Duane’s day to remember
29 Aug 2012
Duane Vermeulen is finally a Springbok and one of two uncapped players for the Rugby Championship tour to Australia and New Zealand.
Johan Goosen is the other newbie, with recalls for Juan de Jongh and Bath-based Francois Louw.
‘Untimely injuries to Bismarck du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Pierre Spies, JP Pietersen and Bjorn Basson have already hit us hard in the past few weeks. This again provides opportunities for other players to put up their hands,’ said Bok coach Heyneke Meyer.
‘We were very keen to give Siya Kolisi an opportunity on this tour, but he is also out injured, alongside a list of other injured or unavailable forwards that include Gurthrö Steenkamp, Heinrich Brüssow, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Ryan Kankowski.’
Meyer confirmed he would have selected Vermeulen and Goosen in his initial Test squad but for injury to both players.
‘I regard both of them as world-class rugby players. If it wasn’t for injuries, Duane would have been a Springbok long ago. I also believe Johan has a long career ahead of him at Test match level and we will expose him when and how we feel it will benefit the player and the team best.
‘Both Juan and Francois played at the Rugby World Cup last year and are experienced players. Juan covers both positions in the midfield and we opted for Francois because he is a specialist openside flanker, in the absence of Schalk, Heinrich and Siya, that can cover blindside and No 8 as well, while he is also a very useful option in the lineout.
‘I’m also very excited with the quality of young talent coming through – Eben, Marcell and Johan are all still U21 and that bodes well for the future of Springbok rugby.’
Springbok squad – Willem Alberts, Andries Bekker, Craig Burden, Pat Cilliers, Marcell Coetzee, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (c), Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Goosen, Dean Greyling, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Zane Kirchner, Juandré Kruger, Pat Lambie, Tiaan Liebenberg, Francois Louw, Tendai Mtawarira, Lwazi Mvovo, Ruan Pienaar, Jacques Potgieter, Frans Steyn, Morné Steyn, Adriaan Strauss, Flip van der Merwe, Jano Vermaak, Duane Vermeulen.
656 Comments
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29 Aug 2012, 12:20 pm
@Puma-42:
Calm down.
Keegan was on borrowed time. He is too small.
Vermeulen and Goosen will probably be familiarized with the Bok playing pattern over the next week, and subjected to the attentions of the Bok fitness coach.
I doubt they’ll start against the Aussies. But they must be there to play a role against the All Blacks a week later.
As for Lambie – Meyer doesn’t rate him as his number 1 or 2 choice flyhalf. Deal with it.
29 Aug 2012, 12:21 pm
Great news to see Francois Louw there.
I know Heyneke doesn’t believe in fetchers under the new rules, but a 112kg fetcher/hybrid loose forward will come in very handy for the Boks. The breakdown was a huge problem this last 2 tests and I believe Louw will be able to turn it around.
I am very worried about Goosen and Vermeulen. Vermeulen has not regained his fitness at all and Goosen looked very rusty in his first game back, I hope they only go along to get used to the squad and not get to much game time.
29 Aug 2012, 12:21 pm
Happy with F Louw being there.
Good addition.
29 Aug 2012, 12:21 pm
Well done to all 3.Duanne needs to get fit quickly.
6 Louw Then Daniels
7 Alberts Then Coetzee
8 Vermeulen The entire game.
29 Aug 2012, 12:21 pm
K. Daniels may be a bit light to be a starter but hell he’s more productive in 20 min than Jacque Whiplash Myself Potgieter is in 80.
29 Aug 2012, 12:22 pm
goosen and vermeulen need more game time. you could not start vermeulen and alberts as one is not fit (duane) and alberts is not fit enough to go 80 mins against aussie. he is a 50-60 min player at test level in my opinion. or a super sub to run at/over tiring defences.
29 Aug 2012, 12:22 pm
Jeepers, JJ & Keegan out but that apocalyptic half-wit Potgieter stays?? He must be a proper lapdog!
29 Aug 2012, 12:22 pm
@realkenyan-44: KD is out mate, he cannot play if he aint there lol
29 Aug 2012, 12:23 pm
Tacitus 34 – About time was referring to Duane, who for the past couple years has been the best 8 in SA and we have stuck with Spies who is Sh*t! I didnt really think he would get picked as he has just returned to action. So “about time” means the selectors are finally given him a chance which i think is the right decision
29 Aug 2012, 12:23 pm
@John Galt-53:
Agree, and he must start otherwise it’s a wasted pick.
29 Aug 2012, 12:23 pm
Franks 36 caps , Mealamu 95 , Woodcock 87, Whitelock 30 , Retalik 5 , McCaw 108 , Read 40 , Vito 15
Doesnt seem fair
29 Aug 2012, 12:23 pm
@Atreides-57:
I didn’t see the game on Saturday, but I read somewhere that Potgieter had the highest amount of tackles among the loose forwards. Apparently he didn’t have as bad a game as Alberts or Coetsee against the Argies?
29 Aug 2012, 12:24 pm
@Pypkan-52:
Agreed with regard to Vermuelen and Goosen.
I wonder if any of these squad players will be released for CC duty this weekend.
