Meyer defiant on Morné
12 Sep 2012
Morne Steyn will start at flyhalf against the All Blacks in Dunedin.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has selected Steyn and made just two changes to the side beaten by Australia in Perth.
Francois Louw starts in the specialist openside role, with Marcell Coetzee among the substitutes.
‘The New Zealanders are good on the ground which is why we decided to go for a specialist openside flank in Francois,’ said Meyer. ‘Marcell has been very good this season and has played a lot of rugby, but in this match we feel he will be more useful as an impact option.’
Meanwhile, Flip van der Merwe starts at lock, Andries Bekker is recalled to the match 22 and tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis has been declared fit. Toulon-based lock Bakkies Botha won’t be involved and the issue with Botha is believed to be medical insurance – a similar situation which hampered Fourie du Preez’s return to Test rugby this season.
Johan Goosen is again among the substitutes and there’s a match squad call-up for Juan de Jongh and Dean Greyling.
Steyn kicked all 18 points in the Boks’ 18-5 win against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth a year ago and holds the record of most points against the All Blacks when he scored all 31 points in the Boks’ win in Bloemfontein in 2009.
However, the Boks, with Steyn at flyhalf, have not enjoyed the kind of success that warrants continued selection. Steyn has played flyhalf in the Boks’ last 30 Tests and have won just 16.
South Africa’s rivalry with New Zealand is considered the fiercest in the game, but the All Blacks have been dominant in the professional era. Pre-isolation the Boks held a 21-16 winning advantage, but since international readmission in 1992 the All Blacks have won 30 and the Boks just 13. One Test has been drawn, 18-18 in Auckland in 1994.
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 Francois Louw, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Marcell Coetzee, 20 Johan Goosen, 21 Juan de Jongh, 22 Pat Lambie.
784 Comments
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12 Sep 2012, 13:33 pm
@CT Shark-306:
We don’t kick more up and unders than other teams. All the teams do the same thing. Why are their game plans not called kick and chase? Because I saw the Boks TRY to attack many times when on the halfway line and further in. They just didn’t do it very well.
As for Lambie/Goosen. All I can think is that HM and his staff do not want to play Lambie at FH only to move him to FB in a few weeks time. Can’t see the harm myself to be honest. Goosen has only just come back from injury and no matter how desperate we all are for a more attacking FH we have to admit there is some logic in easing him into the team over the course of 2-3 games. Especially if you are honest enough to admit that we will likely lose the NZ game regardless of who plays 10 & 15.
Our kick-chasing has not been good. And not only that our fielding of the opposition’s kick-chase has also not been that good either. But that does not mean it is not a valid tactic when in your half. Just watch close, all the other teams do the same kick-chase when in certain field positions.
Assistant coaches… don’t have an opinion on that really. Personally it doesn’t matter who the coach(es) are right now because we will struggle regardless due to the massive personnel disruptions we currently have.
12 Sep 2012, 13:33 pm
@Sheriff-341: Of course the lambs are
frolicking uninhibitedly in NZ.They dont yet know what awaits them.
12 Sep 2012, 13:34 pm
@Heavens Game-343: Not sure the detail,,,, but I cant see Lambie reacting well….that oke has been nailed …his frustration must be at boiling point…..
I would rather have Goosen….Lambie and Jantjes playing as 1 st choices ….at different Franchises….
But agree….Sharks are favorites, I have less than F all faith in the wp suits….
12 Sep 2012, 13:34 pm
@Spiesisworthless1-338:
Boks have lost more than the AB’s Spies.
Smit, Bakkies, FdP, J Fourie, Dannie, Juan, Victor, Butch ,…………………………………….plus current injuries.
Must be about 5000 caps down the plug hole right there.
12 Sep 2012, 13:36 pm
@Transformation-328:
Jip not exactly an uplifting voice from your coach… Ppppfff SA has more flair now than it had in 2007. Our players are capable to adopt any game plan and implement it with great effect. From 9 to 15. And sorting out a pack who can dominate should also be possible!
There just needs to be guidance from a coach who believes we can be just as good and better than the leading teams.
These comments are really worrying.
12 Sep 2012, 13:37 pm
@grant10-337: Lambie WILL be the No. 1 10 for Sharks… He will have to prove himself… So will Jantjies…
Sharks going for broke with Super Rugby next year… This years foundation in place…
Plenty in midfield… good outside backs, now with 2 top half backs… Sharks just need a top class extra prop and lock to go with depth elsewhere in the pack and then they will be sorted…
All thats needed is a decent schedule and fark me the wait will be well and truly over – best team never to have won S15 finally will have the trophy in its rightful place next year.
