Jacobs, Kirchner to face France
Adi Jacobs starts at inside centre against France while Zane Kirchner has been handed the fullback berth.
It was an open secret that Jacobs would fill the midfield void left by Jean de Villiers, but Kirchner’s inclusion was less certain, with Ruan Pienaar having played in the position in two Tests against Australia in the Tri-Nations, and coach Peter de Villiers intimating that he was being groomed to play there on the year-end tour, given Frans Steyn’s imminent departure for French club Racing Metro.
Elsewhere, Heinrich Brüssow and Schalk Burger should form a formidable flank combination, while the dynamic Ryan Kankowski gets a rare start in light of Pierre Spies’ injury.
The starting line-up boasts a total of 588 Test caps between them, while the bench boys add 180 to that figure. In a Test as close as Friday’s clash in Toulouse is expected to be, experience could well be the difference between victory and defeat.
The Springbok selectors have opted for a 5-2 bench split, with the bench the trio of, props Wian du Preez and CJ van der Linde, and hooker Adriaan Strauss will provide complete front row cover, while Pienaar’s utility value means he can fill in at 9, 10 or 15 and Wynand Olivier likely to get a run in the final quarter at centre, although he has played wing at Test level in the past.
‘The core of the match did duty during the Tri-Nations campaign and will provide us with stability going into this tough opening Test,’ De Villiers said.
‘There are a lot of experienced players in the starting 15 as well as on the bench which will be important to our continuity as well as to ensuring that we maintain our structures and play the way we want to.
‘I have full confidence in the new players who will be starting on Friday, they have shown their qualities before and we have to make sure we get the best out of them. The three newcomers are all good players in their own right. CJ is very experienced while both Adriaan and Wian have been part of the squad previously.’
Springboks - 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Adi Jacobs, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Andries Bekker, 20 Danie Rossouw, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Wynand Olivier.
November 10th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
#446 Hondo: Simon Shaw? I must have missed his tactical kicking
#444 cab: lol, that’s a chavtacular image, Brits abroad do us no favours sadly
November 10th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
#451 Big Hit:
just hamming it up, i’m not anti-chav, fantastic value. probably seen one to many harry enfield skits, he is bladdy funny, the range of british caricatures is helluva amusing.
November 10th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
#447 Papoose:
Best is to compare,
In the past, there were Joost, Honiball, Muller/Mulder, Snyman and Tereblanch among the backs against the ABs in 1998
when The Boks’ back line that hardly was breached once.
All are great defender, 11 years later Tereblanche’s still a good tackler
With FdD and Styen it’s already a soft middle, add Jacobs and Kirshner and it’s a non tackling middle, a cake waiting for the frogs.
November 10th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Mesiekind made it into the Boks because of his phenomenal talent.
He then went seriously off the boil.
He rectified this and forced himself back into the team.
He deserves to be there and playing, not relegated to the bench.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
#452 cab: he’s got a good saffa one too, you seen it?
November 10th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
#455 Big Hit:
that is one of the funniest things i have ever seen
he’s actually got two of them, pik the dom gym oke and the uncooth pharmacist.
they had to take me to ER i was laughing so much.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
#451 Big Hit:
Watch the 3rd Lions’ Test
The high ball kicking was by S Jones, Shaw was pouncing Kirshner on a split second late tackle in what looked a well planned move.
They tried it on Ndungane too but he dropped the 2 high balls,,,,
November 10th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
#457 Hondo:
The ball must have gone straight up in the air if Shaw managed to make ground from behind the kicker to reach the receiver.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
#454 Kronung:
I think he was injured the whole of 2008, he played well in 2005-2007 though.
His record of try/Test is better than most centres bar Dannie Gerber
November 10th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Is it just me or am I suddenly sensing the teensy weensiest bit of trepidation amongst the bunch of mister know-it-alls that have been raving about Adi and Kanko and their other jellybaby favourites. Not so certain now? We are going to bleed on Saturday, and we will continue to bleed until we stop self-destructing by picking limited individuals and hasbeens and wannabes.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
#458 David:
David, What are you talking about?
It was an Up and Under by S Jones aimed at the isolated Kirshner, Shaw’s hit was marginally late and thus not penalised, Kirshner was totalled for the next 2 months.
