CJ fated to carry front row
CJ van der Linde, Wian du Preez and Adriaan Strauss have been gifted a fantastic opportunity to prove their front-row worth.
Injuries have robbed Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie Du Plessis and Gurthro Steenkamp of their respective chances to shine, and as fate would have it, three players who should always have featured now find themselves in line to battle the French.
Van der Linde’s move to Leinster was met with regret, Ollie le Roux once telling this website the incumbent Boks lacked a genuine tighthead who was as mean or versatile. It was a big disappointment of Springbok legend Os du Randt that Du Preez and Strauss failed to make the initial touring squad, as the Bok coaching staff obviously didn’t view the pair as long-term prospects.
Three injuries later, and Van der Linde, Du Preez and Strauss have the opportunity to alter perception. Those in the know reckon they deserve their Bok jerseys ahead of Du Plessis, Steenkamp and Ralepelle, and after being named on the bench, the weight of Test performance should be added to what would appear a one-sided debate.
The policy preventing foreign-based players from playing for the Boks is not set in stone, and this is why Van der Linde now finds himself in the mix. If he makes a big impact on this three-Test tour, how can the coaching staff continue to ignore his obvious talents?
It’s not as easy as rocking up and performing this Friday. The World Cup-winning tighthead hasn’t played for the Boks since the 2008 Tri-Nations and questions will be asked about his ability to perform in an altered South African set-up.
What’s in Van der Linde’s favour is his experience scrumming in front of locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha. He also has enjoyed many games alongside Du Preez and Strauss for the Cheetahs at Super 14 and Currie Cup level.
Peter de Villiers has named the Cheetahs trio on a Bok bench that sees five forwards and two backs. These forwards should be utilised as the Boks look to maintain their intensity over an 80-minute period. If they make an impact, they need to be rewarded. If it becomes clear they will contribute to a successful World Cup defence, then they will need to be retained.
Keo.co.za has it on good authority that the French Test squad took heart from the forward capitulation at Leicester. Perhaps France don’t know that South Africa are touring with a first- and third-string side, rather than the conventional first and second, and thus expect the Bok seniors to be only marginally better than the Leicester losers.
Marc Lievremont has talked the Boks up over the past month, and his selections are geared toward a physical bout, with emphasis on the set-phases. William Servat (hooker) and Romain Millo-Chluski (lock) are powerful scrumming options while aside from a dependable second row the hosts will look to Imanol Harinordoquy as banker at the tail of the lineout.
The Boks are favourites in every department bar the scrum. They’ve been inconsistent this season, and given the amount of rugby Beast Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis and John Smit have endured in 2009, they’ll be hard pressed to deliver a strong showing.
De Villiers has his bankers on the bench. If the Boks are looking to realise the dual ambition of an unbeaten tour and squad development ahead of the World Cup, they could do worse than invest in Van der Linde, Du Preez and Strauss.
All three have the pedigree, but the proof is in the performance. A strong showing and they should become the understudies to the incumbents and not return to club and domestic obscurity when Ralepelle, Du Plessis and Steenkamp return from injury.
Heinrich Brussow and Morne Steyn usurped Schalk Burger and Ruan Pienaar respectively when both fell foul to injury. As long as Van der Linde, Du Preez and Strauss perform, they should be treated exactly the same. Through the ill-fate of three others, they now have that opportunity.
By Jon Cardinelli, in Toulouse
November 11th, 2009 at 5:40 am
The 3 musketeers DRAGONS
November 11th, 2009 at 5:40 am
The Boks need a genuine world class tighthead to step forward. Let’s hope this is the time.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:59 am
#2 Gouelepel:
CJ isn’t exactly a “find”, considering he already has a WC medal.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:30 am
CJ can answer the questions surrounding his ability as 3.
Wian can prove he can make the step up from his form in the CC.
