Boks call up big guns
12 Aug 2008
Percy Montgomery and Fourie du Preez will start against the All Blacks on Saturday.
They replace Ricky Januarie and Conrad Jantjes in the starting line-up, with the other changes coming at lock, where Andries Bekker starts in place of the injured Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger in for Luke Watson at openside flank and Danie Rossouw and Frans Steyn coming onto the wood.
Montgomery will earn his 100th Test cap at Newlands in a back three that won the World Cup and one that started when they broke a 10-year losing streak at Dunedin earlier in the tournament.
“It’s a special moment for me, particularly because it’s at Newlands where I spent a big part of my career and against the All Blacks. You couldn’t have asked for a better script,” he told keo.co.za. Montgomery will share his special occasion with Juan Smith, who makes his 50th appearance for the Springboks.
Du Preez was somewhat of a surprise inclusion given how loyal coach Peter De Villiers has been to Ricky Januarie. However, there can be no question that Du Preez offers a more complete option, particularly from a tactical-kicking perspective.
De Villiers said it was a hard decision to drop Januarie but pointed towards fatigue as a decisive factor.
“We can’t live in the past. We have to move on,” De Villiers said in response to the question of whether Januarie’s performance against the All Blacks in Dunedin wasn’t enough to warrant a start.
“If you look at Ricky’s workload this year in the Super 14 and in the Test matches, you’ll realise that a lot has been asked of him. The legs were definitely starting to get a bit heavier and it was time to make the change.
“I’ve always promised players that I’ll be honest with them in all areas and while it was a hard call to make, I feel it was the right one given the type of game we want to play. It’s great to be in a position to say to two players who have done nothing wrong, ‘Look sorry but you’re not going to start’. It’s a blessing.”
Du Preez and Montgomery’s inclusion hints that their play may be characterised by territorial dominance gained through tactical kicking. De Villiers refused to confirm the game plan, saying: “I might as well invite the All Blacks to our training sessions if I told you that.
“Ricky and Conrad don’t have bad kicking games at all,” he asserted. “But Fourie is very good off the boot and Percy offers us a left-footed option which is valuable. We know how we want to play against New Zealand and those players offer us the strengths we need to play the game we want to.”
Asked whether their inclusion was partly designed to take some kicking pressure off Butch James, De Villiers said: “I aim to have 15 perfect players who are able to execute a wide range of skills. They will read the situation and play accordingly. But it’s always soothing to know you have two players who can do that job and that frees Butch to shift the ball.”
Captain Victor Matfield said he expected a physical contest. “We’ll give each other as good as we get. It won’t be a lot different to traditional Springbok/All Blacks Tests.”
In Dunedin the All Blacks dominated possession 58% to 42%, while they spent 66% of the game in South Africa’s territory. Despite this, the Springboks scored two tries to their one and crafted the better scoring opportunities. This also speaks volumes about the defensive work done by the visitors, who began to slip tackles late in the match (a total of 22 to New Zealand’s 6) but scrambled desperately in search of redemption. They made 205 tackles in total – massive by Test standards.
Asked if they expected to defend as much as that this weekend Matfield was non-committal.
“If you look at the stats from games over the last two years you’ll see that often the team that has less possession won the game. Maybe there’s a trend developing there,” he said.
“But decision making will be key. We put a premium on keeping possession but it’s important that we read the situation and make sharp decisions and execute accurately. Using the ball in the right manner is extremely important against the All Blacks.”
Springboks – 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Adi Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Andries Bekker, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Brian Mujati, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Frans Steyn, 22 Conrad Jantjes
By Ryan Vrede, in Cape Town
731 Comments
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12 Aug 2008, 16:47 pm
#645 Saffa_Guy: PdV’s Boks By 5:
I bet a few guys reading that here on keo will actually try that out. There at the Waterfront.
You wrote that there with a great deal of authority especially the sequence of events.
So when you see the KFC bag and they’re busy ordering frozen yoghurt, you know what’s going down ….
