Bok halfback pair raring to go
12 Aug 2012
Springbok backline coach Ricardo Loubscher says Morne Steyn and Francois Hougaard are in a ‘good space’ following inconsistent showings during the June Test series.
Scrumhalf Hougaard and flyhalf Steyn are likely to spearhead the Boks when they open their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina at Newlands this Saturday. The duo has come under criticism since the 2-0 series win over England, with Hougaard struggling with his tactical kicking game and Steyn disappointing with his goal-kicking.
The latter only managed to convert 13 kicks from 23 attempts over the three matches, which is a success rate of 57%. He also missed four goal attempts in the third Test in PE, which ended in a 14-14 stalemate.
However, Loubscher stressed that the two players have been looking good after the first week of training and are excited to make a positive contribution upon their return to the Test stage.
‘Francois is in a good space,’ Loubscher told keo.co.za. ‘We had a good look into him this past week, and there is a lot of energy. We’re looking forward to get in a great second week ahead of the first Test against Argentina.
‘In terms of Morne, he’s been a professional for a long time. He will know what he needs to work on, and he’ll be looking to pick up form and maintain those high standards that we’re all used to. He’s also in a good space.’
Loubscher added that while Steyn’s goal-kicking has been substandard, his all-round play has been impressive.
‘If you look at most of the tries we scored against England, you will see Morne played a huge part during those attacks. I’m very happy with his contribution in general play and I’m sure he’ll continue to make an impact in that regard.’
Loubscher also expressed his excitement in the return of inside centre Frans Steyn and his partnership with skipper Jean de Villiers. The Sharks man missed the third Test as he got married that weekend and went on honeymoon.
‘Frans is in great shape and plays a massive role in our backline play. He’s a strong ball carrier and helps the team get over the advantage line. I’m excited that he’s back in the team. The fact that he’s so versatile in terms of where he plays is also a big advantage.
‘I’ve also enjoyed Jean de Villiers’s stint at outside centre. I think he’s adapted really well. It’s good to have your leader play out wide as he’s a key decision maker, especially when the team is getting over the gainline.’
By Gareth Duncan, in Cape Town
72 Comments
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13 Aug 2012, 01:54 am
Its high time Super Sarel got a shot at scrumhalf. I think he would be able to make the step up to Bok level easily enough.
He definitely has the X factor.
13 Aug 2012, 01:55 am
When does goosen come back?
13 Aug 2012, 02:34 am
I have always respected the South African standoffs in particular. As a kid seeing Naas Botha train in my hometown in New Zealand was a great memory. I believe that the young first five Lambie has so much to offer. We were so jealous of this young talent when he first came into the Super 14. It seems now he is being used like a utility. I sincerely hope his talent isnt wasted that way. Give him a go now and he will be perfectly experienced for the next world cup. I think he offers a better all round game than any of the young kiwi first fives (although Cruden and Barrett have great areas of strength). No disrespect to Morne, but an experienced confident Lambie would make SA a much more difficult opponent to plan for!
13 Aug 2012, 03:21 am
Right now our biggest problem is at 10 and 8
M Steyn is not the answer at all
Spies should not be there at all Not even on the bench
But I guess HM does not have much choice
Hougaard is ok, if he stops trying to do his painfully poor and slow box kicks and breaks more often
Ruan is not the answer at 9 either sorry to say
So we are stuck with Hougaard and Steyn and Spies, the weak area for the boks and the other teams will target this area big time
I just hope they step up and play to international level that is required
13 Aug 2012, 03:22 am
@SjamBok-52:
I think towards the end of the year and then he needs match time
Also we need Vermeulen back ASAP
13 Aug 2012, 03:40 am
To be honest I would even start Alberts at 8 instead of Spies
Especially in the wet conditions of Newlands
Its going to be a 10 man game with forwards playing the biggest part
But then who do you play with him?
Coetzee and Kolisi?
Most likely not Daniels in the wet weather, and for god sake not Potgieter
Pity about Vermeulen He would have been ideal there at 8 and Alberts and Coetzee
13 Aug 2012, 09:45 am
@Gav4rugby-53: You spot on. Lambie should only be allowed a 10 on his back, just like F Steyn should only have a 12 on his.
