Meyer’s selection shocker
8 Nov 2012
MARK KEOHANE writes that Heyneke Meyer’s failure to include Elton Jantjies in the Bok match 23 cannot be excused or justified.
Meyer’s got this one wrong on every level. A coach lives and dies by his selections but the failure to recognise the merits of Jantjies as a player is made even worse because of the obvious issues surrounding transformation – and the illusion that qualifies for transformation in South African rugby.
I don’t want a numbers game with the national team. I am opposed to quotas because it does a disservice to the merits of selections and especially casts doubt on any black player. Jantjies should not have been included because of his skin colour. He is a merit selection in the match 23 and many would make an argument for him to start ahead of Pat Lambie.
The argument that Jantjies was the player in possession of the No 10 jersey can’t be dismissed without examination. Jantjies played the last 50 minutes against the All Blacks and now can’t make the match 23?
Meyer’s loyalty to Morne Steyn is a weakness in the context of the Boks in 2012. Meyer is doing himself no favours and he certainly is doing Steyn even fewer favours.
I’ve always felt Steyn would make a contribution to the Boks, this season, and in the lead in to the World Cup, but his form doesn’t warrant inclusion at the moment and he is a player drained by being overplayed at every level every for the past four seasons.
Meyer is failing to recognise this. Steyn, so in need of a proper break, should not have been on tour. What he offers the Boks is a known entity. Meyer will learn nothing new from Steyn should he play against Ireland. Steyn will not be wiser or more experienced for getting a cameo role against the Irish.
Meyer had the ideal opportunity to evolve the balance of the match 23, to improve the experience of a player like Jantjies and to provide an opportunity for him. All he has done is insult him.
I don’t care what spin anyone attempts to put on it there is no way this selection of Steyn ahead of Jantjies can be defended. It’s not only conservative it’s bloody disturbing, given the issue of transformation and the lack of national recognition for players like Jantjies and centre Juan de Jongh, who consistently have been among the best in their positions in the country.
De Jongh, the player to provide the inspirational and crucial moment in Western Province’s Currie Cup final win against the Sharks, must know now he isn’t rated as the go to guy. He couldn’t have made a more telling case for inclusion, yet he lost out.
So too Jantjies for Steyn.
It’s crazy when you consider it also comes at a time when the Saru administration has given itself a pat on the back that ‘this time after 20 years of unity’ they want to show genuine commitment to transformation.
I can’t believe the president and CEO of Saru did not guide Meyer on this one. Surely they must have had a whisper in his ear and said ‘No Heyneke. There’s nothing to gain here and everything to lose’. Clearly they didn’t or Jantjies rightfully (on merit) would have at least been in the match 23.
It tells me Meyer is blinded by his belief in Steyn because of a provincial affiliation and it also tells me that the game’s leaders have again failed transformation.
This is not about picking a player because it will appease the politicians. This is not about window-dressing. This is about common sense in the context of South African rugby and transformation and more pertinently it is about common decency in relation to the talents and selection merits of the player.
Just imagine Steyn, given his form this season, was a black player. Imagine what so many would be saying if a black Steyn was in the match 23 on Saturday.
There was a time when the absolute racial prejudice within South African rugby appalled me, but now it just saddens me because it is so inherently engrained when no wrong can be seen in the performances this year of Steyn and no right can be seen in those of Jantjies.
What price then for change when it can’t come naturally and from within? Actions make a statement more powerful than any spoken or written word. Meyer in Dublin was in an all-win situation given the talents of Jantjies and his form this year.
I am mystified he opted for an all-lose selection of Steyn, given what he has produced at Test level this year, but I am dumbfounded that Meyer – in his choice of player and explanation to the media and rugby people of South Africa – obviously believes Steyn is an all-win situation.
Meyer says he needed an insurance policy in the form of Steyn. Why?
This isn’t a World Cup final. This isn’t the final of anything.
Meyer talks of insurance policies in picking an out-of-form goal-kicker who this season averaged a less than 60% goal-kicking strike rate in seven successive Tests and in two of those missed goal kicks that would have won South Africa both Tests.
Would Jantjies have been given seven successive Tests in 2012 for Steyn’s return this season?
Springbok rugby in 2012 needs inspiration and innovation. It certainly does not need a dated and questionable insurance policy.
367 Comments
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8 Nov 2012, 15:55 pm
@The Rangerman-137: Taute is a short term stop gap selection and he himself as well as Meyer sees his future at 15. So why pick a guy that has not played in the position much and has a future at FB at centre ahead of a Specialist centre? That’s what is confusing to me.