12 Sep 2012, 13:38 pm
@Heavens Game-356:
Who is the number 2 scrumhalf?
12 Sep 2012, 13:39 pm
The only way to get rid of Steyn now is to call a “bobbejaan” on him
12 Sep 2012, 13:40 pm
@Jeez-357: Reinach… Good little player… Also Hoffman – been injury prone of note.
12 Sep 2012, 13:41 pm
@Heavens Game-356: Certainly will be favorites next year…..Chiefs without SBW…..Saders on a downward curve….Blues rebuilding and Reds the only real Aussie threat….
The fitness of Bissy will be crucial…..I think he will captain Boks next year….
Will need a class lock to replace Sykes…..
Yes…looking good to break the duck there…
12 Sep 2012, 13:42 pm
No I can’t support a Bok loss – one can only assume HM is trying to do his best, despite all efforts seemingly to the contrary. Fk I don’t like the noises this guy is making – he’s decided to hell with everyone else and he will do it his way as he did it at the Bulls – but the Boks are a wholly different animal and losses for 1 yr let alone 3 will not be accepted.
12 Sep 2012, 13:42 pm
@Heavens Game-359:
Not a bit Hoffman fan…he takes 12243252354656 steps before he passes the ball.
12 Sep 2012, 13:45 pm
@cab-361:
I wonder how many losses it will take. JW was on the brink to be fired but then they won that game against England. PDV was almost sacked too, when JW said he’s step in as care taker coach….
I miss the days when coaches werent given 7 chances to turn things around.
12 Sep 2012, 13:46 pm
Morne needs to pull out of the bok team like Ricky did…..do the right thing.
12 Sep 2012, 13:48 pm
@cab-361: He will go soon, can’t see him holding on to the job if he keeps on losing.
12 Sep 2012, 13:48 pm
@grant10-360: With you on Bissy being Captain of Boks… He might not captain Sharks though… But still he will be quite crucial if the Sharks want to win, but Burden is a farken good back up and he is on a rapid upward curve of improvement… To think he actually was a Sharks backline player 5yrs ago… Watch him.
12 Sep 2012, 13:48 pm
@Sheriff-304: Do you want to get banned again? No? Then avoid me, you miserable little stalker. Don’t mention me in your posts, and don’t mention my family’s names.
Yes, I know, I’m just your latest little fixation, and there have been a number of “victims” before me. But I guess it is useful for our fellow bloggers here to know who and what you are. Someone who gets his kicks from digging up personal info on people and “outing” them on a blog.
Did you think I felt threatened and scared when you dropped my boy’s name here?
Creepy and sad doesn’t even begin to describe it. So steer clear or I’ll have Roy chuck you off. Again.
12 Sep 2012, 13:49 pm
@Jeez-362: But a sweeter pass I have never seen on a scrummy since Robert Du Preez.
12 Sep 2012, 13:49 pm
@grant10-333: Matfield protected Morne Steyn from ever being dropped. EOYT 2010………I believe it was Matfield who stopped the move to play Lambie at 10 in one of the games back then already.
Then again, those same Bulls fellows were very anti Frans Steyn being selected for the Boks back in 2007……as I believe Johan Roets was the player they felt deserved to be in the squad more.
There is just as much politics amongst the players as what there is outside their little circle of trust.
Listening to Matfield on Superugby the other evening….he mentioned world class players the Boks are missing…and yes, he mentions Pierre Spies’s name.
12 Sep 2012, 13:51 pm
Jeez
yep but JW and PdV were lucky in starting well, all other bok coaches normally out within a year if bad start – meyer is picking wrong, playing wrong, and worst of all, sticking with it – he better realise soon that this is not tge bulls hegemony which can all be moulded with time and many of these players do not come from cultures that respond well to fear-based motivation or shaming at all.
12 Sep 2012, 13:51 pm
With Meyer’s boring style of rugby he will not be offered a post-RWC term as Bok coach unless the springboks win the RWC as we are not going to achieve the win percentage up-until that tournament that will satisfy the public with justifying anything less than bringing the trophy back home.
After this weekend Meyer will have won 3/6. Only Carel du Plessis did worse than that over his season as Bok coach (37% wins) in 1997.
Meyer should take the good advice that is on offer (and make use of the good 10′s and 7′s that are available). The public do not want to watch Steyn -styled rugby. If he ignores the general public opinion, they will call for a new coach next year should the rugby champinship go poorly again. Simple as that.
