Springbok final squad selection.

Tomorrow night after the Stormers vs Bulls derby in the super XV, Heyeneke Meyer will select his squad for the upcoming English tour. A few players outside of South Africa has been added to his initial squad of 42 already.

His original squad of 42 was:

Forwards (22):
Coenie Oosthuizen, Tendai Mtawarira, Dean Greyling, Jannie du Plessis, Pat Cilliers, Werner Kruger, Bismarck du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Flip van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth, Andries Bekker out, Juandré Kruger, Marcell Coetzee, CJ Stander, Heinrich Brüssow, Keegan Daniel, Willem Alberts, Jean Deysel, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski, Josh Strauss

Backs (20):
Francois Hougaard, Jano Vermaak, Piet van Zyl, Morné Steyn, Pat Lambie, Elton Jantjies, Peter Grant, Wynand Olivier, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Bjorn Basson, JP Pietersen, Gio Aplon, Lwazi Mvovo, Akona Ndungane, Zane Kirchner, Jaco Taute out, Joe Pietersen

Andries Bekker and Jaco Taute have both picked up injuries over the past week and are not available for selection.

Ruan Pienaar has been confirmed into the squad, with rumours but yet no confirmation of Fourie du Preez who is touted to be the Springbok skipper for the english tour.

I have not heard anything in regards to Frans steyn who will be available in SA as of today. The only news available is this.

Meyer, talking at the conclusion of the Springbok planning camp held in Durban on Sunday and Monday, said that while he has long-term plans for Steyn, he is not sure at this stage whether he will be selected for the first test or that he will be available.

“There are a few things that need to be sorted out but hopefully he will be ready to play,” said Meyer

The question now remains who will be in the springbok squad for the series, and I think it is important to realise due to the little time of preparation for the series it is likely that Meyer will look at the experienced players in his squad first, before thinking about expanding his thoughts to lesser experienced guys or new caps.

Experienced players in:

Props.
Tendai Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis
Hookers.
Bismarck du Plessis, Chilliboy Ralapelle.
Locks.
Flip v d Merwe
Backrow.
Heinrich Brussow, Willem Alberts, Pierre Spies.
Halfbacks.
Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez (C)
Midfield.
Wynand Olivier, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh.
Wings.
Bryan Habana, JP Pietersen, Gio Aplon, Bjorn Basson, Akona Ndungane.
Fullback.
Zane Kirchner.

Utility Backs.
Frans Steyn, Pat Lambie, Francois Hougaard.

Notes:

Immediate areas of weakness are lack of experienced players throughout the forward pack. Here Meyer will have little choice in adding a new look locking pair, back row and a bunch of newbies as back up to the front row. Of the squad of 42 the player that will be very unlucky indeed not to get in will be Adriaan Strauss who has been having a great season for the Cheetahs as there is no doubt Chiliboy ralapelle will be in the squad.

One area which Meyer will have to sort out very quickly is what position each of Frans Steyn, Pat Lambie and Francois Hougaard will specialise in, he is most likely going to use Hougaard on wing and halfback, Lambie will most likely be used primarily as a fullback and Frans Steyn as a midfielder or full back.

Concerns over some of the experienced players include, Zane Kirchner who has always promised big things in the Bok jumper but never delivered, and after having a good season for the Bulls, might once again be in the eye of Heyeneke Meyer, only to disappoint. Akona Ndungane is experienced and solid, I hope he doesn't get picked ahead of any of the other wings, our midfield scares the daylights out of me, if any of those players are selected in combination with Jean de Villiers who will be a shoo in as his experience will be vital on defence, we will not progress in any way, shape or form.

OK, we all know Meyer will select Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn at 9 and 10, so really not worth discussing anymore.

Back row could be devastating if Meyer picks the right combination of Marcell Coetzee and Willem Alberts who will be crucial, yet I think he will go the conservative route of Brussow, Spies and Alberts.

At lock there is little choice to pick Flip v d Merwe as Meyer wll want some experience, so because Kruger has been playing with him for the season, it will most likely be him.

