A Springbok training group made up of 37 players has been announced to meet in Durban on Sunday and Monday. This is the second of three planned get-togethers for the players and management to prepare for the international season, which kicks off weeks after the Super Rugby Final.
This group is smaller than the group announced earlier in the year, and whilst we saw players fall away, a few have been included, which weren’t there previously. Ashley Johnson, who has been in some barn storming form this year, gets the nod along with seasoned players Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn and Butch James, who are all back in South Africa after their European seasons.
The full group:
John Smit (captain) – The Sharks – 102
Victor Matfield (vice-captain) – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 105
Willem Alberts – The Sharks – 3
Gio Aplon – DHL Western Province – 13
Andries Bekker – DHL Western Province – 24
Bakkies Botha – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 72
Heinrich Brüssow – Toyota Free State Cheetahs – 13
Schalk Burger – DHL Western Province – 63
Juan de Jongh – DHL Western Province – 6
Jean de Villiers – DHL Western Province – 67
Bismarck du Plessis – The Sharks – 36
Jannie du Plessis – The Sharks – 24
Fourie du Preez – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 55
Jaque Fourie – DHL Western Province – 62
Bryan Habana – DHL Western Province – 68
Francois Hougaard – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 8
Butch James – MTN Golden Lions – 40
Ashley Johnson – Toyota Free State Cheetahs – 0
Werner Kruger – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 0
Pat Lambie – The Sharks – 4
Tendai Mtawarira – The Sharks – 26
Lwazi Mvovo – The Sharks – 2
Odwa Ndungane – The Sharks – 7
Wynand Olivier – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 32
Coenie Oosthuizen – Toyota Free State Cheetahs – 0
Ruan Pienaar – Ulster – 47
JP Pietersen – The Sharks – 36
Chiliboy Ralepelle – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 18
Danie Rossouw – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 54
Juan Smith – Toyota Free State Cheetahs – 69
Pierre Spies – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 40
Gurthrö Steenkamp – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 31
Francois Steyn – Racing Metro – 42
Morné Steyn – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 25
Adriaan Strauss – Toyota Free State Cheetahs – 9
Flip van der Merwe – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 10
Duane Vermeulen – DHL Western Province – 0
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My boy is there, Duanetjie!!!! 😈
@molly (Comment 1) :
Lol! He deserves it..
good group.
I have concerns about certain senior players but I guess you cannot omit them.
is it possible that I do not see Ricky there 😯
Im baffled by Coenie..
He is not a scrumming prop..
@molly (Comment 1) : Dislike
Glad for Pat Lambie and Ashley ,probably as close to the best squad they could have had.
Duane Vermeulen – DHL Western Province – 0-hope it stays like that
Coenie? 😐
No real surprises there from I can see.
9 Sharks + 2 ex-Sharks.
Kanko not there ,only himself to blame .
@rekinek (Comment 4) :
Now THAT is a surprise 😯
@rekinek (Comment 4) :
With Du Preez, Hougaard and Pienaar, he can spend that time of the year stockpiling pies..
@Talent (Comment 10) :
True but I’d still have Kanko there ahead of softie Spies.
So, assuming 7 from this group drop out to make the final 30. I’d drop these guys:
Odwa, Mvovo, Ashley Johsnon, Adriaan Strauss, Coenie, Vermeulen and Kruger
Adriaan Strauss sure deserves to be there..
@Pokkel (Comment 13) :
But Duanne deserved to be there ahead of Kanko.
@Pokkel (Comment 13) : I dont know . Neither of them have shown any kind of form and both have looked apathetic as far as their franchises cause goes ,so I guess i would have also gone for the more test experinced option .Spies is also good @ Line outs.
where the hell is Adi?
@molly (Comment 14) :
I would drop Spies before Duanne, Chilli before Adriaan and Habana before Mvovo. 😈
@Talent (Comment 6) : i’m also not sure of Vermeulen (sorry Molls) but to be frank neither Spies nor Kanko have smashing seasons.
I think Johnson should be tried during 3Ns but not sure whether he is WC material yet.
@molly (Comment 14) :
I agree with Coenie and Odwa..
@Talent (Comment 10) : Why is Spies there then? What has he done all season?
It seems if Kanko is not flashy then he’s worthless.
He never got much game time anyway, at least he’ll be able to play for the Sharks now, intead of just carrying tackle bags for fullstop (my new name for Pier Spies).
