South Africa End Of Year Tour (EOYT) 2012

[TRF_heineken]

Okay, let's get the ball rolling and talk about the coming EOYT of the Springbokke.

Who do you think will be added to the squad?
Who should be left out?
Will Lambie finally get hemorrhoids from sitting on the subs bench?

I would love to see the following guys added to the squad:

Cobus Reinach
Marnus Schoeman
Marcell Brache
Louis Ludick
Steven Kitshoff
Arno Botha

Guys I don't want to see in the squad:

Dean Greyling

yup, just him...

So lets get crackalacking

 

[Draggs]

Okay, let's get the ball rolling and talk about the coming EOYT of the Springbokke.

Who do you think will be added to the squad?
Who should be left out?
Will Lambie finally get hemorrhoids from sitting on the subs bench?

I would love to see the following guys added to the squad:

Cobus Reinach
Marnus Schoeman
Marcell Brache
Louis Ludick
Steven Kitshoff
Arno Botha

Guys I don't want to see in the squad:

Dean Greyling

yup, just him...

So lets get crackalacking

Morné Steyn, Zane Kirchner.
Are the Spirngboks going to play any midweek matches?

I think JP will make his return, but I would leave him out to give him more time to recover. We could see Hougaard moved back to scrum half, but I simply don't think he is good enough to play inside half.
It is tempting to bring plenty of young players, but we have to remember that rankings are on the line here. Next year is when I'd really like to see more changes in the Springbok side. Interestingly, Meyer has already capped twelve new players this season.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Morné Steyn, Zane Kirchner.
Are the Spirngboks going to play any midweek matches?

I think JP will make his return, but I would leave him out to give him more time to recover. We could see Hougaard moved back to scrum half, but I simply don't think he is good enough to play inside half.
It is tempting to bring plenty of young players, but we have to remember that rankings are on the line here. Next year is when I'd really like to see more changes in the Springbok side. Interestingly, Meyer has already capped twelve new players this season.

There's no better fly half for South Africa to play on soggy wet pitches other than Morne Steyn. that would be the only reason why I would pick him.

I think it would be great to add a few young guns to the tour, and by few, I mean not more than 5

 

[Draggs]

There's no better fly half for South Africa to play on soggy wet pitches other than Morne Steyn. that would be the only reason why I would pick him.

I think it would be great to add a few young guns to the tour, and by few, I mean not more than 5

If he has his Bulls boots on that day, he will play well.

Wish we were playing the Boks, it would be interesting to see how we match up. (Actually, glad we aren't I hate that match)
The Boks need to develop a new prop, scrum half, centre, and fullback. Who they are right now is irrelevant. Jaco Taute needs a dedicated position now. For what its worth, I say fullback. Jordaan, Small-Smith, Howard (why did we let him leave Natal?) are all prospects, amongst others. At fullback, I'd say Coetzee and Taute are the only young ones entering the fray. Opinion is divided on Ludik. I think he would do an excellent job if called upon, even if only for a few tests.

 

[TRF_heineken]

If he has his Bulls boots on that day, he will play well.

Wish we were playing the Boks, it would be interesting to see how we match up. (Actually, glad we aren't I hate that match)
The Boks need to develop a new prop, scrum half, centre, and fullback. Who they are right now is irrelevant. Jaco Taute needs a dedicated position now. For what its worth, I say fullback. Jordaan, Small-Smith, Howard (why did we let him leave Natal?) are all prospects, amongst others. At fullback, I'd say Coetzee and Taute are the only young ones entering the fray. Opinion is divided on Ludik. I think he would do an excellent job if called upon, even if only for a few tests.

You know at prop we should play Kitshoff... he has shown many times before that he's monster (ginger monster) in the scrums and also very mobile... He reminds me a lot of Guthro Steenkamp (without the chin hair)... With Coenie out for the rest of the year, it leaves the door open. But Morne Mellet, the current Bulls loosehead shouldn't be ignored either, he's a big guy and he gave Pat Cilliers a hard time at the scrums, and he's just 22 years old.

At scrumhalf I'm not too worried, Jano Vermaak, Ruan Pienaar and Cobus Reinach are all great scrummies... and who know, maybe Fourie Du Preez will also make his long awaited return??