8 Nov 2012, 15:56 pm
Agree with Keo – Meyer ultimately wants Steyn back – he is “setting up” Lambie for failure like he did with Goosen. Why did’nt Lambie get a home game to ease him in ? Steyn lost 3 test matches & now teh pressure is on our younger talent. Also, Meyer will tell Lambie to play skop & chase – this man is a disgrace.
8 Nov 2012, 16:00 pm
@suffer_guy-108: Thanks Bud!
Makhaya Ntini was quoted in the Sunday Times as saying that if Thami Tokoloshe were white he’d be playing in the team.
Funny, methinks that if Makhaya Ntina has been white he would’ve gone to jail for rape.
8 Nov 2012, 16:00 pm
@Superbru-146: Jake supported AC….and now we know why.
8 Nov 2012, 16:00 pm
@mbthomson-152: Wow, you got it all worked out. Where do I subscribe?
8 Nov 2012, 16:03 pm
@vlam-138: @Heavens Game-149: yes, Keo the Bull, the all important alibi…. (the enemy from within.)
8 Nov 2012, 16:04 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-153:
You can bet your bollocks to a barndance that a white Thami Tsolekile would not have been anywhere close to Protea honours.
8 Nov 2012, 16:05 pm
Willie, 150 was meant for you there
8 Nov 2012, 16:08 pm
@wnbb-154: AC would of provided much needed continuity for world champion boks and he commanded respect from the boys,much lacking from Divvy’s coaching armoury.Biggest mistake in the history of SARU,not backing AC for the top job at the time.Now he’ll probably get the job by default if HM loses the next WC,or maybe even sooner if HM gets onto a losing streak with his daft selection policies.Once again a little too little too late imo.
8 Nov 2012, 16:09 pm
I would blood a guy like Quinton de Kock.
He is a brilliantly talented no 3 batsman and Keeps as well.
8 Nov 2012, 16:10 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-153: you are talking rubbish, makhaya was acquitted as he had done no wrong! yes he had s.ex with that woman but he did not rape her.
amazing what some will stoop to in ignorance!
8 Nov 2012, 16:16 pm
@Transformation-161: Yeah, acquited only after Ali Bacher had spent who-knows how much on the best advocates in the land fighting his case in the highest court in the land.
You know where I’m coming from, don’t pretend you don’t.
8 Nov 2012, 16:17 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-162: It follows that I mean acquited on appeal after originally being found guilty.
8 Nov 2012, 16:18 pm
@nama1-136: You’re not saying much much I agree with lately.
But i agree with… don’t play AB at keeper. his batting is becoming like Mark Boucher – sideways, instead of front-on. He should concentrate on being the best batsmen in the world.
Dont even pick him there for ODI’s or T20′s.
If Tsolekiles the answer, I won’t ansswer that, because just now….
8 Nov 2012, 16:18 pm
@Transformation-161: ” makhaya was acquitted”… after a good few favours called and strings pulled by Uncle Ali. Simple…
Your revisionism is laughable
8 Nov 2012, 16:21 pm
@Mustard-160:
That’s the problem we have in SA. Very good batsman who can keep as well.
We need a keeper who can bat as well…preferably at 7.
@Transformation-161:
Some people are automatically guilty of anything that they are accused off.
8 Nov 2012, 16:22 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-162: Thank God for Ali,otherwise it would have been a travesty of justice.No matter how much his legal representation charged,the fact of the matter is that justice was served at the end of the day.
8 Nov 2012, 16:25 pm
I agree with Tacitus, HM does rate JdJ or Jantjies. If he did he woud’ve played them a long time ago. He has shown that he’s not afraid to play those he believes in, regardless of age or fitness.
I’ve said it before, the only reason they’re are there is to inflate the black numbers. In fact if they were white, they wouldn’t even be in the squad, ala Keegan Daniel.
Does not mean I agree with it, that’s just how it is….
8 Nov 2012, 16:26 pm
@shooter-164:
So what don’t you agree with?
That JdJ should be there ahead of Taute?
That Jantjies should be on the bench ahead of Morne?
That HM has a MAXIMUM quota of three POC?
I don’t know that Thami is the answer. What I do know is that he is regarded the best glove man in the country and that his batting improved tremendously over the last few seasons.
8 Nov 2012, 16:27 pm
@nama1-166:
like bees roux?
8 Nov 2012, 16:27 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-162: i know the advocate that handled his case, it was a no-brainer for him…he didn’t understand what the other incompetent that represented makhaya earlier was doing as it was easy-peasy!
if makhaya had received proper representation from the get-go there wouldn’t have been a need for ali bacher to step in….
