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, 12:40 pm
@capebull-259: Excuse me since when hasn’t Lambie started for the Sharks????? You havew confused me entirely!
5 Sep 2012, 12:42 pm
@cane-297: Booze…. Definitely… Gonna be tequila mockingbird Saturday….
5 Sep 2012, 12:42 pm
@Hurricane-296:
“Sharks rugby pedigree says it as it was. He knows ……………………….”.
He is a She.
And a Doctor to boot.
5 Sep 2012, 12:44 pm
@cane-297:
I’m stocked up for Saturday.
Gameplan A is Johnny Black if whether is mild to warm, Gameplan B is Cockspur Rum if the weather is cold.
Damn I hope we win so that we can be in a positive mindset to take on that “other” team the week after.
5 Sep 2012, 12:46 pm
@cane-303:
Gee Cane, way to kill my good post.
5 Sep 2012, 12:46 pm
@Heavens Game-299: Well it seems Heyneke decided to ignore Duane’s coach and those who know him best by selecting him now. Ditto for Goosen.
And that smacks of desperation, which is NOT a good look for a Bok coach.
Both he and Goosen should have played Currie Cup rugga last weekend, the coming one, and the one that follows…..and if they pulled through, by all means ease them into the Boks home games.
Whatever P Divvy was and wasn’t – he really did care about his players and their wellbeing, emotional and physical.
5 Sep 2012, 12:46 pm
@Hurricane-296: Absolutely.
I’ve said it on here before but he apparently blew the Aussies off the park in their pool loss against Ireland so what did they do…simple…they adapted better to his “style” in that QF against the Boks.
Simple, really.
5 Sep 2012, 12:47 pm
How many more games is dumbass Meyer going to play InSANE Kirschner..??? I cannot watch another game with that useless mofo on the field.
5 Sep 2012, 12:48 pm
@Sharksgirl-301: 2012 Lambie started at 10, then frenchie took over, with Rian , Ludick and Lambie competing for 15 , to be honest Rian was the best at 15
5 Sep 2012, 12:48 pm
@Jeraldjay-304:
Keep a Sour Cane in reserve Jerry.
Just the thing for an emergency.
5 Sep 2012, 12:49 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-306: So pick an 6/7/8 that everyone on this site will agree with.
5 Sep 2012, 12:50 pm
@Atreides-300: I dunno… That worries me.
Alberts 8, Flo 7 and Coetsee 6 is to me the total antithesis of a “balanced” loose trio…
Even Vermeulen (if 100% fit) 8, Alberts 7, Flo 6 is lopsided.
Better may be Vermeulen 8, Coetsee 7 and Flo 6 but that aint gonna happen….
And we are absolutely Fubar if its Vermeulen 8, Alberts 7, Potgieter 6… Fark me, I wouldn’t put that past Meyer at the moment.
Yeah. this is worryng me.
5 Sep 2012, 12:51 pm
@Hurricane-305:
Would you rather have Dawn show up and put you right?
5 Sep 2012, 12:52 pm
@cane-310: Finally, a Kiwi dispensing advice on a topic they’re familiar with.
5 Sep 2012, 12:52 pm
@cane-313:
lol
Fair Call.
5 Sep 2012, 12:53 pm
@cane-310:
We should win it Cane.
But thats what I thought halfway through the second half of the RWC ¼ final…..
We playing you guys on my wife’s b’day……. thats definitely a recipe for disaster.
5 Sep 2012, 12:54 pm
@cane-313:
And?
5 Sep 2012, 12:54 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-306: Now the first 3 paras are exactly what I am farken having a bit of a paddy about at present… Those 2 selections farked the cat for me…
And it worries me… Hopefully its a blip… But I dunno.
Just helluva irrational at the moment.
5 Sep 2012, 12:54 pm
@Jeraldjay-316: Get her a Bok jersey. Problem solved.
5 Sep 2012, 12:55 pm
@Nikita-317: Where you been? We thought Keo had sold you off to a syndicate in Belarus.
5 Sep 2012, 12:56 pm
Out quick.
5 Sep 2012, 12:56 pm
@Heavens Game-321: Broken condom?
