Burger set to start
23 Jun 2009
Schalk Burger is looking strong in training and is likely to feature in the Springbok starting line-up named later today.
Burger missed the first Test with a calf strain, and on Monday the Bok medical staff were reluctant to give a definitive answer on his availability for the second. However, in Tuesday’s training session at Wits University, he has taken part in all contact drills with no sign of struggle.
Fourie du Preez and Deon Carstens are also showing no side effects of their respective shoulder ailments. The only player to miss the training session is Pierre Spies, who has the flu.
The Bok management have confirmed Spies will be back at training on Thursday, and he looks likely to retain his starting spot for Saturday’s clash with the British & Irish Lions.
Ricky Januarie is also running drills, but there has been talk that he will be axed from the Bok bench. In this event, flyhalf Ruan Pienaar will cover the scrumhalf position if Fourie du Preez has to leave the field.
The defensively-suspect Adi Jacobs is still running with the first-choice backline and looks set to keep his place as the starting No 13.
The Bok match 22 will be announced at 13:30 today.
By Ryan Vrede, at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
144 Comments
23 Jun 2009, 11:17 am
Fourie for Adi!!!
23 Jun 2009, 11:21 am
start with Heinrich and put Schalk on the bench
23 Jun 2009, 11:22 am
Hmmm…
No probs with Schalla back.
Just would like to know who drops from the bench now.
Hopefully Bekker.
23 Jun 2009, 11:24 am
Bekker should go from the 22. Schalk start with Brussouw & Russouw on the Bench. Adi must go from the 22 with Fourie to start and Oliver cover.
23 Jun 2009, 11:25 am
I think Schalk is a good player but he will have to really put his best forward given Brussow’s form
23 Jun 2009, 11:25 am
Schalk needed to fix our cover defence.
23 Jun 2009, 11:26 am
Rossouw in as lock cover instead of Bekker
Juan Smit on the bench to cover backrow
Start with Schalk and Heinrich and Spies
bench: Rossouw, Juan, Kanko
23 Jun 2009, 11:26 am
#3 PissAnt: #4 fogdog10: exactly boot bekker he’s weak. Also bring WO onto the bench at least ffs
23 Jun 2009, 11:26 am
PDV S litmus test in my eyes….does he revert to bash it up rugby or embrace the modern open sider fetcher?
I await with bated breath.
23 Jun 2009, 11:28 am
#7 mellowyellow:
Finally someone i agree with…..Juan Smith has been living off past glories….he hasnt played well since the 2007 world cup!!
Spies
Burger
Brussow
23 Jun 2009, 11:28 am
With Schalk back in the team will def help us when Roberts and O’driscoll try and cut inside!
23 Jun 2009, 11:31 am
for me a no brainer….schalk on bench…bekker out 22…as we evolve we must have another out and out fetcher like steggman on the bench…then we always got the pace and guile…like the wallabies…see there latest team on another thread….thats the ointelligent way …Deans has 3 fetchers in his 22….can we seriously be contemplating dropping the only 1 we got in the squad???
This decision will see whether PDV,GOLD AND MUIR have what it takes.
23 Jun 2009, 11:31 am
spies,juan, schalk with danie on the bench to cover all 3. bekker did nothting wrong to be dropped. he is the next best lock after vic and bakkies. did well when he came on and dont think danie would have done any better.brussouw was not so effective in the match, he will have to drop out of the 22.
23 Jun 2009, 11:31 am
#6 funkyzoo:
Agreed 100%
23 Jun 2009, 11:31 am
bring in wynand for ricky on bench, axe bekker, have cover for all positions. personally would have liked to see a backrow of juan, henrich and schalk.
23 Jun 2009, 11:31 am
intelligent
23 Jun 2009, 11:32 am
#9 grant10: I give up too. Brussow was outstanding on Saturday. Now just hope he does not lose the plot and leave our Brussow on the bench.
Actually just daft not to start with Brussow. Burger has not played since mid April.
23 Jun 2009, 11:32 am
#17 Puma: our = out
23 Jun 2009, 11:32 am
Ryan, you are surely having a laugh when you said Carstens is not showing any effects of his “shoulder injury”………
23 Jun 2009, 11:33 am
why does everyone want to axe bekker? he did very well on defense, and was very good on the cover defence. something that bakkies and danie (who was on the field) can and could not do?
23 Jun 2009, 11:33 am
#3 PissAnt: Yes hope it is Bekker. PdV has to keep Brussow for the bench. Would be daft to leave him out.
