De Jongh, Steenkamp to front Scots
14 Nov 2012
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has picked Juan de Jongh at centre and Gurthrö Steenkamp at prop for Saturday’s Test against Scotland.
De Jongh replaces Jaco Taute at outside centre, while Steenkamp comes into the front row for Beast Mtawarira. The latter player will take no further part on this tour due to a heart condition.
Steenkamp is preferred to start at loosehead ahead of CJ van der Linde and Heinke van der Merwe, who will both sit on the bench. There is no room in the matchday squad for Pat Cilliers.
‘It’s great to have Gurthrö back. We wanted to select him last week, but unfortunately he was not 100% fit,’ said Meyer. ‘Gurthrö is experienced, knows the conditions well and is looking forward to returning to the green and gold as he’s not played for South Africa for more than a year.
‘Juan is in a similar position. Even though he’s played in a number of Tests for us this year, he’s not started for the Boks since last year’s away leg of the Tri-Nations against New Zealand in Wellington.
‘My plan has always been to give him a start on this tour, as he’s been playing very well lately, and I’m excited to see what he brings to the team on Saturday.’
Meyer added that defensive synergy was at the heart of him keeping changes to a minimum. ‘There were some tough calls. I wanted to give some of the youngsters more Tests, but on the other hand we haven’t had a lot of continuity in selection this year and we respect Scotland.
‘Also when I’ve changed the backline in the past our defence has suffered and you saw against the All Blacks that Scotland can really ask questions of your defence.’
As expected, Meyer has persisted with Pat Lambie at flyhalf. However, it is surprising to see that Morné Steyn has been preferred as the back-up flyhalf ahead of Elton Jantjies.
Meyer warned of Scotland’s intent to spoil their breakdown ball and stressed that they would have to counter that tactic. ‘They’ve got a never say die attitude and are hard to the ball. If you don’t get a quick recycle they press you hard and close down your space quickly,’ he said.
‘The breakdown in Super Rugby is refereed differently. Here it is a battle, so if you don’t win the tackle and get the numbers over the ball they can make it very hard for you.
‘On attack they’re quality side and when they had the ball for extended periods against the All Blacks they were superb. There was a 10-minute period that was the difference. We expect a physical and tough game but winning is non-negotiable.’
Springboks – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 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 Gurthro Steenkamp.
16 Schalk Brits, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Morne Steyn, 22 Jaco Taute, 23 Lwazi Mvovo
437 Comments
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14 Nov 2012, 16:37 pm
@Transformation-198: You can go and look for it! I think it was just before the Argentina game at Newlands.
14 Nov 2012, 16:39 pm
@Transformation-198: Maybe it was in the line of “I am surprised Meyer has not selected Louw yet, he is the same sort of player than Wikus van Heerden” and a couple of weeks later Meyer selected him. Maybe he listened to me for a change
14 Nov 2012, 16:42 pm
I have to admit that HM’s selection of Louw was a surprise.I give credit to HM for that selection.
14 Nov 2012, 16:45 pm
@wnbb-203: Small steps Cecil.
14 Nov 2012, 16:45 pm
@Horings-200: You are farking worse than Puma!!!Your tongue prints must be all over Heyneken’s balls!!
14 Nov 2012, 16:47 pm
@wnbb-205: First you accuse me of being family and now this? It cannot be both, you must choose. We are not from Danville.
14 Nov 2012, 16:48 pm
@Horings-206:
. What do they say about a Bull and it’s mother?? 
14 Nov 2012, 16:54 pm
Credit to you Horings.Despite what was thrown at your man,HM,today ,you never faltered in your belief and support of him.Hopefully you will still do same when he beats Straeuli as the worst coach of the modern Bok era.
14 Nov 2012, 16:55 pm
@Hoops-169:
You kept me interested in that post until you mentioned Keegan.
14 Nov 2012, 16:57 pm
@wnbb-208: I do not know if you will be satisfied or disappointed, but Meyer will be the first coach to coach the Boks for longer than 4 years. He will be regarded as the Henry of Springbok rugby.
14 Nov 2012, 16:58 pm
@wnbb-207: dont show your stupidity
14 Nov 2012, 16:59 pm
@Horings-191:
How is that different from HM selecting a loose trio of Alberts, Potgieter and Coetzee? Taute over JdJ? Jake White selecting a loose trio of Cronje, Rossouw, van Niekerk? We lost 49-0 by the way.
Wasn’t he selected for the RWC as cover for Brussow?
14 Nov 2012, 17:02 pm
@shooter-211: go fck yourself,mate.
14 Nov 2012, 17:05 pm
@Horings-210:
. The world needs more people like you. 