“Funny, methinks that if Makhaya Ntina has been white he would’ve gone to jail for rape.”
clearly you would’ve been far much happier for an innocent man to have gone to jail!
8 Nov 2012, 16:28 pm
HM does rate JdJ or Jantjies. If he did he woud’ve played them a long time ago. He has shown that he’s not afraid to play those he believes in, regardless of age or fitness.
I’ve said it before, the only reason they’re are there is to inflate the black numbers. In fact if they were white, they wouldn’t even be in the squad, ala Keegan Daniel.
Does not mean I agree with it, that’s just how it is….
8 Nov 2012, 16:29 pm
@Heavens Game-165:
remember, he was in fact found guilty of rape and sentenced to six years in prison and only was acquitted during an apeal process.
8 Nov 2012, 16:30 pm
@nama1-166:
C’mon Nama. Up your game.
Why the fark does a keeper have to bat at 7.
The game has changed and anybody can bad anywhere.
8 Nov 2012, 16:30 pm
@Heavens Game-165: no strings, that’s why there’s an appeal process msunuwakho
are you suggesting ali bacher influenced the judiciary?
no wonder CSA gave him an unauthorised R5 million more on his pension when he left he was a miracle maker
8 Nov 2012, 16:31 pm
In other news.Seems like the Lions have their coach back ! Cape Town – John Mitchell has been found not guilty of all complaints of misconduct levelled against him by the Golden Lions Rugby Union.
With his suspension formally lifted, Mitchell has been requested to return to work as Golden Lions head coach on Friday, according to his lawyer Brian Patterson, of Edwards Nathan Sonnenbergs.
Patterson confirmed that the GLRU had finally released its full findings and recommendations of the disciplinary chairperson, Peter Bam.
Patterson stressed that no further comment could be made on the subject at this stage because of legal reasons.
“John is elated with the outcome and feels that his position and reputation as an international coach has been fully vindicated,” said his management agency, The Fordham Company. “He is looking forward to returning to Coca-Cola Park as head coach to assist the Lions to achieve their full potential”.
The agency’s chief executive, John Fordham, said Bam had made a number of recommendations relating to the restoring of the working relationships between Mitchell and the GLRU.
“John is committed to working hard together with the GLRU to address these issues going forward,” he said.
Fordham added that Mitchell’s legal representatives and the GLRU’s lawyers Erasmus Inc were engaged in discussions to address the resolution of certain underlying issues that gave rise to the complaints and to discuss Mitchell’s future with the club.
“John is committed to remaining in South Africa and in continuing in his position as head coach of the GLRU. He’s looking forward to his return to the club tomorrow,” he said.
Sport24
Read more on: lions | john mitchell | johannesburg | rugby
8 Nov 2012, 16:31 pm
@mxhosa-168:
“I agree with Tacitus, HM does rate JdJ or Jantjies.
…the only reason they’re are there is to inflate the black numbers.”
Now, if that is the case, it is racist.
8 Nov 2012, 16:34 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-173: Correct.getting off on appeal certainly beats paying a murder victim’s family R800-000 to stay out of jail.
8 Nov 2012, 16:34 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-173: what does it mean to be acquitted after appealing?
does it mean one is guilty and thus in no position to offer their opinion on any subject regarding cricket?
8 Nov 2012, 16:35 pm
@nama1-176:
What is?
8 Nov 2012, 16:37 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-162: Hahahahaha, An Aussie (or wannabe) talking about sportsmen that shouldve gone to jail????
Dont make me laugh. Check your own country and their sportsmen. Diabolical reputation and some blatant cover ups.
If Lance Armstrong was Aussie he would never have been investigated.
Po3phol
8 Nov 2012, 16:39 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-170:
No, he was not guilty until he pleaded guilty and paid off the family.
@Jeraldjay-174:
Because after keeping wicket for 5/12 hours on the 1st day, it will be much more difficult to come in and bat at three if one of the openers lose his wicket early. Batting at 7 gives the wk time to recuperate before he comes in to bat.
Only Sangakara could successfully combine keeping wicket and bat high up in the order.
8 Nov 2012, 16:39 pm
@bokfan1-181: BrumbiesBoy lives in SA, what are you talking about!
8 Nov 2012, 16:40 pm
This Ntini argument is rather silly.Judges decided that the decision needed to b overturned.End of story.In light of the Bees controversy,do we now say that Bakkies people influenced the decision to rather pay off the murdered victim’s family rather than to go on trial for murder?Crazy man,just crazy.
