Few questions regarding Bok Captaincy
May 28, 2012 in Rugby, Springboks
Heyneke Meyer was quoted saying a few things regarding who will be the Springbok Captain. Sport 24 Reported here (http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/Meyer-Skipper-for-short-term-20120528) that he is looking for a short term solution.
Reading his comments, the following got my attention:
“I want my captain to be able to hold his place in the team. That is why the captain will be a short-term appointment, just for the three Tests against England.”
It seems he is not sure yet who will be his captain in the long run, and that he envisaged his current captain to only play for a few tests. Distinguish between Heyneke’s captain, the long term one, and the captain, the short term one.
A player that can hold his place in the team is surely a player that is out and out the best player in his position if you select on merit. There are not many options when we look at players who’s names are already written on the team sheet going forward after the England tests, but then one also need to consider the fact that some players will suit the Springboks envisaged style better than others who we might think are better.
Looking longer term, one could imagine a the following players being able to “hold their place in the squad”:
Pierre Spies; merely based on the fact that he has been the nr 8 for quite some time, is currently the leader of the Bulls and plays the style Heyneke most probably envisaged for the Springboks.
Adriaan Strauss; A player who can certainly make the Bok nr 2 jersey his own. Exemplary discipline record, accurate in the lineouts, a strong scrummer and brilliant in the loose. A very good leader for the Free State and a payer who seems to have the respect of the players in other sides. The only problem here is the public perception that Bismarck is the better hooker.
Morne Steyn; Also perhaps a player who is already on the team sheets of every test for the next 4 years barring he gets injured. But does he have the leadership qualities required from the Bok captain?
Certainly, looking to the long term, its difficult to see who the captain will be until we know who the core of the squad will be. Looking at the 3 test matches against England, you can have Jean de Villiers as captain with even Keegan Daniel and Spies as options to stand in as vice captains.
But Jean will most likely not be the long term captain.
My money would be on Spies.
powachair said on May 29, 2012
Hasn’t he played at 12 mostly or was that only when Jean was injured. So you woul rather play Jean at 13 out of position and Steyn at fullback. Does Lambie come off the bench and what about deJongh?
Knocker said on May 29, 2012
Firstly Jean will most likely be picked at outside centre and secondly, I personally think you’re wasting Frans Steyn’s massive boot if you pick him at 12. He should be at fullback.
Knocker said on May 29, 2012
Jean is 31 and Schalk is 29. Jean may be approaching the end of his career which is why I’m only looking at him as a short-term option but Schalk will still be around for at least one more RWC and I’m sure if he wasn’t injured we wouldn’t be having all these discussions about Bok captain, it would be a given.
powachair said on May 29, 2012
What about Frans Steyn at 12. Wouldn’t that put Jean as a maybe rather than a definite
powachair said on May 29, 2012
My money would be on Adriaan Strauss and I think he is on a par or better than du Plessis
uysh said on May 29, 2012
Do you think JdV will play for the next 3 to 4 years still? And Schalk?
Knocker said on May 29, 2012
Meyer has said his captain has to be good enough to make the team and I’m not sure if Adriaan Strauss should be picked ahead of Biz. To my mind that leaves only Spies and Jean de Villiers as the definite starters who have leadership experience. I think Meyer will make Schalk Burger his long-term captain and I think Jean de Villiers is the right person until Schalk is fit.
uysh said on May 29, 2012
Question is, who else is going to make any 1 position his own and has the leadership capabilities required?
Of everyone, I can only see Spies and Adriaan Strauss….
Cash said on July 4, 2012
I don’t Spies is a def starter with Duane coming back and Bissie at his best overshadows Adriaan
Met uysh said on July 5, 2012
It depends on Heyneke really. If he favours Spies over Duane, it will make the case for Spies much stronger. Likewise with Adriaan vs Bismarck. I still feel Bismarck’s discipline and lineouts are problems.
Desertsport said on May 29, 2012
Please not Spies!!
Labachtanai said on May 29, 2012
I have no idea who the captain will be, but I heard the “Moody Blues” got the honor to sing the anthem at match day!
Randy85 said on May 29, 2012
I say Lambie…klaar gestry
Sports_Lover said on May 28, 2012
Long term captain – Pat Lambie………
CobaltZulu said on May 28, 2012
As opposed to the lamentable performance of the very ordinary and rather overrated Owen Farrel on Saturday, give me the exceedingly talented Goosen anyday
Kitchener said on May 28, 2012
Oh right, because you’ve got so many international-class flyhalves apart from Lambie, like . . . ummmmm . . . like Morning Stain . . . no, okay, he’s just a donkey but you’ve got Peter Grant and . . . and . . . ummmmmmmm . . . let’s think now . . . ummmmmmm . . .
GreenChump, if you’re still jerking off about that untested pimple-faced teenager with a big boot and no other discernible skills, let’s at least wait until he’s played a test match or two before you make him the permanent Springbok flyhalf at the expense of a real talent like Lambie.
To be quite frank, I’m not sure if your hero Goosen will be picked at all. Apart from the lack of ball skills, the chap seems a bit injury-prone, wouldn’t you say? Maybe the fragile little fellow should stick to Rugby Lite for a few more seasons?
uysh said on May 28, 2012
JA, I also recall Fourie saying something along those lines. I also think considering his comments in the press regarding the best players being selected, he doesn’t want the captaincy.
uysh said on May 28, 2012
Agree, Goosen will be the best flyhalf…but will Meyer pick him ahead of Steyn? Will GOosen fit the style he wants? Dunno…
thegreenman said on May 28, 2012
Now now. Don’t put words in my mouth. If Lambie wants a permanent starting spot in the Bok team it will have to be at 15.
Kitchener said on May 28, 2012
Indeed, only a blithering half-wit would even consider Morning Stain or anyone else at flyhalf ahead of the very talented Patrick Lambie.
Kitchener said on May 28, 2012
I must be honest, I also found all this talk of a short-term captain a bit puzzling at first but, if you think about it, it actually makes sense.
Heineken Mayor doesn’t want his first choice captain to be tainted and mentally scarred after the Steroid-Boks get brutally man-shamed by the English, so he’s appointing a patsy to take the blame for what will be a humiliating defeat and then he’ll pick his first choice captain for the softer contests against your colonial cousins when you play your little SH tournament.
Quite simple, really . . . and it actually makes sense. Good thinking by Heineken Mayor.
For the record, I agree with Johann further down the page. You chaps should be building the team around the splendid Pat Lambie and making him captain would be a jolly good start . . . but give it to one of the Boers for the royal rogering in June. If Lambie is not ready to captain the national team then Keegan Daniel is the right chap.
njohannp said on May 28, 2012
Screw it. Let’s go off the map and make Lambie captain. The guy has ice in his veins.
TheRugbyBrain said on May 28, 2012
Jip I do not see an out and out favorite.
Spies prob has inside lane cause he is Heyneke’s creation. But I will still contest that when the going gets tough Spies goes missing.
On FdP he is prob the best suited 9 for what Meyer envisage but not sure about his captaincy credentials. In 2008 when he was Bulls captain the Bulls ended 10th on the overall log not really sparkling stuff.
I also remember him saying in 2008 that he does not like being captain.
thegreenman said on May 28, 2012
Not sure what the answer is here but I do like the way Meyer is thinking. I think SA put too much emphasis on who the Captain is.
One thing I am sure of though is that you are wrong about Morne Steyn. I don’t think his name is automatically on the team sheet for the next four years … not if the plan is to select on merit … and you know who I refer to