Bittersweet blow for Boks
8 Nov 2009
Chiliboy Ralepelle and Gurthro Steenkamp have been ruled out for the rest of the European tour due to injury.
Ralepelle, the South Africans’ midweek captain, left the field in the 20th minute of Friday’s game against Leicester. It’s yet to be confirmed whether the foot injury is the same that sidelined him for the back end of the Currie Cup, and he will see a specialist on his return to South Africa.
On the back of a poor performance against the Tigers at scrum time, Steenkamp also returns from England having suffered a knee injury. Jannie du Plessis is also reported to have a hand injury, but at this stage will remain with the touring party.
Cheetahs duo Wian du Preez and Adriaan Strauss, who should have been included on this tour ahead of Steenkamp and Ralepelle by weight of performance in the Currie Cup, will now join the Boks.
The addition of Du Preez and Strauss should bolster the South Africa XV scrum significantly, but it will be interesting to see whether the coaching staff persists with the Heinke van der Merwe tighthead move if Du Plessis’ injury is serious.
The call up should also see the Free State pair warm the bench in the upcoming Test against France. Strauss played for the Boks last season while Du Preez has trained with them before. They’d be the natural selections given their experience, but it will be interesting to see whether Peter de Villiers picks them ahead of Bandise Maku and Van der Merwe.
Maku has battled for game time at the Bulls in 2009 while Van der Merwe is coming off a serious injury and did not play for the Lions in the Currie Cup.
It makes sense to pick Strauss and Du Preez, but it also raises the question of why they weren’t selected in the first place.
213 Comments
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7 Nov 2009, 21:55 pm
and this a bittersweet blow becuase ?????
7 Nov 2009, 21:56 pm
Hallelujah
7 Nov 2009, 22:05 pm
What’s obvious is that PdeV has considered Wian and Adriaan as being Bok contenders and not part of his experimental dirt track side.
7 Nov 2009, 22:07 pm
Sorry for the ones injured but this is good news. A. Strauss and W.Du Preez should have been in the team last night already. Many others too. Just pleased that they will be going over. Struass too should start as hooker in the next Dirt Tracker game ahead of Maku he is way, way better. Maybe he even makes the bench for the Boks too.
Also H. Van der Merwe as good as he is should never have been on this tour with no game time at all. Let W. Du Preez play.
7 Nov 2009, 22:07 pm
Now we just need certain backline players to get injured and sent home to be replaced by better players and we will have a decent tour.
7 Nov 2009, 22:08 pm
these ‘injuries’ couldn’t have come at a better time..
7 Nov 2009, 22:09 pm
#3 David: Makes you wonder David. These players should have been playing there last night already.
Just logged in quick to post there. Cheers David out of here now.
7 Nov 2009, 22:12 pm
Could not have planned it better after the diabolical scrumming on Friday. WP Nel unlucky.
7 Nov 2009, 22:15 pm
shameless repost: i have one last post regarding this game. if we look back on some of the great tours of the UK and Ireland in the past, such as the grand slam winning Aussies in 1984 and the All Blacks in 1978, you will notice that they too lost to club sides. does this make them “a disgrace?” in fact, the Aussie side of 1984 is recongnised as one of the best ever. yet they lost 4 (count em) games to club sides… so lets stop being pathetic and using this as a platform to attack PDV who thus far this year has not let us down in the international area. post over.
7 Nov 2009, 22:16 pm
I feel bad for the guys,injuries are always a terrible thing but I think Karma played a hand here because they both deserved to be there in the first place..
7 Nov 2009, 22:20 pm
Most of you guys are ignoring the obvious. Wian and Adriaan have always been in line for the Boks whilst the kids in the midweek team are possibilities for post 2011.
7 Nov 2009, 22:28 pm
Everybody is talking about 2011,thats still a long time away.. We still have to get through a gruelling 2010 schedule as well as Super 14,Currie Cup etc as well as the Tri Nations in 2011,anything can happen to our top players,surely we would want to develop the next best because God forbid something happens to John,Victor etc we have a plan B. Lets worry about post 2011 after the World Cup..
7 Nov 2009, 22:31 pm
#1 mbaxman93: Its bittersweet because Ralepelle is going home ( shouldnt be there in the first place following so close on his injury with no game time for weeks and being way below the 4th selection for hooker).
Bittersweet because Wian du Preez deserved to be there. Bittersweet because Adriaan Strauss deserved to be there and may I add ditto for Deysel. Like the curse of Tutankamen PDiv has brought a curse upon himself that seems to be writing all his wrongs, pity about Gurthro (but really he was poor at scrumtime) and pity about Spies. Hence the bitter.
Simple my old fruit! Hopefully Jannie goes home and they bring Wp Nel over. Justice 4 all heheh.
7 Nov 2009, 22:34 pm
#11 David: Adriaan is only 24, he will most definitly be able to play post 2011. Unless he gets injured consistently of course
7 Nov 2009, 22:35 pm
#9 AndrewBK: If they lost after a great game, no. It would be fine. But that scrum was pathetic.
