Youngsters Out of Contention for England Tests
April 25, 2012 in Uncategorized
It seems that Heyneke Meyer has indirectly made his selection intentions clear for the upcoming tests against England.
A strong group of talented youngsters who many have tipped to make the Bok fold sooner rather than later have been included in the Baby Bok Squad for the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 in Cape Town.
The youngsters with Vodacom Super Rugby experience under their belt that are included in the squad are Cheetahs flyhalf Johan Goosen, Stormers prop Steven Kitshoff, Lions lock Paul Willemse, Pieter-Steph du Toit (lock) and Paul Jordaan (centre, both of the Sharks).
Johan Goosen’s debut for the senior Boks set to be delayed?
Of those names, two in particular (Goosen & Kitshoff) have been considered by many to be potential candidates for the June tests, but these selections seem to have made the Bok Management’s intentions clear.
It could be argued that, given the timings of the Juniors competition, we could still see these players in the Bok fold for the last test against England.
I will trust Heyneke’s judgement here but I cannot hide that I am sorely disappointed to see him delaying his stated age policy as covered in my previous post. Perhaps sentiments and selections will change with a few super-star Super Rugby performances over the coming weeks.
Your thoughts?
Later
TheGreenMan
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thegreenman said on April 27, 2012
I think you’re over-simplifying the comparison. It stands to reason that Meyer will have a longer leash because he has a strong history of success before getting the Bok job so people will inevitably be more inclined to cut him some slack.
With PdV though, despite his successful 2009 there were just too many other issues surrounding him including the fact he did himself no favours in the media. You could also add to that his misfortune of taking over what was a very experienced and world cup winning team. So the outcome was obvious.
As I said, many factors to consider and they are not mutually exclusive.
manuel28 said on April 27, 2012
cant help but think if p.dive had this approach he wouldve still been slaughted by the sa media and public! in hindsight you can see he never stood a chance! even after his very successful 2009 outstanding season everybody as calling for his head. poor guy
good luck meyer!
thegreenman said on April 26, 2012
Spot the Cheetahs player dictating play
provincefan2 said on April 26, 2012
Spot the Stormers players running the support lines in the background
thegreenman said on April 26, 2012
Yip, he certainly is confusing the hell out of us!
uysh said on April 26, 2012
Meyer did say something along the lines of “We might not see the benefits right away, but in the long run we will” though…
Blitzkrieg said on April 26, 2012
Play to win, never to lose… Can’t let the Baby Blacks keep winning..
thegreenman said on April 26, 2012
Fair point. In my latest post I do highlight the fact that I am all for Meyer’s ‘win every game’ mentality, and I suppose there is no reason that should not extend to all age groups!
Blitzkrieg said on April 26, 2012
South-Africa should adopt win everything policy, so yes I think it’s good that those two are with the Baby Boks. They have plenty of time left to play for the senior boks, but 1st win the Junior World Cup…
uysh said on April 26, 2012
Reading the news this morning Meyer seems to be singing a different tune…
uysh said on April 25, 2012
And with Schalk and Duane out injured, I’m very interested to see his choices in the looseforwards. Tough choices, and you may just expect to see Danie Rossouw coming back for that nr 7 jersey.
njohannp said on April 25, 2012
@uysh I agree, but I’d rather see some young blood coming though in the loosies, locks and outside centre for now. He can keep Morne for at least the england games.
Unicorn007 said on April 25, 2012
Meyer has Lambie and Frans Steyn as back up fly halves. Sadly Goosen will have to wait a bit longer but not much I hope.
uysh said on April 25, 2012
I never thought Heyneke will pick Goosen ahead of Steyn. It doesn’t mean Goosen isn’t better than Steyn, hence my disappointment.
njohannp said on April 25, 2012
Who knows? MAybe he’s keeping him for the tri nations? I do however think that he’ll only use him for the year end tests.
thegreenman said on April 25, 2012
I agree it is far-fetched to think Meyer will pick him for his first test in charge, but I would rather have him on the bench and play 20 minutes for the Boks than play for the Baby Boks. Get him in their ASAP!
njohannp said on April 25, 2012
@greenman since meyer won’t pick him for the English tests, I’d rather have him playing than sitting on the bench, that’s all.
njohannp said on April 25, 2012
And you honestly think Meyer will pick Goosen ahead of Steyn? A bit of a gamble, considering he just wants to win these first test in any way possible. And that means Bulls rugby most probably.
thegreenman said on April 25, 2012
Johan, I agree with MU on this. That is always the problem with SA … this apparent check-point system. He is hands down the best number 10 we have and streaks ahead of his peers.
Also, I think he will be in for the Rugby Championship already.
hanjooveres said on April 25, 2012
I agree with you Uysh, but with Meyer having only a week to prepare a team and all that, he won’t experiment against the English, He believes experience will be key, there’s a better chance of him selecting a Supersport commentator(other than Matfield) for the English tests.
hanjooveres said on April 25, 2012
Meyer did say he wanted an experienced team for the English, Goosen and Kitshoff have zero caps, so they were never realistic options, despite the fantasies of some around these parts
uysh said on April 25, 2012
So, he’s been there and he’s made the step up. Most guys only play the Jnr world cup once. Goosen is far ahead of his peers.
I believe the best players should be picked for the Springboks, not some pre determined system of going through a system of checkpoints before you are considered. If Goosen is the best nr 10 in this country he should play for the Springboks, not the baby boks.
njohannp said on April 25, 2012
So? If he is eligible, he should play. It gives the baby boks the best chance of winning.
I think Meyer will only use him on the year end tour.
uysh said on April 25, 2012
Goosen played it last year as well…
njohannp said on April 25, 2012
It’s absolutely correct that the young guys playthe Junior World Champs. I think it’s an important development tool and stepping stone.
For sure Goosen has the talent to play for the bokke, but he’s not the finished article yet.
Let the age group top flight rugby polish him for at least the World Champs, then see where he is as a player.
JackMeoff said on April 25, 2012
At least Meyer is contemplating using youngsters. It’s a positive step away from the archaic mentality of PDV.
uysh said on April 25, 2012
Oh snap….