Lambie gets his break
7 Nov 2012
RYAN VREDE, in Dublin, reports Pat Lambie will start at flyhalf against Ireland, while Morne Steyn is still in the mix.
Lambie emerged as a strong competitor for the flyhalf berth with an impressive Super Rugby campaign and commanding performances in the Currie Cup. Initially seen primarily as a fullback, Lambie now has a chance to advance his cause to play in his preferred position at pivot.
With Heyneke Meyer committed to settling on a deputy for Johan Goosen for the 2013 season onward, Lambie will know he has been handed the inside lane in that race.
Steyn comes onto the bench in what can only be ascribed to Meyer’s fears around Lambie’s tactical aptitude. Steyn was dropped from the match 22 for the home leg of the Rugby Championship, with Meyer saying he didn’t have the attributes to warrant his retention as an impact player.
However, Meyer has made consistent references to Steyn’s tactical prowess, and was forthright in his reasons for picking Steyn ahead of Elton Jantjies.
‘I don’t believe in a pecking order so I won’t say Elton was second behind Johan Goosen [from the Soweto Test]. I believe in horses for courses,’ Meyer said.
‘I just felt I didn’t want to be in a position like we were in Soweto when Goosen went off injured in the first 10 minutes and then have to replace him with a youngster who is inexperienced. Morne has 40-odd Tests and has played on the year-end tour before, so he is an insurance policy. Elton will get his chance at the right time. As far as Pat goes, I want to see what he can do. He has really impressed me recently and his goal-kicking has been superb in difficult conditions, he is in the zone, which is what ultimately got him the start.’
Elsewhere Jean de Villiers and Francois Louw have overcome injuries to start, but this is not the case for Gurthro Steenkamp, who picked up a knock playing for Toulouse at the weekend.
Hooker Schalk Brits is involved in the match 22 for the first time in four years, edging out Chiliboy Ralepelle. ‘Chili has been injured a lot this year. Scrummaging is so important here and Schalk Brits has been in superb form. Chili will never let you down, but you want an impact from the bench and with most of the games being won in the last 10 minutes, we’ve really lacked someone who can come on and make the difference. Schalk is just a better impact player,’ Meyer said.
The bench has a dynamic look about it with the industrious and abrasive Flip van der Merwe and Marcell Coetzee included, while Juan de Jongh and Lwazi Mvovo have the aptitude to exploit the space that will open up in the final quarter.
The forecast is for cold but clear conditions at kick-off on Saturday. Ireland announce their team on Thursday and are expected to name skipper Paul O’Connell and experienced prop Cian Healy in their run-on side.
Springboks – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermuelen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
16 Schalk Brits, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Morne Steyn, 22 Juan de Jongh, 23 Lwazi Mvovo
569 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 [6] 7 8 9 10 11 … 12 » Show All
7 Nov 2012, 16:47 pm
If the boks had a B team
15 Zane Kirchner
14 Raymond Rhule
13 JJ Engelbrecht
12 Tim Whithead
11 Lwazi Mvovo
10 Morne Steyn
9 Jano Vernaak
8 Ryan Kankowski
7 Dewaldt Potgieter
6 Heinrich Brussouw
5 Franco Van Der Merwe
4 Jean Deysel
3 Francois Malherbe
2 Deon Fourie
1 JC Janse Van Rensburg
16 Scarra Ntubeni
17 Werner Kruger
18 Dean Greyling
19 Anton Bresler
20 Pierre Spies
21 Sarel Pretorius
22 Peter Grant
23 Bjorn Basson
24 Bandise Maku
25 Steven Kitshoff
26 Rynhardt Elstadt
27 Keegan Daniel
28 Nic Groom
29 Louis Fouche
30 Lionel Mapoe
31 Robert Ebersohn
32 Louis Ludik
still seriously strong.
Shows the great depth in South Afrian rugby.
