Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has named his final 30-man Super Rugby squad, although changes should still be expected as the likes of Juan Smith and Coenie Oosthuizen become available later in the season.
Oosthuizen is expected back in time for the overseas tour, which starts in round 3, while Smith is pencilled in for a return once the ream returns after round 6.
Despite the involvement of a good number of Griquas players during the pre-season phase, Drotske has gone with mostly Bloemfontein-based lads for his final squad, with only 5 of the 30 contracted to Griquas. Amongst the forwards, prop Lourens Adriaanse and former Sharks flank Justin Downey have made the grade, while wings Rocco Jansen and Dusty Noble and fullback Willie le Roux are ncluded amongst the backs.
Cheetahs squad
Forwards: Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, WP Nel, Lourens Adriaanse, Adriaan Strauss, Hercu Liebenberg, Andries Ferreira, Francois Uys, Izak van der Westhuizen, George Earle, Heinrich Brüssow, Justin Downey, Ashley Johnson, Lappies Labuschagne, Davon Raubenheimer, Philip van der Walt.
Backs: Pieter van Zyl, Tewis de Bruyn, Sias Ebersohn, Johan Goosen, Philip Snyman, Andries Strauss, Robert Ebersohn, Barry Geel, Rocco Jansen, Cameron Jacobs, Rayno Benjamin, Dusty Noble, Hennie Danniller, Willie le Roux.
scared of Goosen
Well done Willie le Roux.
@jako (Comment 1) : first wan’t too see him perform on this stage, his handling and passing was shocking when the bulls put pressure on him.
He has a huge boot but his handling and distribution looked shacky when he was under a bit of pressure.
@Ben (Comment 2) : Looks like a promising player
@jako (Comment 1) :
Rocco Jansen as well, he has blistering pace. He will have to work on other aspects of his game to become a complete winger but given any space and he could be devastating.
@berroos (Comment 3) :
1 game… that shouldn’t undo an excellent CC campaign, should it?
Haven’t felt as good about a flyhalf prospect… ever.
Has superstar written all over him… soon to be shot down by Rob & co who will tell me he’s done nothing
@Pat (Comment 5) :
Been a bit of a long journey for him to get here hey!
Remember seeing his name for Bulls teams a few years ago, but then he fell away.
@hendrikp (Comment 6) : What has he done to prove his worth? 1 Decent CC season doesnt make you a superstar.
What happened to that wing nokwe..wasn’t he one of the cheetahs star players?
Hope Rocco Jansen does well,with him being an old Queenian and all,Alma Mater loyalty kicking in
@Ben (Comment 8) :
Yes, but what more could he have done?
@shaniboi (Comment 9) : He went overseas if i’m not mistaken.
@Ben (Comment 12) :
You’re thinking Chavhanga.
@hendrikp (Comment 11) : No sense of humor today? I’m yanking your chain! He could have won his side the CC? Instead he choked in the semi.
@hendrikp (Comment 13) : Where is Nokwe then?
@hendrikp (Comment 6) : he’s done nothing.
@Ben (Comment 14) :
He could have, but the Cheetahs choked, not Goosen. Missed just the one penalty I think?
They looked to have it in the bag before a second half comeback by the Sharks.
I’ll admit he doesn’t look 100% comfortable in general play, but it won’t take him long to adjust.
@shaniboi (Comment 9) : Nokwe’s injured at the moment. He’s with the Kings now I think.
@hendrikp (Comment 17) : No I meant he choked. He might not have had his worst game but he certainly wasn’t up to the standards he set for himself in the previous games.
@hendrikp (Comment 13) :
@Ben (Comment 15) :
Nokwe signed for the Kings at the end of last year…
@Rob:
Where is Trompie Nontshinga and what’s happened to Marius Delport? They both seem to have disappeared from the face of SA rugby and both were being mooted as Boks only a few years ago.
Also wondering where Pieter Louw is.
@Ben (Comment 15) :
I’m not sure… Griffons I think
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 20) : Thanks Rich.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 20) :
Okey dokey. Cheers.
@hendrikp (Comment 22) : He’s with the Kings but he’s injured
@Ben (Comment 19) :
Meh, can only play as well as the opposition, and your own team allow you to.
He’s in for a big SR season.
@hendrikp (Comment 26) :
Also remembering that the semi-final was played in Durban.
Never easy having to travel for a play-off game, especially against a team that had Springboks (and a French international) throughout their team.
9/10 the home team wins.
@hendrikp (Comment 26) : I hope so. I want Morne Steyn far from the Bok setup.
@Ben (Comment 28) : We can only hope!!!!!!!!