If you want my opinion, I think Meyer's justification to pick experience is going to bite him in the back side, purely becuase of the young talent he is going to put on the bench or leave out.

The only +30 test experienced players I would definitely consider as part of this series are Beast, Bismarck, Jannie, Alberts, Morne Steyn, Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana, JP Pietersen and Jean de Villiers.

The only less than 30 test experienced players I would consider are Adriaan Strauss, Coenie Oosthuizen, Dean Greyling, Werner Kruger, Eben Etzebeth, Juandre Kruger, Marcell Coetzee, Jean Deysel, Josh Strauss, Francois Hougaard, Jano Vermaak, Pat Lambie, Juan de Jongh, Gio Aplon, Lwazi Mvovo and Joe Pietersen.

Under duress I would look at Pierre Spies, Heinrich Brussow, Ruan Pienaar and Zane Kirchner.

The more I read the news coming from the Springbok camp, the more convinced I am Heyeneke Meyer will for this test series, go for the tried and tested, even if they aren't the best players available.

Biltong
Somer really interesting selections to be made.
Having watched a bit of S15 this year Marcell Coetzee has really impressed me whilst Abertz has looked a bit lack lustre, although i believe his form has picked up recently. Coetzee from the bench?

I agree that Moryne looks nailed on as starting 10 but surely Meyer must find a strarting spot for Lambie? His ability to create scoring opportunities is outstanding and he displays great maturity for a young player.

Meyer also needs to consider a new tight head. The sharks scrum hasnt looked dominant in the games i have watched, surely there is a better option in this sqaud?

A mate of mine has been raving about young Eben Etzebeth, saying that his aggression in contact and his work rate are both outstanding.

England have a lot of really inexperienced international players in their sqaud and i too feel that this would be an ideal tour for Meyer to blood some fresh talent. But will he? I think if the Boks get a good win in the first test then he may feel freer to test the depth of this sqaud in the remaining test matches.

morning sensisball.

I beleive if Meyer wants the best out of Pierre Spies he needs to combine physical backrowers to allow Spies the space to run, so in my view Coetzee (who is having a brilliant season) and Willem Alberts ( who has played some very physical rugby in the last two weeks) is non negotiable.

Lock is a serious problem for us, I don't really rate Flip v d Merwe as he is neither an enforcer or a line out champion, so my vote would go for Juandre Kruger ( who by all account have very little topflight experience, only 13 super rugby caps, but is a line out machine) and Etzebeth (who is very, very physical) so we will have a very inexperienced lock combination, which leads me to beleive V D Merwe will play.

I think Meyer will play, Fourie du Preez at 9, Morne Steyn at 10, Jean de Villiers and hopefully Frans Steyn in midfield ( but I think he will play JdV at 12, which in my opinion is wrong)

I think he will play Lambie at 15.

Bekker will be a big loss. ENG have a good lineout, had Croft been fit I think SA could have struggled at this set piece. Flip and Kruger look like the obvious paring now but it certainly lacks the punch & class of Bakkies & Matfield. ENG will be looking to dominate here and will aim to put a lot of pressure on the boks own ball.

The backrow will probably be filled by 3 guys who are not really showing any great form i.e. Alberts, Brussow & Spies. All have been pretty much going through the motions, no stand outs.

I’d love to think Meyer would put a cat amongst the pigeons and put in Daniel in as openside. He may be playing No8 but he is an openside in reality, he is in good form and is a good leader. Brussow for me is just not playing well enough… he needs a kick up the backside to get him playing like he was doing in 09… SA need a hungry Brussow for the 4N… sometimes dropping a guy does him the world of good. Meyer has to look at the bigger picture… the 4N will be when his season is judged.

For the first time in a long time however I look at this bok side and think especially in the pack that they are beatable. Other than Bismaarck I don’t see any world class stars, no one to be weary of. The gap of Schalk leaves a big mark… its his intensity as much as his all action style which has epitomised the boks in the last decade.
This isn’t to say that the pack is weak, its just that next to previous teams its probably the weakest since 2002-3. In the past I think SA had won test matches even before the start of the game… you’d just look at the team sheet, see Bismaarck, Bakkies, Matfield, Schalk & Smith in the pack and think… we don’t stand a chance.

