Double boost for Boks
7 Nov 2012
RYAN VREDE, in Dublin, writes Jean de Villiers and Francois Louw participated fully in Tuesday’s training session and will start against Ireland on Saturday.
De Villiers was ruled out of the Currie Cup play-offs with a hamstring injury sustained in the Springboks’ final Rugby Championship match in Soweto and has been carefully managed since in the hope that he would recover for the tour opener. The Springboks’ skipper didn’t train fully at Blackrock College RFC on Monday, but participated in a defensive session today, showing no signs of discomfort.
Louw hurt his neck on club duty for Bath a fortnight ago and was sidelined for the clash against London Welsh last weekend, but also appears to have made a full recovery and will start at openside flank, with Marcell Coetzee, who stood in for him in yesterday’s training drills, on the bench as cover.
The formation the Springboks ran this afternoon further indicated that Pat Lambie has trumped Morne Steyn for the starting berth at flyhalf. Lambie is also likely to assume goal-kicking duties ahead of Ruan Pienaar, although the latter is a very competent goal-kicker for his Irish club side Ulster, and will be used if Lambie’s boot betrays him.
Interestingly, Elton Jantjies slotted in at pivot for what was almost certainly the reserves, meaning Steyn is unlikely to make the match 22. This is in keeping with head coach Heyneke Meyer’s belief that Steyn is not the type of impact player he needs.
Hooker Schalk Brits is, and will inject pace, skill and athleticism into the contest when he replaces Adriaan Strauss. With the forecast for fine, cold but largely clear conditions, the stage is set for Brits to impress on his return to Test rugby after a four-year absence.
180 Comments
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7 Nov 2012, 09:14 am
With Jacques Fourie leaving before the S15 season, JDJ was primed to take over the mantle, however, he played himself out of favour before the June tests and were very poor throughout Super Rugby. HM was right to leave him out, but not at the expense of JJ, I believed Eberson and Whitehead deserved it on form.
In the CC his form re-appeared and he showed us how brilliant he can be, he scored an indivual try that sealed it for WP. He still hangs on to the ball too much, and really needs to trust the guys on his outside.
Together with Frans Steyn they will make a killer combo. JDV is a problem. A even bigger elephant in the room than what John Smit was. Why is it that the Springboks always play better in the back when he is injured (’07 and ’11 WC) and WP starts scoring tries as soon as he is drafted into the bok squad (’12 CC). No coincidence! He is the cancer.
I prefer 12. JDJ, 13. Mapoe ahead of 12. JDV, 13. Taute.
7 Nov 2012, 09:20 am
I see that they are reporting that Jaco Taute trained at 13 yesterday.
7 Nov 2012, 09:30 am
@goodstuff-44:
are you kidding with me?
the high ball he did not field from a kickoff, allowing it to bounce, when it was his ball led to a try and then also running away from assisting in the tackle of that self same try by ben alexander.
score was tied 19 all at the time in about the 70th minute, and then mvovo in two simple movements lost us the game.
pray tell what hougaard did to lose us the game? and pray tell which game you are referring to? the games before that we won and drew.
7 Nov 2012, 09:33 am
Obama wins.
Big Bird heaves a huge sigh of relief.
7 Nov 2012, 09:35 am
What time is the game on sat, SA time?
7 Nov 2012, 09:49 am
@Stawm-55: According to the SA Rugby website – Internationals:
Saturday, November 10 2012
16:30 – England vs Fiji
London
16:30 – Wales vs Argentina
Cardiff
16:30 – Scotland vs New Zealand
Edinburgh
Castle Outgoing Tours
19:30 – Ireland vs South Africa
AVIVA Stadium, Dublin
Internationals
22:00 – France vs Australia
Paris
7 Nov 2012, 09:53 am
@stormersboy-52: HM said earlier this week that Taute’s future is at 15. Why keep him at 13 ? It does not make sense. He can stand it at 13 in the case of injuries during a match perhaps, but JdJ is a much better 13 – but: JdJ needs to offload the ball more as mentioned above
7 Nov 2012, 09:54 am
@CharlesM-56:
Thanks!
7 Nov 2012, 09:56 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-53: Can’t comment on the missed fielding of the high ball, but the defence of the try Mvovo was covering his channel as there was a man on the outside of Alexander, also the man who missed his channel was Alberts who was to slow to catch a prop! And the man who did make the tackle (J Krugar) was too weak to bring him down. I personally blame poor performance of the final minutes to Todd McFarland the defence coach, he sucks, Bulls never had a strong defence, their tactic was always to out score the other team.
Hougard hasn’t done anything bad at wing (except the miss tackle on beal that led to a try ) but he hasn’t shown any attacking potential either.
Rather use the man as ‘n impact reserve for the last 20-30min. Hougard has played his best test rugby of the bench.