I just don't think HM will pick faster smaller guys for this tour to NH purely because of the weather factor, and that not one of our games will be played under a roofed stadium. the preparation will be for soft soggy muddy fields. and therefore, the concentration on kicking players and good chasers will be very important to HM. I also expect Basson to replace Mvovo in the squad

 

[Draggs]

Steenkamp is a monster. I'd pick him over Mtawarira every time. Kitshoff has improved drastically, I think he is worth a punt, certainly.
Regardless of what people say about Jannie, he is still our best tighthead (Cilliers isn't bad, and Oosthuizen needs plenty of time).
The Bulls props (Greyling and Kruger) are poor, from what I've seen. Big lads but not a braincell between them. We have seen many times that props +188cm can struggle. Makes it tough on the hooker, although Bismarck is decently tall for one.

Not too sure about Vermaak. I think van Zyl could be a better option down the line. Cobus is brilliant, love that little lad already.
Basson for Mvovo isn't bad, it gives Lwazi a break! I can't wait to see a backline with Lambie, Serfontein, Jordaan, and Taute.

Also, great avatar. I have the 'Pat Lambie' one, it was in line to be my avatar soon.

 

[big ginger 8]

I really hope you guys pick Morne and Kirchener and tell them to kick it high to that guy in the 15 shirt. Then we could do pretty well. Goosen, Lambie and co for the other matches cause then I can actually watch the matches...

 

[TRF_heineken]

I really hope you guys pick Morne and Kirchener and tell them to kick it high to that guy in the 15 shirt. Then we could do pretty well. Goosen, Lambie and co for the other matches cause then I can actually watch the matches...

Yeah, you have a pretty dangerous counter-attacker in Kearney at 15. But I don't think one player will cause a major change in tactics for HM. it also depends on the weather on the day. Are we playing at the new Aviva Stadium vs Ireland?

 

[TRF_heineken]

News today was that Jean De Villiers will also be out of the EOYT with a hamstring injury so we will have a new captain leading the Boks... Most probably Adriaan Strauss, and he could play against his cousin Richart Strauss who will be eligible to play for Ireland...

 

[big ginger 8]

Yeah, you have a pretty dangerous counter-attacker in Kearney at 15. But I don't think one player will cause a major change in tactics for HM. it also depends on the weather on the day. Are we playing at the new Aviva Stadium vs Ireland?

Of course I wouldn't expect him to what I meant was towards the end of the 4n with you guys starting Goosen their was definitely a shift of emphasis from simply booting the ball but I think if Steyn starts you'll return to it. Which kind of plays into out hands a bit with some excellent fielders in our back three. Yeah it'll be in the Aviva hopefully it'll be full as there is some trouble selling tickets with the economy and a lack of faith after the Summer tour.

I doubt Richardt will be in the 22 vs you guys he's an excellent player (though I still hope he only plays for Leinster) but Best has the number 2 jersey well and truly wrapped up while Cronin is a fantastic impact player. I can't wait for this game.

 

[Draggs]

Best options to replace Jean? Lambie would be a possibility, but I get the feeling it will be Taute/de Jongh in midfield.
Not sure about captaincy, Bekker or Strauss seem to be the first to come to mind.

...I now see Bekker is out of action along with Liebenberg.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Dropping like flies and with an intesne CC final still too come.. It'd be nice if WP could pull a rabbit out of the hat and get some silverware but ATM I would rather see a Springbok squad tour Europe that is somewhere near our best team. Will be interesting to see who comes in and if Lambie gets the crack at 10 he deserves. Taute was good for the Lions on the weekend but I still feel he should play at 15 and battle Ludik for that jersey. With JdV and F Steyn out I think he is going to get stuck at 13 though. Tim Whitehead would be a good option on the inside though JdJ probably has the insiders track in the absence of both F Steyn and JdV (and with JF in Japan and unavailable). Jantjies at 10 with Lambie and Taute in the centers?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Coenie
Bismarck
Bekker
not even gonna bother with all the loose forwards injured (some of them for so long I wonder whether they'll ever make the squad again; Burger and Smith for instance)
Goosen
JdV
F Steyn
JP Pietersen

... all pretty much assured of a start if it weren't for injury. We really need to look at better man management and I think central contratcs like in NZ and like what HM is pushing for is certainly the way to go.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Coenie
Bismarck
Bekker
not even gonna bother with all the loose forwards injured (some of them for so long I wonder whether they'll ever make the squad again; Burger and Smith for instance)
Goosen
JdV
F Steyn
JP Pietersen

... all pretty much assured of a start if it weren't for injury. We really need to look at better man management and I think central contratcs like in NZ and like what HM is pushing for is certainly the way to go.

