South Africa squad for the Rugby Championship

[TRF_Ezequiel]

No, we have a shitload of depth in the backline, but if you just ignore Juan de Jongh, Gio Aplon, Louis Ludik, Robert Ebersohn, Joe Pietersen and Willie le Roux.... Yeah, you will lack depth, but only by choice. Maybe not all of them need to be called up, but they are better than Wynand Olivier and Zane Kirchner who played against England.

 

[TNT88]

but if you just ignore Juan de Jongh, Gio Aplon, Louis Ludik, Robert Ebersohn, Joe Pietersen and Willie le Roux.... Yeah, you will lack depth, but only by choice. Maybe not all of them need to be called up, but they are better than Wynand Olivier and Zane Kirchner who played against England.

That is what I meant (the squad has a lack of depth). Why isn't Ludik and Ebersohn in the squad?

 

[welshglory]

In my opinion Ludik and Bresler aren't good enough for South Africa.
At the end of the day it doesn't really matter about how good their form is, if they aren't good enough they won't be included

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Well, I think they are better than their counterparts (van der Merwe and Kirchner) so why ignore them? I think you should select the best players. Form is very important with that. Kirchner and van der Merwe have never had a good game for the Boks so they should not be called up.

Ludik and Bresler are good enough for the Boks because they are better than the current players.

 

[Icemn]

Yeah, but I don't support NZ sides because of SA's gameplan I don't like. Guess I am more patriotic about the Springboks than you are. I don't really care what type of rugby they play, as long as they win. With Morne Steyn, we won't win.

My friend, if you don't like "chicken" of a spesific franchise, support another... Nothing to do patriotism, race, colour... So let's move on...

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

To like and pick sides, we have club rugby. National teams are different. But lets not get into that too much.

Heyneke Meyer is afraid of change because every time he has another excuse. First, the England test was his first test, now the Rugby Championship is too important since it's a prize to be won. In November he won't make changes because he wants the Boks to play familiar style rugby to win overseas. Before you know it, it's 2015 and we will still be stuck with Spies, Steyn and Kirchner

 

[Icemn]

Yeah, but I don't support NZ sides because of SA's gameplan I don't like. Guess I am more patriotic about the Springboks than you are. I don't really care what type of rugby they play, as long as they win. With Morne Steyn, we won't win.

My friend, if you don't like "chicken" of a spesific franchise, support another... Nothing to do patriotism, race, colour... So let's move on...

 

[LittleGuy]

My friend, if you don't like "chicken" of a spesific franchise, support another... Nothing to do patriotism, race, colour... So let's move on...

Double post 45 minutes apart?

 

[TRF_heineken]

Heyneke Meyer is not the type of guy to make the bok-jersey cheap.

Bresler IMO is crap, he does exactly the same work as Flip, except Flip gains meters when running with the ball... Bresler is a poor Albert van den Bergh, and sorry to say this Eze, but this is where your Sharks biaseness is getting the better of you...

With Kolisi now also in the mould, for all we know Willem Alberts could become an extra Lock/Flanker/8th Man, like Danie Rossouw.

 

[Draggs]

Alberts to his most useful position, bench.
Is Duane injured or just not selected?

No Ludik is a crime. Say what you want, he has been miles better than Kirchner all season.

 

[LittleGuy]

You really want to see the Saffas lose don't you. No surprise since you're a Kiwi.

He made some valid points, some of which I agree with and although I'm leaning to supporting Argentina in this comp I don't exactly have my horse in the race. I still think the Boks should be favoured but the Pumas can't be totally written off, I'm surprised many are doing it so early before we've seen them hit their stride. Hernandez is looking good, and the Argentine back line actually has some flair for once.

 

[Draggs]

He made some valid points, some of which I agree with and although I'm leaning to supporting Argentina in this comp I don't exactly have my horse in the race. I still think the Boks should be favoured but the Pumas can't be totally written off, I'm surprised many are doing it so early before we've seen them hit their stride. Hernandez is looking good, and the Argentine back line actually has some flair for once.

By Argentine standards, you mean all players able to place kick and slot drop goals?

Kanko might not be eligible because I read somewhere his contract with Toyota includes a paragraph saying he cannot be called up for international duty.

The issue is the same **** now. Yes, we are going to ***** about Kirchner, Spies and Morne Steyn because they are just poor.

This is the chance for Heyneke Meyer to try something new. Why not have some balls and pick form-guys in stead of the same old ****?

The front-row is easy to pick, although I hope Cilliers gets the starting spot in stead of Jannie (who is past his prime)

The second row has a lot of potential but van der Merwe is just not good enough. Why not call up Anton Bresler who is in perfect form? We have Kruger, Etzebeth and Bekker to fight for the 3 spots and Bresler can learn from being in the squad. Think about the future here.

Backrow can be very easy. I don't say this because I am a Sharks fan but what if we just bench Spies and have Coetzee blindside, Kolisi openside and Alberts at 8? Daniel off the bench.