Bjorn Basson also didn’t make it
@robdylan (Comment 18) :
Seems de Jongh and Meisiekind got in ahead of him..
Cant really blame the selectors, we have only seen 25 minutes from him so far this season..
No Bjorn Basson 😯
@Talent (Comment 10) : oops – haven’t even seen that. I guess Alberts took his place.
@Pokkel (Comment 16) : Ya if I am totaly honest he does deserve it more than kanko and spies ,just rreward for putting his hand up
No Sarel Pretorius 😕
No Flo? 😕
@vanmartin (Comment 23) :
@Pokkel (Comment 25) :
WTF!!?!?!?!
Does Habana deserve to be there?
Interesting picks and omissions. What could it mean
@Letgo (Comment 22) : read; @Talent (Comment 17) :
@molly (Comment 14) : that’s the ones that are most likely to be dropped. But if it was me I would keep Movovo in. An something tells me that if Odwa was to get the chance he would not disappoint.
No Krusty 😀
No Stegmann 😀
No CJ 😀
@Pokkel (Comment 28) : and so the list go on….
I wouldn’t think Sarel would make it – too individualistic.
@Salmonoid (Comment 30) : no
@Pokkel (Comment 34) : Thank you for cheering me up.
Still, Coenie…..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 24) : Who’s fault is that ? Plumtree…
Pleased Ashley Johnson was chosen ahead of other players ,he deserves it .
@Charlie (Comment 38) :
I didn’t blame Adi did I????
@Pokkel (Comment 19) : Me too, but logically, thats how I see it. Duane is more suited to those fields if you ask me.
@rekinek (Comment 4) : He has obvioulsy not lost the 5kg he was suppose to, that he promised Divvy… 🙄 😆
No Zane Kirchner! Hell yeah!!! 🙂
@Salmonoid (Comment 30) :
I reckon Habana deserves to play in the Tri Nations to prove himself..
No Peter Grant 🙄
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 12) : they could always take him as a “stock” manager. nobody would be hungry 😆
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 21) : Who else do you think would drop out? Can’t see us taking too many new players.
Id rather play Duane than both Spies and Kanko..
@molly (Comment 47) :
I think you are spot on, but I don’t necessarily agree that they should all drop out.. If that makes sense..
In my NOT so HUMBLE OPINION: Spies and Habana are the 2 players REALLY not deserving to be in this group.
@rekinek (Comment 33) : To be honest, I think I’d have Basson ahead of Mvovo. Keep in mind JdV and JF can cover wing, so we have plenty options there, think we need to chop some numbers from that group.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 48) :
P Divvy is going to play Schalk Burger at 8.
@Pokkel (Comment 45) : I dunno, between Pienaar, Lambie, Steyn and Butch I reckon we have all the boxes ticked. Grant would be surplus to our needs.
@molly (Comment 51) :
Im shocked Mvovo got in ahead of Basson..
@molly (Comment 51) : I’d drop Habana and include both Mvovo and Basson
No Bjorn Basson?? Top try scorer not there? A bit shocking that. I want to see a Sarel vs Hougaard trial before I accept Hougaard. I hope they release a statement saying that this is not the final group. I got a feeling a few fringe players who didn’t make the list would drop their intensity. . .
@Pokkel (Comment 45) : haha – are you surprised ?
He’s been not available or injured most of the season. Plus I think he is one of this unlucky players who no matter what he does will get unlucky.
It’s not the final squad though..
No Brian Mujati either…
I think we will see more omissions and new faces in the 3rd meeting. Thing might change by then.
Not the worst that can be selected. I just wonder what the last “get together” will look like. I’m a little worried about one or two of the more “seasoned” players still in the mix. But then again I don’t think we can read to much into things just yet.
@molly (Comment 51) : plus I’m sure you can stick Ruan, Hougaard and Steyn there as well
If chopping the numbers I would go with Habana and Spies (yes PDivvy you excluded Ricky – see it can be done 😈
I am not too sure whether taking Meisiekind is good option – he always performs for the bulls and never for the boks.
We have’nt finished the Super 15 yet – more will drop out through injury so this list will change. Pity about Peter Grant though. he was the form no.10 this season.
@vanmartin (Comment 55) : yeah, but we all know Habs is going. He does plenty other work around the field and not to mention the experience he brings.
@Pokkel (Comment 45) : Come on…you don’t really think Peter Grant is international class?
