During the SuperRugby campaign Richard Ferguson has been so kind as to compile the weekly Windhoek Lager Team of the Week. This weekly team, as we all know, reflects the in-form South African players and therefore by this stage we should be able to get a good idea of who the in-form players have been thus far in the season. Also with Springbok selections looming around the corner, this should also give us a good idea of who Peter de Villiers should select and who not.
I have compiled a summary of the 14 Windhoek Lager team of the weeks we have had thus far to give us an idea of who are the consistent performers in the South African Conference. Now, I ask the following question to you, the loyal Sharksworld Bloggers, whose combined rugby wisdom is unmatched on blog sites 
- If you had to select the world cup squad, would these players be the ones you would select?
- Are these players in fact the in form SA players?
- Is this what you would have expected if the weekly team were summarised?
- Is there anything in the below list that seems to stand out or is unexpected?
- Which of these players names do you think can by dotted down in ink for the world cup?
I leave the questions unfinished and everything up for debate
The summarised results of the Windhoek Lager Team of the Week (Number of appearances in the team of the week in brackets):
1.Coenie Oosthuizen (6), Beast Mtwawarira (4), Dean Greyling (2), JC Janse van Rensburg (1), John Smit (1)
2.Bismarck du Plessis (5), Adriaan Strauss (3), Deon Fourie (2), Gary Botha (1), Ryno Barnes (1), Bandise Maku (1), John Smit (1)
3.WP Nel (6), Werner Kruger (3), Borck Harris (2), Jannie du Plessis (1), Pat Cilliers (1), Eugene van Staden (1)
4.Steven Sykes (5), Bakkies Botha (4), Wikus van Heerden (3), Rynhardt Elstadt (2)
5.Andries Bekker (6), Victor Matfield (2), Alistair Hargreaves (2), Franco van der Merwe (2), Wilhelm Steenkamp (1), Danie Rousow (1)
6.Keegen Daniel (5), Schalk Burger (5), Derick Minnie (2), Heinrich Brussouw (1), Deon Stegman (1)
7.Willem Alberts (6), Ashley Johnson (4), Francois Louw (2), Josh Strauss (1), Mike Rhodes (1),
8.Ryan Kanowski (3), Pierre Spies (3), Duane Vermeulen (3), Ashley Johnson (1), Warren Whiteley (1), Josh Strauss (1), Davon Raubenheimer (1), Keegen Daniel (1)
9.Sarel Pretorius (8), Fourie du Preez (4), Charl McLeod (1), Dewaldt Duvenhage (1)
10.Pat Lambie (5), Morne Steyn (3), Sia Ebersohn (2), Peter Grant (1), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (1), Burton Francis (1), Elton Jantjies (1)
11.Bjorn Basson (4), JP Pietersen (2), Bryan Habana (2), Rayno Benjamin (1), Michael Killian (1), Riaan Smit (1), Lwazi Mvovo (1), Gio Aplon (1), Francois Hougaard (1)
12.Doppies la Grange (6), Jean de Villiers (4), Juan de Jongh (2), Wynand Olivier (2)
13.Jaque Fourie (6), Robert Ebersohn (2), Waylon Murray (2), Juan de Jongh (1), Stefan Terblanche (1), Steohan Dippenaar (1), Johann Sadie (1)
14.Gio Aplon (3), Lionel Mapoe (3), Odwa Ndungane (2), Philip Snyman (1), Francois Hougaard (1), Philip Burger (1), Michael Killian (1), Johann Sadie (1), JP Pietersen (1)
15.Riaan Viljoen (6), Louis Ludik (4), Gio Aplon (2), Jaco Taute (2)
Congrats on your authoring debut Viking.
im suprised to see doppies @ 12 .. well done !!!!
im not sure how many of these names will make it … i dont expect many but there should have been a few if we were on the right track
JPP mentioned on both wings.
Aplon mention at 11, 14 and 15.
Keegs also at 6 and 8. Johnson at 7 and 8.
We have a few versatile performers.
Something that is a bit concerning for me is that there is no standout 8 in the teams. I wonder how this will play itself out come WC time?
nice article, Viking. Well done
@robdylan (Comment 6) :
@Viking (Comment 5) : Had Keegan Daniel played 8 every week instead of 6, there would have been a standout.
If I had to try and put down my WC squad that I think will probably be picked by Pdivvy the circus clown and his jolly henchmen (there are a few omissions which I doubt they’ll make but you’ll see them). This is also only local players.
(c) = captain
(u)= utility player
Fullbacks: Patrick Lambie (u), Gio Aplon (u)
Wings: Lwazi Mvovo, JP Pietersen, Bjorn Basson, Odwa Ndungane (u)
Centres (outside): Jaque Fourie
Centres (Inside): Jean de Villiers (u), Juan de Jongh (u)
Flyhalves: Peter Grant, Butch James (u), Morne Steyn (u)
Scrumhalves: Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard (u)
8th man: Willem Alberts (u), Ryan Kankowski
Flanks: Schalk Burger (u), Heinrich Brussouw, Keegan Daniel (u)
Locks: Viktor Matfield, Bakkie Botha, Andries Bekker, Flip van der Merwe
Tightheads: Jannie du Plessis, Werner Kruger
Hookers: John Smit(u)(c), Bismarck du Plessis, Chilliboy Ralapelle
Looseheads: Beast Mtwarira, Coenie Oosthuizen.
