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, 16:37 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-389: I don’t think so. Probably just hold onto it, run into the the player in front and go to ground. That is probably more like it. I hardly see us pass let alone off-loading.
29 Aug 2012, 16:38 pm
@Puma-395:
Got a mate going to the FNB test he can’t wait to soak up the atmosphere there.
29 Aug 2012, 16:41 pm
@NZINCHINA-402: Where do you watch the games in China?
I lived for a year in Germany, and had to travel 20 minutes by train to a neighbouring city which had an English pub with Sky Sports.
29 Aug 2012, 16:42 pm
@NZINCHINA-402: Magnificent stadium. Will be sold out for sure. Holds 95 000 atmosphere will be awesome. Do hope it will be a great game. If we can beat Oz in Perth and here at Loftus then think we will be up for a fight at FNB…hahaha. Hoping. Really want to see a good contest and not let it be one sided.
29 Aug 2012, 16:43 pm
@stew-4: Big Joe is battling to keep his Toulon place, he had a tough time with injury last season. He’s playing okay at present but not quite test form.
Louw hasn’t played an official match this season, but I guess Meyer thinks fetchers are okay so long as they’re 6ft 2 and 18st
29 Aug 2012, 16:44 pm
@willievz-403:
no sport cables channel where I live, I just take a feed of the net there are so many now, was in Australia on holiday for the first test and watched the game in far north east queensland it was a little embarassing though as the pub was 80% full of kiwis!
29 Aug 2012, 16:45 pm
@Puma-404:
the last game there was epic, one sided games like last Saturday are no good
29 Aug 2012, 16:47 pm
@Big Hit-405: That is a worry. Read someone here say that Louw had been injured as well. Now no game time either.
29 Aug 2012, 16:47 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-370: keegan thrives in the open spaces of super rugby defence but is slightly out of his depth in Test rugby where the spaces are a small to non-existent…he is the saffa version of adam thomson and pre-2012 liam messam… there or thereabout.
29 Aug 2012, 16:47 pm
@Dawn-398: Don’t tug my fin, Capey.
Just getting tired to read how biased all the Sharks fans are. Our players are truly brilliant and do walk on water so we get a little upset when all of them aren’t in the Bok squad.
29 Aug 2012, 16:48 pm
@Transformation-409:
He’s small enough to squeeze through
29 Aug 2012, 16:48 pm
@Transformation-409:
Messam has stepped up this year, if he can sort out his option taking he’ll do just nicely I reckon
29 Aug 2012, 16:49 pm
@Finfan-410:
That’s exactly why I tug your fin!
29 Aug 2012, 16:49 pm
@NZINCHINA-407: I hope it is another epic. I hope the game at Dunedin is a epic too. The way it should be between ABs and Boks. Who knows we may have a blinder in Perth. Doubt it but we may. Will have to see from there what to expect at Dunedin. That too is a impressive Stadium. Not as huge as FNB but a beautiful stadium. Think that was the best stadium for the wc that I saw last year. Well thought so looking at it from a tv.
29 Aug 2012, 16:50 pm
409….lol
The shsrkies are going to have you now.
29 Aug 2012, 16:50 pm
Zane Kircher
Jano Vermaak
Jacques Potgieter
Morne Steyn are useless, they don’t deserve to be in springbok jersey.
Elton Jantjies should have some game time.
Gio Aplon is a better player than Zane Kircher at any level.
Ricardo Loubscher useless, coached tukkies , now springbok back line coach.
Johann van Graan, another useless blue bulls forward coach.
John McFarland useless, defence coach.
If Meyer truly believes in surroumding himself with the best.
Todd Louden backs coach.
Jacques Nienaber, defence coach.
Gert Smal forwards coach.
Meyer is settling for mediocrity, just look at his selections, Zane Kircher, compared to NZ Israel Dagg, Springboks are going to get hammered by Australia and NZ, useless neaderthal blue bulls style rugby.
They should get Brian Mujati in England for some scrummage power.