23 Jun 2009, 11:34 am
#17 Puma:
how many balls did brussouw steal on saturday?
23 Jun 2009, 11:34 am
mmmmm, I’d start with Skalk to ensure us winning the initial forward exchanges.
I would start with Brussow if they had a really quick fetcher but both Wallace or Williams are not that quick.and it looks as if their tight 5 will be less dynamic anyway.
And if we start with Fourie at 13 that will give us the finest fetching outside center in the game.
Ironically, Brussow’s pace later on in the game when defences are getting tired would possibly also provide a better foil for Adi Jacobs coming on later in the game. He would be in a position to contribute far more then.
23 Jun 2009, 11:35 am
i feel our kicking game in the second half was pour, and its not the bench to blame for the lion come back. they did not have the ball all they did was defend for 40minutes!!
23 Jun 2009, 11:35 am
Schalk was outshone by Brussouw and Vermeulen in the Super 14. Why is it that Schalk just doesn’t perform in the Super 14 and yet he always brings to goods to the test matches?
23 Jun 2009, 11:35 am
You wanna know why our midfield defense sucked?
Schalk wasn’t making the 20 odd tackles he makes in the flyhalf channel in a typical test match.
Welcome back Schalla, go tackle those dorks into oblivion!
23 Jun 2009, 11:36 am
#21 Puma: I just know when he left we never saw much of it again. That should tell you something.
Who would you start with Brussow or Burger?
23 Jun 2009, 11:36 am
#12 grant10:
3 fetchers in the Wallabie team compliments their style of playing a multi-phased quick approach to the game which is their strength and always have been.
23 Jun 2009, 11:36 am
#25 The Riddler:
i dont know but the one thing that i do know if he is ready play him!
23 Jun 2009, 11:36 am
#7 mellowyellow:
Agree with you there – though not sure any space for Kanko on bench
23 Jun 2009, 11:37 am
#21 Puma: Me thinks zero. How many tackles did he make?
23 Jun 2009, 11:37 am
#17 Puma: we make that call i will be so moerig!!
23 Jun 2009, 11:37 am
Brussouw had an awesome test, don’t get me wrong, but off the ground.
I’ve never seen anyone tackle in my life like Schalk Burger. We will need his defense this weekend.
23 Jun 2009, 11:38 am
#21 Puma: #23 St.Petersburgbok:
Again I agree.
Pretty much depends on what we want to achieve in the opening exchanges whether we bench Schalk or Heinrich.
The Lions won’t be asleep in the opening 30 again as they were in Durbs.
23 Jun 2009, 11:39 am
#29 skunkie: If our biggest problem in Durban was rustiness, conventional logic suggests playing him off the bench. However, imagine Brussouw coming off the bench and arriving first at all those tackle sin the second half – Penalty festival?
23 Jun 2009, 11:39 am
#33 badeesh:
i agree 100%
23 Jun 2009, 11:40 am
#31 The Riddler: Look our holes were coming from the centre. We need to jack that up. Yes Burger can tackle 3 at once. Just that he has not played much since mid April. What did he do for the Stormers? Not much I think. Look Burger is class I know that. Just think we need a out and out fetcher. Burger is not.
23 Jun 2009, 11:40 am
#28 PissAnt: and ours is get 32 % possession and tackle all afternoon?? We better than that…we must evolve or be found out…simple really…bulls play 2 fetchers…all teams embrace it except boks…we must wake up
23 Jun 2009, 11:40 am
#7,#10, agreed that Juan hasn’t been in greatest form but we need him according to our game plan. I don’t believe we want to play a loose game therefore we don’t need 2 fetchers. Kick the ball to the corners, force as many set pieces as possible because we should be dominant in both and keep the ball away from their backs.
23 Jun 2009, 11:40 am
Ja flokkkkkk… what shall I say…
Let me go do some business rather, die tille moet Rollllllllll !
23 Jun 2009, 11:40 am
#7 mellow yellow
#10 cereal killer
Remember Richard Hill? Juan Smith for me is the same sort of player. When England had Hill playing they were superb. Same same for Juan Smith. Don’t underestimate him cause he aint flashy… He must start, along with Brussouw and Spies. Then bring on Schalk in the last 3rd of the game to smash them (pse PdV not all the subs at the same time). If the Lions are winning too much ball on the ground then Shalk can be substituted by Brussouw with a “shoulder ailment”
23 Jun 2009, 11:41 am
I think first channel tackling is one of the big things we missed on saturday, not having Schalk smashing the opposing fly-half and 1st center made a huge difference.
