Cotton wool key to Bok backlash
There’s nothing to be gained by starting an already exhausted Bok senior side against Saracens and Italy.
Peter de Villiers was clear about his goals when naming a 37-man squad to tour England, France, Italy and Ireland. Five wins from five matches was the target, and the Bok coach also hoped to develop some untried youngsters and work on strengthening the second-choice combinations.
South Africa suffered the worst possible start to the tour with the dirt-trackers going down to a depleted Leicester, and the Boks’ reserve front row returning home with injury. The senior side was outmuscled in Toulouse, and unless the Boks reassess their priorities, the tour could finish in disaster.
To salvage this tour, the Boks need to beat Ireland in Dublin. To beat the Irish, the incumbents will need to time to recuperate, and giving them the next week off could also aid De Villiers’ secondary ambition of developing the second-string.
It’s yet to be confirmed whether the team named to start against Saracens will be available for starting positions in the Italy Test. One hopes this is the case, because the Boks’ best could do with a break, especially after the beating they took at Stade Municipal.
Wian du Preez, Adriaan Strauss and CJ van der Linde are picked to front Saracens, a powerful Free State combination that should provide the South Africans with stability at scrum time.
The smart move is to start these three against Italy, a side renowned for their scrum. The Boks would have a shot at parity despite the absence of Beast Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis and John Smit, while the frontline players would be spared a physical tussle a week before the game that really matters.
Ireland’s scrum was poor against Australia on Sunday, an encouraging sign for a Bok team that’s endured their own problems in this facet. Nevertheless, you’d want your best players available for this clash, and you’d want them firing at something close to 100%.
Again, the Boks are well capable of beating this Irish outfit, but after Friday’s French lesson, they will know that intensity is everything. It’s the last game at the end of a taxing year, but they’ll need to be at their brutish best.
The most recent selection suggests De Villiers and company are taking the Saracens match seriously, but they need to keep their eyes on the prize. The Six Nations Champs have been hyping the 28 November fixture as the ultimate north versus south clash, and those British & Irish Lions players who tasted defeat earlier in the year will be desperate for revenge.
It won’t help the senior Boks’ cause to arrive in Dublin after what should be a physical battle in Udine. With respect to Italy, this is a Test where the fringe players should get a start. Start Danie Rossouw and Andries Bekker in a Test environment, and see what loose forwards Jean Deysel and Dewald Potgieter have to offer when awarded an official Test cap.
For Du Preez and Strauss, it’s a massive challenge scrumming against a team that includes Martin Castrogiovanni, but they’ll have one of the world’s best and most experienced tightheads alongside them. In an ideal rugby world, that’s how you’re supposed to blood newcomers – by surrounding them with experience.
So let’s hope the announcement of the side to face Saracens isn’t a case of the Bok management hitting the panic button. Let’s hope the first team aren’t rolled out in Udine, because it won’t contribute to success in Dublin.
The Irish press believe De Villiers’ job will be on the line by the time the Boks arrive. There’s no chance of the South African coach being sacked after the Boks’ success in the Lions series and Tri-Nations. But the Irish are correct in assuming South Africa’s tour would amount to a failure if they’re downed at Croke Park.
By Jon Cardinelli, in London
November 16th, 2009 at 10:10 am
#81 chch – welcome back Laulala:
Oh No!
He was born in the UK but was raised in SA, he sings in Zulu and English, a wonderful performer.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:11 am
#94 Hondo:
SB did perform well against the AB’s in the last test when none of the players you mention were involved. The also don’t play for WP or the Stormers where SB performs well more time than not.
#95 Charlie:
No problem. Everybody makes mistakes.
Just want Hondo to allow Adi that “privilege” also. He only sees the mistakes the man makes.
But enough of that.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:11 am
#98 kevin w: Of dink jy dalk die Rasta was goed, ek sal nie verbaas wees nie, ek het al vreemder goed gesien.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:14 am
#103 capebull: didn’t say he was good, but its immature to say that people listening to reggae are all stoned.
