Heyneke Meyer sticks to the usual…
August 15, 2012 in Uncategorized
South Africa: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Bryan Habana, 13. Jean de Villiers (captain), 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Keegan Daniel, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira Substitutes: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. Pat Cilliers, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Jacques Potgieter, 20. Ruan Pienaar, 21. Pat Lambie, 22. JJ Engelbrecht
Given the spate of injuries, one would perhaps come up with only 2 or 3 changes to the side that Meyer decided to stick with. I say “stick with” because it’s still the core of the side that represented South Africa against England in the June tests…and still raises questions about Blue tinted eyerwear…
What is disappointing though is Meyer’s reluctance to expose a backup flyhalf for Morne Steyn to some much needed experience. Every test Morne plays, is a test another up and coming flyhalf could have gained valuable experience! And playing against Argentina is THE opportunity to have done that!
His persistence with Zane “the stats man” aka ”Sideshow Bob” Kirchner is worrying to say the least, especially considering the way we suddenly realised we had a full back when Patrick Lambie replaced him in the first England test.
I am very happy to see Pat Cilliers there rather than Werner Kruger and Lions fans should take heed as it’s only a matter of weeks before Pat signs with the Bulls as well. The selection of Daniel at nr 8 is a matter of there being no one else, but I am happy that Meyer may have resisted the urge to play Daniel on the side of the scrum and Alberts at the back. I feel Alberts adds so much more at 7, while Daniel will make a significant difference by replacing an out of form Spies.
Also very happy for Mvovo to come back into the squad, however, I would have gone for Ruan Pienaar at 9 and Hougaard at 11. Mind you, we might see that in any event as the game progresses, but given that Hougaard’s made known through the past few years that his preferred position is scrumhalf, (and we know Heyneke does not like stirring the boat), we might never see the numbers on those two respective backs as long as Meyer is coach.
On the bench, I’m not convinced by Jacques Potgieter, unlike my Blue Bulls supporting rugby lovers. I have not been impressed by him at all, but, perhaps given the fact that Duane, Heinrich, Schalk, Juan Smith and Spies are injured, I guess it was a toss up between him and Kolisi, and the Blue coin won. Potgieter is being nurtured for future Springbok stardom, and hopefully he will step up to the plate in this test series.
Furthermore, I’m still not sure what JJ Engelbrecht has ever done to deserve his Springbok inclusion, but then, perhaps every coach has his little pet….I do believe though Meyer’s got several…
I may come across as overly critical towards Heyneke Meyer. Well, perhaps I am. My opinion is that Meyer was supposed to know better than just about all his predecessors and the expectation from him was very high given the talent pool we have in South Africa. I mean, 3 of the 6 teams in the Super Rugby finals were from South Africa. Yet, we could only manage a 3-1 win in the 3 Tets series against England who had their fair share of injuries as well.
Ja, there is some tongue in cheek comments regarding the Blue spectacles Meyer is wearing, but I do believe there is some element of bias towards Bulls players present, otherwise I am 100% certain we would not have seen some of the selections made. Can anyone say without a shadow of a doubt that a player like JJ was not promised a direct line into the Bok squad should he sign with the Bulls, whilst he hardly made the Stormers or Bulls sides on a consistent basis?
One might well praise Meyer for being open to “experiment” with uncapped Springboks, and I for one most value his selection of Pat Cilliers, Eben Etzebeth and Marcell Coetzee in this regard. One could say the last two gave him little choice with their performances. But in Pat I think he’s taken a step in the right direction. I wish I could agree with his selections of Kirchner and JJ, but I think there are better players in the likes of Luddik, Lambie (benched due to Zane), Aplon and Juan de Jongh available whom he just doesn’t seem keen to select.
Although I’d agree that one should not underestimate Argentina, I would be greatly disappointed if this team does not put the Argies firmly in their place with a thorough thumping. And with a 63-9 victory back in 2008 under Peter de Villiers, I’d be hoping for something similar if we have any plans on winning the inaugural Rugby Championship this year…a goal I fear is slightly out of reach for the one dimensional Springbok game plan.