8 Nov 2012, 16:41 pm
@Transformation-179:
it cuts both ways doesn’t it though, transie.
to play the race card without a care in the world.
brumbie played one back, and you have to admit he has a point.
consider the alleged rape victim in all of this, please.
that he was acquitted due to supposed ‘technical’ shortcomings of the prosecutions case does not mean he did not do something to that girl.
something she did not want done to her.
8 Nov 2012, 16:42 pm
@nama1-182:
like makhay was, until he used his extensive influence and support to appeal the conviction and get off free.
8 Nov 2012, 16:42 pm
@bokfan1-181: wannabe.a white oke,I think,shouting for the Brumbies.I don’t think he has ever crossed the Gauteng border.
8 Nov 2012, 16:43 pm
Nama
That JdJ should be there ahead of Taute?
A: That JDJ should automatically be no 1 in position there. If HM decided to play 10 Morne, 12 Lambie, 13 JDV…. then thats his choice.
That Jantjies should be on the bench ahead of Morne?
A: That EJ should be no 1 in position there. I am a very big EJ fan, but Morne fan too. HM more so. he said, in this instance, there’s no pecking order. EJ = PL = MS. Depends on the game on the day.
I gaurantee you, if EJ was starting, MS would’ve benched too, with Lamnbie maybe bencing for 15 or out alltogether.
That HM has a MAXIMUM quota of three POC?
A: Don’t agree with you at all.
In general, your absolute conviction that something else besides rugby going on here, is just short of actually saying what so many other hhere is saying. Which I have gone on at length about too.
FFS man. You think the guy in the most public of eye, in 2012, is so stupid to have a secret MAXIMUM 3 POC policy. wake up.
8 Nov 2012, 16:43 pm
@mxhosa-180:
Taking players on a tour, knowing full well that you don’t rate them and that you are only stringing them along to “inflate the black numbers.”
8 Nov 2012, 16:43 pm
@Mustard-151: Agree! I vaguely remember a comment attributed to Meyer in the beginning that players would not be played out of position? (Or am I wrong?)
Why have a struggling player at 15, when you have a great new Fullback talent?
Why play that great talent at 13 when you have a brilliant 13 on the bench?
Why put a struggling 10 on the bench? To “save the game”? If anything Morne LOST a few games for the Boks this year!
Let Ruan kick for poles if thats your concern HM. Let Lambie run that ball all day and kick for corners.
Will De Jongh miss any tackles? No. Will Taute? Its more likely as he is less-experienced and out of position.
Will Kirchner kick everything back that he gets? Probably.
Will he kick it aimlessly and too deep? Most likely.
If he runs it, will it be in one direction, slap bang into a tackler? probably.
8 Nov 2012, 16:44 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-173: @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-185: Beyootiful
Transie running away fast now… Balekha umfana… Sukha!
8 Nov 2012, 16:44 pm
@Transformation-183: I thought he might be a Wannabe Transie
but in that case he probably supports Aussie teams?
8 Nov 2012, 16:45 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-185: She cried wolf after Ntini told her the sweet honey is not going to lead to anything substantial.Ok.Get over it and move on.
8 Nov 2012, 16:47 pm
@wnbb-193: Much like your Mum with me, yeah…?
8 Nov 2012, 16:48 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-185: so you agree that makhaya cannot ever comment on cricket issues because he was acquitted on appeal? hehehe
8 Nov 2012, 16:48 pm
@nama1-189: and thats the whole point. soon the the way these sort of stereotype building of a persona grows, the uninformed vocal miniority grows to believe that a post you read somewhere, is now HM, it becomes part of what is asscociated with him.
it’s your responsibility as semi intelligent blogger, to digress from perpetuating the **** you do.
8 Nov 2012, 16:49 pm
@Heavens Game-194:
. Malkoppie
8 Nov 2012, 16:49 pm
@nama1-182:
The professional era requires players to be super fit.
I’m sure if Boucher or Gilchrist was asked to bat at 3 they would jump at the opportunity. How many times did Gilchrist run out of partners at the end of an innings.
But all I’m really saying is the game has changed and an allrounder doesn’t have to bat at 5/6 and a keeper/batsmen who essentially is an alrounder doesn’t have to bat at 7/8.
8 Nov 2012, 16:49 pm
@bokfan1-192: yes, he supported the Boks throughout apartheid but stopped when the QUOTA system was adopted in the currie cup and randomly selected the brumbies as his team of choice, you know because Australia has no race issues
8 Nov 2012, 16:50 pm
@Transformation-195: So a woman truly has no recourse in a patriarchal society…
As long as you shower afterwards of course, ne?
Mzansi… a nation of showerheads….
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