Meyer must stay steadfast in vision
23 Oct 2012
RYAN VREDE writes Heyneke Meyer must resist the temptation to veer from his plan to blood more young players on the year-end tour in favour of more conservative selections.
In an informal chat just after his announcement as Springboks coach, Meyer indicated to me that he planned to gradually introduce young talent through the Rugby Championship and open the tap further for the year-end tour with a view to building squad depth ahead of 2013, which he felt from the outset would be a far more successful season than the current one.
Meyer didn’t say as much, but he would have undoubtedly expected better than the four in nine return (two draws) he sits with. Pressure has mounted quickly, and fuelled by what is perceived to be an unimaginative game plan. Meyer desperately needs his sojourn to Europe to be a successful one. However, he must display the courage of his initial conviction in his selections. This is not a call for a troop of young turks to take on Ireland, Scotland and England. Balance is key. But Meyer’s selections have to be made with a view to the future, not one designed for damage control.
The Springboks squad will be named on Saturday evening and is sure to include a couple of names that will be questioned – most notably Morné Steyn and Zane Kirchner. Neither have justified Meyer’s faith in them through their performances and their struggles have become chronic. There are alternatives – younger and more dynamic ones.
Meyer will be particularly hard-pressed to explain Steyn as a starter if he opts for that selection. There will be rhetoric about his tactical and goal kicking value in northern hemisphere conditions, but Steyn has shown a low level of competence in both these disciplines of late. In Johan Goosen’s absence Pat Lambie must start, with Elton Jantjies providing cover on the wood. Lambie’s game management was exceptional in Durban on Saturday. But this would not surprise anyone who has followed his career closely. His temperament and technical and tactical aptitude has been sternly tested in the past, most notably in the 2010 Currie Cup final when he drove the Sharks to victory over a Springboks-laden Western Province side. He is 22, but plays with composure and intelligence beyond those years.
It is a fallacy that Lambie ahead of Steyn will be a bold call. It is the logical one.
It has to be noted that injuries to exciting young talents leaves Meyer shorter on fresh blood than he otherwise would have been. Coenie Oosthuizen’s season-ending back injury is a hammer blow to Meyer, who rates the prop highly and is in the process of grooming him as a tighthead (where he’ll play for the Cheetahs in 2013). Meyer is short on experienced cover at tighthead but has spoken glowingly of WP’s Frans Malherbe, including the 21-year-old in his training camps throughout the season. Pat Cilliers covered the position in the Rugby Championship, acquitting himself well. CJ van der Linde was called up to the Springboks’ squad in the latter part of the tournament, but he is a spent force whose ability to cover loosehead and tighthead can no longer be offered for his retention.
Furthermore, Siya Kolisi (thumb) and Piet van Zyl, whom Meyer was deeply impressed by, would have come into consideration had they not been ruled out for the remainder of the year.
I’d find a place in the squad for the Sharks’ Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20, who is able to cover lock and blindside flank. Du Toit was instrumental in the Baby Boks’ success at the Junior World Championships in June and has show himself to be a player of immense promise, more so than Jacques Potgieter, whom is an impostor at Test level. The Bulls’ No 8 Arno Botha has shone despite playing behind a decidedly mediocre pack. His international education must continue in Europe.
64 Comments
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23 Oct 2012, 11:24 am
With all the injuries he must blood young players
duh
23 Oct 2012, 11:33 am
@Atlas-1: sometimes i wonder why people like you even comment or read this website, because no matter what these guys write you wont like it, so my question is, if you dont like the content or find fault in every article why even pitch up here? your comment adds no value, insight or counter argument for debate.
23 Oct 2012, 11:39 am
Vrede, what is this about Frans Steyn returning to full fitness?
I’m sure I read that he was out for the rest of the year.
Good news if he is fit though. Then we can move Taute to fullback, and leave him there.
23 Oct 2012, 11:39 am
@MacToogie-2: Thanks, an intelligent, value-adding comment.
