Meyer seeks quartet of qualities
6 Nov 2012
RYAN VREDE, in Dublin, reports that Heyneke Meyer has outlined four key foundations on which he believes the success of his touring squad can be built.
Meyer has an arduous task ahead of him in the next three weeks, with a number of world-class players injured or unavailable due to contractual commitments to their respective clubs. However, he refused to discuss that as a potential obstacle to success and also rejected the suggestion that fatigue would undermine his cause. He said he was very clear in his directive to the players prior to the tour.
‘This has been physically the toughest season in history for South African players. But I really want guys who want to play for South Africa. Schalk Brits is a great example. When I phoned him [to inform him of his selection], he said he’d hold bags for three weeks just to be part of the set up. That is the type of mentality and character I want in this team. There’s no excuses. I understand player welfare is important, but when you put on that jersey everything must be geared towards winning,’ Meyer said.
‘Secondly, I also believe the guys must enjoy it. I love touring and as a young team there is an opportunity for them to bond and make memories. Thirdly, I want them to commit to excellence and have a massive work ethic. Its been a long season but they have to be thoroughly prepared. There are no excuses.
‘Finally I want to see which guys have what it takes to play away from home and in testing conditions. I don’t want to chop and change going forward. From the outset I wanted to use this season to establish who are the players I can rely on and this is the final hurdle for those who want to be involved.’
Two hands is insufficient to count the number of casualties Meyer has had to contend with in his bid to make the Springboks the dominant team he envisions, but he did point to advantages of the otherwise dire situation.
‘I don’t want to lose Test matches then point to rebuilding. I want to win every Test, but certainly I have benefited from the injuries in so much as we’ve built some depth by being forced to use youngsters. It’s a win-win situation going forward,’ he said.
‘A lot of the youngsters have taken their chance and they’ll be even better when more experienced players come back and we integrate them properly [i.e surround a select few with those experienced players]. [The injury situation] also forced me to look at some of the overseas-based players and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by what they’ve added.’
Meyer still feels short on quality in depth in certain positions, while on others, most notably in the backline, is desperate for more players with game-breaking ability and who meet his requirements as far as size, skill, speed and power are concerned.
Particularly vexing to him is the shortage of No 5 locks, this worry trumped only by the absence of high quality tightheads to share Jannie du Plessis’ workload.
‘Jannie has been awesome, but I’m worried about who is next in line. A tighthead only gets to his best at 29 or 30, and most of the guys in that category are overseas,’ Meyer said before answering questions relating to speculation about Northampton’s Brian Mujati, whose call-up was blocked as a result of passport issues.
‘Brian is probably playing the best rugby of his career. He is well respected in the Premiership and when I’ve watched his games he has been unbelievable in the scrums. In the northern hemisphere every single scrum is a battle and they scrum for penalties, not just as a restart point. So you don’t just need an impact player to come on at prop for you, you need a guy who can put the opposition under pressure later in the game at scrum time. He has really impressed me in this department.’
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76 Comments
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6 Nov 2012, 06:24 am
Four dragons…………
6 Nov 2012, 06:58 am
“most notably in the backline, is desperate for more players with game breaking ability and who meet his requirements as far as size, skill, speed and power is concerned.”
Size is his major weak point. He’d rather sacrifice skill for size.
6 Nov 2012, 07:05 am
Size? Sounds like he has issues.
6 Nov 2012, 07:18 am
‘meyer mandates quartet of qualities’
‘quartet of qualities mandated by meyer’
6 Nov 2012, 08:16 am
Injured:
Gurthro Steenkamp (potentially)
Bismark Du Plessis
Coenie Oosthuizen
Andries Bekker
Schalk Burger
Heinrich Brussow
Siya Kolisi
Juan Smith
Johann Goosen
Bryan Habana
Francois Steyn
Unavailable:
Brian Mujati
Danie Rossouw
Ryan Kankowski
Fourie Du Preez
Jacques Fourie
Surplus to current requirements:
Bakkies Botha (hard to believe)
1. How can one say this is the last chance to cement one’s place in the squad moving forward when so many players are not available?
2. I don’t understand Meyer when he says Morne Steyn and Bakkies Botha aren’t impact players. If they aren’t going to start, then they mustn’t be on the bench. I remember Steyn coming on during the Lions series as a replacement to clinch victory. Yes, it was a while ago, and I don’t believe Steyn should be in the 22 at all moving forward – but I’m merely illustrating my point. And where is it written that someone like Bakkies can’t wreak havoc in the last 30 of a game?
