Duane set for Perth debut

Duane set for Perth debut

5 Sep 2012

Duane Vermeulen will start at No 8 when the Springboks tackle the Wallabies this Saturday.

Bok coach Heyneke Meyer has brought two new loose forwards into the match 22 following last week’s poor showing against Argentina. Vermeulen will start at No 8 while Francois Louw will be utilised from the bench. Until recently, Vermeulen was playing for Western Province and Louw for English club Bath.

Vermeulen, who has been one of the most consistent performers in the past three seasons of Super Rugby, will finally get his chance at the highest level. The robust Stormer will add some grunt to a loose trio that suddenly looks very intimidating.

‘We’ve decided to put Duane straight into the starting team because he is a classic No 8, a position we’ve lacked in since Pierre Spies got injured and Ryan Kankowski moved to Japan,’ said Meyer.

‘I’ve always admired the way Duane plays rugby and he’s fitted in very well the past week. He would’ve been a Springbok years ago if it had not been for injuries and it’s great to finally see him selected.

‘And by including Francois on the bench, we have a specialist opensider, but also a versatile loose forward that brings a bit more balance to our back row mix.’

While Marcell Coetzee is not an out-and-out openside he will be expected to outplay Australia’s Michael Hooper at the breakdown. The Boks need to produce an improved collective showing in this area after last week’s shocker in Mendoza. Coetzee will need to step up in what should be a brutally physical first half, and Louw will be asked to play a different kind of game in the second when it is not as tight.

Other changes to the pack see Andries Bekker dropped completely and Juandre Kruger introduced as the starting No 5. Bekker played his worst game for the Boks last week, and Kruger should see this as an opportunity to make the position his own.

‘At lock we’ve decided to go for Juandré as he plays more to the ball. Juandré and Eben played well as a combination in the June Tests against England.’

As expected, Meyer has favoured Ruan Pienaar at No 9 and moved Francois Hougaard from scrumhalf to wing. The backline reshuffle sees Lwazi Mvovo moving to the bench.

It’s another change in selection that should become permanent if things go well in Perth. Meyer has said that it’s a ‘horse-for-courses’ pick, but if the Bok pack fires and Pienaar has a blinder, he must be considered as a long-term solution at No 9.

Of course, if Hougaard, playing on wing, gets the ball on the front foot and produces the rugby we know he can, it will serve as further evidence that he is better suited to a back-three role.

Johan Goosen is another new face in the 22, and will earn his first cap if he gets a run in the second half.

Goosen recently recovered from a serious shoulder injury, an injury that prevented him from making his debut in the Test series against England. He represents the future of South African rugby and through his Super Rugby offerings has shown that he’s ready to make the step up.

The pressure is on Morné Steyn, not only to improve on his inconsistent performances of 2012 and guide South Africa to victory, but also to keep Goosen at arm’s length.

Meyer has already admitted that Goosen is the kind of player he wants in that No 10 position. Apart from having all the necessary kicking skills to be a success under today’s modern laws, Goosen also boasts an impressive attacking game. It’s a complete skill set that could eventually allow the Boks to play a more balanced game.

‘In my mind he can become one of the great flyhalves in world rugby. I’ve been very impressed with his work ethic and attitude since he joined the squad on Thursday in Johannesburg and we will keep on managing him carefully over the next few weeks.’

Springboks – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jean de Villiers (c), 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Francois Louw, 20 Johan Goosen, 21 Pat Lambie, 22 Lwazi Mvovo.


694 Comments

Pages: « 1 … 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 [11] 12 13 14 » Show All

  • 501.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:20 pm

    On the Bakkies coaching scale how would you rate Mallets performance as the Italian coach?

  • 502.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:20 pm

    @poppa69-500:

    Are the bloggers here the only people you talk to?

  • 503.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:21 pm

    @gunther-497:

    I didn’t know she wore pearl earrings?

    Mind you, she does look a bit like the model in Vermeer’s masterpiece.

  • 504.gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:22 pm

    @WP-Forever-484:

    It sounds like something Poep would wear to the Turkish Baths.

  • 505.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:22 pm

    @gunther-504:

    You might be thinking of a zerokini…

  • 506.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:23 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-469:
    as assistants at super level and no further. at worst short term consultancy jobs as assistants at national level. let them give their input and no more.

    @poppa69-475:
    no…. its the dirty stuff…

    of that i’m certain…

  • 507.Atreides: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:23 pm

    @Dawn-489: Any attention is better than no attention.

  • 508.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:23 pm

    @WP-Forever-503:

    So what is a pub kini

  • 509.Atreides: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:24 pm

    @WP-Forever-503: Think a pearl necklace would suit her…

  • 510.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:24 pm

    @Atreides-507:

    Hence my question

  • 511.gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:24 pm

    That’s it the ginger’s out.

  • 512.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:24 pm

    @Dawn-508:

    Google it.

  • 513.katman: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:24 pm

    Morkel gets Bairstow’s wicket. 79/3

  • 514.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:25 pm

    @WP-Forever-512:

    No

    You tell me

  • 515.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:26 pm

    @Dawn-502: not at all, theres my psychologist, the man who injects my sedatives, god, jebus, buddha, the homeless man that cleans my shoes, the list is endless..

    how many more times are you going to bite?

