De Villiers best bet at 12
26 Nov 2009
Adi Jacobs’ ankle injury could be the good fortune the Springbok backline so desperately need.
The Boks beat the British & Irish Lions 2-1, but the series was not without error. Peter de Villiers came under fire for his suspect use of the Bok bench, and the biggest criticism centred around the subbing of backline kingpin Jean de Villiers.
Instead of swapping one outside centre for another, the Bok coach shifted Jacobs to No 12 and introduced Jaque Fourie at No 13. Jacobs was targeted with the Lions midfield pairing of Jamie Roberts and Brian O’Driscoll attacking his channel. Because Jacobs was driven back so often, the men on his outside, including Fourie, were placed on the back foot. The pressure the Lions exerted on Jacobs enabled the visitors to cut the line out wide.
Peter de Villiers had plans to persist with this combination in the Tri-Nations given Jean de Villiers was set to join Irish club Munster. Jacobs suffered an injury in the build up to the first match against the All Blacks in Bloemfontein, and fortunately, the Jean and Jaque midfield combination was restored. It’s one of the reasons the Bok defence was so impressive during this tournament, as the opponents battled to make substantial ground in De Villiers’ channel.
Since the Stormers centre’s departure, however, the Bok coaching staff has revisited the Jacobs/Fourie midfield combination. Jacobs battled against a French barrage in Toulouse and was part of an awful mix-up that led to an Italian try in Udine.
Before their final fixture against Ireland, the Boks have caught a break. Jacobs is out of the tour with an ankle injury, allowing De Villiers to resume his position.
There will be eyebrows raised if De Villiers is named to start given he hasn’t featured for the Boks since the final Tri-Nations match. But it’s a set-up he understands well, and his experience would be a boost for such a big clash.
You have to feel for Wynand Olivier, who should have been the logical alternative to De Villiers all along. He enjoyed a dream run in the Bulls’ Super 14 campaign playing alongside the halfback pair that have since traded powder blue shirts for those coloured green and gold. As an individual, Olivier was impressive, but as part of that No 9, 10 and 12 triumvirate, he was outstanding.
Olivier lacks the kicking game required of the modern No 12, but it’s his only shortcoming. He showed against Saracens what he’s capable of defensively (Derick Hougaard bears the bruises as testament), and is the ideal kind of player for the Boks’ game plan – which is not unlike the Bulls’ strategy.
Olivier partnered Fourie in the third Test against the Lions. The Test was a disaster in many aspects, but it’s disappointing that this midfield combination wasn’t given more opportunity to develop. Even now with Jacobs out, De Villiers returns, and the big loser is Olivier.
The Irish enjoy a fast-paced game and all first-phase ball would have been directed down Jacobs’ channel with the robust Jamie Heaslip sure to lead the charge. Why? Because they know they’re guaranteed to make ground. Jacobs may affect a tackle, but he’s failed if the opposition gain five to 10 metres in the process.
With De Villiers replacing the injured Jacobs, the Irish will be forced to rethink their tactics. The Boks stand an excellent chance of repelling an Irish surge if De Villiers and Fourie are standing in the centres.
Stopping power is what’s required. The Boks need to slow the Irish down this Saturday; they have to cut down the hosts’ space. A big defensive effort is what will earn a win and render this tour a relative success. In realising that goal, Peter de Villiers needs to pick players that are up to the task.
Olivier has the ability, but if you have Jean De Villiers available, you have to play him. He knows the Irish players well having played against them in the Lions series and at club level for Munster.
It may seem crazy to pluck a player from the international wilderness just two days before kickoff, but given what De Villiers has achieved alongside the incumbent backline players in 2009, you wouldn’t expect them to lack synergy at Croke Park.
By Jon Cardinelli, in Dublin
300 Comments
Pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 » Show All
26 Nov 2009, 08:19 am
@PissAnt: u’re so funny in responding to urself
common guys..1 try in 26 caps
thats poor in anyone’s standings for a inside centre
numbers dont lie
26 Nov 2009, 08:19 am
Jaque Fourie is woeful in defense at times, he hasnt been great in attack either this year. I hope he has a big game on Sat.
26 Nov 2009, 08:21 am
@Tacitus:
Overall JDEV brings more far to the party than WO. And his defense is not as suspect as you would like everyone to believe. A couple of hand offs that eveyone remembers, but choose to forget the many great defensive tackles he has made.
