Springbok utility backs and their value.

In the group of players Pieter de Villiers have selected there are a number of utility players. The big concern for me is how will they fit into the squad selection.

If you look at the players there is some over lapping of positions.

Ruan Pienaar, 43 caps, scrumhalf and flyhalf
Francois Hougaardt, 6 caps, scrumhalf and wing
Butch James, 40 caps, flyhalf and inside center
Patrick Lambie, 0 caps, fullback, flyhalf, inside center
Frans Steyn, 38 caps, fullback, wing, inside center, flyhalf
Gio Aplon, 13 caps, fullback, wing

Here are my thoughts on our best specialists at each backline position out of the preliminary squad.

Scrumhalf – Fourie du Preez, His injuries and form is a great concern
Scrumhalf – Ricky Januarie, he is overweight and slow

Flyhalf – Morne Steyn, not the greatest ball player, would call him solid not spectacular.
Flyhalf – Elton Jantjies, not ready

Inside Center – Jean de Villiers, on form he is devastating, good defensive organiser.
Inside Center – Wynand Olivier, doesn’t like to pass the ball and often not a great defender.
Inside Center – Adie Jacobs, lack of game time and defence a concern.

Outside Center – Jaque Fourie, a must, good finisher, defender, leader.
Outside Center – Juan du Jongh, solid defender, creative.

Left Wing – Bryan Habana, on form can be devastating, but form is questionable.
Left Wing – Lwasi Mvovo, strong runner, strong defender, looks for work.
Left Wing – Bjorn Basson, excellent finisher, good under the high ball.

Right wing – JP Pietersen, a must, solid, good runner and defender.
Right Wing – Odwa Ndungane, solid without being spectacular, but dependable.

Fullback – Zane kirchner, can have his moments but too inconsistent and doesn’t offload.

When looking at our backline, PDV need to make sure that he doesn’t only take a backline of dependable strong runners and defenders. There needs to be some creativity there.

His most likely backline would be.

Fourie du Preez
Morne Steyn
Jean de Villiers
Jaque Fourie
Bryan Habana
JP Pietersen
Zane Kirchner.

Although over the years these players have proven themselves, the only concern I have is that they are all a little one dimensional, none of them are really extraordinary creative runners, they are all capable of running through a gap yes, but they would rather run through a gap than find one.

It is there for important that players such as Lambie, Aplon, Basson, Du Jongh and Hougaard be on that plane, as this new generation of youngsters all have something special.

In my opinion Frans Steyn is a bit of a condrum, we don’t really know what his form is like, we don’t really know what his relationship with PDV is, we all know what he can do, and we are aware of his utility value. What to do?

So PDV will most likely play a 5/2 split on the bench, which only leaves two selections for impact players. Will he go for experience and versatility ( Ruan Pienaar, Butch James and Frans Steyn) or will he opt for youth, creativity but inexperience. I hope for our sake he takes the latter, as they will be the ones that will bring that something extra to the table.

Let the big solid dependable backline soften the opponent, but leave enough time for the youth to break the mould.

No matter what the SA team will be very competative, I think you're being a bit down on the form aspect of your players, I do agree that many of your most spectacular players when on form are a bit off the boil at the moment, still can't underestimate the inspiring power of a world cup, look at the england team last time around!

Patrick Lambie, 0 caps - Really? I thought he was capped last year?

wales606 wrote:Patrick Lambie, 0 caps - Really? I thought he was capped last year?

Nah, he only played against the Barbarians which doesn't give him a cap.

Personally, I would like to see;

FDP
Morne

JP
Frans
Fourie
Habana
Lambie

What is the likelihood that this would happen? FDP and Morne is one of the great partnerships in modern rugby, lambie deserves a chance and Frans has been mightily impressive at 12 in paris.

Failing that and if FDP/Morne's form is under that much scrutiny, it would be hard to over look

Pienaar
Butch
JP
JDJ
Fourie
Habana
Steyn

Would say that would be the 'form' backline in my humble opinion!

Patrick Lambie has 4 caps! He came on as a sub against Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England in 2010.

http://www.espnscrum.com/southafrica/rugby/player/112898.html

Thought so!

My apologies gents, wiki must not have updated his page, i went for a quick reference of the players caps to wiki, shows you can't beleive everything on there.

It's been said many times and with good reason that this SA team is less effective under the new rule interpretations than the old ones. That said they remain a strong and skilled unit albeit lacking the flair of some of their main competitors. It would be a fool who ignore stheir threat.

Lambie into FB. The kid is a gun.

Problem with so called utility players,is are they able to fill all those roles at test level.I do not profess to be an expert on SA S14/5 sides.
But I can give you examples from NZ Rugby which I know a fair bit about say
Isae Toeva,chucked in Versus Scotland at Full Back at 19 ,not convincing been around the the All Black squad in several positions.Now has around 40 caps
but not made any position his own and is in or out.
Luke Mc Alister mainly a 12,but covers 10 and 15,good goal kicker.Form second 5/8 in 2007 pre RWC ousting Aaron Mauger[big mistake]went to Europe never been the same since.
Many of those mentioned above are filling for injured players or to get game time.No doubt many out of there best positions to accomodate senior members of there teams.

Very good Biltong thats exactly the situation I thought existed.

The issue for me is when we are talking World cup its the last 3 matches that are at issue.

For pdv to want to apply the more open players to do so at that time- after the first liners have had a crack- would be fatal.

If they are going to be seen as a weapon during the Wcup they will need to figure very highly at least in the 3N to get the confidence they wil need during the crucial knockout periods to have the confidence at running the ball in the Sxv fashion.

The AB's, who specialise in running the ball using their topline players have generally lost it in all the knockouts they have lost at WC time. They havnt fired a shot in those losing matches so the risk is that if the AB's couldnt do it using their bread and butter plays, how will these newbies (which they are at that level) handle it. I just dont see it as a risk pdv will take.

I believe if anyone is going to crack that lineup you have above it will be those players who come on with 20 or so to go in the 3N matches and make the most of it, clearly outshining the one they've replaced.

At best I think you may get one or two but bottom line is I believe many players are there to make up the training numbers and to deflect some criticsm of pdv for a period until he picks his likely predictable lineup.

Not saying this wont work, just agreeing with your analysis and reiterating the fact that low risk, good defence and good use of the boot is SA's only approach this year. the others are there for show when it comes to the first xv.

Never underestimate any side you meet,never EVER underestimate a Bok side.
Never take for granted a team will play in a certain way,just because they have previously.
A couple of examples from the recent past Ireland played NZ[at home]in wet
conditions.Ireland were expected to play 10 man rugby ,they did`nt kept ball
in hand.Matched All Blacks try for try,they lost BUT they were very close.
Scotland played England again expected to use a conservative game plan and rely on penalties to win.Instead they came out running,had not the Evans Brother who was so badly injured.he had to give the game away.
Not been injured they would probably have won,instead of drawing.