Malherbe: Flies to Boks' aid
Western Province prop Frans Malherbe has been called up to South Africa's squad in New Zealand as front-row cover ahead of Saturday's Test.
The 21-year-old Malherbe, who trained with the Springboks in June during the England series, effectively replaces the suspended Eben Etzebeth in the squad.
"Frans' call-up is purely precautionary as our two tighthead props on tour are struggling with injuries," said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
"Neither Jannie (du Plessis) nor Pat (Cilliers) trained with us on Tuesday, but we've decided to give them as much time as needed to regain their fitness.
"Frans has been with us before and he knows our calls and moves. He's still young and has a bright future ahead of him."
Comments
themyth says...
Come on SARU sort out the politics behind Brian Mujati non selection the block is the most feared tighthead prop in the North let's face it at club level the guy has relegated the British number one tighthead to the bench wat more do you want
Posted 13:59 29th October 2012
volbrechtt says...
The overlooking of Mujati definitely requires explanation.
Posted 00:25 12th September 2012
jackblack says...
I also don't know why Mujati isn't being considered. He's donned the green n gold before and formed a powerful combo with the Beast... Come on HM - get your head out of your posterior!!!
Posted 18:45 11th September 2012
leebok says...
NZ 43 - 3 SA, and the 3 coming from Frans Steyn 50m pen.
Posted 17:19 11th September 2012
JayStarr says...
WHAT...!? I keep hearing what a future prospect he is, but all I have seen from him in the scrums, on the odd occassion where he doesn't collapse, is him going backwards or giving away a penalty! And I am a Stormers fan!
This is a shocking selection.
Posted 15:36 11th September 2012
GCP_jones says...
Has Mr Meyer not heard of Brian Mujati?,can any springbok fan explain his omission from the squad. he is part of the best front-row in European rugby and whatever else you can say about the Aviva, the scrum is its cornerstone.
And any time I have watched him play he's excellent around the park.
Posted 14:34 11th September 2012
rugbyphile says...
20 points minimum will be the difference--at least 9 from scrum penalties
Posted 13:40 11th September 2012
Bones7 says...
Frans Malherbe?! Not an awful player but surely not the best prop available my a long way. What about Kitschoff?
Posted 12:53 11th September 2012
BananaBok says...
Agreed about JdP and Beast being overrated, and the problem is that our talent pool continues to shrink.
The reality is that until South Africa as a country can resolve the massive and fundamental issues facing it (growing crime, poverty, corruption, unemployment, unhappyness amongst the population), which would take decades, if ever, then any player who can ply their trade in a safer, more settled country will tend to do so.
The state of rugby really does reflect the state of the country, a professional sports person will be unlikely to hang around somewhere that is the murder capital of the world when other opportunities present themselves. Just like any professional, if you feel a country is going down hill you'll leave if someone comes along and offers something really good elsewhere.
NZ and Australia dont have that challenge facing them, they have settled governments, and significantly lower levels of crime and corruption, and economies that can support a higher level of pay for professional sports people, so their talented players have more reason to stay put. I fear that rugby in SA is going to face massive challengers far out of scope of what it represents as a sport, and given the challenges of what is essentially a 3rd world country trying to break into the first world, I suppose we can be proud of what the Boks have managed to achieve, but going forward their contribution will be more and more blunted.
Maybe the Boks management should completely do away with the overseas players restrictions, and accept that the best professionals from a country like SA are likely to end up overseas, so just select players from anywhere in any number.
Posted 12:16 11th September 2012
melkdave says...
Personnally i think the Beast and JdP are past their best anyway. I can't remember the last time they got the edge in a scrum, or did anything worthwhile in the loose. Both have always been overated imo, and the sad thing is there are much better props for SA playing in Europe. Another bad day at the office for them I expect this weekend, as they got stuffed by the Wallabies, and the ABs stuffed them younger props need to be brought though in a hurry imo, or SA will really start to suffer. As if they aren't already.
Posted 11:06 11th September 2012
BananaBok says...
The Boks are in real trouble, even without numerous injury concerns they were in for a beating against NZ, but now, maybe an all time worst defeat!!
Without their front row, nor locks, at full strength, it's going to be a long day for the Bok backline who will be constantly defending sweeping NZ attacks. Ill probably record the game and fast forward through it, less painful that way.
Im going to write this Championship off as a learning experience for the Boks, I just hope HM has the good sense to actually learn from it.
Posted 10:32 11th September 2012