Andries braced for Bok audition
15 Aug 2012
Andries Bekker realises that the Test against Argentina at Newlands on Saturday will be his opportunity to stake a claim for the Springbok No 5 jersey.
During the Bok team announcement on Wednesday, head coach Heyneke Meyer revealed that he was impressed with Juandre Kruger’s contribution as a No 5 lock during the 2-0 series victory over England in June. Meyer refused to describe the Bulls second rower’s omission from this weekend’s match 22 as the player being ‘dropped’, but rather pointed to the fact that it was Bekker’s chance to prove his worth at Test level.
Bekker has had a long-term absence from the national scene as he has struggled with injury. He last played for South Africa two years ago, against New Zealand in Wellington during the 2010 Tri-Nations.
Bekker said he was delighted to be back on the Test stage, especially with the game being played at Newlands – his home ground. But he also knows the importance of this weekend’s starting opportunity.
‘This game is my best chance to compete for the Springbok No 5 jersey,’ Bekker told keo.co.za. ‘With Juandre performing so well this season, it’s going to be tough to start week in and week out.’
The media questioned the 2.08m-tall lock about the pressure of being compared to former Bok lock great Victor Matfield, who was the incumbent lineout kingpin from 2008-2011. However, Bekker said he wanted to make his own impact against the Pumas.
‘I never wanted to be Victor. He was bladdy good at what he did. I guess it’s normal to measure me against the guy who played in the position before I did. But I don’t want to be another Victor. I want to be Andries.’
Meanwhile, Bekker will start alongside Eben Etzebeth, who has owned the Bok No 4 jersey this year. Bekker lauded the 20-year-old Stormers hardman for his rapid rise.
‘Last year, Eben was still playing Varsity Cup rugby. Now he’s doing well in Super Rugby and for the Boks. He’s always there in support and is a strong ball-carrier. I believe he will go on and play 100 Tests for South Africa.’
By Gareth Duncan, in Cape Town
10 Comments
15 Aug 2012, 13:52 pm
Tall Dragon !!!!
15 Aug 2012, 13:54 pm
okay andries…
time to show everyone what you got….
make the doubters choice on their killpiesncoke…!!
15 Aug 2012, 13:55 pm
CHOKE…
friggin autocorrect…!! grrrrr
15 Aug 2012, 13:56 pm
it’s try outs for everyone this season I’m afraid….
15 Aug 2012, 14:13 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-4:
Combined test caps of team for the weekend’s in the 400s whereas it was in the 900s at last year’s World Cup.
Stark reminder – Boks are most defs in a rebuilding phase with a new coach while NZ and Aus have coaching continuity.
15 Aug 2012, 14:18 pm
That said, so much incredible depth in this country.
For example, exclude the fact that Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw are still playing professional rugby, let’s look at potential second-row options moving forward.
Current squad members:
Eben Etzebeth
Andries Bekker
Flip Van Der Merwe
Juandre Kruger
Potential furure squad members:
Gerhard Mostert
Paul Willemse
Rynard Elstadt
Quinn Roux
Grant Hattingh
Ruan Botha
Pieter Steph Du Toit
Fringe players:
Franco Van Der Merwe
Anton Bresler
And then consider that the likes of Willem Alberts and Juan Smith (when/if fit) could slot in at number 4 lock if necessary… truly increidlbe depth!
15 Aug 2012, 14:19 pm
I’m not saying that everyone on that list should play test rugby, but there every one of those players either has what it takes or has the potential.
15 Aug 2012, 14:20 pm
If only SA had the same type of stocks re tightheads and scrumhalves.
16 Aug 2012, 08:05 am
Okay KEO/Mark…
Yesterday you pointedly ignored several requests that you address the issue of people using the identities or nics to impersonate other posters to post inflammatory and derogatory comments which not only kick the hornet’s nest but make life on the site pretty uncomfortable for the real owner of the abused identity.
What happened to the old system of posting the original sign-on nic with whatever new nic is used?
Why was it changed?
It seems it was obviously a conscious decision your part.
Your silence and Nikita’s comment the other day about it being a democracy… whatever that means… leaves little room but to accept the conspiracy theorists that this change was a management decision to empower the trouble-makers in an effort to drive up your decreasing monthly hits.
Some have speculated that your staff members are in fact guilty of this ‘crime’. I dismissed this as passing the buck, but perhaps they have a point after all.
There is also the problem of people registering several nics about which I appreciate there is little you can do but that is not half as annoying as people using the current identities of current members to stir up controversy.
This is not right or fair or ‘democratic’. In real life democracies it is illegal to impersonate anyone else. Surely the most basic of your responsibilities is to protect the identities/nics/personas of your members.
What a pity that you have decided to appeal to the lowest common denominator. I have always defended the fact that you have allowed full and robust debate with little censorship but this new low (even for you) low-road approach you seem to have adopted (in the absence of any comment or effort to sort the problem by you) leave me very disappointed in the site in general and you in particular.
This approach may attract hits in the short-term but you are underestimating the ill-feeling it is causing and you will lose hits and members in the long-term.
It seems you do not appreciate that while you created this site and facilitate the discussion on it… it is the many members who participate upon it that MAKE the site what it is.
I signed up with your site when you started it but I am no longer willing to tolerate the implied arrogance your position suggests, or participate any longer in this farce, so will vote with my feet. I will post this comment several times to ensure you can’t say you did not see it and then withdraw from the site. I may reconsider if and when such time as you have addressed the issue and returned the posting protocol to what it used to be with someone’s original identity always being visible to all. I know I am only one person and you may well ridicule my stance but hey… so what.
Cheers to all the decent people on this site, many of whom are very knowledgeable, intelligent, humourous and entertaining. I would suggest that everyone who disagrees with KEO’s low-life approach also leave the site but obviously you must all do what you feel is right for you.
Cheers
ufo…
over and out…
16 Aug 2012, 08:12 am
A literal headline for once – I like it
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