The strength will be in the backs this time around, where SA will look to dominate. Although with no Frans Steyn in the mix you’d wonder how things will work and it certainly weakens the midfield.

Will Meyer play the following lineup…

Du Preez, Morne, Habana, Maisiekind, De Villiers, Ndugane, Lambie

Looks very blou doesn’t it.

Perhaps he will play

Du Preez, Morne, Habana, Lambie, De Villiers, Ndugane, Joe Pietersen.

I think ENG would be very happy with both of those lineups. Its not saying that they will have the upper hand but with Frans out the side there are weakness which can be exploited.

The 10-12 channel will be there to exploit and neither Lambie nor Joe Pietersen are big guys or exceptionally quick. At least it gives ENG something to work with. With Steyn in the mix it changes everything and you’d sympathise with anyone trying to find ways to counter the side.

Du Preez himself is a gamble in itself. All coaches tend to have a loyalty weakness as in they trust certain players too much. Both SCW & Johnson placed too much faith in JW during the 05 Lions tour and RWC11 respectively, contrary to form of JW and the guys fighting for his place. It looks like Meyer may fall for the same trap.
Yes there is a leadership gulf but your captain has to be a player of strength first and foremost. Training cannot provide the intensity of test match rugby… the decision looks a bad call.

I don’t see ENG winning the series however and injuries will probably impact ENG more than SA although any key injury could sway the series either way.

Any injuries to Spies, De Villiers (no one else) or Lambie could become a nightmare for Meyer though.

I think Morne and Lambie will keep the scoreboard ticking over but it will be a close call. I’d say 5 points either way in all 3 tests. 2-1 to the boks by the skin of their teeth.

FA, baring in mind what we do know about Meyer's thoughts, I hope to hell he picks, Du Preez, M Steyn, F Steyn, JdV, Habana, JP and Lambie.

Otherwise I would be very worried.

have faith bokketeas The English will struggle on saffas soil. If we are to play the tried and tested kicking game for the first test then they wont have an answer to four powerful kickers .As for our lineout , Kruger and Eztbeth dont have the undeniable class of Bakkies and Victor , however what they lack in the lineout they more than make up for in the tight and loose. i cannot wait to see eztbeth let loose. my predicted lineuo

1.Beast
2.Bismarck
3.Jannie
4.Eztebeth
5.Kruger
6.Brussow
7.Alberts
8.Spies
9.Fourie
10.Steyn
11.Habana
12.Steyn (i'm hoping against hope that he's in )
13.JDV
14.JPP
15.Lambie

16.Adriaan (But this being Meyer ,Chilli is most likely)
17.Kruger,Greyling,(Not a clue)
18.Flip
19.Coeztee
20.Hougaard
21.Kirchner
22.De Jong /Pienaar

If Lambie is to be trialled at 10 at any stage , Kirchner will be shifting to fullback, Hougaard to replace Fourie and De Jongh to cover center most probably replacing Jean . Coeztee on for Alberts at some stage ,flip lock cover and Adriaan Strauss to get a run although i would prefer the abrasive Bissy for all 80min

Ok Biltong, ignoring what you heart is going to say about this series, and sticking to what your head is going to tell you, what are SA's chance in this series against Eng, with the new players coming into the side?

As a Welshman, i felt that England were an unknown force in this years 6N (new team and all), which is why they did as well as they did (who can plan a game against a team when you don't know what they'll be bringing to the table). Watching them against Wales, i felt they played to contain Wales untill the last 10 minute where things started to break up, which saw England play the game wide a bit more. They could have beaten Wales if they had adopted that wide game earlier. It wasn't untill the last two games where teams could identify where England could play and where they were at their weakest.

QuickBall wrote:Ok Biltong, ignoring what you heart is going to say about this series, and sticking to what your head is going to tell you, what are SA's chance in this series against Eng, with the new players coming into the side?

