South Africa

JayStarr says...

Fact:

Wynand Olivier: 36 games for the Springboks, 1 try.

Juan de Jongh: 10 games for the Springboks, 4 tries.

Does "taking your opportunities" count for nothing anymore these days?

Posted 15:44 20th June 2012

pikes says...

Its just unbeleiveable he is prefered ahead of Juan de Jongh...JdJ tackles better , attack better and has a better vision on the pitch then Olivier...but yes reality sets in again HM boerebond has to continue....

Posted 08:37 20th June 2012

harkling says...

The lack of reason on this topic staggering. In 2009 Olivier was in the team on merit, based on the Bull's performance in Super Rugby. He didn't perform then, and his subsequent form hasn't reached the same levels since. But Meyer was his coach then, and he obviously rates Olivier. So Olivier gets another chance - it happens all the time, so get over it!

I agree that Olivier should not be in the team - in fact, I didn't even think that Francois Steyn should have been in the team. But Steyn played extremely well, and his game obviously suits Meyer's plan. Maybe the same will prove to be true for Olivier. Of course, Juan de Jongh does appear to be the loser in all this, but then again, he hasn't been scoring truck-loads of tries for the Stormers recently - so maybe he's paying the price for their defence-oriented game-plan.

As for you @objective, the one thing Olivier does possess is a side-step. He also plays well off Morne Steyn - especially when it comes to running an inside line. Olivier does have weaknesses, but sidestepping is not one of them.

Posted 08:10 20th June 2012

philipjfry says...

@marko72: Well . . . you're wrong.

Posted 22:49 19th June 2012

Ripzy007 says...

This is harsh from the Bok supporters...but I doubt any is good enough to play like Olivier on this forum...he's played test rugby, may not be the best available centre in 'your eyes' but he is still a bok player and all oppositions take that seriously...so from the opposing perspective, I say he is better that any the English can come up at the moment...

Posted 21:49 19th June 2012

JayStarr says...

@ marko72: You haven't had years of him being forced down your throat.

This is on par with PdV insisting on playing Ricky Januarie... No, even Ricky Januarie was better... Earl Rose.

Posted 20:33 19th June 2012

Riaan26 says...

I think I can safely speak for every South African rugby fan by asking what on earth is Wynand Olivier doing in the Springbok team? He DOES NOT belong in a Springbok Jersey! I'm not convinced by Heyneke Meyer's poor reasoning as to why Olivier should be in the side, instead of Juan de Jongh. Bad, bad choice.

Posted 17:12 19th June 2012

daibok says...

Has de Jongh broken both legs? Are Aplon or Mvovo not available so Habana or Peterson can switch to centre?

I only hope Olivier proves me wrong.

Posted 16:25 19th June 2012

JayStarr says...

The only reason you're there is because your old buddy is coach... because it's definitely not on form.

I'm almost hoping that he does badly on Saturday, because if he now has one good game, you know what's going to happen - he's going to become another Morné Steyn. Steyn played well in the B&I Lions series in 2009 - and now we're still stuck with him!

Posted 15:18 19th June 2012

Saffastormer says...

VOMIT !!!

Posted 15:00 19th June 2012