Jannie best bet for Twickers
17 Nov 2008
Jannie du Plessis must start at Twickenham if the Springboks are to have any hope of besting the English scrum.
Multiple front-row injuries have cut short the John Smit-tighthead experiment, and now there is talk of Brian Mujati having a sore shoulder. Du Plessis was recently called to London as his brother Bismarck and prop Gurthro Steenkamp were simultaneously released from the Bok camp. Du Plessis is likely to face one of the world’s premier looseheads in Andrew Sheridan this Saturday, and from the vibe gathered at Monday’s press conference, the Boks are feeling confident about the match up.
A World Cup winner in 2007, Du Plessis was deemed surplus to Bok requirements in 2008. He received a recall against Australia for the Ellis Park Test when CJ van der Linde was suspended and BJ Botha had left for Ireland, and did a solid job. This was on the back of a strong showing with his new Super 14 franchise, the Sharks. Many felt he was an unfortunate omission when the Boks’ UK touring squad was announced given the nature of the game up north and how Du Plessis’s strengths would be valuable.
If the Bok management pick Du Plessis to start this Saturday, it’s a sure acknowledgment of his value in northern conditions. Mujati has battled for the better part of the year, and does not boast the technical experience that comes with winning three Currie Cups and a World Cup winners medal. Mujati may be more mobile than Du Plessis, but it is the latter who will make the greater impact at the tight-phases. Up north, you need to favour set-phase proficiency over athleticism. Jake White applied this logic when playing Danie Rossouw at No 8 in last year’s World Cup, and look what came from that decision.
The question will be raised that if Mujati is fit enough to warm the bench this weekend, why isn’t he fit enough to start? The troubling answer may also point to another question as to whether he deserved a squad place ahead of seasoned specialists like Van der Linde, Botha and Du Plessis.
The same applies for Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle. If your first-choice hooker is injured, surely you’d back your second choice to slot in. It’s become accepted that Smit fulfills the hooking duties in the event of injury as he did last week, but if Smit is really supposed to concentrating on prop and Ralepelle is truly the understudy to Bismarck du Plessis, then why shouldn’t Ralepelle start this weekend? Smit’s covering for Du Plessis is only supposed to be in emergencies, as his own development at 3 was a priority on this tour.
Ralepelle has had little game time in the past two years and won his place on this tour ahead of more deserving players such as Adriaan Strauss. Strauss joined the Bok side when Smit was ruled him out of the Tri-Nations, and started for the Boks when Bismarck broke down. How Ralepelle has leapfrogged him in the hooking queue is anybody’s guess.
While calling up Jannie du Plessis is the right short-term solution, it speaks volumes for De Villiers’s lack of confidence in Mujati and Ralepelle. It may also say something about the move of Smit to tighthead, a move De Villiers promised was a long-term initiative with a view to the British & Irish Lions series and the 2011 World Cup. Either play Ralepelle at No 2 with Smit at 3, or call up Strauss to fill the hooking void. That would suggest continuity and a long-term plan.
But it’s become clear there is no plan, or at least there is little confidence in the fringe players already in the squad. Du Plessis is the best bet to scrum against Sheridan this weekend, and the Boks have a realistic chance of winning this battle. If one remembers that Mujati and Ralepelle are likely to remain in the set-up come the Lions series, then one has to ask why they aren’t being pushed through in what will be the ultimate acid Test at Twickenham. The Boks may win this Saturday, but they won’t learn anything new.
589 Comments
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17 Nov 2008, 21:44 pm
#379 carol:
When you have time go to you tube and type in the words “Tex Perkins”, “bourbon” and “sorrow”. You will then be able to check the video of a “dangerous” man doing a stripped down version of a “save” song. You must watch the whole song.
I would like to know what you think of it.
17 Nov 2008, 21:44 pm
#392 carol:
Yes just. If you know the book, it’s the sort you take on a 2 month holiday to St Helena, to get through all 866 pages of it. But we’re learning a lot more about our ex-chief.
17 Nov 2008, 21:45 pm
#338 tjokvol: Yes, it was great in fact I had to eat humble pie that day
I hope that he can replicate that performance in all his games, but I have to say, between him and I thnk Spies, they cost the Buls the game due to the accidental offside
17 Nov 2008, 21:46 pm
#390 carol: I can see the screenplay:
Handsome blonde stud in Mark Spitz speedo strolls on to balcony.
