South Africa squad for England tests

[Draggs]

When did Lambie last play in midfield?
I'd have to say 2010 Currie Cup, probably when Steve Meyer was at outside half, I'll have to check.
Francois Steyn does not want to play fullback, nor should be. If only Ludik had been in this form earlier in the season, he would be pressing for a spot at least in the preliminary squad.

 

[Sker]

Agreed with Eze and Draggs.

Maybe a possible backline:

9. Hougaard
10. Lambie/Steyn
11. Habana/Aplon
12. F.Steyn/JdV (As he is the possible captain, I personally don't want him there)
13. R.Ebersohn/JdJ
14. JP Pietersen
15. J.Pietersen/ L.Ludik

I'd be happy if it's Lambie and if JdV is on the bench.

 

[racingmetrofan]

With you I'm never sure what you're at but Brian Mujati a tighthead who's still only 27 playing for Northampton an absolute beast at scrumtime and a very strong carrier.

Mujati is the more average one - Hartley and Tong'uiha are the ones that make the pack what it is.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Looking at the players actually active as full-back, the choice is easy.

Not good enough:
Zane Kirchner
Jurgen Visser
Hennie Daniller
Louis Ludik

Good enough but not playing good enough right now to be selected:
Riaan Viljoen
Joe Pietersen


That leaves Jaco Taute. He is still very young. Lambie would be a better pick in that case. If only Viljoen or Pietersen would step up and show some form... That would make things easier.

 

[Draggs]

I don't disagree with that, Sker.
As much as I dislike Habana, he has been it better form this season than recently. Mvovo must certainly be pressing hard for that shirt, though.
Who is the reserve scrum half though? I seem to be in the minority, but Dewaldt Duvenage has been an underrated player for the past two seasons. Rumours that he is being targeted by Perpignan, however.

 

[Cave Dweller]

Ebershon defense is suspect for me. The game and style we play we need a good tactical kicker and people that can tackle. And Spies and Ebershon do not do the tackling part well.

 

[Sker]

Whatever happened to Jano Vermaak?

Heck it might even be Pienaar. Piet van Zyl isn't bad either, but maybe not quite there yet for test rugby.

Agreed, don't like Habana much either, but it does look like he's playing a bit better, and the coach will probably want some experience somewhere in the team. I wouldn't mind Mvovo playing though.

Edit: After watching Coetzee this weekend, won't mind having him in the team or on the bench either.

 

[Draggs]

Ruan Pienaar has been outstanding for Ulster, but his Bok performances of late have been dire. No harm putting him on the bench I suppose, he can cover scrum half, outside half, and even fullback.

Back row has plenty of quality, you just need to find what works. The only nailed-on player I see is Brussow. Jacques Potgieter was pressing hard for the blindside position until injury. (How long is he out?)
Duane Vermeulen is always injured just before Bok selection, poor lad. Spies at 8 then? I don't rate him, but what else is there? Kankowski and Alberts have been injured, Daniel not up to it. Can't really comment on the Lions or Cheetahs. Coetzee has played throughout the back row and could certainly be a good asset on the bench.

 

[Cave Dweller]

Taute got to be included. He is one of the best utility backs in the country. Experienced or not utility backs are like gold on a bench.

 

[Draggs]

surely an improvement on Januarie though?

It was always nice to see little Rickyboy waddling around. I did get worried that he would get confused and eat the ball sometimes.
Pienaar was just slow and clueless last year. Kicked away possession constantly.

 

[Cave Dweller]

It was always nice to see little Rickyboy waddling around. I did get worried that he would get confused and eat the ball sometimes.
Pienaar was just slow and clueless last year. Kicked away possession constantly.

We got Sarel and Du Preez ver. 2.0. Do not need him

 

[big ginger 8]

Mujati is the more average one - Hartley and Tong'uiha are the ones that make the pack what it is.

Bit off topic but no Mujati is the unsung hero, now they've got PDJ they aren't as reliant on him but he's the tighthead the most important one in the scrum. Tong'uiha doesn't have technique just relies on his and those behind him's power hence why he's not as effective for Tonga in the scrum. Hartley just stands up. Mujati actually locks the scrum.

 

[Cave Dweller]

Bit off topic but no Mujati is the unsung hero, now they've got PDJ they aren't as reliant on him but he's the tighthead the most important one in the scrum. Tong'uiha doesn't have technique just relies on his and those behind him's power hence why he's not as effective for Tonga in the scrum. Hartley just stands up. Mujati actually locks the scrum.

Actually he is the anchor and have to withstand over 800kg's of weight for a couple of seconds and keep a aggressive loosehead at bay. The looseheads job is to disrupt the opposition scrum.

 

[big ginger 8]

Actually he is the anchor and have to withstand over 800kg's of weight for a couple of seconds and keep a aggressive loosehead at bay. The looseheads job is to disrupt the opposition scrum.

That's what locking the scrum means. <_<

 

[SomeOke]

Back row has plenty of quality, you just need to find what works. The only nailed-on player I see is Brussow. Jacques Potgieter was pressing hard for the blindside position until injury. (How long is he out?)
Duane Vermeulen is always injured just before Bok selection, poor lad. Spies at 8 then? I don't rate him, but what else is there? Kankowski and Alberts have been injured, Daniel not up to it. Can't really comment on the Lions or Cheetahs. Coetzee has played throughout the back row and could certainly be a good asset on the bench.

I wouldn't mind seeing Josh Strauss have a run actually.
I was hopeful that Spies would come right after the first few games but he really hasn't managed to find consistent form.

 

[Cave Dweller]

That's what locking the scrum means. <_<

Fair enough. Only heard about Interlock but thats referees lingo for setting up the scrum

 

[welshglory]

surely an improvement on Januarie though?

He was pretty awesome for the Ospreys a few years ago. I'd prefer him to Fotuahli'i

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Personally I'd love Mujati back but that's just it; he needs to be back in SA because even though I agree that we should not discard foreign based players as a hard and fast rule BUT only if they are so much better than the locally based players and that only brings Frans Steyn into contention as we have more than able replacement for the rest and you want to award the local players and have Bok selection as a carrot to ensure all our best don't chase the Pound/Yen/Euro.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think Mujati may have made himself available for selection - whether or not he will is another matter (I presume there won't be many Europe based players involved, and those that are will be the players already in/around the squad before they went.)
He said on twitter, just after Meyer took over something about wondering whether he was good enough to play for the springboks again, and was asking opinions on it.
Bit of a 2+2=5 but you never know

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I think Mujati may have made himself available for selection - whether or not he will is another matter (I presume there won't be many Europe based players involved, and those that are will be the players already in/around the squad before they went.)
He said on twitter, just after Meyer took over something about wondering whether he was good enough to play for the springboks again, and was asking opinions on it.
Bit of a 2+2=5 but you never know

LOL, yeah he probably is good enough but I'd be very surprised to see anyone past F Steyn and/or FdP involved who actually are pursuing the matter by being in SA and meeting with Meyer semi-regularly. F Steyn also has the benefit of being far and away our best player for the 12 jersey with Olivier, JdV and JdJ probably the only other candidates and all not in sublime form.