De Jongh set for Murrayfield start
13 Nov 2012
RYAN VREDE, in Edinburgh, reports Juan de Jongh is likely to run on against Scotland, while Pat Lambie is expected to be retained at flyhalf.
De Jongh impressed for the Stormers in Super Rugby and recently enjoyed an excellent Currie Cup, scoring in the final. Coach Heyneke Meyer has been reluctant to use him. He is concerned primarily about the player’s size, worrying that this would compromise him in contact situations at Test level.
However, Meyer strongly suggested he sees Scotland as an opportunity to give the 24-year-old game time.
‘We’re a relatively young team and haven’t played together much, we want to keep some continuity. We respect Scotland and won’t just give Test caps away. There won’t be a lot of changes but the one that will probably happen is to see Juan come in. He has been knocking hard on the door and deserves a chance,’ Meyer said.
‘It isn’t definite, I want to speak to some of the [senior] players as well, but he probably will start. We’ll have a rotation policy in that position. Jaco Taute probably had his best Test against Ireland [at outside centre], and we’ll have to see whether we pair Juan and Jaco, who can also play inside centre, and give Jean de Villiers a break. Jean has played with a couple of injuries recently so he needs a rest. Jaco could also play at fullback [replacing Zane Kirchner], but again, I don’t want to make too many changes.’
Meyer is also expected to persist with Lambie at flyhalf after praising his performance at Lansdowne Road in difficult conditions. With the coaching staff in search of quality back-up to the injured Johan Goosen, who’ll reclaim his starting position if he stays fit for the 2013 Test season, Lambie has the inside lane to be that man.
‘I’ll probably stick by Pat,’ Meyer said. ‘It was a difficult start for him because we just didn’t have the ball [in the first half]. The second half was a bit of a catch-up. He did some nice things in possession. He has high standards and so do we, so we’re looking for an improvement. But he showed some good touches and I want to give him some confidence going forward.’
Meyer said there were likely to be changes on the bench, which could see Elton Jantjies replacing Morne Steyn as pivot cover. Elsewhere Gurthro Steenkamp has recovered from a rib injury that kept him out of the weekend’s Test, and will come into the frame to replace Beast Mtawarira, who has been sent home after suffering a recurrence of a heart condition he was treated for earlier this year.
Team doctor Craig Roberts, however, sought to allay fears about Mtawarira’s health and playing future. ‘He has been treated for an irregular heartbeat in hospital in Dublin. This isn’t life threatening or career threatening in any way and he is quite capable of playing with it,’ Roberts said.
‘Heyneke and I had a meeting with him today and made the decision to send him to Cape Town to have a minor procedure done later this week where they try to isolate and eradicate the cells that are causing the irregular rhythm. He had it done earlier this year, but clearly they didn’t get all the cells.
‘Anything can set it off, we don’t actually know precisely what does. I’ve also had quite a few players who’ve had it. Beast has gone into this rhythm a couple of times in the past and we’ve just managed it. I need to make it clear that he could have played this weekend at no risk.’
Meyer added: ‘If it happens again this week we’re back to square one. It worries me and it is at the back of his mind. You want guys out there that are totally focussed. He is also on medication that sometimes slows you down. It is also important for him to be with his family. It was a difficult decision, but the right one we believe.’
Jannie du Plessis picked up an ankle injury in Dublin, but Meyer and Roberts indicated that he was likely to recover. ‘He is looking good. We’ll assess him at training and we are hopeful he will be ready for the weekend.’
700 Comments
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12 Nov 2012, 16:01 pm
JdJ better have the game of his life, the likes of Jantjies, Mvovo, Mapoe and Rhule depend on it.
Something KD failed to do, thus ending any hope of smaller looseforwards getting the nod for the EOYT.
By costrast Flouw’s performances ensured a greater representation of overseas based boks.
12 Nov 2012, 16:01 pm
JdJ better have the game of his life, the likes of Jantjies, Mvovo, Mapoe and Rhule depend on it.
Something KD failed to do, thus ending any hope of smaller looseforwards getting the nod for the EOYT.
By costrast, Flouw’s performances ensured a greater representation of overseas based boks.
12 Nov 2012, 16:02 pm
How about dropping Taute instead?
12 Nov 2012, 16:02 pm
@grant10-42: Totally agree with you.Hopefully we will never return to those dark Spies days.
12 Nov 2012, 16:03 pm
“We respect Scotland and won’t just give Test caps away.”
Pity you just gave them away for guys like Potgieter and JJE.
@the authority-41:
Bench Alberts and play Coetzee.
12 Nov 2012, 16:04 pm
@willievz-48:
Lemonade with scotch?
12 Nov 2012, 16:05 pm
@willievz-53:
Good question.
12 Nov 2012, 16:06 pm
@wnbb-50:
When Heyneke Meyer doesn’t select De Jongh, you call him a racist… When he does, you say he only did it because of pressure.
