The Springbok team for the test match against New Zealand in Soweto on Saturday has been announced.
In the backline we have no less than 5 changes, starting at scrumhalf with Francois Hougaard getting his first start in the position. Steyn and Habana keep their places, but from there onwards, it’s a new look as we have Jean de Villiers back in the inside centre jersey in the place of Wynand Olivier, with Juan de Jongh partnering him at outside centre.JP Pieterson returns from injusry to take up the 14 jersey, with Gio Aplon taking over from Zane Kirchner as the last line of defence.
It’s a relatively expected forward pack as John Smit gets his 100th cap against his primary rival nation on home soil. He is partnered on either side by Jannie du Plessis and Guthro Steenkamp. The locks are big Victor Matfield and relatively fresh faced Flip van der Merwe. The looseforwards have played together a few times before, with Juan Smith and Schalk Burger flanking the scrum with Pierre Spies playing from the back of the scrum.
The reserve bench holds many experienced players, with Wynand Olivier somehow holding a place down.
Team:
15. Gio Aplon
14. JP Pieterson
13. Juan de Jongh
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. Flip van der Merwe
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. John Smit (Captain)
1. Guthro Steenkamp
Reserves:
16. Chiliboy Ralapele
17. CJ van der Linde
18. Danie Rousouw
19. Francois Louw
20. Ricky Januarie
21. Butch James
22. Wynand Olivier.
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Good team this.. I rate the centres will make a huge difference..
Will we see Juan de jongh cement his place in the Springbok squad?
Could be worse. One can only assume that Beast is being allowed to play himself in, and Bismark is way off the mark too.
I really believe that we need sonme new players for next year: hopefully the EOYT will unearth some. Pity that the Deysel engine is out of commission…
@Big Fish (Comment 2) : Who would you take Big Fish?
Out of curiosity..
Personally I would have Duane Vermeulen and Willem Alberts penciled in first..
Well, Spies better flippen bring his A game cos he has been absolutely nowhere this season. 👿
Good team, exciting backline… Very happy to see De Jongh at 13 and JP back on the wing.
Am I the only one who thinks Bjorn Basson should at least be in the squad?? 🙄
Much better backline but still no fetcher and Spies there on reputation only. Go Bokke.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : This weeks bet the farm?
Yellow card for Schalk within 10 mins, what odds would I get on that? 😆
The weakest bench we’ve had in a loooong time. 😥
@wpw (Comment 5) : I agree with you.. very nice looking backline.. I am actually excited to see them have a go..
I would love to see Basson on the wing in the place of out of form Habana.. He is fast and still has a bit of grunt to be able to tackle well..
@wpw (Comment 5) : yes, because Lwazi Mvovo is about 100 times better 🙂
@Greg (Comment 7) : You would most likely get around 5/1 for specifying a player to receive a yellow card.
If you had to say any player would get a yellow card, you will get a lower odd at around 2/1 maybe..
@wpw (Comment 5) : I`m with you regarding Basson. Slightly less sure about JP Pieterson. Think he needs some more CC action before he`ll be ready for the big leagues . . . Or maybe I`m just being selfish, the less sharks in the bok team, the better 😈
@robdylan (Comment 10) : Now that I wouldnt mind either.. and its hard to say which of the two are better.. Obviously Mvovo is in much better form, but Basson had that a few months ago..
Mvovo has some really interesting stats so far this season..
@Original Pierre (Comment 12) : I think JP will have a massive impact on this game.. he brings a whole lot more on the attack..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 9) : Basson is also the best wing in SA under the high ball. If the Boks are going to continue their kicking tactics Basson would have been the best choice.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 14) : And JP defends like a demon…Aplon might need some help at the back defensively.
funny how liitle is being made of the ommission of Wynand Olivier… just shows you hey?
Hows about JPP and Basson on the wings. The thing is, on his day Habs is the best winger in the world!! 🙄
Mvovo and Aplon are also great!!
@catfish (Comment 17) :
He shouldnt even be on the darn bench!!
Would love to see Jean and De Jongh do well.
@catfish (Comment 17) : He still snuck onto the bench.. how that is possible I don’t know..
