Overplayed seniors soldier on
31 Aug 2010
Danie Rossouw is back in the starting line-up for the Boks’ final clash against the Wallabies while Butch James is ruled out.
Lock Flip van der Merwe failed to train on Monday which has prompted coach Peter de Villiers to start Rossouw at lock. Gio Aplon comes onto the bench to replace James, who has failed to recover from a shoulder injury, and Frans Steyn will cover flyhalf should Morne Steyn break down in Saturday’s Test.
Prop Jannie du Plessis didn’t train on Monday and Tuesday, but according to the Bok medical team, he should be alright by Thursday.
De Villiers has stuck with the majority of his first-choice line-up even though the Tri-Nations title has already been won by the All Blacks. He’s mentioned the need for men like John Smit, Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana to rest, but feels they still have to produce one big performance before they can enjoy a break.
The plan is to send the contracted players on a four-week conditioning camp after the Tri-Nations and then rest the big names over the end-of-year tour. Vice-captain Matfield said this plan is yet to be finalised, but has stressed the importance of the last Tri-Nations Test.
‘It’s a very important game. We have a trophy to win [the Mandela Plate] but we are also building towards the 2011 World Cup,’ Matfield said. ‘The last 60 minutes [at Loftus Versfeld] were a start and we have to build on that confidence.’
De Villiers said players like Beast Mtawarirra and Bismarck du Plessis weren’t considered for this match, because he’d rather the Sharks pair enjoyed maximum playing time in the Currie Cup than languish on the Bok bench. Both players will join the Boks for the planned conditioning camp and are likely to occupy starting roles on the Grand Slam tour.
‘I will play my best team on that tour,’ De Villiers said when asked about the risk of taking a weakened side north in November. ‘All you guys [the media] have been telling me that John Smit is not good enough, Victor is not good enough and Bryan is not good enough, so maybe I’m going to start listening to you,’ he chirped sarcastically.
The Bok coach also elaborated on his statement on Monday when he said ‘If you’re not for us, you’re against us.’ De Villiers made the statement in response to criticism after South Africa’s first win in the Tri-Nations, which he deemed unfair. De Villiers said the criticism no longer matters.
‘The “us” [in the statement] says everything. It’s about us. We are close and are open to each other, and when we fight [amongst each other] it’s to get the best out of each other. If we disagree about certain things, we agree to disagree. When we leave the team room, we leave it in a unified way.’
Matfield remains optimistic about Saturday, although he admits there are areas where the Boks can improve. The defence conceded four tries in the first half at Loftus, and it’s fair to say a better team would have put the Boks away after such an impressive start.
‘There is always room for improvement. The breakdown was a concern after the overseas trip, and I think it was good on Saturday. That goes to show it’s a team effort [rather than an individual thing]. The scrums have also been a good launching point and the lineouts have improved too.’
Springboks – 15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Juan de Jongh, 22 Gio Aplon.
By Jon Cardinelli in Bloemfontein
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373 Comments
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31 Aug 2010, 22:14 pm
De Jong is the best attacking centre we have. You want to punch holes and cos problems in midfield, encourage him to have a go.
JdV played well but he’s been **** in Europe, best 12 is either JdJ or FS.
31 Aug 2010, 22:14 pm
I prefer Frans Steyn at 15 with JdV at 12 at the moment
31 Aug 2010, 22:14 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-296: time will tell i guess.
31 Aug 2010, 22:16 pm
@JL1(JL1)-295: I rate that little guy highly.
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-296: Donkey De Villiers peripheral vision allows him to run laterally – across the field, chewing up the space on his outside. Only the good finishing ability of JPP enabled his try – not De Villiers “vision” or lateral running…
31 Aug 2010, 22:17 pm
well it seems i am outvoted.
jdv to play!
i must hit the sack, good evening all.
31 Aug 2010, 22:20 pm
So let me see if I understand this. All you folks agree that the Super 14 is probably the toughest rugby competition on the planet. Played against all the same players which are our fiercest competition.
Our top 10 try scorers in this years Super 14 competition (only three months ago) are;
1. Shadow with 8 tries;
2,3,4. Habana, J Fourie, Hougaard with 7 each;
5 & 6. Spies & Killian with 6 each;
7,8,9 W Olivier, Basson & Morne (also most points in Super 14 history … EVER) 5 each;
10 Kirchner with 4 tries
Now all you learned gentlemen claim that Shadow is not good enough and that Habana, Fourie, Olivier, Spies, Kirchner & Morne are all has-beens and good for nothing.
