Boks will win well
28 Sep 2012
MARK KEOHANE, writing in Business Day newspaper, says a weak Wallabies side could take a hiding at Loftus.
Heyneke Meyer has picked a team good enough to win against Australia at Loftus. Australia, even more depleted through injury than SA, could cop a big one.
It has happened before at Loftus. In 1997 the Wallabies, disillusioned with coach Greg Smith and battered by New Zealand a week before, fell apart in the last 30 minutes as the Boks romped to a record-breaking 61-22 victory. It was the first of 17 successive Bok wins.
It has also happened at Super Rugby level, with the Reds taking 90 points against the Bulls a few years back and this season conceding 60 in Pretoria. If it goes slightly wrong for overseas teams at altitude and the hosts get on a roll, it can get very messy.
Given that Meyer has not selected any Japan- or France-based South African players, there isn’t a whole lot more he could have done with his run-on XV and match 22 selections.
I believe Pat Lambie is deserving of a start but Meyer has refused to entrust him with the No 15 jersey. Meyer has also been reluctant to introduce Gio Aplon, despite the player’s more than capable performance in the 14-14 draw in the third and final Test against England earlier in the Test season.
Zane Kirchner is once again the go-to man and once again there are those who claim Meyer has a Bulls bias. That is absolute trash and Meyer cannot be accused of giving Bulls players preferential treatment. It is his right as coach to rate one player ahead of another.
He also remains committed to flyhalf Morné Steyn, but that is not a Bulls thing but a mentoring issue, in that Meyer pretty much shaped Steyn’s provincial and Super Rugby career, believes in the ability of the player and has backed him without fail. The coach was clear to emphasise that the support remains steadfast, even in omitting Steyn from Saturday’s Test. The player had not been dropped but given a breather, said Meyer.
However you look at it, for now it is the right choice. We know the value of Steyn, but his primary strength has always been his goal and line kicking, and that has failed him in the last seven Tests as never before in his international career.
At the start of the Test year, Steyn had a career Bok goal-kicking average of 84%. In the last seven Tests he has averaged 54%. Something is amiss that a player of this goal-kicking quality is 30% down. He has missed match-winning goal kicks in Port Elizabeth and Mendoza and missed a crucial kick in Perth. They were kicks Steyn usually nails and if he isn’t kicking at anything in excess of 70% then he shouldn’t be in the starting XV.
It is not to say that he can’t return or that he won’t return, but selecting Johan Goosen for his first start was an obvious and progressive selection. Goosen will do well. The two great flyhalves of the last decade, Jonny Wilkinson and Dan Carter, were both playing Test rugby at 20. Goosen’s raw potential in his all-round game is comparable with Wilkinson and Carter at a similar age and he certainly looked comfortable in his two performances against Australia and the All Blacks.
I am pleased Jaco Taute is finally fit and in the mix. There has been criticism that Stormers centre Juan de Jongh has been leapfrogged but Taute (for me) offers more. He can play at 13 and 15 but I like the prospect of him in a No 13 jersey.
Meyer, into his eighth Test, has blooded several new players and introduced a post-2007 World Cup generation of player. A lot of it has been forced on him due to injury and the unavailability of experienced players but there can only be benefits to the youngsters experiencing Test rugby now. It builds international depth. Meyer knows what he has with the older hands and a youthful injection has never disadvantaged any team.
I’d like to see Meyer look at some of the France-based club players on the end-of-year tour and give some of the local players a decent off-season.
Andries Bekker gets another chance to convince Meyer he is worth the investment, and hopefully there is more X factor to Ruan Pienaar’s contribution. Pienaar has been decent at scrumhalf, but the expectation has to be more than a decent return from such an accomplished player.
I don’t expect much from the Aussies. They really have been hurt by injuries and the match 22 is among the weakest to tour SA in the last 10 years.
They’ll play an expansive game and the reward may be a couple of early scores, but this is one that the Boks will win — and win well.
98 Comments
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28 Sep 2012, 12:03 pm
@greatest13gerber-46: a break from what? heinrich was injured before the world cup, came back in the tri-nations, got injured at the world cup, played super rugby and got injured against the stormers…how much rest does he need?
28 Sep 2012, 12:07 pm
@Transformation-50: Difference between a one trick pony and playing to the game plan Transie. And yes he can play a more expansive game. rmember he started out as n running flyhalve way back when he was played Behind Derrick.
Same issue with Francois Hougaard. They stick him into a gameplan which are not suited to his strengths thus making him look very kak. Last year this time he was most probably the brightest up and coming in SA yet his form has been mediocre to say the least.