@wpw (Comment 18) : I rate Aplon as more of an impact player..
To come on when the tired loosies cant catch him..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 20) : Who else would you put there?
@wpw (Comment 19) : Me too, then the world greatest 13 can play 2nd fiddle.
@molly (Comment 22) : DOPPIES!!!!!! 😈
@molly (Comment 22) : Any of the names thrown around on this thread so far.. Basson.. Mvovo.. Viljoen maybe even?! Conrad Jantjes.. Anybody but Meisiekind..
@wpw (Comment 19) :
I think Jean and de Jong are in for a tough day at the office.
I would love to see the young fella do well.
But defending and attacking for that matter against Carter, Nonu, Smith & Joe at Test level is a big step up for the lad.
….. plus I have a funny feeling Jean maybe floundering in his first outing of the year at inside centre, and just may not offer the support he needs in battle.
Bok supporters must also ask serious questions of their substitutes…..do any of them hold a place on form ? 😕
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 25) : haha, but at least he can play a few positions… centre and wing. Not sure any of those you list can cover centre. Suppose Butch could (at a push).
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 25) :
I’d love to see Vijoen get a chance on the EOYT.
Viljoen
Basson
Pretorius (Sarel)
Mvovo
Vermaak
Lambie and MAYBE Jantjies 😎
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 26) :
Its going to be a tough 80 minutes isnt it?
Jean should be able to fit right back in at inside centre, seeing as he played there for a few seasons now..
My biggest concern is that if Nonu or Smith or worst of all Joe break the line, how is Aplon going to stop him..
I think our bench is very weak, Butch hasn’t impressed me at all, Ricky is kak and Meisiekind even worse. Our backline have to try play for 80 minutes.
Forwards wise, Francois Louw is probably the best player on form..
@rhineshark (Comment 8) : What makes it even more scary is that pdv is prone to clear the bench all at once – and at the wrongs times….
@wpw (Comment 28) : Excuse my ignorance, but who the hell is Stefan Pretorius?!?! 🙄
The rest I agree with, I am not 100% sure either Lambie or Jantjes should be there already, but hey, I suppose we won’t know until we put them against some decent opposition.
@wpw (Comment 28) : Stefan Pretorius? Who is that? Sarel?
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 26) :
I think you guys are in for one hell of a test!!
Don’t be surprised WHEN we win!! 😈
@molly (Comment 32) :
Huh?? 😈 😆
@molly (Comment 27) :
We need to somehow find a reserve flyhalf that can cover the centre spot as well, like the Donald did for NZ or Barnes does for Aus.. we don’t really have that except for Butch, who really hasn’t been his old self..
@molly (Comment 32) :
@wpw (Comment 34) :
Nice save..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 35) : uh… Peter Grant, sheesh. 😉
Great backline. Best out of the blokes we have IMO. Basson is not better than Habana people. I rate him highly though.
Meisiekind on the bench? What is he going to add to the last 20 min? That said from our squad, what were the options?
@wpw (Comment 33) :
Well you should win…..your not making excuses for not winning are you.
At altitude….. over half the team high velt dwellers.
AB’s should traditionally get a hidding ….. however i think some people may look at that backline…. and bench and say hey we are in with a shout here ! 😆
…..and that’s not just the AB’s ….Aussies will fancy their chances too a little if that lot are rolled out again next week.
@molly (Comment 37) : Yes.. Ofcourse.. sorry Mol.. he slipped my mind, was thinking current Currie Cup playing flyhalves..
We could always offer Frans Steyn more money to actually play for the Boks, put him on the bench and let him cover the entire backline
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 40) : no ways, if we get him, he must go to fullback, maybe the 1st few games on he bench, but he is made for Fullback.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 39) : Wise one, who would you have put in the Bok side then?
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 42) :
Well for starters I think you need to play a fullback at fullback and not a wing, and you probably need a scrum half at scrum half and not a wing.
Not an original thought process !
@molly (Comment 41) :
He has to be a good fullback option for the Boks.. I don’t particularly like the fellow, but we don’t have much else in fullback quality. Krusty the Clown doesn’t exactly fill me up with confidence..