Woohooo…no CJ…now I’m happy!
oh – there’s no Basson either. Guess they haven’t forgiven him, then
@rekinek (Comment 61) : Ja, forgot to mention Hougaard, lots of wingers in that squad, at least “some” of the loosie coverage has been dropped.
Can’t believe kanko and keegy got dropped!! What the ****?!
@jessi (Comment 68) : Keegs was never going to make it with Burger and Brussow both in the picture.
Hoff is a pity, but Johnson has been playing better
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 40) : Nope…
@Villie (Comment 64) :
No there isn’t really place for him in the squad but earlier this year he was supposed to be the Bok’s saviour……like all Stormers players are at some stage or another. 😈
I surprised the Stormers supporters here haven’t moaned about Elstadt not being in the squad 😈
@Charlie (Comment 70) :
Thank you.. Just a comment.. nothing aimed at our precious Adi..
CJ, Ricky and Adi were given Bok contracts at the beginning of the year weren’t they?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 72) : 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 73) :
Correct.. but none of them seriously deserve to be in the squad..
@Pokkel (Comment 73) :
But it does make you wonder…
@Pokkel (Comment 73) : CJ & Adi…not sure about Ricky though…
no charl mcleod? i’m shocked!!!………………….NOT!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 75) :
I know but I assume they still need to be paid in terms of their contracts.
Where’s bosman, stef and JLP… 🙂
@Pokkel (Comment 79) :
I would assume the same..
@jovner (Comment 78) : have you been watching super rugby lately 😉
and what about EEEltoon ???
No Krusty. No Bjorn-I-can’t-tackle-Basson. Yeah!
@King Shark – Kanko at 12! (Comment 84) :
Mvovo is actually the one who can’t tackle.
Oh and he is freaaaakin lazy!
@King Shark – Kanko at 12! (Comment 84) : ah sweet…. no Sideshow Bob… I missed that one.
@King Shark – Kanko at 12! (Comment 84) :
Do you honestly believe Mvovo should be there ahead of Basson?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 87) : Basson has been dropped for burning his bridges last year.
He could be top try-scorer in Super Rugby and still wouldn’t make it… 🙂
The thing is with Basson the jury is still out on what he does when the game is tight except running after up and unders. Does he look for work? Does he defend? He needs to play in the tri nations.
People are forgetting that Sarel Pretorius is joint top try scorer with Basson… and neither of them are there.
I just have to add – hats off to Peter de Villers and company. They were never going to please everyone but this a very decent mix of players overall. We could do far worse.
@molly (Comment 90) : maybe Divvie reckons Basson and Sarel have used up all their tries in Super Rugby and will have none left for the World Cup 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 92) : and thats why Habana is ready for cashing in? 🙂
@rekinek (Comment 83) : Ican’t believe it took until comment 83 for someone to mention that. 😯
Full list of the exclusions.
Basson
Daniel
Grant
Hargreaves
Jacobs
Jantjies
Januarie
Kankowski
Kirchner
F Louw
Maku
Mapoe
Mcleod
Murray
Dewald Potgieter
Sarel Pretoius
Stegmann
CJ vd Linde
@KSA Shark © (Comment 94) : Ricky just stole the show
Adriaan Strauss has been the no.1 hooker this season. Bismarck needs to up his game, even Chili is playing better than him.
@rekinek (Comment 95) : And Adi
@GreatSharksays (Comment 96) : Can’t believe the Bulls aren’t starting Chili, he’s really playing well.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 94) : Out of that entire group I think only Adi, Louw, Basson & Pretorius were unlucky. Maybe Kankowski if he was in better form.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 96) :
I reckon both Strauss and Chili will fall out of this squad..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 100) : Interesting. Why and who do you think our third hooker will be?
@vanmartin (Comment 101) :
No third hooker required..
@molly (Comment 97) : Why Adi? Was his ommission a surprise?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 102) :
In my humble opinion..
@vanmartin (Comment 99) : Why Adi? De Jongh is much better and is good as a starting back not just as impact.
Adi is valuable to a team but only if you don’t have a 12 or 13 who can start and impact.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 103) : as big a surprise as Januarie’s, don’t you think?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 103) :
Maybe because he got a contract earlier in the year, not so much based on form..
I wonder if Danie Rossouw will be considered at 8?
Not a lot has been said about Pienaar, Butch and Frans..
