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, 21:43 pm
@Heavens Game-284:
That era was truly great ,riddled with Rugby Greats with freakish abilities. I’ve known Jonah for a long time and he has always suffered most of his life because of his kidney disorder, yet he achieved Greatness despite of this……
hehe…..sorry for the name dropping….actually when he was still at school took him to a 24 hr touch tournament, most people had not heard of him and the players in my team were sceptical of his abilities because of his size, but when he first touched the ball, he blew the opposition away with a massive step and burnt them on the outside for a guy who was 115 kg….the people loved him
14 Nov 2012, 21:45 pm
@ufo-293:
You need Balance in the team, not a bunch of 100kg + dingbats.
14 Nov 2012, 21:45 pm
@David-300: Straeuli??
14 Nov 2012, 21:46 pm
@Te Rangatira-301: Cullen was better.. Jonah was a freak and a monster to stop but Cullen created more devastation with his guile and speed and swerve than Jonah did with his sheer size and bollocking strength.
14 Nov 2012, 21:46 pm
hey victoria…
when heymaker next comes to you for his weekly rugby advice session…
please drop a name in his ear… who would make the perfect centre in the world of size-is-king-in-rugby…
he’s even a bull these days…
tell him to pick paul willemse at 12…
that dude is so big the AB centers won’t stand a prayer…
paul would even make jonah look small… that’s gotta make him a fantastic backline player… pity heymaker just can’t see it…
14 Nov 2012, 21:48 pm
@Te Rangatira-301: NZ is so small,you okes are probably all related.
. Just joking Te.Great story.
14 Nov 2012, 21:49 pm
@Hurricane-302:
A mixture of the rapier and the broadsword.
14 Nov 2012, 21:50 pm
@ufo-305:
hehehe
I head Os du Randt wants to get back a play international rugby.
Going on HMs plan for the boks, OS believe he would make a fine #12
14 Nov 2012, 21:50 pm
@David-298:
exactly…
@Hurricane-299:
yeah… i know… jonah was a phenom…!! and you’re right about everyone having to watch him…
but that doesn’t or shouldn’t detract from the skills of jeff and christian… who would have (and did) score wonderful tries even when jonah was not on the park…
14 Nov 2012, 21:50 pm
@ufo-305:
Funny enough, my one of my favourite centres of all time is Jeremy Guscott, he could sneak through the smallest gaps, and he was no giant either
14 Nov 2012, 21:51 pm
@victoriabok-310: smaller than De Jongh.. and De Jongh would flatten him splat like a gnat
14 Nov 2012, 21:52 pm
@wnbb-303:
Only if he’s emigrated to Canada.
14 Nov 2012, 21:52 pm
@wnbb-306:
lol
Going way back i heard we are all related….brother wnbb
14 Nov 2012, 21:52 pm
@Te Rangatira-301: I know you guys rate your current ABs – why not, they are world champs… But I tell you now that your AB’s of 95/96 are up there in the Rugby pantheon of Greatest Teams along with the BI Lions of 74 and possibly the Boks of 86 bringing up the rear…
For me anyway despite disagreements to the contrary…
I reckon I could pick a greatest side ever of greatest players from those 3 sides that would smash any side that ever has or ever will play the Great gladiatorial Game…
14 Nov 2012, 21:53 pm
@ufo-309:
Yep spot on.
Damn we had some good runners back then.
14 Nov 2012, 21:54 pm
@Heavens Game-314:
Why the Boks of 86?
Just asking cos i really dont know.
I hear it a bit on here.
14 Nov 2012, 21:54 pm
@ufo-305:
We’re taking a leaf out of the Stormers playbook, they’ve been playing a Prophalf, or is it a Brockhalf, for the last few years
14 Nov 2012, 21:54 pm
@Heavens Game-314: Nice little anecdote though… Good one Te Rangi
14 Nov 2012, 21:54 pm
@victoriabok-310:
I wouldn’t say sneak, he was just too elegant.
14 Nov 2012, 21:54 pm
@skopdiekan-304:
Yes Skop, Cullen was a freak, the most elusive runner the game has seen,perhaps….Jonah a different kettle of fish….both very effective….Nz Rugby have got so much thanks to give to Gordon Tiejtens for bringing so many of our great players through his sevens programme
14 Nov 2012, 21:55 pm
@Hurricane-302:
of course you do… that’s the point i’m trying to make…
@Hurricane-308:
hahaha…
yeah… and with heymakers penchant for retired players Os ticks all the boxes…
size…
pensioner…
size…
and..
oh yes…
size…!!