6 Nov 2012, 08:52 am
@David-2: That’s why he is starting Lambie and JdJ is in the squad. Last time I checked JdV was not the biggest of the lot either. Ja he looooves size……
6 Nov 2012, 09:07 am
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-6: I have missed it, when did Meyer start with Lambie and JDJ, as far as I recall, he ditched JDJ for a bigger Taute in order to counter Nonu, then Taute got his *** handed to him.
6 Nov 2012, 09:12 am
@XhosaKid-7:
hilarious
6 Nov 2012, 09:58 am
@puff-5: Team nade up of all the injured and unavailable and in fcat available but not chosen players that would give the current Bok squad a run for their money:
15. Frans Steyn
14. Brian Habana
13. Jacques Fourie
12. Jan Swanepoel
11. Bjorn Basson
10. Johan Goosen
9. Fourie du Preez
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. Schalk Burger
6. Stef du Toit
5. Andries Bekker
4. Bakkies Botha
3. Coenie Oosthuizen
2. Bismark du Plessis
1. Brian Mujati
16. Ryan Kankowski
17. Johan Muller
18. Deon Fourie
19. Kitshoff (Stormers)
20. Claasens (Bath)- Groom maybe?
21. Paul Jordaan
22. Gio Aplon
Many other candidates, particularly for the bench, and I probably have some of the prop positions out of kilter, but I might just back this team for a win! I have also tried to have some promising youngsters – Jordaan, du Toit, Goosen, Swanepoel, Oosthuizen all fit that bill.
6 Nov 2012, 10:13 am
@puff-5:
bakkies could add so much value to the boks.
personally i think its political.
imagine the brouha that will emanate from the all the keo kenners here… kenners who support teams who only have ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda’s’ to show for the achievements.’
6 Nov 2012, 10:19 am
@papaown-8: Every time I watch that game, its shocking how easy Eezy Dagg and Nonu just ghosted past a confused Taute, not knowing how to defend the 13 channel, does he go inside or outside, embarrassing stuff I tell you, which adds to the irony as Taute’s ticket to the team was size, so much for that. Meyer will be getting *** handed to him as well if he continues with this madness
6 Nov 2012, 10:23 am
@XhosaKid-11: As I have said before, if Nienaber were with the Boks, he would have slapped Meyer for suggesting Taute play ahead of de Jongh at 13………
Meyer seems to think if you’re a certain size, defence comes ‘naturally’, when the stooooooooooooopuffucker should take one look at his lovechild Spies to see this is not so……
I don’t blame Taute here, the kid has clearly said he is a 15 and wants to play there. Meyer HAS the best centre in the country in JDJ right there, sitting on the bench, but refused to see the light then, and stubbornly STILL refuses.
No man, this Meyer and his bull shy te is making my ulcer bleed.
6 Nov 2012, 10:42 am
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-6: “Last time I checked JdV was not the biggest of the lot either.”
when was the last time you checked?
1.90m 103kg jdv
1.87m 95kg taute
1.91m 110kg francois
1.90m 94kg jj engelbrecht
1,86m 93kg meisiekind
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1.77m 87kg jdj
1.80m 88kg paul jordaan
1.87m 97kg jan serfontein
1.86m 95kg sadie.
6 Nov 2012, 10:48 am
Jacques Fourie is also a big boytjie, not to mention an exceptional defensive organiser.
6 Nov 2012, 10:51 am
This extra man on the bench couldn’t have come at a better time for Coenie Oosthuizen.
They say he has to concentrate on 3 now as playing 1 will be detrimental to his career prospects as the angle a loosie packs down at will cause further damage to his neck.
Looks like prop specialists will be sought as opposed to utilities who can cover both sides.
With that in mind, it really is in everyone’s best interests to try and get Mujati’s citizenship cleared up.
That is, if Mujati is interested of course.
Loosies: Mtawarira, Steenkamp
Tightheads: Du Plessis, Mujati
With Oosthuizen and Cilliers on the fringes.
I’d buy that for a Dollar!
6 Nov 2012, 10:58 am
@puff-5: The fact that so many players are unavailable is exactly why this is the last opportunity for the available payers to cement their places. If you accept that the missing players would probably be involved if fit then it stands to reason that the current players would usually not have been given this opportunity.. And therefore that if they want to stay in the squad they will need to go beyond what would ordinarily be expected of them so that when the unfit players are fit again their positions are no longer secure. Kapish?
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-6: JdV is a big fella, make no mistake.. Not sure why you think he’s not??
6 Nov 2012, 11:06 am
@Tarlo-16:
Right.
Looks like Meyer has a player base of about 60 players.
Those that he has used or included in squads throughout the course of this year plus those frontline players who are either injured or currently unavailable.