KJ said on August 18, 2012
As a bok supporter, I was over the moon with HM’s appointment as coach and felt that it was a foregone conclussion that we’d be the most feared team in world rugby! His team selections thus far has left me wondering if we’d ever reach that status. I don’t think we can judge him on his game plans as he only had a few days with the players before the England test series, but he’s persistence with Morne and Zane who are certainly not the best players in those positions is of huge concern.
Gareth said on August 17, 2012
Zane, Morne & Francois in the team for the Bulls. And you call that “blue-tinted”??
I am a Bulls supporter and I trust in Heyneke Meyer, although I would rather have Francois on the bench with Pienaar starting scrum-half so he and Morne can build some synergy. Hougie can provide good cover from the bench and has proven he is very useful as an impact player.
Zane is solid for the game plan we will be using. Lambie is good at 10 & 15, thus offering options from the bench and can be slowly given the experience he needs, he is young still, no need to rush him. We have time.
If Morne plays to his capability – then he should be 1st choice fly-half (I’m sorry who is the idiot who said Peter Grant should make the squad? How many tries have the Stormers backline scored? Exactly…)
All in all, this is a very good team selection – injuries taken into account. I’m glad we have a different no. 8 for a change – would like to see if that can generate some flair for the loosies.
Go bokke and good luck to Argentina!
Met uysh said on August 17, 2012
Lol! I guess on the Blue tinted it could have been worse, but the point on that is that its not the amount of Bulls that’s been selected, its which Bulls players were selected.
I don’t trust Zane in a Bok jersey. To me he’s just too one dimensional and predictable at full back….but perhaps that is why he fits so well into the game plan
If Morne is to win the public favour back, he needs to do a bit more…no, alot more agains the Argies than just convert his kicks. We need to see our dangerous backs unleashed with ball in hand and not see our posession kicked away with the kick and hope approach.
In my mind anything less than a 25+ point pounding against an Argentina side that hasn’t played together this season will be a disappointment (keep in mind that France beat them in Tucuman by 49-10). I realise that its by large not the same team that got klapped by France, but many of these players have not played together recently so we do have the edge in terms of talent and gelling as a unit.
byron said on August 16, 2012
Pretty much agree with everything you wrote.
I dont think Zane is that bad a player and Lambie is a much better 10 than 15.
JJ engelbredth is a very promising youngster.
Potgieter has done less than zero compared to Strauss and Kolisi.
My point is that any one of those selection would have been fine but 3 point to Bias.
I would have still had Peter grant in the squad and would have liked to see Strauss called up as cover for 7/8 When Spies was injured.
REM said on August 16, 2012
Should I still comment….
I feel that Ludik could have been used…then again, when Goosen comes back…he should walk into the team and take over the nr10.
I don’t doubt his talent….i doubt that he has still done anything worthwhile….he played a few games very well….but Lambie won a CC by single handedly defeating WP.Ok I am getting off point…
I don’t like Potgieter, would have given Kolisi a chance, and I don’t like Zane, but I think Pat is a better Flyhalf…Ruan is far more consistent and JJ is a twat
Met uysh said on August 15, 2012
Hi Duffy. The Springboks won 2, which made it 2-0, and then there was the draw which you can either make 2-0, or in my case 3-1. The draw just make a 2-0 series win seems inappropriate to me given the draw. My views might seem overly critical against Bulls players, but I don’t think all of them deserve to be there based on what we have available and their recent form. I don’t think I’ve suggested we will lose against Argentina…in fact given our record against them a loss would be a disaster with no one else but Meyer to blame. There is no reason we should not wallop the argies.
The Dutchman said on August 17, 2012
The Argies have a couple of World Cup semi spots to their record without any exposure to any rugby competitions, they might be a walk over this year, but this can only count in their favour,
Duffy can take Zane back to his beloved Blue Bulls if he so feels.