23 Oct 2012, 11:45 am
1 Beast Mtawarira
2 Adriaan Strauss
3 Jannie du Plessis
4 Eben Etzebeth
5 Juandré Kruger
6 Francois Louw
7 Willem Alberts
8 Duane Vermeulen
9 Ruan Pienaar
10 Patrick Lambie
11 Bryan Habana
12 Francois Steyn
13 Jean de Villiers ©
14 JP Pietersen
15 Jaco Taute
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle
17 Pat Cilliers
18 Flip van der Merwe
19 Marcell Coetzee
20 Francois Hougaard
21 Elton Jantjies
22 Juan de Jongh
Yes please.
23 Oct 2012, 11:46 am
@hendrikp-5:
Can’t help but wonder how Etzebeth would fair as a 4-jumper / middle of the line-out jumper though. You’d think his future with the Stormers is in the 5 jersey.
Would be nice if we can get him and Pieter-Steph du Toit both taking on a lot of responsbility at line-out time with their respective teams.
23 Oct 2012, 11:51 am
Some youngsters Id like to see in the mix:
Jordaan
Rhule
Mostert
Steph Du Toit
Kitshof
23 Oct 2012, 11:54 am
Ok so who are the bolters for the EOYT??
Deon Fourie…playing awesome rugby at the moment..love to see him there proper recognition for his form….
Paul Jordaan…
Arno Botha…
Anyone else??
23 Oct 2012, 11:55 am
Basically what this article says is dont take any bulls except arno botha.
Fine by me
23 Oct 2012, 11:58 am
What is the pecking order for fetchers?
Flo
Brussouw
?
?
Daniel/Coetzee/Kolisi arent specialist fetchers…
Deon Fourie should convert…
SA is lacking in this department…
23 Oct 2012, 12:13 pm
@Jeez-10: I’d take Fourie as a fetcher and emergency reserve Hooker!! Interesting fetcher battle this weekend – keegan vs Deon…..
23 Oct 2012, 12:16 pm
@Bokbafana-8:
Deon Fourie as a what?
Too short and not refined enough to be a loose-forward in the long run, nor is he good enough to break into the current loose-trio.
And his line-out throwing is about on par with Tom McCartney. S-h-o-c-k-i-n-g.
23 Oct 2012, 12:26 pm
I think Ryans been reading my posts.
23 Oct 2012, 12:26 pm
Uncapped players I’d like to see Meyer take a look at:
Craig Burden (part of the squad yes, but yet to make his debut)
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Arno Botha
Francois Venter
Raymond Rhule
Paul Jordaan
Michael Rhodes would also be a decent selection if Meyer has it in him. Massive workrate for a big guy, and probably would’ve been around there already if not for being injured pretty much the entire SR season.
Don’t think he should rush it with Kitshoff or Malherbe. The guys have done a satisfactory job, but still need a lot of work. Both need to up their ball-carrying significantly also.
23 Oct 2012, 12:29 pm
@Bokbafana-8: None of those listed should be in the bok mix. Jordaan has great potential but is not ready yet, Botha got his pipes cleaned against the sharks and needs more time and Fourie is a good S15 player at best, not a test level player
23 Oct 2012, 12:38 pm
argentine scrumhalf nicolas vergallo has been released from his contract by toulouse, so he’s free to sign for the kings
23 Oct 2012, 12:43 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-9: Don’t take any “YOUNG” Bulls except Arno Botha.
Stander would have gone, but barring him who had looked the goods for the Bulls? Not Venter and Serfontein barely played…
23 Oct 2012, 12:46 pm
@Bagel-17: What has Botha acheived in one CC season that warrants him going? nd at the expense of who?
23 Oct 2012, 12:49 pm
@Skeppie-18:
Who would you take ahead of him?
Let’s say you take 6 loose-forwards…
Francois Louw, Willem Alberts, Duane Vermeulen, Marcell Coetzee…. and?
I’d say Keegan Daniel would now be a sure thing. Outside of that I think Arno Botha is the best, and at least brings huge promise.
23 Oct 2012, 12:53 pm
@Skeppie-18: Well how many loosies should one take, and who should be rested?
I’ll justify his inclusion around those parameters.
