Frans out for three months
2 Oct 2012
Frans Steyn will undergo an ankle operation on Wednesday that will rule him out of rugby for the rest of 2012.
Steyn sustained the injury in training last week, and was not considered for the Test against Australia at Loftus Versfeld. The latest news from the Bok medical team is that Steyn’s injury is serious, and that immediate surgery is the best course of action in the context of his long-term career.
‘We made the decision to have the surgery, to get in there and clean it out properly,’ said Bok team doctor Craig Roberts. ‘He will be out for three months, which is a blow in terms of the coming game [against the All Blacks] and the end-of-year tour, but we felt it’s a good decision in the long-term.
‘Frans is a youngster and can play 60 more Tests if we manage him well. This is the right thing to do. We will get him into good shape before the 2013 season, and he will enjoy a full pre-season programme.’
Meanwhile, prop Coenie Oosthuizen won’t be available for the next Test against the All Blacks. Oosthuizen recently made his comeback from a neck injury, but Roberts is not happy that the prop has completely recovered. Roberts said the Boks will seek the advice of a specialist this week to determine whether Oosthuizen needs more time on the sideline.
Flank Jacques Potgieter picked up an abdominal strain when he played for the Bulls last week, and so is also unavailable for the Boks.
Of those that were hurt in last Saturday’s Test in Pretoria, fullback Zane Kirchner is the biggest concern. Kirchner came out of that clash with a bruised hip, the result of colliding with Wallabies centre Adam Ashley-Cooper’s head when he attempted to score a try.
Kirchner did not train with the Boks at St Peters College on Monday, but Roberts said the Boks would give Kirchner another two days to recover before making a call on his availability.
Bok coach Heyneke Meyer said on Monday that he wouldn’t change the starting line-up this week unless he had to. If Kirchner is fit, he will play at fullback. If he fails to recover sufficiently, Pat Lambie will wear the No 15 jersey.
Flyhalf Johan Goosen (ankle) didn’t train either on Monday, but Roberts said this was precautionary more than anything else.
The same applied to prop Jannie du Plessis and flank Willem Alberts, who did not take part in any of the training drills but are expected to be fit for the Rugby Championship finale at Soccer City.
Utility back Lionel Mapoe and loose forward Arno Botha have been called up to provide cover.
‘Seeing that Willem is also not 100% at the moment, we only have three fit loose forwards in the squad and needed someone to provide cover at blindside flank and No 8, which is why Arno is coming to join us. He was part of our Young Guns squad in June as has been in our plans before,’ said Meyer.
‘Lionel has been in great form lately and apart from providing cover in the midfield, he can also be used on the wing if necessary.’
By Jon Cardinelli, in Johannesburg
271 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] 6 » Show All
2 Oct 2012, 09:57 am
@J.B. Cowper-199: Agree totally. It is a massive blow not to have Fransie against the ABs. Huge loss.
2 Oct 2012, 09:59 am
@grant10-152: One of the few times I agree 100% with you. Louw disapointed me when he made his debut , I expected this type of performance/impact back then.
I always though he would have been a natural successor as WP Captain and I really wish he comes back.
Re Janjies, heard its a done deal , fully expected to read about it here on keo but I se nothing yet..
2 Oct 2012, 10:12 am
@David-181: Yes have to agree with you David. Not good for SA rugby to have all top players in one position at on franchise. Need them to be spread around at each franchise getting maximum game time.
2 Oct 2012, 10:15 am
@blitzbok – you are special. You must have gone to a school for foul mouthed people
@Hondo – delusional Bastardd!
@Horings – there are hotels closer to Soweto but the seuntjies would get a nervous breakdown
2 Oct 2012, 10:16 am
@Puma-194: I have no doubt of Lambie’s worth. Its just it would have been good to have a quality back up. We could have rotated them and if injury struck as it did this year, who would be our FH? Bosman is good at CC level not so sure I would feel that comfortable with him at FH in SR-
2 Oct 2012, 10:19 am
@Horings-180: For sure, I rate Van Zyl from the Cheetahs too. Two very good scrummies we have in him and Reinach.
Just watching Reinach playing is torrential rain on Friday night, his kicking game (which Meyer wants from his sh) was top class. He is a very talented player.