I’ll take Marley … you can keep Steve.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:15 am
#102 nama1: Remember we are just saying you need a different skill for 12 , AD has not got those. He has proven himself over and over at 13.
The same as Ruan is 9 not 10.
Tannie Kofski is a 7’s bok not 15 man
November 16th, 2009 at 10:17 am
#96 JL1: #97 JL1: BHWAAAAA !!!
November 16th, 2009 at 10:18 am
#89 chch – welcome back Laulala:
What are you talking about?
November 16th, 2009 at 10:18 am
#101 Hondo:
Maybe he travelled with a Zimbabwean passport in the days of the cultural boycott? I’m not sure, but that could be what’s confusing Laulala.
You know why there were a cultural boycott against SA, don’t you?
November 16th, 2009 at 10:19 am
#104 kevin w: OK I will say,
You are confussed, to appreciate that Rasta , you have to be stoned.
Do you argue that ???
At least with Bob you have a choice, not with that guy.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:19 am
#105 capebull: So a 12 needs to be a stampkar ?
November 16th, 2009 at 10:21 am
So why can CJ play, but not Jean De Villiers or Frans Steyn?
November 16th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Tim Noakes is correct. The guys get paid to tour and wont pass on the pound. This is sad but a reality. Sorta why I dont mind seeing Smittie go.
They return from the NH tour and the S14 training kicks off again after a couple of weeks. They need more down time.
We have plenty of players who could fill the void, of course if they selected on logic and not on race, old boys club or politics.
Adi, whom I also rated, must move over for Ebersholm,Pienaar or etc…this tour should have seen young blood or new faces. We should not make the same mistakes the Kiwis make by trying to win every game. We need to blood new guys and maybe take a loss.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:22 am
#107 Dawn:
Hi Dawn, how does the couch?
I am referring to the NZ national football team the All Whites. We just qualified for South Africa. Great crowd.
A Maori guy was holding up a big White Power banner
We have the most un-PC national sports team name
November 16th, 2009 at 10:22 am
#113 chch – welcome back Laulala:
How GOES the couch
November 16th, 2009 at 10:26 am
#98 kevin w: I love good reggae. But what this zolkop and his two djembe goons dished up on Friday was not reggae, and they’re certainly not musicians. Have a look on Youtube. Watch the white guy with the Marge Simpson dread stack. What’s he doing? Because he’s not drumming along with the mess we’re hearing. And what is the homeless guy next to him doing? They’re not even on the same planet, let alone the same hymn sheet. Maybe they’re trying to salvage the disaster brought about by the gangaman on the microphone. Maybe they’re playing it fast and loose, like improv jazz. Maybe they’re employing a sub-pentatonic scale and complex polyrhythm that we just don’t understand and appreciate.
I just suspect that the poor sod who ended up prostrate on the halfway line after attempting the ceremonial kick-off and failing on an epic scale would have looked like Jose Careras behind the mic compared to this lot.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:27 am
So what did Adi Jacobs do wrong ? Fact base please…
November 16th, 2009 at 10:27 am
#105 capebull:
Well, as far as I can tell by looking at the different 12’s playing for different teams, every coach has his preferred set of skills that he requires from his 12.
Do you think Henry would have played JdV, who does not have a good kicking game, at 12? No, I don’t think so. Does Henry’s opinion then make JdV a bad 12? No, I don’t think so. It’s just a question of what the coach prefer.
