Boks sweat on Strauss
3 Sep 2012
Hooker Adriaan Strauss is the only injury concern as the Springboks prepare for their next Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies this weekend.
The Springboks have settled in Perth after departing from O.R. Tambo International Airport on Saturday. They have also been boosted by the arrival of Bath-based flank Francois Louw, who joined the team on Monday after a flight from England.
As the Boks carry out their midweek preparations, there is one injury concern ahead of this Saturday’s clash. Strauss is struggling with a knee injury and will be monitored over the next couple of days.
‘The only injury concern is Adriaan, who’s got a mild knee ligament sprain,’ said Bok doctor Craig Roberts. ‘We will assess him later in the week and will make a call on his availability depending on how he goes through training in the next couple of days, but apart from that I’m happy to report we have a fit squad and are ready to go.’
This will be a worry for head coach Heyneke Meyer, considering hookers Bismarck du Plessis and Chiliboy Ralepelle have already withdrawn due to injury in recent weeks.
However, Meyer stressed that the Boks will have enough back-up options should Strauss fail his fitness test.
‘We have a few hookers on standby [in Tiaan Liebenberg and Craig Burden], but we have a very good medical team and I’m positive we’ll get Adriaan through. We have travelled with three hookers, so should be fine for the first game.’
219 Comments
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3 Sep 2012, 14:53 pm
Another injured dragon…
3 Sep 2012, 14:57 pm
this is a blessing
hes NOT good enough to play test rugby
3 Sep 2012, 15:01 pm
These injuries are due to the exteneded S15 aka too much rugby competition.
2nd season of the new extended S15 and the injuries are already piling up!!
3 Sep 2012, 15:01 pm
Jeez we are running out of hookers…
Who next in line if Liebenberg or Burden fall? Fourie???
3 Sep 2012, 15:03 pm
@Gumboots-4: Someone said that at a bachelor party I was at a couple of years ago as well…….
3 Sep 2012, 15:06 pm
Wouldn’t mind having Burden in the run-on side vs. the Wallabies.
3 Sep 2012, 15:09 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-5: sharp!
3 Sep 2012, 15:09 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck-6: with the boks kicking aimlessly it might be good to have burden as he thinks he is a wing, to chase all the kicks.
3 Sep 2012, 15:16 pm
bok cant catch a break
oh well
step up tiaan
3 Sep 2012, 15:20 pm
@Gumboots-4: Well with Deon Fourie, you are getting 5 for the price of one. Hooker, Fetcher, centre, wing, scrumhalf.
Not the worst Bok call up ever
Now if he could just throw in straight…..
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-9: Tiaan won’t let the team down. I’m not his hugest fan…but he scrums well, gets through acres of work etc. His throwing in….ummmmmmmmm, the jury is out until after the game…..
3 Sep 2012, 15:33 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-10: tiaan, like jannie can also throw a few poesklaps…ask lambie
3 Sep 2012, 15:35 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-10:
he does have his ‘dirty looks’ routine down pat.
hope he employs it to full effect.
3 Sep 2012, 15:38 pm
Bandisa Maku will be next in line, I suspect. Already capped and Meyer knows him from time at Bulls.
But I doubt it’ll come to that.
3 Sep 2012, 15:39 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-5:
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-10:
No for sure!
3 Sep 2012, 15:44 pm
@Transformation-11:
I think it was Sharks_lover who went on an anti Tiaan Liebenberg rampage after one of his little ‘dirtier’ moments.
3 Sep 2012, 15:48 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-15: Yep Sharky went bos, it was as if he felt the klap oh his own triple chinned neck
3 Sep 2012, 15:55 pm
@Transformation-16:
Careful now….the shoal of ’48 hours in the summer sun-not so fresh’ fish will be along shortly to rap you on the knuckles.
(and they are a shoal….A shoal is any group of fishes that remains together for social reasons, whereas a school is a polarised, synchronised shoal (Pitcher and Parish 1993) )
3 Sep 2012, 16:01 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-17: hehehe
3 Sep 2012, 16:02 pm
You can never run out of hookers !ts the oldest profess?on s!nce the beg!nn!ng of t!me..
3 Sep 2012, 16:11 pm
Hougaard may move to wing permanently
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by Brenden Nel 03 September 2012, 14:08
Springbok halfback Francois Hougaard may have to accept that his future is on the wing for the national team in future after a string of mediocre performances behind the scrum.