7 Nov 2012, 10:23 am
@cane-54: Obama must have been reading this thread – apparently his 1st tweet after the win was “four more years”
7 Nov 2012, 10:30 am
368.Heavens Game said:
2 Nov 2012, 14:09 pm
@Jeraldjay-362: So Obama can talk the talk when it comes to “Foreign Relations”… But what has he done other than continue or worsen the USA status quo globally…
- China doesn’t respect him
- Afghanistan is more of a farkup than it ever was under George W
- USA’s relationship with Britain and Europe has not improved and has declined especially with the former, stemming back to his cowardly labeling of BP as “British” when it is majority owned by US shareholders, in order to pass the buck regarding the oil pollution farkup…
and much, much more….
His only saving grace has been having Hilary Clinton as his Secretary of State…
Actually I reckon I could almost guarantee that Romney will be the next President…
370.Jeraldjay said:
2 Nov 2012, 14:15 pm
@Heavens Game-368:
Fark HG.
You “almost guaranteed” that the Sharks would win the Currie Cup and look what happened….
So based on your recent prophecies I will put my money on Obama.
371.gunther said:
2 Nov 2012, 14:17 pm
@Jeraldjay-370:
Indeed.
Everything HG owns is in the pawnshop.
7 Nov 2012, 10:43 am
@Jeraldjay-61: bwahahahahahahahaha farking Mormon “almost guaranteed” rubbish
7 Nov 2012, 10:51 am
@Jeraldjay-61:
Ja I remember that kuk post
Idiot
7 Nov 2012, 10:53 am
@trupisero-60:
Obama’s only a half black.
7 Nov 2012, 10:54 am
@David-64:
He’s a non-black.
7 Nov 2012, 10:55 am
@David-64:
Or, as I read on Facebook this morning, an “un-black”
7 Nov 2012, 10:57 am
@Dawn-66: You guys are all wrong, he be coloured!
7 Nov 2012, 11:00 am
@Dawn-65:
Chris Rock reckons he’s white.
7 Nov 2012, 11:03 am
@goodstuff-67: Him middle name Hussein – Kaapse slams?
7 Nov 2012, 11:04 am
@Jeraldjay-61:
HG wrong AGAIN.
How many times this year already?
I wonder what it is that gives him such arrogance, surely not results?
7 Nov 2012, 11:10 am
Ja let Morne Steyn carry tackle bags whole tour!
7 Nov 2012, 11:15 am
@Sasuke-71: no ways – let him BE the tackle bag
7 Nov 2012, 11:23 am
@trupisero-72:
Agreed!
7 Nov 2012, 11:27 am
@trupisero-69:
Kaapse slams?
7 Nov 2012, 11:40 am
@CharlesM-57: Couldn’t agree more. It makes no sense to blood him there as his inexperience could damage rather than build his confidence.
It’s not like Juan won’t be up to the Irish midfield.
Sometimes that oke just doesn’t make sense, I tell you.
7 Nov 2012, 11:42 am
@Stawm-70: Hg never lets facts stand in the way of an argument.
In fact if everyone was pro Romney on this site he would have taken the Obama position.
It’s just what he does. Try and stir up trouble. Unfortunately his game is up.
Mary Mary quite contrary.
7 Nov 2012, 11:47 am
Anyway the team will be announced at 14h30 today.
That should clear up some uncertainty and start a flood of new debate/complaints
7 Nov 2012, 11:54 am
slow day…
7 Nov 2012, 12:02 pm
The last US election was a referendum proving America is, collectively, not racist…
This US election should have been a referendum proving that America is not stupid…
However…The United States of America has just beyond all doubt proven that they are collectively farken stoopid…
America’s Nero…
Fiddler on the White House roof while modern day Rome burns…
7 Nov 2012, 12:04 pm
@coma-51: I agree Jean de Villiers is the new Smit. Said so a few days back. Our Premier centres going into the WC will surely be 12 Frans Steyn 12 Jan Serfontein and 13 Jacques Fourie 13 Francois Houghaard/ Juan de Jongh. I believe Houghaard has great ability to make a good 13. He is not so hot on the wing and is a useless scrummie.
With backup talent such as Mapoe, Tim Whitehead, Rob Ebersohn and possibly others I sure hope JDV isnt still around come RWC time.
7 Nov 2012, 12:06 pm
@CharlesM-57: Agree Taute above Zane Kirchener any day and Juan de Jongh is a better centre in my opinion. Houghaard provides cover for centre as well.
7 Nov 2012, 12:08 pm
@goodstuff-59: No-one seems to recognise it but Houghaards best position to me is actually 13. When he played there for the Bulls he was dynamite. he has a mean step and can create havoc at centre.
7 Nov 2012, 12:20 pm
@Slumtown-82:
I’ve also wondered about that. He’s far better in open play, a bit like Willie du Plessis.
7 Nov 2012, 12:24 pm
@David-83: You mean Willie Le Roux?
@Slumtown-80: Jaque Fourie will be over the hill in 2015.
7 Nov 2012, 12:24 pm
@David-83: Yeah the first time I really sat up and took notice of him was when he was playing 13 for the Bulls. He has a devastating step which means he can probably dodge a player or two in midfield and if not he has a good offload and the strength to take a tackle and recycle. Furthermore his tackling is generally very solid and he is a commited player with speed to burn. Why he isnt being considered here is a mystery to me considering Juan de Jongh is the only other decent 13 with Fourie out.
