If the Springbok practice sessions are anything to go by, then rugby enthusiasts around the country will be sighing in unison, as Pat Lambie has been seen running in the flyhalf channel.
Last week, coach Heyneke Meyer hinted that Lambie would get some game time at flyhalf during this tour in order to prove himself as a flyhalf contender ahead of the World Cup, to be held in London in 2015. Lambie will then in all likelihood start ahead of both Elton Jantjies and Morne Steyn.
In more good news for supporters of the running game, Juan de Jongh was seen running at outside centre while Jean de Villiers was training on another field, due to him still getting back to full fitness. De Villiers and Francois Louw were seen training on their own and only de Villiers seems to be in line for a start against the Irish, while Marcell Coetze is likely to replace Louw in the run on team.
Meyer is expected to announce his team to face Ireland tomorrow.
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Sorry, I cant get excited about Lambie playing at 10. It means Kirchner is still at 15 then. Lambie is the best 10 and 15 we have but I would rather have Jaantjies at 10 than Kirchner in the side, if you know what I mean? Can we not clone Pat?
@Amateur (Comment 1) :
PAT IS NOT A FULLBACK!!! 😈
repeat 1000 times!
@Amateur (Comment 1) : Taute at 15.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 3) :
I would actually prefer to see Frans Steyn at fullback when he returns. I still believe it’s his best position. I would like more creative centres.
@Amateur (Comment 1) : When last did a Bok fullback dazzle us with breathtaking runs? Probably Andre Joubert. Bok fullbacks are supposed to catch the ball, kick it far and tackle. If they join the line on attack, that is a bonus.
I personally don’t think Kirchner is so bad – he is no Dagg, but he does fit into the Bok way of playing.
@Amateur (Comment 1) :
I reckon Krusty has come in for too much criticism lately. I would prefer Krusty at 15 in the NH rather than Taute. I’m not convinced about Taute is a Bok yet.
Having Morne at 10 kicking poor up and unders all day – having no clue what else to do – that really annoys me
@Amateur (Comment 1) : lambie is the best 10 and 15…SUPERPAT
Taute would be a good bench player because he’s played all position in the backline except 9 and 10.
@Megatron (Comment 8) :
I’m still waiting for your ‘Fantasy Bok 15’!
I know this is lame but with all players fit and available this would be my dream Bok 15.
15. Fransie
14. JPP
13. Jaque Fourie
12. Whitehead( any other suggestions?)
11. Habana (he’s back to his best)
10. Pat
9. Fourie du Preez(if he is at his best. I have no idea of his form at the moment)
8. Duanne
7. Alberts
6. Brussow
5. Bekker
4. Bakkies
3. Jannie
2. Bissie
1. Guthro
@Pokkel (Comment 11) : Swap Etzebeth for Bekker and I would agree. Although I do like Fransie at 12 too.
@Pokkel (Comment 11) :
Most interesting selection is at loosehead.. Guthro?
Otherwise, I like the balance of the loosies specially, and I agree with Frans at fullback.
We really do have a limited amount of 12’s to select from, perhaps get Juan de Jongh in there?
@Pokkel (Comment 11) :
The position I’m uncertain about in this team would be 5, 9, 12 and perhaps 8.
I don’t think we have yet got the quality locks to replace Matfield and Bekker.
Kanko could still be a better bet than Duanne if he plays like he did towards the end of the S15.
Not sure Fourie du Preez still has the hunger left to play for the Boks.
JdV has had his time and we need a successor at 12. I’m not crazy about the idea of JdJ as a 12. Suggestions?
@Bokhoring (Comment 12) :
I agree if Etzebeth can become a 5 then that would be a mean combo with Bakkies.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 13) :
I have no idea of how well Guthro is doing in France but he was brilliant in 2009/10. Beast looks a bit to complacent at the moment.
@Pokkel (Comment 15) :
I agree about Beast looking off form, personally, I would go for Coenie back at loosehead (if he can keep his discipline in order)
I like the look of Juandre Kruger as a long term 5 lock, and Pienaar looks to have settled in the nine jersey.
No idea what we are going to do at 12, to be honest. If Taute or Ludik can really shine at fullback, and show they have Frans’ temperament at the back, I would back Frans for 12.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 16) :
I suppose we have enough fullback cover so Fransie at 12 would be the obvious solution. He just needs to stop bashing and start thinking and offloading a bit more. I think the lack of offloads from the Boks have more to do with Heyneke than with the players. The guys are not even attempting to offload am I’m sure that is direct instruction from Meyer.
@Pokkel (Comment 17) :
Agree!
Frans had brilliant distribution from his days as a flyhalf, and we have not seen that from him since being the HM setup..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 18) :
Who then as fullback? I think Taute can do the job but I feel he needs to mature at bit first. Sometimes he look like ‘n afkop hoender’
@Pokkel (Comment 11) : I don’t think Du Preez will do Lambies game any good, Lambie wants a McLeod type scrumhalf who feeds quick ball to him, and doesn’t dictate play too much.
@Pokkel (Comment 17) : I think that’s mostly from coaches who sk him to do it as he is so big and strong. I hate it though as I think he can add allot more value all round instead of bashing up all the time.
@Pokkel (Comment 19) :
Taute will grow into the role at the Stormers – I am sure they will allow him to settle at fullback and leave the centres as JdV, JdJ and the magical JP du Plessis / Brache.