Didn’t you watch the 3rd Test at JHB?
November 10th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
#456 cab: lol, I’ve never seen pik the dom gym oke
will youtube it but the uncooth pharmacist is hilarious
#457 Hondo: I’m impressed by your attention to detail
#458 David: it’s the Boks we’re talking about, of course it went straight up in the air
November 10th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
#442 David:
Lets agree to call it a Draw then – our friends at Wiki tell us that the Ethnic split is 87% ‘European’ (mostly Italian, then Spanish).
The President may be interested in the new Bok lineup for Toulouse, her name is ‘Cristina Kirchner’.
The Supreme Court Justice is ‘Ricardo Lorenzetti’ which Im picking did not originate in Zaragosa.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
#462 Big Hit: oops, it was the Lions :blush:
November 10th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
#460,
The pie is in the oven already…
Le Humble pie
November 10th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
#462 Big Hit:
can’t afford not to in my profession
#458 David:
David,
Kirshner was isolated at the RIGHT back corner, being a left footer he ran across to open up his line clearing angle, the Lions anticipated it and he paid the price
A better fullback would have kicked to the LEFT touch line, allowed the Boks a right hand line out.
See my point?
November 10th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
To me parity in the scrums, and the defense of the flyhalf’s and inside center’s channels is paramount to our success. We will fail if the aforementioned falls apart.
Go the Springbokke
November 10th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
#460 catleya: I am not so worried about bleeding on Saturday. It’s Friday evening that worries me….
November 10th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
#461 Hondo:
No, I couldn’t watch it, thank goodness. I just can’t imagine Shaw covering that much ground.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
#463 WakaNathan:
I checked as well, and you’re quite right. 60% of immigants are of Italian descent. Amazing.
November 10th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
#469 David:
You better believe it!
Just to show how slow Kirshner is
Shaw is deceptively fast, considering his age 35 it’s amazing,
November 10th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
#467 Die_Valk: They think were are facing a “toad in the hole”, but it will end up le humble pie as you say. There was this massive backlash about the frontrows which led to the bench being beefed up, but I believe we are arrogant to think we are gonna run around with gay abandon against this French team. Our team selection smacks of this, with Adi at 12 “because he can put Mossie away”kamtag, and “mister-runaround-man-Kanko-can’t-control-the-ball-behind-a-retreating-scrum” prima donna.
Worst of all we pick “worldcup wonder oupa Danie” to cover for him. What the hell. Guys, we are missing the trick here. We don’t need more runners. We need tacklers- guys who can tackle and get up and tackle and get up and tackle, etc etc. the whole game long. We can’t have Brussow doing the tackling- he has to attack some of the tackle balls, and to do this he needs to stay on his feet. Schalla is good for a couple of tackles, but he is a far cry from the guy he was a couple of seasons ago.
And to add insult to injury, you guys are baying for a blown-up gollywog-with-a-puncturehole-in-the-arse with a fart around like a balloon playing style with no respect for structure, and Bigfoot’s cousin Leadfoot bekruip-my-van-agter-en-tackle-my Deysel, to be included on the bench as cover. These guys have promise, but have a long way to go defensively before they can even think of trying to step up.
I am so convinced we are heading down south to Perth in Toulouse that I solemnly promise to never show my face on Keo again if I am wrong.
November 10th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
#468 Kronung:
LOL
November 10th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
#468 Kronung: Friday evening will just be the start my friend- it is the bleeding of the heart and soul the next morning that is the worst.
November 10th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
#471 Hondo:
I’ve never considered Kirchner as being slow. He probably didn’t believe that Shaw was able to move that fast and took his time. A fatal mistake of judgement, I agree.
November 10th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
#184 rangerman: me, a quota blogger? ha ha ha
November 10th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
#470 David:
They couldnt get out of Italy after WWII quick enough.
November 10th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
#470 David:
treat yourself to watching ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ one day. Excellent movie about a young Med-school student, Che Guevera, and his mate who decide to travel the length of Sth America on an old motorbike. They start in Buenos Aires, and a bit of the Italian ethnicity comes out there.
Good movie, breathtaking scenery. And reminds you how carefree life was when you when in your 20’s……*sigh*
November 10th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
This French game is one i am really looking forward to….the frequency of the tri nations and super 14 has …imo…almost resulted in overkill…..