Why he has started so many games ahead of the limited WO. Play the best guys whenever possible.
WO vs JDEV = only one winner and it’s not WO. This game has no place for sentiment , when will we start realizing this.
26 Nov 2009, 08:21 am
Defence
26 Nov 2009, 08:21 am
@Charlie: ja, but THANK GOODNESS adi isnt there eh?
fark me, i am almost sickened by the open celebration of a players injury.
almost, but then i look at where it comes from and i realise this journo is probably still red faced after his extraordinary arrogance preceding the france game and needs a whipping boy.
well you can fool some of the people….
26 Nov 2009, 08:21 am
@justrugby:
Typing sucks……need my java !!!
26 Nov 2009, 08:23 am
Although I think De Villiers and Jaque would be our best combo, I think its unfair to Olivier if he doesn’t start.
Either way, delighted that Jacobs is not playing.
26 Nov 2009, 08:25 am
@Charlie:
Be fair, Wynand had 6 starts at inside centre in his 26 tests, having come from the bench, play wing and outside center on more occassions.
Wynand has been the best 12 on form this year and deserves his break.
Injuries happen, tough luck for Adi.
26 Nov 2009, 08:25 am
Olivier vs Adi Jacobs.
would only ever be one winner there in the Real World.
26 Nov 2009, 08:25 am
@Papoose:
Yes, but Olivier has been a rubbish player up until this year/last year. Lets not forget all those games he came off the bench in, with 5 minutes to go.
26 Nov 2009, 08:27 am
@justrugby:
Having said that if they do start with WO, good on him and I hope he takes his golden opportunity this time……he is by no means a bad player and will not let the side down !!
I hope Adi can get some rest , properly recover from his injuries and reinvent himself in the S14.
26 Nov 2009, 08:28 am
@SKW:
You can’t be serious? Jaque Fourie is one of the most aggressive defenders in world rugby. And his attack? Just look at the tries and the way he scored them this year.
The man has scored against every national team he’s played against.
26 Nov 2009, 08:28 am
@rangerman:
disagree bud…
with young guys… and experienced players… being able to play overseas, it widens our player-pool considerably… I don’t see how that is detrimental to SA rugby at all… It is more damaging to European rugby where their youngsters are not getting a shot at club level…
But our provinces can only employ ‘so’ many players… So I say let our players play anywhere and pick the best players from not just our local teams but wherever they may play…
I see it as a great thing for the individual players and for South African rugby…
26 Nov 2009, 08:28 am
It is so funny how everyone ******* that we do not develop depth, but as soon as the chips are down or there is some pressure everyone is ecstatic that the coaching staff runs back to the overplayed tried and tested and puts no faith in the back up players.
Wynand deserves his chance, Jean made his decision knowing the consequence and yes, given the circumstances I am ecstatic that Jean is available as cover – but the coach needs to invest some faith in guys who are showing good form and has been part of the setup for many years.
This is what this tour was supposed to be about not so?
26 Nov 2009, 08:29 am
i mean no offence to wo btw.
he has had a great season domestically and deserves a start ahead of JdV who chose the money train, but he is not an automatic selection ahead of adi imo and shouldnt be touted as some kind of poor stepchild who has never been to the ball.
he went to the wc and got a winners medal in spite of completing more passes to the linesman in one season than anyone on earth.
he has had plenty opportunity and never made the jersey his own, much like the situation kanko and ruan will find themselves in soon.
so the adi experimnet was not only justified, but a must in view of the shortage of quality 12′s in south africa (bet some of you wish baritt was back eh?). it seemingly wasnt the answer, but get off adi’s back jc you prat, he would probably run over you like lomu ran over catt boykie.
and good luck to whoever represents our country this weekend at 12!
bokke!
26 Nov 2009, 08:29 am
Pick the best players. Drop this stupid local selection bull. Wynand is not in the same class as Jean.
Adi Jacobs is not a bad player suddenly, he’s just out of position. Did well for the boks at outside center but just doesnt have the physicality or ability to read the game that an inside center needs.
@SKW: Jacques often ends up in defensive difficulties because Adi is coming up short on his inside. There were far fewer issues with Jean on his inside.