Does Butch deserve a spot? ANd based on Kirchner not being there, we can all assume that Frans will play fullback..
@Ben (Comment 108) :
He needs to be in the squad, and 8 is probably a good idea..
Unless we play Schalk at 8 with Brussow and Alberts?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 109) : i guess their inclusion was expected. Pienaar seems to be doing well north and played decent rugby for boks EOYT. Butch me thinks over the hill a bit – maybe in the mentor capacity.
Not sure about Steyn – wasn’t that good last time he wore Bok jersey but he is a valuable player – just bit slow recently.
@molly (Comment 98) : Same here but they have this rotation agreement. Strauss won’t make the final squad although he’s playing the best rugby out of the lot. It will be Smit, Bissie and Chili.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 102) : I’m pretty sure our selectors will pick three hookers for the World Cup Squad.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 105) : Mainly his experience but also based on the impact he’s made when coming on at 13 in the Sharks games. I’d only use him at 13 though. Also throw in there my bias for all things Black and White.
@vanmartin (Comment 113) :
Why though? I dont see the need to have three hookers?
I suppose with Smit there to cover prop and hooker, we have the capacity..
Fair point..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 109) : Based on comments from other players I think he’ll be in the squad because he brings the same kind of on-field aura that Smit does to the team. Players just feel more comfortable knowing he’s there. He seems to have a similar effect in the Lions squad? Still a useful player in my opinion. Don’t really mind if he goes and would prefer him to both Jantjies and Grant.
@vanmartin (Comment 115) :
I rate James.. Its just interesting to note that nobody has said anything about them..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 114) : Wasn’t it a famous Jake White quote and I’m paraphrasing: “The first three players you pick for a world cup squad are you hooker, backup hooker and your second backup.” I think that thinking stuck with the selectors.
I probably butchered the quote…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 94) : Only one player deserves inclusion – Basson. Unlucky for the rest, but hey, thats how it goes. Im pretty happy with the squad
Minimum of 3 hookers. All in all it’s a good squad that has been picked. Basson only unlucky player not to make it imo.
@Ben (Comment 108) : He played like a demon at 8 in the 2007 RWC, and he is in good form, I’d give him a start.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 116) : He would start at 10 for me. Morne prob has the better goal kicking %, but James offers more on attack and has played more tests with more of less the same team.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 114) : I am sure we had 3 hookers in 2007. . Surely Smit will opt for the same.
@Mocho (Comment 122) : we did… Smit, Botha and du Plessis
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 110) : @Mole (Comment 120) : I would prefer Danie to Schala at 8. Danie is one of those guys who always gives his all when he puts on the green and gold. Never let’s the side down.
My loose trio would be;
6. Schala
7. Juan
8. Rossouw
With Brussouw coming on as a impact player.
@Ben (Comment 124) : for me I guess it depends on whose playing hooker on the day. Bismarck and Schalla can “fetch” so to say. With Smit starting Brussouw is must for me as he is a fetcher through and through
Either way I would start that loose trio.
@Mocho (Comment 125) : Either way I would start that loose trio.
Wtf I forgot about Alberts! This is going to be a tough choice.
Where is Shaz, no EJ (and I don’t mean Enrique Januarie) 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 129) : I’m sure she would have been all over this by now had she read it! 🙂
@Ben (Comment 128) : In the early stages of the RWC I would pick a Brussouw, Alberts, Spies combo. Come crunch games, you have to go with your combo. The experience of those three out weighs the individual impact of other choices.
That is the exact trio that started the 07 Final.
Damn PdV has had an easy job, bar Montgomery and Os the team makeup should be pretty much identical…
@Mole (Comment 131) : I concur.
@Ben (Comment 130) : I adore Shaz, but I think she was reading a little too much into the fact that Butch is playing 12 outside EJ. She seemed convinced that EJ would make the squad over Lambie, but I think that has been put to rest now. 😆
@Dancing Bear (Comment 133) : No doubt Shaz is an Angel. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her in person! 😉
@Ben (Comment 134) : You’re a lucky man Ben! 😀
@Dancing Bear (Comment 135) : Tell me about it! 😉 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 18) : You said Bosman is way better than Adi, how could you expect him to make the Bok Squad then?
I can`t believe Basson didn`t make it! He`s the in-form wing in SA at the moment!
@Pokkel (Comment 34) : No Krusty! It`s a Celebration!
