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, 13:28 pm
If we play kick and chase rugby again on Saturday I swear I will not watch another damn bok game this year. Demoralising uninspiring dreary cold pudding rugby.
5 Sep 2012, 13:29 pm
@katman-345:
ad break or addictive viewing………………………………….it makes no difference.
Your Romantic lunch should be on the friggen plate by now……….full stop!
Time is critical at this point, remember you stiill have to knock the top off a castle ale, get to your lazy boy, and pop up the foot rest.
I do hope Jerry is taking all this in.
5 Sep 2012, 13:29 pm
@Rixmaadi-350:
lol
The force is strong with this one.
But i have no sister so sorry man, just keep practising on your own……player.
5 Sep 2012, 13:29 pm
@cane-347: Thanks mate, I’ll keep that in mind. Tell me, is it compulsory to stick a photo of that overweight Weepu on Sheila the sheep’s back or is that also optional..?
5 Sep 2012, 13:30 pm
@Hurricane-353: Ah, must have been your mother then. Apologies.
5 Sep 2012, 13:30 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck-337:
Good question!
I also think Jano Vermark should have being given a go – as unknown quality . could have unsettled Aussies
5 Sep 2012, 13:32 pm
Rixmaadi we’ve heard them all before, do you have any new material?
5 Sep 2012, 13:32 pm
@Rixmaadi-350:
I see you are here to raise standards.
good start.
5 Sep 2012, 13:33 pm
@Rixmaadi-355:
Dont apologise, she said you were the worse shes ever had.
Anyway, these sister and mother things seems a bit childish. If you are a minor
i understand but will not play your weird game. If you are in fact an adult…….
hmmmm no you are a minor.
5 Sep 2012, 13:33 pm
@Rixmaadi-354: did you jackroll her or was it a corrective scenario?
did you make her shower afterwards so she wouldnt catch your bad aids?
5 Sep 2012, 13:34 pm
@Rixmaadi-355: why dont we leave family out of this?
5 Sep 2012, 13:34 pm
@Rixmaadi-354: @Rixmaadi-355: Originality: 0. Humour: 0. Cringeworthiness: 10.
So you think you can dance?
5 Sep 2012, 13:34 pm
@NZINCHINA-357: How about this one: A South African and a Kiwi walked into a bar……..then the South African banged the Kiwi’s mother.
5 Sep 2012, 13:35 pm
Is he related to Fern.
5 Sep 2012, 13:35 pm
@rangerman-361:
agree
etiquette around me is very bad…reminds me of CT
5 Sep 2012, 13:35 pm
@Rixmaadi-354:
Whatever you are into Rix.
Just let your inhibitions run wild.
5 Sep 2012, 13:35 pm
@poppa69-360: “bad aids”?
there is a good kind?
anyways nice to see you are still determined to stick to the moral high ground my cullart friend
5 Sep 2012, 13:36 pm
@cane-352:
Hope you show some respect and give us the Kapo O Pango.
The Boks did win the last encounter…..
5 Sep 2012, 13:36 pm
Not bad, what else you got.
5 Sep 2012, 13:36 pm
@greatest13gerber-365:
“reminds me of CT”
a true gerber classic.
5 Sep 2012, 13:37 pm
Farken Haka’s… An ode to a bit of longpig nosh… Wonder what pakehas like Reechie and the Franks brothers must think when they doing the jig while the maori are busy whipping up a hunger frenzy…?
Thats it… I figured it out… I figured out the advantage gained out of the Haka…
All them AB brownjobs are driven by hunger…
While the AB pakeha are driven by fear of landing up with apple in mouth served in front of Piri Piri Weepu after the game…
Come to think of it… Where’s Jimmy Cowan gone?
5 Sep 2012, 13:37 pm
@Rixmaadi-363:
lol
Look i know you are trying man but lets move on please, mothers,sister etc not the place
5 Sep 2012, 13:38 pm
@Heavens Game-371: haha, piri swallowed him but he didnt taste so good so piri keeps trying to air his tongue out.