As a Welshman, i felt that England were an unknown force in this years 6N (new team and all), which is why they did as well as they did (who can plan a game against a team when you don't know what they'll be bringing to the table). Watching them against Wales, i felt they played to contain Wales untill the last 10 minute where things started to break up, which saw England play the game wide a bit more. They could have beaten Wales if they had adopted that wide game earlier. It wasn't untill the last two games where teams could identify where England could play and where they were at their weakest.

Boks to win convincingly all tests because new players are much better than the experienced oldies they replaced. One must not underestimate the impact of starting Bismarck for 80min instead of bringing him on at 50min,two new hungry locks, the younger of the two Eztbeth has been a dominant force in Super rugby this year, Quality of subsitutions and finally ,Heyneke Meyer not PDv coaching the team

Thats a brave prediction Bullsbok

I can't see the pack being stronger than PDV's previous with Steenkamp, Bakkies, Matfield & Burger all going to be missed.

Beast, Flip, Kruger and Alberts just ain't in the same league.

Bismaarck is great and all but he's not been flying.. just like Brussow & Jannie... the guys you want to be leading from the front just seem to be going through the motions to test selection because at the moment... there is no one challenging them either through lack of depth or injury.

I think its going to far more difficult than most in SA would admit. A good scare will do them the world of good though.. a 3 test series which goes down to the wire (as I reckon it will do, in SA's favour) will battle harden them much more than NZ will get from their 30 point drubbings they're likely to put on Ireland in their series in each match.

fa0019 wrote:Thats a brave prediction Bullsbok

I can't see the pack being stronger than PDV's previous with Steenkamp, Bakkies, Matfield & Burger all going to be missed.

Beast, Flip, Kruger and Alberts just ain't in the same league.

Bismaarck is great and all but he's not been flying.. just like Brussow & Jannie... the guys you want to be leading from the front just seem to be going through the motions to test selection because at the moment... there is no one challenging them either through lack of depth or injury.

I think its going to far more difficult than most in SA would admit. A good scare will do them the world of good though.. a 3 test series which goes down to the wire (as I reckon it will do, in SA's favour) will battle harden them much more than NZ will get from their 30 point drubbings they're likely to put on Ireland in their series in each match.

Bismarck has not been flying?Mate have you watched the last few rounds of SR?? Bismarck has been immense, i especially loved his one on one battle vs Adriaan Strauss who's also in top form. And last week the stormers had no answer to him. Brussow while not his usual self is getting steals and still makes the most tackles out of everyone. Bakkies hardly played last season so i dont see how we're going to miss him considering he was either injured or suspended , besides Eztebeth or Bakkies ?? Give me Eztebeth anyday.He;s younger less prone to injury and a much bigger ball carrier. As for victor? We will miss him in the lineout surely and as a leader but in the tight and loose once again Kruger is honestly a better player.Victor enjoyed playing third center something he himself admitted to ,Kruger sticks to forward work and he's not bad in the air either. The only ones i can truly say will be missed are Schalk and Guthro although Beast is a fair enough replacement and more than holds his own . IF Alberts keeps his new found form then the loss of Schalk burger should not be that badly felt but of all the Boks , Schalk is the biggest loss no doubt.

I'm sort of two minded on Eben.

He's a great talent and had Goosen not emerged he would be making all the headlines.
The one thing I see is that he's a little lightweight.

Its not his tackling (immense) but his ball carrying. He does tend to get turned over due to height.. for me he has to pack on a few kgs. We often counter this by putting a man behind him literally holding his shirt to give him extra support in the hit.
With Bekker out however we have struggled come lineout time. Eben just doesn't have the experience yet to lead the line (and with no Smith type at the back you're wondering who is going to take that mantle) and with Kruger also a possible debutant it will probably be tougher than we expect.

For me it all rests on Frans. If he plays ENG will struggle. If he doesn't they'll be right in there in all 3 tests.