28 Sep 2012, 12:08 pm
Morne played a running game just fine in the 2010 WC. However, he had FdP inside him calling the shots. Morne needs to get used to playing a flatter game and to be the general.
28 Sep 2012, 12:08 pm
@Transformation-50:
Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free?
If you’ve ever seen a one trick pony then you’ve seen me
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making its way down the street?
If you’ve ever seen a one-legged dog then you’ve seen me
Then you’ve seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you’ve seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you’ve seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?
28 Sep 2012, 12:09 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-52: which are = which is…..kom daai boer nou dik deur……
28 Sep 2012, 12:11 pm
you are a chop, transie
that was for you… it was for the boss
and for morne
28 Sep 2012, 12:12 pm
Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and weeds?
If you’ve ever seen that scarecrow then you’ve seen me
Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?
If you’ve ever seen a one-armed man then you’ve seen me
Then you’ve seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you’ve seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you’ve seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?
28 Sep 2012, 12:13 pm
These things that have comforted me, I drive away
This place that is my home I cannot stay
My only faith’s in the broken bones and bruises I display
Have you ever seen a one-legged man trying to dance his way free?
If you’ve ever seen a one-legged man then you’ve seen me
28 Sep 2012, 12:17 pm
Aaawww Bakkies, such a romantic
28 Sep 2012, 12:23 pm
Saturday 20 april and saturday 29 june 2012 will be a day you will never forget transie, and a day i forever will remind you of.
morne will break new records and show you just who the fark a one trick pony is.
28 Sep 2012, 12:24 pm
Saturday 20 april and saturday 29 june 2012 = 2013
28 Sep 2012, 12:25 pm
What will happen if the boks lose to this depleted wallaby side?
28 Sep 2012, 12:25 pm
@mikeybrass-59:
who doesn’t love the boss.
28 Sep 2012, 12:29 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-52: that was in 2003, he says THEN he was a running flyhalf, it is 2012 NOW and that running game is NOWHERE!
i’ve never heard of a situation where, say cruden, has to improve his goal kicking and tactical kicking then all of a sundae in his mind he thinks he must forget everything he ever learnt about attacking flyhalf play! that is just stupid.
you don’t unlearn your current skills because the new working environment requires you to acquire a different skillset, you add to your current batch!
28 Sep 2012, 12:30 pm
@Transformation-51:
those are facts..but my bottom line is that I dont believe he will be out of mix for long.
28 Sep 2012, 12:30 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-63: Skoppie. He thinks the Boss can’t clean Joe “Yes That’s Another Cover” Cocker’s shoes.
28 Sep 2012, 12:33 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-56: thank you, it means i’m hitting the right notes
28 Sep 2012, 12:35 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-60: what?
2012
28 Sep 2012, 12:37 pm
@greatest13gerber-65:
HM said Brussouw needs to regain his form…
28 Sep 2012, 12:39 pm
@Jeez-69:
I did not know that. thank you.
28 Sep 2012, 12:40 pm
@katman-66:
hehe
skop thinks a lot of things, which i’m sure a therapist would have a lot to say about.
28 Sep 2012, 12:40 pm
@greatest13gerber-65: ag , we will see…this man started a loosie combo of 6. marcell, 7. potgieter, 8. alberts nc nc nc he had to see his gat to change tack…morne had to be downright putrid and LOSE us a game in NZ for him to be dropped when flashing lights were blazing the whole season.
reactive rather than proactive…
enough on meyer now.
28 Sep 2012, 12:40 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-61:
Knock, knock.
28 Sep 2012, 12:42 pm
@Transformation-67:
ja, i will be looking forward to hearing those notes come the 20th april.
@Transformation-68:
20th april 2013 you chop… the day your world ends….
28 Sep 2012, 12:45 pm
@WP-Forever-73:
hehe
if this is the ‘morne who?’ joke then i’ve heard already.
who’s there?
28 Sep 2012, 12:45 pm
@Transformation-72:
valid points bru
yes enough of Meyer
Lets put away these Wallabies
28 Sep 2012, 12:54 pm
For Morne – maybe bring Monty back as kicking coach? Koen is not working.
I hope Morne regains his form, but farkit dont we all want the Boks to FINALLY have a complete fly-half? Someone like Wilko or Carter who can run, pass, attack, step AND kick?
Not since Naas, Stransky, Hennie and Honiball have we really had that.