Yet you geniuses favour De Jong with 1 try in the S14 and Aplon with nothing.
Last time I checked tries count …… or am I the idiot?
31 Aug 2010, 22:20 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-300:
I’ve got JS’s book and actually read it.
JDV also made the “funniest 15″ JS has played with and not only the “best 15″.
31 Aug 2010, 22:21 pm
@PassTheBall(PassTheBall)-306: Is that a rhetorical question?
31 Aug 2010, 22:21 pm
@cab(cab)-301: Cab that can only come when the player is comfortable with those either side of him. JDJ didn’t perform near his potential because the combo’s were new to him. He needs some time but the need to keep on winning has prevented him from having that time on the field
31 Aug 2010, 22:21 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-298:
Hi Ranger,
I guess it depends who one speaks to.
If he was so happy at the Sharks, why did he go overseas at such a young age against the wishes of the Bok coach.
He also seems to have a bit of a running battle with the bok management, etc.
he has also not played a lot of rugby at number 12 since the previous wc – being more an utility player and no 15 than anything else.
I believe he has all the attributes to become a great fullback in the Chris Lathan mould and that is where he should play.
31 Aug 2010, 22:22 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-307: Thats true as has Jacque
31 Aug 2010, 22:23 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-289: hoekom is h0or n vloekwoord, dis glad nie h0er nie?
31 Aug 2010, 22:24 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-294: funny that, he performed well at 12 in his debut test and for the entire S14…
You, like Kickshot, interpret centre play like locks do: With “space” meaning the gap in your collective craniums, “heads up play” – meaning staring at a big props backside all your rugby lives and “distribution” meaning the neuron leakage disguised as cauliflower ears consequent to the squeeze between said props bum…
Outtahere.
31 Aug 2010, 22:24 pm
@JL1(JL1)-299: i know your type…
31 Aug 2010, 22:25 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-310: He wanted to experience playing rugby in another environment and he wasn’t entirely happy with not playing at flyhalf at the Sharks supposedly. However ask the question where has he been playing for his French club.
31 Aug 2010, 22:26 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-307:
Jean’s funniest moment was in 2007 when he was about to run out for our warm up before the game against Wales and needed to pass some wind, but there was a follow through from a dodgy dinner the previous night so he did an about turn and rushed back to cean up the mess! On his return to the field, he ran to Butch and said: ‘”butchie, i liyerally just shat myself!”
They were both in hysterics.
31 Aug 2010, 22:27 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-316:
literally
31 Aug 2010, 22:29 pm
310 Bananaboy
sure, but IMO the two finest inside centre tries of the S14 were scored by de Jong, his try vs the warstahs is exactly Hiw he should be used. Backline for my money 9. Houg 10. Morne 11. Habs 12. JdJ 13. Fourie 14. JP 15. FS
we don’t have great distributing centres ala **** muir, perhaps lambie, but I’d prefer jdj and fourie are encouraged to have a go and try use our wingers a liitle more also
31 Aug 2010, 22:30 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-314: Took you some time, could not find a tissue fast enough or what?
Get with the program!
31 Aug 2010, 22:32 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-313: uthetha ubuthuvi! When you take a strike-runner like mossie and make him play 12 do you think he will take up the nuances of the position in the 1st season? Jdj’s 1st instinct was to take the gap & pass 2nd or offload 3rd…
now got the banshee needs to cut her corns!
31 Aug 2010, 22:33 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-313: uthetha ubuthuvi! When you take a strike-runner like mossie and make him play 12 do you think he will take up the nuances of the position in the 1st season? Jdj’s 1st instinct was to take the gap & pass 2nd or offload 3rd…
now go the banshee needs you to cut her corns!
31 Aug 2010, 22:34 pm
@cab(cab)-318: Cab I’m with you, all I’m saying is that at International level you need to establish combo’s as confidence in your partner will enable you to play your game and JDJ’s game is attacking with wonderful footwork. IT took him a little while to sort out his game with JF at Stormers as well but from the outset you knew it was going to work. In the S14 mistakes aren’t punished like they are in Tests
31 Aug 2010, 22:34 pm
No place for Wo in a Bok side even a Bok squad.