Strauss has never slacked since becoming a Bok.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Fellow Bok supporters living in Canada, the test will be shown live on TV5 (Channel 116) at 12:30 Mst (14:30 Est).
Cheetahs front row should by my estimation make their appearance within the first 30 minutes, with Barney and the she-Beast leaving Toulouse in body bags.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Maybe better front row than starting one he he
Anyway 200% better than last one
November 11th, 2009 at 6:56 am
“dual ambition of an unbeaten tour and squad development ahead of the World Cup, they could do worse than invest in Van der Linde, Du Preez and Strauss.”
how do u put CJ and the words “invest and development” in the same category Jon
CJ has already proved himself with a MEDAL!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Gauntlet has been laid down…PDV has to be ruthless….
We want to retain WC 2011….we cannot be bullied anymore come scrum time….
Invest in a scrum doctor full time…Os or the Frenchie PDV…..
This reserve bench front row is a far more powerful scrumming unit than the starters…time for Smit ,Bissy and Beast to get there act together in this facet of the game….what better time and place to start than France this Friday!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:11 am
#8 grant10:
Yes we agree
November 11th, 2009 at 7:11 am
CJ is based in Europe, so he won’t become a regular Bok unless he moves back to SA. Du Preez has promise, but he might still just be a flash in the pan – time will tell.
Strauss on the other hand has got Bok written all over him. When he got his chance last year he grabbed it with both hands.
Chili is constantly injured and Maku still has to prove himself, so for all my money Strauss is the next Bok hooker.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:15 am
#10 siener:
Remeber what the cheetahs front row did to sharks front row in semi’s
November 11th, 2009 at 7:16 am
It’s fantastic to see a bench without Januarie and Chilliboy. It’s also refreshing to have 2 props on the bench, but do we really need a hooker?
I’d rather see Deysel then Rossouw come on.
Having said that, this is the best bench PDV has picked all season, by far!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Both CJ and BJ will be back in SA prior to WC 2011 as to stake claims…JDV as well….
The concern if F Steyn….who is away for 3 years…!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:19 am
#11 CoachPete: and didnt fare too badly in the final either come scrum time!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:21 am
#11 CoachPete: Yup … they bloody destroyed the Sharks (and Bok) front row.
To be fair though Smit, Bismarck and Beast had by that time played so much rugby at such a high intensity that it doesn’t come as a surprise that they weren’t at their best. S14, Lions and then 3N with very little rest in between.
Even now I don’t think that they’ve had enough rest to really be ready for this European tour which is why the full front row on the bench makes sense.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:22 am
#13 grant10: If the Boks keep winning they won’t get in the team
November 11th, 2009 at 7:24 am
#15 siener:
yes true I see the changes coming early in 2nd half
November 11th, 2009 at 7:33 am
pdv doesn’t drop the incumbents willy-nilly he gives them a lot of rope…if he was prone to impulsive changes the habana & spies would’ve never toured to europe last year, they were waaaaay off-form.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:33 am
#8 grant10: They must make Os the scrumming coach for the boks – look what he did for the Cheetahs – not only in his technical abilities but the guys respect Os ( he has done everything and must be one of the only players in the world to have 2 gold WC medals ?) IMO this will be the right move before the WC
November 11th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Hey everyone, random comment, do any of you have any idea why there wasnt a nothern tour competition on testrugby.com?
November 11th, 2009 at 7:45 am
#19 stew: I think 4 of the Aussies have 2 RWC medals – Eales, Horan, Kearns and Jason Little.
Still agree entirely with you though.
I can’t remember who it was (an ex Wallaby player I believe), but he said while the Springboks had one of the physically strongest forward packs, the All Blacks had the most dominant scrummaging unit.
Os seems to have turned the Cheetahs pack from 8 strong guys into a powerful unit, with cattle like Bismark and Beast I have no doubt he could do the same for the Boks.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:47 am
If Boks can at least get parity we will see a whole new dimension to Spies in particular [ when he plays again ].