12 Aug 2008, 16:48 pm
if we can just stray from the smoothness of a toothless ******* and concentrate on whats at hand… (thats the ruckby and not a handjob desperadoes)… im worried about cj (not bj)… the oke doesnt know how to hold tight to the balls. hes too busy trying to slam it in there when running at the defense, and he always loses the ball prematurely out of his hand while he’s going down on the loosies.
12 Aug 2008, 16:48 pm
#644 Sheriff:
Hy ken nie die storie van frozen yoghurt nie.
Gee die cullarts brain freeze.
12 Aug 2008, 16:51 pm
#653 Dawn:
I think it’s a photo finish between the cullerts and the boertjies of who gets abused the most
12 Aug 2008, 16:55 pm
Very good run on side and a strong bench, Big Joe probably unlucky to lose out to Luke, but Luke can do the job from the woodwork. Ideal opportunity for Andries Bekker to stake a claim, can he take on the role of the enforcer ??, he brings extra option to the lineouts with that height of his. Fourie needs to kick intelligently from the base and turn the AB’s back three at the right time, poor kicking by Fourie and Butch could cost us the game. Percy to resume the kicking duties a plus factor in a tight game. 100 games unbelievable !!! Role on Saturday , I can’t wait !!!
12 Aug 2008, 16:56 pm
I only have one problem with the squad……we need another fetcher, Schalk should go to 8 and Wickus or Baywatch should be in at no 6.
12 Aug 2008, 16:56 pm
#654 Sheriff:
Eskhually we likes Macdonalds milkshakes.
12 Aug 2008, 16:56 pm
Cheers Dawn and others!
12 Aug 2008, 16:57 pm
Think that PDV has picked the best team avaliable to him at the moment, barring BJ. Would maybe have picked Big Joe befoe Spies, but not much between them so doe not really matter.
Really looking forward to a great game at Newlands on saturday. Are the AB’s staying at the BAY Hotel, cause heard that there newest employees name is SUZI
12 Aug 2008, 16:57 pm
WP till I die, the name says it all. Two awesome games against Griquas and Valke this season man. You missed Luke “powerlifter” Watson, but don’t worry, he will be back to save the WP season soon
12 Aug 2008, 17:01 pm
#660 dirt-tracker:
At least I don’t feel the need to insult other province’s players. Are you insecure?
12 Aug 2008, 17:03 pm
Guys one issue I want to raise and I am not sure if it has been discussed on the site, if it has please ignore. My concern is what the hell was Shaun Veldsman doing awarding that last AB try to Nonu when teh AB’s thrashed Aus. I think that it was such a 50/50 call that if he had disallowed the try no one would of had a problem, in fact I still believe Nonu lost the ball. It gave the AB’s a valuable bonus point that could come back and haunt us. I am sure that if the roles were reversed an Aus or AB’s TV ref would not have ruled a try
12 Aug 2008, 17:04 pm
#659 WPjoulekkerding: As much as I am a Spies fan I agree that give the dry conditoons we have had on SA for months on end Big Joe could have been a better choice.
Big Joe for Watson woudl have been a close call.
Pity for Jaque Fourie I would have really liked to have seen him in action.
I wonder who Steyn is covering for on the bench and in what position he will be played if he is played. Hopefully not at no10.
12 Aug 2008, 17:08 pm
#660 dirt-tracker: give it up already……obsession is never gud 4 one’s soul…….go track some dirt or something…….man de way ur carring on abt dis Luke guy…..its not healthy brother……..
12 Aug 2008, 17:08 pm
There is an inherent weakness in this team and it might just cost the Boks the game on Saturday.
There is this reversion to dinosaur-type rugby in this starting XV and it lies in the #s. 8,9,10(and Danie Ross.) selections. Someone in the coaching staff is having too much of an influence. Hence, to cover up James’ inadequacies, a not yet match fit and seemingly overweight(bloated face) Fourie DuP. is picked and this neccessitates the selection of Spies(for whatever reason) in the tpye of tight game that is going to unfold which will ensure another poor performance from Spies again.
