Bok squad for Antipodes announced. Goosen in.

DHL Western Province No 8 Duane Vermeulen and Toyota Free State Cheetahs flyhalf Johan Goosen are the two uncapped players that have been added to the Springbok squad for the Australasian leg of The Castle Rugby Championship.

The squad of 28 for Tests against Australia in Perth (September 8 ) and New Zealand in Dunedin (September 15), was finalised on Wednesday.

Apart from the inclusion of Vermeulen and Goosen, there were recalls for DHL Western Province midfielder Juan de Jongh as well as Bath loose forward Francois Louw, who has captained his English club before.

De Jongh was part of the squad for the first Test against Argentina in Cape Town while it will be Louw’s first involvement with the Springboks since last year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has confidence in the squad that has been selected, even though injuries, unavailability and retirement have robbed the Springboks of more than 800 Test caps worth of experience.

“We were not happy with our performance in Mendoza and we are making no excuses for what happened there, but we take full responsibility and have to look forward and get ready for our next tough match, against Australia in Perth,” said Meyer.

“Untimely injuries to Bismarck du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Pierre Spies, JP Pietersen and Bjorn Basson have already hit us hard in the past few weeks. This again provides opportunities for other players to put up their hands.

“We were very keen to give Siya Kolisi an opportunity on this tour, but he is also out injured, alongside a list of other injured or unavailable forwards that include Gurthrö Steenkamp, Heinrich Brüssow, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Ryan Kankowski.”

Commenting on the four new players in the squad, Meyer said: “Injuries meant we could not use Duane and Johan earlier in the season, but both have played Absa Currie Cup rugby since their return and after consultation with their respective provincial medical teams, we’re confident that they are ready to travel with us.

“While Duane and Johan are medically fit, their provincial coaches felt it necessary that they get more game time in the Absa Currie Cup this weekend, but as we don’t have a lot of time to prepare and we need as much time with them as possible to get them used to our structures and game plans, the decision was taken to select them for the tour.

“I regard both of them as world class rugby players. If it wasn’t for injuries, Duane would have been a Springbok long ago. I also believe Johan has a long career ahead of him at Test match level and we will expose him when and how we feel it will benefit the player and the team best.

“Both Juan and Francois played at the Rugby World Cup last year and are experienced players. Juan covers both positions in the midfield and we opted for Francois because he is a specialist openside flanker, in the absence of Schalk, Heinrich and Siya, that can cover blindside and No 8 as well, while he is also a very useful option in the lineout.

“I’m also very excited with the quality of young talent coming through – Eben, Marcell and Johan are all still Under-21 and that bodes well for the future of Springbok rugby.”

The Springbok squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Thursday and is scheduled to depart for Perth on Saturday evening.

The Springbok squad for the Australasian leg of The Castle Rugby Championship is:
Willem Alberts The Sharks Loose forward 13
Andries Bekker DHL Western Province Lock 26
Craig Burden The Sharks Hooker 0
Pat Cilliers MTN Golden Lions Prop 2
Marcell Coetzee The Sharks Loose forward 5
Juan de Jongh DHL Western Province Centre 10
Jean de Villiers (captain) DHL Western Province Centre 77
Jannie du Plessis The Sharks Prop 35
Eben Etzebeth DHL Western Province Lock 5
Johan Goosen Toyota FS Cheetahs Flyhalf 0
Dean Greyling Vodacom Blue Bulls Prop 2
Bryan Habana DHL Western Province Wing 79
Francois Hougaard Vodacom Blue Bulls Scrumhalf 20
Zane Kirchner Vodacom Blue Bulls Fullback 17
Juandré Kruger Vodacom Blue Bulls Lock 3
Pat Lambie The Sharks Fullback / Flyhalf 13
Tiaan Liebenberg DHL Western Province Hooker 1
Francois Louw Bath, England Loose forward 10
Tendai Mtawarira The Sharks Prop 37
Lwazi Mvovo The Sharks Wing 6
Ruan Pienaar Ulster, N-Ireland Scrumhalf 56
Jacques Potgieter Vodacom Blue Bulls Loose forward 3
Frans Steyn The Sharks Centre 51
Morné Steyn Vodacom Blue Bulls Flyhalf 39
Adriaan Strauss Toyota FS Cheetahs Hooker 14
Flip van der Merwe Vodacom Blue Bulls Lock 16
Jano Vermaak Vodacom Blue Bulls Scrumhalf 0
Duane Vermeulen DHL Western Province No 8 0

Pleased to hear that Juan de Jongh is back in the reckoning. That guy has serious talent. Perhaps he'll come in at 12 with Frans Steyn moving to fullback. If the Aussie continue their "kick the ball away at every opportunity" tactic then the Bok 15 will see plenty ball.

Never been overwhelmed by Louw.

Could this be the start of something new? Goosen is in the squad but will he start or get to play? Still don't think so but happy to be proven wrong.

