The Bok team for the Castle Tri Nations opener against Australia has been announced, with three run on debuts for Ashley Johnson, Werner Kruger and Dean Greyling, while Charl McLeod might earn his off the bench.
Sharks hooker John Smit will earn his 103rd test cap as he leads the side and he’ll have another Bok captain in Johann Muller joining him in the second row. The rest of the pack has a distinctly light blue tint, with props Greyling and Kruger, lock Flip van der Merwe and flanks Deon Stegmann and Danie Rossouw all Bulls players. Only Johnson, named to make his first start at number 8, adds a little Cheetahs flair to the mix and his selection, one feels, is well deserved after a strong Super Rugby campaign.
The backline has an experienced look to it, with Ruan Pienaar and Morne Steyn old friends in the 9 and 10 jerseys respectively. There’s continuity in the 10-12 channel as well, with Steyn’s Bulls teammate Wynand Olivier offered yet another opportunity to prove that he might actually be a test-quality player. Juan de Jongh, Lwazi Mvovo and Bjorn Basson complete the three-quarter line and while all three are low on test caps, they have all been in fine form in Super Rugby and won’t let the side down. Gio Aplon is at fullback in what should be an exciting, attacking back three.
Sharks fans will be pleased to see that the bench is pretty much all black-and-white, with five Durban players looking to improve the side when they come on in the second half! Apart from potential debutant McLeod, Jean Deysel, Al Hargreaves, Adi Jacobs and Pat Lambie all stand to add to their respective test cap tallies, while CJ van der Linde and Chilliboy Ralepelle add some experience as well.
The Boks have overtaken Australia in second place on the IRB rankings, following their hosts’ alarming loss to Samos at the weekend. They’ll want to maintain that position by winning in Sydney.
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Bjorn Basson, 13. Juan De Jongh, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Danie Rossouw, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Johann Muller, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. John Smit (Captain), 1. Dean Greyling
16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. CJ van der Linde, 18. Alistair Hargreaves, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Charl McCleod, 21. Adi Jacobs, 22. Pat Lambie
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this team can go all the way, very nice backline except for Morne “kick everything” Steyn. That backline with Lambie at 10 and Adi at 12 would have been very very exciting.
@G West (Comment 1) : hopefully we’ll see that in the 2nd half, except Adi at 13 and JdJ at 12
I’m not sure about the balance of the loose trio. Hope they mesh well.
@G West (Comment 1) : Instead of that I would rather have Adi at 13 and JdJ at 12.
OMG what a side …lucky you are not playing Samoa!
@molly (Comment 3) : Hey Molly, I can’t remember so lekker but didn’t Charl get a Bok cap last year at the EOYT?
Good side this considering all our ‘injuries’ 😎
@Ben (Comment 6) : he played against the BaaBaa’s, not an official test.
If i look at each player individually then it looked a fairly decent side. But there are new combinations everywhere, from the front row,locks,loosies,half backs,centres and even the back 3! Im just not sure of this team is going to gel..or how long it will take to gel! The Aussie side looks pretty good! But its make or break time for some of these players!
@molly (Comment 8) : Okay thought he played in one of the other games off the bench.
@wpw (Comment 7) :
injuries hehehehehe 😥
9 players return from the bok 22 that beat England last year… that’s actually better than I thought it would be.
I’m worried about that loose trio, to be honest. Tight five also looks pretty green, but let’s see how they go. Don’t be surprised if Greyling does on to become something of a legend in the green and gold. Really rate that chap.
Ja neh…you have to see this side to believe it… 🙂
But this is the future of the Springboks and I have faith that the guys will compete well under the guidance of one or two legends…
Go Bokke! Do it for Madiba!
@Ben (Comment 10) : I’m so confused about all the debuts on end of year tours as well, thought Ashley also got a cap in one of them, apparently not though.
@molly (Comment 14) : Johnson played against Saracens or Leicester or the Baabaas… Doesn’t count as a cap. Same with McCleod – played the Baabaas.
@King Shark (Comment 15) : Soz – didn’t read the earlier posts!
Excited to see a Bokke game again! Even if it is a ‘second’ side. If you look at it player-by-player, in regards to who these guys are ‘replacing'( Johnson vs. Spies as an example ), seems quite good.