Adding to that the fact that once fit, Pietersen and Habana will undoubtedly form the wing pairing with players like Rhule and Mvovo in line as subs Houghaard will be out of the Bok setup at this rate and that would be a tragedy – he really has X Factor.
7 Nov 2012, 12:25 pm
heymaker continuing to say one thing and then do another…
can you imagine what is going through juan’s mind…? heymaker seems to be doing all he can at stuffing up juan’s confidence royally… (let’s hope juan doesn’t let this affect him) but when and if he does get a start knowing that heymaker would rather have a retreaded rookie fullback who woud rather be 15 playing at 13 instead of him the pressure will be way more than it needs to be and then if he does make a mistake heymaker will drop him without a second thought…
sheesh… heymaker’s man-management leaves lot to be desired… sounds like it’s worse that rudie staaldraad…!!
very frustrating…
let’s se what the teamsheet says at 14:30…
7 Nov 2012, 12:25 pm
@Heavens Game-79:
Lead balloon post of the year
7 Nov 2012, 12:27 pm
@Slumtown-85:
I’d like to see the bulls play him at fullback next year.
In fact I’ve sent a strongly worded email to them.
7 Nov 2012, 12:27 pm
@Sasuke-84: fark me if Jacques Fourie will be over the hill then Jean de Villiers will be a pensioner lol. Seriously though – Jean has 2 years on Jacques. I definitely think Jacques is going to make a charge for the next WC – at 32 he wont exactly be dead and buried. If he can maintain his pace why the hell not?
7 Nov 2012, 12:28 pm
@Heavens Game-79: Lol, Romney is just another rich **** who wants power as his next “must have” item. And by the way, it’s the republican vote that is considered the stupid one, they were the idiots that voted for Bush in the 2nd term, not the majority who voted for Obama.
Hicks, hillbillies and re tards.
7 Nov 2012, 12:30 pm
@Slumtown-85: He will be the back up scrummie and wing on the bench. His defence is probably his only weakness in the 13 position. It is the hardest position to defend at in the backline. I am not talking about his one on one tackling/defence (which is great), I am talking about his reading of the play and when to drift and when to rush up and in. This is something that Jaque Fourie was very good at.
7 Nov 2012, 12:31 pm
@goodstuff-90: Only republican worth a damn is Ron Paul, but those hicks are too stupid too choose him, he would have been the only republican to get the Democrat vote needed to beat Obama. But like I said, FOX and the hillbillies don’t like smart people.
7 Nov 2012, 12:34 pm
Hougard at 13 is a pipe dream, bulls have so many centres in the under 19/21 ranks coming through that some have jumped ship all ready (Sadie).
But I think Hougard would defend even worse at 13 than Taute, Beal ghosted him on that channel on the try line.
7 Nov 2012, 12:37 pm
@goodstuff-93: how many other tackles has Houghaard missed that stick in your mind? I dont recall any. I´m sure he has missed a couple but in general his defence is pretty solid
7 Nov 2012, 12:45 pm
why are you guys looking for and manufacturing players and reasons to play 13 when we have juan de jongh ready willing and able and in great form…?? i really don’t understand…
could you tell us why you would prefer hougaard over de jongh…? how many games did he play at 13 and how long ago…?
or at least if you want someone else go for someone who has played there regularly recently and shown some sort of form in the position…
you guys confuse me as much as heymaker…
7 Nov 2012, 12:46 pm
@Slumtown-89: Lol I believe next year will be Jean’s final year of international rugby.
He needs to play competitive rugby again. Playing in Japan wont get him selected for the Bok squad. I am all for him returning if he is up for it and if he is on form. He needs to return to super rugby or european league atleast but he cant realistically expect to be selected if he is playing in Japan.
7 Nov 2012, 12:47 pm
@ufo-86:
Yes lets see what team he selects at 14h30.
But it is most likely that Juan will be benched and Taute will be 13.
Kirchner is a safe option at 15 ’cause he is solid under the high ball and has a good tactical kicking game especially in those conditions, so I don’t have a major problem with his selection.
But Taute’s position is 15 and he has to compete with Kirchner for that spot. Juan is in the form of his life, why not give the kid a chance.
7 Nov 2012, 12:49 pm
@goodstuff-93: Hougard would be a 13 if he was in Australia. problem is that SA has a fixation with big with out brains type of players.
7 Nov 2012, 12:49 pm
@ufo-95: lack of depth at 13 and putting Houghaard in his best possible position in my opinion. Each player has his niche. Ruaan Pienaar seems to have been right about him being a decent scrumhalf. Frans Steyn I always knew was a good 12 – he was awful at 10 and not bad at 15. Lambie another case in point – yes he can be a centre or fullback but his real talent shines through at 10. Ditto Houghaard – his best position ive seen him in is 13 – he is extremely talented and would be a waste to let him go due to others insistence on playing him at 11 or 9.
De Jongh should be the current 13 – but Houghaard makes a good backup at the moment – no need to draft Taute in at 13. Thats my point.
7 Nov 2012, 12:50 pm
@goodstuff-92: Isn’t Ron Paul a black drag queen?
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