This is why the issue of trust in defense cropped up in interviews, our whole backline didn’t feel quite at ease without Schalk’s trademark, knock you two meters back tackles …
I think he’ll make a huge difference on Saturday.
23 Jun 2009, 11:41 am
#35 The Riddler:
i dont think we were rusty. i actually think it was a game where we kicked well in the first have and bad in the second
23 Jun 2009, 11:41 am
Forwards:
Start with Schalk, Smith and Brussow, with Spies on the Bench (Bekker being dropped). Let Schalk play for the first 40 to tackle them silly, and bring Spies on in the second half to strike the gaps. Rossouw will cover for Bakkies.
23 Jun 2009, 11:42 am
#34 PissAnt: Agree PissAnt. They will be coming at us from the start. We need to start like we done in Durban and this time not let it go in the 2nd half.
We do need Brussow if he is on the bench so be it. If Burger is on it thats fine too. Just have both of them there.
23 Jun 2009, 11:42 am
#33 badeesh: about time we attacked them….
23 Jun 2009, 11:43 am
You people must be smoking socks.
Yes, Juan Smith had some below par games in a Bok jersey last year.
But this can be contributed to confusion surrounding a new game plan (or lack thereof).
Plus he suffered from some concussion.
But, along with Brussouw, he was incredible for an ailing Cheetahs team in the S14 this year.
And he had a fine game on Saturday.
Anyone who says different doesn’t know their rugby.
He is still the world’s premier blindside flank.
Deyzel is limited and over-rated, in my opinion.
He needs refinement to his game.
Vermeulen is very promising and should be groomed as Smith’s back-up.
But I would still start with Smith any day of the week.
Same goes for Schalk.
23 Jun 2009, 11:43 am
Do you guys remember 2006 when Schalk got injured, was the worst rugby year for boks since 2004. We are a more balanced side but what I am trying to say is Schalk gives us three beasts!
Tedai (Original Beast), Bakkies (Afrikaaner Beast) and Schalk (The Freak).
Add J Fourie to the backline then oh boy…..if the lions thought we were physical on Saterday…..
23 Jun 2009, 11:44 am
Juanna made some telling tackles on the weekend. Vital member of the team
23 Jun 2009, 11:44 am
contributed = attributed
23 Jun 2009, 11:44 am
drop a few i say
spies was quiet and is a betterutility forward than kanko, so start with a specialist 8 ie kanko…
my team would look like this:
15 francois
14 jp
13 fourie
12 jean
11 habana
10 ruan
9 fdp
8 kanko
7 juan
6 burger
5 matfield
4 bakkies
3 smittie
2 bismark
1 beeeeeeeaaaaast
16 guthro 17 carstens 18 dinasor 19 spies 20 adi 21 morne 22 wo
23 Jun 2009, 11:44 am
#45 Puma:
we dont need brussouw he did nothting on saturday. he did not play as well as the hype around him
23 Jun 2009, 11:45 am
#38 grant10:
We had less than 50% of the ball with Brussow on the park.
Playing two fetchers is nothing new, the Stormers did it too and often ended up with almost no ball.
In fact, it actually complimented their defense more than anything.
I read a very interesting analogy on Brussows play, will try and find it and post it for you.
23 Jun 2009, 11:45 am
#46 grant10:
This is what I love about the Bokke … Even though clearly rusty, our boys still put points on the board every time we got into their 22 … and most times we got into their half.
If we can get closer to 50% possession and territory this game it’ll be the 40+ win everybody is baying for …
Don’t forget how much our team thrives on ‘offensive’ defense. A few extra turnovers and some quality backline ball and we’ll rip them a new one.
23 Jun 2009, 11:46 am
#43 skunkie: Me thinks we kicked badly because we were under so much pressure. We definitely kicked too much. Often pointless up-and-unders regardless of the BIL defensive line. It gives the impression that the backs have no confidence. That’s probably why we ended up with 32% posession and 40% territory.
23 Jun 2009, 11:46 am
#32 grant10: Think it will be Burger to start. Remember PdV said his gameplan is 60% around Burger!! Just hope that Brussow is on the bench.
#33 badeesh: Well thats all we done in the 2nd half. Defend. PdV wanted to speed up the game with the guys he brought on but actaully it slowed it down and we went backwards. We just defended the whole of the 2nd half.