Have a sneaking suspicion this may be a bridge too far for a Bok team that must be running on empty….
Of course i am thrilled that PDV has seen fit to call in a scrum specialist as well as recall CJ VD Linde. Also Wiaan du Preez and the scrummaging hooker A Strauss on the bench with CJ implys that despite PDVS assertions to the contrary the Bok Management realise that the scrum is an area of concern. How long till Wiaan and CJ are 1 st choices?
I am sure the Kiwis and Aussies will be dissapointed to see the Boks are fixing the problems…..unlike Jake, who fell for the spin of not playing a fetcher ,i believe PDV is a quick learner and will ruthlessly do whatever is required.
Heart says Boks…brain says France by 12…
November 10th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
#478 grant10:
you can now follow barney on twitter it will soothe your troubled soul…
November 10th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
#479 gunther: LOL….no thanks….
How you G?
November 10th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
#480 grant10:
wet and cold but business is good and I am looking forward to the rugger…. I reckon if we put serious pressure on their ten we will prevail…he is over the pienaar persuasion in that he blows hot and cold and they have nothing on the bench…
November 10th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
#481 gunther: Ja…weathers been horrible….glad business is good! Also picked up on my side…hope 2010 will be a lot better.
I dont know much about the french….so will adapt a wait and see….They do seem to be rattling the sabres a fair bit….may all get a bit out of hand i reckon.
November 10th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
#479 gunther: What you have to realise Gunther ’some’ of us struggle to blog let alone twitter….G10 and I would probably not even be able to log on!! Heheheheh
Grant, tell me you are still a computer numpty like me!!
Actually I did try to twitter but got lost somehow!!
Have heard that David LLoyd (Bumble) Cricket…does a great twitter! I’m buggered if I can find out how to do it tho!!
November 10th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
#482 grant10:
in the words of ollie le roux it will be a war out there….
November 10th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
#483 carol:
grant will love it …. he loves the inside scoop…also victor ..he is (unwittingly) hilarious…
November 10th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
#485 gunther: Are you telling me that Victor Matfield has a twitter?
November 10th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
the blonde does all the twittering,skyping ,etc ad naiseum…its getting impossible to get laid these days…technology ,politics and business pickingh up is leading to a rather monastic type existence.
Going to La Med Fri night to watch the boks….
Just rugby…speak to your lady…lets go through ….grab a chow and a beer or 2??
November 10th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
#486 carol:
it is legendary…
November 10th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
#487 grant10: I seem to remember ‘rationing’ when the book was being written!!
You did make a lot of tea though, kept your mind off other nocturnal activities!! lol
November 10th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
#488 gunther: I have to find out how this twitter works…..
Victors thoughts would be enlightening…..
“Shall I shave today…..Nahhhhh”
November 10th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
apparently even gary gold the scrum coach tweets…sharkgirl follows him religiously…grant get with the program buddy, you know you love “breaking news” twitter will put you ahead of the rest
November 10th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
#487 grant10:
don’t eat at la med if you want to still be alive to watch the rugger rather grab a burger at caprice…. trust me I worked at La med long time ago….
November 10th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
twitter is for twits.
November 10th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
#491 Transformation:
lol…
November 10th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
#489 carol: permanent rations now….blondes prioritys…job…dog….big gap….G10….
#491 Transformation: Blonde follows Bob…skinstad that is …not Mugabe.
#492 gunther: i go to La Med quite often….have only had pizzas there…Caprice is cool but dammit it gets ultra packed…
November 10th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
#493 WakaNathan:
is that a t-shirt?
November 10th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
#494 gunther: La Med about a 5 minute walk from my spot….so thats cool…
November 10th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
#491 Transformation: I am going with the blonde to some or other do where Aaron Mokoena is 1 of the guest speakers
November 10th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
#493 WakaNathan: Hey, I have just found Victor and have seen he likes Chinese food and will miss the sun for the next 3 weeks in Europe!!
He was wondering who the Sharks, WP and Lions fans were following on the eve of the Currie Cup final!
Have I struck gold?
Nahhhhhh…..his style needs some polishing.
Get Soda Joe to write for him!!