Jean spearheads Bok-laden WP

Jean spearheads Bok-laden WP

10 Oct 2012

Springbok captain Jean de Villiers has retaken the WP reins as coach Allister Coetzee has recalled all of his available Springboks for the final league clash against the Cheetahs.

De Villiers, who led the Cape side for almost the entire Super Rugby campaign due to season-ending injury to Schalk Burger, relieves Deon Fourie of the leadership responsibilities.

The return of De Villiers and Bok team-mate Juan de Jongh also means that WP will start a new centre pairing this week, with vice-captain Marcel Brache dropped to the bench and JP du Plessis forced out of the 22.

Seven Boks in all have returned to bolster the WP side at a crucial stage of the season. Province need to beat the Cheetahs this Saturday to keep their play-off chances alive.

Bryan Habana replaces Damian de Allende on the left wing, while Duane Vermeulen will start at No 8 in place of Jebb Sinclair.

The Bok second row combination that started against the All Blacks, Eben Etzebeth and Andries Bekker, will also be employed for this provincial battle. Tiaan Liebenberg, who was on the Bok bench at Soccer City, is in WP’s starting front row this week.

Meanwhile, Gio Aplon has recovered sufficiently from an ankle injury to find a place on the bench.

WP – 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Don Armand, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Scara Ntubeni, 17 Brok Harris, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Jebb Sinclair, 20 Louis Scrueuder, 21 Marcel Brache, 22 Gio Aplon.

By Jon Cardinelli


46 Comments

  • 1.pattyfries: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:26 pm

    What a stupid thing to do, playing all the green and gold dragons again. Coetzee likes having injured players, especially when he overplays them at every opportunity.

  • 2.coma: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:27 pm

    Jeans back, no more tries Dragons!!!

  • 3.coma: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:27 pm

    @pattyfries-1: Damnit

  • 4.viewer: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:30 pm

    Straight into action DRAGONS

  • 5.coma: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:34 pm

    @viewer-4: Dont hurt yourself.

  • 6.capebull: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:42 pm

    good foe speedster , highlight Vermeulen , fastest 8 on circuit

  • 7.capebull: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:42 pm

    His speed matches , my spelling

  • 8.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:43 pm

    We really need this win as its basically a knockout game for us.

    AC not taking any chances. The B team guys they are replacing haven’t exactly set the field alight the past few weeks.

    Interesting that Elstadt isn’t in. I saw him and VanDer Heever at Gym on Monday. Both looked pretty healthy and were training hard.

  • 9.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:46 pm

    Good side.

    Add Jaintjies, Taute, Burger and one or two others and you have a great side.

  • 10.Hop Hop Spinnekop: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:47 pm

    @stormersboy-8: with Rhodes joining the Stormers next year I think there is a hidden message for Elstadt.

  • 11.Limerick-Bok: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:51 pm

    Step aside laaities… The real cc is about to begin!!!

  • 12.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:51 pm

    @Hop Hop Spinnekop-10: Doubt it, Rhodes will almost certainly play second fiddle to Elstadt.

  • 13.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:51 pm

    @stormersboy-8:
    Elstadt is injured to my knowledge.

  • 14.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:52 pm

    @John Galt-9: Kolisi as well.

  • 15.Hop Hop Spinnekop: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:53 pm

    @stormersboy-12: Let’s wait and see, but remember my post.

  • 16.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:53 pm

    @John Galt-13: Must be. Was doing upper body weights mostly, no running, although they never do that sort of training in the gym.

  • 17.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:54 pm

    @Hop Hop Spinnekop-15: OK, I hear you.

  • 18.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:55 pm

    @stormersboy-8: Elstadt is out until next year. Stuffed up his ribs in training (his 1st training session back after his groin injury…..)

    He can train, contact is the issue.

  • 19.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:56 pm

    @stormersboy-16:
    Indeed, Kolisi as well.

    Esltadt has a rib injury apparently. Aggravated it further just before the Bulls game this weekend. Might require surgery.

  • 20.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:56 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-18: Thanks for that. Makes sense,

  • 21.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:56 pm

    @Hhs, jebb and deon leaving next year. Elstadt will get gametime at flank.

  • 22.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 13:58 pm

    @John Galt-19: Cheers JG

  • 23.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:02 pm

    @Slappes-21: Might even be lock cover on the bench with Rhodes flank cover on the bench. Two big meanies to bring on.

  • 24.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:07 pm

    @Hop Hop Spinnekop-15: Rhodes was a very clever purchase for us. Bekker won’t hold the whole season (not a chance) which could see Eben moving to 5 and Rhodes playing at 4 if that happens – possibly.
    Elstadt (sadly) also seems to be rather injury prone, which will see Rhodes getting some serious game time on the flank as well I reckon.
    Fourie, Koster, Sinclair gone.
    Carr and Burger – both serious knee injuries, how will they return?

    Kolisi, Duane, Burger, Elstadt, Carr, Rhodes…….1st choicers? Game time for all – guaranteed.

  • 25.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:10 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-24: I think you have to plan for any of your players to come down with an injury at some stage, hence players like Rhodes who are versatile. He can probably even play 8 if need be.

    He also had a long spell out with injury if you recall.

  • 26.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:11 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-24:

    Never been a fan of Rhodes. Very average player in my book (wasn’t shattered when the Sharks let him go).

  • 27.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:15 pm

    So i wonder what will the papsak drinkers say about a coloured coach benching aplon! … they called Heyneke a boermag member for not picking him for the boks …. nou wat nou? TIK koppe!