7 Nov 2012, 16:48 pm
@Kaizan-244: How ironic will it be if Heyneke Meyer is the reason for two old Province boys to establish themselves for the first time after playing for WP. Surely his hatred towards WP is so deep that he will not even select a player with a WP history.
Even more ironic: The one is a fetcher and the other too small.
7 Nov 2012, 16:49 pm
@Kaizan-244:
@willievz-246:
On Bissie I can agree – head and shoulders the leading no.2 both south and north of the equator.
But it’s poor contingency planning from HM elevating Brits ahead of Chilli IMO. I don’t foresee Brits featuring again in 2013 (given a successful rehabilitation from Bissie). And I doubt he’ll swop pounds for rands, and be a tackle-bag holding, 3rd in the pecking order hooker behing Bissie and Strauss. For those reasons, I’d rather develop and expose Chilli further.
7 Nov 2012, 16:50 pm
@capetown-227:
“According to HM’s utterances and selection, the nr 13 ranking
1. J. Fourie
2. JdV”
Hellsteeth thats no different to the ranking of AC and 90% of WP supporters…
WTF you in a huff about…?
7 Nov 2012, 16:50 pm
@Rhys7-251: Louis Fouche and Deysel at 4 contradicts your conclusion. If they are anywhere near a Bok team then it shows a lack of depth.
7 Nov 2012, 16:50 pm
Pot Blou Gevaar…
You made several excellent posts this afternoon… reasoned, rational and not one iota of bias…
Respect…
7 Nov 2012, 16:51 pm
@shooter-233:
I don’t think I’ve called him a racist.
I did say that “imo the only plausible reason for Jantjies and JdJ not being selected is because Meyer believes in a MAXIMUM quota for players of colour. That maximum being THREE.”
This is the gist of what I’ve been posting. At times I had to make reference to colour to better make my point. I people construed this as me calling HM a racist, then I can’t help it.
@David-234:
David, we’ve been through this…this whole season. Trying to look for some logic behind some of Meyer’s decisions. Most of our “logical conclusions” were shown to be wrong.
My logical conclusion is that Meyer has a MAXIMUM quota of three P’OC in his run on team. I come to that conclusion after studying the teams he has selected since JPP’s injury against England.
7 Nov 2012, 16:51 pm
@willievz-250:
Agreed
7 Nov 2012, 16:52 pm
@Horings-252:
Certainly, it is poor player management. Jeralday and I posted about this earlier.
I think Heyneke does not rate Chilli.
7 Nov 2012, 16:52 pm
@Heavens Game-254: And then he puts JJ 3rd, although he has not featured apart from a couple of minutes in Capetown. Surely Taute and JdJ is ahead of JJ.
7 Nov 2012, 16:52 pm
Nice chatting peeps. Gotta go.
Until next time…
7 Nov 2012, 16:54 pm
@capetown-238:
Don’t be surprise if we only come away with a draw against the Scots.
Yeah, they’ll blame outside forces for HM’s demise if he is kicked out. He was quite clever insisting on a 4 year contract.
7 Nov 2012, 16:54 pm
@ufo-256:
Thanks bro..
7 Nov 2012, 16:54 pm
Personally I can’t see why Goosen should be HM’s first choice flyhalf. Lambie should be 1st choice, with Goosen as his young understudy, being brought in slowly as a sub in the second half.
7 Nov 2012, 16:55 pm
@nama1-257: So, wrt “players of colour”, you find it quite alright to use the word “quota”?
Wonder if Zane, JPP, Beast appreciate being part of a “quota” as you put it…
Makes you wonder who is actually racist here…
7 Nov 2012, 16:55 pm
I never comment on this site, but read (the comments mostly) for insights..just have to say WTF??
No Juan de Jongh? He is the best centre we have available! And Steyn over Jantjies?
Seems like Meyer has not so hidden agendas.
