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, 11:25 am
@Oubaas2009: If we whant to win the WC we will have to follow through or our best players will be complaining of being too tired
26 Nov 2009, 11:26 am
I am seriously wound up about this Bok team announcement!!!!
26 Nov 2009, 11:27 am
@Sharksgirl: So if Boks can only play 60 min of 8 games or 6 full games in the S14. Then we are well set with Bissie and John at hooker taking turns. We have JdP though at TH and would love to see BJ back at the Sharks.
What about the other players. Do we have enough to rotate in other positions? See all SA sides in the bottom next year but we will have well rested players and no injury problems.
26 Nov 2009, 11:27 am
@nama1:
Really? You are not watching a lot of football then.
26 Nov 2009, 11:31 am
ek lees nou die dag n mens kannie jou elmboog met jou tong lek nie…..
26 Nov 2009, 11:32 am
@grant10: I am too. Will have to wait though. Have to go out now so wont see the selections until I get back.
The weather there is horrible though Grant. High winds with rain. Well both teams have to play in it we just hate that kinda weather.
Why not extend a hand to Ireland and let them use Ellis Park for Saturday
26 Nov 2009, 11:33 am
@Puma: rather extend a hand to F Steyn!!
26 Nov 2009, 11:34 am
… ek wonder wie van julle het dit nou probeer?
26 Nov 2009, 11:34 am
@Staal: Tensy hy langs jou le…
26 Nov 2009, 11:35 am
@grant10: Can’t wait for it either, gonna be super interesting…still 3 hours?
26 Nov 2009, 11:36 am
fact is the more successful African football teams are those with players playing in Europe… many analysts believe Bafana’s lack of success is due to too few players playing overseas… At our most successful we had guys like Lucas, Fish, Tinkler etc all playing overseas…
another point… Argentina rugby was nowhere a few years back… then they encouraged their players to play in europe and now Argentina is right up there with all the other teams and likely to knock over anyone on their day… So how was picking overseas based players bad for their rugby…???
I say it again… The guys objecting are doing so purely to try and protect their domestic status…
The Boks have got to be the number one priority… The longer we can continue to excell in rugby the more kids are going to want to play and our player depth will always be great… Only the best will make it all the way…
but you guys talk about settling for mediocrity… but that’s just what you’re doing now…
26 Nov 2009, 11:36 am
@UFO
“a bigger player pool can only be good for the product…”
A bigger player pool does not necessarily equates to a bigger QUALITY player pool. Ever heard of the saying, less is more?
You haven’t answer my question yet.
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, 11:36 am
@Bakmister:
26 Nov 2009, 11:36 am
@Bakmister: Jacques and Keegan have been passengers for a good part of this season, then there is Skoliwe Ndlovu who although small, is up and coming and quite a good fetcher which we desperately need. I think with both Jacques and Keegan it will all depend on how they do this season. If I were Keegan I would change to Centre, he is not big enough for a forward and he has the speed of a centre, and the Sharks are very thin at Centre. But not having actually played rugby myself, I don’t know how easy this change would be. My son did it the other way, he went from centre to Flank but he is only 10!
I am very excited about Lambie, he, I am sure, will be the next Sharks star, really hope he gets some game time.
Plum has stated categorically that this year each player will have to fight for his jersey, that the lack of competition last year led to egos which he will not tolerate this year. If managed correctly I believe we will have a better performance from many of the Shark’s players this season. At least that is my hope.
26 Nov 2009, 11:39 am
@Mutant: ja….career changing too!!
26 Nov 2009, 11:39 am
@grant10: 157 – Grant I am with you on that 100% mate. Also they could change venue and play at Ellis Park
Hard dry field with sun on the back at altitude and all 
26 Nov 2009, 11:40 am
Not sure if i have mentioned this before on this blog….
IMo we are playing with the wrong gameplan……
we keep on bashing and we are not turning them around with a grubber or 2…. thus they line-up and keep tackling us back. We need to change our kicking game as well – not always just boot it to mars & wait for it to come down… teams have adapted to that…
kom manne – change die game n bietjie…. lat ek sien….
26 Nov 2009, 11:40 am
Cheers all out of here now.
Hope the selections are all who we want. Just hope Bakkies is there and over that back injury.
26 Nov 2009, 11:42 am
already have 74 saffas playing overseas anyway.
And those leagues are starting to consider foreign capping as well….so it will cut back on saffas overseas….