7 Nov 2009, 22:45 pm
I broke out laughing when Chilli got injured… again. Hey, I think he’s a fine player, but everyone with any sense knew he wasn’t ready!! **** and PDV knew better than us, right.
7 Nov 2009, 22:46 pm
I am 100% sure Jannie Poep’s hand is shattered and he needs to go home.
WP Nel – get on the plane.
7 Nov 2009, 23:02 pm
well at least we can blame injuries to key personnal if we lose any more games..
7 Nov 2009, 23:07 pm
I hope Wian du Preez ans Adriaan Strauss make to the Bok bench next week! As much as I am pro transformation, Maku needs a full season or two of regular action in the Super 14 and Currie Cup, before being considered for the senior Bok team. That’s why I think he should move to the Lions, as he will not be a regular at the Bulls.
7 Nov 2009, 23:17 pm
#19 Mbhubesi: Agree, the bulls have three capable hookers, and maku will do well to go to a union where he can push for a starting berth. so many players in this country stagnate by signing onto succesful teams, instead of teams where they can get realistic amounts of game time.
7 Nov 2009, 23:26 pm
jannie pap broek bust his hand and Odwa pulled a hammie. Wp Nel and lionel Mapoe to get on the next plane north
8 Nov 2009, 00:01 am
Justice!
8 Nov 2009, 00:05 am
Good riddance,
I wrote on Thu that both are in danger of breaking their necks if they’ll attempt to thrust straight at the engagement.
Well, they didn’t so my concerns were dispelled
Adriaan and Richardt Strauss, Leibenberg, Kuun and the GL hooker all held their own comfortably againg Bismark Dup and don’t need any credentials from this Blog, Gary Botha is in SA and available too.
8 Nov 2009, 00:06 am
Thank you Lord!
8 Nov 2009, 00:10 am
did jannie dup hurt his hand picking his gumshield out of his arse I wonder…
8 Nov 2009, 00:10 am
If Adriaan Strauss has any ounce of a self respect and esteem, he mustn’t agree to be Maku’s back up off the bench.
After all, this is exactly the reason why he left the Blue Bulls in 2006
8 Nov 2009, 00:12 am
#25 gunther:
I think that was Steenkamp actually after he was whacked by Nel from the Cheetahs last week.
8 Nov 2009, 00:18 am
Rallepelle, Potgieter, Bandise Maku,Francois Hougaard, Heini Adams…these players have been chosen to play for the boks. Now just look back. These players played for the Bule Bulls in the Currie Cup, for a Blue Bulls side without their Bok players, and if I remembered, it was a Bulls side that ended 5th on the log, without their Bok players, while teams like the Sharks and WP were above them at that stage. So why choose these players, when they couldn’t even make the semi’s by themselves. This is one factor that will cause the downfall of SA rugby. Players like Francois Louw, Wicus Blaauw, Duane Vermeulen, Tiaan Liebenberg, Jean Deysel, Ryan Kankowski, Joe Pitersen etc. have been playing their hearts out for a couple of seasons, AND they are better then the current players in the squad, so play weren’t they chosen??? These talented players will get fed up with the current structure in SA Rugby, and they will leave the country. Anyone that wants to differ from me, please do so, but this is a FACT! I have never seen such poor selection in my ENTIRE LIFE!!! It is ridiculous!!! Absolutely pathetic!!!
8 Nov 2009, 00:24 am
#28 Jeantji:
Old story, there are 14 new SA players in Europe this season you never heard their names, they saw the broader picture
But that’s the SA reality
8 Nov 2009, 00:29 am
The rugby gods this year seem to have a few tricks up their sleeves to set things the way it should have been in the first place.
Remember how Brussow got into the tests against the Lions by accident!
Remember how Jaque Fourie finally became first choice no 13?
Morne Steyn was also not PdV’s first choice no 10?
But alas – some television character (Yster Swart) always said: Mense wat dink hulle is so donners smart is nie altyd so donners smart nie!
8 Nov 2009, 00:30 am
#28 Jeantji: You are dead right but sad as is to say, performance in the Currie Cup comp, good or bad does not seem to count when it comes to selection of the Bok side (eg. Steenkamp et al).
8 Nov 2009, 00:33 am
#26 Hondo: Dude tell your employer that and see what happens. If Strauss has any ambition to be a bok he will do as told.
He is a decent player, best hooker available not sure about, but certainly a good backup.
5. Troedels: Who do you want injured? Steyn and De villiers arent going to play so I am not sure which guys you want there?
8 Nov 2009, 00:42 am
Big blessings in disguise. Wian Dup and Adriaan Strauss you deserve it on merit.
Jannie Dup must just do the right thing and convince all that his hand is f*cked so WP Nel can join the party.