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 43) :
Sarcastic much?
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 43) :
As opposed to a prop (Weepu) at scrumhalf and a fullback (Jane) on the wing?? 😈
But then again you guys are winning… 😕 🙄
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 45) : 😉
@wpw (Comment 46) :
You are a big supporter of the round scrum half !
You can never play too many fullbacks….what you have got to be wary of is playing too many wings, four is probably three too many. 😎
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 43) : Well, they’re actually both playing in their correct positions. Both are more experienced at the positions they’re playing in this weekend.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 43) : So you would pick Ricky Januarie and Hennie Daniller/Riaan Viljoen (cause there is not another 15 in the squad) then? You’re showing yourself here boet.
Aplon has played more at 15 than 14 if you look at last 2 years of CC and S14 I would guess.
Hougaard has played his whole life as a scrummie.
Give me some real thoughts?
Good to see Hougaard to start, but why the heck could they not have been brave and dropped Spies to the bench 😕 Should have been Burger at 8 and Louw at 6 seeing that Dewald not even on the bench, probably due to whiplash he got playing Province on the weekend. Otherwise quite happy with the selection but our loose trio ❓ Nope not happy with em.
This team would just look so much better with a few small changes.
2. Bissie (on form)
6. Brussow
8. Alberts/Vermeulen/Potgieter
11. Jaque Fourie/Basson/Aplon
15. Frans Steyn
Yip, I said yesterday too I would have Flip at 4 😛 Pleased with that too. Just our loose trio. Think we needed to start a out and out fetcher against the ABs.
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 50) :
Do you really REALLY want HH to reveeal his real thoughts??
HH: The Stormers are rubbish!! 😈
@Pokkel (Comment 52) : With what we have in the squad we could have done better with the loose trio. Should have dropped Spies for Burger at 8 Juan just fine coming in at 7 and Louw at 6. I would have had Potties at 6 but he has whiplash so Louw should have played there. Otherwise not bad at all. Except of course they could have had Frans Steyn if they kept him from the Wales game. Makes your head turn actually how PdV just made a excuse not to select him. Anyhow Aplon is fine but maybe for this game should have played Aplon on the wing and JPP at FB.
Hougaard should make a massive difference at scrummie too.
@Just a Fan (Comment 30) : …amongst other mind-boggling decisions
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 50) :@molly (Comment 49) :
I have a funny feeling Januarie and Hougaard are not the best scrum halfs in the country.
….and Aplon is not the best Fullback.
….just an outsiders thoughts, well that seems to be the case after watching/reading the CC week in week out !
Why do you guys think they are the best players in the country in those positions.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 57) : Good to have your views HH. Nice to get a outsiders views. NO Aplon is not our best FB. Rather Frans Steyn there but he is not selected. Hougaard will do fine he has played there many times. Has been outstanding for the Bulls on the wing. His naturual position is scrummie. Only not enough game time there now after playing the whole season on the wing. Still far better than Ricky. Our loose trio is a worry. Should have had a out and out fetcher. Louw should have started at 6. Burger at 8 and of course Juan back where he belongs at 7.
@Puma (Comment 55) : I agree with that combo from squad. Pity Potgieter hurt himself. I can’t believe Spies is still there 😯
@Pokkel (Comment 59) : Agree Pokkel, We should have had the guts to drop Spies and play Burger at 8. I would have had Potties at 6 without a thought for this game had he not got injured. Louw never impressed me much in the other games, but with Juan there he will do FAR, FAR better and HE should have been playing 6. Crazy, we get cleaned out at the breakdown and we still can’t see we NEED a damn good out and out fetcher there. Ag just have to shake my head really.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 57) :
Hougaard was one of the top wingers during the S14 and has loads of potential. He will more than likely replace FDP when he leaves next year.
Januarie has been there done that and was selected based on his past achievements for the Boks.
Aplon had a VERY successful S14 as a gamebreaker at both 14 and 15 and has a very good boot on him.