Has no one yet picked up that Spies only plays well when Watson is in the starting XV as was the case vs. Wales #1 and Argies. on Sat.? Watson makes Spies look much better than he really is in much the same way that Skinstad made Joe Van. look better early in his career. A case in point is that try on Sat. that Spies scored. It emanated from Watson’s brilliance once again, let me remind you. The Boks won the ball close to the right hand touchline and the ball moved to the left to Watson with a full backline on his left. Luke exquisitely, smartly and quickly read the play and saw the Arg.defence was to the Bok left so staightened his run and emaculately made a gap forcing pass to JP on his right who gave a litttle kick into wide open space for Spies to easily score. Please note I substantiate, motivate, argue, debate, support my claims which is how points must be made and not as is the norm here with just sweeping claims/statements.
Watson’s astounding reading of the game will not be there for Spies so watch for a down turn in his performance.
12 Aug 2008, 17:12 pm
The comment of the Beast!
12 Aug 2008, 17:14 pm
#665 ET: i must say FDP did look a little overweight, no-one seems to have mentioned it
12 Aug 2008, 17:15 pm
its a gud thing that PDV is black……had it been White……Butana would be spitting fire and ashes………….PdV is lucky coz his team selection is not critised by politician, he is actually the first coach in a long time who has the freedom to pick the best team despite the color………….
12 Aug 2008, 17:15 pm
655 ET- Some intersesting points you make, however what attacking flair 8,9, 10 might lack, they more than make up with their defensive abilities. In a game against the AB’s this is paramount. You get the AB’s attention when you paly no nonsense, direct in your face type rugby that requires real a pyhsical presence, these players have that in abundance, which I believe can give us the edge. It will be intersting to review after Sat.
12 Aug 2008, 17:16 pm
#667 flanka: he is getting bold too………
12 Aug 2008, 17:29 pm
#665 ET:
All against a team that were knocked out on their feet.
Brilliant!!
12 Aug 2008, 17:36 pm
#667 flanka:
They are all to busy watching Watson’s magnificent plays to note anything else
a href=”#comment-960979″>669 justrugby:
Attack is the best form of defence, have you not heard.
#671 tight head:
Yes, you are so correct, the BOKS really knocked them out. Is that not what the Boks should really be doing to any and all opposition? You have genious qualities, have you ever realised that?
12 Aug 2008, 17:37 pm
I would have started with January not Fdp and although I do like to have Spies in the mix I sure hope someone out of Juan Schalk or Victor is going to be able to feed him and put him into space like Luke and Joe read the game. It is actually a bit of a big pity that someone out of Joe or Luke has to sit out to accomodate 3 big ball carriers, so we have reverted all the way back to our so called ‘strength’ team, well now lets hope to hell they produce the goods.
Spies, Fdp, Butch, Danie and Percy, now is your time to show your real worth.
12 Aug 2008, 17:45 pm
Et – Attack best form of defense ???, yet each world cup so far has been won on defense based tactics !!!! If you want to watch running rugby tune into the 7′s circuit, real rugby is a combination of guts, defense and a take no **** attitude and sensible running of the ball when the opportunity presents itself !!
12 Aug 2008, 17:50 pm
#665 ET: Nothing much like a bit of unbiased gamesmanship. Spies is far from at his best.
When he was at his best last year well before the lung clot debacle he was unstoppable. At thsi point in time hefar from that stage, but even then truning in mediocre performances he is stil good enough to leap frog Lukey boy.
Now that should give you something to think about.
12 Aug 2008, 17:50 pm
#672 ET:
You have no understanding of rugby.
Even Skopskiet would have looked good in the second half against the Argies.
To come on here and try and teach people how to make a point, when you are talking absolute shite is unbelievable.
If you want to judge how your hero played, then judge him on the first half of the game.
The second half was open gates against a team that had lost their tight head prop after 10 minutes, their best loose forward shortly after half time, and then brought on inexperienced subs.
