Steyn poised for national selection
8 Oct 2006
Luke Watson still won’t make the Springbok squad for the Ireland and English tests, but the national selectors will blood several in-form Currie Cup players.
The form of Pierre Spies gives White an escape not to pick Watson, although Spies has been devastating as a No 8 in the Absa Currie Cup and not as an open-side option. Watson, consistently, has been the best open-side flanker in the country, through the Super 14 and the Currie Cup. He was very good playing in a beaten pack in Western Province’s semi-final defeat and newspaper reports that played off his performance against that of Spies were outrageous. One played openside flank in a pack whose tight five got murdered. The other played No 8 in a pack that marched relentlessly to a final.
Most independent observers would laud the possibility of Watson playing as open-sider, Spies playing at No 8 and Juan Smith completing the loose-trio. For those who still argue that Watson misses out because there are better, don’t kid yourself. Watson misses out because White does not rate him and never will.
White this weekend told the Sunday newspapers, English and Afrikaans, that for the first time his focus was on winning the World Cup and not the next test. Let’s hope the national coach can maintain this supposed belief on tour. He mentioned a similar thing prior to the Tri Nations. Then the Boks got hammered by France and White feared for his job. His reaction was to stick with the same players who failed him the year before.
Injuries forced him to introduce younger players and Spies was one of those to benefit with two outstanding home tests against New Zealand and Australia. But before we get too carried away, look at the impact of Spies at No 8 in his test debut. Yeah, there was no impact because there was nothing happening among the tight five.
To beat Ireland and to get at least one win out of two against England will require a tight five that is dominant and not just competitive. The loosies in the northern hemisphere will only ever be as good as their tight five. And White and his selectors will have to think carefully about who goes and stays in that department.
Rudolf Straeuli also opted for a young tight five in 2002 to play France, Scotland and England. Deon Carstens, Bakkies Botha and Wessel Roux were all the stars of the domestic competition. They got smashed by teams, whose tight five were well versed in technique.
It will require a mix and match in selection if White is to succeed where all Bok teams have failed since 1997.
Taking younger loose-forwards and backs is to be applauded, but the wiser and more battle-hardened souls are the non negotiables among the pack.
Speculation, based on White having a banter with the Sunday newspapers, include the selection of Francois Steyn as a utility back, potentially Brad Barritt and Jaco Pretorius as a second string midfield combination and the injection of youth in Hilton Lobberts and Kabamba Floors. Chiliboy Ralepelle will again tour, despite the Bulls selectors rating him third, at best, in their current senior set-up – a rating I fully agree with when you consider the quality of Botha and replacement hooker Strauss.
White will not select overseas-based players like Cobus Visagie, although there is a very strong case to be made for Visagie, given he has given all the English props a torrid time in the last two seasons, while French-based Shaun Sowerby would be a ‘horses for courses’ selection.
White will continue to pick John Smit as his first choice hooker and captain, but Os du Randt and Percy Montgomery will be rested. There is also talk that White will ‘rest’ his best outside back in the last two tests in Breyton Paulse. Just why only the selectors would know because Paulse has played very few matches this year and has ended his overseas commitments with Clermont two months ago.
With Montgomery out, White can choose between Bevin Fortuin, JP Pietersen and Steyn, but it seems Johan Roets is very much in the Watson mould. Regardless of what he does, he won’t make the team.
Of the contracted Boks who SARU will be paying until the end of 2007, Hanyani Shimange, Eddie Andrews, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Marius Joubert and De Wet Barry are unlikely to tour, while a decision has to be made on Jacques Cronje and Victor Matfield.
Joe van Niekerk, who has not had any rugby since the away leg of the Tri Nations, is also unclear about his tour involvement. Van Niekerk hurt his neck in August and it would be wiser to give him an additional month to make a complete recovery.
White’s biggest selection headache comes at lock. Matfield is the best contesting lineout in the world and Bakkies Botha is the best foil in a partnership to Matfield. Without Botha and Matfield, the likes of Johann Muller, Albert van den Berg and Danie Rossouw aren’t as imposing a prospect.
If you look at the two teams that will contest the Currie Cup final, the majority of the players are unlikely to feature in the touring squad. Of the Free Staters, Fortuin is the only probable backline inclusion, with Floors and Jannie du Plessis candidates among the pack. Among the Bulls, Ndungane and Wynand Olivier will probably tour, while Spies, Lobberts, Rossouw and Gary Botha should be in the national squad of 30. That’s less that 10 players out of the 30 coming from the two teams who have dominated the domestic competition.
