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
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5 Sep 2012, 11:59 am
@gonzo-225: are you a kiwi?
5 Sep 2012, 11:59 am
@Transformation-243: What are the stats RE: Wooden spoon finishes in the Tri-Nations? Serious question. I think we have wooden spooned more than the Aussies by some margin – although I’m not 100% sure…..
5 Sep 2012, 11:59 am
@Atreides-242: My “perception” of JdV is based in fact that the obvious majority on Keo don’t seem to take into account… Fact that Munster did seem to, by contrast… and only at the end of his stint, Dippy Divvy too.
Now Fatty Vermeulen, I am willing to give the benefit of my doubt to… However I do reserve the right to say my “I told you so’s” when he is shown to be farken too slow, not skilful enough and not spatially aware enough to be an International 8… His lineout jumping is nothing special either…
Vermeulen is actually a blindside flank who plays at 8… However as blindside he would definitely be inferior to Alberts.
Unnerstand?
5 Sep 2012, 11:59 am
Heyneke – “Secondly, it’s not about the game plan, it’s about reading the situation. Obviously if the defence is up tight, you have to play wider and if the defence is wide, you have to take it up the middle. That’s not the game plan, that’s reading the situation. You need to teach the players how to read these situations. ”
Good to hear?
5 Sep 2012, 12:00 pm
@race of tan-248: Agree with you 100%, you cant drop a brand-new fly half into a major test as a starter!
But it was a shame in the last Test vs England that Morne was terrible and still Elton didnt get a run…
5 Sep 2012, 12:00 pm
@Transformation-237: Mc Caw was a fetcher who developed….
why can Brussow not be this as well?
Why we need Marcelle to reinvent himself?
I bet the laaitie Hooper would be kakking in his broeks if Brussow was playing….
now the upstart chirping the odds already, becasause he knows without Louw he will reign on the deck….
we got no brains in our rugby….except for Mallet who rather farks about in the commentary box…..
Mc Caw is first and foremsot a expert at spoiling and slowing ball down….the rest is a bonus…
5 Sep 2012, 12:01 pm
The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food said #245 – I agree. We had much more ball than the ABs had at their RWC2007 quarter final loss v France(last 10 minutes), and we did nothing with it.
The Boks looked very pedestrian that day. We had loads of oppurtunities to create a drop goal scenario but didn’t take it, running around like headless chickens. The Ozzies tackled us into the ground that day, hats off to them for that!!
5 Sep 2012, 12:01 pm
@Heavens Game-253: JDV crabs way too much for my liking and dies with the ball. Also remember that Vermeulen has hardly played this season, so I would give him a couple of games to settle in and get match fit. At blindside he would be inferior to Alberts but I think he’s a better 8th man
5 Sep 2012, 12:02 pm
I do not understand you lot.
Fact team got to have colour , so live with Chikko
Lambie does not even start for Sharks why
You all called for Vermeulen , now he’s there , now you don’t want him now , but you have no alternative either.
5 Sep 2012, 12:03 pm
ah ok gonzo got it mate, cheers.
5 Sep 2012, 12:04 pm
@cane-240: Half Man/Half Muppet
5 Sep 2012, 12:06 pm
@Heavens Game-241:
I rate Hooper….but he has pissed me off with hid grandstanding…..
fact is if he were a saffa he would not make Maties 3 rd team….
but that is because we are thick HG….farken deluded….
I also believe we will win Sat….Aussies are clever and desperate…..we are farken over the top desperate….
But winning fugly will just paper the cracks…..@Atreides-244:
the M Steyn selection is a disgrace, especially seen in context with the Bekker and Daniel axing….
since 2010 that wally has held us back….criminal.
5 Sep 2012, 12:07 pm
@Atreides-254: What?, I’m sure you are making a mistake, surely that was PDV. I thought ” playing the situation” was called unstructured rugby when PDV talked about playing the situation?
Keo and your goons, where the phark are you?, did Heyneke Meyer really speak about playing the situation?????
5 Sep 2012, 12:07 pm
@race of tan-248: when asked why he didn’t drop MSteyn in PE meyer said there were too many inexperienced players on the field at one – marcell, pottie, eben, juandre – so he didn’t want throw elton in the deep end.
5 Sep 2012, 12:08 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-252: yes, no doubt…we are the serial holders!
5 Sep 2012, 12:08 pm
Cannot see the reason behind this bench (back division), 2 FH’s and a wing?
Ideally, it should have been;
20. Goosen - covers 10.
21. De Jongh - covers 12 and 13.
22. Aplon - covers 11, 14 and 15.
We already have two SH’s in the starting 15, so that’s pretty much covered.
Heyneke should decide (and pretty fast) on where he sees Lambie adding value. At 15, he’s way too pedestrian.