Furthermore they had never played the ELV rules, were out of season and condition, and ran out of lungs at altitude.
And you want to make judgements on our players based on that.
Imbecile!!
12 Aug 2008, 17:52 pm
#673 skopskiet: Yep I I’ll go with that. Produce or make way.
12 Aug 2008, 17:57 pm
#673 skopskiet: Skop don’t you think that Ricky is a player who puts pressure on his own flyhalf at times because he carries the ball for too long and side steps before he passes.
Fourie on the other hand is the complete business and he takes pressure away from the flyhalf because of his long pass and his ability to kick. Joost used to be the same adn that is why he was such a great scrum half.
I think Januarie as an impact player if we are ahead coudl be a good ploy he adds a bit of extra zing that does not go down well with tired forwards legs.
12 Aug 2008, 18:01 pm
#678 Objective 101:
Hi Objective.
Rugby is about mastering the basics first.
The first and most important quality you look for in an international scrum half is the length, speed and accuracy of his pass.
After that other things like abilty to kick, break, read the game in terms of decision making are important.
However the first point is non negotiable.
12 Aug 2008, 18:06 pm
I think that aftrer the 3N we will bid goodbye to Butch and Percy, I cannot see Butch with the amount of rugger he has been playing and his dodgy knees lasting until the Lions tour. Who replaces them is a lottery at this stage. Personally I’d like to see Morne Steyn get a run, he has been playing really well for the Bulls (I am a Province supporter) at least he is a specialist fly half and it would be interesting to see how he goes in top class company. The fact that he and Fourie play as a provincial partneship is also a plus factor. And at full back I honestly believe that this posistion is tailor made for Steyn.
12 Aug 2008, 18:08 pm
#679 tight head: If you are the flyhalf I woudl agree. There are many mediocre half backs around.
That’s why for me there is no issue. Januarie has zing dn grunt as well but in the passing stakes he falls well short of the mark.
12 Aug 2008, 18:10 pm
#681 Objective 101:
Agree.
12 Aug 2008, 18:16 pm
#680 justrugby: I agree with you on the fullback postion but not the flyhalf position.
Peter Grant is the obvious choice unless they want to start blooding one of the Ebersohn brothers. With a bit of coaching Meyer Bosman could offer some very good options but he is not a natural no10 although nowadays it seems as if most no 10s come from the no 12 position.
12 Aug 2008, 18:20 pm
#542 Dawn: No, that would mean I’d have to wake up at the crack of dawn every morning. You can’t come with. Has anyone seen Adam? Umbrella at the ready! En garde! Fwooop! Uh-oh! I can’t see anything.
12 Aug 2008, 18:23 pm
683- objective 101- I also like Peter Grant and he would not be a bad option, the only thing that I belive he lacks is a dominant boot which should be a primary weapon of any fly half. If he can work on this aspect of his game , i have no problem with him.
12 Aug 2008, 18:26 pm
#676 tight head:
Oh! my! how touchy and categorical again. Have you been mortally wounded that you have to now claim rugby God-like stature. Only the great TH knows rugby are we all to believe?
In the first 30 mins.(not half ) the whole Bok pack esp. tight 5 were unsure of themselves wrt the opposition who they knew have a reputation for good scrumming and hence played very tight but lethargically. Yet you, God of rugby gods, the Rugby Deity, see only one player not playing adequately. How you pervert and ridicule you god-like status and your so noble but now silly understanding of a really simple game(not unlike netball really).
I think that underpants you wear is much too tight hence the tight head you are thinking with.
” Ran out of lungs ….” my oh my, that is physiology rewritten for this physiosiologist. Please go on and educate us more with your mind-boggling pearls of wisdom oh Great tightone.
Unfortunately, I cannot wait for your erudite response as I need to revise my science now again because of you.
12 Aug 2008, 18:31 pm
#674 justrugby:
That is nowhere near the truth. When the Aussies won there 2 with brilliant players like Horan, Little, Campese Willie O’ etc., etc that was attacking rugby.
