Springbok squad depth?

Biltong wrote:The more I look at the Springbok squad selected the more concerned I am that we haven’t achieved anything regarding who our best players are or should be in certain positions. Furthermore I am not convinced that Heyneke Meyer has left no stone unturned when I look at some non selections during the year. The problem though comes from two main reasons, Pieter de Villiers was so stuck on his players that he hardly exposed enough players to the international scene for future progress.

We are now sitting in a situation where selection of new players come at the expense of loss of extreme experience to virtually none at all, this in turn has created a situation where a generation of players never had the opportunity to prove their real worth, and as such we now look at very young players who bring excitement to the game plan, but with no experience.

To build a squad you realistically need at least 3 players per position which can float in and out of the squad in case of injury or unavailability for whatever reason. The problem for Heyneke Meyer is therefor rather challenging.

Loose head props.
Tendai Mtwarira – you have to see him as the encumbent, simply because no other loose head has been given an extended opportunity and with Gurthro Steenkamp having moved north, there is uncertainty as to who will be the best back up. You just have to look at the bench options to realize that.

I really don't see any other players contending. Did you see what the Sharks did to WP this weekend at scrum-time. I know the WP lads are still young, but they were pushed right of the ball a few times

Hooker
Bismarck du Plessis – certainly the top hooker in South Africa, but with him being injured Adriaan Strauss had admirably stepped up and taken his position, but who is the third best Hooker in SA, certainly not Chiliboy Ralapelle, in fact why he has been in the picture for the past number of years is frankly a mystery. Tiaan Liebenberg is injured, so Schalk Brits is called up, in my view a short term solution, we all know Meyer isn’t going to call him up on a regular basis, so why not give Scarra Ntbeni or Craig burden the opportunity?

I am a WP man, but I don't think Tiaan is a long term solution for the Boks. In the S15 game against the Bulls it felt like Chilliboy dominated him. bismarck and Strauss it must be in my opinion

Tight Head prop.
Jannie du Plessis by virtue of no contest has been the first choice tight head for a while now, Coenie Oosthuizen is certainly the next choice, but there are once again no certainty over who will be the next best proposition.

The same as the loosehead position

Lock.
This is the one area I feel quite comfortable that Meyer has managed to find his best four locks, Etzebeth, v d Merwe, Bekker and Juandre Kruger all seem home at international level and on a horses for courses method usefull against any opponent, however where are the next two?
Anton Bresler has not even had a look in, what happened to Allistair Hargreaves, Steven Sykes, there is a youngster in Paul Willemse who is only 21 and a right physical beast.

Backrow
Out of necessity and also due to traditionally having depth in this are we have a plethora of young men able to fill any position, yet the question here will simply be what is the pecking order of Schalk Burger, Willem Alberts, Marcelle Coetzee, Pierre Spies, Duane Vermeulen, Keegan Daniel, Francois Louw, Heinrich Brussow and Ryan Kankowski? I don’t think it is a problem as with so many injuries Meyer’s selections will be easier, but it is important to know.

Scrum half.
Apart from Ruan Pienaar and the unsuccessful attempts with Francois Hougaard at 9, who are there, Jano Vermaak, Dewald Potgieter, Sarel Pretorius and a whole host of other players have not had a look in or any opportunity to show their worth. The problem here as in many other positions is experience, if ruan Pienaar gets injured, the next most experienced scrum half is Francois Hougaard who simply struggles to play the role of a kicking scrum half.

Flyhalf.
The talent is there, but Goosen being injured, leaves Steyn, Lambie and Jantjies, and the saddest part of all is that Meyer in his selections shows Lambie as a fullback. What more does this kid have to do to get an opportunity? You are getting the impression that it will be never.

Inside centre.
Jean de Villiers’ time is up, Frans Steyn is injured and there is nobody else experienced enough to take their place. The only other potential here is Jan Serfontein, who has not had the greatest Currie Cup.

I really thought we could get away with someone else at inside and move Frans to fullback. He really didn't have the impact that I thought he would

Outside centre.
When Frans Steyn is available he plays at 12, which sees Jean (old man) de Villiers at 13, the only other regular in the 13 jersey has been Juan de Jongh, but even he has had little time in the last 12 months, what about Taute, Meyer said he sees him as a 15, once again there is no clarity, what about Paul Jordaan who has been electric this season?

Wings.
Habana and Pietersen are the encumbents and rightly so, there are any youngsters who could get a shot, the good news is Raymond rhule has been selected, but will he play? Yet Meyer has again selected Mvovo who showed distinct weaknesses under the high ball, what about Gio Aplon, Willie le Roux etc?

Fullback.
Zane Kirchner is clearly the incumbent in Meyer’s eyes, not my favourite player, but he is at least decent, is Taute the next in line, what about Louis Ludick?

All in all it seems to me that Meyer has still far to go to establish which players are his best 3 in each position, I understand injuries have played a major part in selections, and considering that he must also provide results the challenge is rather daunting.

But regardless of these issues, I don’t think Meyer is anywhere near where he should be in terms of building squad depth.

These youngsters must gain experience and be tested, it is the only way you will know who is up to the task. Currently it causes me grave concern.

MMaaxx wrote:In a way the injuries Meyer has faced and players unavailable to him due to foreign commitments, while making things more difficult now, will set SA up well for the next RWC. PDiv left things in a mess and Meyer's current work should have been done then. Compare the squad handed over to PDiv comparred to the one Meyer took on. I know you have acknowledged PDiv's failings but they cannot be emphasised enough.

MMaaxx wrote:Biltong, what ever happened to the props out of te cheetahs. Lots was expected of Nel and Du Preez I think it was.

Regarding depth, only NZ can boast of more depth than SA.

MMaaxx wrote:He gives us the balance needed in the back row, always thought he was underrated while at the Stormers although he was unlucky with injury at times.

Jacques Potgieter to me is perhaps Meyer's worst selection to date and thinking back to the 6,7,8 in the away test agianst Argentina its no surprise that the Boks always seemed three steps behind their Arg counterparts.

By the way Biltong, who do you support locally?

Biltong wrote: I rather laugh at myself mate.