Not risking Brussouw then?
@Ossa (Comment 18) :
I wouldn’t risk Brussow for this game. We will need him come WC time.
@Ben (Comment 4) : @molly (Comment 2) : Ya sorry i didn’t change Adi and JDJ around and i agree that JDJ at 12 and Adi at 13 would be the best option.
@G West (Comment 19) :
That backline could be very exciting if it end up with Lambie at 10 JDJ at 12 and Adi at 13.
Let’s see how it goes.
Go Bokke!
@Pokkel (Comment 20) :
Ya we will see but looking at the Bench i think Lambie will is there to cover 10 or 15, not sure where he will come on when he does…
I cannot believe that after all this time Meisiekind is still being selected to put on a bok jersey.
Not a bad team, allthough Olivier’s selection still baffles me.
I can’t believe nobody has had anything to say about Stegmann’s selection yet. 😯 🙄
@Pokkel (Comment 24) : I am not sure what more he needs to do to get selected
@Pokkel (Comment 24) : because we are still in shock?? 😯
@Pokkel (Comment 24) : I was blind to it but thanks for spoiling my morning 🙁
@lostfish (Comment 25) :
You referring to Keegan I presume.
Sorry guys 😀
@Pokkel (Comment 28) : Yeah, my bad. Lack of sleep.
Very interesting, no Butch, Brussow, Kanko, F Stein…
GO BOKKE !!!
Hey, this may not be our A team but I wouldn’t call it a B team. This team can upset any side on any day. GO BOKKE!!!!
they are really fielding a left wing team here.
@G West (Comment 19) : I would rather have James at 12 than miesiekind…
What a pity Lambie is on the bench. Would have liked to have seen JdJ at 12 and Adi on at 13. With Morne and Olivier doubt JdJ will see any ball.
Also not sure why the heck Stegmann is there 😕 He hardly played well for the Bulls and mostly gives away penalties. Would rather have seen Deysel at 6.
Anyhow if this team can keep possession and not kick everything away, we could put the Aussies under pressure.
Doubt this side can play the kick and chase game. We do that we gonna get a thrashing.
@Puma (Comment 36) : hiyas brudda
i would have preferred rossouw at lock and played deysel at 7
would have given the pack a little more grunt
@Franshark (Comment 35) :
I would rather have Pamela Anderson at 12 at least she will pass the ball…
@G West (Comment 38) : Bet she could bounce off of tackles too. 😆
@Ben (Comment 39) :
For sure! that is a really funny metal image by the way hahaha!
@Puma (Comment 36) : got to say that a Deysel, Rossouw, Johnson combo would be way too slow…
@robdylan (Comment 41) :
I don’t know hey, Johnson got some serious pace at times.
I’m keen to see how this team goes.
I hope Stegmann and Olivier prove people wrong. Both are fairly decent players and they are not selecting themselves!! 😕
Lets get behind the team!! Go BOKKE!!
Got to say, not much on the bench I’m confident about either… CJ, Hargreaves, McCLeod aren’t exactly in their best form either. And Deysel is still making a comeback from his injury.
@G West (Comment 38) : And she would be something to look at aswell
This team will do great…Having Adi Jacobs on the bench is a plus as he is one the best impact players in World Rugby, let’s support this team, they are representing our proud Rugby Nation…GO BOKKE !!!
@Charlie (Comment 46) : i just hope that somebody will actually pass you the ball.
@wpw (Comment 43) : That is true but in 30 odd tests Meisiekind has never been able to make the step up from Super Rugby. It is true that he doesn’t pick himself but surely the selectors should have realised by now that it is time to give someone else a shot.
@lostfish (Comment 48) :
I don’t think Matfield gives a damn tbh!! 😈 😉
@Salmonoid (Comment 47) : 😉
on a side note… GO BOKKE!!!!
it’s a good team – no excuses.
@molly (Comment 51) : 😀
@wpw (Comment 43) : I’m a prode supporter of the Bokke, and therefore also hope they play so well that after Saturday I must call them up and apologize for not believing in there ability as Bok candidates, but IMO and as lostfish said WO has never impressed me in green and gold, a top performer in blue..