JDV and JP Pietersen will be fit to play the EOYT. JP played on the weekend vs the Bulls...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I don't know if JdV being fit is necessarily a good thing going forward for us. Sooner or later we'll have to make a decision on who is going to be both inside center and captain going forward. It's not as if JdV would be unmissable at present either.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I don't know if JdV being fit is necessarily a good thing going forward for us. Sooner or later we'll have to make a decision on who is going to be both inside center and captain going forward. It's not as if JdV would be unmissable at present either.

I agree totally with you.

but it doesn't help we go on tour without some experience. especially with those wet fields which will be very tough.

Does anyone know when HM will announce the squad?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I agree totally with you.

but it doesn't help we go on tour without some experience. especially with those wet fields which will be very tough.

Does anyone know when HM will announce the squad?

He'll probably only announce a squad after the CC final. Not sure how long after as I havn't heard that there is a set date and time yet. With the young squad we have one wouldn't expect too many bolters but with the amount of injuries we might see some guys sneak in. With all of Bismarck, Ralepelle and Liebenberg injured Burden might come in on the bench for instance behind Strauss. Wouldn't even be surprised if HM gets some of the guys in Europe in on the action for the time being. It would be great to
see Schalk Brits run out for us even if just off the bench.

Mujati, Brits, Mostert, Van Niekerk, Joubert all great options in overseas based players and we've had Flo and Pienaar starting regularly already. I'd much rather see Brits or Burden carry the load than J Smit LOL.

 

[TRF_heineken]

He'll probably only announce a squad after the CC final. Not sure how long after as I havn't heard that there is a set date and time yet. With the young squad we have one wouldn't expect too many bolters but with the amount of injuries we might see some guys sneak in. With all of Bismarck, Ralepelle and Liebenberg injured Burden might come in on the bench for instance behind Strauss. Wouldn't even be surprised if HM gets some of the guys in Europe in on the action for the time being. It would be great to
see Schalk Brits run out for us even if just off the bench.

Mujati, Brits, Mostert, Van Niekerk, Joubert all great options in overseas based players and we've had Flo and Pienaar starting regularly already. I'd much rather see Brits or Burden carry the load than J Smit LOL.

yeah, us much as I like what you're saying, I'm cringing at the same time...

Flo and Pienaar definitely, but those other guys, no no no!!

at prop we have more than enough good young props to play instead of mujati.

Chilliboy is back to full fitness, and should be Strauss' back-up or the other way around.

At lock we're good also. Etzebeth, Kruger, Bresler, Van Der Merwe and maybe even some other up and comers could also work. and don't forget Bakkies... he's also in the north at the moment.

At flanker, we're okay too, it's now time for the loosies to gel better. Arno Botha I think should also go with the team.

Scrummie... I want Reinach in the team.

fly Half, Morne, Pat and Elton will go...

Centre... Mmmmm... this is the conundrum. Tim Whitehead, Paul Jordaan, Marcell Brache, and Francois Venter all show promise and could get the call up...

wingers... settled

Full back... Sideshow Bob, and Taute most probably...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'm a bit sad that Kirchner and M Steyn will probably be in ahead of Ludik, Taute and Lambie. I'm honestly not being biased against the Bulls here. I feel the same way about our provincial captain in JdV. I just feel these guys along with Spies have been incumbents but just offer less than others who havn't got a deserved look-in up till now.

Possible bolters might be Reinach and Schoeman who were awesome throughout the CC. Mvovo is steadily growing as a player IMO. I also wouldn't be against Botha joining the squad. I'd actually be very happy if we capped CJ Stander rather than Botha and/or Schoeman at this stage and have him join up Alberts, Coetzee, Flo and Vermeulen as our set of loosies (with Schoeman and Botha ones for next year). If Lambie takes up position at 10 ahead of Steyn I'd also consider starting Hougaard ( even possibly Vermaak, Van Zyl or Reinach) ahead of Pienaar.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I'm a bit sad that Kirchner and M Steyn will probably be in ahead of Ludik, Taute and Lambie.

Possible bolters might be Reinach and Schoeman who were awesome throughout the CC. Mvovo is steadily growing as a player IMO. I also wouldn't be against Botha joining the squad. I'd actually be very happy if we capped CJ Stander rather and have him join up Alberts, Coetzee, Flo and Vermeulen as our set of loosies (with Schoeman one for next year). If Lambie takes up position at 10 ahead of Steyn I'd also consider starting Hougaard ( even possibly Vermaak, Van Zyl or Reinach) ahead of Pienaar.

True

But I won't pick Mvovo. he is only ever effective on a dry field with a bit of space. In the NH he won't have that, making him redundant to our cause. Bjorn Basson should go, as he's a great chaser of the ball and can do exactly the same as Mvovo