From what he’s said, I take it that he won’t really look beyond the 60 over the next 3 years.
Which contradicts what he said earlier in his tenure re he wants to win and be number 1 and take it one game at a time and the World Cup squad will sort itself out as a consequence of that.
What message is he sending to players who haven’t had a look-in yet who still have hopes to represent SA or who want to be part of 2015 RWC?
6 Nov 2012, 11:16 am
Players:
1. Mtawarira, Steenkamp, Van Der Merwe, Van Der Linde
2. Du Plessis, Strauss, Ralepelle, Brits, Liebenberg, Burden
3. Du Plessis, Ooshuizen, Cilliers, Mujati, Malherbe
4. Etzebeth, Van Der Merwe, Botha (mentioned), Rossouw
5. Bekker, Kruger, Van Der Merwe, Steph Du Toit, Wentzel (mentioned)
6. Louw, Coetzee, Kolisi, Burger, Brussow (mentioned)
7. Alberts, Smith, Potgieter
8. Vermeulen, Spies, Kankowski, Botha, Daniel
9. Du Preez, Pienaar, Hougaard, Vermaak, Van Zyl
10. Goosen, Lambie, Jantjies, Steyn
11. Habana, Basson, Mvovo, Ruhle
12. Steyn, De Villiers, Venter
13. Fourie, De Jongh, Engelbrecht
14. Pieterson, Mapoe, Aplon
15. Kirchner, Taute
That’s 61 players.
Then there are the likes of Maku and Sadie, who Meyer has mentioned before as Bok material.
Plus youngsters like Liebenberg, Schreuder, Pollard, Serfontein and Small-Smith who he has mentioned as special players.
And then of course there are players like Deon Fourie and Paul Jordaan who Meyer hasn’t really mentioned, but who consistently impress and are no doubt hungry to play for Boks.
I would have to say that looking at this extensive roster, the Boks to look rather unsettled at number 5 lock.
There are options, but none of the experienced hands in the position have really cemented their spot or had a chance to and a youngster like Steph Du Toit has yet to prove himself at test level.
It just shows you what a void Matfield has left…
6 Nov 2012, 11:17 am
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-6: JDV is loose forward big,
6 Nov 2012, 11:19 am
@Transformation-13: Didn’t see your post
6 Nov 2012, 11:25 am
@David-2: In a nutshell, that statement has hit the nail on the head.
6 Nov 2012, 11:30 am
For a big fellow, JDV struggles against big centres… Jamie Roberts, in 2009 against the Lions and at the 2011 WC, SBW vs the Crusaders at Newlands, Tuilagi in the England series…
6 Nov 2012, 11:33 am
Bakkies @ 10
Political. How so?
This should be good
6 Nov 2012, 11:34 am
the last time juan de jongh passed the ball was when matric actually meant something …. about in 1994/1995
6 Nov 2012, 11:43 am
@suffer_guy-24: How often did / does Jaque Fourie pass the ball? Or any other 13 in SA for that matter?
6 Nov 2012, 11:45 am
about 7 times more than JDJ … in a season
6 Nov 2012, 11:49 am
even Naas had a better passing record than JDJ .. thats probably why the Stormers never score tries … just mark JDJ, you know he’ll try a dummy pass
6 Nov 2012, 11:53 am
@suffer_guy-27: that’s why Sadie shone outside of JdJ, because de jongh didn’t pass to him. the same with Mossie in 2010
for a WP supporter you are DOM
6 Nov 2012, 11:53 am
mxhosa – That Lions Centre pairing in 2009 of Roberts/O’Driscoll was the best centre pairing i have ever seen, they made mince meat of the Bok centres!!
6 Nov 2012, 11:56 am
transformation, stop defending black players, your bias and you know it! go watch super rugby on a monday – Kyknet … Kobus, naas etc complaining about JDJ’s not passing the ball… he is a good player – no doubt about that – just not very bright – no rugby brain (pass die farking bal!)
6 Nov 2012, 11:56 am
The part about JDJ having a weak pass is only partly true.
He struggles to pass both ways, he has a great pass left and a terrible pass right.
So yes, he doesn’t distribute as well as some other players but as far as I can see (and what I’m told) that is really his only weakness.
He has the best sidestep of any outside centre in SA though. Hands down.
6 Nov 2012, 12:13 pm
If I’m not mistaken, whole commentating for SuperSport, John Mitchell suggested a centre pairing of Pat Lambie and Juan De Jongh with Goosen at 10 and Frans Steyn at 15.
6 Nov 2012, 12:14 pm
12. Steyn, De Villiers
13. Fourie
Utilities: De Jongh, Jordaan
Nuff said.