Maybe, PdV prefer the skills that Adi has at 12. It may not be your preference, but then, you’re not the coach.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Kanko and Adi balance out Brussouw’s contribution by coughing up everything he steals. Jaque Fourie is probably sending JdV i miss you cards as we speak, not that he was great either. Zane deserves another chance though, but Burger’s tackling technique is shocking. No comment on the she-beast or the front row as a unit. Pieter Helium needs to swallow pride and rethink Smith at 3.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:29 am
#99 capebull: Ja ek sien hy het die bal ook gelos
November 16th, 2009 at 10:32 am
#105 capebull: Kanko and Raubenheimer are fast becoming the best rugby photographers in World Rugby
All they do is take photos
November 16th, 2009 at 10:33 am
#112 KevinRack:
For all his good attributes and wonderful schoolboy career, Eberson has not proven himself at senior level yet. Not to say that he won’t, but let’s not make another Chilli mistake here.
#111 kevin w:
The coach feels that he has adequate back up in those two positions.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:36 am
#112 KevinRack: Look Smit and many of the international players have a charit dinner in London, then there is the Barbarian game – no money there though, so killing a couple of birds with one stone
November 16th, 2009 at 10:37 am
apparently Ras Dumisani is Tackler’s father…
November 16th, 2009 at 10:38 am
#117 nama1: Spot on
November 16th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I’m sure you get a medicated cotton wool that won’t give the Boks a backrash.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:43 am
#115 katman:
Jissus you are a vretende kanker.
Ras Dumisani is now persona non grata.
We know!
November 16th, 2009 at 10:44 am
#115 katman: i am not saying he was great … but i made the point that it was immature to label it all around being stoned. Then everybody who like Steve Hofmeyer is gesuip on Brandy at Loftus. It’s just a stupid generalisation.
The embassy provided the list – why he was on there on;y they can answer.
But it’s sad to see that our ‘nasty” boks were sung / shouted / slurred out of the match. It’s a pathetic excuse for the players, coaches and fans to be using.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Ras is kuk funny.
I can’t help it.
He had me laughing in the traffic on a Monday morning.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:48 am
I think on Friday Morne showed everyone what a match winner he really is for SA.
Because he had an off day we lost…
November 16th, 2009 at 10:55 am
#129 Bok fan:
Yes, you right. But if we start to rely on one man to win us every game, we’re in trouble. Imagine him having an off day in a WC semi or final!!!
November 16th, 2009 at 11:05 am
#130 nama1: If you look at RSA rugby teams, all the teams use a strong 12 ( you are right NZ does not/ Auz do ) so AD does not fit that mold , he’s cause of his size much better at 13, cause he has more space. We play a game that the 12 must take a lot of contact, then again AD is a runner not a big guy to take contact.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:07 am
#110 Charlie: Thats the way we play , I do not agree with it , but that a fact.
Barry, JdV, Barrit, WO, Bosman, Grant , Swanepoel weighs 100kg
November 16th, 2009 at 11:09 am
#127 kevin w: He was rubbish , the only way you can appreciate him is if you are stoned.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:18 am
131 capebull & 132 capebull:
It is obvious then that PdV prefer something else than the rest of the coaches, at least for now. Whose to say he is not right? Only time will tell.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:19 am
#130 nama1: Or getting injured for a couple of years like Wilkinson!
November 16th, 2009 at 11:21 am
#89 chch – welcome back Laulala: They will be happily received. They were here for the Confederations Cup. Congrats on them making 2010!
By the way, I love the song the Saders sang for Laulala at his last game for the black and reds.
“lau la la….lau la la…hey hey hey….good bye…”
November 16th, 2009 at 11:22 am
#130 nama1: Luckily he doesnt have too many off days. Actually the first one I’ve seen this year
November 16th, 2009 at 11:25 am
#134 nama1: Time will not tell, it was told on Friday, AD lost almost all the balls in contact in that channel.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Viva Ras you da man mon, you managed do fok op die hele bok span voor die eerste skop.
Musta been the guys still giggling through the first 30 min that put them off their game.