There was an interview with Naka Drotske his Cheetahs coach a few days ago, Drotske said he beleived Goosen needs to stay in SA for the Antipodean trip to get more game time before he plays for the Boks (if selected) the last two tests, after Meyer called Goosen up, Naka once again asked Meyer to allow Goosen to at least play this weekend, but Meyer said the more time he has with Goosen the better.

It might be that Meyer is desperate, it might be that Meyer will ease him into international rugby on the away tour, hoping to use him at home for a full match.

Either way, I agree with Drotske, two more currie cup matches would have gotten him match ready.

Oh dear. I see the motive now...

Put Goosen in before he's ready. My my, just like Beale he doesn't play well. Meyer says told you so. Now will you pipe down and let me keep playing Morné Steyn and drool over him kicking over all those penalties.

Do you think he's class enough to handle being chucked in at the deep end though Biltong?

I think he'll be as fine as anyone as long as his forwards do their job Disney.

He does need gametime though, he has only played 50 minutes last weekend since his injury.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Oh dear. I see the motive now...

Put Goosen in before he's ready. My my, just like Beale he doesn't play well. Meyer says told you so. Now will you pipe down and let me keep playing Morné Steyn and drool over him kicking over all those penalties.

Or as is normal now. Very nearly kicking over the penalties.

anotherworldofpain wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Oh dear. I see the motive now...

Put Goosen in before he's ready. My my, just like Beale he doesn't play well. Meyer says told you so. Now will you pipe down and let me keep playing Morné Steyn and drool over him kicking over all those penalties.

Or as is normal now. Very nearly kicking over the penalties.

I beg to differ, some kicks weren't all that close.

Any time I have seen Goosen in the super15 he has looked very decent. Will be interesting to see how he goes if he gets any game time.

I wonder what effect Goosen getting called up has had on Lambie. He was back up 10 but not even used off the bench, and now has to wonder if he really has a Springbok future under Meyer.

Ozzy3213 wrote:I wonder what effect Goosen getting called up has had on Lambie. He was back up 10 but not even used off the bench, and now has to wonder if he really has a Springbok future under Meyer.

Aye, he should've elected to play for Scotland!

That'll teach the pup

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:I wonder what effect Goosen getting called up has had on Lambie. He was back up 10 but not even used off the bench, and now has to wonder if he really has a Springbok future under Meyer.

Aye, he should've elected to play for Scotland!

That'll teach the pup

Or England!

Biltong wrote:but Meyer said the more time he has with Goosen the better.

Is that so he can extract all measure of creativity out of his game?

"Now look here you young buck. You're only in because the fans love ya. You're not from bulls pedigree so you'll have a lot to learn. We don't throw the ball around willy nilly nor do we go on solo runs in an effort to win the game single handedly son. This is a team game and its about conforming to a very rigid and successful
gameplan. Now run along while us big boysfocus on winning test matches."

Just seems too early to me. Wrong coach to bring out the best in young Goosen.

Interesting though...

Yeah, I can't figure out what Meyer's reasoning is.

Goosen has only played 50 minutes of rugby, so by taking him away from the Currie Cup it surely means he is planning to use Goosen, but how will he?

If Meyer is only going to use him in November he wouldn't have taken him now, as game time at the Cheethas would have been more valuable.

So either he eases him in with a few minutes in the two away tests, prepping and assessing him for the home leg, or he starts him on the away leg, if he starts him it won't make much sense because he has no match fitness.

Perhaps he reckons Goosen is ready, but I doubt it.

I know why he wants Goosen, Goosen kicks as well as Steyn any day of the week, and is a much more atttack minded player.

Interesting indeed.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Oh dear. I see the motive now...

Put Goosen in before he's ready. My my, just like Beale he doesn't play well. Meyer says told you so. Now will you pipe down and let me keep playing Morné Steyn and drool over him kicking over all those penalties.

Tbf Meyer would have had Goosen in the squad for the June internationals if it weren't for injury.

He still has to play him. Goosen represents everything that meyer is not bar the kicking. He's a runner and playmaker, is inexperienced and slight...your exact bulls opposite. Be surprised if he gets near mornes jersey.

Taylorman wrote:He still has to play him. Goosen represents everything that meyer is not bar the kicking. He's a runner and playmaker, is inexperienced and slight...your exact bulls opposite. Be surprised if he gets near mornes jersey.

I am hoping Meyer gives Goosen a few minutes against australia, then at least 30 minutes against NZ and then perhaps by then Goosen will be comfortable enough to play 40 minutes in SA, he has to be eased in, but he must be given opportunity.

He might have had him in the squad gowales but I get the feeling he wouldn't have gone anywhere near the starting team. Meyer has played his hand already. It's obvious to see. What may change is his selections if SA start losing on a regular basis. But it's clear that he believes SA can win playing a Bulls / Stormers game.

What scares me about Goosen's inclusion now is that he's not ready. If he's going to sit on the bench then why not give him some Vindaloo Cup games to get back to match fitness? If he's going to pick him to start, then I think those are for cynical reasons. Glad to see Goosen at least named in the squad as he has really impressed me. Just worried that the timing and motives are suspect.