Os at 12 would be through the ABs like Rasputin through Alexandra…
14 Nov 2012, 21:56 pm
@victoriabok-310: Jeremy Guscott
Full name Jeremy Clayton Guscott
Date of birth 7 July 1965
Place of birth Bath, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight 13 st 3 lb (84 kg)
School Ralph Allen School
14 Nov 2012, 21:57 pm
@skopdiekan-311:
If he could catch him, remember players get bigger each generation
The Junior Boks of this years tournament were heavier and taller on average than the 1995 Boks
14 Nov 2012, 21:59 pm
@Heavens Game-314:
HG…I have always rated the 96 Abs as our greatest side…the first series win in Sa brought a tear to my eye……awesome memories
14 Nov 2012, 21:59 pm
@Te Rangatira-320: Caucau was magic in his prime.. that guy should have played for a top rugby union team, between Caucau, Cullen and Lomu there would be mayhem in open field anytime they touched the ball.
Savea and Dagg not too shabby either but not in the class of Cullen and Caucau
14 Nov 2012, 22:00 pm
@Hurricane-316: Hurri… Great players from that side… A pity we will never ever know how great they could have been…
Uli Schmidt
Danie Gerber
Carel Du Plessis
Michael Du Plessis
Johan Heunis
Just a few of the very best from that team…
Nearly forgot Naas… Loved to hate him at the time though…
Others too
14 Nov 2012, 22:00 pm
@David-312: yeah.vb is a bit straueliesque in his posts tonight.
14 Nov 2012, 22:03 pm
@victoriabok-317:
hahaha…
i like it…!!
he’s certainly got all the skills…
but a bit on the small side i’m sure you’ll agree…
now he just has to bulk up some more and brok would be the perfect bok centre…!!
14 Nov 2012, 22:03 pm
Johan Heunis was my favourite Bulls player of all time….probably is the only one.Brilliant player .
14 Nov 2012, 22:03 pm
@Heavens Game-326:
Thought so.
Its one of those things really. You guys seen this team a lot and know the potential of these players yet the world was ripped off by not seeing players of this calibre on the field yearly.
14 Nov 2012, 22:03 pm
@Heavens Game-314:
I realise that in SA we reckon the ’74 Lions were awesome, mainly because our selectors were idiots. However, I think that Kiwis might respect the ’71 Lions more.
14 Nov 2012, 22:04 pm
@Te Rangatira-324: Yeah… Farkit, they also brought a tear to the eye of many a Bok supporter too
14 Nov 2012, 22:05 pm
The heavengame.com website did a rating in 2009 to determine the top international backline to have ever taken the field and the 1986 Springbok backline of Garth Wright, Naas Botha, Michael du Plessis, Danie Gerber, Carel du Plessis, Jaco Reinach and Johan Heunis who played against the New Zealand Cavaliers was rated as the fourth best backline ever.
The greatest backline was the 1975 Wales backline who played against France. This was at the end of the great era for Welsh rugby and many of these players had been stars of the British and Irish lions sides touring to New Zealand and South Africa. The backline was: JPR Williams, Gerald Davies, JJ Williams, Steve Fenwick, Ray Gravell, John Bevan and Gareth Edwards.
The 1995 All Black backline that smasched England 45-29 in a World Cup semi-final in which Jonu Lomu scored four tries took second place. The All Black backline that day was: Glen Osborne, Jeff Wilson, Frank Bunce, Walter Little, Jonu Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens and Greame Bishop.
In third place was France against Wales in 1986 consisting of: Fullback: Serge Blanco; Wing: Jean-Bapiste Lafond; Centre: Phillipe Sella; Centre: Denis Charvet; Wing: Eric Bonneval; Outside Half: Bernard Laporte; Scrum Half: Pierre Berbizier.
In fifth place was the Australian backline who beat New Zealand in the 1991 Wolrd cup match in Dublin. This Australian backline was: Fullback: Marty Roebuck; Wing: David Campese; Centre: Jason Little; Centre: Tim Horan; Wing: Rob Egerton; Outside Half: Michael Lynagh; Scrum Half: Nick Farr-Jones.
Now in terms of South Africa that 1986 backline did play exceptionally well against the Cavaliers but personally I think we had some better ones. In 1982 we had this backline against South America: Heunis, Mordt, Carel du Plessis, Danie Gerber, Willie du Plessis, Naas Botha and Divan Serfontein. In my books a better backline than the 1986 one.
In 1981 we had this backline against New Zealand; Gysie Pienaar, Ray Mordt, Gerrie Germishuys, Danie Gerber, Willie du Plessis, Naas Botha and Divan Serfontein, also a better one, I think.