WAYNE said on August 17, 2012
HOWCOME EVERY ONE BUT HEINEKE AGREES ON THE CURRENT SQAUD HE SELECTED.OUR GAME AGAINST THE WALLABIES IN LAST YEAR’S WORLD CUP,WAS THE BEST I EVER SAW THE BOKS PLAY.THE POWER AND PRECISION UPFRONT,THE OVERALL CALMNESS,THE FAST HANDS IN THE BACKLINE.WE SEEMED TO HAVE THE PERFCT COMBINATION OF POWER,SPEED AND INTENT,HEINEKE WERE SUPPOSED TO JUST ENHANCE THAT WITH HIS COACHING SKILLS AND SOME FRESH TALENT IN THE PLACE OF VICTOR,BAKKIES AND JOHN.I STILL FEEL MORNE LOST US OR RATHER GAVE NZ THE CUP BY NOT SLOTTING OVER A FEW DROPGOALS WHEN WE WERE IN AUS’S 22.
Duffy Malherbe said on August 15, 2012
How do you calculate a 3-1 win in a 3 Tets series? Your comments are generally extremely biased and overtly critical against all Bulls players, some not warranted. Look at the team again and count the representation of 8 Sharks, 4 Stormers and 3 Bulls, yet you already blame the Bulls for losing this game against Argentina, who, by-the-way is no push-over!
baylion said on August 15, 2012
Elton come home!
If HM isn’t playing him against the Pumas at home he’s not going to play him against the All Blacks or Wallabies and he would be better off getting game time with the Lions.
The Dutchman said on August 17, 2012
Congrats on the Lions win this past weekend! You guys outplayed the Cheetahs “strong” defence by miles!
Butch also showed some game form, which could make Johan’s choice between him and Elton difficult as well.
Darwinia said on August 15, 2012
Even my blue tinted spectacles can no longer see the value of Steyn. Kirchner is just a CC player and to leave Lambie on the bench is a shocker. Kolisi deserves a spot. Daniel was poor in the Super 15 final.
Leonard Riggien said on August 16, 2012
Daniel was poor after 3 Knockout games. kolisi went missing for most of the semi against the sharks .( and that was on home ground and after 2 weeks rest ) . Kolisi has plenty promise just not yet
Carl Muller said on August 17, 2012
Agree100 %
Hanjo said on August 15, 2012
Uysh, I disagree on Daniel. there were other options, I would have shifted Coetzee(who’s link play with the backline is brilliant and who is no stranger to the back of the scrum) to the back of the scrum. bringing in Siya or Potgieter on the openside. –
The team is an interesting one. Argentina look very good, specially in their backs, hopefully these guys don’t expect an easy game and get embarrassed
Hanjo said on August 15, 2012
I don’t rate Luddik , I do rate JJ. so I don’t mind his inclusion, I just want to see him get a run, what else would the point be. – the bench for me is strange. with Hougaard covering wing, JJ’s inclusion makes little sense. I would rather have had a specialist fly half on the bench. with Lambie almost certain to come on for Kirchner when he disappoints. – I also don’t think we should be expecting this team to destroy Argentina, I also don’t think we have a one dimensional game plan, under Meyer we have seen versatility(between running and kicking rugby) already
mickeynelster said on August 15, 2012
I rate Zane, I really do. I also rate JJ, Spies, Mornetjie (just give him time, he’ll come right), as well as the whole BB Team. Maak die Bulle almal bokke.
Geez, I just had a brain fart, and I think Hanjo did to
sheriffff said on August 15, 2012
There are two problems in the starting 15 for me. Kirchener and Morne steyn, I’m sorry but you can talk about his kicking abilities and his experience, who gives a rats arse, he sucks get another flyhalf in there ASAP!
King G said on August 15, 2012
Sherifff you are spot on, Morne does not instill fear into any opposition,opposition backlines will shut down the rest of our backs because they really dont see morne as a running threat,the rest of our backs get put under huge pressure because opposition just shift easily and cover us, a real flyhalf makes the defense weary if you give them a gap theyre gone, they cant just shift but not with carthorse steyn they start shifting as soon as the scrummy touches the ball….his a good man but thats it unfortunately,Kirchner is brave but will never have the pace to be an effective counter attacking 15
Carl Muller said on August 17, 2012
Agree, I am a Bull, but look at the facts….