2 Oct 2012, 10:21 am
Arno Botha…..Are you kidding me? The kid had plenty potential but Jeez mate..Seems like in Meyer’s team form means very very little
And as much as I commend Mapoe in the squad as cover,what happened to his blue eyed boy JJ Engelbrecht???
Poor selection policy,no consistency whatsoever
2 Oct 2012, 10:22 am
@Transformation-195: Best fetcher in SA.
Always said it.
For the record I’m obviously not referring to Keegan here.
2 Oct 2012, 10:23 am
@Sharksgirl-205: I can tell you now if Elton came to the Sharks Lambie would have taken the fall and shoved to FB. I don’t want to see him messed about anymore. He is a flyhalf. That is his preferred position and he is a brilliant fh. Read a article this year by TJ from NZ where he said in his opinion he felt that Lambie was a better fh than Fred. I think it is because Lambie is consistently good there. We have to back him all the way, or we will lose him to overseas, mark my words that will happen. We have Carel du Plessis son coming to the Sharks academy too next year. He is a super talented fh as well. So far Bosman has played really well at fh, he has to be back up. Elton must go to the Stormers where he will get plenty game time.
2 Oct 2012, 10:25 am
Tokenism still rules South African public life. Motherfuckerss are in Sandton; training at a private school; On Saturday they’ll be escorted by police towards the dark heart of Soweto. Hell, they might not even see one black the whole day
2 Oct 2012, 10:26 am
Whatever happened to JJ Engelbrecht? Ever since PDV claimed that Meyer was sidelining black players, all of a sudden Jantjies and now Mapoe find themselves in the bok mix… Hell, De Jongh and Janties even got 5 mins.
No matter how good they are or what form they’re in. Bottom line is that Meyer does not rate them, if they were a shade lighter, they wouldn’t be anywhere near the bok team… Ala Daniel and Brussow.
2 Oct 2012, 10:30 am
@Sharksgirl-190: hahahaha Relegated Lion
2 Oct 2012, 10:35 am
@viewer-210: Have you been to Soccer City?
2 Oct 2012, 10:36 am
@viewer-210: They are escorted by police everywhere you idiot. Stop adding politics to the mix, they practice where they can focus. Why should it matter where they practice?
2 Oct 2012, 10:37 am
@viewer-210: I will go and take a walk with my dog around Soccer City in my khakis, but nodofuck will I do it near Ellis Park.
2 Oct 2012, 10:38 am
@mxhosa-211: I think you will see what you want to see, and all you want to see is a racist coach from the blue bulls, everybody acuses HM of wearing blue glasses, well maybe you should remove your black and white glasses, mmmm?
2 Oct 2012, 10:38 am
Stormers backline
10.Jantjies
11.Aplon
12.Brache
13.De Jongh
14.Habana
15.Pietersen
Jean De Villiers is over the hill.He may be Bok cappie but we all know that the position of skipper has been earmarked for passangers for the last 3-4 years or so…He is no different
2 Oct 2012, 10:39 am
@viewer-210: Sjoe, then Beast will need to wear a mask.
2 Oct 2012, 10:39 am
@Transformation-195: what a kak team filled with nobodies
2 Oct 2012, 10:39 am
@mshiniwami-217: Crucially, who do you prefer at 9?
2 Oct 2012, 10:41 am
H.Meyer is true example of one one who has been protected by his ilk,once he ventures into the greater new world he finds it hard to cope without the overlying figures of the likes of Braam van Graan well at least he “deployed” his son to be next to the “messiah”…
2 Oct 2012, 10:44 am
@Horings-220:
Groom,his service is a wee bit better than Shreuder who is the better athlete.
Not a Stormers fan but I like the talent coming out of the Cape,adding Kitshoff,Kolisi,Etzebeth,Elstadt,Carr,Ntubeni,JP du Plessis…..looking good
2 Oct 2012, 10:44 am
@mshiniwami-217: Aplon is further over the hill than JDV – they should sign Mapoe to replace him.
2 Oct 2012, 10:46 am
Stormers ideally
1.Kitshoff 2.Ntubeni 3.Malherbe 4.Etzebeth 5.Bekker 6.Kolisi 7.Burger 8.Vermeulen
9.Groom 10.Jantjies 11.Aplon 12.Brache 13.De Jongh 14.Habana 15.Pietersen
2 Oct 2012, 10:47 am
Yes Horings. Its on the outskirts of Soweto, unlike Orlando Stadium. The team can breathe easy
@goodstuff – lol, its hard to focus in a shanty isn’t it
2 Oct 2012, 10:48 am
@RL-223:
Hahaha not a chance. With the right pattern,which Stormers isnt at present with all out D.WIth addition of Jantjies,they will hav a 10 who taken on gainline and Brache at 12 a genuine offloader in the tackle.Aplon would flourish. The chip and chase try he scored last weekend was all class.