29 Aug 2012, 16:51 pm
If anyone deserves to reach the top in life its this kid – what a tremendous outlook on life in SA considering our history and where he has come from – a genuine ambassador.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19345289
29 Aug 2012, 16:52 pm
@Puma-414:
never been to a test in Dunedin too farken cold, its a small stadium but so is Dunedins population so a good fit, under cover as well so expect open running rugby from our boys I hate to say it Puma but i’d really like to bury you down there he he
29 Aug 2012, 16:54 pm
@Transformation-409: You are implying that you don’t get or create space in Internationals to the extent you get in super rugby. I would argue that you should aim to do so and thinking of the AB’s they seem to be able to do so.
29 Aug 2012, 16:56 pm
@bananaboy-419:
quick recycled ball is the key, Aaron Smith you little gem Piri and Ellis just weren’t quick enough Smith has made a big diffence with his passing game, IMO thats where Hougaard lets your boys down his clearance is just a little slow
29 Aug 2012, 16:57 pm
Vermeulen and JDJ are very good additions. Flo is an EXCELLENT addition.
That’s about where the positives end.
Potgieter is useless.
ANd Kirchner is about the 30th best fullback in the country. I’d pull Balie Swart out of retirement and play him ahead of that floppy-haired, skop-en-jag, campo shuffle when I FINALLY join the line and then get moered and die with the ball artist.
Seriously. Anybody who thinks Kirchner deserves to be anywhere near that Jersey has Potgieters in his head.
29 Aug 2012, 16:59 pm
@NZINCHINA-420:
Play Pienaar.
29 Aug 2012, 16:59 pm
@bananaboy-417: Nice article.
29 Aug 2012, 17:00 pm
@NZINCHINA-406: I really do enjoy the live feed streams, and the ability to watch the game anywhere in the world (with an internet connection!).
29 Aug 2012, 17:01 pm
@NZINCHINA-418: I know you would all like to bury us down there. I am scared your team may. Really want to see a close fought contest between our teams. Like it should be. For now have my doubts. Hope I am wrong. Will see how we go in the Perth test.
29 Aug 2012, 17:01 pm
@Finfan-410:
29 Aug 2012, 17:02 pm
@NZINCHINA-420:
“Just a little slow”? You’re very diplomatic my friend, but Hougaard has been slower than a glacier clearing the rucks.
That’s when he’s not forming a human centipede, or using that little dummy-mik to try ang put players in an offside position (only to still be charged down).
Whilst Du Preez could drop his box kicks on a dime, Hougaard would miss a heli-pad.
Sorry- but he has too many flaws in his game at the moment to be starting ahead of Pienaar.
29 Aug 2012, 17:02 pm
@Leatherdust-422:
Hougaard looks a little out of his depth as an international scrummie his option taking and pass need a lot of work, throw him on the wing he was very good there at the WC
29 Aug 2012, 17:02 pm
@pompies2-399: Sorry Pompies, missed this post. Hope you are well?
I am really exited by Coetzee, but at the same time depressed that the selectors do not seem to be as exited!
I am still confused as to what exactly Ricardo does on a day to day basis at the Boks.
29 Aug 2012, 17:03 pm
@Big Hit-405: So when last did Flo play?
29 Aug 2012, 17:04 pm
@Puma-425: We have done well in Perth (Perthfontein) of late, Puma.
But I too do not expect too many fireworks from this Bok squad.
29 Aug 2012, 17:06 pm
From the squad selected, let’s hope the Heineken goes as follows;
5. Kruger / 2nd stanza Bekker who had a shocker !
6. Flo
7. Coetsee
8. Alberts / with Vermeulen playing the last 20/ 30 mins against tiring legs.
9. Pienaar / maybe in Hougie the last 20mins… He’ll need to work hard on his vision, and what runners to pick out when passing.
10. Morne.., if anything to knock over penalties in the close part of the contest / with Goosen playing the last 20/ 30 earning his intro into the test arena.
13. J Div / replaced by De Jongh early in the 2nd half….. De Villiers has been slipping off tackles at an alarming rate as of late.