Obviously no Bryan Habana in my squad, clownface will select him as well as Pierre Spies.
The outside centres are thin but both inside centres can play outside centre and inside centre is also covered by Pat Lambie, Butch James and Morne Steyn (he played there as a u/21 player if I’m not mistaken).
Pat Lambie was shifted to fullback cos there are already several flyhalves in the squad and he has played there. I view him as a flyhalf but as can be seen by the ridiculous EOYT last year, PDivvy wants to use him more as a fullback. The Springboks will mess him around and the Sharks will get the blame for making him a utility player which is shifted around the backline.
@Butchie34 (Comment 9) : I think one of the most under rated players this season has been Danie Rousow. The guys has been playing really well for the Bulls and was the one dependable player when they were strugling at the start of the season. I would definitely include him in my WC squad.
Note that Zane Kirchner’s name doesn’t appear once. Nice article Viking.
@Ben (Comment 11) : That’s because even Gerhard van der Heever showed him up at fullback playing out of position.
The backline is interesting. Very close to what I would have picked.
Very interesting indeed….I can not imagine ANYone choosing this team…yet they seems to be the Best players in their position this season…would really be intereseting to see them play together!
@vanmartin (Comment 12) : Agree
Sarel Pretorius requires a special mention here. Not only is he the most consistent and impressive contender in the Windhoek Lager Team of the Week but he is also at the top of the list of try scorers for this years competition. Well done to you and keep it up.
@Viking (Comment 15) : Funny though, two of the top guys on this list (Riaan Viljoen and Bjorn Basson) are also two of the worst defenders in the competition.
@King Shark – Kanko at 12! (Comment 16) : The same can be said for Coenie who is Number 1 for Penalties.
Judging by PdV’s comments in the below article is seems that the team will pick itself.
For that reason, the coach hinted that there would be little scope for new players to force their way into the squad so close to the World Cup.
“Players from the Bulls and the Stormers are likely to make up the bulk of the squad. I only have one week before the Tri-Nations to get us all playing the same way,” De Villiers said. “I’ve spent three years building this side and for someone to force their way in they have to be really exceptional.”
http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/rugby/article1095527.ece/Boks-in-great-shape–Div
What this means for me is Spies at 8. Morne at 10. Habana at 11. Januarie on the bench
@Butchie34 (Comment 9) : Francois Hougaardt as 13 backup maybe?
I have a few issues with this team if we were to pick the “bold” player in each spot.
I will post more when I get back to my PC, but for now. Coenie Oosthuizen?!?!?! how the hell did he creep in there. he has given away more penalties by a HUGE margin compared to anyone else in Super rugby. That alone should see him booted.
@Mole (Comment 18) : and the Webb Ellis Trophy to stay in New Zealand…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 20) : More than JC from the Lions?
@Original Pierre (Comment 22) : MUCH MORE
Most Penalties Conceded
1. Coenrad Oosthuizen (Cheetahs) 25
2. Deon Stegmann (Bulls) 18
2. Greg Somerville (Rebels) 18
4. Ben Alexander (Brumbies) 17
4. Derick Minnie (Lions) 17
4. Francois Louw (Stormers) 17
4. Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders) 17
8. Beast Mtawarira (Sharks) 16
8. Jarrad Hoeata (Highlanders) 16
10. Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders) 15
full list
Most Penalties Conceded
1. Coenrad Oosthuizen (Cheetahs) 25
2. Deon Stegmann (Bulls) 18
2. Greg Somerville (Rebels) 18
4. Ben Alexander (Brumbies) 17
4. Derick Minnie (Lions) 17
4. Francois Louw (Stormers) 17
4. Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders) 17
8. Beast Mtawarira (Sharks) 16
8. Jarrad Hoeata (Highlanders) 16
10. Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders) 15
11. Benn Robinson (Waratahs) 14
11. Dean Greyling (Bulls) 14
11. JC Janse Van Rensburg (Lions) 14
11. Wynand Olivier (Bulls) 14
15. Ben Daley (Reds) 13
15. Gareth Delve (Rebels) 13
15. James Horwill (Reds) 13
15. Rene Ranger (Blues) 13
15. Scott Waldrom (Chiefs) 13
15. Victor Matfield (Bulls) 13
Based on Planet Rugby, this is the form XV for the Springboks:
South Africa: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Andries Bekker, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Not considered due to injury: Fourie du Preez, Jannie du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, Heinrich Brussouw, Juan Smith
Woudl you agree? Looks a bit different than the one stated here.