@wpw (Comment 61) : I thought you were a big Ricki fan??? 🙄
@Puma (Comment 58) : 😉
@Puma (Comment 60) : What worries me the most is how just about everybody can see the problem EXCEPT our coaches. Even Tacticus admitted on voldy that Spies isn’t playing great rugby at the moment. 😯
The one thing that is very positive for SA rugby is the youngsters that seems to be coming through…even though it might be too late for the 2011 RWC it shows to a bright future for the Boks(hopefully under new coaches)
@wpw (Comment 61) :
Agreed….. I just think that this is Test Rugby, some do a long positional apprenticeship to get there ! 😎
@Pokkel (Comment 62) :
When he is playing well then yes.
If not then he shouldnt play. 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 65) :
Like Cruden?? And the Franks brothers?? 😈
@wpw (Comment 66) : duh 🙄
@Pokkel (Comment 64) : Yip Pokkel, we are getting some really great talent coming through. Though if we had a out and out fetcher with Juan back at 7 Spies would have been fine at 8. WE DON’T Burger is playing back at 6. So just have to see. Spies might just play better with Juan but I doubt it. Loose trio should have been like we have said. Well with the players selected. Burger should have started at 8 and Juan of course 7 with Louw at 6. Think we would be a lot better with that loose trio.
Anyhow just have to enjoy the game. Going to be great, see we will be able to feel what it feels like being in the haka and in the scrums. With the best equipment they have there at that Stadium. Really looking forward to that. Should be awesome. Even better if we win but really not going to worry too much about that. Sharks had better win though 😆
@wpw (Comment 67) :
You won’t find them playing fullback ! 💡
@Pokkel (Comment 68) : 👿 😆
Good to see JdV getting a run at 12. Would have had Spies on the bench, he hasnt proved himself to be near the top of his game recently. Personally would have started Danie at 8 – he did it beautifully at the 2007 RWC.
Its a better looking team but def not a World Cup winning 22. PdV has said that he is looking to give the seniors a rest and take some youngsters on the EOYT, lets hope so.. Can name atleast 5 Sharks that deserve a call up…
@Puma (Comment 69) : I’m going to the test on Saturday so I truly hope that we are proved wrong. Go the Bokke… 😎
@Mole (Comment 72) : One or two future sharks as well ❗
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 70) :
*sigh*
I am refering to your comment about players doing ‘apprenticeship’ like your younguns!! 😈
@Pokkel (Comment 73) : Jeepers, you are lucky. Enjoy it. Going to be awesome the atmosphere at that stadium. Never have I watched the Boks with 90 000 supporters. The most was at Ellis Park around 60 000.
Wish I was going too 😥
@Puma (Comment 69) : I think its more a matter of “Form is temporary, class is forever”. He’ll bounce back, no worries.
@Pokkel (Comment 73) : A win is a win even if we win by one point I will take it. 🙂
@molly (Comment 77) : Have to see 😉
Okay I am out of here. Cheers everyone.
Go Bokke .. 🙂
@Pokkel (Comment 64) : I dont think its too late, its all about giving them a chance – even if that is atleast being part of the sqaud, being introduced to the way the Bok setup works.. We need to back our youngsters, just like our Oz and NZ counterparts
@Puma (Comment 76) : It will be my 1st test since 1998….and my wife’s 1st test so it’s probably going to be quite overwelming. The atmosphere is going to be awesome.
@Pokkel (Comment 59) : Potties has been released from the Bokke and will be playing for the BB on Fri
What a awesome occasion for Smit! Leading his team out, on his hundredth cap in front of 90 000 South Africans! Well done Smitty!!
@wpw (Comment 75) :
the phase was ‘positional apprenticeship’ *sigh back* 😉
@diablo (Comment 83) : PdV should have rather released Spies to the BB’s and kept Pottie. 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 82) : Before I go. Well that is a damn long time since you been to a test. I try and go to one at least every year. Only of course if I am in that city where it is held.
Enjoy it Pokkel. I think this is going to be a very special test. The first ever at FNB and what a fantastic stadium it is. Really hope we start to use MM stadium too.
Okay now not of here.