26 Nov 2009, 08:29 am
Let’s see what WO does. He will be under the microscope on Saturday. For our sake let’s hope he does not have his usual game in green and gold but rather a decent one for a change.
26 Nov 2009, 08:30 am
@PissAnt: But he aven’t make the step-up to test rugby
26 Nov 2009, 08:31 am
@PissAnt:
The mid-week games were for that. PdV doesn’t like to lose test matches, and neither do I.
26 Nov 2009, 08:33 am
Judging a player’s ability by his try count will never be an accurate yard stick (wingers would be the exception).
If a 12 does his job by creating space for those outside him or making that crucial half break, the tries will come. The fact that the wing or the lazy prop having a breather on the sideline takes the final pass and the glory is irrelevant.
While JDV would still be first choice, everything else being equal, Olivier deserves his chance to start against genuine competition and he won’t let the team down.
26 Nov 2009, 08:34 am
@SKW: Are you Brendell Brandt?
26 Nov 2009, 08:34 am
@ufo: mate, just ask argentinian fans if they would like to watch their top players in argentina.
and imagine the cc REMAINING bok-less after the 3n as all our top stars wing their way back to europe like sparrows.
no man, i want to see the boks here in south africa and i pay R1000 for a season ticket for that privelege.
is a season ticket worth that much in a cc and s14 shorn of the top talent?
no man, the ramifications are massive.
26 Nov 2009, 08:34 am
@Charlie:
Haven’t made the step up playing in a different position every single time?
I would venture to say Wynand who started in only 6 at inside centre, started a game of rugby at test level on only about 3 or 4 other occassions.
Making the step up?
Come now, if you invest in the player and afford him game time then can you judge whether he can make the step up not on 8 starts in 26 tests in 3 or 4 different positions!
@Kobus Kitty:
Uhm, we have lost tests with JDV at centre for the record.
On form, Wynand was better than even JDV in 2009 in the Super 14.
26 Nov 2009, 08:36 am
Olivier will start. That’s where my money is.
Jean on the bench to cover 11,12,13,14.
Its only fair.
26 Nov 2009, 08:37 am
@rangerman: thank you rangerman
26 Nov 2009, 08:41 am
@Transformation: pleasure man.
anyway, out for now.
tjorts julle!
26 Nov 2009, 08:43 am
Me too, out for now.
26 Nov 2009, 08:44 am
@ufo:
“…I don’t see how that is detrimental to SA rugby at all…”
Well, if you don’t see it does not mean that it won’t be. A lot of people see that it will be, PdV included hence his policy of only selecting local players first and overseas players only in case of emergency.
26 Nov 2009, 08:44 am
No im not brendall.
26 Nov 2009, 08:45 am
ROY , how much longer are we going to have to suffer with this reply button problem, cannot follow a discussion this way……I am on the verge of boycotting until this is sorted out !!
26 Nov 2009, 08:46 am
Can supersport not give Adi a job?
That is the closest he should be to a rugby field.
26 Nov 2009, 08:47 am
2.30pm on Supersport blitz , live team announcement !!
26 Nov 2009, 08:47 am
@PissAnt:
This is where I believe we sometimes make the mistake. Some players can step up some just cant. Super 14 is somewhat overrated imho especially as a yardstick for international rugby. The spectacle called super rugby is largely responsible for the following 2 fundamental flaws in our game:
a) Proper 8 man scrummaging and sustained effort.
b) numbers at the breakdown for cleaning out or vigorous counter rucking
Super rugby is also much more free spirited which will result in gaps or opportunity.
26 Nov 2009, 08:48 am
@Pearl Rose: ALL teams have tries scored against them and of course at times teams will get through any combination! This combination stops far more than most and way more than when Adi is part of it. Your point doesn’t make sense!
26 Nov 2009, 08:50 am
@bunce: Jealousy makes you nasty nuh
26 Nov 2009, 08:54 am
@bunce: And you on the couch infront of the T.V
(Now I am getting jealous myself) 
26 Nov 2009, 08:55 am
@bunce:
Why don’t you and Hondo go have a cup of tea together.
26 Nov 2009, 08:59 am
I agree with Ranger.
JC has brain-freeze.
Crowing over an injured player. That goes for some bloggers as well.