Scrum-half... Man, how is Vermaak in the squad? Why don't we just call up Cobus Reinach? He didn't play any significant rugby either. Hougaard and Pienaar are good options. Pienaar has the experience we can use against the big teams while Hougaard is flashy, but has his on and off moments

Fly-half.... I just hope Lambie plays. Just give the guy a chance... I even prefer Elton Jantjies over Steyn at the moment but it is not going to happen so we will play BB rugby (Boring Bulls). You can say what you want but changing the pack doesn't make a freaking difference if you stick to the same one-trick pony in the number 10 shirt.

Habana on the wing is another player who seems to have a guaranteed spot in the starting line-up. When will we ever see Aplon and Pietersen start on the wings together? I guess when Habana is either injured or retired.

Centers I am happy with, but the full-back is a joke. Krusty is the worst full-back in Springbok history and is picked for no other reason than familiarity with the coach. Joe Pietersen and Louis Ludik are the form full-backs but both are not even in the squad?


The desired change of scenery with Heyneke Meyer is still far away... It's a sad day in Springbok history once again.

Disagree with regards to Jannie. 6 months ago I would agree, but Jannie has had a great season, rightfully the starting tighthead.
Why Dean Greyling is there I'll never know. It could be worse (CJ) but still, Greyling is nowhere near international standard.

What we will see:
01 Mtawarira
02 du Plessis BW
03 du Plessis JN
04 Bekker
05 Etzebeth
06 Kolisi
07 Coetzee
08 Spies (Not too sure about this backrow, I'll have to think about it)

09 Hougaard (don't really think he is as good as some say)\
10 Steyn M
11 Habana
12 Steyn FPL
13 de Villiers
14 Pietersen
15 Lambie

16 Strauss
17 Cilliers
18 Kruger
19 Alberts (18 Alberts, 19 Daniel could be possible)
20 Pienaar
21 Engelbrecht
22 Kirchner

 

[welshglory]

Meyer wanted Kankowski

http://www.rugby365.com/article/48914-meyer-wanted-kankowski

 

[wangavegas1]

You really want to see the Saffas lose don't you. No surprise since you're a Kiwi.

The last time I looked our biggest competition was the Boks so of course I want them to lose...Ask a more appropriate question so that we can have a more intelligent discussion?

 

[wangavegas1]

The Boks biggest issue for this year will actually be their depth and lack of leadership. Having JDV as their captain just will not work and with a 10 man playing style like the Boks have they need a Smit or a Matfield in the pack with tthe experience and composure to keep the 8 pack tight. Coetzee, Alberts, Etzebeth, even Bekker (24 tests) have very limited time at international level......Yes they need time but Super Rugby aint Test Rugby and JDV knows nothing about what goes on in that forwrad pack...so I think strategically the Boks will struggle to get some strong leaders initially anyway

The Boks propensity to play 10 man style without ever releasing any further past Morne Steyn will again be their achillies heel........................If you keep doing what yoour doing you will keep getting what your getting!!!!.

How the hell you have wingers like Habana and Peiterson and they dont see the ball is beyond me......Look at Australia and NZ many a ttry is scored wide by out pacing and out running and out passing the opposition. When you know the Boks play a tight 10 man game you kind of have the confidence that soon or a later you will break them down. Especially if you match them man for man in the forwards. And this is prevalent now that the AB's do so reguarly and Australia whom we all rate weakest in this area often compete sringly also against the Boks

 

[TRF_heineken]

The Boks biggest issue for this year will actually be their depth and lack of leadership. Having JDV as their captain just will not work and with a 10 man playing style like the Boks have they need a Smit or a Matfield in the pack with tthe experience and composure to keep the 8 pack tight. Coetzee, Alberts, Etzebeth, even Bekker (24 tests) have very limited time at international level......Yes they need time but Super Rugby aint Test Rugby and JDV knows nothing about what goes on in that forwrad pack...so I think strategically the Boks will struggle to get some strong leaders initially anyway

The Boks propensity to play 10 man style without ever releasing any further past Morne Steyn will again be their achillies heel........................If you keep doing what yoour doing you will keep getting what your getting!!!!.

How the hell you have wingers like Habana and Peiterson and they dont see the ball is beyond me......Look at Australia and NZ many a ttry is scored wide by out pacing and out running and out passing the opposition. When you know the Boks play a tight 10 man game you kind of have the confidence that soon or a later you will break them down. Especially if you match them man for man in the forwards. And this is prevalent now that the AB's do so reguarly and Australia whom we all rate weakest in this area often compete sringly also against the Boks

Ah yes, that piece of crap again... I think our backline did more than enough to Dominate England in a 3 test series.

There are more than enough experience in the forwards to aid JDV just as they did against England. Beast, Bismarck, Pierre Spies, Andries Bekker.

Our boring 10-man Rugby won us 2 World Cups and then some... Last time I checked we're still number 3 in the world.