15. I’d start Aplon……., still very much maintain that he’s our best broken field runner, with an adequate left boot to punt for touch. Is he a lot smaller in stature then Dagg, Beale ? I believe not, and he offers similar qualities.
29 Aug 2012, 17:07 pm
The problem is that HM is not selecting the right COMBINATIONS. The team should’ve been:
F Steyn (he is a better fullback than Zane), JP (I know he is injured) and Mvovo as wings, Jordaan and Whitehead in the centres, Lambie and Mcleod at 10 and 9, HMs front row is OK, although Burden is better than Strauss, Bressler and Alberts at lock and Daniels, Coetzee and Kankowski as the loosies.
29 Aug 2012, 17:07 pm
@NZINCHINA-412: i agree that’s why i sais “pre-2012 messam”
@bananaboy-419: defences in international rugby are not as loose as the cheetahs, waratahs, force, highlanders, bulls, blues etc…
goodness me bananaboy, the team that tightened up their defence – stormers – won FOURTEEN games out of 16 without scoring one bonus point…
compare that with the rampant all blacks on the weekend only scoring 22pts try even though they were all over Aus!
no comparison mate
29 Aug 2012, 17:08 pm
@willievz-424:
pain in the ars e if the stream is no good though, during the WC final last few minutes my stream kept freezing and I had no idea what was happening mate that wasvery tough lol
@Puma-425:
a point will do it thats good enough for me and probably wrapping up the RC at the same time
@Vetkoek-427:
we had some real issues at 9 when Marshall left now we have 3 great young 9′s coming through, who else could step up in SA?
29 Aug 2012, 17:09 pm
And all tests should be played at the tank
29 Aug 2012, 17:11 pm
msunu in china will be dissapointed if his mate only has good things to say about the fnb stadium in soweto…
29 Aug 2012, 17:22 pm
@Puma-430: At John’s Barmy’s Army game
29 Aug 2012, 17:30 pm
@willievz-119: the BBC gave Danie Rossouw man of the match
29 Aug 2012, 17:41 pm
@Big Hit-439: check my post later where i mention to willie that pakslae was throwing sbw type offloads in that match…
29 Aug 2012, 17:52 pm
@Finfan-433:
@bananaboy-417: Excellent article, our country needs more young men with that kind of vision and understanding.
Needless to say he is a very smart young man
29 Aug 2012, 17:54 pm
@Big Hit-439: Yes, that’s right. Danie was very good in that game.
@Transformation-440: Don’t know if you remember, but Joe van Niekerk scored a cracker of a try against Uruguay in WC2003 where the young Pakslae ran a beaut of a line and controlled the ball with one hand.
He had the handling skills, but never really dominated a tackle situation in the carry.
Didn’t he play as a 10 at school?
29 Aug 2012, 17:54 pm
Well done to Duane and Johan – super talents both of them.
Still have my reservations on the decision though.
29 Aug 2012, 17:57 pm
But for all things holy, htf Jacques Potgieter still finds himself there is mystifying.
29 Aug 2012, 18:00 pm
@PissAnt-444: I’ve not come across a single blogger, supporter, rugby writer or commentator that rate him.
Apart from Heyneke, and Hugh Bladen.
29 Aug 2012, 18:05 pm
@willievz-445:
Bud I can usually find some reason or possible reason a coach rates a player, even the most shocking of selections. I have tried every single scenario in this case and I cannot come up with one single reason this guy is in the Bok squad. Not one.
29 Aug 2012, 18:06 pm
@willievz-429:
> I am still confused as to what exactly Ricardo does on a day to day basis at the Boks
He goes to Kfc toe get lunch and after a long day in the sun he fetches the beer from the fridge, HM has no other fetcher
29 Aug 2012, 18:07 pm
@victoriabok-447: Yup he is Hm’s gofa
29 Aug 2012, 18:08 pm
@PissAnt-444:
He’s the quota player form the Kings
29 Aug 2012, 18:08 pm
@willievz-445:
And our resident Meyer groupie – Tacitus
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