Actually the loss came about purely by one moments loss of composure. Straight after John Smit was gifted an open try which he himself couldn’t quite believe, directly from kick off Kanko gets nailed by Harinordoquy spilling the kick directly in French hands. 3 missed SB tackles later and not a wing or center or full back defender in sight and they’ve scored in the corner. That was the turning point in the game right there. That spilled kick by Kanko cost us the match, thats the thing that gave them belief they could take us. We didn’t score another point from there throughout second half and played off back foot right through.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Have SA forgotten how to scrim at all?! The tightheads don’t anchor properly & hooker/loosehead don’t get a propper shoulder in. As a unit the guys don’t get a propper hit-in. Some of the rules just dont make sence any more. How on earth does a prop get a proper bind on the other guy with these tight jearseys? Rule needs to be re-looked. Generally, we scrummed poorly because France pulled back in almost every scrum, causing our boys to loose the bind and go down. Ref never picked up on this. SA needs to spend a couple of hours on the old scrum-machine again!
November 16th, 2009 at 11:47 am
#140 Beast: All about coaches:
Wp got -Proudfoot in
Cheats got OS in
Bulls uses Balie
Sharks use no-one
Bokke uses Gold
Gold could not teach Stormers how to scrum
November 16th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Jacobs was the only back trying to breach the gain line unfortunately when you have two half backs like Fdp and Steyn who don’t actually have a clue what to do when a running game is required everybody else is left stranded and flat footed. Bulls patroon don’t work then you have to adapt. Fdp and M. Steyn are as limited and one dimensional as they come, expect more of the same before somebody recognizes the malady and breaks the stagnancy and moves on.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I see Bulls are trying to sign Charl Heyman former NZ prop. Only problem is , he does,nt understand the words of Blou Bul vreet nie van vloer af nie.
Jurie is blykbaar in NZ besig om hom te leer, as hy tyd af het , met sy besige hofsaak, maar dit lyk of sy opponent besig is om Klei te trap.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:51 am
#142 skopskiet: Tipies Shark support , AD is ‘n 13 nie ‘n 12 nie en Konko was useless verby
November 16th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Skop en trek rugby is so fundamentally one dimensional and boring and once you worked it out dead easy to counter against that unless this team develops a couple more strings to our bow we not going to progress one little bit from Friday night. Fdp and M. Steyn a big part of the problem.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:55 am
“Wian du Preez, Adriaan Strauss and CJ van der Linde are picked to front Saracens, a powerful Free State combination that should provide the South Africans with stability at scrum time.”
DONT COUNT ON IT. CJ was manhandled like a girl when he came on in the last game. he is experienced but inconsistent. i have never rated him as a dominent tighthead.
Saracens, Italy will screw him at scrumtime. Look at what Italians did to AB chokers??.
the Italians will back themselves against us especially after AB game and they will target the scrum weakness.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:55 am
#142 skopskiet: You are talking rubbish. Adi Jacobs got turned over when he ran **** lines without support, trying to play crash ball. There was one moment in the game when he ran into the entire French backrow, with the ball being stolen. If he cannot be dominant at the tackle point as a 12, you can’t play there, unless (like the Aussies often do) you are willing to give the ball to your 13 to take it up.
For all your attempts to make Jacobs sound like a rare talent and Steyn and du Preez sound ****, Jacobs did not once pass the ball to Jacque Fourie, didn’t beat any players and got turned over almost every-time he got the ball. It has to also be said, a lot of the ball he got was so slow because Kankowski and the Beast weren’t willing to hit any rucks, but Jacobs was ****. Unfortunately, most of the other Boks were also ****.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:55 am
#141 capebull: Absolutely agreed! Os made a huge diffirence with the Cheetahs as did Proudfoot with WP. Both these teams, to my dismay, murdered the Bulls. Shows what should be done!
November 16th, 2009 at 11:58 am
#145 skopskiet: So two players who have dominated every-one this year are suddenly ****? Almost all the Bok tries come from du Preez, and Steyn is the best running flyhalf in South Africa at the moment (probably because he is the only player that you can call a flyhalf).
November 16th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
#145 skopskiet: If you actually understand rugby , you will know that if the T5 battles , so will the rest.