I don't know if it's the right time to play Goosen (I doubt he'll start) but I do know a backline with Steyn at 10, JDV and Zane won't go far!

That and the balance of the loose forwards are the Bok's biggest problems....oh and injuries.....and overseas players....and retirements....never mind.....

I agree he's not ready. NZ wouldn't play a 20 year old recently back from a serious injury on the back of half an itm match against a side they could lose to.

Just smells of a setup to fail. Plus would meyer really spare 30 minutes of steyn off the field against NZ? Just can't see it biltong but whatever happens I just hope he goes well and doesn't put him off. Even being in the environmemt touring and training would be enough at this point.

For Meyer IS don't think he`ll ever pull steyn unless its an injury or he loses it completely.

A problem appearing now to me was making JDV captain. Now the Bok's are forced to have him in the team which means playing him out of position to acomodate Steyn thus clogging up the back line.

I was for calling Johan Muller back to captain the team. He is still playing great rugby and is an inspirational leader with a really cool head. He is having a fantastic effect at Ulster. He wouldn't have performed any worse than Kruger or Bekker.

Can anyone suggest the likely 23? It's impossible to tell with the squad in alphabetical order!

Bathite, I am assuming you are talking for the match vs OZ?



15 Zane Kirchner
14 Bryan Habana
13 Jean de Villiers (c)
12 Frans Steyn
11 Lwazi Mvovo
10 Morne Steyn
9 Francois Hougaard
1 Tendai Mtawarira
2 Adriaan Strauss
3 Jannie du Plessis
4 Eben Etzebeth
5 Andries Bekker
6 Marcell Coetzee
7 Louw
8 Willem Alberts

Replacements



16 Tiaan Liebenberg
17 Pat Cilliers
18 Flip van der Merwe
19 Kruger
20 Ruan Pienaar
21 Pat Lambie
22 Goosen

Yep I am, thanks for that. Fran goes straight into the 23 and not much back row cover on the bench

When is JP Pietersen back?

His thumb has a fracture, supposedly 8 weeks, I doubt we'll see him in the Rugby championship.

I thought jdvs presence was a must initially because of his defence, experience and with fouries absence. But that was only meant to be as part of transition, to blood new backs. Well that hasn't happened. The backline/ attack hasn't progressed at all. Now they're stuck with the two centre pieces, M Steyn and jdv dominating the backline, not a creative bone between them.

Though I did like Steyns cross kick for the habana try. Now SA must go against two sides who will run it against them all day.

The England series/ first two argie games were the perfect vehicles for meyer to blood a newish backline for what were always going to be meyers defining matches for 2012.

Injuries to goosen and pieterson didn't help but he could have developed lambie mote in the so called safer tests.

With a not so dominant pack and loosies that will likely be outplayed next two matches, its not looking good for the away matches.

I think some are underestimating the oz performances against a very good AB defence. The oz attack will get significantly better because it has to to have a chance.

Tough times ahead for meyer et all I suspect. Just can't get excited by the Sa selections.

Read on the AB site JDV is asking for his players to be accountable.

Its something I dont get? What will happen if theyre not? What are the consequences? He himself hasnt been accountable so what does that mean in real terms?

After the English series I would have expected accountability would mean M Steyn would be dropped. After the two Argentina matches JDV himself should be dropped.

Hougaard, Kirchner two others that should be dropped if 'poor matches' are the measure of accountability.

Just seems theres always these same words but the same old mistakes match in match out by the same players being reselected.

Heres his comments:

"We need to learn from our experiences, and we're growing as a team, but you can't keep making the same mistakes," De Villiers told keo.co.za on Thursday.

---huh?, the same mistakes were made, what was learnt?

"By next week we will know if we've stepped up or not.

---yes, hes correct there.

"Our discipline needs to improve, our execution, and our set-phases have taken a step backward. We maybe need to improve 40 percent but the margins are very small in Test rugby."

De Villiers felt that time had healed some of the wounds sustained in Argentina and had allowed them to gain a measure of perspective on it.

"Looking at the game again I feel better about it," he said.

---how is that? What specifically was there better to feel about after a relook?

"There were actually a lot of positives from the game. We believe we were a better team than how we played on Saturday."?

---Again...what positives. How are they a better team.

In response to the criticism of what was perceived to be a conservative game plan, de Villiers said: "Even though there has been a lot of criticism of our attacking play, I thought that was actually quite good.

---huh? So even when every one else says it was rubbish, jdv says it was quite good? Really?

"It's a new coach trying to get a message and game plan across to the team.

"We will all stand up for what we believe in. We believe in the coach and what we're doing is right."

----huh? Unbelievable comments.
One minute its stand up and be counted the next its it wasnt that bad.

Its just the same words regurgitated without any reasoning or logic.

Looking at the experience in the pack and in the backs, the performances so far, I cant see them getting close in either of the away matches.

But JDV seems to think he can.