Whatever happens.. its going to be awesome... old style tours is what makes rugby great. The rivarly, the intensity all grows throughout the month... rather than just over one single match of 80 mins.

fa0019 wrote:I'm sort of two minded on Eben.

He's a great talent and had Goosen not emerged he would be making all the headlines.
The one thing I see is that he's a little lightweight.

Its not his tackling (immense) but his ball carrying. He does tend to get turned over due to height.. for me he has to pack on a few kgs. We often counter this by putting a man behind him literally holding his shirt to give him extra support in the hit.
With Bekker out however we have struggled come lineout time. Eben just doesn't have the experience yet to lead the line (and with no Smith type at the back you're wondering who is going to take that mantle) and with Kruger also a possible debutant it will probably be tougher than we expect.

For me it all rests on Frans. If he plays ENG will struggle. If he doesn't they'll be right in there in all 3 tests.

Whatever happens.. its going to be awesome... old style tours is what makes rugby great. The rivarly, the intensity all grows throughout the month... rather than just over one single match of 80 mins.

I agree, Frans had better be as fit as we was during the World Cup and not as overweight as before or we're in trouble . Lineout time we do have Spies, he's a decent jumper just like Juan Smith at the back. Thnkfully otherwise Spies rele has no right to be starting.

Bok lineout just went from strongest to quite weak. Only two notable jumpers Spies and Kruger

One thing is clear... Spies needs a 'lead the line' series like he's never had before.

If not then I'd say Vermeulen, Kankowski or even Alberts switching to No8 would be better.

he needs to be at his best , reproduce his form vs England(funny enough) in 2006.

He was awesome right until he got his lung injury... after that he's never been quite the same.

Bullsbok wrote:

QuickBall wrote:Ok Biltong, ignoring what you heart is going to say about this series, and sticking to what your head is going to tell you, what are SA's chance in this series against Eng, with the new players coming into the side?

As a Welshman, i felt that England were an unknown force in this years 6N (new team and all), which is why they did as well as they did (who can plan a game against a team when you don't know what they'll be bringing to the table). Watching them against Wales, i felt they played to contain Wales untill the last 10 minute where things started to break up, which saw England play the game wide a bit more. They could have beaten Wales if they had adopted that wide game earlier. It wasn't untill the last two games where teams could identify where England could play and where they were at their weakest.

Boks to win convincingly all tests because new players are much better than the experienced oldies they replaced. One must not underestimate the impact of starting Bismarck for 80min instead of bringing him on at 50min,two new hungry locks, the younger of the two Eztbeth has been a dominant force in Super rugby this year, Quality of subsitutions and finally ,Heyneke Meyer not PDv coaching the team

Quickball, I am not as confident as my countryman, bullsbok here. He has the blue faith (blue bull above all else) I will let you know on Monday after I have seen his squad selection.

biltongbek wrote:

Bullsbok wrote:

QuickBall wrote:Ok Biltong, ignoring what you heart is going to say about this series, and sticking to what your head is going to tell you, what are SA's chance in this series against Eng, with the new players coming into the side?

As a Welshman, i felt that England were an unknown force in this years 6N (new team and all), which is why they did as well as they did (who can plan a game against a team when you don't know what they'll be bringing to the table). Watching them against Wales, i felt they played to contain Wales untill the last 10 minute where things started to break up, which saw England play the game wide a bit more. They could have beaten Wales if they had adopted that wide game earlier. It wasn't untill the last two games where teams could identify where England could play and where they were at their weakest.

Boks to win convincingly all tests because new players are much better than the experienced oldies they replaced. One must not underestimate the impact of starting Bismarck for 80min instead of bringing him on at 50min,two new hungry locks, the younger of the two Eztbeth has been a dominant force in Super rugby this year, Quality of subsitutions and finally ,Heyneke Meyer not PDv coaching the team

Quickball, I am not as confident as my countryman, bullsbok here. He has the blue faith (blue bull above all else) I will let you know on Monday after I have seen his squad selection.