@Ben (Comment 28) :
Morne will be the incumbent. It’s a done deal.
I’m not as worried about it as some though. Reckon he can add value.
@hendrikp (Comment 30) : Only if he reverts to his running game. He used to run a lot when Derek Hougaard was still around.
@ChrisS (Comment 21) :
If I remember correctly, Trompie was last seen in KZN club scene, Rover if I am not mistaken..
No idea about the other two, Delport was last spotted in a Lions jersey, Pieter Louw still shows as a Stormers contracted player
@hendrikp (Comment 30) : Like he did in the World Cup?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 32) : Thanks Richard. Very surprising that Trompie isn’t going for Vodacom Cup trials at the very least. He was touted by Jake White as a possible Bok wing if I remember correctly!
Strange how these young guys just drop off of the map!
@ChrisS (Comment 31) :
I don’t think it’ll make a difference in him being selected.
Morne, I thought, did a reasonably good job in that quarter-final against OZ, and the couple of games before that, of getting flatter and spreading the ball around a bit.
They definitely need work on what to do – making the correct decisions – from 3rd phase, 4th phase, 5th phase… Looked a little clueless at times when they got into opposition territory, particularly against Australia.
I think in about 7 months time, everyone will be praising Heyneke for turning Morne’s career around.
I’m surprised to not see the name of Ryno Barnes. He must be injured
@hendrikp (Comment 35) : FIRST! He needs to stop being a wuss and start making tackles!
@Ben (Comment 33) :
Irrelevant. He was taken out of the game by poor refereeing.
I’m not one to blame the Boks when they did all they could do, but the laws of the game weren’t enforced properly.
1 penalty… just 1 is all we probably needed to seal that game.
Yet every time we got near the Australian tryline, Pocock did whatever he liked, and Lawrence let it go.
One of the most pathetic performances from a referee you could ever wish to see. The prick deserves every bit of abuse he’s getting. He’s got no integrity.
@hendrikp (Comment 35) : I reckon he will definitely make the team. I meant that I won’t mind him being in the side if he reverts to his running game and works on his defence. His kicking (for poles and ot of hand) is very good and he can become a complete player.
I’d also like Lambie to get a run. Wish we had a proper A Team that competed at the Churchill Cup so that the guys who don’t make the Boks can still get international experience and get accustomed to Heyneke’s gameplans. It’d make the transition to the senior Bok side easier and build depth.
The Nations Cup team was always a sham side!!
@Ben (Comment 37) :
He’s no Butch… but I wouldn’t call him a wuss.
Quade Cooper… wuss.
Danny Cipriani… wuss.
Morne is targeted, and was specifically targeted by Jamie Roberts, but heck, his defence isn’t half as bad as people make out.
And he brings the attributes that Heyneke will be wanting. It’s a done deal
@ChrisS (Comment 39) : Goosen and Jantjes are brilliant players and need international exposure to keep developing their games.
@ChrisS (Comment 39) :
Chris, I’m slightly concerned with Lambie.
Not that I don’t think he’s an excellent player… I do, he is brilliant.
But history will repeat itself. SA won’t go forward with a flyhalf who can’t kick the ball a mile.
@beet (Comment 36) : If you find out about Rayno Barnes please let me know. I was also wondering.
@hendrikp (Comment 42) : I think that he can work on it. He’s young and can develop his kicking skills. Having Frans Steyn at 12 will also nullify that weakness.
@ChrisS (Comment 41) :
Naww, Jantjies will be found out soon.
Doubt he’d be able to adapt outside the Lions structures.
The Johan Goosen debate is fairly simple. He is not the saviour of Bok rugby, well not yet thats for sure. But he is also not crap. He has loads of talent as do a lot of youngsters, but the diff between age group rugby and seniors nevermind internationals is the pace and pressure you are put under. Now im not saying he crumbles under pressure, but he has shown to struggle a bit when quality flanks are after him. So lets reserve judgement on him and the other kids that are meant to save the world until after this Super Rugby season at least.
@beet (Comment 36) :
I’m surprised that PW van Vuuren has dropped so far.
During the CC Liebenberg appeared to be a last resort.
@hendrikp (Comment 45) : Well I’d like to see him play for an SA A Team so that we can judge him properly alongside top quality players. Having world class players around you allows you more tie and helps you raise your game. Morne Steyn was always way better playing alongside Fourie Du Preez.
@hendrikp (Comment 40) : I call him a wuss. He NEVER goes into a tackle with his shoulder 1st. He always grabs the guys by the jersey and drag them down like that. That’s if he can get them down at all. He looks like a ballet dancer who accidently bumps into one of his/her dance mates.