Look I know we need good defence we lacked it from the centre that was a huge problem. Burger is class I know just think with Brussow we do have something else.
23 Jun 2009, 11:46 am
Hey hey… don’t touch J Smith the guy’s the original hard man of the SA back row. He’s the man, when the stormers were playing the cheetahs one year they were destroying the cheetahs but on came mister Smith and they came back to almost win the game… he is a leader and history shows a team full of leaders wins more games than they lose.
23 Jun 2009, 11:47 am
I would keep most of the team the same. only change would be Adi out of the 22 Fourie 12 and WO bench. and burger for brussouw
23 Jun 2009, 11:47 am
#42 badeesh: i think you read too many superman comics….schalk was piss poor for the stormers….statistically the worst!! Out since April and now he must come back 2 monthe later and replace the best fetcher in SA….statistically!!!! Are you bloody mad young man!!!
23 Jun 2009, 11:47 am
This is from Oranje Orakel some of you might still remember, and avid Cheetah supporter.
Although BruSSow was surely missed since his substitution, the “crowding of the breakdown” @ testlevel as foreseen and played to under coachWhite was clearly demonstrated.
Test rugby is just that bit faster and does not allow BruSSow the time to get near the ball, the way he does in Super games. He then lacks the power/bulk to contest the breakdown by way of force.
I believe that he should play, as he covers more ground and will be able to slow down ball or even rip some possession if he can play as a scrounger only- but he should be the only light frame in the pack.
23 Jun 2009, 11:47 am
#56 Puma: meant = actually
23 Jun 2009, 11:48 am
#55 The Riddler:
agree
23 Jun 2009, 11:48 am
WO should start this weekend too.
Cheers all back later.
23 Jun 2009, 11:48 am
#10 Cereal Killa: juan smith is the best in the world. even the ausies and new zealand experts say he is the best. and everyone knows they favour their own players. schalk havent played upto standard for a long time. put him on the bench and drop bekker.
23 Jun 2009, 11:48 am
#53 PissAnt: Brussouw does well when the game is loose and players are attacking from all corners (Cheetahs game for example). That’s not going to happen in a BOK/BIL test match. I still think he’ll cause carnage if brought on in the second half when one or both teams play more expansive rugby.
23 Jun 2009, 11:50 am
#53 PissAnt: mate you a good oke but misguided ….schalk competes for 7 jersey or the bench…
23 Jun 2009, 11:50 am
#65 The Riddler:
Which is exactly my point on style of play.
The Aussies hardly look for a hard physical game of direct rugby, the thrive on moving the ball into space and away from contact, hence their loosies play a massive role as the fetcher type loosie.
23 Jun 2009, 11:51 am
#53 PissAnt: we had a lot more ball until brussow taken off boet
23 Jun 2009, 11:51 am
#59 grant10:
No just a massive Schalk Burger fanboy
Look, he’s had a pretty shoddy year by his standards, but the bok team just isn’t the same without him.
I prefer Brussouw off the bench regardless. And it’s great to have the option.
But against this Lions team we need to tackle them backwards … not let them off-load and gain meters in the tackle. That’s something I’ve not seen happen to a Bok team in a while.
Once Schalk has broken a few legs, get Brussouw on to steal their ball in the last quarter n break their hearts. By that stage we’ll have earned the right to spin the ball and turnovers are great attacking possession.
23 Jun 2009, 11:51 am
Burger in for Smith surely…
23 Jun 2009, 11:51 am
Check Schalla win the man of the match award on Saterday!
23 Jun 2009, 11:51 am
#60 PissAnt: Agree 100% from a fellow avid Cheetah supporter.
23 Jun 2009, 11:52 am
Fourie needs to start at 13….
23 Jun 2009, 11:52 am
#54 badeesh: dont get ahead of yourself mate…gonna be tough…especially if we go in without a true fetcher
23 Jun 2009, 11:54 am
#60 PissAnt: always play a fetcher….and bat first…
23 Jun 2009, 11:55 am
Smith was lackluster….Possibly his second worst game in a springbok jersey.
23 Jun 2009, 11:55 am
#66 grant10:
In what way am I misguided?
I simply do not buy into the fetcher theory as much as most guys do.
I try and back this up through some things I have noticed in rugby in general and state a case.
There are many fantastic players around which to my mind simply do not fit into our team’s current strengths or compliment each other in a combination.
Like I told GBS a while back, I think Brussow is a fantastic player who can add massive value in a specific setup.
