Rookie takes aim at England
20 Jun 2012
New Springbok blindside Jacques Potgieter is relishing the prospect of tackling England and has promised to match Willem Alberts’ work-rate.
Of those currently in the wider training group, Potgieter, Siya Kolisi and JJ Engelbrecht all hail from the Eastern Cape but it is the Bulls No 7 who Meyer has selected for the third and final Test against England.
Meyer said that the 26-year-old, who is originally from Port Elizabeth, has the physical attributes and has displayed the necessary Super Rugby form to suggest that he is ready for Test rugby. The Bok coach is convinced that Potgieter will offset the loss of Alberts, who sustained a knee injury in last week’s match.
Meyer explained that Alberts’ injury gives Potgieter an opportunity to showcase his skills at the highest level. Indeed it is an opportunity Potgieter may never have enjoyed if Alberts, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen were all fit and available.
Nevertheless, he intends to make the most of this chance.
‘I’m replacing Willem who has had an outstanding series, so I have some big boots to fill,’ Potgieter said. ‘I would say we are a bit different and that we each bring something different to that role. Having said that I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing that ball-carrying role, of getting us over the gainline.’
While the Boks’ work at the attacking breakdowns was far better at Ellis Park, Meyer has expressed his disappointment in the defence. Meyer lamented some ‘soft moments’ where the Boks allowed England some easy yards and tries.
England are set to make a few changes of their own this week, with James Haskell a likely replacement for the injured captain Chris Robshaw. Thomas Waldrom is also expected to pack down at No 8, and if these players receive the ball on the front foot they could prove difficult to contain.
‘England have nothing to lose this week, so they will throw everything at us,’ said Potgieter. ‘So we will have to be prepared.
‘Personally, if I see a white jersey, I’m going to go for it no matter what. In fact, if the referee is wearing white I may even end up tackling him,’ the rookie joked.
Meyer has selected a loose trio that is a blend of youth and experience. Potgieter will play his first Test, while Marcell Coetzee will earn just his third cap. At the other end of the scale, Pierre Spies will play his 50th Test for South Africa.
Potgieter is confident that the three loose forwards will fire as a combination, and admitted that he would be looking to Spies, his captain at the Bulls, for guidance during the match.
‘Pierre is an amazing guy. His calmness and experience having played 50 Tests will certainly help guys like Marcell and myself.’
By Jon Cardinelli, in Port Elizabeth
19 Comments
20 Jun 2012, 15:20 pm
Showed his stuff at Super Rugby level now let’s see if he can step it up another notch….I reckon he’s got what it takes. Al the best JP
20 Jun 2012, 15:31 pm
Perfect sub for Willem.
I was terrified that Keegan Daniel (who is better suited to primary school field – no disrespect, he just doesn’t have the physical strenth for top class rugby. I just wish that some of our dumb oxen had his skills.) would get the nod.
If I were English, I would be losing sleep. How is it possible that SA can lose Alberts and then bring in another wrecking ball.
I just hope that Potgieter makes the right decision, which is usually a problem for greenhorns.
20 Jun 2012, 15:51 pm
It looks like the 7 jersey is going to be a key position during Meyer’s tenure. And it’s where SA loosie depth is going to serve us well.
Caps don’t matter. They’re there to subdue. And as long as one of either Alberts, Potgieter, Vermeulen, Deysel is fit and on form at any given time, we’ll have what it takes to make the hard yards.
20 Jun 2012, 15:57 pm
@ali(ali)-3: Scary part is, all four those names are class acts…..eina for the opposition…..
20 Jun 2012, 16:01 pm
@ali(ali)-3: deysel is a sick-note!
20 Jun 2012, 16:27 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE(KWAGGA ROBERTSE)-4: And that list is on the assumption that Juan Smith’s international career is over. Which it probably is.
@Transformation(Transformation)-5: Doesn’t matter. Injuries are inevitable for this role, and with our depth, 7′s are expendable resources. Just as long as one of them is on fit and form at any given time, boks’ main source of impetus will be secured. One can easily be replaced with another.
20 Jun 2012, 17:59 pm
@ali(ali)-6: What is Juan’s injury and what’s the prognosis?
20 Jun 2012, 18:17 pm
@bangkok-bok(bangkok-bok)-7: The same achilles problem from last year.
Last i heard, he’s not playing rugby this year, and is aiming for 2013
20 Jun 2012, 18:21 pm
I like the comment about Spies calmness. I just wish it was otherwise.
20 Jun 2012, 20:15 pm
Alberts a Potgieter wannabee…………………………
20 Jun 2012, 20:51 pm
i just hope his injury has healed properly, and he lasts the game.
20 Jun 2012, 21:27 pm
My pecking order
8 Duane Vermeulen, Joshua Strauss, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski
7 Willem Alberts, Jaques Potgieter, Jean Deysel, Derick Minnie, Juan Smith
6 Schalk Burger, Marcell Coetzee, Heinrich Brussouw, Siya Kolisi, Keegan Daniel
20 Jun 2012, 21:46 pm
8 Duane Vermeulen, Marcell Coetzee, Keegan Daniel, Nizaam Carr, Pierre Spies, Nick Koster, Ryan Kankowski
7 Willem Alberts, Rynhardt Elstadt, Jaques Potgieter, Joshua Strauss, Jean Deysel, Juan Smith
6 Heinrich Brussouw, Siya Kolisi, Deon Stregmann, Derick Minnie, Schalk Burger, Nizaam Carr
21 Jun 2012, 00:13 am
Jacques Potgieter is the real deal, will be great to watch him play for the Boks. So much for Keo thinking he is not up to test level, what utter k@k.
21 Jun 2012, 01:29 am
Do it boet – ive been loving what ive seen in the Super rugby comp from him. Well deserved break. I think he is going to surprise a lot of people on Saturday.
21 Jun 2012, 06:47 am
Good luck Pottie, give them hell. I thought Pottie was another player from the 20\21 year old brigade, but @ 26 he’s already a seasoned veteran.
21 Jun 2012, 07:53 am
@brains_trust(brains_trust)-16: Seasoned veteran? A veteran of what? The Bulls vodacom cup team?
21 Jun 2012, 12:34 pm
I have enjoyed his play i teh Super series also – good luck boeta!!
21 Jun 2012, 12:38 pm
If we are going to use the wreckingball game plan, and hold onto the ball all the timem, why not use some locks as flankers too? Bring in some big buggers from the second row (a la Danie Rossouwrus, Sykes), make them flankers and make a set of forwards all 2m and 120 kgs, and subdue and penetrate your auntie!! Never mind the lineouts and scrums…
Soon teams would realise that they just cannot give us the ball, as we will hold onto it and pummel them silly until we score every time…
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