Winsome semi-naked blonde waves from beach, asks to come visit.
Turk says why not?
Swedish blonde says the more the merrier.
Our hero still in mark Spitz speeddo says how about a bubbly bath – he he.
Demure English lass with a riding crop, skinny jeans and riding boots – says “is this a private party or can anyone join in”
…….
TBC
17 Nov 2008, 21:47 pm
#392 SodaJoe: frans…even bigger and wants the job…watch this space…ruan wants 9…
17 Nov 2008, 21:48 pm
#394 carol: There first big hit is called? That’s the clue.
17 Nov 2008, 21:48 pm
#399 grant10: Game on!!
17 Nov 2008, 21:48 pm
#397 SodaJoe: #398 grant10:
Ruan will be good but never great as a FH a great FH takes control and dominates even when under pressure. Pienaaar great when we are on the front foot but dissappears when the pressure is on.
17 Nov 2008, 21:49 pm
#395 SodaJoe:
Ja I like Camels as long as someone can hold them still .
A camel with one hump is called a Dromedary.
A camel with two humps a Bactrian.
What do you call a camel with 3 humps?
17 Nov 2008, 21:49 pm
Big ups to the SA Referees at the moment. In my humble kiwi opinion SA Refs marc lawrence and Kaplan are the best in the world by a country mile.
The standard of refs in the NH is still poor. They cannot handle the pace of the SH game. They also are extremely pedantic and seem unable to let games flow unlike Lawrence and co.
17 Nov 2008, 21:50 pm
#403 SodaJoe: I’ll buy a ticket to see that …lol
17 Nov 2008, 21:50 pm
#404 SodaJoe: LOL…i told you …threes a crowd…you been watching movies i see??
17 Nov 2008, 21:50 pm
#400 Robzim: He is the lead singer for an Australian band (from Perth) called The Cruel Sea which I told you about before. Bloody great band.
17 Nov 2008, 21:51 pm
#400 Robzim: Rob I will get WRS to see it with me, he is the one with the “understanding” of music. I just like it or not! He is listening to blues as I type?
17 Nov 2008, 21:51 pm
#401 TASSIES: Can we take some Klein Constantia soeties like Napoleon?
17 Nov 2008, 21:51 pm
#383 Robzim: Hi Rob. Strange complicated fellow is our Thabs. Prefers to talk in riddles to keep one guessing about exactly what he’s trying to say. Thinks he’s being clever. I have a long way to go (page 200 odd) but Mark Gevisser does his homework well and helps to connect the dots on this extremely complex man. One thing’s for sure, his history would dictate that he’d have no time for Zuma.
17 Nov 2008, 21:52 pm
# TASSIES: Can I have the version with pictures, sounds heavy going!
17 Nov 2008, 21:52 pm
#408 justrugby: I heard as well he is not embracing 10 passionately either…matter of time and our problem will be solved…plumtree also quoted saying he wanted frans at 10 next super 14…time will tell..
17 Nov 2008, 21:52 pm
#407 justrugby: Conjecture.
Judge him this time next year?
17 Nov 2008, 21:53 pm
#411 justrugby: you the blonde oke in the speedo!!LOL
17 Nov 2008, 21:53 pm
#408 OCO: You’re so romantic. Why do you need someone to hold the camel still?
17 Nov 2008, 21:54 pm
#403 SodaJoe: LOL, funniest thing all day that Soda. Actually Grant10 is tall, dark and handsome. Glad I am properly dressed, sounds just like me, spooky…………!!
17 Nov 2008, 21:54 pm
#403 SodaJoe: not bad Soda. When will your package reach Bollywood?
17 Nov 2008, 21:54 pm
#418 SodaJoe:
I will be happy to be proved wrong……but do not think so !!!
17 Nov 2008, 21:55 pm
#417 grant10: Rumour.
Judge him this time next year.
17 Nov 2008, 21:55 pm
#420 SodaJoe:
Footing is soft underneath ex se.
17 Nov 2008, 21:55 pm
#405 SodaJoe: Yellow, so it was!
What happens next?