2 Oct 2012, 10:49 am
@RL-223:
And Mapoe is a 13.Not a winger
2 Oct 2012, 10:49 am
@sparticus-202: Flo left the Cape originally because it was clear that he wasn’t part of the Boks’ future under PdV. Only after Brussow’s performance against the All Blacks did PdV realise his value (as fetcher) and he was called up to NZ. It was also at the start of the European season but I can’t recall at what time (exact month etc) he left the Cape.
This year Flo was selected for the Boks during his off-season: I think Bath had only played one friendly at the time. Flo (and Duane V) were both not match-fit but both have improved a lot during the last month IMO. It seems that Flo has started carrying the ball more (to please HM?) and with better results than Brussow. Flo actually played for Bath the weekend in between the NZ and Aussie match: I was actually surprised that HM allowed to play for Bath. He is definitely match fit at the moment.
I surely hope that Flo can return to WP ASAP. I’m not sure until when he is contracted to Bath though
2 Oct 2012, 10:58 am
@mshiniwami-207: Q&A with Heyneke Meyer
ZUKISA JAPHTA asked:Good day Mr.Meyer,
I would to ask what kind of criteria do you use to select players? is it experience or purely on current form?
Thanks.
Heyneke Meyer answered:My main criteria will always be to do what is best for the team and then the individual Zukisa.
Experience also counts and current form is always very important. If you do use younger players, it’s always good to balance that with more experienced players around them.
2 Oct 2012, 10:58 am
@RL-212:
2 Oct 2012, 10:59 am
@CharlesM-228: I think it was originally a 3 year deal.
So unless WP are willing to buy him out we will have to make do without him for a while longer. Another 2 years I think.
2 Oct 2012, 11:03 am
@viewer-210: Interesting to note that last year PdV said he wanted to take the game to the people. The Boks practised in Ravensmead during June / July before the Tri-Nations overseas leg. They were there for 3 days of which I attended 2 practices. Although the players practised at Tygerberg rugby club in Ravensmead, the players were behind a fence and only a few players were actually prepared to give signatures (through the fence) to the fans (in the so-called “coloured” neighbourhood). Some of the players that were “prepared” to give their signatures were Kankowski, Brussow, Adriaan Strauss, Danie Rossouw, Ashley Johnson and Gio Aplon (I still have the pics on my phone). Quite a number of the Boks were not interested in the people.
I spoke to a journalist / photographer who was quite upset. According to him he has been with the All Blacks on many tours. They would make an effort to give signatures to the people for a long time after a practice, which the Boks did not. So what is the use of taking the game to the people but you are actually ignoring them
Afterwards they got in the bus and went back to the hotel in Cape Town.
2 Oct 2012, 11:06 am
@stormersboy-231: Not good news!! If we can only get the others fit again we’ll be able to cope for a while. Flo does actually bring a lot more to the park than many of the others. His “working relationship” with Vermeulen is also going very well
2 Oct 2012, 11:10 am
@CharlesM-233: Yes it was obvious over the weekend what a difference he makes.
I originally rated Pieter Louw higher than Francois, who I saw more as a 7 flanker when he first came on, but he quickly proved me wrong. He’s world class and bring a better all-round game than Heinrich.
Province do need a player who can play to the ball on the deck, as we are losing Deon Fourie, and although both Duanne and Siya do some of that it did seem lacking a bit this year.
Do you know of any up and coming youngsters who show promise??
2 Oct 2012, 11:11 am
@Transformation-195: any one know whats happened to the following players?
SA U21: 15 Scott Spedding, 11 Marius Delport, 9 Jano Vermaak, 4 Nikolai Blignaut,
Subs: 20 Warren Malgas, 21 Morgan Newman, 22 Cedric Mkhize
2 Oct 2012, 11:14 am
@papaown-235: Jano Vermaak??
Never heard of him.