5 Sep 2012, 12:09 pm
@Atreides-249: Yes, 100% correct. Which is why I get so p#ssed off when Bryce is blamed for our exit – it’s a cop out. He contributed yes, but the blame lies firmly at the door of the players on the field at the time. Not Bryce, not the coaches, the players on that field directing play.
5 Sep 2012, 12:10 pm
@grant10-256: but that’s not the reason WHY pocock was ineffective…
5 Sep 2012, 12:10 pm
@cane-247: 50/50… Don’t forget Deans also under pressure…
Now Deans and Meyer have been very, very good coaches at the next level down to international…
But the pressure at International level (and especially in the Bok hotseat) seems to be inducing some illogical decision making and choices by both of them…
I reckon its actually a study in pressure at the highest level… One of Deans or Meyer may succeed and take their respective team to the RWC… They both however may fail…
However great Coaches (best long term examples in Rugby – Woodward and Henry) have somehow hung on through the pressure… made their mistakes and learnt from them…
We shall see… But I reckon its 50/50, only because of home advantage… If Wobblies were playing in SA then it would be your 60%, but to the Boks.
5 Sep 2012, 12:11 pm
Fark…I actually agree with HG on some of his assertions….
I am concerned about JDV at 13….
I also believe Vermeulen is not a classic 8…..probably more suited to 7 role ….but still a country mile better than the absolutely useless Spies passenger….
5 Sep 2012, 12:11 pm
@Transformation-265: At least we shine in something
That’s what p#sses me off about so many Bok fans, there is a sense of entitlement, when the reality says otherwise…however harsh it may be:)
5 Sep 2012, 12:12 pm
Transformation #248 – Maybe there is method to HMs madness. HM might be trying to build up some sort of experience first before he changes tatics!!!!
This does make sense with what is going on as HM knows he has got a youngish team, especially in the forward pack and maybe doesn’t want to change too much too soon!!
One good thing about Saturday is that HM does have alternatives on the bench for 10!!
5 Sep 2012, 12:15 pm
@Transformation-268: I know he was counter rucked and harassed off the ball Transie….
But that does not mean we should not employ a specialsit opensider….
The kiwis are far more dominant in scrums and counterruck than saffas are currently….
we need to get there first to compete….because our 3 ball carriers loosies and Bekker dont commit like Kiwis do….
either too farken lazy or Meyer scared to over commit numbers there…..
even more reason to employ a ‘ to the ball ‘ specialist…..add the Bissy injury and we farked in the head if we think otherwise!!
5 Sep 2012, 12:16 pm
@capebull-259: “You all called for Vermeulen , now he’s there , now you don’t want him now”
the guy is coming back from a 4-5 month layoff and has only played minutes of currie cup rugby, his provincial coach and medical staff told heyneke NOT to pick him but no heyneke shoots him straight into Test rugby to DEBUT against australia…that’s bullshit in any language!
5 Sep 2012, 12:17 pm
@Atreides-258: Agree 100%. Alberts a shy.te No 8, and Vermeulen better than him at 8… And the way Spies been playing the last few years, Vermeulen better than him – but thats not saying much.
Yes, Vermeulen has been injured, but fark me why is he there already… He is been set up to fail at this rate… Have seen Vermeulen perform pretty well for Stormers when 100% fit, but fark me if he performs like he has in the CC to date then he will get slaughtered…
This is what I can’t understand about Meyer decision to include him. I reckon Vermeulen is at least 2 more games away from being able to play a full 80 mins at CC, never mind a farken test.
5 Sep 2012, 12:17 pm
Sigh of relief seeing Juandre back in the starting setup, that’s probably the only Bulls player i’m glad to have starting, pretty much meh about the rest, Hougies included. Better as a bench option until the boks decided what the hell they wanna do with him.
5 Sep 2012, 12:18 pm
work calls again…farkit…
5 Sep 2012, 12:19 pm
@grant10-270:
5 Sep 2012, 12:19 pm
@Heavens Game-269:
I agree only more so.
Oz 60% chance at home.
SA 70% chance at home.
I hope both games go to the Home Team.
This can only benefit NZ’s chances of winning The Championship.
Which of course, as we all know. Is the most important thing.
5 Sep 2012, 12:21 pm
@grant10-262: 50/50… Both coaches and teams under pressure… Wobblies got a glaring weakness though… No Pocock. They are there for the taking…
I actually reckon the Argies could take the Aussies in Perth if it was them playing there this weekend instead of the Boks.
But fark me, if the Boks lose?
I actually dont even want to think about it.
5 Sep 2012, 12:22 pm
@Transformation-274:
Agreed.., no way he’ll last a full 80 for the next two weeks.
Add to that Alberts, who’s all together not an 80-min player due to his conditioning (2nd 40 player IMHO), and we’ll may see Coetsee and Louw carrying the loosies in the last quarter.