  • 28.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:17 pm

    Also has WP ever won a ball on their own line out with scara @ hooker? this oke throws more scew balls than Elton John

  • 29.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:17 pm

    @stormersboy-25: Yes he did have a long injury layoff. Nice player to have in the squad, that’s for sure. I think he offers more than your average “hard as nails/ big and strong meanie” type player.
    Elstadt will always be my starter on the flank though when fit.

    @londonshark-26: He offers more mobility than your average “bully type enforcer” I reckon. A good one to have in a squad IMHO.

  • 30.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:18 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-24:

    6. Kolisi
    7. Burger (if fit, if not then Elstadt
    8. Vermeulen

    Bench
    19. Rhodes

  • 31.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:20 pm

    @John Galt-9: Sorry John, Taute is a rubbish centre, just because Heyneke Meyer is dumb prejudicial pharker, that doesn’t make JJ Engelbrecht and Taute good enough to play centre for any SA franchise

  • 32.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:20 pm

    Very good team… Could play in the final…

  • 33.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:24 pm

    @suffer_guy-27: Don’t hurt yourself reading this now old sparky.

    “Meanwhile, Gio Aplon has recovered sufficiently from an ankle injury to find a place on the bench.”

    He was injured…….is fit to play from the BENCH. Let me translate this for you into ******:

    Gio and his ankle will not be RISKED at this stage unless SERIOUSLY needed…..hence him starting in the bench.

    Lesson over, and you are still the kid who sits in class smelling his own armpits whilst picking his nose and humming “Kaptein span die seile”.

  • 34.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:27 pm

    @XhosaKid-31:
    I agree, he aint a great centre.
    Put him there as a 15 in place of Pietersen.

  • 35.David: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:30 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-24:
    Didn’t we just sign a Baby Bok 5 from the Lions?

  • 36.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:34 pm

    @David-35: Yes. Ruan Botha. But will they thrown him in? Or will he play Vodacom Cup 1st? Then again……he played Super rugby for the Lions, so yes he might just.

    Actually forgot about that…..

    Is de Kock Steenkamp leaving us I wonder? (Not a fan)

  • 37.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:35 pm

    @John Galt-13: Correct Elstadt is out for the year. surprised to see Gio benched.

  • 38.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:37 pm

    @XhosaKid-31: Disagree , Taute played bad yes but he is not a rubbish centre. Probably a better FB though

  • 39.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:42 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-33: you are expecting this doos to read? :shock:

    prejudice trumps reason in his feeble mind!

  • 40.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:48 pm

    @Transformation-39: I tried. I even translated it into a language he could unnerstand :)

  • 41.Jonck: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 14:55 pm

    Gerhard van den Heever hardly does anything wrong or good. I liked the look of Damian de Allinde.

    Stormers are going to miss Deon Fourie next year. He is about every game one of our 3 best players.

    Good to see the Boks back, but I would have rested Jean De Villiers. I would also have used Steenkamp and give Etzebeth 50 minutes and Bekker then 30 minutes for rest of CC.

    Proudfoot and the pack should all take blame for the bad line out throwing. Just before Scarra throw I could see that the guys did not form the lineout correctly – stand about 2metres most of the time to other side of scarra(not the usual metre.

  • 42.Sharksgirl: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 15:41 pm

    Okai off topic, but for those Sharks on here and those interested the Sharks team for Friday is (roll of drum) :)
    15 Ludik
    14 Odwa
    13 Jordaan
    12 Whitehead
    11 JP
    10 Patrick Lambie
    9 Reinach
    8 Daniel
    7 Deysel
    6 Botes
    5 Bresler
    4 Jandre
    3 Herbst
    2 Cooper
    1 Chadwick

    16 Burden
    17 Doc Jannie Du Plessis
    18 Peet
    19 Marcell Coetzee
    20 McLeod
    21 Bosman
    22 Mvovo

    delighted with team.

  • 43.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 16:02 pm

    @Sharksgirl-42:

    Very good team.

    With a ton of Boks still to come.

  • 44.Fleckie: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 17:17 pm

    Good side for sat but we needed to rest JDV, the guys getting over played, will prob break down next year during the Super 15 comp.

    Is Brache and JDJ seriously not good enough to play as a combo against the Cheetahs??? come on wheres the faith in the player?? I think this combo would be more exciting.

    DeAllende is going to be very good, only 20 years old and I’d like to c him get some game time in the Super 15 next year, looks like he could be a beast at centre.

    I wouldve started Louis at 9 rather than Groom, grooms got alot of fight but I think Louis has more pedigree as a scrummie.

    Deon Carstens is a better option on the bench, can play both sides. Brok cant even dominate at 3, thought by this time that he’d be seriously good. He’s 27 and has plenty caps but still doesnt kill oaks at scrum time?? Good thing pat is coming

    abt Elstadt, he’s injured and is a quality player, had a great season in 2011 as a number 4 lock.

    Tiaan and JDJ will be hungry to play, they havent played much rugby lately. Hopefully JDJ can show us some of wat he used to do.

  • 45.viewer: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 17:20 pm

    @coma – 5
    lol Jean is slower than me trying to get a DRAGONS first post

    Seriously though, surely there’s no way he can play for the Boks again?

  • 46.viewer: Reply to this comment
    10 Oct 2012, 17:40 pm

    “Roll of drum”? lol

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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