Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has announced his first test team, to be led by Jean de Villiers from midfield, to take on England in the first of three tests on Saturday.
The team announced has no real surprises in the starting line-up, with the three new caps in Eben Etzebeth, Juandré Kruger and Marcell Coetzee start against the English.
The Sharks front row has been selected to start the match, with Adriaan Strauss and Coenie Oosthuizen on the bench as backup. Etzebeth and Kruger will form a brand new second row combination with Flip van der Merwe on the bench.
Coetzee joins fellow Shark Willem Alberts and Bulls captain Pierre Spies in the loose trio, with Keegan Daniel a somewhat surprising selection for loose forward cover, but a good call seeing as he can cover the flanks and eighthman.
The backline has fair amount of experience, with Bulls halfback combination of Hougaards and Steyn, feeding a centre combination of Frans Steyn and Jean de Villiers. Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen are on the wings, while Zane Kirchner is preferred at fullback. Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie and Wynand Olivier sit on the bench as backline cover.
Springboks: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira
Substitues: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Pat Lambie, 22 Wynand Olivier
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Apparently Bismarck is vice-captain
i would have gone for, with the current squad
15. lambie
and thats is about it
Well done to the three new caps!! 😎
Wynand Olivier on the bench?? 😆
Much as expected. I would have left Timotei out and gone for a 5 – 2 bench and brought in tighthead cover or another big loosie because of the expected rain.
@wpw (Comment 3) : Yeah – that one I don’t understand. I was expecting a 5-2 split to be honest. With guys like Ruan and Lambie on the bench, and Frans Steyn and Hougaard you should be able to deal with any eventuality
Apply the pressure, build a decent lead and then unleash that bench on poor England and they won’t stand a chance.
@Pokkel (Comment 4) : Coenie covers both sides
@Bokhoring (Comment 7) :
I know but in a wet game with lots of possible knock-ons and lots of forward play it might not have been a bad idea.
Right, that is almost as strong a team as he can pick with the players he has available. Not too sure about Meisiekind because i would have had an extra forward on the bench with all the utility value Lambie and Pienaar offer. Duane Vermuelen and Schalk Burger would be in the mix if fit, as would Jaco Taute at 15 i think.
@wpw (Comment 3) : Meyer did that just to spite all the JDJ fanboy groupies out there…
Good squad. Very happy for Coetzee. He definitely deserves it. Laso glad for Keegs for getting the nod. Now lets go and moer them poms!
Good to see keegan in the mix..but làmbie should be 15..oh well
Gooo bookkkeeeee!!!!
@Culling Song (Comment 10) : 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 8) : Another full front row has its merits
@Bokhoring (Comment 7) : And the bar
awesome side, even with Zane at 15… these guys will do us proud.
GO BOKKE!
@Die Kriek (Comment 15) : I wonder if the Poms will know what “Ek p.. jou dood” means 😛
Don`t know what I was thinking. Should`ve expected Zane.
But still a good side.
I count 8 Sharks (6 starting) in the squad, 7 Bulls (5 starting), 3 Stormers (all starting), 2 Cheetahs (benched) and 2 ex-Sharks (1 starting, 1 benched)
Seems HM is wearing black-and-white tinted shades if you ask me 😉
@vanmartin (Comment 19) : Although I guess Frans could be counted as a Shark again as well.
@MysticShark (Comment 1) : OK, once again congrats to the 3 debutants but especially congrats to Marcel, very chuffed for him and his family and for those that backed him to take the step up.
@vanmartin (Comment 19) : ex-Shark starting who? 😳
Oh okai you have already answered it 🙂
How can Krusty be justified in starting ahead of Lambie??
@lostfish (Comment 24) : The only thing Krusty has on Lambie is speed
@Bokhoring (Comment 17) : There are enough Saffa’s in the team.
My immediate though on the side was what has Zane Kirchner done to deserve his spot. I thought he was lucky. Anyway looking for krugers lineout stats and I noticed the following:
Zane Kirchner S15 Stats …
Most Turnovers – Third with 29
Most Try Assists – Second with 8
Most LineBreak Assists – 5th
Shows how easy it is to ignore a players stats… I was shocked.
@byron (Comment 27) :
The turnover stat is turnovers conceded, but I agree the other stats look good.