14 Nov 2012, 17:06 pm
@mxhosa-212: I agree Jake also had some shockers when selecting his loose trios. He picked Spies, Smith and Rossouw (as openside).
Coetzee is similar to Burger, but Kankowski (at that stage) and Spies are the two loose forwards with the weakest workrate ever. X-Factor maybe? But you cannot pick two of them in the same loose trio. Potgieter and Alberts are much better around the fringes.
But even if you do not agree with this, point is Meyer had no fetcher to pick. PdV dropped Louw and picked that loose trio thinking it will strengthen the team?
14 Nov 2012, 17:07 pm
@wnbb-214: At last we agree on something.
14 Nov 2012, 17:08 pm
Some of Meyer’s boys, in defending him, said that he (Meyer) just don’t rate JdJ when asked why JdJ was not sent onto the field.
The question now begs: Were they lying and is it true that they actually DON”T know what their hero thinks or believes in or how he feels about certain players?
14 Nov 2012, 17:10 pm
@Horings-215: Porgieter?Don’t let us go into that debate,buddy!
14 Nov 2012, 17:10 pm
@nama1-217: Jake White gave Luke Watson his chance.
14 Nov 2012, 17:11 pm
@Horings-215:
He did boet, Keegan Daniel, or have you forgotten that he played openside flanker for the Sharks the entire SR season?
14 Nov 2012, 17:12 pm
@nama1-217: Meyer just confused the hell out of them.
14 Nov 2012, 17:13 pm
@wnbb-218: Ja, I believe that is a shocker. I said on many occasions that he is maybe a good Bulls player on super rugby level. Maybe? But he is no Springbok. I also think he will not be involved in future.
Steyn and Potgieter was Meyer’s worst selections.
14 Nov 2012, 17:15 pm
@Horings-222: Agree with you on Potgieter.
14 Nov 2012, 17:16 pm
@mxhosa-220: Daniel is not an opensider nor a fetcher. I do not care where he played for the Sharks.
I also remember him playing at 8, Coetzee at 7 and Alberts at 6 for most of the season.
14 Nov 2012, 17:20 pm
@Horings-219:
So, you are saying that Meyer still does not rate JdJ and that he only selected him because of undue pressure from outside forces.
How do you explain this then? PR speak?
‘My plan has always been to give him a start on this tour, as he’s been playing very well lately, and I’m excited to see what he brings to the team on Saturday.’
@wnbb-221:
Don’t worry. You’re not the only one.
14 Nov 2012, 17:22 pm
@Horings-222:
Don’t forget JJ Engelbrecht and Wynand Olivier.
14 Nov 2012, 17:23 pm
@wnbb-213: @wnbb-214: nevermind. you f’ck yourself with every second post you make on here poepol.
14 Nov 2012, 17:26 pm
@Horings-222: @nama1-226: And Arno Botha over Josh Strauss.
14 Nov 2012, 17:27 pm
@nama1-226: And thank God that Sadie ,before HM could select him,imploded all on his own, otherwise you would have added him to that list as well.
14 Nov 2012, 17:29 pm
wnnb. have you EVER played rugby?
14 Nov 2012, 17:34 pm
@willievz-228: Strauss went before Spies got injured, Vermeulen and Kankowski was the next in line…. after which Josh said he’s vying for a Scottish jersey….
I would have Strauss before Kanko and probably Vermeulen.
14 Nov 2012, 17:35 pm
@Horings-224:
For as long as I remember KD has played openside for the Sharks, since his debut season. Ocassionally he plays 8. He only played 8, this season, when Kanko was injured.
14 Nov 2012, 17:43 pm
Juandre Kruger is another player that can extremely lucky that Bekker is out injured.Kruger has been under performing for a while now.He doesn’t tackle as well and can thank the stars that the Bok coach wore a blue jumper before his selection as Bok coach.
14 Nov 2012, 17:45 pm
@wnbb-233: can be
14 Nov 2012, 17:55 pm
@NZINCHINA-156:
KUUUUUUUUNT!!
14 Nov 2012, 18:02 pm
@wnbb-233:
I wonder why Franco vd Merwe hasn’t had a chance on this tour?
14 Nov 2012, 18:02 pm
@Horings-200: Evert rugby team in the world wants there forwards to dominate, that’s hardly an SA tradition, when last did our forwards dominate world rugby? Lineouts aren’t the only aspect of forward play. you basicly saying that HM is doin it in baby steps, first forwards then backs. This isn’t an academy. The boks are only selected for tests and that means they ONLY play to win and this can only be done with your best combinations on the park and players who understand what their positions are all about. Why play dud backs caus you want your forwards to learn to dominate. So lets say they do.. Then what? Traditionally… we played with flair from 1 to 15,
and you’re right, de jongh will never be the next mannetjies roux, cause his better and faster and, lol, bigger. His the current juan de jongh. Have a look: big hit on JDJ note that he doesnt get shoved back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEfHUU6HWsE
Later in the same match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jJq5usPIOQ
Broken colar bone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVw9ChoJusE
Tribute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEw04Fdztic
14 Nov 2012, 18:08 pm
Why is Morne on the bench again? This is probably Lambie’s last chance at 10 and Jantjies won’t play at all this EOYT? I reckon Meyer wants Morne to start against England. I hope J.de Jongh has a blinder against the Scots!