And Brussow on the front foot will wreak even mors havoc at the breakdown. The positive for me is PDV seems to be fronting up to the problem….not sweeping it under the carpet for sentimental reasons…..and in this criticism i i nclude Beast and Bissy!!!
No more excuses Guys….time to get this facet of the game radically improved.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:48 am
#19 stew: That would make sense….especially in view of the improvement shown since he joined up with Cheetahs
November 11th, 2009 at 7:51 am
#22 grant10: Is Bismark completely untouchable for some reason?
Beast Gurthro Jannie and Smit have all been under fire for their scrummaging, even if they do offer a lot in the loose (except Jannie maybe).
There have been quite a few players/coaches remark that Bismark is a terrible scrummager, is his contribution in the loose so much better than the props above that his spot is unquestioned?
November 11th, 2009 at 8:01 am
#24 DonutDunning: Good question
November 11th, 2009 at 8:03 am
#24 DonutDunning: It aall stems back to when Smit was brought back from Clermont to Sharks…. a lot of deals were made…bearing in mind Jannie Dup and Bissy are very close brothers and wanted to play together at sharks…..
Drama only recently concluded in a renewal of Jannie dup and Bissys sharks contracts as Jannie felt he wasnt getting enough game time as he was having to accomodate Smit. And Bissy was going wherever Jannie was ….hence the WP and Bulls overtures to the brothers…..
That is the quandary….if one is perfectly honest Smit is by no means the premier 3 or 2 in the country…..especially now with CJ back in the mix. Yet he does provide a seemingly impossible to discard leadership function.
Personally i see J Smit now as the perfect bench option ….he covers 1 …2 and 3 ..if neccessary.
As for Bissy….you are correct…a lot of criticism at his ‘too upright stance’ come scrum time. But he does add a real physicality and with A Strauss in the mix he will have real competetion so that may bring out the best in him.
Beast too has been questioned come scrum time…Wiaan Du Preez is a real force at 1…and Heinke will hopefully revert to 1 …i do hope they shelve the Heinke switch now that CJ back in the mix.
A complex situation….but PDV has acknowledged it with his selections for the test.
Wait and see……
November 11th, 2009 at 8:04 am
CJ funny Linda is a wet spaghetti scrummager.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:04 am
The front row is only one problem that has been addressed, my worst fear is that Morne gets injured in the first few minutes…………a fragile Ruan against a French team applying pressure and it all goes pear shaped !!!
We need to address the lack of backup at 10 !!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:08 am
#21 DonutDunning: Yeh forgot about the Aussies winning it twice – still a great achievement – but you are completely right technique is all important when it comes to scrumming… 8 men need to be as one …..
But you would believe that as world champions the Boks would be pros at this , they are not the smallest of boys – has the development in more versitile, more mobile props overshadowed the primary role of props to scrum ?
November 11th, 2009 at 8:09 am
but this brings into question that the best performer barring uncapped players running the springboks need to be given the opportunity to show their worth in RSA colours so that they have the drive and hunger to continue with them in the future dont discard foreign players give them something else we will lose them for good as well,
November 11th, 2009 at 8:10 am
#28 justrugby: Wise words….and if truth be known i would rather have a 12 like JDV or F Steyn than Meisikind and Adi ….particularily as Adi has not played there for a while.
My man if MS is not there the cats among the piegons….
Or should i say cockerils?
November 11th, 2009 at 8:12 am
#27 TheTackler: Cause he’s got the meatballs, baby.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:13 am
#27 TheTackler: I also thought that but his last display for the Boks in the WC final , showed his class when he destroyed the almighty Sheridan
November 11th, 2009 at 8:14 am
#24 DonutDunning: Bismarck is a great scrummager, and while Smit was still at Cleremont, the Sharks’ scrum was never pushed backwards, and the difference was always felt once Bissie left the Sharks to play for the Boks! He also adds physicality and defence and probably steals as much ball as a loosie! The person that has criticised his scrumming was Schalch Brits who is a hooker’s arse! I am sure you remember the sterling performances of WP and Stormers’ pack with this hooker come centre/Flyhalf in last year’s season!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:15 am
#29 stew: Stew….my take is a prop must first and foremost be able to do his primary function. But i agree…the more mobile prop is in vogue….