5 Sep 2012, 13:38 pm
@rangerman-367: That’s our Giulietta. No matter where the conversation was going, he’ll find a way to work in some AIDS comment. I can just imagine the dinnertime conversation in the Giulietta household.
5 Sep 2012, 13:38 pm
@cane-334:
Thanks Cane. They are originals too. I’m glad you have taste.
@katman-339:
I’m glad you are glad Katman. Nothing gives me more joy.
5 Sep 2012, 13:38 pm
Got a good feeling for this team, specially when goosen comes on in second half
5 Sep 2012, 13:39 pm
It is better to let Vermeulen start than bring him on as a sub. That way the coach can see how long he will last and then sub him when necessary.
5 Sep 2012, 13:39 pm
@NZINCHINA-364:
You think Rix might be “Fernly of the Damned”.
…………………………………….I think you may be right.
8)
5 Sep 2012, 13:40 pm
nothing wrong with a bit of kiwi bashing.
one of my favourite pastimes actually.
but there are limits.
because at the end of the dasy we are all one big rugby family (not poops obviously, but you get my point).
5 Sep 2012, 13:41 pm
@rangerman-373: Sheezus…
5 Sep 2012, 13:42 pm
@katman-374: aids and cancer and all other dread diseases are not banter.
neither are rape and murder.
but poops has had his moral compass spun out of whack.
i hope he gets back on track sometime because deep deep deep down he is just a fragile little flower looking for a bit of sunshine.
5 Sep 2012, 13:42 pm
HM should watch more CC rugby. Willie le Roux was sublime last weekend. He is the kind of playmaker the Boks need.
5 Sep 2012, 13:42 pm
Cut from the same cloth Caner.
5 Sep 2012, 13:43 pm
@Jeraldjay-342: @Heavens Game-346:
History – 6 losses in last 7
Long flight
Inability to score tries
I think we will find it very difficult on Saturday.
The only slight positive I can think about is that we are playing in Perth, where we have a good record of late.
5 Sep 2012, 13:43 pm
@Nikita-375: You are a good sport, Nikita.
5 Sep 2012, 13:44 pm
@Nikita-375:
originals…………………………………………………………………….they are gems.
.
.
.
those earings of yours.
5 Sep 2012, 13:44 pm
@rangerman-379: Yeah… 100%
Such a pity with Knobber69 that its “everytime a coconut”…
Otherwise Keo’s one big happy blogging version of family games…
5 Sep 2012, 13:44 pm
@rangerman-379:
Imagine if that Sharky ref gave a penalty to France in the dying seconds of the final.
Things would be sooo different.
5 Sep 2012, 13:45 pm
@Heavens Game-380: apparently after swallowing jimmy piri was arrested at a roadblock for DUI.
ok that ones maybe a bit bordeline.
5 Sep 2012, 13:46 pm
Blue-blinkers on the Boks?
2012-09-05 11:53
Perth – According to the majority of Sport24 readers, Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has sent out a clear message with his selection policy: If you don’t perform you will be dropped – unless you’re a Blue Bull…
Lwazi Mvovo, Andries Bekker and Keegan Daniel have all felt the wrath of Heyneke Meyer’s axe after some indifferent performances in the Bok jersey, while Francois Hougaard, Morné Steyn and Zane Kirchner have been given another chance to shine.
Jacques Potgieter was the one notable exception, as the blindside flank dropped out of the match 22 entirely after failing to make an impact against Argentina in the 16-all draw in Mendoza.
