Bekker’s Bok Replacement.
May 31, 2012 in Uncategorized
The supposed fight for the Bok #5 jersey always seemed rather clear cut, after an initial scare where Heyneke Meyer considered bringing Bok Legend Victor Matfield out of retirement to lead the Springboks remained nothing more than a rumor, Andries Bekker was always the first choice. – The giant lock has been playing in the shadows of Victor for a few years, regularly finding himself on the Bok bench, Although some would deny it, there were some seasons where many felt Bekker was outplaying Matfield, So there seemed to be no doubt as to who Matfield’s successor in the Bok jersey would be.
Yesterday it was reported that Andries Bekker was out inujured for at least 5 weeks, meaning he will most likely miss the Test series against England. – Bekker has been very unlucky with injuries, and many have noticed that he hasn’t looked comfortable on the field, which may suggest that he was playing with an injury niggle. he has lower back and ankle issues which never fully recovered, possible poor player management on the Stormers’ part.
The real issue however is, who will be used in the Starting #5 jersey against the English?
Here’s my options.
Option A: Eben Etsebeth(currently in great form) played most of his rugby prior to joining the Stormers’ senior side in the # 5 jersey, most recently partnering Quinn Roux at age group level. he’s a great line-out option, while he also brings a level of physicality unknown to man. – This option would allow us to field relatively experienced Flip van der Merwe in the #4 jersey, with Juandre Kruger on the bench, all these players find themselves in Meyer’s 42 man training group. This option would also allow Meyer to bring back Bakkies Botha to partner Etsebeth , a man currently playing in France, with a huge amount of experience in the Bok jersey behind his name, who might well be in Meyer’s plans. Similarly Danie Rossouw could be brought into the team to partner Eben while even Willem Alberts might be a distant option.
Option B: This is the option the media have suggested already , we promote the ‘young’ Juandre Kruger to the starting line-up, possibly next to Flip or Eben(depending on Meyer) , leaving us with either an untested and inexperienced combination or a Bulls combination, who have played quite a bit of rugby together this season. this may force Meyer to Binrg back the experience of Bakkies or Danie to guide the “youngster” through his first few tests. not completely silly, as experience in the tight 5 against the English will be vital.
Option C: We bring back Johann Muller to take up the vacant #5 spot, he would then be partnered by Bakkies, Danie, Flip or Eben depending on who Meyer calls up. He adds valuable experience and leadership abilities. he has apparently been in good form in Europe. ?
So Which Option do you want Meyer to pick?
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hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
I agree, Kruger should be eased into test rugby. he has shown that he has pace, and in an open game, he can be very good, but in test rugby, where space is limited, he might fade away a little.
TheRugbyBrain said on May 31, 2012
The smart option is the Muller and Etzebeth/Flip option.
We need someone in no 5 that is experienced.
Kruger is a good player but not yet sure if he is really test quality.
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
the injury to Bekker does open the door for him, but will Meyer consider it. ?
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
I’m also edging toward Eben and Muller. while Eben in the 5 jersey with Danie or Bakkies might also be a decent option. not sure on their form though
Randy85 said on May 31, 2012
I have asked for Muller’s inclusion for a while now. He is in excellent form, and he has the proper leadership skills to help the team out.
poffmuis1 said on May 31, 2012
Spot on with that one mate. I think he should have looked to move a while back to a bigger province.
Baylion said on May 31, 2012
Unfortunately Meyer isn’t going to pick a 30 year old Lion to debut with another rookie
poffmuis1 said on May 31, 2012
Not what Meyer will pick but I like the option of Muller and Etzebeth.
Also as Baylion suggests what about Franco Van der mewe? Lions lineout isnt bad at all.
RaggedTooth said on May 31, 2012
@TC
Best team to learn player management from is the Crusaders, they are in with a shot a topping the NZ conference at the right time after looking done and dusted at the start of the tourny.
SR has really become a horse race, teams need to pace themselves.
Crusaders got out of the blocks at a snails pace, contrast the Streamers to that and we’ll have an idea who will be performing at their peak in the play-offs and who won’t….again!
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
I like that idea, seeing that we’ll need some experience in the second row. hopefully we can discuss the no 8 when Spies gets injured
RaggedTooth said on May 31, 2012
@Hanjo,
I’d have Etsebeth partner Yellow Card Flip (Sadly the only half decent 4 we currently have) but Etsebeth, when at full strength will see our lock pairing physically monster any team on the park.
When do we get do discuss the best eighth man for the job?
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
hahaha…I see what you did there, I rate Franco very highly, and I think Eben and Franco would be great togeter, however, seeing that he isn’t in the squad yet, Meyer might call up a replacement for Bekker, but that replacement would be second choice to Kruger, I think Bekker is predominantly used at the Stormers, but I’ve been impressed by Eben in the line-outs.