  • 516.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:26 pm

    @gunther-511:

    Initially didn’t realise you were talking about cricket…

  • 517.katman: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:27 pm

    @Dawn-514: “…a bathing suit in the form of a tiny V-shaped fabric strip meant to expose pubic hair…” *

    * according to The Internet.

  • 518.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:28 pm

    about as good as kirwan’s if not better.

    no

    in fact better

  • 519.katman: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:28 pm

    Duminy gets Morgan.

  • 520.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:28 pm

    with the addition of Atreides thats four now champing at the bit, relax guys, you’ll all get a turn..

  • 521.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:28 pm

    @poppa69-515:

    I’m just getting started

  • 522.gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:29 pm

    Lovely captaincy from ABieber de Villiers.

  • 523.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:30 pm

    @poppa69-515:
    see that’s where the split personality thing trips you up.
    you are the homeless man cleaning your shoes :lol:

  • 524.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:30 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-518: this would be John Kirwan who took japan to a win in the Pacific nations cup, against teams like Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, teams SA seem to struggle with at the WC?

    ok then, keep telling us Bakkies… your argument is S O L I D

  • 525.katman: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:30 pm

    @poppa69-520: No one’s champing at your rancid bits, Giulietta. Probably just itchy.

  • 526.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:31 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-523: thanks, your bite now makes it 5..

    all with year old rancid bait..

    LMFAO

  • 527.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:32 pm

    @katman-525: bait = bits? really?

    haha back to remedial English for you chump..

  • 528.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:32 pm

    @poppa69-524:
    who has samoa, tonga or fiji beaten lately?
    besides he asked about italy?

  • 529.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:33 pm

    @NZINCHINA-501: Mallet was in a pretty similar
    position with the Italians as to what Deans is in now. Limited options, but granted Deans has a lot more talent at his disposal.
    We have already seen what Mallet can do with a decent player pool….the only SA coach I would want close to the Bok team…

  • 530.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:34 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-528: Samoa beat Aussie, something South Africa hasnt done for quite a while..

    this really isnt looking good for you bakkies, being beaten by Poppa online..

    eish..

  • 531.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:35 pm

    @poppa69-526:
    try not to lose it though, pops

    lets make this fun without having to walk away concerned about you mental health state.

  • 532.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:37 pm

    breath bud

    breath

  • 533.papaown: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:38 pm

    No doubt Vermeulen’s impact in 40 minutes will be way better than Spies’s impact over 40 tests, but is this the best way to introduce him to test rugby??

    Saw him in Currie Cup and he’s currently way off the pace! Don’t want another Bekker situation where fans are deriding an injured player for “poor form”

  • 534.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:39 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-531: ohhh got me there, but I do like the way you have tried to deflect from the fact that your argument re NZ coaches is poor, you even state youd have NZ consultants?

    thanks for your admission Bakkies, didnt hurt too much to say it did it?

  • 535.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:40 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-532:

    the word is “breathe” mate..

  • 536.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:41 pm

    So Bakkies Mallet was poor then?

  • 537.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:43 pm

    @NZINCHINA-536: careful, hes worried about my mental state, but we should be more concerned for his..

    how is he going to be able to face all his tough, strong, warrior South African brothers with them knowing he got owned by that loony “should be in the funny farm” Poppa?

    hes got the shrivel factor and he hasnt even been swimming..

  • 538.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:44 pm

    @poppa69-534:
    it was to make the nice lady happy.
    i dont for a minute believe it will ever, ever happen.
    and in my heart of hearts i feel good about that.

    @poppa69-535:
    seriously..?

    seriously..?.

    oh gawd :lol:

  • 539.gunther: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:45 pm

    It must be late there china.

    Been a long day on keo for you.

  • 540.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:46 pm

    if it gets us to agree that kiwi coaches are far less succesfull, if at all successful, internationally than they are at home then yes.

    my question was why is that?

  • 541.katman: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:46 pm

    For future reference, he’s has an apostrophe. Getting it wrong twice means you simply don’t know.

  • 542.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:47 pm

    poppa’s correcting english now

    :lol:

  • 543.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:47 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-538: I’ll go now mate, let you regroup so you can continue your argument re the poor quality of NZ coaches..

    Im going to see if I can collate pictures of all the trophies NZ coaches currently hold, all over the world..

    might take a while..

  • 544.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:47 pm

    I’m just after some consistency Pops in the Bakkies coach rating scale.

  • 545.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:50 pm

    @katman-541: is it anything like getting “bits” from bait? or was that trying to be funny again?

    I see the same fish are still biting..

  • 546.katman: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:50 pm

    @poppa69-543: Which would make it your most exciting Wednesday night in years. Have fun now.

  • 547.katman: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:51 pm

    And Faf gets Cook – caught and bowled.

  • 548.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:52 pm

    @poppa69-543:
    i have to go too boet.
    cheers

  • 549.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:54 pm

    Yes time for bed shortly.

  • 550.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    5 Sep 2012, 16:55 pm

    Go Duane!, in a way they are throwin you at the wolves but good luck anyway.

    Good honest solid no-nonsense player who always go flat out , he wll never be the second Zinzan but then again, there will probably never be a secod zinzan.

    At his best there is no current no 8 in SA who comes close to him but sadly he is probably only at 70% of his best at the moment after the long lay-off.

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