@wpw (Comment 33) : aftrenoon
IF and a very BIG IF 😳
i went with AB on this round SB has let us down to many times 👿
@chaz (Comment 88) : Remember the ITM is up tomorrow morning Chaz ! 😉
@diablo (Comment 83) : hi Diblo where hv u been 🙂
@Puma (Comment 87) : Ek bly in die bundu’s so ek kom nie gereeld daar uit nie. Maar ek bly liewer in die bundu’s as die stad enige dag. 😆
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 89) : won’t forget did a lot of home work and just waiting to see ur post what time in SA will it be up
@Pokkel (Comment 91) : u stay in Newcastle don’t you 😕 😉
I know this is off topic, but i feel the need to have a bit of a whinge..
I have been compiling the Tri Nations stats on the Boks so far..
Matfield and Chiliboy have both been credited with three caps in those three games, but look at these stats:
Matfield played all 240 minutes, Ralapelle 17 minutes
Matfield hit 95 rucks, Ralapelle 12 rucks
Matfield made 51 tackles, Ralapelle 2 tackles
And both get 3 caps.. That just eeks me!!
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 89) :
Can’t wait for another weekend filled with upsets and weird results..
@Pokkel (Comment 64) : Ja, but Pokkel, how often over the years have we talked about our promising youngsters coming through? It really pisses me off.
We have youngsters of immense talent, but they too often never get the recognition at international level because the selectors keep including “oriefokkenmuur” players like Butch or “kleinvisin`ngrootdam” players like Olivier.
By the time someone wakes up and actually plays one of our “promising youngsters”, said youngster is either out of form or has in the meantime become a grandfather.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 94) :
if you think thats bad how about one Ollie Le Roux who has over 50 caps for the Boks and yet he 90% of those were from the bench!! 🙄
@chaz (Comment 92) :
Just before midday ! ish 😎
@wpw (Comment 97) :
I know.. I just think it is so unfair to let a player come on for an average of 5 minutes per game, and be credited for playing 3 games, when he hasn’t even played a full quarter of one game..
I think Bismarck has the SA record for the player with the most caps coming off the bench..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 94) :
How many tackles did John Smit miss…. more than the rest of the team put together ? 😕
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 100) :
In the three games, the Boks have missed 85 tackles..
Smit in particular has missed 11..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 99) :
Better than Warren Gatland……. i think he holds the record for the most times that a player never got off the bench. 😕
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 101) :
OMG that must be the most by a long way ! ❓
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 101) :
Your such an auditor ! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 103) :
Interestingly not..
Schalk has 9 to his name, with Danie Roussouw on 8..
Most worryingly, and probably why the player has been released:
Kirchner has made 11 tackles in 3 full games, and has missed 7!!!
In total, the Boks have made 540 tackles, missing 85..
Thats a bad ratio.. 14% of all tackles are missed..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 106) :
….and he was your best player !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 98) : What I am alluding too is who is better?
In the CC, the following have been playing 15 for their provinces : Jaco VDW (BB), Ludick (Sharks), Jantjies (WP), Daniller (FS), Taute (Lions), Viljoen (Griquas) and some other no namers there from the smaller unions.
Scrumhalves have been : Duvenhage (WP), Vermaak (Lions), De Bruyn (FS), McCleod (Sharks), Ruan Snyman (BB), Sarel Pretorious (Griquas) and others.
Now with Kirchner, Frans Steyn out for Sat? Who out of those is better bet than Aplon? Ludick, Jantjies are just back from serious injuries. Jantjies still has pins in his leg that need to be removed later in the season.
And with FDP, Ruan Pienaar injured who of those halfbacks is better than Hougaard?
Quick answer. None. At 15 and 9 we have our best players. Elsewhere is debatable but I am confident in those selections. Name your picks?
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 104) :
This is what fascinates me most.. is getting to the source of whats going wrong. With this you can really say whether a player is worth having on the field, not based on his “flashiness”
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 108) :
Sad isn’t it??
Its certainly not an excuse but before critising our run on team remember the following players are out with injury/suspension…
15. Frans Steyn/Zane Kirchner 13. Jacques Fourie 9. Fourie Du Preez/ Ruan Pienaar 6. Heindrich Brussouw 5. Andries Bekker 4. Bakkies Botha 2. Bismarck Du Plessis.
Not a half bad bunch of players those!!! 6 RWC winners in there.