We need a specialist Scrum coach….thats the first step.
Also we have an ex 8 at 1….
And a converted 2 at 3…the most demanding position in rugby….
Effectively a retreaded loosie and 2 x hookers in the front row vs France….a gamble.
But i also have no doubt that the Bok management realise the situation is not ideal…and will remedy it if results come scrum time dont improve over next 3 tests….
PDV has shown his willingness to act decisively….good enough for me.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:15 am
And we all know the best tighthead in the world – Big Carl – cant wait for his return to the men in Black
November 11th, 2009 at 8:21 am
#36 stew: Thats exactly right Stew…and Jack and A Williams will add grunt to the Kiwi scrum. Also we have shown ad nauseum that we cant handle pesky Aussies in scrum…Gary Gold speaks a lot about CJ and BJ being back in the mix and a horses for courses selection policy.
This i am a big advocate of….perhaps if saffa fane would not be so hard nosed about the possible benching or exclusion of Smit for certain games PDV life would be a lot easier!!
I am relieved that ‘adult’ debate can be had about this pressing issue…there were times when the slightest mention of the weak scrum resulted in lynch mobs!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:22 am
fane is fans
November 11th, 2009 at 8:23 am
#35 grant10: Agreed Pdivvy has been decisive by bringing IMO an even better front row on the bench – Strauss has had an awesome season and should of been there in the first place … Du Preez , although promising , might be over awed by his first test especially against the French – remember they are dirty scrummagers , hard but dirty ….. I just hope CJ makes a good impression , his last game for the Boks against Sheridan was inspiring and with 53 test caps he must make a big impact.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:34 am
what a load of bollocks.
grant, once again you are on your hobbyhorse.
keep rocking mate, let JS do the talking on the field…like he did in hamilton.
by the way, all the “deals” and backroom talks you allude to are a cobbled together mix of rumour, hearsay and opinion.
but dont let that stop you
November 11th, 2009 at 8:38 am
The lynch mob has arrived…all adult debate grinds to a halt so i have better things to do…
Cheers all.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:40 am
For those that are interested Loffie is now Director of Rugby at Boland.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:41 am
#40 rangerman: amamzing how they forget lol and good day ranger mate ^5
gary gold wants bj or cj??
firstly a bad wokman always blames his tools
gary gold was coach of WP when their forward pack were the worst in the country
now under a better forwards coach that same pack are performing ? i wonder why??
but dont worry about grant ranger he a good fella with a perminent hard on for john smit lol
hey everyone is allowed their fantasies
November 11th, 2009 at 8:42 am
November 11th, 2009 at 8:46 am
#43 sharks_lover: i dig grant sharkie, i just think he is deluded.
then again, he is flyhalf and i am a wing.
hardly top level qualifications for this debate
November 11th, 2009 at 8:47 am
See the sharks brigade has arrived !!
Suspect positions in the Bok squad…..JS at TH, Beast at loosehead, Kanko at 8, Adi at 12, Ruan as cover for 9 and 10…….what’s the common denominator ???
Could it be that they are all Sharks ?
November 11th, 2009 at 8:48 am
anyways, i too must go and make moola.
have a great day all!
and grant, dont take it personally man!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:50 am
#45 rangerman: lol boet true
November 11th, 2009 at 8:52 am
lol ranger , tc mate catcha laters
November 11th, 2009 at 8:53 am
#46 justrugby: Oh well there is nothing for you guys to defend since you only have one player starting, and then he will probably be off for 10 minutes of the game, easy peasy JR