Injury worry: Frans Steyn
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Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer was left to sweat over his team selection on Monday for Saturday's crucial Rugby Championship match against Australia at Loftus Versfeld with a number of players nursing injuries.
The greatest concern for the Springbok mentor on Monday was an ankle injury inside centre Frans Steyn sustained in the morning session.
Steyn was seen walking on crutches to keep the weight off the ankle he injured five minutes into training.
The team enjoyed a week's rest after their 21-11 loss to the All Blacks in New Zealand a fortnight ago but Meyer did not have a full squad at his disposal on Monday.
"I thought after a week off we could have a hard training session with all 30 players," said Meyer.
"There were a few attacking things we wanted to put in, but there are a few injuries, a few from the Currie Cup and one or two from this morning's training session."
Team doctor Craig Roberts said he had a busy day with some of the injuries he had to deal with.
"Coenie (Oosthuizen) has general stiffness which was expected after having not played for a while, Jacques Potgieter has a mild groin strain, which kept him out of training and Lwazi (Mvovo) has a tight hamstring," said Roberts.
"In terms of the guys who played overseas, two players are still struggling, Flip van der Merwe has a mild calf strain, so he didn't train and Johan Goosen has a bruised heel, so we've managed him too."
The Boks will be back in action on home soil for the first time since they beat Argentina 27-6 in Cape Town on August 18.
They have since been jet setting between South America, Australasia and South Africa with a draw and two losses to show for their efforts.
"There were three tough games away from home and we were the only team to play three away from home," he said.
"But the team is much more relaxed and we had a great day, so hopefully we play good rugby on Saturday."
The national side has been under severe public pressure with Bok fly-half Morné Steyn bearing the brunt of criticism for his drop in form. This Bok side showed some promise against the All Blacks but ill-discipline and poor goal kicking finally cost them the match.
Meyer, however, said he remained optimistic about the team's progress and believed they would soon play to their full potential.
"I have a good feeling about this team," Meyer said.
"We went through the videos this morning and we were ahead in territory and possession and kicked seven kicks less than the All Blacks.
"So our last game was great, we just didn't win it...I am confident we will play well on Saturday."
The call to replace Steyn with promising Cheetahs fly-half Johan Goosen or Lions pivot Elton Jantjies has grown in recent weeks but Meyer remained tight lipped on whether he would drop the incumbent Bok fly-half.
"There has been a lot of criticism about him, but we are still working with a human being and if you think you are going to throw a guy out and he is going to come back stronger, it won't work," he said.
"So it is great to have him in the group, especially since Johan Goosen is not 100 percent fit.
"I can already see that he is himself again being back at home."
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
Drop them all and bring on the Emerging Boks. Build for 2015. Bismark and Frans are the only 2015 certainties if fit so drop the lot. They are spent.
Posted 13:42 25th September 2012
zambokke says...
If Morne is only ever going to get his mojo back, its at Loftus. I would give him 40 mins and see how he goes - it could be a pleasant surprise. If not, still have 40 mins for Goosen, Lambie or Jantjies. If Frans steyn is ever going to kick 50+meter penalties then Loftus is a great place to doo it - thin air.
Posted 09:48 25th September 2012
jonesy2 says...
haha i laughed at meyers rational. "we're still working with a human being". so no professional athlete can ever be dropped or sacked unless they are not human? interesting
Posted 08:34 25th September 2012
sandal says...
"""... our last game was great, we just didn't win it."""
Sounds like a lot of Springbok coaches of the proffesional era. He's getting the hang of it.
Posted 02:02 25th September 2012
philipjfry says...
Blessing in disguise? JDV to inside center and Juan de Jongh in at 13? Springboks 62 Australia 9? A man can dream. . . a man can dream.
Posted 22:40 24th September 2012
scot_rsa says...
Kicked seven kicks less than the ABs? What, successful goal kicks? Meaningless. That probably compares mindless first phase kicks to chips and grubbers. I've been trying to be positive about HM's intentions but the rhetoric about MSteyn here does not bode well. It is one thing to be sterile on attack but to be clearly out of goalkicking form and still picked beggars belief. Goosen had tiger in him in NZ and was a joy to watch. Come on HM, please don't do what I'm starting to think you'll do.
Posted 20:45 24th September 2012
melkdave says...
Well all i can say is its a shame its F.Styen and not JdV,if it was JdV i suppose most bokke fans would be cheering.As his been completly out of form and off the pace all RC so far,and it would allow J.deJonghe to play withF. Styen which is what most want.As it is he will be with JdV whos running sideways atm,and not making exploitable holes
Posted 20:17 24th September 2012
SACanuck says...
10 and 15 will not change as this is Loftus, their home ground. Jantjies is only there to warm the bench like Lambie, with Goosen having a sore heel!!!!!! Problem is who is going to show a 30 second streak for magic this week. Frans Steyn did it in South America and Habana with the Wollibies, not much left!!!
Posted 20:13 24th September 2012