@Original Pierre (Comment 137) : Isn’t that a bit like comparing apples and oranges? Adi is a 13 and Bosman a 10/12. I realize that Adi can fill in at 10 or 12, but he is not natural in either position. I can’t even imagine Bosman being a success at 13.
So Aplon, Steyn, and Lambie cover 15? I suppose Odwa and JPP could slot in there as well.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 139) : I don’t think Odwa will go to the WC, do you?
Relax people, this is not the final squad, changes still to come 😉
@Original Pierre (Comment 137) : When did Rob say this? Must have been a moment of Madness! 🙂
@Dancing Bear (Comment 138) : LOL as I can`t imagine Bosman as a success at 12 . . .
@Charlie (Comment 141) : You hope so for your sake? 😛
Basson must be itching to get one over Habana in a bid to get a call-up… watch this space…
Im glad SARU released this list now. With two rounds of Super Rugby left those that have been left out of the squad have a couple games to step up and get the selectors thinking again. Lets hope Kanko has his game of the season on sat.
@Ben (Comment 140) : Ben, I know you don’t agree with me here, but Odders deserves to go to the RWC ahead of Mvovs. Mvovs will get his chance, he is still young, but right now, there is not a harder working wing in SA than Odders.
@Original Pierre (Comment 143) : Most would say he was a success this past Saturday, no? I would not know, didn’t get to watch the match since I was out on the water all weekend long.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 146) : When it comes to the Boks and WC where experience is vital I actually do agree with you. I actually don’t think either of them will go but I would take Odwa ahead of Mvovo for sure.
@Ben (Comment 148) : You’re a brilliant man Ben, makes me proud to be your uncle! 😆
Actually looking at our options again I might be mistaken. Odwa might just go that if Basson doesn’t go which I don’t think he will.
@Ben (Comment 150) : Actually, in my opinion, I am rather shocked that Basson did not make it and Mvovs did. Clearly Basson was ahead of Mvovs for the EOYT and Mvovs has not really had much game time this Super 15, and neither has Basson.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 151) : I am just not sure how Mvovs moved ahead of Basson in the pecking order.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 151) : Shocked as well. Aparently something happend between Basson and the Coaching staff. I don’t know the story.
@Ben (Comment 153) : Hmmm do you know something happened for sure but not sure what it is, or you are not sure but you think something happened? His exclusion certainly makes one wonder. Could not have been the positive drug test because Chili is in there.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 154) : Read through the earlier comments. Think I read it here. Not sure if anything happend really.
@Ben (Comment 155) : His conspicuous absence certainly makes one think doesn’t it?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 156) : Yup top try scorer and all. Are you suprised with the exclusion of Sarel Pretorius?
@Ben (Comment 155) : I see Rob mentioned that Basson has burned his bridges. Not sure what he did to burn those bridges, I certainly don’t recall anything. Of course, he is somewhat of a one dimensional player, superb at kick chasing but lots of work to do on defense and looking for work off his wing.
@Ben (Comment 157) : I am quite surprised with Sarel’s exclusion. Without a doubt, FdP is going to be starting 9 (assuming no injuries), and we know PdV really likes Ruan, so he would be backup at 9. Of course we should take three 9s to the RWC, and Sarel is definitely in the best form this season, and certainly deserves it before any other 9. Of course, we have Hougaard whose versatility makes him, perhaps a better option?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 159) : Yup Hougaard can play on the wing. He’s fast and can sidestep that counts in his favour. I just think that Sarel’s defence hasn’t done him any favours. Hope to see some of him in th Tri Nations though.
@Ben (Comment 160) : He is not a very nuggety 9 on defence. Would you play Sarel in the tri-nations or Hougaard and Ruan?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 161) : All of them. Hougaard, Pienaar, FdP and Sarel. And you?
@Ben (Comment 162) : Sorry was thinking about the away legs. I would start FdP for home matches with Ruan on bench, then for away matches, I would alternate Ruan and Hougaard to start and bench. Sorry, but I would not really have a place for Sarel this season. Ruan needs the time playing with the Boks, he has been away for a year.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 163) : That being said, I still think Sarel is the form scrumhalf in SA at the moment. He has been solid for a few years now though. I wonder if his poor defence just makes him too one dimensional for international rugby.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 163) : just think it will be unfair to not give him a look at all. I say give him a game or two and see how he goes.
I think FdP, Ruan and Hougaard are all superb defenders.