17 Nov 2008, 21:56 pm
#421 carol: I did say TBC
17 Nov 2008, 21:56 pm
#375 OCO:
Tell you what, when it comes to provincialism you take the cake, you and goodytwoshoespart2 and the rest of the sharkey boy gangland can only see these black and white jerseys parading about, I actually see a whole lot more objectively than you do, I was rooting for Brits when he was a lions boy, same for Grant as a Natalian, not a WP player, when it comes to provincialism I don’t see colors, only players,
In the country right now I agree whole heartedly with K9 the best front row forwards are Heinke and Wepener next to Bismark at 2,
Chilliboy I rate he’s a Bull,
out of your lot I like Jacobs, Terblanche, Steyn, Pienaar and Deysel, thats about it, the rest of them are show boaters including Flash Gordon Kankowski,
From the Free State, Brussouw and Vermeulen and Smith are the boys with the youngsters Wilton Pietersen, the blond fly half Potgieter, and the center Eberhson and wing Nokwe
Bulls have some nice players, Botha, Matfield, Van Heerden, Heini Adams, Potgieter at 8, Stegmann at 6, Habana, Mametsa, full back or wing Kirchner
WP have Koster, JdV, Louw, Bekker, Grant, Jabtjes (when he’s not so self conscious of himself)
If you trying to lay provincialism on me, sorry feller you are so far from the canning factory its not even funny.
17 Nov 2008, 21:57 pm
#426 carol: You know the saying about someone holding the “whiphand”.
17 Nov 2008, 21:58 pm
#428 tjokvol: Colonoscopy tomorrow morning for you.
17 Nov 2008, 21:58 pm
#419 SodaJoe: i agree ruan should be given more time…he definitley felt the heat vs scots!!! So far a pass mark….just!!
17 Nov 2008, 21:58 pm
Stuart Abbott has fancied England to do the business..
17 Nov 2008, 21:59 pm
#430 SodaJoe: Because there was no Lion.
17 Nov 2008, 22:00 pm
#431 grant10: Behind pack under pressure. We need a tighthead prop and then we can talk.
17 Nov 2008, 22:00 pm
#429 SodaJoe: I do like to be “in control”!! Horses, men you name it!!
17 Nov 2008, 22:00 pm
#414 SodaJoe: haha Soda. Yup. And they still make the stuff will you know. One just needs to mortgage the hut to purchase a few cases we’ll need while grinding through Mr Gevisser’s doorstopper.
17 Nov 2008, 22:03 pm
#416 carol: little Thab’s tribe aren’t very photogenic afraid. Snoop (don’t know the english equivalent) with the piccies.
17 Nov 2008, 22:03 pm
#435 SodaJoe: that will help soda…our pack has been mauled 2 weeks in a row…again…we should have taken a team of hungry youngsters….we will pay for this shocking man management…sat and then against lions….cruel the way our players treated…..we are so not bold !!
17 Nov 2008, 22:04 pm
#436 carol: now who is teasing??
17 Nov 2008, 22:05 pm
#431 grant10:
I don’t think a pass mark is warranted, the mere fact that people are saying that because Fourie was not there to take the pressure off him, he struggled, means that he is not equipped to do the job.
So far a good first half against wales and not much else.
i am not bashing Pienaar, he is as I have said many times a very good rugby player, but as a scrummie he can truly be world class. as a FH half decent and for the Boks I want more than half decent.
17 Nov 2008, 22:06 pm
those scots were something to behold!! Men possessed….thank you frans and jaque for saving the boks…
17 Nov 2008, 22:07 pm
#437 TASSIES: Your version of War and Peace!!
17 Nov 2008, 22:07 pm
#439 grant10: Oh, you noticed!! LOL Just you wait!
17 Nov 2008, 22:08 pm
Puma, where are you tonight?
17 Nov 2008, 22:08 pm
#441 grant10:
And to the Scots kickers !!!!
17 Nov 2008, 22:08 pm
#432 Tbozknows: He would.
17 Nov 2008, 22:10 pm
#435 carol: Movie Title sorted then. Stars recruited. All we need is the dosh.
Better go to Vegas.
17 Nov 2008, 22:10 pm
#441 justrugby: I really am concerned as well, the appetite not there…impressed at times with his composure and has handled pole kicking well….but he relishes getting back to 9!! Against eng we need to be bold and get some fizz into the team…for me frans and jaque must be accomodated…some players so in need of a break…we will not get out of jail again!!
17 Nov 2008, 22:11 pm
#438 grant10: Dude I know that the property market is a little bit pap. But don’t be so despondent. We will win on Saturday. You will get to make your movie. Summer’s there or almost there.
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