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
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26 Nov 2009, 09:30 am
@Pearl Rose: Ah The Pearl!! The eternal optimist, and bearer of positive sentiment!!
No centre combination will never concede tries, but Jean, and Mossie, are formidable combination!!
26 Nov 2009, 09:32 am
Amazing news…
JD is one of the best 12′s in world rugby at moment, so good to see that Peter has decided to ditch the whole overseas thing for now.
There has always been a problem with the squad selected for this tour and so going back to JD was the only choice.
26 Nov 2009, 09:33 am
Biggest cancer in Bok rugby….players out of position….because we accomodate them.
Same as Schalk…made it clear he wants the 6 jersey in latest SA Rugby Magazine….
He will be at 7 …Deysel, a very good 7, sits on the bench….
Makes no sense…once again we accomodating players….
26 Nov 2009, 09:33 am
@siener: WO runs into players like the old way of SA rugby and goes nowhere fast. He has just become relaible as a tackler and protects his channel (which Adi does not at no 12)but that just about all, he adds nothing to our attack. Campese once said he does not understand why SA players run at the oppostion rather than around them when they are faster than the opposition.
We miss someone with the explosiveness of Danie Gerber. But then I suppose if we had someone they would be playing overseas.
SA Rugby put your foot up your behind you bafoons and select the best players. You cannot stop players from playing overseas. 90% of Africa’s best soccer players play overseas yet they stil perform for their country when needed (Mc Carthy excluded)
26 Nov 2009, 09:37 am
@Objective 101: You’re generalizing way too much here.
John Smit played tight-head prop at school level and afterwards and only switched to hooker in his second or third CC season.
Spies used to be a winger.
Matt Gitau was a scrum-half and Larkham a fullback.
There are many other examples of players whose careers only took off once a visionary coach moved them to a different position.
26 Nov 2009, 09:37 am
and Dave, I’m watching yous
26 Nov 2009, 09:38 am
@grant10: Speak to Mr Gold. He is at best a k..a..k forwards coach. Never achieved anything a the Stormers. Why do we still keep him? Anyway we’ll see the battle of the foward coaches Gert the mountain Smal vs Gary not all that glitters is Gold.
26 Nov 2009, 09:42 am
Ruan Pienaar is not working on 10, unlike I thopught he would. unlucky. maybe 9 or 15 better for him. now with that I go again. No other stuff.
26 Nov 2009, 09:45 am
@4teen: #100
WO quick… ???
Gio Aplon passed WO in the CC semi like The Doctor passes the pit lane…
JdV had the same time over 40m as Brent Russell ( I recall when JdV blogged here once a few years ago…)
sosafe to say JdV is way faster than WO…
26 Nov 2009, 09:47 am
@siener:
Good points but what he’s saying (OBJECTIVE) is don’t take a player who has been playing hooker for 10 years and suddenly justify a switch to prop because he played there when he was 21.
Same with Adi.
Same with Ruan.
Spies moved to 8th man in his first season with the Bulls. Which is fine, but imagine trying to make the switch when’s he 30??? Then things get ugly.
26 Nov 2009, 09:47 am
@4teen: Your thinking can be like a **** in the brain, like the above brainstorming
26 Nov 2009, 09:48 am
@siener: I am but once you end up at an accademy you find your spot. many kids start playing flanks and at high school play scrum half cause they don’t grow enough. There are players that can play in many postions but they usually are best in one only. We have many of those. Simply because you develop intuition for the game; there are exceptions I agree, but Smit, Adi Pienaaar are not one of them. Look at Steyn terrible at no 10, average at no 12, managed at 14 but boy oh boy what a fullback! If you have played hooker to switch you to tighthead at senior test level is a major change, your muscles have developed differently over the years, you intuition is different and so is your technique.
26 Nov 2009, 09:48 am
@ufo:
I remember JDV saying that but truth be told Brent clocked a 4.55 over 40m, JDV a 4.8.
I’m just stating this because Russell is till one of the quickest players off the mark I have EVER seen.
26 Nov 2009, 09:49 am
@Objective 101:
Spot on.
If a player is going to make positional switch do it early on in their career. Not when they 30.
26 Nov 2009, 10:01 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): I think what we must also look at though is how assies and the ABs used to interchange their nos 10 and 12 which the ABs do not do anymore and which we do nto do either, although I rekon watch the spot for McAllister running in at 12 in time to come and Nonu going back to 13.
In the day and age of fast no6s and 7s it makes sense to have a no9, 10, 12 and 15 that can boot you out of trouble. If JdV had a weakness it was his inability to kick.
Maybe Pienaar should be developed as a no12 or otherwise let him be where he wants to be at no9 as a stand in for FdP.
26 Nov 2009, 10:01 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
truth be told according to who…? JdV has never struck me as anything but an honest person… where did you find your stats?