No boet, its Springboks before bulls, but Bokbulls wouldnt flow of the tounge as bullsbok

Bullsbok wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

Bullsbok wrote:

QuickBall wrote:Ok Biltong, ignoring what you heart is going to say about this series, and sticking to what your head is going to tell you, what are SA's chance in this series against Eng, with the new players coming into the side?

As a Welshman, i felt that England were an unknown force in this years 6N (new team and all), which is why they did as well as they did (who can plan a game against a team when you don't know what they'll be bringing to the table). Watching them against Wales, i felt they played to contain Wales untill the last 10 minute where things started to break up, which saw England play the game wide a bit more. They could have beaten Wales if they had adopted that wide game earlier. It wasn't untill the last two games where teams could identify where England could play and where they were at their weakest.

Boks to win convincingly all tests because new players are much better than the experienced oldies they replaced. One must not underestimate the impact of starting Bismarck for 80min instead of bringing him on at 50min,two new hungry locks, the younger of the two Eztbeth has been a dominant force in Super rugby this year, Quality of subsitutions and finally ,Heyneke Meyer not PDv coaching the team

Quickball, I am not as confident as my countryman, bullsbok here. He has the blue faith (blue bull above all else) I will let you know on Monday after I have seen his squad selection.

No boet, its Springboks before bulls, but Bokbulls wouldnt flow of the tounge as bullsbok

You do know I say it with all the due respect intended.

biltongbek wrote:

Bullsbok wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

Bullsbok wrote:

QuickBall wrote:Ok Biltong, ignoring what you heart is going to say about this series, and sticking to what your head is going to tell you, what are SA's chance in this series against Eng, with the new players coming into the side?

As a Welshman, i felt that England were an unknown force in this years 6N (new team and all), which is why they did as well as they did (who can plan a game against a team when you don't know what they'll be bringing to the table). Watching them against Wales, i felt they played to contain Wales untill the last 10 minute where things started to break up, which saw England play the game wide a bit more. They could have beaten Wales if they had adopted that wide game earlier. It wasn't untill the last two games where teams could identify where England could play and where they were at their weakest.

Boks to win convincingly all tests because new players are much better than the experienced oldies they replaced. One must not underestimate the impact of starting Bismarck for 80min instead of bringing him on at 50min,two new hungry locks, the younger of the two Eztbeth has been a dominant force in Super rugby this year, Quality of subsitutions and finally ,Heyneke Meyer not PDv coaching the team

Quickball, I am not as confident as my countryman, bullsbok here. He has the blue faith (blue bull above all else) I will let you know on Monday after I have seen his squad selection.

No boet, its Springboks before bulls, but Bokbulls wouldnt flow of the tounge as bullsbok

You do know I say it with all the due respect intended.

i know mate

Bullsbok, you think the bulls will win tomorrow?

If they do and the Sharks the Lions, then the Stormers will be in 3rd spot in the SA conference.

Just shows you, tries do matter.

And just to show you, BULLS score more tries, so what does that tell you about Meyer seeing as they still play to his gameplans even with Ludeke in charge???

Mate nothing, he hasn't been their coach for 4 years now.

No he hasnt . He;s just been been their director of rugby . and the current squad seniors were introduced to Bulls by Meyer .And surprise surprise their game plan has not changed in the last four years.

That may be true, but it has also shown a few times, that late in a game, they go stale and run out of ideas on attack and defence.

By no means perfect.

biltongbek wrote:That may be true, but it has also shown a few times, that late in a game, they go stale and run out of ideas on attack and defence.

By no means perfect.

Well which team is?

Crusaders.

Lets get back to the Bulls, if they can get a little bit of variance in their attack, they will be unbeatable. Picking and driving for phase upon phase becomes predictable, and they need to keep ball in hand at the end.

The way they kicked posession away against the brumbies was near suicide.

biltongbek wrote:Crusaders.

Lets get back to the Bulls, if they can get a little bit of variance in their attack, they will be unbeatable. Picking and driving for phase upon phase becomes predictable, and they need to keep ball in hand at the end.