You’d think HM would be wanting some players to get at least 1 more game in before touring.
29 Aug 2012, 12:24 pm
@sharks_lover-46: I will always support our team. I know players don’t select themselves. Just feel for Keegan being dropped. He was better than Potgieter. Potgieter to me is just a passenger.
Read many say that Vermuelen was not ready or Goosen. Naka said Goosen should play another two cc games to be ready and not to throw the youngster in yet but wait for the home series. Wise I think.
So looks like our loose trio will be:
Vermuelen
Alberts
Louw
Not sure what to make of it. I know we need a fetcher so Louw selection makes sense. Vermuelen according to many was not up to it in the last two cc games. Then he could just pick it up in training who knows.
29 Aug 2012, 12:24 pm
@John Galt-63:
One more chance for injury before the tour, you mean.
29 Aug 2012, 12:25 pm
@John Galt-22: they all tour…all 28
29 Aug 2012, 12:25 pm
Vermeulen is certainly a prospect BUT as per Saturdays game IS NOT READY/ FIT! Josh Strauss should be there at least as a stop gap to replace useless Potgieter. Josh breaks the gainline EVERY time and scores a fair amount of tries. Would also be good Forward leadership in the absence of Bizzie etc. Oh well, we can dream can we not?
29 Aug 2012, 12:25 pm
I just wish I looked and never saw Morne’s name. He should have been dropped.
29 Aug 2012, 12:25 pm
The Goose @10
Lambie @15
Juandre @ 5
Fourie WP as hooker/fetcher
29 Aug 2012, 12:26 pm
@Tacitus-51: He’s got more dynamism, mongrel and heart in one finger than Spies has in his entire body, and more accuracy than that neanderthal throwback Potgieter any day, or Alberts these days
But ja, didn’t you know, the AB’s absolutely K AK themselves at how big these okes are! Lol
Yep & Lambie def not the answer if we want to play 30-year-old rugby with no ideas, originality, or a backline.
29 Aug 2012, 12:27 pm
@Atreides-70:
I sense a bit of bitterness there. Or am I imagining it..
29 Aug 2012, 12:27 pm
@wpstormerbok-55:
Agreed.
Have you noticed how Potgieter tries to clear rucks or make tackles only to bounce himself or make absolutely no impact and slowly slide off the ruck. Like a cartoon character.
Only reason he looks remotely busy is because of his ridiculous hair.
29 Aug 2012, 12:27 pm
Caveat re.Fourie.Will have to improve his lineout throwing in.
29 Aug 2012, 12:28 pm
Vermeulen and Goosen should not have gone…..should have played CC…
BUT!!! what a great move by HM in selecting F Louw….
For me that shows he has seen the error of his ways and is prepared to be flexible….
I am a very happy camper…
would always have F Louw and Brussow in my squad.
So JJ Engelbrecht and Keegan dropped? Any more dropped?
I would start with Lambie at 10
F Louw at 6….
But most importantly for me , as a fan, is I have renewed faith in HM….he has shown he is not closed to change….thank the Angels of Mercy!!
29 Aug 2012, 12:28 pm
@Tacitus-65: No man Tac,
Everyone here says they were not ready yet after playing two cc games. They just may get another game who knows. I will not be surprised to see all these names playing CC this weekend before they tour:
Lambie
Burden
Vermuelen
Goosen
All need game time.
29 Aug 2012, 12:28 pm
Sorry.Fourie not in squad.
29 Aug 2012, 12:29 pm
@Atreides-70: Exactly, Lambie is no Skop and jAg Artist, was seriously hoping Lambie and BUrden would also get dropped, whats the Point of 4 Hookers there???
29 Aug 2012, 12:29 pm
So the Bulls gain JJ Engelbrecht for this weekends game, while WP loses De Jong and Vermeulen.
That’s how it goes in life, folks..
29 Aug 2012, 12:30 pm
@Tacitus-62: Tackle count doesn’t tell you close to the whole story.
How many turn overs? How many times did he drive back the ball carrier? How many tackles did he break, running metres, or offloads in the tackle?
He’s more lig-innie-broek than Daniels, just the flying greasy locks make him look busy. No accuracy, the argies didn’t fear him in the slightest and you can be damn sure the AB’s aren’t losing a minute’s sleep over his physical threat either.
29 Aug 2012, 12:31 pm
@grant10-74: No just those two dropped. Damn shame for Keegan feel bad for him really. That useless Potgieter should have been dropped instead. Wish I never saw Morne’s name as well. Looks like we stuck with him until Goosen can get ready. Then we need to move Lambie to fb if we want to have a attacking game eventually. Zane too just up and under all the time. Not good enough at fb. Lambie though is a better fh than fb.
Players selected still tell me. Crash ball and kick and kick game plan.
29 Aug 2012, 12:31 pm
i know it sounds crazy but i would have considered trying Elton at 10 and Lambie at 15 for the next game against Aus
29 Aug 2012, 12:32 pm
@Puma-80:
We’re not going to change the gameplan Heyneke has been preparing since he was appointed 6 months ago, midway through the Tri Nations. Better accept that.
