Heyneke exclusive: Spies best in his position

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has exclusively revealed to ArenaSport the reasons for Pierre Spies’s continued inclusion in the Springbok squad.

Following the announcement of the first Springbok squad of 2013, for the June Test series against Italy, Samoa and Scotland, Heyneke Meyer has confirmed that Pierre Spies is the best player in his position in South Africa… and possibly the best in the world. Ever.

“This group is by no means a final one for the June Tests and could still change in the coming months,” says Meyer, “but what I can commit to is that Pierre Spies will always be a part of the Springbok setup, certainly as long as I’m in charge.”

Ignoring the merits of the Kings Jacques Engelbrecht, the excellent season of the Cheetahs Lappies Labuschagne, and flat-out refusing to acknowledge the existence of Heinrich Brussow and Jesus, Meyer went on to say that Spies is probably the most important member of the Springbok squad.

“You have to understand that we need Pierre. There is no one else quite like him in South African rugby. No one in any of the other local franchises can do what he does.

Those big muscles, those strong arms, those thick, immense thighs,” sighed a clearly excited Bok coach, “they are all a necessary cog in the Bok wheel.”

When pressed, Meyer confirmed what most rugby fans suspected. “Yes, undoubtedly Pierre is the best baggage handler in South African sport.

With all that time he spends in the gym, he’s able to carry the bags of 10 squad members at one time. This allows us to save and spend wisely in other areas, like on movie nights we can now afford DStv Box Office.”

Captain Jean de Villiers added to Meyer’s comments. “Pierre is great. You can give him your togs, your formal gear and your essential tour electronic gadgets and he’ll carry them from the team bus to your hotel room. We simply can’t tour without him.”

rodders wrote:I don't get the criticism of Spies really. I think the key prerequisites for a no. 8 are ball carrying, control at the base of the scrum, lineout work, tackling, footballing ability.

If your no8 has to do a lot of donkey work and hit rucks I'd be questioning the tight 5 and blindside flanker. I want to see a no8 maurading in the wide channels and making yards and scoring tries not in the bottom of rucks.

GunsGerms wrote:

rodders wrote:I don't get the criticism of Spies really. I think the key prerequisites for a no. 8 are ball carrying, control at the base of the scrum, lineout work, tackling, footballing ability.

If your no8 has to do a lot of donkey work and hit rucks I'd be questioning the tight 5 and blindside flanker. I want to see a no8 maurading in the wide channels and making yards and scoring tries not in the bottom of rucks.

Ireland dont have a blindside flanker. Hence Heaslip does that role. Its pretty clear that SOB and Heaslip are hybrid 7 and 8s and switch some roles.

rodders wrote:Morning Guns ...ah come on man this isn't an Ulster thing look at Straus, VDW, Botha, Stander, Payne, Roux, De Villiers etc.

SA journey men have been key players for the Irish provonces. SA don't always play the most attractive rugby but are a true rugby super power and net exporter of talent.

At times we have closed the gap on them but certainly right now we can't argue to be on par. They have far more depth and particularly so in terms of forwards. The IRB rankings are flawed but can't be ignored either.

rodders wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:

rodders wrote:I don't get the criticism of Spies really. I think the key prerequisites for a no. 8 are ball carrying, control at the base of the scrum, lineout work, tackling, footballing ability.

If your no8 has to do a lot of donkey work and hit rucks I'd be questioning the tight 5 and blindside flanker. I want to see a no8 maurading in the wide channels and making yards and scoring tries not in the bottom of rucks.

Ireland dont have a blindside flanker. Hence Heaslip does that role. Its pretty clear that SOB and Heaslip are hybrid 7 and 8s and switch some roles.

No I don't accept that Guns. Heaslips performances in the 6N were embarressing compared to those of the other 8's particularly Parisse and Picamoles. His yardage is shocking sometimes not reaching double figures. O'Brien is working his socks of in defence but hasn't been as effective carrying either without Ferris or since his hip op. O'Brien is our best carrier still but even he is a long way off the top 8's now.

I like Spies, he's a phenomenal athlete but I suppose he's nothing special in SA terms...would it be fair to compare him to Haskell?

GunsGerms wrote:Much of Strauss' development has been at Leinster at this stage so he is as much a product of Ireland as SA now. He wasnt a complete player when he arrived. Same may end up being true of Stander.

Biltong wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Much of Strauss' development has been at Leinster at this stage so he is as much a product of Ireland as SA now. He wasnt a complete player when he arrived. Same may end up being true of Stander.

That pretty much happens when you contract a standout player i the first place, if they have talent, has proven themselves to be great players, and they tend to pay attention to the manner in which they play, they develop.

As for being a product. Look at the label, it says "Made in SA"