14 Nov 2012, 18:14 pm
Meyer is learning very slowly, he is very slow learner
The frustration with this dude is more about the slow learning curve he takes to get things right., like trial and error scenarios then eventually when he’s exhausted all his mistakes then he can sit back and say to everyone, ‘see I knew what I was doing all along’..
Same garbage with White he was so far out of his depth through his learning curve he only got it right eventually with some help from circumstance and some help from his friends..
The issue is why can’t they get it right from day one.. why all the anxiety and mistakes and poor selections and all the consternation between players and supporters?
It was far easier to get it right from the beginning than make all those mistakes and then slowly rectify them by trial and error corrections and reactions.
14 Nov 2012, 18:18 pm
Kirchner shouldn’t be there
Hougaard should be at 9 not at wing
Jantjies should be starting at 10, Lambie or Taute at 15
Steyn should be nowhere near the 23
Alberts should be at 4, Etsebeth at 5
Cilliers should be starting at 3 meanwhile CJ is on the bench
Nope this dunce still don’t know what the fck he is actually doing.. Meyer is a weak coach and he’s operating by second guessing himself at every turn and taking a gamble on trial and error deductions.
14 Nov 2012, 18:20 pm
@Bell-237: YOH! Awesome post, great video links and VERY true what you say!
Im so glad someone is putting JDJ into perspective.
We all want a Bok backline that fires
We want exciting runners
We want linebreaks
We want players who can step
We want players who can tackle
JDJ does it all, and make it look GOOD!
14 Nov 2012, 18:22 pm
Its an ABSOLUTE joke that Morne is on the bench! When someone like Jantjies doesnt even get a chance.
It is a JOKE that Hougaard is on the wing and an even better joke that Kirchner is still at 15.
14 Nov 2012, 18:23 pm
Lambie / Taute
JP
JdV
De Jongh
Mapoe
Jantjies
Hougaard
Vermeulen
Coetsee
Louw
Etsebeth
Alberts
Cilliers
Strauss
Steenkamp
Heinke, Brits, JdP, Vd Merwe, Botha, Pienaar, Taute / Lambie, Mvovo
That is how Meyer should have played this game if he was anyway near to being a wide awake international coach.
14 Nov 2012, 18:30 pm
@wnbb-233:
> Juandre Kruger is another player that can extremely lucky that Bekker is out injured.Kruger has been under performing for a while now
If Juandre is underperforming what would you call the listless performances Bekker dished up in the Bok jersey this season?
Bekker is a walking sick note anyway
14 Nov 2012, 18:30 pm
@skopdiekan-239: It is this “learning curve” our coaches seem to need that absolutely piisses me off.
Yet when us bloggers identify a selection / gameplan mistake from the outset, we are told that we are not the coaches and that they know better.
14 Nov 2012, 18:36 pm
@willievz-245: That is it,., that is the most frustrating thing watching these supposedly genius experienced highly paid rookie international coaches make mistake after mistake after mistake.. and eventually when they run out pf every other avenue of trial and error by default or by circumstance they eventually perhaps get it right…. then they want to pat themselves on the back and say how wonderful they are for taking 4 years to get right what they should have been able to identify and see from day ONE already..
how come supporters can see what is so plainly blatantly obvious but these highly paid experienced dunces with all their entourage of advisers and assistants cannot?
14 Nov 2012, 18:37 pm
@wnbb-205:
> Your tongue prints must be all over Heyneken’s balls!!
Still better than having your head so far up JdJ’s *** you could wear him for a hat, whilst at the same time bending over for Aplon (and providing him with a Coke crate to be able to reach and 1kg of Vaseline bought at Makro)
14 Nov 2012, 18:56 pm
@wnbb-159: Post61 Another thread
14 Nov 2012, 18:59 pm
@victoriabok-247: poor comeback vicky.
14 Nov 2012, 18:59 pm
Isn’t it so strange that the three perennial controversial selections ,Steyn, Hougaard and Kirchner are all wearers of the Blue jersey.If any of these guys was a Shark,Stormer or Lion,they would not even be on tour.This blatant favoritism is what will ultimately decide HM,s and sadly,the Boks fate.
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