6 Nov 2012, 12:15 pm
@Transformation-28: Does this dumbfuck support WP? I’m not surprised we didn’t win sh y te for 11 years……punishment for allowing backbenders like this in our support ranks. Pfffffffffffft.
6 Nov 2012, 12:34 pm
“he said he’d hold bags for three weeks just to be part of the set up. That is the type of mentality and character I want in this team”
He was hoping Jantjies would say the same thing
6 Nov 2012, 12:34 pm
@suffer_guy-30: i’m not defending black players i’m calling you on your nonsense.
how is taute’s pass @ 13?
6 Nov 2012, 12:40 pm
@XhosaKid-7: Lambie not starting this weekend? hmmmmm. Cant wait to take a shot at me can you son.
@Transformation-13: So all your post says he is not the biggest which proves my point……and now what? Size aside Transie when last has shown glimpses of what he was three odd years ago. You cannot tell me he is the best we’ve got. Up till now his captaincy has been there or there about but thats it.
I’ll wait for you and XK to have another shot.
6 Nov 2012, 12:47 pm
@stormersboy-31: Finally a WP supporter admitting he is not the shining light he is made out to be on this site although he is not that kak either. Like you stated, cannot pass both ways but he also can only step off the left foot. Two pretty huge problems for a centre at the highest level.
I’m sure this can be sorted out though with a good coach but one would expect him to have this sorted by now. Those two problems out of the mix and he will be an even more dangerous player.
6 Nov 2012, 13:00 pm
From all reported in the past,Mujati is unavailable. Due to legalities etc as well as he is not interested by the BS from SA rugby. He never felt he was an asset and media did their bit to denigrate his name. He has a great life at Northampton, 2 young kids with a 3rd on the way.Just launched his own brand of beer in UK as well. Talk about an asset.
6 Nov 2012, 13:11 pm
@Transformation-36:
hehe………what happened to that beautiful ditty from yesteryear…….”do it like Taute”
Just kidding….. Taute @13 for test rugby is a Meyerism aka ……farkup
6 Nov 2012, 13:17 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-38: I haven’t heard anything about him only being able to step off one foot, he seemed OK in the final when he did both, why do you say he can’t step both ways?
He isn’t the perfect center it’s true, but in my opinion he is the best available to the Boks at the moment.
Sad that he isn’t being allowed to show that.
But each coach will have his preferences I guess.
6 Nov 2012, 13:24 pm
@Transformation-36: Agree, Taute in my eyes has not proved he should be a starting bok. But we will see how he copes at 13.
Remember it was Taute who cost us a try against the AB’s at soccer city with that kick directly to DC. And also Taute who gave WP that lineout in the final minutes of the CC SF.
Obviously he lacks some BMT decision making. Hope he grows fast!
6 Nov 2012, 13:24 pm
@gonzo-35:
that statememt has warmed me to brits.
i like that.
reminds me of danie.
6 Nov 2012, 13:29 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-38: Last I checked he had pretty brilliant step of the right foot to beat a stunned Waratahs FB in 2010 SR SF. I know, I was there.
JDJ can step both ways, hand off wannabe bok flankers and tackle wannabe bok 13′s all day, everyday.
He aint perfect but don’t make up arguments that can’t hold water.
Anayway, number 13s are runners, their main and sole purpose is to burst through the gap and either setup a final pass to the wing (basic passing) or step to score the try. I believe JDJ can do all this. Also his defence is fantastic, technique is almost perfect.
6 Nov 2012, 13:30 pm
@stormersboy-41: The NH teams get tired against SH teams in the last 15min, watch the game open up and JDJ score a try or two.
6 Nov 2012, 13:36 pm
@goodstuff-44: Sorry, have to correct my self, was three stepps of his left to score that try. It does soem that his top tries does come off his left leg.
6 Nov 2012, 13:46 pm
I love HMs comment that he loves touring when you consider how abysmal the Bulls were on their Australasian tours, when he was in charge.
6 Nov 2012, 14:03 pm
@goodstuff-46: Thanks for that goodstuff but read my post 38 again. Nothing against the man I just feel he has shortcomings which could make him vulnerable at the top level. If a guy can only step to one side how easy is it to defend against him. See where I am headed?
But lets see what happens.
6 Nov 2012, 14:04 pm
@David-47: Yet he still got the job done in 2007 with a win….
6 Nov 2012, 14:12 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-49: good thing he did, it was a bit tiring of the bulls getting to the Semis, only to be handed a rugby lesson (especially by the Tahs) in the 3 preceding seasons…
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