What a load of bolllocks. You don’t know why he did or didnt select someone. You’re just an idiot who cries “racist” whenever he doesn’t understand something.
Juan De Jongh is too small for Meyer, not too black. Get over it and move on.
12 Nov 2012, 16:08 pm
@Kaizan-47: Works the other way as well.
12 Nov 2012, 16:12 pm
It’s simple: Drop Zane to the bench, move Taute to 15, slot De Jongh in at 13, tell Jean his rest has been postponed, replace Hougaard with Mapoe (Hougaard to the bench), replace Steyn with Elton, if Gurthro is fit, start him at loosehead, put Pat and Heinke on the bench, leave the locks and flanks as is. Easy peasy lemon squeasy.
1. Gurthro
2. Adriaan
3. Jannie
4. Eben
5. Juandre
6. Flo
7. Alberts
8. Duanne
9. Ruan
10. Lambie
11. Mapoe
12. Jean
13. Juan
14. JPP
15. Taute
16. Brits
17. Heinke
18. Pat
19. Flip
20. Coetzee
21. Hougaard
22. Elton
23. Zane
12 Nov 2012, 16:13 pm
@the authority-58: I never called Meyer a racist,but I am not as dumb as you not to realise that he bowed to some sort of pressure whether it’s political or SARU whispering in his ear.Ffs they just finished with a transformation indaba recently and HM turned around with not selecting the form 13 in the country who just happens to be coloured.Stop being naive !
12 Nov 2012, 16:13 pm
@the authority-58:
“I definitely want to give Juan a chance, the reason I left him out last week was just because I wanted to keep changes to a minimum from the perspective of what we needed on defence,” said Meyer.
1. “from the perspective of what we needed on defence,”
Logic says that a JdJ/JdV would’ve been a much better defensive unit. Just think S15.
2. He does not say anything about JdJ’s size or lack thereof.
3. With Beast/Gurthro not available, he needs a 3rd POC. Enter JdJ.
12 Nov 2012, 16:14 pm
@wnbb-59:
A man is innocent until proven guilty… We have no proof that you are not a paedofile.
Get the sentiment?
12 Nov 2012, 16:17 pm
@Kaizan-63:
Not in France.
12 Nov 2012, 16:17 pm
@katman-60: 100% Spot on.
12 Nov 2012, 16:19 pm
@the authority-58: Forgot to add this:Don’t talk kuk man.JdJ is too short for him ,but Flopgaardt isn’t .He might not be racist but he persists with a kuk player who cost them numerous penalties on Saturday instead of a player that made one mistake previously in not farking catching a high ball !!!
12 Nov 2012, 16:20 pm
@Kaizan-63: yeah…,we might have no proof either that you are not a peos….oh wait,I think we have.
12 Nov 2012, 16:22 pm
@katman-60:
Taute and Alberts should not be there.
12 Nov 2012, 16:23 pm
JDJ can’t fail …. not against Scotland … surely not!!! maybe if it was against England there was a chance that we he will pull a Rory Kleinveldt…
12 Nov 2012, 16:23 pm
@David-64: Absolutely correct.
. So,under French law HM is a farking racist and it’s up to him to prove he isn’t .Selecting JdJ might be a good start for him. 
12 Nov 2012, 16:23 pm
@nama1-68: Nonsense.
12 Nov 2012, 16:24 pm
@wnbb-67:
God sake, I wasn’t attacking you, I was proving a point…. We don’t accuse you of being a paedofile because there is no proof. Likewise, we shouldn’t accuse Meyer of being racist. Why? Because we have no proof.
Simple concept mate. Doesn’t do wonders for your credibility that you didn’t grasp it.
12 Nov 2012, 16:24 pm
so JDJ is a small guy …… kabouta quota ???
12 Nov 2012, 16:26 pm
@mxhosa-51: well said and I agree. Looks like Rhule isnt going to even get to the bench on this tour unfortunatley.
12 Nov 2012, 16:26 pm
@Kaizan-72:
Ignore him, he’s clearly an idiot.
12 Nov 2012, 16:35 pm
@katman-71:
Your preferred Bok 15 can’t even command a starting spot as 15 at his former S15 team or a CC team.
Alberts has gone MIA every game that he played. No wonder Flo is so visible. He has to work so hard because he is doing the job of two people.
12 Nov 2012, 16:35 pm
Just looking at the below IRB points ranking, how can we HONESTLY be satisfied with such a close win to Ireland, currently ranked 8th!!
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 92.91
2(3) SOUTH AFRICA 85.50
3(2) AUSTRALIA 84.82
4(5) FRANCE 84.58
5(4) ENGLAND 83.09
6(6) WALES 80.60
7(8) ARGENTINA 80.29
8(7) IRELAND 79.04
9(9) SCOTLAND 77.97
10(10) SAMOA 77.14
12 Nov 2012, 16:35 pm
@Kaizan-72: Relax bud.it’s not my fault that you don’t grasp the smiley at the end of the post .Should I put another at the end of this one ?Hmmm.,rather not as I don’t want to challenge your mental capability.