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 112) :
Ja oom..
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 109) :
Hi Oubaas….your back !
You are normally a very astute judge of talent/form.
….and if you think Aplon & Houggard is your best Test fullback & Scrum half going into Saturday… that is fine with me.
However…i think the Bok selectors have been caught very short here with key injuries and it appears to me you are playing players out of position or with little positional game time going into a big Test match.
I would expect if the AB’s lost 3 FB or SH they would replace them with the next best in that position….not throw in the next best squad member.
But if you are happy, as a supporter then the selectors are doing a great job.
Personally i think that if you were selecting the squad/side (taking injuries into account neither would be playing) ! 😎
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 112) :
We have a couple of players out as well….all quite good ……but none are RWC winners ….!
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 115) : Too true! 😆
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 114) : Such kind words from our Kiwi friend! Can you forward my CV to the men in the know!
I love the fact that I am still a u21 player in Rob Dylan’s eyes. It makes me feel young again.
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 117) :
You are only as old as the girls you feel 😉
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 116) :
Good luck for Saturday…..maybe a few players out there that may need some.
Looking forward to the FB & HB head to heads ?
Must dash … chat later !
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 118) : Touche
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 119) : Cheers HH, at least if the Boks lose we have the Sharks/WP game to look forward to!
The cauldron of Soccer City awaits you..
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 121) : 😉
Good team this.
I’m curious about Butch and Olivier being on the bench. Both are midfielders. Where is the outside back cover?
Olivier is NOT sufficient cover for that.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 123) : Yip, my concern too. IMO Butch covers 12 and 10. But who else currently in the squad could cover 13/14/15 from the bench?
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 124) :
that is my concern as well.
If Butch covers 10/12 and Steyn who is already in the starting XV can also cover 12 then Olivier must be there to cover 13-15.
BIG WORRIES imo.
With Kirch and Frans out.. Leaves us a little short on outside backs. Should have called up someone like Bjorn Basson…
I guess PDV will say Hougaard covers 11/14. Or JDV with Meisiekind moving to 12.
Who covers 15? Once again PDV will tell us that Jacques Fourie played there before he started shaving, as did JPP…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 125) : Or as PDV said when asked about why Frans Louw didn’t make the side, he would say, “‘If you want to select my team then go ahead.’
Man, that guy has a way with the media!
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 126) :
Except that with hougaard covering 11/14 and the other changes you suggest the whole team shuffles around and very few teams take such abig shuffle in their stride.
As a Kiwi aquintance of mine (Tom Chamberlain’s father) said to me this afternoon “going to the chapel to pray for the Boks?” Seem I may need to IF we have an injury.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 128) : Agreed!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 123) : It can be argued that Olivier isn’t sufficient cover for the midfield either
Really really bored at work, so worked on who I would like to see in the squad come the EOYT. Trying to keep the seniors out, allowing the youngsters a chance to play for WC places, and those senior players that IMO need game time.
Props – Beast, BJ, Oosthuizen, Harris
Hooker – Bismark, Burden/Leibenberg, G.Botha
Locks – Hargreaves, Flip, Bakkies, Skeate, need one more
Loosies – Alberts, F.Louw, Vermuelen, P.Louw, Kanko, Johnson, J.Smith, Potgeiter,
9 – Hougaard, Sarel, ??
10 – Lambie, PGrant, M.Steyn, Jantjies
Centres – JdV, De Jongh, R Obersohn, Fourie, JLP/Bosman
Wings – Mvovo, Basson, JPP, Van den Heever, Habana,
Fullback – Daniller, F Steyn, Ludik, Lambie
What do you think oh wise bloggers of Sharksworld? 😉 😆
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 98) : tx
JdV can play 11, 12, 13, 14
De Jongh 12, 13
Butch 10, 12
Hougaard, 9, 11, 14
Aplon, 11, 14, 15
JP 11, 14, 15
@rhineshark (Comment 130) : 😛
francois hougaard will bomb, watch this space! He hasn’t played 9 in 2 years! The one time de villiers tried him on the eoyt he lost us the game against Saracens A!
So much for this depth we have! Fdp is retiring after the world cup we are in the [email protected]!