5 Sep 2012, 12:57 pm
@katman-320:
We thought. You mean you thought. Speak in first person please. I’ve been around and not around the corner either.
5 Sep 2012, 12:58 pm
@Nikita-323: When I say we I mean I. Everyone knows this.
5 Sep 2012, 12:59 pm
@katman-319:
5 Sep 2012, 12:59 pm
@katman-324:
Have you seen Me,Myself and Irene?
Good movie.
5 Sep 2012, 13:01 pm
@Jeraldjay-325: Along with a nice card, of course, and some fragrant lotion stuff that squirts from a little bottle. Then serve her a romantic brunch in front of the telly.
5 Sep 2012, 13:01 pm
@katman-324:
I know what you mean. We all do
5 Sep 2012, 13:02 pm
@katman-314:
We’ll take advice from you Okes on Cricketing, Trade Unions, and Braai.
You listen to us on Rugby, Distilled Grains and hangi.
5 Sep 2012, 13:05 pm
@cane-329: oh and don’t forget to also advise us on sheep shagging..!!
5 Sep 2012, 13:07 pm
@katman-327:
Funny thing is if I had a rugby mad wife like Pedigree, it would never work.
Me: “Babe’s I’m off to mates to watch the game” with a reply “just hold on honey, I’ll get my jacket”
5 Sep 2012, 13:08 pm
@Rixmaadi-330:
Hey, we dont only shag sheep, but we seem to have a knack at shagging Springboks as well.
5 Sep 2012, 13:09 pm
@Hurricane-326: No, I’ll look out for it.
5 Sep 2012, 13:11 pm
@Nikita-317:
And……………………………………Sorry.
Forgive me.
I didn’t know that you see ALL.
It was a momentary lapse in good taste. Just an observation I should have kept to myself.
I am but human, (barely human I know).
And …………………………………….They are a nice set of earings Niki.
5 Sep 2012, 13:13 pm
***While Marcell Coetzee is not an out-and-out openside he will be expected to outplay Australia’s Michael Hooper at the breakdown.***
this Michael Hooper will have a field day!!
why is Goosen on bench?? – not an impact player. Quite certain this will be Morne last season in Bok 10 jersey
5 Sep 2012, 13:14 pm
@Hurricane-332: Farken Hurricunt…
5 Sep 2012, 13:15 pm
@greatest13gerber-335: let’s hope so. listen, the boy can kick, but bloody hell man, for how long are we going to rely on him kicking us to victory???
5 Sep 2012, 13:16 pm
Wallabies by 12
Boks to score 1 try, max
5 Sep 2012, 13:17 pm
@Nikita-328: Glad we had this chat then.
5 Sep 2012, 13:18 pm
@Heavens Game-336:
My pleasure
5 Sep 2012, 13:18 pm
@Jeraldjay-316: @katman-327:
Just make sure the romantic lunch is all ready to go before the haka starts.
5 Sep 2012, 13:18 pm
@willievz-338:
Yoh Willie…
It definitely will be closer than that.
5 Sep 2012, 13:19 pm
@Hurricane-332: Yep, thats true, you guys would bang your own mothers.
5 Sep 2012, 13:20 pm
@katman-319:
No dont do that. If you buy here a Bok Jersey, what you are saying is that you are 3rd.
Buy her an AB jersey, then she will know that she is #1
5 Sep 2012, 13:20 pm
@cane-341: Round here we view the Haka as part of the ad break. So this is when you butter the toast and squeeze the orange juice.
5 Sep 2012, 13:21 pm
@willievz-338: That’ll be the farken day, coach Willie… What, you also succumbing like Heyneke to the madness?
No cuzzie… Not that bad, surely…
5 Sep 2012, 13:21 pm
@Rixmaadi-330:
First piece of advice Rix.
Velcro gloves.
They are not essential, but all good players have them.
5 Sep 2012, 13:22 pm
@Rixmaadi-343:
hmmm dont know if you are using the internet correctly, this is a rugby blog.
Fetishes and Taboo sites are probably on the next line on your favourites.
5 Sep 2012, 13:25 pm
He’s new around here.
5 Sep 2012, 13:26 pm
@Hurricane-348: You are very close, my next favourite is actually banging your sister in the shower and having a snack.
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