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2011 record: Played 4, won 1, lost 3 (3rd overall)
South Africa started the re-building phase earlier this year with a new coach and some new young prospects in the squad. Winning the Rugby Championship might not be the first priority for most people in South Africa because there is a bigger picture. After a disappointing World Cup last year, where they lost to Australia in the quarter finals, Peter de Villiers was replaced by former Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer. The first task was to get through the 3-Test Series with England back in June and the team managed with 2 wins, and a draw in the 3rd test. The strength of this Springbok team is definitely in the forward-department where Bismarck du Plessis is the starting hooker after years of waiting, and in the back-row there are some tireless guys who have the speed of wingers and the strength of locks. The question will be if the backline gets a chance to shine. If the backs get the ball, things can really go well for the Springboks.
New players to watch:
A lot of experienced players retired from Bok-duty and the Springbok fans will have to rely on some very talented youngsters to replace veterans like Fourie du Preez, Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha. For the scrumhalf position, the coach has the posibility to choose between Francois Hougaard, the speedy running man, and Jano Vermaak who is the second choice at club-level behind Hougaard. Vermaak is a bit older but has never played in the Green and Gold before. In the back-row there are long-term injuries to Schalk Burger and Juan Smith who are both regular starters when fit. Marcell Coetzee is one of the revelations of the season and he played all 3 tests against England and showed he is a serious option for either blindside or openside flanker. Another area where we saw debutants against England 2 months ago was the lock-positions. Eben Etzebeth is a strong young lock who towers the line-out, while Juandre Kruger is a bit older but after returning from 2 seasons with Nortmpton in England he was pairing with young Eben in all 3 tests, and proved to be a valuable option to replace Matfield.
In the backline we have seen some young talents getting their chances as well. Patrick Lambie, who is considered by most to be a flyhalf, seems to be pushed to the fullback berth, where he has to compete with Zane Kirchner while the fly-half position is still occupied by Morne Steyn. Johan Goosen seems to hold the best cards to compete with the Bulls kicker, but he is injured at the moment but a name to remember because he will be a Springbok very soon.
Key players:
Bismarck du Plessis has finally been given what he deserved years ago already, the no. 2 shirt for the Boks. He is regarded by many to be the best hooker in the world and some even say he is the most complete forward in world rugby, being able to play the fetcher-role and run with the ball in hand as well. On his left, there is only one option. Tendai BEAST Mtawarira broke his arm earlier this year but returned after his injury stronger than ever. After making his mark against the B&I Lions in '09, he is now a very dangerous opponent in many ways. Andries Bekker is a player who was in the same spot as Bismarck du Plessis for many years. Having to deal with Victor Matfield being ahead of him in the picking order for the lock-position, the tall Stormers man had to wait for his chance. He has suffered lately from injuries, but he returned in time to be part of the team at the start of the Rugby Championship, bringing some experience to the pack.
Ruan Pienaar, who has been very dominant in Europe while playing for Ulster, is a very reliable utility-back who can play scrumhalf, flyhalf and fullback. Pienaar was voted Magners League player of the Year in 2011 and was nominated for ERC player of the year in 2012. He brings a lot of experience into the squad. The centers are both pretty obvious choices. Francois Steyn returned from Racing Metro to play for the Sharks in Durban again and he was one of the enforcers on attack against England. When he missed the 3rd test (he was getting married) his absence had a big influence on the gameplan. Jean de Villiers who is the man next to F. Steyn, is the new Bok-captain. He was handed the captaincy by Heyneke Meyer and he is the best choice, with Schalk Burger out injured. Depending on how he does, Meyer might stick with him as the captain, even when Burger returns from injury.
Predicted 22:
1. Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Andries Bekker, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 7. Willem Alberts, 8. Pierre Spies, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 10. Morne Steyn, 11. Bryan Habana, 12. Francois Steyn, 13. Jean de Villiers ©, 14. Francois Hougaard, 15. Patrick Lambie
Reserves: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. Patric Cilliers, 18. Juandre Kruger, 19. Keegan Daniel, 20. Jano Vermaak, 21. Juan de Jongh, 22. Zane Kirchner
Schedule:
18th August. South Africa - Argentina. Newlands, Cape Town
25th August. Argentina - South Africa. Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendonza
8th September. Australia - South Africa. Subiaco Oval, Perth
15th September. New Zealand - South Africa. Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
29th September. South Africa - Australia. Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
6th October. South Africa - New Zealand. Soccer City, Soweto
Predicted finish in 2012: 2nd