@Megatron (Comment 135) :
he’s actually played CC at 9 this season
top 10 Springbok Test Caps
Percy Montgomery 102
John Smit 99
Victor Matfield 98
Joost van der Westhuizen 89
Os du Randt 80
Mark Andrews 77
Bakkies Botha 68
André Venter 66
Breyton Paulse 64
Bryan Habana 63
@KSA Shark © (Comment 137) :
I just hope Victoria doesn’t overtake John for some reason. We’ll never hear the end of it. 🙁
@Megatron (Comment 135) : And that is why it is time to blood new players!
@Mole (Comment 131) : Had a look at your squad
This is who i think will be there bearing in mind the contracted players who will be rested
Props – Beast, BJ, Oosthuizen, CJ
Hooker – Bismark, Chili Boy Leibenberg/G.Botha
Locks – Hargreaves, Flip, Bakkies, Skeate,
Loosies – Alberts, F.Louw,Brussow Kanko, Johnson, J.Smith, Potgeiter,
9 – Pienaar Hougaard, Sarel,
10 – Lambie, Jantjies
Centres – JdV, De Jongh, Fourie, Adi(if fit otherwise Ebersohn)
Wings – Mvovo, Basson, JPP,
Fullback – F Steyn,
the squad is 31 must be trimmed by one Alberts/Johnson/Potgeiter will have to fall out
J Smith to captain
Three Changes to the All Black 22 ! 😎
@Fattmann (Comment 140) : Pretty solid, enough experience with young raw talent to trouble most of the NH teams…
Why do I feel that we are way off who will actually travel to europe?? 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 141) : You got a link or a starting 22 for us?
@Mole (Comment 143) :
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have named their team for the Investec Tri Nations Test against South Africa at FNB Stadium (Soccer City), Johannesburg, on Saturday 21 August.
Starting XV:
1. Tony Woodcock (67)
2. Keven Mealamu (78)
3. Ben Franks (6)
4. Brad Thorn (44)
5. Tom Donnelly (11)
6. Jerome Kaino (31)
7. Richie McCaw – captain (87)
8. Kieran Read (23)
9. Jimmy Cowan (39)
10. Daniel Carter (73)
11. Josevata Rokocoko (65)
12. Ma’a Nonu (50)
13. Conrad Smith (39)
14. Cory Jane (19)
15. Mils Muliaina (87)
Reserves:
16. Corey Flynn (11)
17. John Afoa (23)
18. Samuel Whitelock (7)
19. Victor Vito (4)
20. Piri Weepu (42)
21. Aaron Cruden (5)
22. Israel Dagg (4)
Number of Test caps in brackets
The starting XV features just two changes from the team that beat Australia 20-10 in Christchurch earlier this month: Jimmy Cowan returns from injury and starts at halfback, with Piri Weepu moving to the bench, while prop Ben Franks gets his third Test start in the number 3 jersey, replacing younger brother, Owen. Meanwhile, in other reserve changes, prop John Afoa comes onto the bench, with fullback Israel Dagg providing outside back cover.
Interesting Core Leadership Group
Ritchie 87
Mils 87
Keven 78
Brad 44
Dan 73
Snake 39
How does that compare to the Boks ❓
Strong looking team… its going to be a battle royale on Sat…
I was feeling confident when the Bok team was announced, now not so much 😉 🙂
@Mole (Comment 146) :
No rotation yet !
Have to agree with Megatron: don’t feel starting Hougaard is a good choice.
CC is way off Test standard.
@Mole (Comment 143) :
All you gotta do is look at the recont posts list and you’ll see the team. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 136) : prior to 🙄 his call up to the Boks is what i meant He was ordinary even in the currie cup! He was more concerned about fighting and having a bad attitude!
Mole and Fattman
You forgot Maku and Jantjes!!
Also, there’s no way Div will select Ross Skeate imho.
What about Ricky?? We all know he will be touring come EOYT! Lol
@wpw (Comment 151) : Ricky MAC D! Coming soon to a Drive Thru near you!
WP gonna start him saturday wpw?! ” He needs match practise” Quote Snorman . . . 😛