In fact, he is so good he will never have a kak game even in a setup which does not suit his strengths – that just shows you how good he is.
23 Jun 2009, 11:55 am
#69 badeesh:
tackle them backwards …
the only player who did this was beast bekker and juan.
bakkies hardly makes taclkle unless no one actually noticed
23 Jun 2009, 11:56 am
#68 grant10:
I suppose Brussow was the sole reason for a great ball retention?
I have not seen the stats for Saturday on any player so honest question?
23 Jun 2009, 11:56 am
Am I the only one who is a bit concerned that the team is being selected whilst the backline coach is away in capetown? Is Muir going to have any say in what the team looks like?
23 Jun 2009, 11:57 am
#66 grant10:
this news is going to ruin your week boet…. still going to forries this afternoon?
23 Jun 2009, 11:57 am
#69 badeesh: no mate….burhger must never play fetcher again….Brussow or steggmann always in my book….smith is better then schalk at 7…schalk on the bench….
I know schalk has his fan club and i have met him and a better oke you not likely to meet…
But this is the real deal and the game has evolved…so must we…
The bulls did…and were magnificent!
23 Jun 2009, 11:58 am
#75 grant10:
hehe, what did Smith do in the 20/20 we lost?
23 Jun 2009, 11:58 am
Solank die regte 22 tal gekies word, is ek nie so baie gepla oor wie begin en wie op die bank is nie. Om te voorkom dat ons weer in die laaste 20 amper verloor, sal dit goed wees as die volgende reserwes kan opkom om die orde te bly handhaaf:
Guthro (vir Beast)
Danie (vir Bakkies)
Burger (vir Juan)
Caarstens (moet net opgaan as Smit beseer word)
MS (vir Ruan)
WO (vir Mossie)
Adi (net opgaan as daar ‘n besering is)
Daar is dit, faks dit gou vir Snorre !
23 Jun 2009, 11:59 am
why do we need to props on the bench??
23 Jun 2009, 12:00 pm
Saturdays game.
Admittedly these stats are from a fantasy scoring game, but give an indication nonetheless…
What worries me is the number of tackles our locks made.
Bakkies
1 turnover 1 go forward 3 tackles 2 lineouts
Victor
1 turnover 0 go forward 5 tackles 5 lineouts
brussouw
1 turnover 2 go forward 9 tackles (subbed)
smith
1 turnover 1 go forward 14 tackles 1 lineout
Spies
1 turnover 2 go forward 11 tackles 2 lineout
Victor and bakkies tackle counts were well below their norm…
You would also have expected bakkies and Juan to get over the advantage line more often. It could boil down to game plan. But that is their strengths and we need to use it to give us front foot ball and an attacking platform.
23 Jun 2009, 12:01 pm
Play the B’s:
Beast, Bismarck, Barney, Bakkies, Big Vic, Brussow, Burger, …
23 Jun 2009, 12:02 pm
15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8. Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Schalk Burger, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Wynand Olivier, 22 Morné Steyn
23 Jun 2009, 12:02 pm
#77 PissAnt: the lions gonna play m williams on the quick loftus ground…we answer by leaving out our pacy fetcher?
Aussies will rip us apart if we rely on brute force …bulls employed steggmann and dewalt potgierter to great effect…
I year time…take note of this now…our loose trio will be brussow, dewalt potgieter and Spies….with kanko and steggman covering….thats the way forward boet…not we will moer them back 2 metres, etc…
Brussow .steggman,dewalt are bloody strong as well…
This superman **** is a crock of it!!!
23 Jun 2009, 12:03 pm
The easy solution is to drop the Spies Show Pony and play Schalk at 8, with Danie and Beker on the bench.
23 Jun 2009, 12:03 pm
#80 rich1:
the team is being ANNOUNCED today.
it would have been discussed and selected provisionally already.
23 Jun 2009, 12:04 pm
#88 PissAnt: Waar is The Beast !? Kan nie glo hul het hom gedrop nie.
23 Jun 2009, 12:04 pm
#79 PissAnt: all i know is when brussow went off all hell broke loose …perhaps to do with all changes coming so quickly….our philosophy is poles apart on this issue…its cool…my best mate and i debate this furiuosly all the time
23 Jun 2009, 12:05 pm
#86 green_and_gold:
andries bekker made 10 tackles not missing any
23 Jun 2009, 12:05 pm
#81 gunther: will be there with carol, and tassies and mates fron 15 h 30 boet…pop in
23 Jun 2009, 12:06 pm
#83 PissAnt: LOL
23 Jun 2009, 12:07 pm
#89 grant10:
It is a style of rugby which revolves around strike runners in offense, and big physical defenders on defense.