JdV was referring to speed tests they had done recently in which they clocked exactly the same times…
26 Nov 2009, 10:04 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark):
not saying Russell isn’t farking quick off the mark… of course he is… possibly over the first 10m his little legs carry him a lot quicker but in the latter stages Jean’s long legs make up the time…
seriously… my point was not knocking Russell… it was that JdV is deceptively quick and way quicker than WO
26 Nov 2009, 10:06 am
@Objective 101:
Yeah look there are positions that can be swapped (to a degree). The 10/12 channel, and the back 3 are two examples.
In terms of Ruan, lets leave him at 9. I remember in 2006 that guy out-shone and out-played FDP. Real talent.
26 Nov 2009, 10:09 am
@Objective 101: I agree with you. I’m just saying that things aren’t always that clear cut.
I think it’s time for Smit to switch back to 2, but you can’t deny the fact that in terms of results his (hopefully temporary) move to 3 has been a success.
It allowed our best captain and our best hooker to be on the field at the same time and we won a Lions series and a 3N that way (including a 3-0 whitewash of the AB’s!).
It is time for the experiment to end though. Smit’s shortcomings in the scrum have been laid bare and other teams are making us pay for it. Bismarck has also now had his chances at the Sharks and in the Springbok team so it’s time for him and Smit to duke it out for a spot in both teams.
P.S. I totally agree with you re Adi at 12, Pienaar at 10 etc.
26 Nov 2009, 10:13 am
@siener:
Yep, let the battle for 2 begin.
I would love to see Smit and Bissie interchanged…keep them both fresh for 2011. Smit can still cover prop.
26 Nov 2009, 10:13 am
@Pearl Rose:Can you accept that Adi is targeted by opposition …. then ask your self why ?
Just like oppo targeting John at TH, Shalk and Bakies are bated now due to their temprament and possible yellow card. Because that is the weak point of the team and is discussed on this website.You will read calls for a new Front row and back up to Bakkies. People openly critcise Vic as a poor capt even though he has won all at the Bulls. I dont hear you defending those guys !!! I wonder why ??
Get real !
26 Nov 2009, 10:16 am
@Objective 101:
“90% of Africa’s best soccer players play overseas yet they stil perform for their country when needed”
That is not the question. The questions are, what is going on in the domestic league in this African countries? What is the quality of the football played there? What are the attendance figures like? Attraction of sponsors etc.
If you can guarantee that the CC will not become of the same quality as the Vodacom competition with all the top players gone, we maybe can have a look at your option. I bet you can’t give that guarantee. I also bet that you don’t even watch Vodacom rugby on TV because of the poor standard.
26 Nov 2009, 10:18 am
All this talk about fairness is a load a bs in my opinion. This is not kindergarden its professional sport. The best person should start, and since Jdv is in the squad he must wear the 12 jersey…finish n klaar. If WO starts then its on sentimentality on not a rugby decision. But neither would dissapoint so im not too worried
26 Nov 2009, 10:21 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): I have been told that in 2010 the Springboks will only be allowed to play 500 minutes of rugby for their Union, and will not be allowed to play any CC unless its to test fitness after injury. That means that the Boks will only be able to either: play 60mins of 8 games or 6 full games of S14. Problem solved for the Sharks – There are 15 games if the team gets into the final so you rotate them every 60 mins. I don’t know if I am explaining myself too well, Bissie and John will start for alternate games.
26 Nov 2009, 10:23 am
It was not that long ago when the question was asked: “What the hell is Gert Smal doing at the Boks? Our forward are getting eaten alive. He should just pack up and go. He is useless.”
Then SA won a World Cup. Gert left SA and became forward coach of the Irish. Obviously now he’s the best thing since sliced bread.
‘n Mens kan toor maak met sulke “fans.”
26 Nov 2009, 10:24 am
@siener: There were complications in player selections which is why Smit was switched from no2. I can’t put my finger on Guthro’s recent lack of form given that during Os’s tenure he was not as good as Os but, at the time a very decent stand in.
26 Nov 2009, 10:30 am
@nama1: So you artificially create a market by forcing players not do be free to play overseas and reppresent their country?
I thought we were a democracy. Does not look like it.
26 Nov 2009, 10:33 am
@Charlie: #45
You didn’t really expect an answer to that question, did you?
26 Nov 2009, 10:45 am
#127
Even a democracy must have rules.
26 Nov 2009, 10:48 am
@nama1: Yeah that’s what the Nats said. You are just stopping professional people from plying their trade wherever they feel is most approriate.
That is not a democracy. What is yours you should be able to take with you anything else is a cleptocracy which is what SA is at this point in time.
26 Nov 2009, 10:50 am
@nama1:
Yes… and Human Rights… and Freedom of Association… whichs mean you can ply your profession anywhere without fear or penalty…
Rugby is out of step with the rest of South Africa… which is not really a surprise…
Rugby could not exist without the players but there continues to be a chasm between the players and SARU… it will only be sorted when the players’ association runs rugby like tennis players run tennis and surfers control surfing… etc
26 Nov 2009, 10:54 am
@ufo: No money in tennis or surfing which is why our cleptocrats have left them alone. Ask anyone involvd with tennis or surfing what has happened everytime one of our friendly celptocrats got involved.