Hougaard is set to start out wide this week with the stability of Ruan Pienaar set to be preferred at nine, as coach Heyneke Meyer looks to make tweaks to the side that drew 16-all against Argentina in Mendoza for this weekend’s match against Australia in Perth.
Hougaard’s biggest strength is his elusiveness and his grit in space, a player who can exploit the open field and find holes in defences on attack. But behind the scrum, even though it has been his preferred position, he has struggled this season behind an inexperienced Bok pack that haven’t always given him great ball.
Whenever Pienaar has appeared on the field, it has seen an improvement in the way the Bok backline functions, with Hougaard’s service to his flyhalf also being questioned at times.
It has become rather clear that both Hougaard and Morne Steyn are under increasing pressure to perform or be dropped. While it doesn’t seem like Meyer will throw young Johan Goosen into the deep end at flyhalf this weekend, a starting role for him cannot be too far away if the current trend continues.
Still, Hougaard is a player that – as Meyer likes to point out – has that X-factor. Last year when Bryan Habana was struggling for form at the World Cup, Hougaard’s appearances off the bench and on the wing were the breath of fresh air the team often needed and it is understandable he is highly-rated for his gamebreaking ability.
But at the moment, playing him at 9 comes at a cost, and slow ball against the Aussies is something the Boks can ill-afford at the moment. And judging from Meyer’s comments there is a real indication that Hougaard could move to wing permanently.
Meyer has warned that these two away games are the last chances for combinations across the field. Reiterating his desire for players of “character”, the Bok coach is set to make the hard decisions sooner rather than later if players fail to produce.
All that starts with this weekend’s match where Hougaard is likely to be moved back onto the wing. A decent performance for Pienaar behind the scrum may seal it, and Hougaard may well have to resign himself to the fact that if he wants to play in the starting line-up, he will have to start competing with the wingers to do so.
One thing is certain, the entire team has been put on notice to improve their play or face the consequences. As Meyer points out, the performance in Mendoza was unacceptable, and the Boks know this.
Now he wants to see character from players who can rise above the challenges that the opposition pose.
“You only learn when you play away. At home the 50-50 decisions tend to go your way because the crowd is behind you. You only learn when players are under pressure, you can’t see how they will react in training. They have to be placed under huge pressure for you to see what they are made of,” Meyer said of the lessons learnt in Mendoza.
“I’ve always said we would use this year to give players opportunities to prove themselves. A guy like Eben (Etzebeth) for instance, is a world class player – he is like Bakkies Botha at the same age and he has shown he deserves to be there, and he can play under pressure. I’m a big believer in players with character.
“But this is the last opportunity for combinations, I know I have been criticized for certain selections and certain positions. I know where I’m going to and I know what is the best position for certain players. I’ll take these two games, give guys a chance and then I’ll know which is the best positions for them.”
The last sentence seems to point directly to the 9/10 combination, which has received the majority of criticism thus far, but it can also point to Andries Bekker, who has not performed close to expectations, or the loose trio, which also needs to function more as a unit on the field.
Meyer has placed a load of emphasis on protecting the Boks ball – which was one of the massive problems in Mendoza with 12 turnovers. While he is right to point out that the classic opensider would not have made such a difference in Argentina, he also must admit that the balance of the loose trio wasn’t right, and the entire pack did little to protect the ball. Ruck Cleanouts were never at a premium in Mendoza, and they will have to be in Perth if the Boks are to have front-foot ball.
This is apparently the reason why Keegan Daniel was omitted from the squad, even though Meyer is on record as saying Australia would have suited his game. The Bok coach has chosen to go for a more balanced loose trio, where Duanne Vermeulen can be expected to be joined by Willem Alberts and Marcel Coetzee, while Francois Louw could find himself on the bench if the Bok coach’s comments are anything to go by.
“The Sharks and Stormers never played with a specialist openside fetcher the entire Super Rugby season. Even a guy like Richie McCaw isn’t a classical opensider. I’m a big fan of McCaw, because he can clean, defend and steal balls. Marcel can be the next McCaw, he just needs to become a little more clinical at the breakdown.
“As for Keegan, I know I said Australia would fit his gameplan more, but I feel we don’t have a classical No8 at the moment, and Pierre Spies and Ryan Kankowski are both out. Against Argentina, although we competed well at the front of the lineout, we gave them easy ball at the back. I wasn’t happy with the way we competed there. Duanne is a specialist 8 and has combined well with Andries and Eben for the Stormers. I had to question if the fifth guy on the bench should be another number 8 or a specialist opensider. I want the option if the ref allows a bit more at the breakdown to have such a guy on the bench, so it is unfortunate for Keegan.”