7 Nov 2012, 16:55 pm
I would far rather have JDJ in the team than JDV….without a doubt…
7 Nov 2012, 16:56 pm
Its worrying that HM rates Taute as the long term answer at 15…
It just emphasizes the big problem at establishing a settled center combination…
It shows he has no confidence in JdJ and dont consider JDV as a longterm answer at 13 either… The only sure selection is FS at 12 and HM would pick him ahead of his captain…
So when Taute moves to 15 (when Fransie comes back) JDV will go back to 13…
In that case the ranking for 12 is:
1. Frans Steyn
2. JDV (surely not longterm)
3. ??
At 13:
1. Stop gap JDV at the mo…
2. ?? Its currently clear that its not JdJ
3.???
HM sang the praises of JJ Engelbrecht and Sadie, but after not convincing at super rugby level, they surely cant be considered anymore…
All these question marks could be filled with small and potentially great players, but considering HMs ideology regarding size its not likely to see a settled center combination with the likes of JdJ or even Jordaan. The only outside chance is to convert JJP to 13…
Depth at 12 is even more worrying. JDV has chronicle rugby fatigue that can only be cured by retirement and FS wont stay injury free…
7 Nov 2012, 16:57 pm
@willievz-259: No I would say it contradicts most believes people had about Meyer from the start. “He does not believe in fetchers” (Wikus van Heerden was the first out and out fetcher for the Boks). “He does not pick small players” (Ettienne Botha scored a record number of tries at centre with Meyer at coach).
Meyer’s non selection of JdJ is simply because he does not rate him. He does not create play for others and is not as effective as Botha to score tries himself.
7 Nov 2012, 16:57 pm
@Kaizan-165: a 13 with a kicking game, WTF?
7 Nov 2012, 16:58 pm
@Rhys7-251: Your selectorial abilities are clearly on a par with Heyneke Meyer…
7 Nov 2012, 16:58 pm
ja well no fine…..
dissapointing….
M Steyn still in the 22….
enough to give me heartburn…
7 Nov 2012, 17:00 pm
@willievz-243: you think?
Taute has plenty skills. Ok – so he is big, is it his fault the next guy is small?
What happened to coaches prerogative. Maybe HM sees him as a player who could become a great 13. He is already a great rugby player.
7 Nov 2012, 17:01 pm
@Horings-260:
@Heavens Game-254:
have no issue with Fourie and JdV above JDJ
do have great issue with JJ and Taute above JDJ
Horings, lets not forget, JJ got selected ahead of JDJ at the start of the season
7 Nov 2012, 17:01 pm
@Jeez-268: JPP is actually the best potential permanent conversion to 13…
At 13, he’s much better and has more potential than any 13 in SA… Problem is, he is probably the best wing on the planet…
7 Nov 2012, 17:01 pm
I am surprised Meyer did not pick Basson for the tour as I am sure he mentioned Basson a few times when he referred to injured players during the RC.
7 Nov 2012, 17:02 pm
@nama1-240: Suddenly the katman got your tongue? Poepol.
7 Nov 2012, 17:03 pm
@capetown-274: JJ is fit, so why did Meyer pick JdJ for this tour when JJ is ahead of him?
7 Nov 2012, 17:03 pm
@Horings-235:
Hahahaha…..
If they’re on form and the best at that stage, good on them.
@Pot Blou Gevaar-239:
Now you see, if that was me saying that I would be accused of calling HM a racist.
You are not calling him a racist, I believe.
Good post btw.
@Heavens Game-265:
Hahaha…
Stupid!!!
7 Nov 2012, 17:04 pm
@capetown-274: And that is a problem… Preferring JdV above JdJ… Other than his supposed leadership, missing and apparently not needed for WP to gain their 1st proper trophy in more than a decade, why do you prefer JdV above JdJ?
Is it his blonde hair… or physique… or relatively large stature?
7 Nov 2012, 17:04 pm
@Transformation-270: Maybe you can get some quotes from your database of Meyer quotes to get one where Meyer complains about injuries and mentions Basson.