2 Oct 2012, 11:16 am
@stormersboy-234: Not any new youngsters no. I used to watch some of the curtain-raisers at Newlands to watch the youngsters but nowadays there is a break of about 45 minutes between matches. The days simply get too long at Newlands if you want to watch both curtain-raisers
2 Oct 2012, 11:18 am
@CharlesM-237: Thanks
2 Oct 2012, 11:18 am
@papaown-235: I know Morgan Newman played club rugby for Stellenbosch University this year
2 Oct 2012, 11:21 am
@papaown-235:
Spedding – France, Brive i think
Marius Delport – Last at Lions, thinking he is training with Springbok Sevens to try get a contract. His star plummetted big time.
Blignaudt – club rugger in Durban
2 Oct 2012, 11:27 am
@goodstuff-216:
Racist coach? WTF are you on about? All I said was that Meyer does not rate the abovementioned players, it has nothing to do with him being racist… They’re big enough or mentally strong enough? Who knows? The only reason he’s picked them is to keep the politians happy.
If de Jongh was 6’3″ and 100 kgs, he’d be starting on Saturday. His lack of size and not his skin colour is the reason why he’s out of favour with the coach… Therefore the only reason he’s there is because of his skin colour. This guy made his bok debut in 2010 (his first season of SR), he’s been in the bok set-up for the last six weeks, yet last weekend he was leapfrogged by a youngster who has played almost exclusively at fullback as a pro, after only one game back from injury nogal. Tells you how much HM rates De Jongh…
2 Oct 2012, 11:58 am
@mxhosa-241: Well HM rates him more than I do.
2 Oct 2012, 12:56 pm
Hate to say this, but this is great news. People don’t realize this, but Frans Steyn is way overrated.. JdV is a much better option at 12 (definitely not a 13 though) even the likes of SBW have even been quoted as regarding him as the best. All you get from Frans Steyn in terms of creativity is the occasional skip pass and grubber. JdV with the right fly half will break the line consistently and theres no evidence to suggest he’s lost his pace.
2 Oct 2012, 13:04 pm
@BruceWillis-243: says the man with a nic of one of the most overrated actors ever…
2 Oct 2012, 13:18 pm
@CharlesM-232: I can concurr with you. I have three sons all rugby mad, and after games at Kings Park we always wait to get photos with or chat to the players. The Sharks are always obliging as are the Cheetahs and Lions, most of the Bulls rarely if ever deign to stop to sign/chat to their fans in Durban. I remember in particular Victor Matfield, Fourie Du Preez and Habana (he was a Bull then) brushing aside three little bulletjies in full Blue Bull dress!!! I was disgusted since then I have never supported Victoria or Fourie again. they may have been legends but should not be above their fans and game! The same scenario was after a Sharks/Crusaders match at Kings Park, my son was a HUGE Smit fan and he was overjoyed when he saw JS. But JS acted all irritated when he got approached by my son, and signed the shirt but wouldn’t pose for a photograph. In contrast McCaw came out and was mobbed he took the time to talk to us, pose with us and was genuinely a good Pr to his team and country! I can understand that when they are in a private capacity out and about the fans can be a bit much,that is different, but at a Stadium when there are fans who have come to support you, you acknowledge them and not only for the media!
2 Oct 2012, 13:20 pm
@trupisero-244:
2 Oct 2012, 13:21 pm
@BruceWillis-243:
is that you Brucie ya bald ******?
2 Oct 2012, 13:32 pm
@Sheriff-87:
I am so tired of hearing how a sport must somehow be more than what it is… entertainment for the fans and a job for its participants. It does not have to represent society. It does not, nay CANNOT, save poor little kids. Education, investment, abortion and stable families do that.
You can have all the little black kids running around with a 100 signatures and free rugby balls but unless you fit the fundamentals of a society you don’t get anywhere. Sure maybe you get 1 feel good story about some kid out of obscurity that made it big. Big whoop. That is just media rubbish that people use to paper over the main deficiencies of a society.
2 Oct 2012, 13:37 pm
@Sheriff-100:
Not sure what is wrong with his mentality. Divvy did pander to “District 6″. But I guess that is ok but he if you think he favours an Afrikaans player you have to make a big scene? Such a hypocritical anti-white racist like most of the bloggers here.
2 Oct 2012, 13:52 pm
@Sasuke-147:
My word someone of you people are stupid. Coenie didn’t even play for the Boks since his injury. What are you on about?
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] 6 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.