We absolutely smashed the Aussies at Ellis park last with a record score year with Schalk, Juan and Spies playing…
Even with their 2 loosie policy.
23 Jun 2009, 12:07 pm
#94 skunkie:
Its all relative. according to these stats he made six.
But consider that for 90% of the time he was on, the Lions had the ball……
23 Jun 2009, 12:07 pm
#88 PissAnt: okay…we friends again!
23 Jun 2009, 12:07 pm
#94 skunkie:
but i see your point Mr Bekker!!
23 Jun 2009, 12:08 pm
#93 grant10:
And long may it continue, otherwise it would be boring!
23 Jun 2009, 12:08 pm
#98 green_and_gold:
agree, but then why use the stats at all?
23 Jun 2009, 12:08 pm
#94 skunkie: Dit was nie ‘tackles’ nie, hy was net in hulle pad, want hy is so lank, dat die ouens nie om hom kan hardloop as hy lê nie.
23 Jun 2009, 12:09 pm
#92 bdb: Beast die Bul:
We put him under an alias so the Lions think they have a chance…
23 Jun 2009, 12:09 pm
#97 PissAnt: wont mention the week before and the dead rubber status ??
23 Jun 2009, 12:10 pm
#99 grant10:
I quite fancy the position let’s say 40 or 50 minutes into the game where the Lions look up, all smashed already, and seeing ‘Oh goodie Brussow is going off’ until they see who replaces him…
23 Jun 2009, 12:11 pm
cheers guys…bloody chiropractor and then to forries and the game tonight….Bokke Forever…whoever plays i am there 100%…but will still reserve the right to ***** and moan if Brussel sprout dropped…
23 Jun 2009, 12:12 pm
#105 grant10:
Of course you can mention it.
My point is there is no reason to believe our ‘bigger loosies’ will suffer against fetchers any day of the week if we execute correctly.
There is no such thing as a dead rubber in test match rugby.
23 Jun 2009, 12:12 pm
#106 PissAnt: yeah….seriously though…i would prefer brussow for 50…then steggmann on…but hey…you know that! Cheers my man
23 Jun 2009, 12:13 pm
#90 Loosehead: My friend, the Bulls will hate you for saying Spies is a showpony. I think the Stormers/WP boys have the franchise on that and they have a very special place for that particular species
I do have to agree with Spies’ physical presence – my humble opinion he misses too many tackles and disappears in the tough games, where Burger never does.
23 Jun 2009, 12:13 pm
#109 grant10:
Cheers.
23 Jun 2009, 12:14 pm
Can someone please explain how it is possible that Bismarck stole more ball at the breakdown than Brussouw? If there is an overriding defensive mindset and approach, Brussouw adds value (to an extent). That Div replaced him, only shows Div wasn’t prepared to sit on a lead and wanted to drive the points advantage home, by bringing on Danie (a ball player). This also means the Boks would kick less and this means less attacking ball for the Lions who changed their game from returning kicks with kicks to a ball in hand game. The fact that the plan didn’t work out, could be seen as a player issue. As Div said, he didn’t send on schoolboys, but experienced test players. Fact is, he deflected some of the attention that should be placed at the player’s door onto himself.
Why would you want to play a home test where you are overwhelmed in possession and territory stakes? Sure it shoudl be other way round?
23 Jun 2009, 12:14 pm
#102 skunkie:
I was not trying to defend anybody…… it was just out of interest. I found the lack of go-forward from the likes of Juan and bakkies , and to a lesser extent Spies, quite interesting.
also, its interesting to note that bismarck and Beast easily matched the loose forwards tackle count…. but then again that could be due to frequent attacks on the fringe of the rucks…..
23 Jun 2009, 12:18 pm
I sometimes worry about the ‘rugby experts’ commenting here. Do you guys even understand the concept of rugby and what it is about? Rugby is about committing players and creating gaps.
In the modern game a fetcher has become important for that role. Why? To steal balls? No. That’s one of their tools.
How can I explain this easily.
Let us look at McCaw. He steals the ball. Fantastic. Poor cleaning work by the opposing team. What happens next? The opposing team starts to focus on McCaw and cuts him off, preventing him from stealing the ball. Good. The ABs are laughing now! Why?