And possibly Honiball was not the best at kicking
28 Sep 2012, 12:55 pm
“once again there are those who claim Meyer has a Bulls bias. That is absolute trash and Meyer cannot be accused of giving Bulls players preferential treatment. It is his right as coach to rate one player ahead of another.” what rubbish from a seasoned journo! HM is the most biased coach in world rugby. Jaques potgieter, jj engelbrecht and dean greyling are springboks under him. In another world they wouldnt even dream of it!
28 Sep 2012, 12:56 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-74: beware the KINGS!!!
i saw their new branded Range Rover Sports today, very nice!
28 Sep 2012, 12:58 pm
@west indies cricket board-78: at this point you will be accused of being “anti-bulls”
28 Sep 2012, 13:02 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-75:
Morné.
28 Sep 2012, 13:03 pm
@Transformation-79: Who’s car?
28 Sep 2012, 13:05 pm
@katman-82: Southern Kings…Cheeky et al
28 Sep 2012, 13:05 pm
F Steyn out!
28 Sep 2012, 13:07 pm
@Transformation-79:
they must have it.
28 Sep 2012, 13:08 pm
@Transformation-83: Snouts in the trough. Not that it was a secret anyway, so might as well flaunt it like a Malema Breittling watch.
28 Sep 2012, 13:11 pm
@Transformation-79:
wow, new bling already… how nice….
@WP-Forever-81:
chop
28 Sep 2012, 13:12 pm
@Transformation-83:
could you be a little more vague..?..
28 Sep 2012, 13:59 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-87:
Stop calling everyone chop and do some work
28 Sep 2012, 15:12 pm
Wallabies will get a hiding this weekend!
28 Sep 2012, 17:35 pm
At least after the Boks win tomorrow, we will have Tacitus back waxing lyrical about HM etc etc
28 Sep 2012, 22:42 pm
Isn;t Mark Keohane the same person who predicted an easy championship win, an easy win in Argintina and in Perth for the Boks. I suppose he might get one right one day. I have had more success at the TAB by not listening to his predictions.
29 Sep 2012, 01:44 am
” A lot of it has been forced on him due to injury and the unavailability of experienced players but there can only be benefits to the youngsters experiencing Test rugby now. It builds international depth.” Hey Keo sounds like something I said way back.
The idea of resting players at the end of the year is a great one. Morne is on top of that list.
I agree about player selection, only the kids here and the irrational few think some provinces are choosen over others. Ludicrous to even think that way.
Back to the beginning of compo, How the boks perform tomorrow depends if they pitch up but this time its how many as the backline were asleep a fortnight ago and the forwards were on fire. Win / loose/big win –> all depends on…
29 Sep 2012, 07:49 am
Sorry pilgrims. It’s Oz by 3.
29 Sep 2012, 08:21 am
@TheTackler-94: Unfortunately, I think this pilgrim may have the score in the right range…
These Wobblies visiting the Blou Ballas Cathedral are a good side.
They are under the cosh and are underdogs for this match…
Boks are thought of as favourites especially in the wake of Golden Goosen euphoria…
Not a good thing having Boks as overwhelming favourites and at the same time Ozzies as underdogs without a hope in hell…
Not a good thing at all…
This will either be King Heynekes Russian Front or his Blitzkrieg rebirth…
I have a sneaking suspicion it may be the former.
29 Sep 2012, 08:23 am
Loftus is going to be mighty quiet after this one…
Got my Green and Gold jersey just in case…
“Once a jolly swagman….”
Gold Coast Gold that is…
29 Sep 2012, 08:29 am
Will be watching to see if the Boks, other than Beast and Lambie, actually sing the last part of the anthem…
You know, the English part of the Anthem…
Goes something like this, “sounds the call to come together…”
I reckon the Boks may have forgotten that part… Except Lambie and Beast, of course….
4 Oct 2012, 21:51 pm
“…those who claim Meyer has a Bulls bias. That is absolute trash and Meyer cannot be accused of giving Bulls players preferential treatment. It is his right as coach to rate one player ahead of another.
He also remains committed to flyhalf Morné Steyn, but that is not a Bulls thing but a mentoring issue, in that Meyer pretty much shaped Steyn’s provincial and Super Rugby career, believes in the ability of the player and has backed him without fail”
I find this selective journalism incredible, how is the above not giving preferential treatment?
You are effectively trying to coach a player back into form on the highest stage, a player whose form didn’t warrant selection in the first place!
“Bias is an inclination to present or hold a partial perspective at the expense of (possibly equally valid) alternatives. Anything biased generally is one-sided, and therefore lacks a neutral point of view”
It is what it is!
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