29 Aug 2012, 12:32 pm
@sharks_lover-58: lol just realized that now..glad am not the coach though hard decisions to make and the SA fans demand instant results
29 Aug 2012, 12:32 pm
@grant10-47: remember i said FLouw was available and playing in Plod’s match?
29 Aug 2012, 12:32 pm
STEW @ 8.
Some of them will still be very young at next world cup.And with 3
more years of experience.Well done H.M.
29 Aug 2012, 12:32 pm
Remember what happened last time Louw was selected on the overseas leg of the Trinations?
29 Aug 2012, 12:33 pm
@Tacitus-78: Ja think Meyer has his eyes on the Bulls CC team too. He took Burden out on a tour of Arg just when we were going to play Bulls in the CC……lol. Now Bulls playing Province no JdJ and Vermuelen and Bulls get JJE back.
Look don’t be surprised if Vermuelen gets game time this Saturday in the CC. Though the squad might be leaving by then. So probably not.
29 Aug 2012, 12:33 pm
@Tacitus-71: Nope not at all bud, I’m not even a shark fan, but Meyer has guys who will die for this jersey, and they’re ignored because they don’t fit into some ridiculous mythical eugenics schoolboy superhero-comic-book fantasy formula he has in his head.
29 Aug 2012, 12:33 pm
@grant10-74: Grant i also think its a step in the right direction but flouw at 6?? he never ever played there, he played 7,
8 Alberts
7 Flouw
6 Coetzee
Lambie wont play boet, i can guarentee you that,
29 Aug 2012, 12:34 pm
@super_adi-86:
Yes. Louw is not the answer. He is a backup option, but the loose trio for next week should be Alberts, Coetsee and maybe Vermeulen, if he is up to it.
Don’t understand why Gurthro and Kankowski aren’t there. Aren’t clubs forced to release players for the Tri Nations if called up by their national teams?
29 Aug 2012, 12:34 pm
Tacitus – I’ll give you just one example (restricting myself to physique only) . Keegan is about the same size as marty holah. Did you ever see Holah play, or a player like neil back. Your size argument is empty
I note you are silent on JJE’s axing , arguably the only in form bull that HM selected
29 Aug 2012, 12:35 pm
@Tacitus-82: Meyer has been preparing this game plan since 2000. Nothing has changed. We will get slaughtered playing this dumb, dumb backward game plan. I hope I am wrong. I want to be wrong as I want our Boks to beat everyone out there. Like our cricket team is doing with a coach with brains.
29 Aug 2012, 12:35 pm
@sharks_lover-77:
4 hookers?
29 Aug 2012, 12:35 pm
Am I going bonkers ?? I thought HM said we could “…only travel with 26 players…” when we went to Argentina ?? This squad is 28 so presumably 2 of them won’t go ?? or can we add 2 becuase we are playing two matches as opposed to only the one in Arg……confusing !
Agree too soon for Goosen and DV both need more game time before being thrown to the wolverines…..
HM could ruin Goosen for good if he chucks him in too soon and, if he’s not gonna play, then why pick him at all right now ?? Give the poor oke a chance to regain some confidence and shake off the rust after a heckofalong layoff for injury……
Not really surprising that Keegan D has been left out ‘cos he doesn’t fit HM’s idea of “big” loosies. Not saying he is right (cos I don’t think he is !!) but he’s said that’s what he wants…
JDJ is like a rubber ball…in, then out, then in again…..seems a straight swop for JJE but JDJ should have been there ahead of JJ in any event, IMHO…..
Brussouw – injured or “unavailable” ?? If he wasn’t one of these, would HM have picked him ?? He’s already said that HB doesn’t “fit” (too small ??)
29 Aug 2012, 12:36 pm
Great incoming players. Really happy that Heynek’es roped Flouw in too. Perfect cover until Brussouw recovers fitness.
29 Aug 2012, 12:36 pm
Didn,t pick up on Keegan being dropped.
29 Aug 2012, 12:36 pm
@Puma-92: Up-an-undering 85% of your ball, box-kicking another 10% and then hoping for the best does not constitute a game plan
29 Aug 2012, 12:37 pm
At least the penny seem to be dropping regarding the selection of Flow, and the essential competing for the ball on the ground: That’s where 90% of test matches are won and lost.
Pity every SA coach first has to reinvent the wheel all over again, trying to run through brick walls with 3 brick outhouses as loose forwards. Whoever comes after HM will try it again.
On the other hand, we’ll probably see Klipgooier Potgieter starting vs. Aus
29 Aug 2012, 12:39 pm
@Tacitus-71: are these Sharks fans louder in their shrieks than the province supporters?
be honest?
29 Aug 2012, 12:40 pm
@sharks_lover-89: Meyer will have Goosen on the bench and give him game time. What does that say to Lambie? He should just have been released and come back and played CC for Sharks. Unless Meyer plays him instead of Zane who is also not great at all. Solid but that where it ends. Up and unders coming all day long. That is it.
I would not even mind if Meyer played Goosen at 10 with Lambie at 15 with JdJ at outside centre. Then we might be heading in the right direction. HE wont though. Some player are going on tour or to sit on the bench for 80min.
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