die Stormers vloei nie maar dis so obvious soos daglig dat De Jongh op hierdie stadium a beter opsie as JJ & Wynand is aangesien hy al op Toets vlak gespeel en presteer het.
5 Jun 2012, 11:04 am
@Couchcoach(GI POT)-170:
ons weet nie hoe die bokke gaan speel nie alles is nou net spekulasie, dat ons wel hulle onderdruk gaan sit met goed geplaaste skoppe is verseker
5 Jun 2012, 11:04 am
I still don’t understand the public vitriol.
The majority of Bok supporters were relieved when Heyneke took the job. Now it sounds like it’s the worst thing since Rudolf got the role.
He said that the priority of the English series was to win. Nothing more. No matter how.
He’s picked a team to do just that. Beat the English. It won’t be pretty. We’re highly unlikely to cut their defense to ribbons. Strong set pieces, Steyn kicking for territory (yawn), and then putting over penalties and drop goals. If we win each test by 3 points, Heyneke will be happy.
He also said that a captain will be appointed for the 3 English tests and thereafter he will look for a long term captain. He’s done just that.
Stormers supporters are up in arms, why? Schalk, Vermeulen and Bekker would have been in the squad (likely in the place of Potgieter, Kanko and van der Merwe) and all of them probably would have been in the 22 had they not been injured.
Juan de Jongh has hardly set the competition alight this year, although that might have more to do with the sterility of the Stormers backline than his own performance. Neither him nor JJ were going to make the starting XV for this series and would only have a chance on the bench if Heyneke went with a 4-3 split. Given the likely game plan that they will implement for this series, a 5 – 2 split seems the more probable one.
Gio Aplon is the only really unlucky one in my eyes. But given Heyneke’s preference for size, especially for this tour, he was always up against it.
Yes, Peter Grant is playing some of the best rugby of his career, but once again, let’s look at the likely, low risk game plan that’s likely to be implemented. Up and unders, tactical kicks for territory (yawn). Hate to admit it, but Morne Steyn does that sort of thing better. Also, at 27 and with Johan Goosen waiting in the wings, does it make sense to bring in Peter Grant for 3 tests, ask him to play a game that is not natural for him, only to drop him again in favour of that freakishly talented kid from the Cheetahs?
As for Siya Kolisi, he has been very impressive. But I’m in favour of allowing him the luxury of the Super rugby tournament, and a solid Currie Cup before the End of Year Tour. Let him develop at his own high pace, identify short comings in his own game, then blood him against relatively weaker nations like the Scottish or Irish.
Bottom line is this. Yes, I am a little surprised and even annoyed by some selections. But I’m waiting for the Rugby Championship and End of Year Tour before I start throwing my toys regarding selection.
View the squad and captain as the squad and captain for this series only. It’s likely to change significantly once injured players return.
5 Jun 2012, 11:04 am
@BullDog15(BullDog15)-96:
Zanes 29 turnovers stat refers to how many times he has lost the ball, third worst in all of Super rugby
5 Jun 2012, 11:04 am
@sparticus(sparticus)-186:
They were too big to get through the small gaps…
5 Jun 2012, 11:05 am
At least Kolisi is in the wider Bok group. Prefer him to Coetzee but that’s a coach’s pick.
JdJ has been exposed to a Meyer-like plan beforehand with the Stormers and with the Boks, so he has a decent enough familiarity – a far superior player to Timotei.
JJ is a promising player – I doubt most would have had a problem with him being there if JdJ had been picked instead of Timotei who is useless at test level.
As for the potential run-on team, I like it.
5 Jun 2012, 11:05 am
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-182: U should know by now that only players wearing blue…..I mean pink are deemed future stars good enough for the boks. Remember Hurdles way back.
Interesting enough he said JJ has the potential to become great. I actually agree with him , said last year that we will miss JJ more than Sadie. The thing is , is the Bok team the place for that development ? JJ hardly played centre ? Meyer said he wants to win everygame and will pick the strongest team for the games.
I reckon JJ needs to complete the season at 13 before we can judge him to be honest.
5 Jun 2012, 11:05 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-188:
…because he said he would be picking form players… Maybe we see form differently to him…
He sees form as the form of their bodies and we see form as the way they play…
5 Jun 2012, 11:06 am
@sparticus(sparticus)-148: I should know better than to do this sparticus but here goes:
I imagine I’m a bit older than you – Ive not missed a Bok test going back to the days when we didnt have TV but listened on the radio. In all that time, my friend, I have almost never agreed 100% with the coach’s selections, but what Ive learnt is that the coach is the one in the front line who faces the press and must carry the can IF and WHEN they lose. If HM loses his first test, the knives will be out. I am not a huge fan of his game plan either, but for better or for worse, he is the Bok coach and we have known for MONTHS that this would be the way it was. I say lets live with it for now.
In all my many Tests that I have watched, I have nver been able to NOT support the green and gold – as old as I am, I still weep when i see those jerseys run onto the field. I dont give a rats arse WHO is playing – that wasnt my choice – I just hope they win. The only time I had doubts about supporting the Boks was under Jake White when Luke Watson was foisted on the team – that was a near thing for me because it had zippo to do with rugby.
HM is I believe an honorable man who wants to win – if he thinks this is the way to do it, I will support him unless it becomes a joke like it did under Krusty the Clown. I may not agree with his selections,, but FFS man it is HIS choice not yours or mine.
Is that OK with you now? Can we stop cryingand talk about rugby?
Thanks bud.
5 Jun 2012, 11:06 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-168:
a rugby team which won THREE super titiles…
most recently one in a final against ‘that’ team of pretenders in suspenders…
5 Jun 2012, 11:06 am
I also see no problem with JdV’s announcement as captain coming a day after.
Oh and I would have chosen Aplon over Basson.
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