No…its the way to go….cant stop the normal market forces…
26 Nov 2009, 11:43 am
@Puma: Cheers Puma
26 Nov 2009, 11:43 am
@Staal:
Staal bud… we used to try it as kids…
can’t be done…
unless your name is Gene Simmons…
in which case you can catch flies as three feet…!!
26 Nov 2009, 11:45 am
@ufo: #161
Argintina did not have a league to speak of, in terms of quality that is. Of course their players will develop faster playing in Europe.
You cannot compare their scenario to SA players leaving the hardest provincial competition in the world (CC) to go and play in a competition, who many have said before, is of a lesser standard.
Btw, I’m not objecting to protect provincial status. I’m a WP fan, for crying out loud.
26 Nov 2009, 11:46 am
@nama1:
you’re really reaching bud…
of course… but a bigger player pool is more likely to produce more quality players… you know this…
no… I want to see the best Boks in the overseas games as well…
I’m not rich enough to fly aorund the country every time the Boks play… so I only get to watch them live at Newlands anyway..
26 Nov 2009, 11:47 am
@ufo: That is the most ridiculous justification I’ve yet heard. We are not Argentina, neither is OZ or NZ. The S14 is aruably the top non international competiotiuon in the world, and you’re suggesting that our players will improve by going to play in europe? Where’s your logic?
26 Nov 2009, 11:49 am
@ufo: sorry UFO – last line lost me..
26 Nov 2009, 11:49 am
I’m reminded of the all conquering West Indian Cricket team which quickly developed into Minnows (when compared to their previous heights). Players playing abroad were not considered for selection and this led to mediocre players taking their place.
I don’t see why it is a problem playing abroad, Rugby is a profession and just as normal South African’s go work abroad, what is the difference. It’s not like they trading in their citizenship, if you allowed to VOTE, you should be allowed to play.
26 Nov 2009, 11:49 am
@nama1: #172
but they would be replaced by other young guys playing in “the hardest provincial competition in the world (CC)” and they would develop and improve and become the great players of the future…
again I ask…
How is this a bad thing?
26 Nov 2009, 11:50 am
@Sharksgirl: Look i love the Sharks but you have to say that this side is probably one of their best if not the best Sharks side ever(that is based on paper now). If they cant win this stupid ran by greedy disgusting old men competition now when will they? Isint the Sharks a privatly owned organization? Hell is there no motivaters in durban or Dr Phill’s to get them out of this chokers hoodoo!!! Gee worse how hard can it be to change one’s mindset.
But what am i going on about, if we fail again next year i will still support them and wear my replicas and say exactly the same thing again. Over and Over
26 Nov 2009, 11:51 am
@Staal:
sorry bud… Gene Simmons… bass player for the Band Kiss… and extremely bright businessman… has a farking long tongue…
26 Nov 2009, 11:52 am
@ufo:
yikes staal… sorry again…
“catch flies AT three feet…”
26 Nov 2009, 11:54 am
Yip you have to feel for Wynand. I really rated him when he first came on the scene for the Bulls but was the first to admit he wasnt making it at test level during Jakes tenor.
Hes hit some form again this year and with de Viliiers and Steyn out of the picture, Wynand deserves a second chance.
Until SA finds an awesome fullback (with actual pace for counter-attacks)I still feel the best option is Fourie back at 15 with Adi at 13 (Adi is not a 12).
J Fourie is too good a player not to make a huge impact at 15
26 Nov 2009, 11:54 am
@David:
and you’re welcome to your opinion David…
but no more ridiculous than saying that picking overseas players is going to hurt domestic rugby is SA…
26 Nov 2009, 11:56 am
@Sharksgirl: You right until the Sharks get a fetcher, the cabinet will remain bare
26 Nov 2009, 11:56 am
@nama1: Nope I watch in passing and have yet to see and empty stadium despite our best players playing overseas. When SA won the Confed Cup under Clive Barker how many players were playing overseas?
Most of them. Time for rugby to grow up and keep up with times if it wishes to become a real economic force of the future.
26 Nov 2009, 11:56 am
@ufo: hehehe that’s what i thought…
26 Nov 2009, 11:57 am
@grant10: Can’t see a total opening it up can be good for our rugby long term.
All our young talent will go over looking for $$$$$ and get lost in the system instead of trying to prove themselves here.
Think Jake Boer, Gerhard Vosloo, Andries Claasen for eg. Never gonna make the Bok side from over there if you have never been part of the system.
