Boks will win well

Boks will win well

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

  • 1.Chris4Lions: Reply to this comment

    Go Bok Dragons!!

  • 2.Blokkies: Reply to this comment

    Agreed Keo.

    We need to drill these okes a new poepall tomorrow. Time to stop this win streak that they have been on against us.

    They must be so physically and mentally broken when they leave Snor City tomorrow that the Argies then give them a 10 point snotting next week…..

  • 3.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment

    Amen.

  • 4.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment

    and if we lose?..logically, these wallabies are very smart and in Beale at 10 have a dangerous general to direct.

    I think Goosen will be different although I fear he could be raw and erratic at the start of game.

    @Blokkies-2:

    Lets hope you right and we need a convincing win!!

    But this wallabies are hoodoo side

  • 5.viewer: Reply to this comment

    Carter made his Test debut at age 21 & about 3 months old
    Anyway this is a more coherent article than yesterday’s dopey ramble

  • 6.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    ag keo, pipe down about morne steyn and how much heyneke rates him
    , morne being dropped is tacit admission by meyer that even he can’t “coach morne back to form” the excuse about needing a “mental break” is horseshit.

    …the guy is kak, he was kak at the bulls before the english series, had a SHOCKER against the crusaders in the quarter-finals and as you’ve listed above has dropped 30% of his international kicking ratio…he deserves to get dropped and needs to play currie cup to regain his form!

  • 7.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment

    @viewer-5:

    lol agree

  • 8.viewer: Reply to this comment

    I hope Meyer realises he’s approaching Straueli-esque territory with regard to handing out new caps

  • 9.londonshark: Reply to this comment

    Much better article Keo.

    The Boks should win by 10+. This is a very very weak Aussie team.

    @viewer-5:

    Agreed. I have never read such a disjointed article. It was all over the place.

  • 10.Brads: Reply to this comment

    Pull back on the reins guys, expecting a win, that is realistic., but expecting a thumping is absurd.
    It is not as if the Bokke have been a rampant team this year.
    Suppose they lose, will it be Goosen’s fault?

  • 11.londonshark: Reply to this comment

    I’m not sure about Zane. If he played for the Stormers, would he be in the starting 15? I doubt it.

    He picks Zane because he plays BULLS rugby, which is the type of rugby Meyer likes. So he’s not choosing Zane because he’s a Bull, but rather because he plays Bulls rugby. But that’s kinda the same thing.

    Anyway, he is the most average 15 to play test rugby in quite some time.

  • 12.rangerman: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation-6: agreed.

    morne was never the answer for the boks imo.

  • 13.Jake_White: Reply to this comment

    Im not so sure this is the weakest Aussie team Mark, Beale to me is a better 10 than Barnes, And Hooper is a threat in the loose. Samo is a large player that can nullify the effect of Vermeulen, Sharpe is an old head, and can easily disrupt our lineouts the way that NZ did last week. I also think we will give Aus a pasting, but lets not be disillusioned by the Aussie media, they know they have a strong team, and they are playing the pre-game excuses card. We will wallop Aus by 20 at least, but only because this is a fantastic Bok team. Our pack is on the up, the work that Pieter de Villiers is doing with our scrum is also a big plus. Our loose forward combination is world class, and dominated the greaet combination of McCaw and Richards.

    Dont give Aus the benefit of the injury card. They have brought a good team across, and we will give them a good old fashioned PK.

  • 14.viewer: Reply to this comment

    @6 Trans
    :) That tacit admission will never be made by Tacitus

  • 15.londonshark: Reply to this comment

    @Brads-10:

    You missing the vibe here. It’s more about the Aussies being very very weak this year. Injuries have killed them.

    The Boks love to make a game out of what should be a cake-walk though, so we’ll see.

    But if both teams pitch up, the Boks should win by 10+.

  • 16.londonshark: Reply to this comment

    @Jake_White-13:

    Nah, the loss of Genia and Cooper is huuuge. James O’Conner will be missed as well.

    The Aussies will give it a good go, and will stay in the game thanks to the Boks inability to finish teams off rather than them being any good.

  • 17.Jake_White: Reply to this comment

    @londonshark-15: Dont buy into that, they have brought a strong team.

  • 18.davidv: Reply to this comment

    AAAAH! Thanks for clarifying Keo.
    If OTHERS think its bias, then its absolute rubbish, but when KEO thinks its bias, its fact.

    Thanks for clearing up the confusion you schmuck

  • 19.Moby Dick: Reply to this comment

    If we lose against Aus at Loftus, then I’m still blaming Morne Steyn for the defeat despite him being left out of the 22. I’ll think of a reason by Monday.

  • 20.Brads: Reply to this comment

    @londonshark-15: @viewer-8:
    As distinct from the Bokke being very very unlucky?
    Sorry, a cameo by Goosen does not mean didldy.
    Cruden had the most magical 20 minutes of any player could hope for against Ireland before he was injured and left the park.
    We have yet to see him come close to that shining effort.
    Truth is, he is lucky to be on the bench

  • 21.Chris4Lions: Reply to this comment

    If the Boks play proper rugby for a change and finish off, then well beat the Ausies easily by 20+.
    The Ausies wont be a match for the bokke upfront.