@Pokkel (Comment 28) : The thing is they often credit the guy who does the last pass in a backline move with a try assist
@lostfish (Comment 26) : This comment deserves more love
I read that the backline couch for the boks said Lambie’s best position is flyhalf,that might be the reason he’s on the bench
I think we need to cut Sideshow Bob some slack… he’s performed well in Super Rugby this season and with not other obvious fullback candidates (besides Lambie) deserves to be there.
My view, as always, is that Lambie lacks the pace to be a genuine international fullback of the highest order, but is already an international quality flyhalf. I have no problem with him being understudy to Morne Steyn at flyhalf until he manages to prove that he’s good enough to be starting.
@robdylan (Comment 32) : I hope he does get a decent run on Saturday.
@robdylan (Comment 32) : Your thoughts on Joe Pietersen?
@byron (Comment 27) : @Pokkel (Comment 28) :
I think people are overreacting and should bear in mind the kind of game Heyneke wants to play.
He prefers a solid fullback much in the same mould as Johan Roets!
@juba_fan (Comment 31) : I believe it’s exactly the reason Pat is on the bench.
Let’s be fair, he’s played fullback 3 times this season… twice he was very good and once he was shockingly bad.
@robdylan (Comment 32) :
I agree. As much as I don’t like Krusty I actually found myself defending him on this site earlier in the week.
From a neutrals perspective he’s the obvious choice. He has played well at 15 all season while Lambie has had 2 games at 15 of which 1 wasn’t great. He also understands Morne Steyn and Hougaard and will fit well with Meyer’s kicking game.
@wpw (Comment 35) : You mean solid and dependable but doesn’t really have anything more than that and not quite good enough to be a Bok but all the talented players are injured.
So we can assume the reason for Pat at 15 for the Sharks games was not a request from HM, but purely a decision from Plum to accommodate Fred at 10?
I can only hope that HM sees more in Pat as just versatile cover from the bench. 😡
I would’ve had Mvovo instead of Timotei on the bench, quite happy with the rest of the team
@Bokhoring (Comment 39) : Not according to Shaz if I remember correctly. She asked if no-one caught onto the fact that there’s a BOK tour coming up when people questioned why he was selected 15. Seems though, she might have been wrong.
I am happy with this team, and I am superstoked for my shark-son Marcell and even so for Daniel-son!
The selection of Sideshow Bob at fullback is a freaking joke! HM says he wants players who know each other playing together. That might be fine for other areas, but when last did Habana, Sideshow and JP play together? At least a year or more ago (if even together as a combination). Lambie, Habana and JP were the back trio at the RWC last year – you don’t get more “togetherness” in a combination from different unions.
Well, us Sharks fans (read knowledgeable Sharks supporters 😉 ) have been crying about how Lambie is the best FH to ever grace a rugby field….
….then I guess we shouldn’t complain that he has been selected as FH cover. I’m guessing Ruan is FB and SH cover, or Frans as FB cover with (oh dreaded) Timotei as Inside Centre cover.
@Bokhoring (Comment 39) : I also thought that it might have been a request from HM, but alas, it seems it was our coach selling us out to the wolves 🙂
@lostfish (Comment 38) :
I think you’re being biased. 😉
To put this into perspective, Zane Kirchner is not that much different to Stefan Terblanche at 15.
They are both solid dependable fullbacks.
I can’t ever recall you or many SW bloggers complaining about Stefan at fullback.
In fact, quite a few were punting him for the Bok jersey when he had a decent CC in 2008.
See where I’m going with this??
@wpw (Comment 46) : Zane has shown himself to be a capable fullback but whenever he is raised to the International stage, he has failed.
If I had a choice of fullbacks (excluding Lambie) – I’d take any of Joe Peterson, Hennie Danniller, Riaan Viljoen, Louis Ludik, Jaco Taute, Andries Coetzee – before him.
He might be solid but he doesn’t contribute anything else.
@Butchie34 (Comment 47) :
:sigh:
Have you watched him play this year??
He has been quite good.
Interesting that Bismarck is vice captain. Does this mean that Meyer doesn’t see Spies as a automatic selection at 8 and that he might be playing on borrowed time?
@wpw (Comment 48) :
:sigh:
I have. He has been quite good, but quite good just doesn’t quite cut it at international level.