Baylion said on May 31, 2012
Bekker is a lineout specialist and the replacement should also be and ito SR stats the following are the contenders:
Most Lineouts Won
2. Andries Bekker (Stormers) 62
3. Franco van der Merwe (Lions) 60
6. Juandre Kruger (Bulls) 49
8. Izak van der Westhuizen (Cheetahs) 44
14. Steven Sykes (Sharks) 33
17. Anton Bresler (Sharks) 30
Had to get a Lion into the discussion LOL
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
I never said that…I merely stated that we might in the future have a scrum that can rival and humiliate the best the world has to offer, I simply acknowledged the fact that a new era of Springbok rugby might have different strengths. – how silly of me.
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
haha…typo acknowledged, should read used.
PhilSmuts said on May 31, 2012
Forgive the stoopid question Han Solo, but for how much would Heyneke sue Muller,Bakkies and Danie?
Greencap said on May 31, 2012
Yes Hanjo, you are right we will probably move away from our greatest traditional strength for the last decade…
How silly of me…
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
clearly more than you have, why?
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
used to be line-outs, why? this is a new era though, so who knows.
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
no problem TC,
Benlloyd said on May 31, 2012
sorry, i was thinking of the super format were payers cant play playoffs, thinking upside down.
steyn is a shark. not an overseas team, even though it is part of the last outpost
Benlloyd said on May 31, 2012
you might be right re Etzebeth. he is only 20 and starting 12 super games with only two off weeks in between can be hard on a youngster who was still playing varsity cup last year.
i dont think the stomers are managing their players very well!
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
hahaha…overseas based players are eligible, where did you hear that? Ruan Pienaar has already joined the squad while there’s speculation that Fourie du Preez may also join, Muller, Bakkies and Danie can all still be sued by Meyer. Frans Steyn is also sure to be part of Meyer’s plans.
Benlloyd said on May 31, 2012
overseas players are not eligible to play for the boks, so that cuts out muller, bakkies and danie.
albert is a good option. he has played there before and no one can deny his physicality.
flip is a card machine, too risky, even though he might be talented. kryger, is for me, what winkelpop is for centres, he is for locks…
Greencap said on May 31, 2012
Of course he’ll pass an Alistair “play players into the ground” Coetzee fitness test. I’m pretty sure if he had one leg AC would still let him play…
Also Mr rugby, quick question… which set piece is the boks the most dominant in?
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
on the post, who would you have replace Bekker, and who would you have partner them?
also, I know it was journalism, but it was on Sport24, and most Sharks fans were quick to dismiss the Bulls as a threat, while they said the Stormers lack a decent tight 5…so I guess they agreed.
Etsebeth receives the ball a meter from contact, he rarely makes yards in those situations, if he receives the ball with some space, not marked by 4 opposition players he does look great with ball in hand, take his run down the sideline against the Waratahs.
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
haha..you can’t be serious? Bekker was played because he passed a fitness test prior to each game, I’m convinced, he has back issues…I’m also surprised you feel Bekker would be the difference between winning and losing against the English
Greencap said on May 31, 2012
Well done Stormers and especially AC for f***ng up our chances against England by playing our trump card into the ground with an injury…
How selfish can you get. Typical Stormer mentality, provinsialism is everything while Bok rugby comes second…
RaggedTooth said on May 31, 2012
Can’t blame us supporters that Sports Illustrated (or one of those sport flavour magazines) tipped the Sharks as favorites.
Etsebeth just did not have that much impact when taking the ball up, he seemed to try to protect himself when taking contact, all I’m saying is he might, not unlike Bekker, be playing with a “niggle”, which could turn into another serious injury.
He would be my first choice, as long as he plays at his full potential and strength, as in not injured.
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
RT, I was never overconfident, could ask you the same question, seeing that the Sharks were tipped to be SA’s only hope, still stuck in third position(in SA), says a lot about what over confidence can do.
on Bresler, for me when the Sharks were stuggling, he wasn’t always a regular, Skeate, Sykes, the other young guy and he rotated a bit due to the Sharks struggling to find a combo that worked, now that the Sharks are performing eh does seem to be coming into his own, but literally three games ago, he was still very average. – I also don’t think he did much in the Stormers game, he had one good run, while Etzebeth carried the whole night, Etsebeth also tackled Bismarck and Alberts back, call that soft if you will, but I can’t say I agree.
RaggedTooth said on May 31, 2012
Anton Bresler, for some reason still being overlooked, deserves a mention for showing up the so-called best lock pairing in world rugby.
And judging by the weekend past, Etsebeth is starting to look softer and softer as the comp. progresses, sure hope the mismanaging of players by the Streamers coach won’t hamper this talented young man’s chances for Springbok honours.
P.S. Hanjo, how’s the typical initial pre-season and mid-season Streamer supporter over confidence going? The Streamers players are dropping like flies at the business end of the comp.
hanjooveres said on May 31, 2012
I’m not exactly sure if Meyer would select such an inexperienced combo, but I agree, they are both exciting players for different reasons.
powachair said on May 31, 2012
I think Kruger Etsebeth would be an awesome combo