@hendrikp (Comment 47) : He must have impressed during the trials.
@Ben (Comment 49) :
If I were his size or build, and playing at that level, I wouldn’t either.
Actually I am about Morne’s size, and how I got taught was to drag players who are significantly bigger then yourself over your shoulder. That, or literally drop as low as you can, and try for the ankles. Otherwise you’ve got no hope.
How did Naka miss Rudi Voght ( spelling? ) ?
@hendrikp (Comment 42) : Ol HM going to have FdP whispering in his ear -Choose Morne oom.
It wont be Lambie sadly. Morne Steyns selection at 10 won’t be on merit although Meyer will claim it is.
@hendrikp (Comment 51) : Stop making excuses for the fool please.
@hendrikp (Comment 51) : Lambie cuts them down at the ankles everytime. He’s got an amazing technique. Same goes for Peter Grant! He’s also an option for the Boks at 10 and 12.
@hendrikp (Comment 51) : Butch James begs to differ .
@Original Pierre (Comment 52) : I was wondering about Vogt too! He was good last year!!
@Talent (Comment 56) :
And you think Morne & Butch are built the same?
Morne brings something else… there are things he does better then Butch… just realize that.
@ChrisS (Comment 55) :
Grant not an option.
His goalkicking is spot on, but if you can find a worse tactical kicker, I’d be surprised.
@hendrikp (Comment 27) : jeez boet… your bike has more reverse gears than forward ones…
@hendrikp (Comment 51) : I’d love to facing you 5m from the tryline then.
@robdylan (Comment 60) :
@hendrikp (Comment 58) : such as? …oh kicking from inside his own half ,and every other aspect of fh play ???
@berroos (Comment 3) :
SOMEBODY WHO SEES MY POINT HAHAH YEAY !!!
@hendrikp (Comment 6) :
Watered down cc… remember that fact ALWAYS
@robdylan (Comment 60) :
What you got stuck up your behind.
@Zibbie (Comment 65) :
I will!
@hendrikp (Comment 26) :
so your hoping he will have a better game against the Crusaders then against the Bulls … good luck with that ..
@hendrikp (Comment 45) :
So why is it that Jantjies won’t but goosen will ..@fit into other structures …
Is it cause he is smaller and been in the sun too much …
Unreal !
Lets see what the season brings …
@hendrikp (Comment 45) :
Dude .. Goosen cant even adapt IN the cheetas structures .. never mind outside …
@hendrikp (Comment 30) : @hendrikp (Comment 58) : @hendrikp (Comment 51) : @hendrikp (Comment 42) : OK. I’m coming out of semi retirement to step up and tell you, dearest Hendrikp, that you are talking nonsense. I have spoken to Mr Meyer personally and the selection of Springbok flyhalf is FAR from a done deal. Morne, like everyone else, has got to prove himself on CURRENT performance, not what he’s done in the past. And I can happily place my delicate but tanned neck on the line and carefully manicured fingertips across my heart and say Morne Steyn’s days are numbered. Unless SuperPat’s legs fall off.
And Goosen does not have a hope in hell of making a Bok debut at flyhalf. There is a reason Mr Lambie has been moved back to his rightful position, and it’s not because I’ve been sending Plum copies of my “Shark Wars” series… It’s because that’s where Pat’s future lies. Not because he can kick a mile but because he’s the most intelligent and gifted flyhalf this country has YET produced. He is a game-maker. An X-factor player without match. And a general without compare. And barring acts of God and bastards with steel toecaps in their boots, this year will see our SuperPat rightfully attain his pre-destined berth in the Springbok 10. Mark my words. I have seen the future. And it is bright and shiny. And full of silverware.
@ChrisS (Comment 41) : No. Goosen and Jantjies are talented players. Not brilliant. There’s a huge difference. Both have to step up in SupeRugby if they want to show any potential of turning that talent into something more. Lambie has nothing to prove.
@hendrikp (Comment 51) : For the record, HP, Pat is smaller than Morne and is a tackling machine. When will you men realise that it’s not the size of the pistol that counts, but the power of the shot?
OK. Now I’ve dished out the morning castigations I will return to my formerly semi-retired state. Be warned, Lambie bashers, I will be watching….
you have been served ..
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 71) :
I agree that Both Jantjies and Goosen has a lot to Prove (Goosen more than Elton)
But surely saying Lambie has nothing to prove is a bit over the top . Frans Steyn has nothing to prove . But then again he has a world cup winners medal .
Lambie needs to show he can destroy world class opposition . Something that IMHO he has not done yet at international level.
Even a Super Rugby Title might help a bit .