The one good aspect at the moment, and one which is hardly mentioned, is that when the injuries to JP Pietersen, Bismarck du Plessis, Heinrich Brussow, Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Siya Kolisi and Bjorn Basson are over, and Kankowski returns from Japan, the amount of depth in the national ranks should be good.
Until then the Boks will need to find a way to put up a better performance than Mendoza. Or risk losing their
3 Sep 2012, 16:13 pm
Th springboks are going to get a hiding of note against the All Blacks. They do the off-load in the tackle so well.
3 Sep 2012, 16:20 pm
Seems HM hell bent on converting M Coetsee into an opensider….
Why bother bringing Louw across then/
Brussow may as well sign a lucrative overseas contract it seems….
3 Sep 2012, 16:30 pm
Johan needs to be on the bench. Can’t wait to see that boy in green and gold.
3 Sep 2012, 16:31 pm
@grant10-22:
H!s reason!ng w!th regard to opens!ders !s that because of the new laws, !f you clean rucks effect!vely you dont need an out an out “to the ball” flank.
Both the Stormers and Sharks played w!thout them so I guess Flo !s just an alternate opt!on.
3 Sep 2012, 16:35 pm
@grant10-22: Brussouw is too small….apparently. small…..with those forearms!
3 Sep 2012, 16:36 pm
@race of tan-3: Yip something has to be done about it, seriously getting out of hand. Also too much rugby to watch
3 Sep 2012, 16:37 pm
@grant10-20: It’s pleasing to see that HM is open to change things around if something is not working. Some coached so hard headed in defending selections and game plans when they miss the bigger picture. I think HM will improve the boks if his open to change. Especially at 6. I think not picking a ‘fetcher’ 6 could have been overlooked to a certain extent when Bismark was at hooker because he is such a menace at the breakdown as slows down a lot of ball at the breakdown and even the odd steal or two. And it also reinforces the fact that your hooker, loosies and your no12 should all learn to ‘fetch’. This a skill that all these players should learn to be efficient at because it is impossible for your 6 to be at every ruck.
3 Sep 2012, 16:43 pm
@Jeraldjay-24: the sharks and stormers tight 5 dominated majority of their opponents, which meant front foot ball. Its easier for your loosies when you dominating the collisions and you get away with not playing with a fetcher. When your tight 5 struggles…..well then you saw what happened against the argies.
3 Sep 2012, 16:46 pm
@grant10-22:
Settle down Grant.
Flo is farking lucky to even be there to begin with. If you consider how well Daniel is playing.
Still luckier is Potgieter.
One thing HM is very correct about is that neither the Sharks nor the Stormers had a specialist opensider for the S15. And neither did the Chiefs for that matter. latimer played openside most games and he is not a recognised fetcher.
The pure openside fetcher role has changed substantially which is why Pocock and McCaw play such a different type of game than they did 2 or 3 seasons ago.
Is all about being clinical at the breakdown, not about how many steals you effect. That style has come and gone already.
This is something I started noticing in Brussouw recently. How he also has started altering his game slightly from where it used to be.
A place on the bench is the best Flo can hope for right now.
3 Sep 2012, 16:53 pm
@Mustard-28:
HM’s ent!re ph!losophy ?s based on dom!nat!ng the phys!cal aspects of the game so “spec!al!st” fetchers are not part of h!s m!ndset. He probably bel!eves fetch!ng ?s a secondary role that can be “taught” along the way of perfect!ng the other d!sc!pl!nes.
3 Sep 2012, 16:54 pm
@grant10-22: Its great that he see’s Coetzee as an opensider in the future once he becomes clinical at the breakdown. In SA rugby mag he also mentioned Hougaard becoming a great scrumhalf once hes sorted out the technical side.
Why the @#$% play them now though in the starting 15 if they not there yet and other players are (like Flo, Brussow and Pienaar)????
3 Sep 2012, 16:56 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck-25: smaller than who, mccaw, pocock, hooper, warburton, gill?
3 Sep 2012, 17:03 pm
@Jeraldjay-30: Not really, he was the one who brought in deon stegman into the bulls fold when they were struggling at the breakdown.
3 Sep 2012, 17:03 pm
@grant10-22: he is an opensider, just like Kolisi.