26 Nov 2009, 08:59 am
@Papoose: Its what has us be so good at sport in general. Do you want us to be like the English? Nicely done old chap, you played real **** but at least you had the decency to turn up! Jolly good show. RUBBISH!! It really annoys me when we accept mediocrity.
Adi is not up to it at 12. Deal with it. Get a life and move on!
26 Nov 2009, 09:00 am
@rangerman:
I see your point…
but I’d be cool with it… it would be the same for all teams… and personally I don’t think the CC was that bad… It would give a whole host of youngsters a chance and we’d be discovering new exciting players every year…
26 Nov 2009, 09:10 am
@EVERYONE
I think we can all agree that ADI is a top 13, but not a good 12.
I think that pretty much sums up everyones rant.
26 Nov 2009, 09:13 am
@ARK: it doesn’t make sense to only yourself. when adi misses a tackle it is treated as if it is a national crisis & the useless writers here carry on about it forever! When jean de villiers is put on his @rse by stirling mortlock nothing, absolutely nothing is said about it! That is the disgusting double standard! You have the likes of Kobus Kitty willing & rejoicing adi’s injury, how sick is that?
And they have the audacity to gang up on wakanathan when he points out the level of their depravity.
26 Nov 2009, 09:17 am
@wpw:
We know he’s played 12, but seriously, he’s played 13 for 90% of his proffesional career (and he’s 29 now so its been quite while since he played 12).
You cannot compare u19 & u21 to senior rugby.
26 Nov 2009, 09:19 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): What about Steyn/ Probably one of the best no 15 around. Zane is OK but not in the same class.
26 Nov 2009, 09:20 am
@Pearl Rose:
It is PDV’s fault that Adi is targeted. JUST like how Ruan is targeted by the media at 10.Just like how Smit is nailed by the media for being a kak scrummaging prop.
26 Nov 2009, 09:22 am
@Objective 101:
Man I just miss the Boks being able to get points from 55m out.
I know F.Steyn only kicks 50% of them but thats 50% more than any other player in the world from that distance.
26 Nov 2009, 09:23 am
I agree with everyone that Adi is much better at 12 than at 13.
I don’t think WO is the answer at 12 though. He impressed me in the S14, but he’s never been able to make the step up to international level. He’s got 26 tests behind is name and very little to show for it.
It’s time to give people like Peter Grant or Meyer Bosman a chance.
26 Nov 2009, 09:25 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): Amazingly some coaches will never learn that players play in certain positions because that is where they have played most of their lives i.e. from when they where 9 y.o. or so and know more about playing in a specific position more than anyone coach ever will.
That is why Nick Mallett is such a great coach, been there doen that got the medal for it; snd he was a damn good no 8 just didnlt get picked because at the time he spoke the wrong language.
You need coaches with insight on how the game is played otherwise you just have ideas and a handful of losses. Does anyone remember the saying let the players play the ball the way they see it. How far away are we now from that.
26 Nov 2009, 09:30 am
NOt sure if this has been mentioned before here but if Helium chooses Jean he is more nuts that I originally thought ..
What, with his overseas policy and Olivier in the squad …
What a mess…
26 Nov 2009, 09:30 am
Jacobs vs. WO
Speed: WO beats him by 15m over a 100m
sprint in training.
Defense: WO far better and can the stop the ball
in the tackle. WO made over a 100 more
tackles this season than Jacobs.
Strength: WO is a good 20% stronger in the Gym
than Jacobs. WO is strong enough
to keep the defender busy until the
forwards arrive. When Jacobs took the
ball up he conceded twice as may
turnovers as WO and 3 times more
penalties for holding on to the ball.
Age: Jacobs is 29… if you want to develop or
bank for the future… bring in the
younger guys… WO
CC contribution: WO is one of the reasons why the Bulls
made it… Jacobs is the reason why the
sharks didn’t (ask JLP)
S14 contribution: WO was one of the standout SA players
in the tournament and the one of the
reasons why the Bulls won it. The way
that JF and the NZ ran through the
Jacobs channel was shocking.
Jacobs do not belong in the Bok setup; the only real reason I think that Jacobs is even there is the 4 years he and PdV stayed together in a flat… so as long as Jacobs “play” the secrets stay!
It’s much like the relationship between Rose’s daddy en PdV
Pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.