FS, Aplon, JPP, JF, JdJ, JdV, Habana, Mapoe, MS, Pienaar, Hougaard, FdP, S. Pretorius, JvN, Vermeulen, Spies, Smith, Burger, Potgieter, Roussouw, Bekker, Matfield, Vd Merwe, Du Plessis, Kruger, BJ, Bismark, Chili, Steenkamp, Beast, Smit
31, thats one too many for a 30 man squad. Bus is full. Somebody gotta drop out.
No Kirchner, no WO, and BJ or S. Pretorius gonna have to bow out.
31 Aug 2010, 22:36 pm
and no Bakkies neither, klaar uit die bus, hy’s klaar vol.
31 Aug 2010, 22:37 pm
or Kankowski
who gonna cry about all the spilled milk?
31 Aug 2010, 22:40 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-323: Contracted players are:
Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du Plessis, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Adrian Jacobs, Tendai Mtawarira, Victor Matfield, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Danie Rossouw, John Smit, Juan Smith, Morne Steyn and Pierre Spies.
The players who have agreed contracts through to the end of the Rugby World Cup year in 2011 are:
Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield, JP Pietersen, John Smit, Juan Smith and Pierre Spies.
31 Aug 2010, 22:41 pm
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-322:
As I said earlier on this thread, JDJ was the one able to make the move to 12. You’d swear he’d played there all is life so Jaque could stay at 13.
I was at Newlands for the Brumbies game and he slid through the defence effortlessly but then stuffed it up by kicking to Habana – a try was on the cards. Similarly in the S14 semi’s when he did score. He’s one of those who can step off either foot – in a way reminds me of a young Danie Gerber and that’s one massive compliment.
31 Aug 2010, 22:41 pm
@JL1(JL1)-326: Money wasted if you look at who actually played this year
31 Aug 2010, 22:46 pm
@JL1(JL1)-326: Why do you think Jacobs was contracted. Now talk about useless!
31 Aug 2010, 22:49 pm
Bakkies is a must if you want to win the world cup and especially to beat nz. He’s far more important than matfield. If he don’t go, we won’t win.
31 Aug 2010, 22:52 pm
@PassTheBall(PassTheBall)-329: You may answer this one as this is not rhetorical! Any idea why is Jacobs there?
31 Aug 2010, 22:53 pm
@JL1(JL1)-328:
You know, this is what a guy like Tim Noakes has warned about. He doesn’t only take into account the games played or time spent on the field by a player this year but also LAST year. The more overplayed the guys become, the greater the chance of picking up injuries.
If you look at the list of contracted players and which are out with injury or just coming back from injury, it is no surprise really.
The Boks can thank their lucky stars that Smit, Matfield and Schalk have remained injury free for so long.
Those coming back from injury – call it an enforced layoff- will be all the better for it.
Think of the others who have played so many S14 games, incoming tests, 3N’s – they definitely need a break from the CC – especially ahead of next year.
31 Aug 2010, 23:00 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-332: Over played and under coached
No strategy, that I am sure of
31 Aug 2010, 23:01 pm
@PassTheBall(PassTheBall)-331: Talking to yourself?
31 Aug 2010, 23:02 pm
Bakkies is overrated not nearly as big bok as he’s made out to be, and he’s fallen off the pace plenty. I wouldn’t cry about Bakkies he’s not nearly as influential as some make him out to be, just a big bully that don’t ever try his bully stunts on guys his own size, always the little okes.
Modern game is not 2007 you don’t need slow reinforced enforcers, mobile hefty units yes, but not overrated bullies.
WC 011 is played in NZ not NH, mobility and ball carrying prowess gonna win the day. Spies and matfield maybe liabilities unless they starts tackling. Vd Merwe, and one more mobile 4, either Roussouw or one other to take up 2nd row with Matfield and Bekker. Bakkies hardly fills the opposition with dread, he’s more huff than puff these days and a big bully is easy as pie to out psyche even Cowan got him riled, yet he won’t try his stunts on Thorn cos he’ll get it straight back with interest.
31 Aug 2010, 23:04 pm
@JL1(JL1)-333: Glad you are back. Your connection must be slow tonight. Agreed with the “under coached” though.
31 Aug 2010, 23:07 pm
@JL1(JL1)-334:Seems so, I do like intelligent conversation. I am new here. Thought you like the “fresh talent”.
31 Aug 2010, 23:08 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-79: One partakes in a meal; one participates in a sporting event. Ear-biter prop Johan le Roux also confused “partake” and “participate”…
31 Aug 2010, 23:10 pm
@JL1(JL1)-333:
PDiv must man up and manage the playing time better. For Matfield and Danie to play the Wales test, the French test and the 2 against Italy was madness.