652 Comments
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8 Oct 2006, 11:13 am
Well well well that article was written before yesterdays games.
8 Oct 2006, 11:14 am
Yeah right!
8 Oct 2006, 11:22 am
so first of all well done bulls and cheetahs. my poor sharks, but theyy didnt deserve to win.
steyn? eish man, he has talent sure and lotsa potential but he is young young young.
8 Oct 2006, 11:22 am
The Bulls dont rate CR 3rd, they manage the youngster he is only 19 , very young for a frontrow.
“Of the contracted Boks who SARU will be paying until the end of 2007, Hanyani Shimange, Eddie Andrews, Marius Joubert and De Wet Barry” , this makes me sick , ek wil sommer kots
8 Oct 2006, 11:24 am
Onder die BLOU van ons LOFTUS hemel,laat ons die Sharks verlang na die see. Teen ons magtige BLOU BUL vegters, kan WP nie antwoord gee. Oor ons LOFTUS VERSVELD vlaktes, bo die kreun van die Vrystaat klaag, ruis die stem van ons geliefde, van ons Span wat die Beker dra. Ons sal antwoord op jou roepstem, ons sal Leeus tem soos jy vra. Ons is BLOU en ons is BULLE, kampioen van Suid-Afrika!!!!!!!!
8 Oct 2006, 11:28 am
Keo, get over your crush on Puke Watson. You watched a different game if you thought Luke was any good… he was poor, and not only because he was playing in a losing side. One of the primary reasons why WP lost can be found in the arrogant attitude of the short, slow watermelon farmer wearing the number 6. His captaincy is also poor. Stop punting Luke Watson as our saviour, the boy is (at best) our 4th choice opensider.
8 Oct 2006, 11:29 am
Out of 6 games, Spies has been man of the match 4 times. Only one of those he has played at no.8. So his form at no.6 has actually been more explosive than at no.8, no?
Why MUST the no.6 be a fetcher? New Zealand (the best team in the world) has a ball carrier no.6 (Jerry Collins) and a grand master fetcher at no.7 (Richie McCaw). Who ever said that the no.6 HAS to be a fetcher??? Spies can play no.6 as well (if not better) as no.8. So why is everyone calling for a fetcher no.6 when a fetcher no.7 does quite nicely for other quality sides? The rules of rugby state that no.1 – no.8 must be in the scrum. nowhere does it say that they have to play their designated positions. the loose trio can alternate scrum positions as often as they like! I say we keep Spies at no.6, Luke or someone at no.7, and Big Joe at no.8.
8 Oct 2006, 11:31 am
Floors, smaller than Watson, plays a much more gutsy, instinctive and quick game than Luke.
Luke Watson is rumour created by journalists who want to make themselves relevant to Jake.
8 Oct 2006, 11:36 am
Keo, let go of your love affair with Luke, you are watching him as though he can do no wrong when in fact, he is not even close to ready for the big time.
Yesterday, he knocked on, missed tackles, made poor captaincy decisions and was beaten to the breakdown by a no.8. Also, even when the scrum swung his way, he was too slow off the mark to put any pressure of Heini Adams. Even on the ground, he lost out to the mongrel of Jaco Engels and Botha.
8 Oct 2006, 11:37 am
If anyone expects Jack White to change his “spots” , then keep on kidding yourself!!!The end of the year tour will be much the same we have come to expect of Jack White.He lacks the vision,innovation and lateral thinking to cure South African rugby from its chronic lethargy and stereotypical one-dimensional approach.He is a man in turmoil and is embroiled by his many insecurities.His script was only written for his first year.Not to pick Luke Watson is completely diabolical and it is only in South Africa where someone can get away with such a disservice to his nation!Does anyone doubt whether Luke Watson would make the All Black, Aussie or French team if he lived in those countries? Jack White is not kept accountable his actions.And we, the paying public,allow it!Welcome to South African rugby…so much potential but perpetual underachievers.
8 Oct 2006, 11:37 am
Maak die Bulle almal Bokke!!!
8 Oct 2006, 11:39 am
Luke makes many yards with ball in hand, but if you were to count the yards FORWARD, you’d see that he is not a ball carrier.
Luke also offers no options in the lineout. Yesterday we saw how Warren Britz did his duty as fetcher even when they were retreating. If Luke did even one thing well, I’d say we should give him a chance, but Floors is a better and quicker fetcher, Spies is a better ball carrier, Britz is better on the ground and even Wannenburg and Van Niekerk at least offer us something in the lineout. Get over it, Keo, you are alone in this little crusade.
