Bok Team for next year or two
November 2, 2012 in Rugby
this is a team I put together which I think should play for the Boks for the next year or two, Injuries were not put into consideration. Some may feel that I have left out a few players who should be there well you right we have, there are only 22 possible positions and a hell of a lot of talent in South Africa. I did my best
No Brainer for the Bok 10
1 – Beast Mtawarira
There has been talk that the “Beast” has not been at his might best of late and perhaps there is some truth behind those statements. But he still makes my team by pure muscle and power; expect him to put in some mighty scrimmage performances in November to make up for Last years EOY tour. A freak runner of the ball sometimes too.
2 – Bismarck du Plessis (vc)
Take Nothing Away from Adriaan Strauss, he’s very, very good but Bismarck is another monster altogether and would be any team’s Hooker. He’s mobility, fitness and ability to turn over quality ball at the right times is what makes du Plessis so vital to the Springboks cause. He was missed in the Rugby Championship and will be missed at the EOY tour for sure.
3 – Jannie du Plessis
He has probably had the season of his life and is in great form, he try’s harder and harder every game which is surprising considering no one is quite near him when it comes to the number three jersey.
4 – Eben Etzebeth
The youngster is quickly gaining a name for himself with some even dubbing him the next “Victor Matfield” certainly a brilliant prospect and it’s going to be interesting to see what he does at the EOY tour.
5 – Andries Bekker
Has had an up and down career so far with Western Province as well as the boks, of course injury did not help and neither did his cheating scandal at the beginning of his career. When on for a lineout master, here’s hoping he makes the number 5 his own
6 – Marcell Coetzee
He made a fantastic start to his Springbok career but has since been used as more of an impact player by Bok coach Heynek meyer, He’s big, agile, powerful and can tackle the living daylights out of the oppositions, what’s not to like? He’s my Bok number 6 any day.
7 – Willem Alberts
His move from the Lions to the Sharks proved a master stroke, not only has he excelled for the Sharks but he has been an asset to them as well as the Springboks, has been a bit quiet of late in the green and gold but we’re sure he’ll be back to his very best soon.
8 – Ryan Kankowski
This was a tough one, Spies is out of sorts so I never really considered him for Bok duty; it’s such a shame that Kanko left when he did, the form he was (and still is by the way) was imperious. Duane Vermeulen is a hot candidate for the number 8 but we have benched him. Kanko is returning to the Sharks next season and he’ll be all over the Bok number 8.
9 – Ruann Pienaar
In superb for at the moment but more telling is the fact that there is not really a scrummy in SA who can fight him for the number 9 at the moment, Hougaard maybe but he is seen as a wing and we agree.
10 – Patrick Lambie
This was probably the easiest selection of them all and probably one that most will agree with, funny thing is that our Coach probably won’t. There’s no weakness in this man, his tactical brilliance, his kicking at polls, his attacking flare and his pure X factor is what makes him stand out. Meyer has said Lambie will get his shot at 10 at the EOY tour. I hope he impresses the Bok coach.
11 – Bryan Habana
SA Rugby Player of the year 2012, not more to say is there? Yes there is. Pure pace, x-Factor of note and an ability to spot even the smallest and unlikeliest of opportunities. A pity he is not going to the EOY tour but he sure has a lot to offer Springbok and WP Rugby.
12 – Francois Steyn
Has been quiet of late but showed glimpses of his old self recently, injured at the moment but should stake his claim for the Sharks next season and hopefully my minds claim the bok number 12.
13 – Jean de Villiers (c)
To be honest I would not have de Villers in the team at all, but since he is the captain for now I have put him in, Jean is getting old and with the likes of Tim Whitehead and Paul Jordaan lurking de Villiers days are numbered.
14 – JP Pietersen
Players Player of the year 2012, in sublime for at the moment even after his injury, can play centre but would love to see him on the wing. JP Owns the number 14 Bok jersey at the moment.
15 – Zane Kirchener
Again, not my favorite, we would love to see Louis Ludik there but you just get the feeling that Kirchener is there to stay. Solid enough and does the basics well so can’t complain but not a Percy Montgomery, defiantly not a Monty. But does does Meyer still believe Lambie is a fullback?
the Bench will consist of the following players and yes I have left Morne Steyn out altogether in fact Morne would not even make my initial squad, as far as I am concerned, his Bok days are over. You will notice that Schalk Burger has also been left out, Yes he has.