Kockett came up with a new method of defense for a 9, he just irritates the hell out of the opposing 9 until he starts to mess up. 😆
Evening gents..
@Ben (Comment 165) : Why, if he is only 4th in the pecking order? I agree he has had a superb season, but one season does not a Bok make, just like one swallow does not a summer make.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 167) : Evening Richard! If you were referring to me I think you were quite generous with your “gents” remark! 😀
@Dancing Bear (Comment 169) :
Generous? How so?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 168) : Yeah I hear you, I do think he would have got a look in if it wasn’t a WC year. Maybe next year, let him sort out his defence 1st.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 170) : calling me a gent. 😀 😉
@Ben (Comment 171) : so long as he is not a flash in the pan like McLeod now seems to be.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 167) : And a good one to you too. 🙂
@Ben (Comment 171) : I suppose it would not be a bad idea to blood him in a Bok match, in case one of our 9s goes down and we need to call him up. I can’t see how anyone other than FdP, Ruan and Hougaard are ahead of him in the pecking order.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 172) :
What’s wrong with that?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 173) : Still can’t believe Mcleod’s game dropped so much in a space of 6 months. Astonishing!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 176) : 😆 Just a joke Richard, you called me a gent, I probably do not deserve to be referred to as a gent, hence your generosity in calling me a gent.
Never mind! 😆
@Dancing Bear (Comment 178) :
Hahaha.. I was thinking along the lines of you not being a gent..
My judgement is rather blurred at the moment.. I apologise for my drunken stupidity…
@Dancing Bear (Comment 175) : How old is Sarel now? If he can sort out his Defence he will be a awesome player to have. Seems Defence is the only thing Dawie Theron wasn’t able to coach! 🙂
@Ben (Comment 177) : The more I watch McLeod play, the more I am convinced that he has bought into his own hype. Last year he was not comfortable, he was new in the side, so focused on the basics very well, getting to the breakdown very fast and making a quick pass to his firs receiver. So far this season, he seems to have gotten confidence in spades, too much in fact, now he seems to think he can carry the team on his shoulders, so he has gotten complacent. He now is slow to the breakdown, and since he is thinking about what he can do with the ball in hand, he often slows his pass to first receiver down just in case he decides he wants to go on his own.
@Ben (Comment 180) : Sarel is 27 years and 51 days old.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 181) :
Do you think this has something to do with the competition in the position?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 182) :
Thats rather exact…
@Dancing Bear (Comment 181) : I concur. He is trying to do everything on his own now and so putting to much pressure on himself and in the process he forgers what is most important, quick and crisp service to the 1st receiver.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 183) : Richard, I don’t think it is the tougher competition in SupeRugby. I honestly think he has the skills to succeed in SupeRugby and international rugby, if he sticks to what he does well, getting the the breakdown quickly and a quick snappy pass. Just my opinion.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 184) : For today, in a few hours it will be rather inexact! 😆
@Dancing Bear (Comment 182) : What about the hours and minutes dude? And if you want you can throw in the seconds as well! 😉 🙂
@Dancing Bear (Comment 186) :
I meant within the squad.. Last year there was Rory and even Pienaar for abit to push him..
Now he knows he can just rock up and walk into the squad..
@Ben (Comment 188) : Sorry Ben, all I found was a birth date, no birth time! 😆
Shit I actually hoped Sarel was younger.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 189) : Oh, yes, I agree completely, I am afraid his promotion to first choice 9 and the fact that he really has nobody pushing him has made him cocky.
@Ben (Comment 191) : He has been playing for Griquas for quite some time now.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 192) :
I really hope the same does not happen to Lambie or Alberts..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 189) : @Dancing Bear (Comment 192) : For sure I think that plays a huge role. Good work in picking that one up Rich.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 194) : Alberts will have Deysel and Kanko pushing him, Lambie will have Freddie pushing him for the next year, then maybe we will sign Sias and have him pushing Pat.
@Ben (Comment 195) :
I credit the Windhoek!!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 193) : Yes he has been, always solid. Just started to shine in the last year or so.
I am off Ben and Richard, have a wonderful evening, and hopefully chat soon.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 197) : Lol oh yes!!! That one is always an eye opener! 🙂
@Dancing Bear (Comment 196) :
Im hoping we do not sign Sias..
Two or three year’s time we will have a few flyhalves coming through.. Zeilinga springs to mind..