Maybe a solution is that if you have played over 20 tests or so, you can be considered? That would mean players would have to stay in SA to make the squad initially.
As an eg. How is WP Nel going to make the Bok team if he left for overseas now? How can we measure him against the best SA has got? Sure we will see him up against international opposition but its always great to see him scrumming against our best.
26 Nov 2009, 11:59 am
@David:
BTW David… I did not suggest that… if you’d read my posts you’d see I’m saying the improvement will be on a local level in South Africa where younger players will step up…
I was just using Argie and other examples to show that with the correct mind-set using players based elsewhere invariably is a good thing… I’ve come up with many examples but you guys can come with no actual examples of foreign based players being a bad thing…
you all base your opinions on supposition and assumption and fear…
26 Nov 2009, 12:01 pm
@ufo: Step away from the hole and leave the shovel alone…
26 Nov 2009, 12:04 pm
@ufo: except for the Egyptians…90% or even more of their team plays in Egypt and they are successful
26 Nov 2009, 12:07 pm
@Oubaas2009: How does SAFA know which players to look for overseas?
Arguments to keep players here ar doing nothing more than wrapping the sport/profession in cotton wool which is to the detriment of the sport. If there were greater financial incentives therewoudl be more players etc etc. How does Brazil know it needs to select Kaka who has been playing overseas for the last 10 years? How does Brazil pick their players most of whom play overseas?
This idea that we must protect rugby is absolute nonsense, we are actually destroying rugby as the financial attraction is limited to those few wh can make for the rich provinces or unions.
Free rugby and you will see the difference.
26 Nov 2009, 12:07 pm
@Staal:
thanks for the advice mate…
but I’m not in a hole…
these guys need to switch the light on!!
26 Nov 2009, 12:08 pm
@Transformation: Mina Nassif included
26 Nov 2009, 12:09 pm
@Oubaas2009: ja…it certainly is a complex issue….not cut and dried…my take is we seem to lose so many players despite the threat anyway….but i certainly concede it is complex.
26 Nov 2009, 12:09 pm
@Transformation:
sure there are always exceptions…
so just imagine how great they would do if more of their players did play overseas…!!
26 Nov 2009, 12:11 pm
@ufo:
My comment regarding your observation regarding Argentina and african soccer, is based on the fact that we are already one of the top teams in the world and the S14 the top competition, so that parallel doesn’t apply. As for protecting the domestic game, if NZ and Oz followed suit the value of the S14 would drop enormously and so would the income from NewsCorp, and it’s that income that keeps the game afloat.
Seph Blatter has already stated his concern about how the European clubs have benefitted to the detriment of the African ones.
26 Nov 2009, 12:11 pm
@Staal:
thing is… PdViva is doing the right thing… IMO… and that’s good enough for me…
and fortunately… he is the one picking the team…!!
26 Nov 2009, 12:12 pm
@Objective 101: I hear what you are saying. The fear comes from a devalued Currie Cup and S14.
SA Rugby is obviously going to protect their assets. Its their business and makes financial sense. Same as NZRU. A devalued domestic compo means less money in the kitty means they can pay players less means more go overseas.
I for one would like to see our players playing at home. The Guiness Premiership, Top 14 French etc just don’t appeal to me. Give me CC or S14 anytime.
26 Nov 2009, 12:12 pm
@Objective 101: And time for soccer to go back to players playing overseas so we can start winning again
26 Nov 2009, 12:14 pm
@grant10: #169
It would have been the way to go if our rugby players are moving from a mediocre league to a stronger league where they can improve like the Argie rugby players or African soccer player who are in Europe. But, that is not the case. In SA we have a rugby competition that is regarded by many as the toughest provincial competition in the world or thereabouts.
The loyal SA supporters also deserve to see the best SA players in action on a weekly basis. After all, that is why they are willing to pay the kind of money that are asked at the gates.
26 Nov 2009, 12:18 pm
@David:
David… that’s not logical at all… so we’re the best team… based on skills of players playing in our domestic comp… right…? so those players go and play overseas and a new crop of young players step up into that same rugby ‘nursery’ and become great players too…
how is this bad…
with respect… you’re making an assumption… which of course you’re entitled to do…
but can you or anyone else give an actual example of foreign based players in any sport being bad for the sport in general in their own countries…???
again… your opinion is based on assumption and fear…
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