In the process of stopping McCaw the opposing team commits more players in stopping McCaw, and suddenly there are less people standing in the backline. Much easier to defend.
The Lions said before the game their main target would be Brussouw, which is what happened. They committed a number of players to compete and protect their own ball. Same happened with our own ball going to ground. They tried to prevent Brussouw from cleaning the ball quickly.
What happened when Rossouw appeared? They relaxed and committed less players to the breakdown. Suddenly you had many more players attacking the midfield.
Burger isn’t a fetcher, but his style of playing has much the same effect. His intensity is his ‘tool’. The problem this year is that he lost most of that intensity. We’ll see whether he got that back.
23 Jun 2009, 12:19 pm
#109 grant10:
Wanted to mention, I would pick Pottas over Stegman any day of the week, including public and religious holidays.
That guys is going to become a superstar.
23 Jun 2009, 12:21 pm
#84 bdb: Beast die Bul:
you must be drun#@k
guthro for beast…
Danie for Bakkies
MS for Ruan
WO for jacques Mossie
i dont want what ur drinking… u’d probably swop ricky for fdp as well?!?!
oh no, fdp is a bull…
23 Jun 2009, 12:24 pm
You know just rewatching the highlights of the first test and something struck me and I was surprised I didn’t pick it up before. The reaction to Brussow’s try was great all of the players seemed genuinely happy for him and he looks like a really popular guy. I was very happy for him as I felt he deserved to be there and he once again played the Lions off the park at the breakdown. Im happy that Schalk is coming back but I believe we should ease him in, let Brussow start and then let Schalk do his thing when the effects of altitude start kicking in. It would be harsh to drop Brussow after such a superb performance. (One of the reasons that is underplayed in the analysis about the Lions comeback is how quicker they got their hands on the ball once Brussow had left the field. He is such a weapon on the deck and has so much to offer the Boks I hope we keep him in the side)
23 Jun 2009, 12:25 pm
#114 Bouts:
Yup, he’d (schalk) better bring his tools to the game…
23 Jun 2009, 12:27 pm
#117 Thameside Bok fan:
like hoskins said (which keo denied and hated…) ITS A HAPPIER TEAM
23 Jun 2009, 12:30 pm
#119 skunkie:
Skunkie I don’t have time for Hoskins’ political BS and I don’t buy this rubbish that the Bok team is happier under PdV. They looked like they were having a pretty good time when they won the 3N and RWC under Jake. No what I was pointing out was that Brussow seems to have slotted into the Bok set-up well. The senior guys really respect his ability and it looks as though he’s become a popular guy with his team mates.
23 Jun 2009, 12:31 pm
The team i would LIKE to see on saturday
Beast / Gurthro
Bismarck
Smit / Carstens (only if necessary)
Bakkies / Rossouw
Victor
Schalk / Brussouw
Smith
Spies / Kankowski
FDP
Ruan / M.Steyn
Habana
JDV / Olivier
Fourie
Pietersen
F.Steyn
23 Jun 2009, 12:31 pm
#89 grant10: ****, ****.
#90 Loosehead: Bekker bo Spies … hoekom het ons nie al lankal daaraan gedink nie.
Bekker is mos eintlike ‘n senter van formaat.
23 Jun 2009, 12:32 pm
#95 grant10:
will try and make it …. got a lunch in town will try and come through afterwards …. you will be the guy in the blue speedo?
23 Jun 2009, 12:36 pm
the legend ,burger,to start and back to the bench for midget-boy brussow.
23 Jun 2009, 12:39 pm
#116 crikey mate did you see that shark: Before you your tantrum ‘mate’, can you understand any Afrikaans ? I said they must be the subs, not in the starting 15 (although I won’t mind MS and WO in the starting line-up). Don’t mind, I allready have accepted your apology, anti-Bull ‘mate’.
23 Jun 2009, 12:40 pm
#124 mk:
That midget-boy did probably as much as anybody on Saturday to win the game for the Boks. The only guy you could say outplayed him comprehensively was Beast! Burger is a legend yes but Brussow is excellent and I think it would be better to ease Schalk into the game on around the 60 minute mark. Brussow has done nothing wrong and everything right. He should be retained.
23 Jun 2009, 12:42 pm
#125 bdb: Beast die Bul: Before you ‘have’ your tantrum …
23 Jun 2009, 12:46 pm
#80 rich1: Would Muir have a say even if he was there? It surprises me that he would favour Adi over JF, so I wonder how much influence he actually has apart from obviously coaching what he is given.
