JayStarr says...

@ Carpelone: I beg to differ - Bryan was really poor the last two seasons, but he was one of the Stormers' best players this season. Just like Aplon he didn't get much ball and had to go looking for it (or got it along with 5 defenders), but the few touches he had in the games were usually very good - and he scored quite a few tries that were outstanding.

I agree that Francois and JdV don't make a well-balanced centre pairing... but I wouldn't pick JP there for tests - we need a strong 14. However, JdV is the captain and he must play - and he did very well at 13 against England. What I would really like to see though is Juan de Jongh playing outside Francois at some stage... especially since Francois is starting to look for the offload in the tackle. Since he draws at least two defenders and almost always gets over the advantage line I think a skillful stepper with good acceleration (such as De Jongh, Ebersohn or even Paul Jordaan) would do really well outside him, waiting for the pop pass and the gap. JP at 14 would then provide extra physicality if needed - and with the form he's in at the moment would also serve to draw another defender or two and create space for an elusive 13.

However, if Johan Goosen (hopefully) gets his chance at 10, he should have a mobile 12 who can keep up with him and exploit the opportunities he creates...

Personally I think we should start our games with Vermeulen at 8, Pienaar at 9, Lambie at 10, F Steyn at 12, JdV at 13 - then in the last 30 or 20 bring on Keegan/Kanko at 8, Hougaard at 9, Goosen at 10, JdJ at 12, with JdV remaining at 13. After the first lot has worn out the opposition and lulled them into one style of playing, the second lot brings a heaps of skill, pace and creativity - and a completely different approach, which would be difficult for opposition to adapt to at that stage.

@ APV1: Lol... yeah right

Posted 16:52 07th August 2012

Bones7 says...

I don't understand how Spies can carry on being selected. He has had absolutely no worthwhile contribution to the Bulls this year on the field and he's now potentially the softest back row player in the whole of South Africa. He is now potentially one of the worst regular 8s in Super Rugby as well I would say. I would love to see stats for his tackle count and rucking for this season, providing they don't count leaning on someone in the ruck and Juandre Kruger is going along a similar path unfortunately. I remember when a Springbok back row player would be amongst the toughest guys in world rugby, now you've got an oversized fitness model who is scared of contact.

Posted 12:33 06th August 2012

Carpelone says...

Agree with you Jaystarr, especially about Hougaard. Pienaar / MacLeod are better than him.

I am sorry about Habana, but he is not at Bok's level anymore.

Frans/JdV do not go well together, I will pick one of them and pair him with JPP or JdJ. If you pick JdV, then Frans can play fullback. I would play Hougaard on the wing in place of Habana. The back row is a concern, with Big Jim Spies and no Kankosky/Vermeulen.

I feel that this is the right time to get rid of some old farts, the SR just shown how many talents SA's rugby is producing (Jordaan just to pick one).

Posted 17:05 05th August 2012

ben7 says...

1. beast 2. bismarck 3.jannie 4. etzebeth 5. bekker 6. coetzee 7. alberts 8. daniel 9.hougaard 10. lambie 11.habana 12. f steyn 13. jdv 14. jpp 15. kirchner.... (unfortunately hes the only other specialist 15 there!....)

Should be....

1 beast 2 bismarck 3 coenie 4 etzebeth 5 bekker 6 coetzee 7 alberts 8 burger/brussow (but at 6) 9 hougaard 10 goosen 11 habana 12 frans steyn 13. jdv/fourie/jdj 14 jpp 15 lambie

Posted 12:22 05th August 2012

benski says...

Unavoidable you mean?

Posted 11:23 05th August 2012

wallabychamp says...

no Kanko? shake ur head Meyer

Posted 03:56 05th August 2012

duttydog says...

No JDJ ??? Your coach is a muppet. Duwanage deserves a shot also

Posted 23:52 04th August 2012

suntzu says...

@ philipjfry: love your sense of humor, indeed some days it's a pain but some days you have return on investment, unfortunately these last years it's been more often the first case scenario...

@ Bones: I think Taute will be an interesting option indeed, you can chuck Lambie into the mix and you've got a couple of more than decent options at 15. Once Goosen will be fit again we'll have a better idea of whether he's capable of making the step up to best rugby but for the moment he looks like one of the best options we have as Morn?teyn has proven this season that when he doesn't have his kicking boots on (which has been happening more often recently) he's of no use at all...

Posted 20:34 04th August 2012

philipjfry says...

Supporting the Springboks is comparable to paying tax.

Posted 18:05 04th August 2012