That test against Wales is coming back to bite us on the bum.
Anyway, i’m outta here. Cheers all.
31 Aug 2010, 23:10 pm
Nope bakkies needs to cut the histrionics and kisses out, but he has thornes number, in fact he’s the only 4 in world rugby that does. He’s just hot to get into the right frame of mind when he’s hard but fair.
31 Aug 2010, 23:15 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-338:
31 Aug 2010, 23:15 pm
@PassTheBall(PassTheBall)-336: No doing some work and then blogging
Welcome anyway
31 Aug 2010, 23:17 pm
@cab(cab)-340: They are good mates, Bakkies and Thorne
31 Aug 2010, 23:19 pm
@JL1(JL1)-342: Thanks. Till next time.
31 Aug 2010, 23:26 pm
Reports say that the brother of the deceased metro cop, Taubokong Mohale, shouted at Bees Roux at court yesterday:
“I’m going to get your mother, you f*cking dog”
This is now after his familiy released a statement to the media that they “Hold no grudges against Bees”.
This tells me two things:
1) They released the initial statement in order to appear saintly and in an effort to contrast themselves with Bees and his allegded actions.
2) This tells me something about the attitude with which these men were raised.
Tonight on the news, in front of the cameras we have the exact same Taubokong Mohale saying:
“God, the Big Man upstairs, must see to it that justice is done.”
I wonder if that entails Taubokong Mahole torturing Bees Roux’s mother to death?
31 Aug 2010, 23:27 pm
The True Bees Story, confirmed by the robbery of his credit card.
‘It could not be ascertained that Mohale was on duty’. Either he was on duty, or he was not. ‘His colleagues who were with him were too traumatised to tell what occurred.’ The one witness, the security guard, said Roux was being hijacked. Mohale fell out of the car and hit his head on the road. If Mohale’s colleagues were witnessing him hijacking Roux’s car, they are just as guilty of crimminal activity. If Mohale was really on duty, he would have followed police procedure, had he been legitimately pulling Roux off the road. Had he been intent on charging Roux for some imaginary offense, he would have used his Metro police vehicle to take Roux to make a statement. Mohale did not radio the station, and report the incident, or request backup. Why? Because he was supplementing his salary, by night, hijacking and extorting money from motorists. Already 10,000 Policemen are in prison, convicted for crimes from rape, murder, robbery, extortion…. Of course Roux was suspicious. Any policeman who gives his buddies a motorist’s credit card, and sends them to McDonalds with it, and who insists on hijacking a private citizens vehicle, attempting to extract money from the citizen, holding the citizen hostage, is dodgy. I too, would have been terrified of being murdered and left in the veld, and for sure, if I was able, would try to defend myself. Roux had to defend himself, and managed to push Mohale out of his car. Unfortunately, Mohale’s head hit the tar first, and he succumbed due to that injury. This was an accident. Roux did not wilfully take Mohale’s life. Mohale bumped his head when he fell from the moving car. Roux did the best he could in the situation, to avoid being killed by Mohale, with his service pistol. I wonder what the press and police would be saying, if Roux was killed instead, by Mohale. Either way, I can see the police trying to cover up for Mohale. As with this situation, Mohale’s fellow officers are silent, but do know of Mohale’s nightly hijackings, to supplement his income. Unfortunately, Roux did not want to take a chance on his life that night, and tried to get the policeman out of his car, quite rightly. I cannot see that he had any choice, but to defend himself. I say he is innocent, and should never have been made to pay such an exhorbitant bail. My prayers are with Roux and his family.
“Belinda”
31 Aug 2010, 23:27 pm
JL1
oh right
31 Aug 2010, 23:31 pm
@Ray(rayoohoo@yahoo.com)-346:
I read that comment on Sport24 too.
31 Aug 2010, 23:54 pm
@skopskiet(yliad)-335:
Please, Thorne is an aging dinasaur who’s due for a tradein except the AB’s got no one else. He fills no one with dread. Even his clean outs are cheap shots from the side.
1 Sep 2010, 00:08 am
@whatever(whatever)-349: Id rather Thorn then Matfield anyday, at least Thorn puts his body on the line EVERY game..
unlike Matfield who would be better served as a Metro cop directing traffic at a distance from the ruck..
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