8 Oct 2006, 11:43 am
Spies_is_king
The number on their back is irrelevant but you would certainly do better having your best fetcher on the openside of the scrum…which is 6 for SA and 7 for every other international team.
I agree tho that Spies is probably not a man I would sacrifice for a fetcher as he (so far in his short career) looks like your best ball carrier and line breaker for the future.
8 Oct 2006, 11:44 am
Gambino,
Luke Watson would not make the 3rd team of Venezuela’s special needs league.
Do you seriously think he would lift George Smith and Richie McCaw? C’mon, not even the most die-hard watermelon farming, Province supporter would join you!
8 Oct 2006, 11:46 am
Jake White may have made a few mistakes (like any other coach), but he is still the best we have and I grew in admiration when I saw how he refuses to allow a few ‘journalists’ to bully him into selecting their boy.
8 Oct 2006, 11:47 am
The day Luke Watson gets picked for the Boks is the day I’d call for Jake’s head!
8 Oct 2006, 11:49 am
Before Luke Watson gets picked, we have Floors, Britz, Van Niekerk and even Wahl Bartman (who’ll teach Puke a few things in humility)
8 Oct 2006, 11:51 am
Keo, make your agenda clear… what is behind all the smoke you’re blowing up a third rate player’s backside?
Go watch yesterday’s game again and tell me that you honestly think Luke is ready for international rugby.
8 Oct 2006, 11:53 am
Hell this year we had a month of LUKE IS KING, GODS GIFT TO SA RUGBY and now HANG LUKE , NO GOOD LUKE ,SH%T LUKE…..
Poor guy he plays his heart out, under the right coach and game plan i would rather have him in my side than against me.
8 Oct 2006, 11:54 am
Onder die BLOU van ons LOFTUS hemel,laat ons die Sharks verlang na die see. Teen ons magtige BLOU BUL vegters, kan WP nie antwoord gee. Oor ons LOFTUS VERSVELD vlaktes, bo die kreun van die Vrystaat klaag, ruis die stem van ons geliefde, van ons Span wat die Beker dra. Ons sal antwoord op jou roepstem, ons sal Leeus tem soos jy vra. Ons is BLOU en ons is BULLE, kampioen van Suid-Afrika
8 Oct 2006, 11:54 am
Dis lekker om n Bul te wees of wat se jy superbul???
8 Oct 2006, 11:55 am
John,
Put down whatever you are smoking! It is clouding your judgement.
8 Oct 2006, 11:56 am
John
Are you JC Venter?
What the **** is Barrit being mentioned for?
8 Oct 2006, 11:58 am
Ja, BaasBlou maar het Jy vasgehaak?
8 Oct 2006, 11:59 am
I think that Kabamba is a far better option than Luke;
Kabamba is braver in the tackle.
Kabamba is smarter at the breakdown.
Kabamba is quicker off the mark
Kabamba has superior distribution skills.
Kabamba has an eye for the gap.
Kabamba does not rate Brad Pitt as his favourite actor.
Kabamba is a winner.
Kabamba does not cry about being ignored by Jake.
Kabamba takes his hits like a man.
Kabamba dishes out his hit like a man.
Kabamba has mastered 7’s skills.
Kabamda digs chicks.
Kabamba has not sucked up to Keo (hence no front cover appearance in Keo’s mag)
Kabamba does not drop the ball.
Kabamba has a CC gold medal.
Kabamba will win the CC again.
Kabamba respects his dad.
Kabamba is a hero to millions of young kids.
Kabamba plays with a smile on his face, much the same as Ronaldihno.
Kabamba is not a disruption to his team.
Kabamba respects his team mates.
Kabamba is Luke’s hero.
…. and
KABAMBA WILL PLAY FOR THE BOKS !!!
8 Oct 2006, 12:01 pm
danie rossow gaan vir kamamba boor die naweek.
8 Oct 2006, 12:02 pm
vaskaak?
HOU BY DIE BLOU
8 Oct 2006, 12:07 pm
……….
Kabamba is not a disruption to his team.
Kabamba respects his team mates.
Kabamba is Luke’s hero…..
Kabamba is going to break his neck
Kambamba is on drugs
No, please i hope i am wrong , he is too short for Jakes likeing, but there Jake is wrong we have enough lineout options we CAN use a guy like him
8 Oct 2006, 12:08 pm
kies doring danie!!