The way they kicked posession away against the brumbies was near suicide.

Saders have beaten the Bulls only once in their last 5 encounters.....The bulls tactics are predictable , but when those tactics are executed perfectly it doesnt matter if you know about the plan , teams rarely have an answer. The problem is execution not the plan. Hougie doesnt kick as well as Du Preez and he;s the key link.

Bullsbok, kak boet, the problem is not Hougaard, he doesn't kick the possession away, it is Morne.

biltongbek wrote:Bullsbok, kak boet, the problem is not Hougaard, he doesn't kick the possession away, it is Morne.

Dont get me wrong Hougaard is by far the most valuable player the Bulls have , he's just not suited to playing Du Preez's gameplan which he sometimes looks like he;s being forced to play.Hence all the inaccurate Box kicks that dont go far enough and dont have enough hang time for Basson to chase. If Hougaard kicked almost as good as Du Preez , i doubt he;d have been called up . but thats just my opinion

Ok, agree with you Hougaard is no Fourie du Preez and that is where I think the Bulls and if he plays for the Boks can miss the trick.

Fourie du Preez takes pressure off Morne by controlling when the box kick is in play.

Hougaard is not that player, true he can kick and has to work on his kicking, but hell, he can bring so much more to the bulls and boks as an attacking player.

You saw his tremendous strength he has for such a relatively small guy.

If i took my blue blinkers off for a minute i'd say Hougaard would be better off with the Sharks with the freedom to experiment and run in broken play like the Sharks constantly do. The Bulls are too structured for Hougaard to be as effective at 9 as he is at 11

Yes, I fully agree with that. but you need to understand, I like the structure of the Bulls and the Boks, there is nothing wrong with structre it is what we do well.

My feeling is in any given match you get but a few real opportunities to MAKE play from phase possession, and this is where I want to see us be more creative.

I did some stats a while ago and our tries come from set phase, line out, scrum or alternatively counter attack and presure from the high kick.

But when we have ball in hand we sometimes just look absolutely clueless in attack, that is why I want Hougaard, Lambie and Frans at 9, 10, 12.

Fourie du Preez and Morne is so entrenched into their process that I honestly don't beleive they can adapt, when they execute their plan perfectly it works, but hell when they have an off day we lose.

So having some young guys that work the same plan, but having not yet gotten entrenched into that controlled almost dulling habit of play, will see more freedom when necessary.

why does everyon rate frans so highly? where has he been playing?
Thought he was at racing

Biltong you still think Habana or JPP should be anywere near the center positions??? Jpp is getting ripped to shreds , in the sharks midfield

You didn't see Meyer Bosman miss the last tackle?

Both of them are kak in the centers. jpp is a wing and a bladdy good one at that when his engine is really warmed up

I don't think JP is a bad option at 13, but Meyer will most likely go with Frans and Jean.

Now why couldn't the Lions do this earlier in the season?

biltongbek wrote:Now why couldn't the Lions do this earlier in the season?

and most importantly against kiwi and ozzie opposition

Make the Lions all Springboks

They way they playing now, I won't mind and then you have your free running Springbok team Biltong.

The Lions always mess up the other SA teams chances. I still remember them beating us to deny us the semi spot.

Yeah they do that a lot, but once again it seems they can only do it for 40 minutes.

Ja, the Lions aren't playing like they played in the first half.

Wonder if this Lions performance has anything to do with the squad being named after this games.

Maybe some people feel they can put themselves on the list?

To be honest apart from Minnie and Strauss I can't see anyone making it

Well, Jantjies is playing well and Butch (how long can he still go for anyway?). That Mapoe guy also looked good till his yellow.

I have to say the no 11, have never seen him before but he has done some good things today.

I really don't know most of the team. Only about 6 or 7 names I remember from last season..

Okay, if Frans is going to be 12, I have no problem with JP at 13. Juan de Jong doesn't do as much as JP in my opinion. And JP is strong, 3 people tried to tackle him and he just stood still.

that is why I believe they will work well as a combination

Minnie is making a case for himself here