    Zane Kirchner is lucky to have ever been called up to a Bok team. Nothing more than an CC player. Reminds me of Earl Rose. Will do you good thing and be below average for the rest of the time

  • 22.DumbSupporter: Reply to this comment

    @londonshark-11: He picks Zane because JPP is injured.

  • 23.Chris4Lions: Reply to this comment

    I meant “One good thing”

  • 24.Westlyn: Reply to this comment

    The national team is no place to be playing favourites, even if it be a mentorship issue! It is the pinnacle of SA rugby and not a nursery, if HM really wants him in the side then he should send MS back to the Bulls to regain his “Je ne sais quoi”. Until then let those with both the skill and the form get the job done!

  • 25.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment

    Morne has played more matches than any other SA player. Those saying he should be playing CC rugby miss the point: he is completely and utterly overplayed and requires a long break, mentally and physically.

  • 26.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment

    @mikeybrass-25: He needs a complete break from rugby for a while.

  • 27.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment

    “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.”

    AMEN. Hope This ends all this trash talking the player

  • 28.Westlyn: Reply to this comment

    @mikeybrass-26: I don’t care what he does so long as he is not be a part of the Springbok set-up until he can command a place ahead of the youngsters!

  • 29.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment

    Goosen will be pivotal

    Beale likewise for Walabies will be the key.

    We need to denie Beale ball…very dangerous as one poster said above about Beale being better option at 10.

  • 30.Skeppie: Reply to this comment

    @greatest13gerber-27: Kirchner does not deserve trash talk IMO, he is a solid performer and he tries his best. My issue is that i do not think he is our best option at 15. I would have Lambie and Taute ahead of him.

  • 31.Hondo: Reply to this comment

    Seemed a mere formality that Test
    Odds are 1:3, the Match Referee Rolland already collected his 1st installment and the Wallabies are just woeful while Beale at 10 makes them even worse ;)
    With Jantjies and JdJ coming on in the 2nd half we still have the hope for some fun though ;)
    Boks by 18 plus, I am taking no wager

  • 32.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment

    @Skeppie-30:

    I do agree with you on Lambie(one of our most talented backs!) and Taute. But i think we should respect Meyer choice a little. gameplan selection IMO

  • 33.Hondo: Reply to this comment

    Hell, Loftus isn’t sold out yet, probably because Chiliboi and Spies are both absent?
    ;)

  • 34.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment

    @greatest13gerber-32: Agreed.

    @Westlyn-28: Morne needs a long break and only then a stint back at lower tier rugby to regain his mojo. Perhaps a call to Naas to sort out his tactical kicking…. Actually, Meyer should speak to Naas about the right way to kick in matches dammit.

  • 35.Pietie: Reply to this comment

    Only 2 run on BBs in the team tomorrow – not really a BB bias from Coach Heyneke. However, the perception was created earlier this year that he has a BB bias when he announced a squad containing more than 15 BB players – this included fools like Jacques “Takhaar” Potgieter, JJ “Banggat” Engelbrecht and who else not! Link that with the whole BB management team, and next thing, perception becomes fact! He has a lot of work ahead of him to dispel the notion that he is BB centric. Any way, tomorrow’s team as good as we can get bar one or two positions (like Jean DiV who is starting to show his age unfortunately). Comfortable win for us.

  • 36.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment

    @Pietie-35:

    are you a WP supporter??

    “JJ “Banggat” Engelbrecht” btw has x factor and is great young talent. You will see him playing many tests.

    Jacques “Takhaar” Potgieter has not lived up to expectation but I believe he will become more of Alberts like clone in time.

  • 37.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment

    @mikeybrass-34:

    agree about consulting Naas – the greatest wear Bok 10 jersey

  • 38.ies: Reply to this comment

    “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.” – but if he is forced to kick possession away all the time by following the coaches gameplan then i’m afraid we back to square one. Its as good as having Steyn in the no. 10 jersey.

  • 39.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @Pietie-35: fark me, why did he take that plonker greyling along who is a penalty machine, yet says he won’t pick brussow because he leaks penalties? that’s the rubbish that was called by many..inconsistencies!

    before dunedin, flip hadn’t justified his selection.

  • 40.Airwell: Reply to this comment

    I know he is a coke addict but never thought he was bipolar too. I was just getting used to the idea that the Boks are useless and we should expect to loose. Now he sais we are going to thrash them. I don’t know what to think with Keo anymore….

  • 41.Airwell: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation-39: I thought Ratel was injured?

  • 42.STBUR: Reply to this comment

    @viewer-8:

    *****. First idiots like you complain that he wants to keep on selecting players like Matfield or du Preez and then when due to a horrific injury list and a host of retirements Meyer has no choice but to select new caps you complain that he giving out too many caps? Get a life.

  • 43.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @Airwell-41: for the england series he was fit as a fiddle and wasn’t picked because meyer said under the new breakdown rules heinrich was leaking penalties and a liability, meanwhile greyling who leaked more penalties than ratel gets picked.