16 – Lwazi Mvovo
17 – Johan Goosen
18 – Paul Jordaan
19 – Adriaan Strauss
20 – Coenie Oosthuizen
21 – Flip van der Merwe
22 – Duane Vermeulen
Thoughts?
mickeynelster said on November 2, 2012
you are certainly gonna piss off Baylion for your Jantjies snub, LOL! No place for Taute instead of NikNaks?
sheriffff said on November 2, 2012
haha, well with Lambie and Goosen there and with Meyer saying he wants only 2 flyhalfs moving forward I had to chose two and Elton wasn’t one of them
as for Taute he is still 21 and would def be in my world cup squad. but ya perhaps I should have made space for him somewhere
Baylion said on November 2, 2012
I noticed the Lions snub but I’m working on my revenge
sheriffff said on November 2, 2012
haha, i’ll be waiting anxiously
Leeubok said on November 2, 2012
Your team looks good, except for no 15! Crusty wouldn’t come close to my team.. I’d put Taute in as no 15, otherwise Joe Pietersen.
And I’d rather start with Duane with Kanko on the bench.
Flyhalf is a difficult one between Goosen, Lambie and Jantjies.
What do you guys think about Sarel Pretorius as scrummy? why was he never given a shot at playing for the boks? He must be the best attacking scrummy we have.. His sniping runs remind me of Joost. Jano vermaak was brilliant when he was still at the Lions. Don’t know why he ever moved to the Bulls to play behind Hougaard. I think this time last year he deserved to be in the springbok squad more than he does now
sheriffff said on November 2, 2012
It looks like most want Zane out and Taute in, Good call and I agree, unfortunately Meyer won’t. regarding Sarel, I think his move to the Tah’s dented his chances for the boks, he is playing for the Cheetahs in the Super Rugby 2013 so we’ll see how he does then.
GEN DE LA REY said on November 2, 2012
Sarel is prob the best attacking SH in SA BUT he has the worst defensive record in SA as well he misses plenty of tackles and his tactical kicking also left a lot to be desired.
He will need to improve his all round game if he ever wants to play for the boks. And not just go for the all out glory of tries.
GEN DE LA REY said on November 2, 2012
Firstly lets start with the fact that from now on there will be 23 players in a match day squad not 22. With a full front row on the bench.
I do not have to much of a problem with your team.
Except Coetzee ahead of Flo who Meyer and even Richie rates as the worlds best opensider atm.
JdV will not reach the next RWC so why not start bleeding a new player? Maybe Mapoe/Jordaan/JdJ??
And then to have Zane for another two years will be to much for my hart. HM himself said that he rates Taute as the next Bok 15 long term.
GEN DE LA REY said on November 2, 2012
Bar injury I will choose Coenie and Pat Cilliers as my two bench props.
JC is a good prop but not to much of an inpact player.
sheriffff said on November 2, 2012
Fare comments, basically I just chose the team from players I think Meyer has in his mind, not necessarily the team he has but more or less the players. who would your captain be if Jean stepped out at this moment ?
Baylion said on November 2, 2012
SANZAR won’t be using player #23 next year.
GEN DE LA REY said on November 2, 2012
Sheriffff: It is a difficult one. The obvious choice is Flo but then he will have to move back to Sa. Or maybe HM will keep Jean and groom Arno Botha as next captain HM sure does like Botha.
Baylion: Why does SANZAR not use player 23? Looks like it will be in use at RWC 2015? So why not get used to it?
Sulaiman said on November 2, 2012
Boring team why do you not create a team for the future you must be HM’s PR. You basically saying our team is going to be stagnant for the next two years.
sheriffff said on November 2, 2012
Please read the title, this is a team based on the current group of boks, and a team we could see in the next year or so, this has nothing to do with a future team for world cup ect
Wozza said on November 2, 2012
ZK is soon to be the bench option. Taute is stronger, faster has a bigger boot kicking out of hand, and is much stronger in the tackle. I wouldn’t mind seeing how Lambie performs as a center, he is a great thinker, and could turn into SA’s very own Conrad Smith, although he may need to gain about 5kg. Imagine Goosen at 10, Frans & Lambie in center, Rhule & JP on the wings, Taute at 15. That is a fearsome backline, not to mention who we could have as replacements on the bench.
Baylion said on November 2, 2012
1 – Beast Mtawarira
The BEEAAST! calls are becoming less and less and he needs to get his mojo back. The only one in term of power to replace him is JC Janse van Rensburg but he’s not in the Bok mix.