@rekinek (Comment 52) : its also an exiting team, some lekke flavor there 🙂
@Franshark (Comment 55) : you just think of Irish whiskey don’t you 😈 😉
@Franshark (Comment 55) : when you think about it there are quite a few guys there that performed during super rugby. I’d rather have de Jongh than De Villers.
Hoping for a second Aussie upset two weeks in a row and also that my doubts about Olivier, Stegmann and McLeod are completely unfounded.
Well its sure great to see there are 9 Sharks players in the mix….. let show those Aussies how its done!!
😯 ..where’s Frans Steyn…
Boks now 2nd on IRB ranking…Big thanks Samoa !!!
😆 
@Just a Fan (Comment 60) : Injured…
Stegman!!!??? Don’t let me get started again on that guy!!! A Walking twelve points at least for the opposition. He isn’t fast, doesn’t pilfer enough balls of the deck, got a shocking discipline and most important of all, he is NOT NEARLY AS GOOD AS KEEGAN!!!
@KingRiaan (Comment 63) : Agree there – would also have liked to see Kanko on instead of Ashley – but I think that is more my bias as a Sharkie 😆
@Just a Fan (Comment 64) : Yeah I obviously I would also like Kanko there but Ashley was in some awesome form in the SuperXV
@Charlie (Comment 62) : Thanks….was building for a hissy fit… 😛
@Charlie (Comment 62) : and fat
@robdylan (Comment 67) : 👿 👿 (as she mutters “do not take the bait. do not take the bait. do not…)
We all know Keegs should be there instead of Slegmann, maybe in the near future Keegs will be more in green and gold. But at the moment i am really happy Keegan is leading the Sharks in the CC.
@KingRiaan (Comment 63) : This is the truth.
@Just a Fan (Comment 68) : Fransie might just eat the bait if you don’t take it…
@robdylan (Comment 67) : @Charlie (Comment 62) : or looking for knippers :)@Just a Fan (Comment 68) : bait taken 🙂
@G West (Comment 69) :
I agree that Daniel offers more than Stegmann but definitely not at 6.
At 8 yes. Hell he even offers more than Kanko at 8.
@wpw (Comment 73) : And his disciplinary record isn’t too fantastic either 🙄
@Ossa (Comment 71) : 😆 😆 ..I dont mind that if I AM the bait….
@molly (Comment 74) : His record is way better than Stegmans.
@Just a Fan (Comment 68) : 😈 😆 😈
@Just a Fan (Comment 76) : Stegman had a poor record in 2008, he’s cleaned it up alot since then. I’m not a fan of his, but there is def a case of preconceived ideas about him.
@molly (Comment 78) : Yip, there are people that actually believe he’s Bok quality! 😆
@molly (Comment 78) : @vanmartin (Comment 79) : with brussow & flo “injured” stegman is the next best opensider the country has, he’s played in a championship winning side 2 years in a row. he is not the best but certainly better than keegan.
@Megatron (Comment 80) :
If you are talking out and out fetching ability I might agree but Keegan is a much better player all round.
Anyway you’re just fishing! 😀
@Megatron (Comment 80) : Keegan has proved beyond doubt lately that he is a great 8th man, its been pointed out numerous times on this blog. Him and Ashley in the same loose trio would be less than ideal.
@lostfish (Comment 22) : Meisiekind, what can I say 🙁
How many more chances does this guy get???
@Megatron (Comment 80) : I think Keegan’s Man-of-the-Match trophies speak a little louder than your troll comments, ol’ chap.
@CapeShark (Comment 84) : plus little can he do if the coaches put him in team with some guys who know not how to tackle 🙄
@CapeShark (Comment 83) : the problem with meisiekind is that he plays so well for the bulls so every season bok coaches keep hoping. maybe they should as Ludeke what to do.
@Franshark (Comment 35) : Why not give Lambie a go at 12? He played well last year in that position in the short time he was their in the Currie Cup and I am sure he will not let his team down. Since Morne will probably only ever pass straight to his inside at least he will have someone their who can be creative with the ball, unlike Olivier.
Steyn-Lambie-De Jongh sounds a lot better than Steyn-Olivier-De Jongh to be honest.
Steggman selection still baffling… Kanko could also have played in the No8 jersey with Johnson shifting to flank. That would speed up the loose trio quite a bit and it would be competitive.
Let’s see what they can do though…