And while Steyn is 1 dimensional, the Bulls are a prime example of how even though they play boring rugby (according to you naysayers) played some great rugby in the Super 15, and have the joint leading try scorer in the tournament (Bjorn Basson) yes!! A f***ing winger!

How about you all just shut up and see what happens!

No matter who we pick, no matter how you disagree with the team or was and wasn't picked. We will fight, we will be competitive, and who knows, maybe, we'll just win the whole bloody thing!!

We don't struggle anymore touring. We have won much more games away recently than previous decades... In Argentina we have a pretty damn good record! And by winning away from the start, can just build on our momentum.

 

[Draggs]

Ah yes, that piece of crap again... I think our backline did more than enough to Dominate England in a 3 test series.

There are more than enough experience in the forwards to aid JDV just as they did against England. Beast, Bismarck, Pierre Spies, Andries Bekker.

Our boring 10-man Rugby won us 2 World Cups and then some... Last time I checked we're still number 3 in the world.

And while Steyn is 1 dimensional, the Bulls are a prime example of how even though they play boring rugby (according to you naysayers) played some great rugby in the Super 15, and have the joint leading try scorer in the tournament (Bjorn Basson) yes!! A f***ing winger!

How about you all just shut up and see what happens!

No matter who we pick, no matter how you disagree with the team or was and wasn't picked. We will fight, we will be competitive, and who knows, maybe, we'll just win the whole bloody thing!!

We don't struggle anymore touring. We have won much more games away recently than previous decades... In Argentina we have a pretty damn good record! And by winning away from the start, can just build on our momentum.

Yes, the Bulls can score some good tries, but their entire gameplan relies upon them being dominant throughout. Look at the match against the Sharks. The Bulls simply looked clueless, left behind once the Sharks got early points on the board. Same can be said with the match at Loftus last year. If the Bulls can strike first, things are different, but their tactics just don't seem to work when coming from behind. The biggest exception I can recall is the 2009 semi v Crusaders, but that was when Steyn was in really great form. I am not a big fan of Steyn, but when on song he just kills the opposition. When your entire gameplan revolves around that single player (both for South Africa and the Bulls), things go downhill quickly.

 

[Darwin]

This is my biggest issue with HM selections and it isn't really about specific players.

South Africa's tactical game plan has in recent years revolved around a few "elements" we now lack, I say elements and not players because when we lost Fourie du Preez and big Vic weren't just losing a couple talented players we were losing actual game-play elements that were previously part of our strategical game plan. The "territorial" rugby which SA has favoured since Jake White's time needs a game controlling scrum half with a masterful kicking game and an unassailable line-out.

I'm not saying their replacements aren't good but in a way HM is trying to enforce the same strategy without actually considering the loss of key parts. We need to try something different and play to the specific strengths of our players.

It's like the old spring-bok squad was a nice reliable Jeep, but then the engine blew, and the fan belt broke and we replaced the missing parts with the parts of a Lamborghini. The Jeep just doesn't work like it used to.

I think this post is right on the mark. I agree that South Africa can't afford to play the same 'territorial' based game that was successful (for the majority of the time) over the last few years, as this game revolved very much around du Preez's superb kicking game from halfback (and Matfield's ability to pressure oppositions lineouts helped too!). Likewise they can't afford to play an expansive game plan like Australia if Morne Steyn is at 10 standing deep on attack. Hopefully (for South Africa's sake) Meyer has developed a game plan to make best use of the current squads strengths (numerous incredibly powerful ball runners in the forwards, power in the midfield, a goal-kicker that can slot goals from 60m out, pace out wide etc), rather than try to make the players fit a game plan they are unsuited to. The Rugby Championship is going to be very interesting this year!

 

[Dizzy]

Ah yes, that piece of crap again... I think our backline did more than enough to Dominate England in a 3 test series.

You sure?!... coz I thought the third test was a draw.

 

[wangavegas1]

Ah yes, that piece of crap again... I think our backline did more than enough to Dominate England in a 3 test series.

There are more than enough experience in the forwards to aid JDV just as they did against England. Beast, Bismarck, Pierre Spies, Andries Bekker.

Our boring 10-man Rugby won us 2 World Cups and then some... Last time I checked we're still number 3 in the world.

And while Steyn is 1 dimensional, the Bulls are a prime example of how even though they play boring rugby (according to you naysayers) played some great rugby in the Super 15, and have the joint leading try scorer in the tournament (Bjorn Basson) yes!! A f***ing winger!

How about you all just shut up and see what happens!

No matter who we pick, no matter how you disagree with the team or was and wasn't picked. We will fight, we will be competitive, and who knows, maybe, we'll just win the whole bloody thing!!

We don't struggle anymore touring. We have won much more games away recently than previous decades... In Argentina we have a pretty damn good record! And by winning away from the start, can just build on our momentum.

Lol angry .......touchy touchy sheesh dont be so upset my friend you Japies really do take being critiquied to another level