7 Nov 2012, 17:05 pm
@Transformation-270:
The same kicking game (and handling skills that initially turned over the ball) who did not clear the line and led to the AB’s try
coaches perogative, kicking game, handling skills (despite tautes mandatory 4 knock ons per game), duck and weeze
7 Nov 2012, 17:06 pm
@Horings-269: “He does not create play for others and is not as effective as Botha to score tries himself.”
why can’t meyer COACH jdj to do all these things like he suggested with MSteyn and he is trying to do with Taute?
in your mind can Taute do all this stuff, how is his defence?
Why is Taute being allowed to LEARN a position at Bok Level that he doesn’t even have FIVE caps at Super rugby in?
7 Nov 2012, 17:07 pm
@shooter-273: saying that. he did say he sees him as 15
7 Nov 2012, 17:08 pm
@Transformation-283: Because Meyer believes Taute is potentially more equipped to handle the pressures of international rugby. He will rather COACH Taute to be a better player than JdJ can ever be.
7 Nov 2012, 17:12 pm
@katman-248:
“What a sad littlebrowncock you are.”
Oh, did you put it in there just for me? Do you want me to accuse you of being a racist? Do you feel left out?
Don’t worry.
7 Nov 2012, 17:13 pm
@Horings-269:
If that is the case, why does he constantly select him for the Bok squad?
@katman-277:
You have my tongue? Give it back…right now!!!
Answer the questions I posed to you.
@Horings-278:
Window dressing
7 Nov 2012, 17:14 pm
@Heavens Game-275:
Yep the lack of quality 13′s is a big problem…time to look at the youngsters and start to develop some great 13s… JJP adds great value at wing, why move him this late in his career… and 12s for that matter! Its a pity all the promising young centers have with the bulls… I wouldnt mind if they could be developed under the guidance of a great kiwi coach… Why dont SA rugby franchises invest in some kiwi backline coaches? Just for 5 years to get the backline training camps up to standard….?
7 Nov 2012, 17:15 pm
@grant10-267: Good solution
7 Nov 2012, 17:16 pm
- If Taute is seen as the long term option at 15 why not just play him there now and see what he can offer there.
- De Jongh and JP in the centres would be my first choice combo too.
- Hougaard hasn’t been too good this year, but just like Habana and JP he has the X-Factor so hopefully he finds some form.
Not a bad team , hopefully Lambie can cement his place in the team with a good game as I don’t wanna see Morne’ Steyn get another chance anytime soon.
Morne’ Styeyn should have had a break now , bounce back in Super Rugby and make the squad BASED ON FORM.
7 Nov 2012, 17:20 pm
@Horings-285:
“Taute is potentially more equipped to handle the pressures of international rugby.”
Well, he showed us thus far that he is way more equipped…NOT.
7 Nov 2012, 17:21 pm
Jaco will be free from all criticism next season
7 Nov 2012, 17:22 pm
Juan on the bench AGAIN? Did Heyneke not watch the Currie Cup final? That try was magical.
7 Nov 2012, 17:24 pm
@wp_boytjie-290:
That will be next year when Habana is back. (Taute to FB)
Then he can still have his 3 darker players on the park when he drops Kirchner.
7 Nov 2012, 17:27 pm
@Horings-269:
Wikus was actually a 7, who Jake converted to 6.
7 Nov 2012, 17:27 pm
@nama1-279:
Thanks buddy..
7 Nov 2012, 17:28 pm
@ryecatcher-292:
Not when he fails to kick the ball out or kicks it out directly after it had been taken back into the 22… and the opposition score a try from that possession.
7 Nov 2012, 17:40 pm
@nama1-297: Was trying to be ironic.Obviously unsuccessfully.
7 Nov 2012, 17:41 pm
@nama1-297: WP should only select JT if he in the pre-season shows that he has lowered his error rate otherwise they have capable players to perform in that position. In other words he must earn his starting berth otherwise they must bench him.
7 Nov 2012, 17:50 pm
@John1976-299:
Jip. I agree.
Joe and Aplon served us well at FB the last couple of years. Taute has to earn his place if he wants to start.
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 [6] 7 8 9 10 11 … 12 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.