26 Nov 2009, 10:56 am
thing is our swimmers live and train overseas and get selected to represent SA… athletes too… cricket players too… etc etc…
but not rugby players…
26 Nov 2009, 11:06 am
although I do see the point of people who don’t want the overseas players to be selected…
IMO it’s rather like a child being scared of the bogeyman under the bed only to find there’s nothing there when the light is switched on…
but the guys don’t want to switch the light on because it’s more convenient for them to hope the bogeyman is there rather than know with certainty that it isn’t…
Although they may not say so… I believe most of the resistance is based on provincial loyalties and supporters not wanting to lose their top provincial players and possibly not do as well in the CC…
I feel there’s little doubt it will be better for SA rugby to be able to select from the biggest possible player pool… and it would bring more young exciting talent through…
26 Nov 2009, 11:06 am
@Objective 101: #130
The Nats said a lot of things. None of it had anything to do with democracy. Don’t know why you bring them up.
#131. Rugby is just protecting their product. Trying to give their supporters the best possible competition they can. That would mean that the best possible players should take part in the competition. They have the democratic right to make decisions to ensure that.
SA play at the most 6 home test matches per year. Would you really be OK with it if the SA supporters can only see their best players “live” 6 times a year?
26 Nov 2009, 11:07 am
@Objective 101:you’re quite right, the kleptocrats in new zealand & south africa don’t know the meaning of democracy, if they did carl hayman, aaron mauger, scott hamilton etc would be playing for the all blacks.
@bananas: i absolutely agree, pearl rose needs to buck up. This is the saffa way, some one in the past couple of weeks wished that john smit can get a debilitating injury so that he won’t play at tighthead. That’s how things are done in south africa.
26 Nov 2009, 11:10 am
So anybody got news on wheter BJ is going to sign for someone back home now that he has been deemed unmissable?
Always look at the weather forecast, WO will be our best bet come Saturday.
26 Nov 2009, 11:12 am
If PdV carries on like this he may very well become my favourite Bok coach ever.
Nothing should get in the way of the Boks winning every game.
26 Nov 2009, 11:12 am
@ufo: Sport is a profession. Do you stop the top heart surgeon from operating in SA simply because he is based in the USA?
I think not which is why this local and overseas selction policy is rubbish. Cricket players are encouraged by UCB to go and play county cricket to hone their skills.
Rugby is about how much money the cleptocrats and hangers on can steal from the players. If you ask me it is disgusting.
26 Nov 2009, 11:12 am
JC has all of go going for 150 posts , The TEAM has notr yet bean annouced , JdV will most probely start on the bench.
Ruan can never be a 12 , you have to love tackling at 12
26 Nov 2009, 11:15 am
@nama1: SAFA stil manage to fill the stadiums with fans week in and week out don’t they so your argument is flawed ab intitio bud.
26 Nov 2009, 11:15 am
@Bakmister: Yes he is coming to the SHarks
No just joking, just hoping
26 Nov 2009, 11:16 am
@ufo:
#133.
Athletes are forced to participate in a minimum local meetings including SA Champs, to be selected for SA.
Cricketers who play overseas also play in the domestic competitions.(Overseas rugby players don’t).
SA don’t have a league for swimmers. Only once off competition meetings. Swimmers have to go overseas where they can test themselves against the best on a weekly/monthly basis in order to improve themselves.
Rugby is different, as you can see, from all the examples that you mentioned.
26 Nov 2009, 11:16 am
@nama1:
just protecting their product… ?
They should be growing their product… It you’re standing still in business you’re going backwards because everyone else is going forwards…
a bigger player pool can only be good for the product… these last few weeks everyones been commenting on how our player-depth is not as good as we all think it is…
and everyone’s been suggesting we must pick CJ and BJ etc…
so how can opening up Bok selection to all SA players be bad…?
it’s really about the provinces (and supporters) being very short-sighted…
26 Nov 2009, 11:17 am
@capebull: True but you gotta love tackling to be playing rugby. Build him up look at what Percy did (and he was not the brightest of players).
26 Nov 2009, 11:17 am
@nama1: #143
the only significant difference is mind-set…
26 Nov 2009, 11:19 am
@Sharksgirl: I hope you are right. That sounds like a great plan for the Bok players.
I reckon Unions like the Bulls will buck the system though.
26 Nov 2009, 11:22 am
@Objective 101: #141
Really? You must not watch a lot of football then.
26 Nov 2009, 11:23 am
@Sharksgirl: Ahh damn, that would have been great…..But if signs for the Sharks Jannie will probably leave very soon!!
So What do you reckon is going to happen with Botes and Keegan now? Sharks look set to loose a couple of loosies with Alberts there now. Ludik is not bad but he must play wing they just have to blood Lambie now. Centres of the u21 is also joining the ranks so i kind of think the sharks is done buying now also. Every team bought about three players so no one can rant and rave this year.
26 Nov 2009, 11:23 am
open selections up i say….this is the 21 st century….
Like the football, open it up…
Players leave despite the threat anyway….see F Steyn as an eg,JVN too.
A lot of those saffas could add value, why must we be so conservative?
Just because the kiwis boycott there foreign players??
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