Here’s what Sport24 readers had to say about Meyer’s team to face the Wallabies:
“Mvovu is a way better wing than Hougaard.” – Kenny van Rensburg
“Guess who will sit on the bench without a game – for the third time in a row. if Heyneke has no faith in Patrick Lambie, tell him so he can get on with his career. A gifted player being left to wither. Not good.” – Milner x Erlank
“My thoughts would be to play Pat Lambie at fullback who is a more dynamic and consistent performer as well as a mature player in that position. As soon as Zane puts on the Springbok Jersey he seems to be overwhelmed and un settled, whereas Pat is comfortable and settled.” – Gary Denham
“Not a bad team. Just don`t know why HM is so into Zane and Flip. They are NOT Bok material!” – Jacques
“If Bekker gets drop from the match 22 for such a horrific performance against Argentina, then why the hell is Morne Steyn still there. Kirchner as well.” – Alex Radford
“Ruan at scrummie is going to change Morne Steyn’s performance, as Ruan has a quicker pass.” – Zane Blignaut
“I think that Bekker deserved to be dropped after a poor performance, but it is the continued presence of Morne Steyn that is driving me nuts. What the hell does Lambie still need to do to get a chance?” – TravieGrif
“Looks like Bekker is bearing the brunt for the last performance.” – John.Comyn18
“I think Mvovo has been really unlucky to lose his place to Hougaard. I think that it is poor management and giving Hougaard more chances than he deserves. Mvovo looked dangerous every time he attacked, and yet he is dropped to the bench, where Hougaard, who is arguably one of the most devastating impact players in the world starts. I would swap those two and give Mvovo the start.” – TG
“Look, I have to agree with Bekker getting dropped. This is the national side and no place to find form. Which brings me to the double standards of why first Spies before his injury and now Morne are being given so many chances? Consistency is all I ask.” – Jason
“Very happy about Duane’s selection but why, oh why Flip van der Merwe?” – lionell.kemm9
“But Bekker would’ve been better off the bench. What totally out of the 22, and to be replaced by Flippie, nogal?” – sulaiman.galant7
“What ‘favours’ did Two-step Hougaard do for Heineken? He is useless, even at wing. And Turnstile Steyn? Kruger? Kirchner? Heineken, is that blou bril of yours letting any light through?” – chris.in.oz1
“How can Bekker be the fall guy for a poor team performance that starter in the 21st minute vs England and continued ever since.” – caravan.bulls
“HM is rewarding the poor form of his Bulls buddies while dropping non-Bulls at will! Kirchner? Morne? Flip? This has to be a joke! HM rewards his Bulls mates while leaving talented players like Lambie and Mvovo on the bench. I’m losing all respect for this guy. He seems just as clueless as Divvy…” – Malcolm86
5 Sep 2012, 13:46 pm
What a shame Rix left so suddenly.
5 Sep 2012, 13:47 pm
@rangerman-389:
hahaha
But i think FS seems more over weight than Piri.
Lets do some jokes about him
5 Sep 2012, 13:48 pm
Jerry we’d still be the best in the world nothing would have changed there.
5 Sep 2012, 13:49 pm
@Hurricane-391: No mate, still here. Just showing your mother to the door quick.
5 Sep 2012, 13:49 pm
@cane-386:
Yes of course.@katman-385:
Sport has always been my passion Katman. I know what you mean though. We all do.
5 Sep 2012, 13:49 pm
@willievz-384: Yeah… A difficult one, no doubt, but 12 points…?
If that is the case then Heyneke aint felt real pressure yet.
Pressure now? Fark me, if the Boks take a 12 point loss to an injury ravaged Wobblies while scoring only one try, then he will know what pressure is really about…
5 Sep 2012, 13:50 pm
Hurri don’t go there he’s untouchable, done fark all since 07 but he still world class and rated as the best 12 on the planet, not sure why though.
5 Sep 2012, 13:51 pm
@rangerman-379:
Yeah…………………………………………………….we love you too Dangerman.
Not all the time.
.
.
Not most of the time.
.
.
hardly ever in fact.
.
.
.
but sometimes……………………………………………just sometimes…………………………………………..we do feel the love.
5 Sep 2012, 13:51 pm
The Boks are the underdogs at 3:2 (meaning you’ll get a R3 Back for each R2 of your wager), in other words, a Boks’ victory will be a mild surprise
Mvovo and Goosen on the bench will hurt, the Wallabies are going a 5:2 bench split and the Boks might need an extra forward.
M. Styen and Kirchner will produce their damage, they almost always do, seemed HM doesn’t believe in getting things right from the start, must be an ardent believer in the saying that “it got to get worse before it may (ever) get better”
5 Sep 2012, 13:51 pm
@NZINCHINA-393:
Ja but would Ted have been knighted.
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