Lastly, in terms of the 1975 Wales backline being their best one and the ultimate backline ever I am not so sure I agree with that either. Fenwick and Bevan never really impressed me. Surely, Wales had better ones namely when Phil Bennett was still on flyhalf.
14 Nov 2012, 22:05 pm
@skopdiekan-325:
Caucau was the most devastating runner agree…probably the greatest of the fijian flyers and theres a heap of them
14 Nov 2012, 22:06 pm
@Hurricane-315:
yip you guys have had many greats…
@Hurricane-316:
they truly were a great side… pity they never got to show their talent more on the world stage… (or got to the 87 wc…
)
14 Nov 2012, 22:07 pm
@David-331: Maybe… But I reckon ask a British Lion who the best BI Lion side was and he will tell you without too much of a pause or doubt – ’74…
14 Nov 2012, 22:10 pm
@skopdiekan-333:
Rather with Barry John at 10.
14 Nov 2012, 22:13 pm
@Te Rangatira-334: Caucau in full flight was poetry in motion.. I not sure who represents purest poetic rugby agility and power and explosiveness between Caucau, Cullen, Danie Gerber, Carel Du Plessis.. or Wilson, Lomu, Phillipe Sella, Campese, and Horan,
For my money Caucau and Cullen were the most exhilarating flyers with a rugby ball in full flight, Du Plessis and Gerber come a close second with Campese, Blanco and Sella 3rd.
14 Nov 2012, 22:14 pm
@Hurricane-330: Combine the 81 Bok side that toured you farkers, the 86 side that thrashed your Cavs, and Lem (Blade) Honiball/Joubert in the mix and I reckon you have the best Bok backline ever…
15 Heunis/Jouba
14 Mordt
13 Gerber
12 Du Plessis
11 Du Plessis
10 Honiball/Naas/Tobias
9 Serfontein
14 Nov 2012, 22:15 pm
@Heavens Game-336:
The ’74 pack might have been marginally better, but the ’71 backline was infinitely superior, IMO.
14 Nov 2012, 22:17 pm
anyway gents…
been fun… but must take my leave…
to part… some words of wisdom from Van the Man…
“You Don’t Pull No Punches, But You Don’t Push the River…!!”
take care…
14 Nov 2012, 22:18 pm
@Heavens Game-336:
The 1971 Lions was basically the resurgence of Welsh rugby because their players dominated the % Nations at the time and also the make-up of the Lions teams of 1971 and 1974.
Did you know that JPR Williams was a junior Wimbledon champion?
And did you know that he worked at Addington Hospital after the 1974 tour? He coached tennis instead!
14 Nov 2012, 22:18 pm
@skopdiekan-338:
Blanco for me represented artistry and style personified alot like Andre Joubert….luv watching those types of players who create time through their body movements…..magic
14 Nov 2012, 22:18 pm
@David-340: ’71 Lions might have been great…
’74 Lions are legend…
99 Call…
14 Nov 2012, 22:19 pm
@I am a stormer-342:
% – that was a baddie – meant 5 Nations
14 Nov 2012, 22:20 pm
@I am a stormer-342: Yeah, Doc JPR Williams… A man of many talents… The toughest man ever to have grown lamb chops…
14 Nov 2012, 22:22 pm
@David-340:
Would love to have seen Gerald Davies and Barry John in 1974. Pity Barry John got injured early on.
14 Nov 2012, 22:27 pm
15 Jouba, Gysie
14 Mordt
13 Gerber
12 Du Plessis
11 Du Plessis
10 Honiball, Tobias
9 Serfontein
But
HO De Villiers
Syd Nomis
Mannetjies Roux
Joggie Jansen
Jannie Engelbrecht
Piet Visagie
Dawie De Villiers
was a pretty devastating back line in its own right though might be some players that played slightly different era’s then.
Lions back line (tests 2 through 4) in New Zealand in 1971 is right up there with the back lines listed:
JPR Williams, Gerald Davies, John Dawes (c), Mike Gibson, David Duckham, Barry John, Gareth Edwards,
14 Nov 2012, 22:30 pm
@I am a stormer-347:
John got injured on the ’68 Lions tour to SA against WP at Newlands. I was there and he was pure magic. He retired after the NZ Lions tour to NZ.
Both Gerald Davies and David Duckham (wings) refused to come to SA and Mike Gibson was injured and only joined the “74 Lions half way through the tour, but was never really game fit to secure a place ahead of McGeechan.
14 Nov 2012, 22:33 pm
Have to do some mahi(work)….you guys have a good day/night…cheers
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