Bok duo worry White
Springboks Fourie du Preez and JP Pietersen are doubtful to start against England after suffering injuries in last week’s Super 14 final.
National coach Jake White is already without Lions pair Andre Pretorius (buttocks strain) and Jaque Fourie (groin) for the opening Test of the season. Du Preez was initially expected to sit out the final because of multiple shoulder injuries, but played against the Sharks and is paying for it this week. Pietersen injured his hand and like Du Preez will undergo further assessment in the next few days.
Apart from these potential setbacks, White was happy with the standard of fitness apparent in his charges. He also told reporters in Bloemfontein the short preparation period would not limit their chances against the Poms on Saturday.
“This is the best condition and most impressive fitness levels the players have produced since I’ve taken charge of the team [in 2004],” he said.
“Most of these players have been playing together [both at provincial and national level] for some time now, so it should not be a problem.”
May 21st, 2007 at 9:57 pm
snow news day; is it a public holiday in SA?
May 21st, 2007 at 10:59 pm
our backline for pommies
ruan
butch
habana
olivier
murray
odwa
percy
bench
ricky
steyn
hougaard
May 21st, 2007 at 11:05 pm
News 24: Bloemfontein – Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez is again experiencing pain in his shoulders and could be forced out of rugby for at least six weeks.
The Springbok camp is also worried about speedster JP Petersen who also still battling with his hand injury.
But in spite of the injuries cutting into the South African squad Bok coach Jake White will be able to field a formidable team for the rugby Test match against England here on Saturday.
Du Preez and Petersen did not take part in the practice session on a cold day at Grey College. Adding to the uncertainty, veteran prop forward Os du Randt also did not complete the session. He has a leg injury.
Lock forward Johan Ackermann, who has a leg problem, wing Akona Ndungane (foot) and loose forward Joe van Niekerk (leg) also did not practise with the rest of the squad. It is uncertain how serious their injuries are.
White will announce his Test squad of 22 players on Wednesday and is unlikely to spring any surprises.
Judged by Monday’s session, the Springboks may have one of their strongest packs in years when they take the field on Saturday.
Flank Juan Smit could be the only forward in the starting line-up that did not play in the Super 14 final last weekend.
Super 14 stars such as locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, hooker John Smit and props BJ Botha and Gurthrö Steenkamp are expected to be included in the team for South Africa’s first Test of the year.
Jean de Villiers fit to play
White may select Danie Rossouw at No 8 as he did against England in London last year, even though Pierre Spies is a strong candidate.
Enrico Januarie will probably take over at scrumhalf if Du Preez is unavailable and fit-again Ashwin Willemse may return to take over from Pietersen even though he hardly played Super 14 rugby this year.
Versatile Frans Steyn and scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar are expected to be among the substitutes.
Centre Jean de Villiers has recovered from his wrist injury. This should be good news for White, who gave technical analyst Rassie Erasmus free reign to focus on skills at breakdown points during Monday’s practice.
It was Erasmus’s first session as a member of the coaching staff and he gave the players a testing workout.
“Scrum doctor” Balie Swart also returned to the squad after missing last year’s northern hemisphere tour.
Despite the limited time available to train for the first Test, White was confident on Monday.
“A positive aspect is that the core players have been playing together for a long time and that they were involved in the Super 14 final,” he said.
A possible Springbok team for Saturday: Percy Montgomery; Ashwin Willemse, Wynand Olivier, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Butch James, Enrico Januarie; Danie Rossouw or Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, BJ Botha, John Smit (c), Gurthrö Steenkamp.
The forward pack will be really good. Glad to see Os is injured so Gurthro can play ,he is the best loosehead in the country, much better than Os who is now too old.
I don’t like the look of the backline though. Pienaar should play ahead of Januarie. Percy at fullback is a weakness. Olivier at 13 is average.
no 10,11 and 12 are very good even if AP would be better if not injured.
May 21st, 2007 at 11:19 pm
staal
As jy nog n hempie beskikbaar het – laat weet asb buddy! Ek sal hom koop ok! Gesien jyt op n ander thread gese jy hou een vir my. Thanx!!
dink jy het my mail – anders vra vir Grootblousmile. Thanx
May 21st, 2007 at 11:21 pm
i would keep percy there till end of WC. anyone notice how much of a territoy game the final was? that was test rugby. its all about territoy then converting it into points. percy has solid boot and is mostly accurate. he won the battle against roets clearly, and should not have been subbed off in the final.
ideal backline if no injuries exist:
ruan
butch
habana
fourie
murray
jp
percy
bench
fdp
steyn
May 21st, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Here’s a prediction: Rassie will coach WP in the near future!
May 21st, 2007 at 11:41 pm
My ideal backline with no injuries would be:
Pienaar
Pretorius
Habana
JDV
Fourie
Pietersen
Steyn
bench
fdp
Olivier
May 22nd, 2007 at 1:55 am
both attacking powerhouses.
May 22nd, 2007 at 4:49 am
Meyer has played Fourie and Matfield into the ground this season.
Fing nuts.
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:46 am
Akona can replace Pietrsen.
Both have about the same melanin count to be considered ‘black enough’.
May 22nd, 2007 at 7:14 am
I can understand why Pietersen’s injury worries White, who the hell will fetch his beers now?
May 22nd, 2007 at 7:19 am
#110 — the Fluke Wotsup ANC/SARU saga tells us that you don’t need a brown SKIN to get help from “affirmative action”.
All you need is a brown nose. And if Daddy and Uncle Valence have brown noses too, the magic is even more potent.
May 22nd, 2007 at 7:43 am
Jake can afford to give any doubtful players a break this week. We have strength in depth in most positions and at home against a weakened England it is reasonable enough to expect a second or even third string Bok side to win.
May 22nd, 2007 at 8:04 am
Luke Watson Saint… what other reason is he there for??
Off the topic abit, but I am seriously impressed with the way Jake White has handled the tricky situation to date. No rantings, no ravings, no comical statements… just a collective desire to focus on the WC.
I just prey that it lasts
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:32 am
Pete77 – i think Hougie will be playing, which gives White an ideal oppurtunity to play Steyn at 15 and give Monty a rest.
Probable backline will be
9. Ruan
10. Hougie
11. Habana
12. Olivier
13. Murray/ Would have brought in Marius Joubert
14. Wilemse
15. Steyn
May 22nd, 2007 at 5:11 pm
#115 Can’t believe you would even mention
Marius Joubert in the Springbok team. He couldn’t even make a mediocre Cheetas team and when he did play was totally out of his depth.