Making a mistake shows a lack of understanding, making the same mistake twice shows you have the wrong person for the job.
Yes he’s just started as coach but after Saturday his Mulligan is over and every loss from their on will be on his head.
12 Sep 2012, 13:53 pm
@cane-334:
Ladbrokes of London put it at 1:11 for the ABs to win (9 cents return for each $1 betted)
So the Kiwis are trying to show a nice hospitality for the Boks?
The Boks probably haven’t been 4:1 since 1998 I guess
12 Sep 2012, 13:54 pm
Blend Of youth and some experience in the next few years to come:
15. Lambie (22)
14. Lwazi Mvovo (26)
13. Paul Jordaan (20)
12. Francious Steyn (25)
11.JP Pietersen (26)
10. Johan Goosen (20)
9. Francios Hougaardt (24)
8. Duane Vermeulen (26)
7. Sia Kolisi (21)
6. Marcell Coetzee (21)
5. Anton Bresler (24)
4. Eben Etzebeth (21)
3. Steven Kitshoff (20)
2. Chiliboy Ralapela (26)
1. Steven Kitshoff (20)
Oops, seems like my back line is 90% sharks. Maybe some Bias….????
Please, this is just opinion, feel free to add your own youngsters in there. Age limit 26.
12 Sep 2012, 13:54 pm
@NZINCHINA-176: McCaw had a dominant tight five in front of him with Joubert all over Pocock. Realistically, in spite of the blind hero worship McCaw is past his peak with Pocock (and Brussow when fit) having his number for a couple of seasons now.
12 Sep 2012, 13:55 pm
@Sharkie10-373: Kitshoff twice….Sorry add Coenie Oosthuizen in there. my bad.
12 Sep 2012, 13:56 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-369: Spies?????
World Class?
Fark me….the most useless 8 I have ever seen play international rugby…
I agree about the politics…..reason I have always wanted a non Franchise Coach….like Mallet / Mitchell….
I dont want to comment on 2010 and 2011….will just get me into strife here on the blog…..rather just put it behind me….suffice to say I believe 2010 and 2011 were cancerous for our team…
12 Sep 2012, 13:57 pm
The following players could really lend the Boks some much needed experience. Heyneke Meyer should really consider getting and bringing in one or two more leaders to help the Boks cause in the interim. (Let me know if any of the below players are not elligible):
- BJ Botha
- CJ Van Der Linde
- Brian Mujati
- Joe Van Niekerk
- Schalk Britz
- Michael Claasens
- Brent Russell
- Chavangha
- Pedrie Wannenburg
- Johan Muller
- Gary Botha
- Danie Russouw
Probably a few more which I’ve missed too….
There will without doubt be players in the above list who some people don’t rate. There are a few in there who I don’t rate. The point though is that Heyneke Meyer has loads of options for getting more experience and leadership into this side. He has no excuse.
Not only that, but Heyneke has the world class resources of Victor Matfield to consult with the lineouts… John Smit to consult with the forwards and general leadership.
The point of this post is that despite our many injuries, the Springboks are blessed with world class talent and leadership all over the show… Heyneke Meyer can make no excuses.
12 Sep 2012, 13:58 pm
How the he’ll Daniel was dropped after a couple of cameo performances in which he was a 100 times more effective than potgieter who has done precisely nothing to justify his selection completely beggars belief.
But it’s tge non-selection of brussow and this constant emphasis on kicking, and the technical execution of it, which is driving everyone nuts.
12 Sep 2012, 13:59 pm
Mitchell now obvious Franchise less…
12 Sep 2012, 14:01 pm
@Sharkie10-373: Agree, we have plenty world class youngsters coming through. There are even many more you could add or make up another team. We have the talent for sure, just need a good coach.
12 Sep 2012, 14:01 pm
i am a big Bulls fan, also fan of Steyn and Zane. But both have to go. Steyn has been out of form for Bulls for entire Super 15 and Zane’s only asset is his consistency. So consistent he is entirely predictable. Need Lambie starting fly-half, de Villiers inside center, de Jongh outside and Steyn at fullback. De Villiers has been unable to penetrate at outside center, Frans Steyn has has no imagination at insde center. Don’t think Duane has been answer at no 8 either, prefer Daniels to help linking with back-line. May lack in size but is has real mongrel.