23 Oct 2012, 12:58 pm
@hendrikp-19: @hendrikp-19: What he said.
But I’ve been quite disappointed with Alberts tbh…
Still don’t think he’s justified a full 80 minutes.
23 Oct 2012, 12:58 pm
If 5 loosies, it’s a toss-up between Keegan Daniel & Arno Botha.
Personally I’d take Keegan Daniel at this stage, but Meyer is unlikely to take him because Meyer doesn’t believe in smaller loosies.
23 Oct 2012, 13:00 pm
@Bagel-21:
We need Schalk back yes, but I don’t think Alberts has been ‘disappointing’ at all. Had some very good tests this year. He’s not got the biggest workrate, probably because he’s carrying 10kg’s more muscle around then any other loose-forward, but he gets excellent go-forward ball. I can’t imagine him not starting while Schalk is injured.
23 Oct 2012, 13:03 pm
@hendrikp-3: Taute is not a test player, not yet anyways. Far too many mistakes creep into his game.
I’d go for Andries Coetzee at 15. Could be our Israel Dagg.
23 Oct 2012, 13:07 pm
@willievz-24:
Willie,
more often then not I agree with things you say.
But to suggest Coetzee is a better option then Taute is laughable.
23 Oct 2012, 13:11 pm
@hendrikp-19: Look he seems to be a hellavu prospect but surely Daniel would get the nod ahead of him (as you stated). There are also guys like Warren Whitely who might deserve a look in before a one season rookie. That said blooding a reallly talented prospect might not be the orst thing in the world.
23 Oct 2012, 13:14 pm
Anyone been following the U19′s and U21′s?
Training squads for the U20 World Champs I believe will probably be announced within the next couple of weeks. Should be interesting.
POOL A: South Africa
France
England
United States
POOL B: New Zealand
Ireland
Australia
Fiji
POOL C: Wales
Argentina
Scotland
Samoa
Hoping Tshepo Motale proves his fitness, as well as Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
Will be interesting to see what Theron does with Timo Swiel, considering Handre Pollard is the incumbent. Might well see Swiel at fullback, a position I hope he decides to play long-term.
Captain? You’d imagine one of Ruan Steenkamp, Freddie Kirsten or Handre Pollard.
23 Oct 2012, 13:17 pm
@Skeppie-26:
The way I look at it… Arno Botha has had minimal game-time with the Bulls, but has been hugely impressive whenever he’s played.
I think he’s the best Bulls loose-forward by a mile (now that Stander is leaving) when he’s given fair game-time.
Warren Whiteley is alright, but doesn’t cut it with the best of them and isn’t the type of player you’d want to take into a test against the All Blacks. He’s just not Springbok material…
I’d rather blood a youngster we can feel confident about then take a guy who hasn’t got a chance in hell of becoming a front-line Springbok.
23 Oct 2012, 13:17 pm
@willievz-24: Hey Willie. You know those types of decisions take insight. I think Coetzee will be a bit better next year.
Have you changed your mind about Kieren Reid yet?
23 Oct 2012, 13:21 pm
@hendrikp-23: Agree to disagree then.
I just feel he’s far more useful off the bench running at tired opposition.
His groundwork is non-existent, but I’ll concede his tackling can be devastating at times. Perhaps I’m just not noticing him grafting.
23 Oct 2012, 13:21 pm
@hendrikp-25: Not sure about that bud.
Coetzee is better under the high ball, better counter-attacker, faster, smoother runner, better support runner, offers a left boot, used to be a 10 so can make good decisions.
The only areas where Taute trumps Coetzee is with strength and long-range penalties.
@pompies2-29: Hehe, Kieran is a very, very good nr8 but not sure if he is better than Parisse.
He destroyed us at Soccer City though.
I have changed my mind about Vermeulen though
23 Oct 2012, 13:27 pm
@willievz-31: Suppose you’ll only know if Parisse plays in a better team.
Some players have the ability to make the step up to test rugby. Sometimes their performances at franchise and provincial level doesn’t display this. If you scrutinized their play close enough, you can see qualities which are absolutely vital to perform in test rugby.