Would have called up CJ Stander, and cap him before the Irish whispers all kinds of honey in his ear.
5 Sep 2012, 12:24 pm
@race of tan-272: there are no gentle learning curves or window periods in international rugby, ask deans!
his 3 out of 17 win ratio against the all blacks will sink him!
heyneke can’t think what worked at the bulls in 2007 will work now, he has to be sharper!
5 Sep 2012, 12:26 pm
@cane-279: @cane-279:
Cannot be accused for having a biased opinion.
5 Sep 2012, 12:26 pm
The NZ TAB (Betting Shop) is paying on the Boks/Wobblies Test:
Head to Head-
Oz $1.62
SA $2.20
5 Sep 2012, 12:28 pm
@Pot Blou Gevaar-283:
hey …………………………..I’m neutral on this one.
5 Sep 2012, 12:28 pm
Robbie Deans doesn’t deserve all the flack he is getting, Australia lose mainly cos they’re just not good enough, they don’t have personnel or depth to be World number one, and i think that’s enough for any fan to accept. Meyer on the other hand, he deserves the criticism i think. Either he doesn’t know the players well enough, or he is just plain being a ****.
5 Sep 2012, 12:29 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-267: Very well said…strange that it’s NEVER the players’ fault!!!
5 Sep 2012, 12:29 pm
Transformation #282 – I am very worried about Saturday. It is not a bad Wobblie team at all and they seem to have the nack of snot klapping the Boks regularly. I am getting a horrible feeling that the Boks could be embarrased come Saturday!
5 Sep 2012, 12:29 pm
@cane-279: At this moment in Rugby time, I reckon the ABs have no need to benefit from the farkups of other teams to win the 4N… If they dont then it will go down as nothing more than another monumental choke…
The day them ‘orrible ‘obbits start playing Cruden at 10 and Carter at 12 then everyone in bigshyte…
Fark, I dont want to even think of it… Imagine having to look on at the ABs in awe… Fark that.
5 Sep 2012, 12:31 pm
@Heavens Game-289:
lol
5 Sep 2012, 12:31 pm
@Heavens Game-275: And that is what I have been saying all week. Duane is being set up to fail. And for a fellow who has waited this long to get his shot (when he deserved it wayyyyyyyy back already) – it is grossly unfair (whether you rate him as a player or not).
The man management has not been good all round….Brussow, de Jongh, JJ, Lambie, Mvovo, Jantjies, Goosen, Vermeulen, even Hougaard has suffered (although he is now being accomodated at anothers expense), Bekker, Kruger, Daniel etc. All victims thus far.
The only ones who seem to be immune: Kirchner, Morne Steyn, Hougaard (to an extent) and Spies will be once he returns from the potentially career ending injury of a splinter in his finger.
5 Sep 2012, 12:32 pm
286 Australia lose because they have to play Nz, against the rest they are fine.
5 Sep 2012, 12:32 pm
@cane-285:
5 Sep 2012, 12:34 pm
Yip picked it exactly right – he’s got about 7 mediocre selections – it’s going to be close but tge Aussies should take it. If liebenberg, cilliers, louw, hougaard and goosen started with a more attacking fullback might have been different. Good luck but I got no confidence.
5 Sep 2012, 12:34 pm
Caner the Bokke are worth a flutter at those odds.
5 Sep 2012, 12:34 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-287:
Sharks rugby pedigree says it as it was. He knows and is not afraid to say it.
A few on here just cant blame there own players but find it alot easier to blame everyone else.
Brycie reffed a joke of a game, for both sides as well..we all know that and its an embarrassment that NZRU gave Bryce ref of the year, that was a kick in the nuts for SA as well as Kiwis that know the game, he deserved nothing.
5 Sep 2012, 12:34 pm
@Heavens Game-289:
Get plenty of Booze in for the weekend HG.
You are gunna need it.
Even if you don’t need it. There is nothing wrong with being prepared for all eventualities.
5 Sep 2012, 12:37 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-291: and farken Potgieter!!!!!!!
5 Sep 2012, 12:38 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-291: No, I don’t rate Vermeulen as a regular starter for the Boks at 8. But agree with pretty much everything else you say…
However having said I dont rate Vermeulen, he still is better than some of the farked up picks Bok coaches have made in the grip of ,something that can only be described as, madness.
Willing to give him the benefit of the doubt especially when 100% fit, but hellsteeth he is a few games away from being ready at present…
5 Sep 2012, 12:40 pm
@Heavens Game-275: Yea I’m not sure what the thinking is there, surely HM doesn’t expect 80 min from him?? I reckon passion might carry him for 40 min but what happens if he gasses? Alberts to 8 and Flo on at 7?
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