Give the whole truth and substantiate it always.
12 Aug 2008, 18:36 pm
#686 ET: Our lot were ***** in the first 30 mins and the argies were allowed to get away with murder at the breakdowns by the shittiest referee of all Wayne Barnes.
But unless I am wrong rugby matches last for 80 minutes so that is the duration of a match. No good competing for 30 and then folding in. Rumania can do that too.
12 Aug 2008, 18:43 pm
#686 ET:
I am not surprised that this garbage is the best you can do.
Like I say your rugby knowledge is extremely limited.
Which is not a problem.
You are entitled to an opinion.
12 Aug 2008, 18:43 pm
687 -ET- The players you mentioned were as good defensively as they were attacking.(perhaps not Campo) You seem to be implying that world cup finals are a run fest which is far removed from reality, therefore am I not stating the truth ?? do I need to substantiate something so obvious. I do however respect your opinion.
12 Aug 2008, 21:44 pm
#689 tight head:
Nowhere from post #665 to this point do you counter a single point, fact, idea or otherwise but merely make snide remarks,sweeping claims and eventually insults, which I have previously demonstrated is par for the course for you because like your so-called rugby, your thinking is also dinosaur.You probably still believe that white is might and white is right which is archaic in the modern world.
Almost everytime Australia beat NZ or SA or England your type of rugby thinking takes a knock because science and not size is more important to them. But you are so fixated on size and the hence bullying mentality which accompanies it from the day you set your feet on this globe that that is really all you know. And when anyone exposes you, you take it extremely personally and when you get your own medicine back you just cannot handle and tolerate it and fall apart like you do now, you just shout like a mad one.
You still think all your quotas are quotas, like Adi, for example? Your slate is nowhere clean.
Contest the facts , points etc. bully or learn to do so or simply shut up then. The herrenvolk days are long gone.
12 Aug 2008, 21:52 pm
#690 justrugby:
Australia won their WCs with tries scored by their brilliant backs if you care to check
Is the end result of attacking rugby not more often than not, tries? And did the Ozzies win their WCs just with boring penalty goals? Go and revise you thinking and understanding wrt attacking and boring defensive play in rugby and just be honest. It is good nto be honest even though your ego may suffer a wee bit.
12 Aug 2008, 21:54 pm
#690 justrugby:
BTW that implication emanates from your brain and not mine as nowhere do I even vaguely state anything anywhere close to that from #665.
12 Aug 2008, 22:24 pm
ET 1
Tight head 0
12 Aug 2008, 22:40 pm
#694 Keo: ET 4
Tight Head 0
12 Aug 2008, 23:08 pm
#694 Keo:
#695 jock36:
Thank you for your positive evaluations, that is really an unexpected bonus, like a players’ choice award. But TH is not going to take too kindly to the both of you. Keo, you may even now be suspended from this site.
Actually I would it were really:
W.P. 2 (more CC wins than they now have)
Top Four 1 (less win than they now have)
12 Aug 2008, 23:08 pm
#694 Keo: Just wondering… is this Patrick Farrell the official Keo mascot or are we going to see some of his journalistic brilliance some time soon? Hope you’re not paying him!
12 Aug 2008, 23:11 pm
It is quiet here tonight, is the Beach Volley Ball live from Beijing on T.V?
12 Aug 2008, 23:14 pm
#696 ET: C’mon ET! This site is entirely based on opinion where substance is of little relevance. Brief thru the archives and you’ll see! No matter how ridiculuos, you are permitted to make a claim.
12 Aug 2008, 23:19 pm
#698 carol meredith: Hey Carol. Don’t you think the Olympics has become a total farce? Somehow people are still holding on to the notion that it is a testing ground for determination and grit pitted against the opponents. Think it’s more about which athlete is on the better juice. And how come Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson or any of the pro boxers can’t compete but Ronaldinho, Nadal etc can?
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