3 Sep 2012, 17:05 pm
@Bok fan-31: my point exaxtly
3 Sep 2012, 17:15 pm
@grant10-20: Yip was just about to post that here. Read it on Super Sport.
Probably could sort out one problem. Though will Mvovo be dropped and Hougaard to start at wing? Also who will be vice cappie if Strauss is injured?
3 Sep 2012, 17:16 pm
Think it like HM
Against the ABs he probably will shift Albert to 5, Vermeulen to 8, Louw to the open side, will retain the immensely talented Coetzee at 7
No room for Brussow, Stegmann or Daniel
There will be a place for Kolisi though, he is sized at 101kg although I doubt he is any gram over 90kg
3 Sep 2012, 17:25 pm
@John Galt-29: Bu the side with 2 won the super rugby comp.
the AB’s and Wallabies won’t play a test without 1, so i suppose it’s a case of we’ll wait and see who was right and who was wrong. Consider this though. The Boks have been woeful under Meyer in the ruck-clearing technique and there’s no indication of it changing soon. Someone like flow will at least ensure that you have someone is competing for the ruck ball before any of the opposition does.
3 Sep 2012, 17:54 pm
@jacoshark-2: Nee man Jaco, Strauss is world class!
3 Sep 2012, 17:55 pm
Maybe it is time to bring back John Smit
3 Sep 2012, 18:08 pm
i would play Marcelle and flo agaist wallabies they gonna stretch us out wide….we gonna need pacey loosies pity kanko not there for 8
3 Sep 2012, 18:11 pm
Strauss not a loss to be honest. Spends most of his time at flyhalf.
3 Sep 2012, 18:17 pm
5-Kruger
6-Louw
7-Alberts
8-Coetzee
15-Lambie
As for Hougaard.. thought he had a good game in Mendoza. Sheesh, I’m convinced that if allowed to play his natural game he will come good and become a great test scrumhalf. Unfortunately Meyer wants to mould him into what he isn’t and appears to be failing. I’d still have Hougaard on the wing over Mvovo anyday. Over anyone in SA really.
3 Sep 2012, 18:24 pm
So from that article on SS. It seems that Flo will be on the bench. That means Vermeulen will start. So our loosies will be:
Vermeulen
Alberts
Coetzee.
Jeez our loosies then against Oz will be slow except for Coetzee who is very quick.
@Spiesisworthless1-43: Spot on. I would start with Coetzee at 8. Then we would have a faster 8 against Oz with Alberts and Flo. Then Vermeulen could cover 8 and 7.
3 Sep 2012, 18:30 pm
with Strauss probably out of tour i would have Schalk Brits over there in a flash
3 Sep 2012, 18:50 pm
@grant10-45: Smittie awaits the call for his 112th cap, Boks would get a proper captain then too!
@grant10-20: the odd thing is Hougaard had his best game at 9 in Mendoza, still he has the makings of a world class wing
3 Sep 2012, 18:51 pm
@grant10-20: “he Bok coach has chosen to go for a more balanced loose trio, where Duanne Vermeulen can be expected to be joined by Willem Alberts and Marcel Coetzee”….
Teichmann+Venter+Kruger IS Balanced
Spies (at best) + Smith + Brussouw IS Balanced
Kanko+Alberts+Coetzee IS Balanced
Vermeulen (100% Fit) + Coetzee + Flo IS Balanced
Coetzee (More Experienced at 8) + Alberts + Flo IS Balanced
Vermeulen + Alberts + Coetzee IS NOT Balanced…
Brenden Nel is being farken ridiculous for Chrissakes!!!
3 Sep 2012, 18:57 pm
Alberts is an incredible blindside flank… A matchwinner/gamechanger if allowed to specialise and do what he does best…
He is no International class 8. This we know for sure.
I doubt Vermeulen will be either… But he does deserve his chance, just worry that he is not ready to really show what he can possibly do.
I am happy Flo is back… He was probably Man of the Match in the RWC losing QF… I reckon starting Flo will add more value than Vermeulen…
3 Sep 2012, 19:04 pm
@Heavens Game-48: @Heavens Game-47:
i AGREE WITH ALL THOSE POINTS hg…@Big Hit-46: BH…yes….can use him as a 3 as well…great choice…and he wont be tired as he doesent make Sarries 22 anymore! Bonus
3 Sep 2012, 19:06 pm
Sorry HG….with the exception of Spies at 8….he must go to Japan
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