12 Sep 2012, 14:01 pm
@Kaizan-377: That makes sense, i certainly agree. Some of those guys have perform really well overseas, and quite impressed with Russel, he has beefed up and looks beter than ever. No reason not bring guys like him back. Everyone was sceptical when Jake re introduced Monty…But he soon silenced any critics. You make a good point,
12 Sep 2012, 14:01 pm
@Big Hit-374:
Ritchie more than just a 7 Bigglies.
He is a Leader.
Sure he is coming to end of a great run.
But the Old Dog still has a few miles left in the tank just yet.
12 Sep 2012, 14:05 pm
@Kaizan-377:
Jacques Cronje would be the top of the order on my list
Then
BJ, JvN and Gary Botha
The rest are either over the hill or are just fringe players.
Trouble starts with the current HM’s selections out of the available players here that is.
12 Sep 2012, 14:05 pm
@cane-383: I thought Ritchie was magnificent against the Pumas – he got stronger as the game went on as everyone else tired.
12 Sep 2012, 14:06 pm
@cab-378: Agree 100%.
And how in ***** name is Potgieter in the squad? For what reason
was Coetzee dropped.Would have been baying by now
for Deon.Fourie to be capped.Now plying his trade in France.
12 Sep 2012, 14:06 pm
@grant10-379: Plum might pull him in, at least as a consultant…
12 Sep 2012, 14:07 pm
@Blokkies-279:
a betting man, blokkies…?..
nice
12 Sep 2012, 14:08 pm
@Kaizan-377: CJ is injured – “the veteran prop, Van der Linde, suffered bone bruising to his left patella last week and missed the team’s 32-23 win over the Blue Bulls at the weekend” – but would probably be available for the home Tests. He is a bit of a fringe player though.
12 Sep 2012, 14:10 pm
@grant10-291: I really hope that Jantjies goes to Province. No use Sharks having Lambie and Jantjies, that would not help either if they don’t get to start at 10. Plum has stated that Lambie will be our 1st choice 10. Then if Jantjies does come to Sharks and they shove Lambie to the fb postion, I can tell you right now, he will leave and not go to another franchise here, will probably go play overseas. He has been messed about by Meyer and if he gets messed about by Sharks he will leave our shores. That would be a pity because we have only seen a bit of the potential he has. He will be a great there if just left to play fh.
Some say he has been messed about by Sharks, sorry he has not. He was selected as our 1st cooice fh this year and played there until he got injured. Only then did Fred slot into the 10 position.
12 Sep 2012, 14:11 pm
fark….US aMBASSADOR and staff killed in Libyan attack on the US embassy….farkit man…world doesent need this!
12 Sep 2012, 14:15 pm
As Springbok Supporters we will always be hard on our boys. But take this comparison and put it in to perspective.
15. Percy Montgomery
14. JP Pietersen
13. Jaque Fourie
12. Jean De Villiers
11. Bryan Habana
10. Butch James
9. Fourie Du Preez
8. Piere Spies
7. Juan Smith
6. Schalck Burger
5. Victor Matfield
4. Bakkies Botha
3. BJ Botha
2. John Smit
1. Os du Randt
Look at that side, when each and everyone of those players were at their best.
Try and compare that, to the current side. You cant compare at this stage.
12 Sep 2012, 14:17 pm
@grant10-391: Not good news that.
12 Sep 2012, 14:20 pm
@Puma-390: Yes….fully agree….
Best for SA Rugby if Jantjes comes to wp…..no doubt whatsoever
12 Sep 2012, 14:21 pm
Heart breaking to see Lambie wasting away on the bench there, it really is. He’s in his prime now, he’s been blooded, he’s got the experience and none of what he has to offer is being used because Steyn/Kirchner who are both way past their prime are deemed to offer more.
12 Sep 2012, 14:22 pm
@grant10-391: s..hit man
12 Sep 2012, 14:23 pm
@Heavens Game-387: would be a masterstroke….
12 Sep 2012, 14:23 pm
@grant10-394: For sure hope he goes to Province. Best all round for both Lambie and Jantjies if he heads off to Province. Both will get to start in their preferred positions.
12 Sep 2012, 14:24 pm
@grant10-391:
nuke the farkers i say
12 Sep 2012, 14:24 pm
@katman-367:
Mate, you overestimate your importance by at least 200%
You need to take issue with Dawn when she announced your son’s name here a few years ago when he was born. I just have a good memory. Go back in the archives, go on son, go check …
Why are you so threatened by what I say? And why are you trying to threaten me?
That was quite a pathetic little rant there- what’s bothering you REALLY?
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