Must say Cruden has become world class this year and seems to be growing in confidence every game. The loss of Carter isnt nearly as daunting anymore for you guys Im sure
13 Aug 2012, 09:49 am
@SjamBok-51: Im sorry but Sarel is very average IMO. Weak pass, weak defence, average decision making and average kicking game. Only strength is his attack which wouldnt be nearly as potent in test rugby
13 Aug 2012, 09:50 am
@SjamBok-52: September apparently
13 Aug 2012, 09:58 am
Springbok backline coach Ricardo Loubscher still can’t get used to that…
13 Aug 2012, 10:11 am
@CoachPete-56: I would have Morne on the bench and Spies out the squad
13 Aug 2012, 10:51 am
Gav4rugby – SA has a bad habit of holding onto players that have performed in the past. Morne Steyn won us the B&I Lions series and a 3N title! Since then he has never shone so brightly, kicking always good until lately!!
SA doesn’t have the structures to take Lambie and turn him into a world beater. Lets put it this if Lambie was a kiwi or Ozzie he would be in the national team? Enuff said about SA’s weak mentality!
13 Aug 2012, 11:04 am
This kind of psycho-babble and using it to try to cover up the obvious current problems in the team worries me a lot.
Hougaard might still be in a “good space” if he can play his natural game. But when made to use the Human Centipede just so he doesnt get charged down, then I doubt he is in a good space.
Morne is definitely not in a good space, and I cant believe HM persists with him on current form!
Give Lambie a full-on go at 10 and lets see. Frans, Ruaan or Lambie can kick for poles, and all 3 can kick for position (I daresay Frans kicks further and will find Touch) so there is not as much need for Morne as there was.
Let Ruan be 9 for a few games, and Hougie on the wing at 14.
It is time to sort this team out and make some decisions. If nothing else, players like Morne and Habana get a rest and hopefully will sort themselves out
13 Aug 2012, 11:08 am
@CoachPete-54: Coach, I will disagree about Ruan – especially if the conditions are wet like you say.
@Bok fan-61: I agree with you and I would say that 8, 9 and 10 are the big problems at the moment. But they are all Bulls and all played under HM, so not much chance of them changing is there (I mean that as in a coach will back guys he knows). Perhaps if Vermulen was fit he would be in…
13 Aug 2012, 11:31 am
@bokfan1-64: Ja Im a huge fan of Meyer but he is worrying me more and more each week
13 Aug 2012, 11:35 am
Hougaard is not our best scrummie by a long shot. The sooner Heyneke accepts this and moves on, the better for all us.
He is, however, one of our best rugby players and should be included in any Bok 22.
13 Aug 2012, 12:16 pm
@Craven-66: Ja I think wing or 13 are his best options at the moment
13 Aug 2012, 12:43 pm
There is a better (on form) 10 in the squad…
13 Aug 2012, 13:06 pm
@Bok fan-67:
I would pick him on the wing for Saturday’s game against Argentina.
13 Aug 2012, 13:14 pm
It is true that Hougaard have not been playing his natural game and sucked at the enforced kicking game, but what is his natural game? Have we seen him play his natural game at scrumhalf. I think is natural game is better suited to wing or outside centre.
13 Aug 2012, 13:48 pm
@Craven-69: My suggestion exactly! In place of Habana. Hougie always looks awesome on the wing, and scored a few good tries from there last year.
@Bok fan-65: Im not so concerned about HM, he wants to win every Test and not using the “building” excuse, which I really appreciate. He is also just backing players he knows, which any coach does… however, he did talk about rewarding form in selection and so on (altho most coaches say that and then stick to the players they know).
For me its not anythign personal against Habana, Morne and Spies – I dig them all, but we know what they can do and have done, and these tests against the Argies is a golden opportunity to give the newer guys a full chance to show what they can do!
14 Aug 2012, 19:02 pm
@bokfan1-71:
If Meyer was really truthful about rewarding “form” then what on earth is a stupid lumbering ox like J. Potgieter doing in the side? It’s not like he gained any form while off injured? Then Meyer fast tracks him directly from injury back into the 3rd test against England where he looked famously out of his depth.
IF he was really working off form then…..the Hougie, Spies, Morne and Lambie would not have been picked…..all have shown disastrous form of late….and I’m a HUGE Lambie fan.
Sadly – I think Meyer will continue down this “blue” paved road…..all the while trying to steer a sinking ship right into the mud by losing most of the tests against the AB’s and Wobblies for the next 4 years with painful “favorite” picks and a useless outdated game plan.
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