  • 44.Airwell: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation-43: But to be fair to him since then he picked flo as a fetcher. So your logic does not make sense.

  • 45.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation-6: Ag fokkit Trans he played non stop without a mid season break or anything for four years. Your anti bull sentiment is clouding your judgement, or whats left of it.

  • 46.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment

    I believe strongly Heinrich will be back in the mix

    think Meyer is giving him a break

  • 47.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @Airwell-44: i said!

    “why did he take that plonker greyling along who is a penalty machine, yet says he won’t pick brussow because he leaks penalties? that’s the rubbish that was called by many..inconsistencies!”

    brussow was told to curb penalties and PROVE he can play the new rules, greyling waltzes into the Bok team, no quibbles about him being among the top penalised players in the WHOLE of Super Rugby, he comes on in Dunedin, what happened?

  • 48.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment

    @viewer-8: He realy has no choice though. Must say I am all for his current approach but he needs to start settling combinations etc. and the only way to achieve that is to break away from the norm and look the alternatives. I hope for his sake the new guys grab this with both hands starting tomorrow with a solid win.

  • 49.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment

    @greatest13gerber-46: Hope so too.

  • 50.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @KWAGGA ROBERTSE-45: i’m not anti-bulls! why didn’t meyer factor in the issue of morne being fatigued?

    who created that problem? why didn’t ludeke MANAGE morne?

    morne was getting shown up LAST YEAR already to be a one-trick pony and what was his answer for lacking an attacking edge to his game?

  • 51.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @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?

  • 52.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment

    @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.

  • 53.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment

    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.

  • 54.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    @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?

  • 55.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment

    @KWAGGA ROBERTSE-52: which are = which is…..kom daai boer nou dik deur……

  • 56.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    you are a chop, transie

    that was for you… it was for the boss

    and for morne

  • 57.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    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?

  • 58.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    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

  • 59.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment

    Aaawww Bakkies, such a romantic :-)

  • 60.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    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.

  • 61.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    Saturday 20 april and saturday 29 june 2012 = 2013

  • 62.Jeez: Reply to this comment

    What will happen if the boks lose to this depleted wallaby side?

  • 63.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    @mikeybrass-59:
    :lol:

    who doesn’t love the boss.

  • 64.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @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!

  • 65.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation-51:

    those are facts..but my bottom line is that I dont believe he will be out of mix for long.

  • 66.katman: Reply to this comment

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-63: Skoppie. He thinks the Boss can’t clean Joe “Yes That’s Another Cover” Cocker’s shoes.

  • 67.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-56: thank you, it means i’m hitting the right notes :lol:

  • 68.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-60: what? :???: 2012

  • 69.Jeez: Reply to this comment

    @greatest13gerber-65:
    HM said Brussouw needs to regain his form…

  • 70.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment

    @Jeez-69:

    I did not know that. thank you.

  • 71.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    @katman-66:
    hehe
    skop thinks a lot of things, which i’m sure a therapist would have a lot to say about.

  • 72.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @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.

  • 73.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-61:

    Knock, knock.

  • 74.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    @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….

  • 75.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    @WP-Forever-73:
    hehe
    if this is the ‘morne who?’ joke then i’ve heard already.

    who’s there? :grin:

  • 76.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation-72:

    valid points bru

    yes enough of Meyer

    Lets put away these Wallabies

  • 77.bokfan1: Reply to this comment

    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

  • 78.west indies cricket board: Reply to this comment

    “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!

  • 79.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-74: beware the KINGS!!!

    i saw their new branded Range Rover Sports today, very nice!

  • 80.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @west indies cricket board-78: at this point you will be accused of being “anti-bulls” :D

  • 81.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-75:

    Morné.

  • 82.katman: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation-79: Who’s car?

  • 83.Transformation: Reply to this comment

    @katman-82: Southern Kings…Cheeky et al

  • 84.grant10: Reply to this comment

    F Steyn out!

  • 85.gunther: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation-79:

    they must have it.

  • 86.katman: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation-83: Snouts in the trough. Not that it was a secret anyway, so might as well flaunt it like a Malema Breittling watch.

  • 87.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation-79:
    wow, new bling already… how nice….

    @WP-Forever-81:
    chop :grin:

  • 88.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment

    @Transformation-83:
    could you be a little more vague..?..

  • 89.Dawn: Reply to this comment

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-87:

    Stop calling everyone chop and do some work

  • 90.wallabie.: Reply to this comment

    Wallabies will get a hiding this weekend!

  • 91.Stawm: Reply to this comment

    At least after the Boks win tomorrow, we will have Tacitus back waxing lyrical about HM etc etc

  • 92.Black Power: Reply to this comment

    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.

  • 93.Greenies: Reply to this comment

    ” 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…

  • 94.TheTackler: Reply to this comment

    Sorry pilgrims. It’s Oz by 3.

  • 95.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment

    @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.

  • 96.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment

    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…

  • 97.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment

    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….

  • 98.neilster2012: Reply to this comment

    “…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!

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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