If not Taute, then Kirchner will have to do – at least he is solid.
@Pokkel (Comment 2) : Strange that he has played at international level at 15 but you say he is not a 15? You also say we have no locks yet that can replace Bakkies and Matfield? Etzebeth is the best thing that has happened to Bok rugby in a long time. Just saying. Vermeulen has also had a great season after not being rated. JDJ deserves the opportunity.
@Amateur (Comment 23) :
Pat can’t be in 2 places on the field at once and IMHO his talents are waisted at fullback.
Etzebeth will be huge for the Boks but he still has a way to go to be the enforcer that Bakkies was….but he’ll get there. I am concerned about a 5 lock. Not convinced about Kruger and Bekker is just injured too often.
I think JdJ deserves to play this weekend but if Jaque Fourie is available then there is no contest IMO.
I haven’t seen enough of JdJ at 12 to be certain that he is the solution there.
@Amateur (Comment 23) :
I just don’t want Lambie to have this dual role hanging over his head. It will do him no good for his future if he keeps switching and I believe he is a better 10.
I’m not saying he’s not a great 15 but he needs to settle in one position and stay there.
Rather then a dream XV I’ve got a few young players I hope can fill gaps.
Pieter-Steph du Toit being one of the more important ones. His general play, from what I have seen, is excellent. If the Sharks can get him in as their line-out general (as opposed to jumping at the front), we’ll be right back to having a helluva good second-row in the Springbok team.
Also we need to start rotating players during Super Rugby. Way too many injuries, and also good players not seeing any significant game-time at SR level to continue their development.
I’d love to see all Springboks being left at home during their SR sides overseas tours… these guys travel enough already.
@hendrikp (Comment 26) :
Unless the whole way players are contracted changes the resting of Boks will not happen. I hope that within the franshises players will be rotated more.
@Pokkel (Comment 27) :
Can only hope Rassie finds a way of convincing unions that it is the best way forward.
Can’t see the Bully-boys ever agreeing to anything like that though.
So if Pat was running at 10 and De Jong at 13…who was 12? Taute?
Many people may disagree but id play Taute at 12 and De Jong at 13. Leave Kirchner at the back. Yes he isnt going to set the world alight. But when you have Pieterson and Mvovo/Rhule on the wings Kirchner just needs to not stuff up basically. Catch,Kick and tackle. Done.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 16) : I am personally not that impressed with Pienaar at 9. He is certainly miles ahead of Hougie. I am not sure if he is playing to instructions, but he slows down the attack way too much.
Interesting discussion on the go. So… who should we consider as backup to Jannie du Plessis? The guy must be dead on his feet by now.
@vanmartin (Comment 31) :
I hope Coenie can make it as a tighthead. We are VERY thin in SA when it comes to quality TH’s
@vanmartin (Comment 31) : Surely someone has to be given a chance. Its crazy that they even taking Jannie on tour. Must be the most over played guy in SA rugby. I reckon give another guy or 2 a shot. If they fail then at least we know where we are at. and Panic doesnt set if if Jannie gets injured- which he will.
So it looks as if Lambie will play 10 Saturday, please tell me he’s not getting coached by same kicking coach as morné.
i can’t wait to see Lambie show Sexto what a real flyhalf plays like! Go Lambie
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 16) : @Megatron (Comment 35) : I would like to gooi a klip in die bos:’ JPP is the best Fullback in South Africa
And has been for a while. If JPP did not cross paths with old bok percy-and been forced to be our best wing….he would have been our best full back of maybe all time..Ps Juba is still my big Bok…but even now petersen could be a potent 15…
@BoerSeun (Comment 36) : problem with moving JPP to 15 is that it will leave a bokke and Sharks weak on the wing. There’s good 15’s in SA – back them and leave JPP on the wing. Pick players where they play week in and week out, do not move players around like musical chairs to find space for them just because “they are just to good to leave out”.
I am still pissed Ludik is not in the squad. What does he have to do to be called up? He was the form player in this years’ Currie Cup, the best full-back in SA rugby this year and fits the bill perfectly…
– He can catch a ball
– He can run at the line
– Kick far for clearance on defense
– Kick and chase his own up-and-unders successfully
Damn! Now I have to watch the game. HM & me anren’t really gelling. Decided not to watch Bok rugby again until HM goes except if he played SuperPat!!! There goes all my Saturday plans with the inlaws
@JD (Comment 37) : cory jane played week-in week-out at fullback and wayne smith turned him intl a formidable world class wing…andre taylor is a wing but you saw what he did at fullback for the canes. israel dagg made his debut for the all blacks as a wing & killed us both in wellington & soccer city in the year 2010.
we are so rigid in our thinking in this country no wonder our players often seek security in “structured” play instead of expressing themselves.
🙄
@BoerSeun (Comment 36) : brilliant idea actually…he’d be devastating next to a guy like rhule…whooooa.
I am not sure if people understand how much this new 5 second law is going to affect how we and other teams play? Not sure I agree with the law but it is going to speed everything up dramatically. Watch McCaw slow things down now. Going to be a mess. I hope I am wrong but I predict this law is going to have more of an affect than any other new law in the last couple of years. Not going to suit the Boks I am afraid.
@Amateur (Comment 43) : It may not suit Meyer… but it may end up suiting the Boks