HM is never going to please everyone. I’ll support the Boks, even if some of the decisions are mental-asylum-time-for-a-lobotomy insane. Hell, we already have 4 years of PDivvy behind us.
Ok, I’m always not happy if Lambi is not in the starting 15, but if he is considered more a 10 by HM that I’m stoked as he will lift Steyn soon…
Other wise, the team I choice straight after the squad announcement…
I’m happy….
@Pokkel (Comment 49) :
Earlier this season Heyneke mentioned his preferance for Duane Vermeulen to start for the Boks.
Not sure if it would have been at 7 or 8 but considering Burger would probably have started, I think Duane would have been at 8.
@Pokkel (Comment 49) : If Keegan steps up on Saturday from the bench, he’ll be a shoe-in for the second test.
If Keegan was the same size as Pierre Spies, with his (Keegan’s) current playing ability and style, he would’ve started on Saturday.
@Butchie34 (Comment 50) :
Well, if that’s the case then Kankowski should never be allowed near a Bok team again. 🙄
@wpw (Comment 54) : I concur 🙄
I’m so happy for Keegan….
@FireTheLooser (Comment 53) : Don’t think Keegan got left out of the starting 15 because of his size, but more to keep the combination of 8-9-10 together. I have a feeling that the team might look much more different by the time the Championship kicks off.
@Butchie34 (Comment 55) :
😯
Alrighty then!! 😕
@wpw (Comment 54) : @Butchie34 (Comment 55) : Kanko, Spies, Kirchner, Timotei and Juan de Jongh have not yet demonstrated the ability to make the step up to test level and would not, in my eyes, be long-term Bok squad members.
@Culling Song (Comment 59) :
Spies is already the most capped 8 for the Boks ever….I think I’m going to be sick!
7 Sharks in the starting line up and 2 on the bench.
Bulls are 5 and 2.
Stormers are 3 and 0.
Cheetahs are 0 and 2.
Overseas based 0 and 1.
Lions are 0 and 0.
Somebody bitch about that.
@King Shark (Comment 61) : I smell a conspiracy..Maybe Heyneke is a closet Sharks supporter! 😈
@King Shark (Comment 61) : Should have been 8 Sharks 😈
Congrats guys! Hoping that they have managed to gel quickly so we can klap the poms.
Frans, Lambie and Pienaar in the same team – HAPPY DAYS!
Go Bokke!
@wpw (Comment 48) : Bank all the anti Krusty posts for the day that Mallet is demanded to be instated as Sharks coach, because he backs Kirchner above Patrick in this side.
@Pokkel (Comment 60) : WTF!?
@King Shark (Comment 61) : Says a lot for the structures at the Sharks, from recruitment to coaching.
@Culling Song (Comment 59) : Hear, hear.
The fact that Kanko can’t even stay in the Sharks Superugby side says a lot as well.
@Viking (Comment 62) : It just be that he has selected a lot of Sharks because we’re playing at home. He’ll probably select all his Stormers when they play in Cape Town… wait, he already has 😆
@Salmonoid (Comment 67) : Imagine how well we’d play if we actually decided to play properly!! That would be nice to see, going to Ellis Park and playing rugby instead of just expecting 5 points to be given to us 👿 Saturday is still eating away at me.
But agree with you, it says a lot about the talent we have in the Sharks. If only it was utilised properly.
@Culling Song (Comment 66) :
Just checked with the wife…..you’re invited for the rugby on Saturday with the wife and 2 kids.
😀
@Butchie34 (Comment 68) : Like!
@Pokkel (Comment 69) : good to see who wears the pants in YOUR house! Woman Liberated!! 😈
@wpw (Comment 46) : perhaps I am a little biased but there are better fullbacks than him. I see where you are going. I wouldn’t have selected Terblanche after his fabulous season as he wasn’t the best but he did a damn good job for the Sharks.
@Ice (Comment 71) : It’s like this saying “Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other is the husband”
@lostfish (Comment 73) : 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 69) :
Just being polite.