And in the centres we have Jordaan and Lindeque/Williams.. So signing the Ebersohns is just giving more credit to the Freestate academy than it deserves..
@Dancing Bear (Comment 199) : Cheers Uncle, thanks for the chit chat! 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 199) :
I need to get working on my articles for tomorrow.. So I am off as well..
Thanx gents.. will see ya’ll tomorrow..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 201) : I was being somewhat facetious with that comment Richard. Although, a backline of 10 Lambie, 12 Sias and 13 Robert does make me salivate somewhat.
@Ben (Comment 202) : Always a pleasure Ben, and thanks for the friend request! Cheers.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 204) :
It must seem that I am harping on this point, but I really do want to back our youngsters..
Sorry if I seemed to react..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 201) : I concur, no need for the Ebersohn twins imo. I’ve learned a new word. “Concur” 🙂
@Ben (Comment 207) :
Haha..
Cheers boet
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 208) : Cheers dude…
@Dancing Bear (Comment 205) : No probs my China. 😉
People. Calm down. The release from SARU categorically states that whilst there are some of the original 51-man squad not taking part in this training camp, and that Butch, Frans and Ruan have been included as well as Ashley Johnson, this DOES NOT MEAN that anyone has been dropped at this stage or that those not taking part in this camp will not be considered for the final Bok squad. 😎
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 211) :
Who and what are you hoping for Shaz?
Goodbye Ricky Januarie. Thanks for the mammories !!!
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 211) : So Lambie might still be dropped? 🙂 No wait, touch wood! 😉
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 212) : Much as I hate to say it, I do think Bjorn Basson is on fire at the moment.
@Ben (Comment 214) : They’ll have me to deal with if that happens! 😎
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 215) :
Why do you hate to say it?
If he deserves it, he deserves it..
A lot has been said about his defence, but Im okay with an average defence if he can score two tries a game..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 212) : But to be honest, I won’t cry if it stays the way it is at the moment. 😆
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 218) :
We want to win the World Cup right?
2007 – we had Habana scoring 7 tries for us.. we need a similar try scoring machine this year
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 217) : Precisely. Will be attending the Joburg press conference on June 20 to find out what happened at the camp and what the state of play is…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 219) : Absolutely. Basson is a scoring machine at the moment, and Johnson has white-line fever as well… will make for scorching hot rugby in my book.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 220) :
Oh okay.. I trust a nice little article will make its way from that?! hehe..
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 221) :
Anyway Shaz.. good chatting to you again..
Im out for the count.. Have a good evening and chat soon.. Ciao..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 212) : Then there’s Juan Smith… once he’s fit.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 224) : And I think Jaco Taute, if he keeps going the way he’s going at the moment.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 223) : Cheers Rich. Have a good one. Speak soon! 😀
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 225) : And Elton Jantjies? 🙂
@Ben (Comment 227) : Grrrr. 😀
Basson missed a Springbok photo shoot because he was sleeping if I remember correctly. Punishment?
I must give Divvy some credit here for making some hard decisions. I think it took a lot to exclude January and Zane from the group given his past. Well done for making those calls which I feel is 100% correct.
IMHO i velive the following 7 players will be droped and the remaining (Injuries permitting) will go to WC:
1. Ashley Johnson
2. Lwazi Mvovo
3. Odwa Ndungane
4. Coenie Oosthuizen
5. Adriaan Strauss
6. Duane Vermeulen
7. Flip van der Merwe
Then I belive we have the 30 players that can do the job as well as the best 30 possible.
@Viking (Comment 231) : velive?? I believe we have uncovered the true identity of Pienaar die Blou Bul. 🙂
Although I actually got a FB email from a stranger from Pta whose REAL name is Pienaar who took me on about my FB comments on the Canterbury SA FB page regarding the fact that I find the Springbok being on the sleeve of the RWC Jersey acceptable.
So although you speak like Pienaar I may actually have found a REAL “Pienaar die Blou Bul”
@KSA Shark © (Comment 232) : Whoops!!! Forgive me but its still early and my fingers cold 😳 But I am not Pienaar and MOST DEFINITELY NOT a blou bul 👿
@Viking (Comment 233) : 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 144) : Nope, I know so 😈
@Charlie (Comment 235) : Yes I also KNOW that there will be changes to the squad, but I can’t see that players can play temselves INTO the squad with 3 maybe 4 matches left in the season, it will more likely be changes OUT of the squad.