23 Jun 2009, 12:49 pm
Ouens
Gaan kyk asseblief weer die game. Asseblief. Dan kyk julle wie het die game vir ons gewen. En dit was nie Brussow nie, dit was Beast. Ons besit het gekom van pressure in die skrums en van lynstane wat afgevat was. Dan hier en daar ‘n knock-on deur die Lions en ‘n k@k taktiese skop. Daar het weinig besit gekom van tackles. Brussow is te klein om agresiewe tackles in te sit. Bring vir Scalla in. Hy is die baas as dit kom by agresiewe verdedigig.
23 Jun 2009, 12:49 pm
Good news, play Schalk at 8 for 50mins since he wont be match sharp, but is better suited to the fire and brimstone of these test matches and will seal up the inside channel.
Bring Spies on in last 30mins when more gaps start to appear.
23 Jun 2009, 12:53 pm
Jeez I get nervous before a team announcement.
It’s never 100% satisfying.
T – 40min
23 Jun 2009, 12:53 pm
#129 KingPaul: Maar as Burger die ouens onderstebo geduik het, moet daar nie ‘n fetcher (Brusssow) wees om die bal vinnig te wen, en dan vir ‘n hardloper (Spies) te gee nie ?
Daar sal dus gekies moet word tussen Juan en Schalk wie begin en wie later opkom, nie tussen Schalla en Brussow nie.
23 Jun 2009, 12:55 pm
Juan Smith and Pierre Spies are both great players but I won’t use them in the same loose trio because they are similar players. The Bulls use Stegman to play to the ground and Pottie to tackle the **** out of the opposition. A similar approach but with better palyers would be
6. Brussouw
7. Schalk
8. Spies
If you rather want Juan, I’ll pick a heavier ball carrying 8. with either Burger or Brussouw at 6. A good choice should be Danie Rossouw. So
6. Brussouw/Schalk
7. Juan
8. Rossouw
23 Jun 2009, 12:59 pm
#90 Loosehead:
You seems to be only one who has a problem with king Spies, fire your shrink hy f@k jou kop rond.
23 Jun 2009, 13:02 pm
#132 bdb: Beast die Bul: Ek gaan ‘n moerse klip in die bos gooi. Wat van Brussow op 8ste man?
23 Jun 2009, 13:03 pm
#134 Kalahari Kid: Spies!! Ai, ek hoop hy speel darem die naweek, want f@k weet wat hy laasnaweek gedoen het? hehehe
23 Jun 2009, 13:08 pm
#136 KingPaul: Het jy opgelet BOD was amper af van die veld toe hy net skrams teen Spies vas gehardloop het…
23 Jun 2009, 13:08 pm
#135 KingPaul:
Ek dink jy het die bos heel mis gegooi!!
23 Jun 2009, 13:18 pm
#135 KingPaul: Ek gooi ‘n klip terug: Dewald op agsteman, en Spies op 7 ?
#134 Kalahari Kid: Sy ‘nick’ is nie verniet ‘loose’ head nie.
23 Jun 2009, 13:26 pm
#22 skunkie:
he stole
three
they found
them
in his bag
on the bus
no charges
were laid
23 Jun 2009, 13:27 pm
No way PDV could justify getting rid of Januarie and Jacobs. It’s not in line with POC requirements. Question is, who do we need to get rid of more? I think Januarie is the right choice in that event.
If Pienaar covers FDP, who will take Januarie’s spot on the bench? Brussow with Schalk starting?
23 Jun 2009, 13:38 pm
Start Schalk, and bring Brussow on after 60 min when the Lions are tired.
Or after 50, I actually don’t get this 60 minutes subs. If you are going to make tactical substitutions, let the starter play his heart out for 50 minutes, and then the sub can still play 110% for the last 30.
Our defence will be better with Schalk in the team.
Fourie should start in Adi’s place, then the team is perfect. Aah and not Carstens, but ok.
23 Jun 2009, 13:40 pm
And i’m really tired of all this “Schalk competes with Juan” nonsense.
23 Jun 2009, 14:30 pm
Why “either or”? Start with a trio of Brussouw, Burger and Smith, and then let Spies run at them after 50+ minutes on the Highveld.
Another thought… Is there even a remote chance that PdV might realise he is doing a player who did the business for him last year a disservice by playing Adi Jacobs with a shoulder injury?
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