Kruger and Kurchner are 2 lucky buggers. I rate Krugers lineout skill-butt that’s where is stops…same gerrie brits type of loose player…Albert van der Berg at least was 10 times as active in the tight exchange…This Kryger is a big big Baby!!! My team would have had(lambie 10) and Aplon 15…and if bekker was fit…
@vanmartin (Comment 19) : Eish , uhmmmm just so you know?? only Pienaar is an ex Sharks player, Frans has signed on the dotted line and is a Shark 😉
So 9 Sharks in the team and 1 X Sharkie, who should come back anyhows
@sharks_lover (Comment 77) : pity he sighed a new deal, if he was playing now the Sharks would have been unstoppable…
@Ice (Comment 71) : his just making sure there’s gona be someone to clean afterwards 😉
Congratulations to Marcel, Juandre and Coenie!
A good side this! Yeah, Pat is a better 15 than Kirchner, but Pat offers more off the bench, and hasn’t played much at 15.
Olivier selection makes selection from the perspective of covering both 12 and 13, but we lack any wing cover, given that the other outside backs (JDV and Kichner) aren’t quick enough for wing. So perhaps better to have had Mvovo on the bench.
@Bokhoring (Comment 7) : Didn’t you mean to say that Coenie gets penalized on both sides of the scrum?
😛 😈
@Dancing Bear (Comment 81) : Coenie is still a p&*s from any angle 🙂
@Big Fish (Comment 80) : JdV is plenty quick still imo. Obviously not as fast as the likes of Mvovo but he’s still fast enough.
@robdylan (Comment 82) : like
Well done Marcell!!! Proud Portie!
@Ben (Comment 83) :
Based on what? He’s 32 now, with tons of injuries. I haven’t seen him in a straight run in about 4 seasons.
@Big Fish (Comment 86) : That is what worries me about him being captain.
@sharks_lover (Comment 77) : Read comment #20 😉
@Franshark (Comment 78) : At least we would have a decent scrumhalf on the books.
@Big Fish (Comment 86) : Based on what I’ve seen from him this year in SR. He surprised me. Against the likes of NZ he won’t work on wing but he’ll be fine on the wing against England if he’s needed there.
@Ben (Comment 90) : He is slower than Odwa. England has some very fast wings. They would run circles around him.
@lostfish (Comment 91) : Bull. Let’s just wait and see. You really think Heyneke will select him at 13 if he was that slow?
@Big Fish (Comment 80) : Oh yeah and aren’t you forgetting Hougaard? Could easily slot in on the wing.
@Ben (Comment 93) : Of course! You are right.
I’m not saying JDV is slow – I’m just saying he’s not quick enough for an international wing anymore.
@Ben (Comment 92) : I was exaggerating a bit there 😉 but like Big Fish says, he is not quick enough for an international wing.
@lostfish:
He is actually quick enough.
The Stormers were tested earlier this season and Jean was 2nd quickest over 40m. Habana was 1st, followed by JDV who was surprisingly quicker than Aplon.
The stats can be found in February edition of the Stormers magazine.
I have never seen Jean struggle for pace or being caught by an opposition wing over all these years. He is deceptively quick!
As for playing him on the wing, I’d much rather prefer the likes of Mvovo or Basson tbh.
@wpw (Comment 96) : That is interesting, I didn’t realise that. I am surprised he is quicker than Aplon. I will stop bashing JdV for the wing but would prefer someone else on the wing as he is so much more threatening in the midfield.
@Big Fish (Comment 94) : @lostfish (Comment 97) : Also prefer him in the midfield but like I said, wing would not be a problem for him if need be.
Feel a lot better about this starting-22 then I do about the squad as a whole.
Considering Heyneke’s game plan though, I’d have taken Basson on the bench ahead of Wynand Olivier, who adds what exactly?!
Nice to see the only debutants are the ones who really deserve it. No doubt Heyneke is looking forward to handing out some debuts to the Bully-boys once we wrap up the series though.
@Ben (Comment 98) : It could be that every time I have seen him on the wing he hasn’t done much and hasn’t been very effective.
This is going to be an epic battle between North & South, I feel it is a good team that is running out on Sat youth and experience, power and agility, strength and speed. I do feel Kirchner (Not that I feel he deserves to be there) should be given the chance to prove us wrong, and yes before you say he has had his chance, lets give HM the benefit of the doubt maybe he see’s something we don’t and if he does under perform than Super Lam can come in and command the Full back position. But for the love of all that is Holy please leave Wynand “I’m a barbie girl” Olivier on the bench he makes a better waterboy than centre !!!!
@lostfish (Comment 100) :
I was actually wondering if that was it. 😉
@wpw (Comment 102) : Nail on the head 😉