Stormers fullback Gio Aplon and Bulls prop Dean Greyling have both received belated call-ups to the Springbok squad, ahead of Saturday’s second test against England in Johannesburg.
Aplon, who was a surprise exclusion from Heyneke Meyer’s group of 32, comes in as cover for Zane Kirchner, who picked up a knee strain during the first half of the opening test win and will not be considered for Saturday’s match. Greyling will cover for Coenie Oosthuizen, who has some neck stiffness and will go for a scan tomorrow.
It’s not yet clear whether Oosthuizen has definitively been ruled out of the second test; the assumption at this stage is that Greyling’s call-up is precautionary.
Pat Lambie should start at fullback given Kirchner’s withdrawal.
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I would love to see this backline this weekend.
9 Pienaar
10 Lambie
11 Habs
12 F Steyn
13 JdV
14 JPP
15 Aplon.
Disgruntled Stormers fans rejoice!
Pienaar need to shake that monkey off his back, he playes his best rugby when he’s not playing for SA, I’d also like to see him start and let him play his natural game, Lambie will give more attacking option from 15 Zanes only attack is kick and chase, Lambie was also more part of the game when he came on. I hope Mvovo gets a run in the PE test.
Brilliant news. I hope HM realizes Kirchner is not the answer to fullback.
Lambie at 15 with Aplon covering wing and fullback from the bench!
vanmartin
Now we just need him to come to his senses regarding Wynand and Potgieter who can easily be replaced by De Jongh and Kolisi.
Pity about Coenie though. I liked him coming on with 20 to go.
@wpw (Comment 5) :
‘like’
Kolisi could come in for Kanko too!
@wpw (Comment 5) : After comment 4, I thought we had our old light hearted, fun Wes back, but nope, back to the constant whinging.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 8) :
Hey DB. :green:
Moenie so wees nie my vriend.
Won’t be too surprised to see Aplon start with Pat off the bench: that way we have a fresh 15 or 10 depending on what the situation requires.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 8) :
You noticed that too?
Will HM be accused of discriminating based on size like JW was? I always felt that de Jongh was an excellent choice as he covers both the centre positions very well. but does HM consider him too small? He is the same height as Lambie and 5 KGs lighter.
Pity to lose Coenie – scrum look much better when he was on. Surely anybody is better than Wynand – what has he done to deserve selection.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 13) : JdJ has been the best 13 in SA this year. Should have been in the squad imo.
@Pokkel (Comment 1) : agree
Lambi os gonna start @ 15, would have preferred 10….
@Franshark (Comment 17) : Moet jy nie slaap nie?
@Ben (Comment 18) : haha
Have to feel for Joe Petersen! He’s been the best fullback in the SA conference. Hope he gets some recognition soon.
Only reason for pulling Aplon in would be experience since Joe dislodged him from the Stormers 15 jersey.
@ChrisS (Comment 20) : have too agree, would have loved to see Joe given a chance…
@Franshark (Comment 21) : Wondering what he has to do to get in. His performances are consistently good and he can kick too. Same goes for Peter Grant. I’d love to see Peter Grant at 10 and Frans Steyn at 12. Nobody would get through that brick wall!!
Its really cool to think of all the possible combinations and chnages but in reality…Lambie will replace Kirchner and Aplon will come onto the bench. Only other change will be if Coenie isnt fit and Greyling will replace him.
Lambie has to decide where he wants to play and make the position his own. Hes playing fullback now, but by the time MS is done with boks Lambie will be first choice FB. Hes a much better FH. Would be sad to lose such quality of a FH because of MS alledged “kicking ability”.