8 Oct 2006, 12:11 pm
Coming down this morning John ?
8 Oct 2006, 12:12 pm
BaasBlou,
Die Bulle kampioene? Word wakker boet. Die beker is in die Vrystaat en hy gaan daar bly.
Rassie is going to employ similar tactics in the final, expect lots of running. This will minimize the effect of the Bull’s heavy pack.
RedLion,
You forgot one thing. KABAMBA KICKS ***.
8 Oct 2006, 12:12 pm
#4 superBul
Sien jy nou! Presies waaroor ons gepraat het!
8 Oct 2006, 12:14 pm
Who is officiating the final?
8 Oct 2006, 12:16 pm
22# Dankie Generaal!!
8 Oct 2006, 12:16 pm
I like it … Kabamba has longer legs than Luke !
8 Oct 2006, 12:17 pm
What is the point of taking these guy’s on tour when there are not even any midweek games lined up for them. In all seriousness, it would be far more cost effective to have them at a coaching clinic in SA to learn about the Springbok set up.
What are these guys going to learn / do that will justify the amount of money that is going to be spent?
8 Oct 2006, 12:19 pm
No Rory Duncan or Barend Pieterse?
8 Oct 2006, 12:22 pm
HALLELUJA!!!!!!!!!!
KAPLAN IS THE REF!!!!!!!!!
No more illegal, of the ball bullying by the Bulls.
8 Oct 2006, 12:23 pm
Simeon, that’s good news
8 Oct 2006, 12:26 pm
i don’t think frans steyn is ready just yet, barrit could also do with a season or 2 before been part of the squad.
8 Oct 2006, 12:27 pm
“With Montgomery out, White can choose between Bevin Fortuin, JP Pietersen and Steyn, but it seems Johan Roets is very much in the Watson mould. Regardless of what he does, he won’t make the team.â€
We can expect Roets to be on the cover of the next SA Rugby mag, based on what Keo is saying.
8 Oct 2006, 12:28 pm
You left one of your list Redlion
Kabamba is a *******!!!!
8 Oct 2006, 12:30 pm
What’s with this article? No-one is buying it.
Watson made WP lose. Don’t come to me with “he made a few tries” or “he stole a few balls”, because he literally did EVERYTHING. He does not give their potent backline a chance to run. How many times were their backline without momentum? Luke, YOUR A FETCHER.
He can learn from Kabamba and Ryno, who does what is required of them. Nothing more, nothing less.
8 Oct 2006, 12:32 pm
It’s sad, my heart hurts. But hey , just another day and the bulls won at the end of the day , and what good players they have. Only problem , they have to work on there attitude on the field. WP will have to get decent forwards and a flyhalf.
Well sins i am in Harrismith i will have to support the Cheetha’s in the final. I think they are beter than the bulls this year. I believe they will beat the bulls at there own game.
Players that i would love to see in the EOYT is
Floors
Luke
F Steyn
G Botha
B Barritt
Spies will be there
Bevin Fortuin
8 Oct 2006, 12:33 pm
luke only wants his springbok colours to give himself more credibility as wp captain when schalk and van niekirk return to the stormers set up! imagine the irony if melck or diack(or both) get included in the squad and luke doesn’t
8 Oct 2006, 12:36 pm
guy in Dubai – en jy’s deur die kak
8 Oct 2006, 12:36 pm
42…nou praat jy!!!
8 Oct 2006, 12:39 pm
Why do people want a player like Francios Steyn at the Boks, thats not a place to go to school. Rather play Hougaart or De Waal they are not worse than Steyn and surely have played with the best.
8 Oct 2006, 12:43 pm
BaasBlou jy gooi ons naam weg man, jy is die tipe wat maak dat ons so pak kry hier. Haal jou oogklappe af man, moenie daal na die laagste vlak nie, asb. Ek is nie altyd reg nie maar beledigings pas nie a ware Blou Bul nie
8 Oct 2006, 12:43 pm
John – Judge the player not the person. Your comments smack of personal jealousy – if someone is successful in something but has an appearance that does not quite fit your expectation then that does not suddenly make him unsuccessful!!!
You might need to grow up a little – this whole sport (and blog for that matter) is about rugby and our opinions on the quality of the players!! Not the way a player looks or the distance he carries his arms from the side of his body.
Something tells me that deep down all your failures in life are hurting you badly!!!! You need to relax and enjoy life a little.
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