23 Oct 2012, 13:41 pm
Dont all kak your pants if d.potgieter tours .
Especially if daniels doesnt okay.
Stay calm
23 Oct 2012, 13:45 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-33: Dewald Potgieter is quality. His maaitjie with the same name must be one of the worst players to be given a bok jersey but the blonde ninja is a very good rugby player.
23 Oct 2012, 13:48 pm
The other one got selected by default because of injuries, he,ll be better next season
23 Oct 2012, 13:49 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-33: @Skeppie-34:
Decent provincial player. Ruined his chances at test level with some terrible performances.
I’ll be p1ss3d off if he tours.
23 Oct 2012, 13:50 pm
36.which one. Blondie or malkop
23 Oct 2012, 13:52 pm
@hendrikp-36: Who would you go for at 13 then for the Boks?
23 Oct 2012, 13:56 pm
@pompies2-32: My main concerns regarding Vermeulen were twofold: (i) speed (which I still have some concerns about, not as an individual per se, but the speed of our overall trio) and (ii) his upright carrying and leg drive.
He has sorted out (ii) to a considerable degree.
23 Oct 2012, 13:58 pm
@mabu-38:
Uhm, Dewald Potgieter is a loose-forward.
Bit random.
I’d go with Juan de Jongh at centre if Jaco Taute were playing fullback.
23 Oct 2012, 14:02 pm
@Skeppie-34: Agree on Dewald.
Should have played nr8 for the Bulls all these years.
23 Oct 2012, 14:03 pm
@Bokbafana-8: I’d love to see the young Reinach as a bolter… THAT is a classy scrumhalf. Maak vinnig skoon agter die oond, solid defense, decent boot, breaks around the ruck – not unlike a young Joost.
I would pick Paul Jordaan on merit… wouldn’t even be a bolter imo.
23 Oct 2012, 14:05 pm
@willievz-41: I suspect his size made him a natural “fetcher” for the Bulls but he is a quality player.
23 Oct 2012, 14:06 pm
@Skeppie-43: Quality leader and quality guy too.
I’m a big fan.
23 Oct 2012, 14:09 pm
@mabu-38: Jacque Fourie, in an ideal world.
23 Oct 2012, 14:14 pm
@hendrikp-40: Was just responding to any thread of yours.
Jdj is a solid option, but i believe at Bok level, players just lose their ability or the just stick to the game plan. So its best to get somebody who can play off scraps and make something out of it.
With the Bok game plan Mapoe is the answer.
23 Oct 2012, 14:24 pm
EOYT Squad
1.Beast
2.Strauss
3.Jannie
4.Etzebeth
5.Bekker
6.Louw
7.Alberts
8.Vermuelen
9.Pienaar
10.Jantjies
11.Habana
12.De Villiers(c)
13.De Jongh
14.JPP
15.Lambie
16.Rallapele
17.Cilliers
18.Flip
19.Coetzee/Botha
20.Hougaard
21.Jordaan/Taute
22.Aplon
23 Oct 2012, 14:28 pm
@Skeppie-15: Its too easy to label ‘not good enough for test level, super 15 only’…Fourie has shown to be very able at super rugby…give him a go and then decide!! keegan can be labelled super rugby only as he has had a chance at test level and found to be not wanting but just about cutting it!! I say give him a chance purely as recognition that performance pays…send a good message as well that if you perform you will be chosen!!
23 Oct 2012, 14:30 pm
@mshiniwami-47: Yha esas’phukuphuku will play that team mos def!
23 Oct 2012, 14:36 pm
@mshiniwami-47:
Bekker is out for the rest of the year. If Heyneke thinks Etzebeth is capable, I’d like to see him take over as the middle jumper, and play him next to Flip van der Merwe. Not going to happen though.
Lambie needs to start at 10. Too impressive not to give him his shot.
Jaco Taute is going to the Stormers to play fullback, and should be that for SA heading forward.
Outside of that I can’t disagree too much. Can forget about Aplon making it though, not going to happen.
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