12 Nov 2012, 16:37 pm
@nama1-76: True.Is he guaranteed a start at 15 for the Stormers?
12 Nov 2012, 16:39 pm
@papaown-77:
This after they were beaten 60-0 in their last test and were also without their top players.
We are satisfied with so little.
12 Nov 2012, 16:40 pm
@wnbb-79: I think he is, for the first few rounds.
But Allister will reinstate Joe P in round 4 or so, and move Taute to the bench.
The Stormers erred in their shopping here – should rather have added Andries Coetzee in the basket.
12 Nov 2012, 16:41 pm
@wnbb-78:
You’re an idiot.
No smileys. It is what it is.
12 Nov 2012, 16:41 pm
Interesting fact to take note of is the fact that the present Bok 10 was not deemed good enough to play ten for the Sharks super rugby team.I believe that on Saturday we saw the reason.
12 Nov 2012, 16:42 pm
@David-56: Only lemonade for me
I’ve turned teetotal this year.
12 Nov 2012, 16:43 pm
@nama1-76: Alberts MIA? What did you do on Saturday evening? Because you weren’t watching rugby. Every second hit was by Alberts. And in case you can’t follow all that quick action on the screen, the fookin commentators even told you who was making the hits.
And whether Ackerman prefers Taute or Coetzee at 15 is his prerogative. But Taute has been mentioned consistently as a potential Bok 15 for about 18 months now. Why do you think Allister Coetzee bought him and is intent on playing him ahead of Pietersen and Aplon? Is it because he’s a racist too?
Don’t be such a stupid arsehole. It’s so unnecessary.
12 Nov 2012, 16:44 pm
@wnbb-79:
I hope not. He must work for the privilege of playing for the twice conference winners.
There was talk that he wanted to stipulate guaranteed game time in his contract.
12 Nov 2012, 16:44 pm
Nama
Don’t worry. I’ve got your back on Taute.
12 Nov 2012, 16:44 pm
@wnbb-78: The old “Smiley trick” eh? Insult someone and then try and use the smiley as a defense.
I think we should all just chill and stick to rugby okes. Too many overly emotional chaps on here.
12 Nov 2012, 16:46 pm
@willievz-81: Shocking.No player should have the right to claim a guaranteed start ,but I guess that was negotiated as part of the loan agreement.
12 Nov 2012, 16:46 pm
@katman-85: 100% agree. Well said.
12 Nov 2012, 16:46 pm
wnbb do you remember the Lions vs Sharks CC game a few weeks ago?
Sharks had to score to win the game … they got a penalty and went for touch … Elton was subbed before the line out took place (because of his dodgy defence) … Butch came on and bliksemed keegan …. turnover – Lions won!
I also remember the semi vs WP, where Elton cost Lions the game and probably the Currie Cup ….
12 Nov 2012, 16:52 pm
@Daddy-88:
Eish, next thing we know the Bulls fans will also mount an exodus, just like the Sharkies, citing “religious persecution”.
Why is everyone so sensitive?
12 Nov 2012, 16:53 pm
The gap between the kiwis at first and us at second, is the a between us at second and whoever’s in 9th! eish…
12 Nov 2012, 16:54 pm
@the authority-82: And you are only a farking authority in your fantasy bubble you are living in.It is what it is.
12 Nov 2012, 16:55 pm
@katman-85:
What is that? The new buzz word/phrase on Keo?
“You’re racist.”
It loses its meaning when you use it that often, Scatman. You must use it selectively for maximum impact.
People have been talking about JdJ as Bok center since his first season in 2010. Three seasons later, he still struggles to get a look in.
Try another reason. That one is not good enough.
No need to get your blood pressure up. Just defend your selection with sound rugby reasons.
@willievz-87:
I just can’t understand this love affair people have with Taute. He may well be the best thing at FB since Frans Stey (oops, that did not work out either) but let him prove him there first. Did we not learn from Hougaard being thrown in at SH because four years ago people “mentioned him” as Bok SH when FdP is finished.
12 Nov 2012, 16:55 pm
@WP-Forever-92:
no, bulls fans suffer fools gladly
12 Nov 2012, 16:58 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-96:
daai’s die gees!
12 Nov 2012, 16:58 pm
@nama1-95: I’m so bored with you already. Find someone else to play with.
12 Nov 2012, 17:00 pm
@suffer_guy-91:
Do you remember the games he won for the Lions as well.
Against WP at Newlands.
Against Blue Bulls at Loftus.
Beat them nearly all on his own self to resurrect the Lions CC season after returning from injury.
Be fair.
12 Nov 2012, 17:01 pm
@WP-Forever-97:
@katman-98:
are you suffering..?..
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