8 Nov 2009, 00:52 am
#28 Jeantji:
Dude, don’t include Potgieter and hougaard with the other names.
no one expects the Ralapele’s et al there, bulls fans included.
But let’s just be clear on one thing.
S14 is a generally regarded as a way better guage of ability than CC. And all those WP,cheetah and Shark names where nowhere when it mattered. And surely you are not suggesting that a meagre 4 extra Currie Cup log points make the WP players super chmps all of a sudden?
Nonetheless,personally I would have rested the entire contingent of senior Boks and just selected genuine “form” CC players, again, with genuine ability to play Bok rugby longterm. Included in that group would be the 2nd tier Boks who possibly haven’t played as much.
8 Nov 2009, 00:54 am
the entire situation could get much worse.
The Cheetah front row end up making it…..and our scrum still takes a beating.
imagine that.
8 Nov 2009, 01:00 am
#34 Brigadier Van Zyl:
I am sure PDV would as well but I think there is pressure from above for him to maintain his winning streak we won all our gaqmes last year this NH tour is a bit of a waste after such a long season. This should be a grooming tour for the upcoming players (alot left behind) and cementing for the fringe.
I am glad we have some decent back up and thats what we needed
8 Nov 2009, 01:15 am
#35 Brigadier Van Zyl:
The Cheetahs front row donnered the Sharks front row and the gave the Bulls front row something to think about.
So if the Cheetahs/Bok front row get donnered as you say, at least we’ll know that it could have been worse. But I doubt that will happen with them in the mix.
That front row from Bloem is presently the best around.
We have to get ball on the front foot and having Chiliboy and Gurthro out is an opportunity to show the Frogs some other dynamite. More dynamic dynamite. More donner them dynamite.
8 Nov 2009, 01:16 am
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz time…
8 Nov 2009, 02:26 am
A blessing in disguise for the boks, but as a prop myself, I do feel sorry for Guthro. He is being unfairly scapegoated. Many people misunderstand a props role in the scrum. The prop is the power interface, he channels the entire packs power including his own. The ENTIRE pack. Looking at you Ashley, Dewaldt and Davon.Guthro cant take on a entire pack of forwards by himself. Daniesaurus may be strong physically, but is he he a strong scrummaging forward? No, he isn’t. As for Andries, he needs to work on tight play drastically if he wants to become a international level lock.
8 Nov 2009, 05:38 am
best news ever
8 Nov 2009, 07:18 am
#32 armchair coach:
He can do what his cousin Richardt did: bolt for a greener pastuer!
Strauss doesn’t even have a Boks contract, so your assertion of PdV to be his employer is a false one
In terms of rugby, he doesn’t need to show anything, he already destroyed Bismarc Dup at the CC Semi Final.
8 Nov 2009, 07:18 am
finallyy justice. God is Great!
Chilly and Gurthro should neverr have being on the train.
Has Chilly EVER played 80mins game??
8 Nov 2009, 07:25 am
#16 Bouts:
Please tell us WHEN during the last 3 years Chiliboy WAS actually ready?
8 Nov 2009, 07:32 am
#42 greatest13gerber:
Not in the last 3 years at a First Class rugby, no
He played 30 minutes against the B&ILs at Ellis Park in the 3rd Test, the Lions popped him up 3 times and then he retired to a static role and was replaced by Du Plessis.
8 Nov 2009, 08:04 am
Sorry to say it, but this seems to be the workings of divine providence. The two players in question cheapen the Bok jersey and are going back home which is where they should have been all along.
8 Nov 2009, 08:14 am
Never knew a damaged ego could lead to being sent home. Must be a very serious “injury”.
8 Nov 2009, 08:24 am
Gurthro has been IMMENSE in the every aspect of the game (bar a few scrums) this very long season for the Bulls in both the S14 and CC… scrumming next to the ‘purportedly’ weak Kuun… so it’s a tad unfair to be calling him a ‘quota’… the ‘chosen’ one on his inside however… don’t make me laugh… one day someone like him is going to get seriously injured thanks to the selectors!
8 Nov 2009, 08:27 am
#47 bryce_in_oz:
At least he has been the first choice for his S14 cup winning province… and IMO at least in the top 4 LH’s in the land with a few solid caps behind him… bring on Wian…
8 Nov 2009, 08:31 am
Hooray finally some players who actually deserve to be there.
8 Nov 2009, 08:37 am
FFS I am so tired of what a lucky little ******* PDV is. He always puts the players that originaly deserved to be in the team in, and then he gets the credit for “finding” them! Nevermind the media and us fans screaming at him all along to put them in, he gets lucky that his little butt-suckers get injured and he comes out looking like the hero.
Examples are:
Morne Steyn & Ruan Piennar
Brussow wasn’t even in the Lions squad till Burger’s injury
Adi Jacobs started over Fourie before his injury
He wanted Jantjies to be our fullback till he got injured
Deysel in for Smith and Spies absence – watch how well Deysel is gonna do.
And now this! PDV is the luckiest prick of all time!
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