5 – Andries Bekker
Never been a fan. He is poor in the scrums and tight phases. Personally I would take Franco van der Merwe over him any day but Franco’s age counts him out as a long term option and Juandre Kruger isn’t there either. Maybe one of the youngsters will step up next year.
6 – Marcell Coetzee Francois Louw
Marcell is more a number 7 so for the moment I’ll stick with Flo.
7 – Willem Alberts Marcell Coetzee
Alberts is too one-dimensional and is getting worse. Sorry, but no space for him except maybe on the bench
8 – Ryan Kankowski Duane Vermeulen
Good in an open game but I’m not convinced that he’s the answer. Will stick with Duane for now with Kanko on the bench.
9 – Ruan Pienaar
The best of a sorry lot. We’re in trouble with a lack of good scrummies.
10 – Patrick Lambie
I’m prepared to give him his chance
but, as I said before, we need a good rotation policy to keep all three young flyhalves in the mix. Too soon to focus on only two flyhalves, especially since HM’s favourite is injury prone
15 – Zane Kirchener Jaco Taute
HM has indicated that he wants to play Jaco at 15 on the EOYT and sees that as his longterm position.
16 – Lwazi Mvovo Lionel Mapoe/Bjorn Basson/Raymond Rhule
Mvovo’s work rate is poor and we have better options
17 – Johan Goosen/Elton Jantjies
Goosen has missed 7/16 Super Rugby games, 5/9 tests and 3/4 Currie Cup games this year due to injury and these figures don’t take into account the 30% of games he played but left the field injured. Goosen needs to be managed carefully so I would rotate him, Jantjies and Lambie.
18 – Paul Jordaan Tim Whitehead/Robert Ebersohn
Too early although for Jordaan although he is obviously talented but he is inconsistent. We have a number of young centres who could come in over the next two to three years
20 – Coenie Oosthuizen Pat Cilliers/JC Janse van Rensburg
Coenie is overrated and his neck and back injuries look serious
21 – Flip van der Merwe Another
Hopefully we will have someone better come through. Apart from Etzebeth our lock stocks don’t look good
Backup #9 – Francois Hougaard I suppose but I’d like to see how the youngsters like Reinach, van Zyl and Groom develop
sheriffff said on November 2, 2012
hahaha! why didn’t u just do a post on this?
Baylion said on November 2, 2012
You already have a post, why duplicate?
GROENIE said on November 2, 2012
no scrumhalf on the bench who’s your back up should pienaar get injured Adriaan Strauss ; )
sheriffff said on November 2, 2012
good observation, perhaps I needed to find place for Hougaard in there
Heinrich said on November 2, 2012
What is wrong with Juan de Jongh???Why doesn’t he get a mention, he certainly one our best centres availbe, definately beter than Jordaan, Whitehead and Ebersohn at the moment, but then again it’s your opinion.Please don’t talk about sizei it doesn’t work anymore.
Leeubok said on November 2, 2012
I agree, Juan should be in there somewhere. R Ebersohn definitely isn’t bigger than de Jongh. I think of either J. de villers or F steyn gets injured de jong must take their place
Anonymous said on November 2, 2012
Spies should be in at 8, he does nothing wrong so what’s the big deal, he’s big, fast (faster than kankofski)and hard to stop!?????
sheriffff said on November 2, 2012
Disagreed
Baylion said on November 2, 2012
For all his gym muscles he is isn’t very good at the bash-up rugby our Boks play. He needs space to be at his best, same as Daniel.
sheriffff said on November 3, 2012
As an Ex Bok once told me, Spies has got the Body of a Lion but the heart of a mouse
Wozza said on November 2, 2012
Count how many passes he made in the cc final, then ask the WP wingers what it’s like running 20 meters with never any hope of getting a pass from Juan de Jongh. And we wonder why the WP never score enough tries, the ball never gets to the wingers, who’s main job is to finish off try scoring plays.
Adrien said on November 2, 2012
I will be surprised if Spies ever gets a run again. You are right that he does nothing wrong, you can’t make a mistake if you do nothing !
Shaun price said on November 5, 2012
Don’t forget the golden rule. The government quotas.
Ugg Boots Online said on December 3, 2012
He has tasted the sweets and bitters of life.Make yourself at home.I think I’ve caught a cold.l am vacuuming the floor now and have several shirts to iron.Keep it up!I’ll call a taxi in case of need.I’ll call a taxi in case of need.I agreeAll that glitters is not gold.What is your plan?