Springbok Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

marc96

Emperor1989 wrote: »

Botha after getting injured and looks like that could be a year ending injury.

On Another note, Schalk Burger has turned down moves to europe in order to win back his springbok place. He will be able to shine with Siya Kolisi and the outstanding Duane Vermulen at 8. The best back row in the super 15 even better than the Crusaders.

Big loss,was looking forward to him been back with the bulls

Yeah_Right

Whats happened to Heinrich Brousow?? (Excuse the spelling). He had one brilliant season but then disappeared.

marc96

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Whats happened to Heinrich Brousow?? (Excuse the spelling). He had one brilliant season but then disappeared.

Playing in Japan

Morf

marc96 wrote: »

Playing in Japan

Out for a season with injury, was only ok last year and I don't think Meyer is much of a fan. He wants a BIG back row.

Emperor1989

marc96 wrote: »

Playing in Japan

Meyer told him he is far too small. He is what 5'9?

Still a fantastic player mind you, may have to wait until after 2015.

Emperor1989

Jake White is going to have a huge say in whether the boks win the 2015 world cup.

Pledged to have Lambie and Steyn at 10/12 for the season. Also developing plenty of young player through the ranks.

matthew8

Emperor1989 wrote: »

Meyer told him he is far too small. He is what 5'9?

Still a fantastic player mind you, may have to wait until after 2015.

He's 5'11, which seems to be about 5 inches too short for Meyer's liking. He bulked up which is why some people say his play has dropped off (He's still only 16 stone). He's not at the same level he was at back in 2009 in any case. Still has it when tackling and jackaling but doesn't offer much in attack.

Emperor1989

matthew8 wrote: »

He's 5'11, which seems to be about 5 inches too short for Meyer's liking. He bulked up which is why some people say his play has dropped off (He's still only 16 stone). He's not at the same level he was at back in 2009 in any case. Still has it when tackling and jackaling but doesn't offer much in attack.

While officially he might be 5'11 i very much doubt he is.

Emperor1989

To think a player like Pieter 'Lappies' Labuschagné cannot get into the Springbok squad and he is a fantastic talent just shows you the depth right now.

Burger and Spies also back...going to see some dropouts. Kolisi possibly.

marc96

Steph du Toit will
Be one I'll be keeping an eye on.

Emperor1989

marc96 wrote: »

Steph du Toit will
Be one I'll be keeping an eye on.

Du Toit is already a star in my eyes

Emperor1989

Another week another fantastic display by the Sharks duo of Pat Lambie and Marcell Coetzee. Another Shark that has put his hand up for a BOK call up is SP Marais who looks a real player in the making at full back.

It was Jake White's job to expand Coetzee's skill set to be that of a fetcher and he has done it in such a small time frame its very encouraging for the Sharks future.

Terrible effort by the Stormers however who looked way off the pace. The Bulls lost to a quality Cheetahs side that are inconsistent. If they can get Pollard at 10 the Bulls won't be too far off mid table.

Emperor1989

Another really impressive week for the Sharks and another last minute bonus point.

Burger continues his comeback with a outstanding display against the Crusaders.

Bulls win, Cheetahs and Lions lost.

Morf

Emperor1989 wrote: »

Another really impressive week for the Sharks and another last minute bonus point.

Burger continues his comeback with a outstanding display against the Crusaders.

Bulls win, Cheetahs and Lions lost.

Sorry but could you keep results and Super XV stuff to that thread as some people record games to watch later on or even during the week when time suits. Thanks!

Emperor1989

Morf wrote: »

Sorry but could you keep results and Super XV stuff to that thread as some people record games to watch later on or even during the week when time suits. Thanks!

Don't thank me because I wont be following the above. Absolutely irrational to not talk about the Super XV South African teams in relation to the Springboks.

With Jake White returning back home to coach the Sharks, with the returning off Matfield to possible bok contention along with the Burger and the complete open race for the no 10 jersey it would absolutely make no sense to not to talk about Super XV in relation to the Boks, Super XV more than any other years is going to shape the formation of the World Cup squad for 2015.

Standouts so far for Super XV that did not get a place on the Boks 15 last year is

Marcell Coetzee
Schalk Burger
Francois Steyn
SP Marais

These guys based on there performance since the start of the year are absoutely pushing to get into the starting 15 whether they do or not is different matter with Steyn and Burger the only likely.

I can't fathom the request to be honest.

George Hook

I've been very impressed with Coetzee so far. Haven't seen Matfield and Burger play yet, I take it Burger is playing well? How's Matfield been?

Emperor1989

George Hook wrote: »

I've been very impressed with Coetzee so far. Haven't seen Matfield and Burger play yet, I take it Burger is playing well? How's Matfield been?

Matfield has been average at best which is to be expected. Burger put in a huge performance yesterday.

Schalk Burger’s performance in Christchurch was the big winner for South African rugby, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Burger lasted 76 minutes before leaving the field, bleeding and bruised but definitely not beaten.

Burger’s comeback from a life-threatening illness a year ago continues to gain momentum. This was the match that would answer the Burger doubters because any visit to Christchurch doesn’t allow for a loose forward to physically go missing.

Burger made 18 tackles, the most in the match. Crusaders openside flank Matt Todd was second-best with 16.

Burger made them with intensity and fronted every collision with a disregard for his safety. This is how Burger has always played.

Burger had the highest defensive work rate of the Stormers, with Deon Fourie (13) and De Kock Steenkamp (11) the only other players to get into double figures in the 122 tackles attempted. Only five were missed.

It was a match in which the flankers did the tackling and in which the flankers set the defensive tone. No 8s Kieran Read (six tackles) and Duane Vermeulen (four) played a secondary role in a match dominated by defence.

The Crusaders, without Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, are a mid-table team. Their attack again was too lateral and the Stormers, having reverted to the defensive structure of the past few seasons, easily handled the home team’s one-dimensional attack.

The Stormers, through the defensive effort, were the more deserving to get the win but sport doesn’t always reward the deserving.

The Crusaders had history on their side. They had beaten the Stormers in 12 of their last 14 meetings. They had also never lost to the Stormers in Christchurch.

And so it remains because of one point. Unfortunately for the losers, one point is all that is needed to turn delight to despair. And vice versa.

The Saders had lost their first two matches, against the Chiefs at home and against the Blues in Auckland. It really should have been three defeats from three starts on Saturday night in Christchurch. They are not the Saders of old. They are not the blokes who won seven titles. They are more the blokes who do well to get to the semi-finals and then lose.

Not so Burger. The Stormers may be a team in stagnation but Burger is a player who will never be second-best. He is every bit the menace who was crowned the world’s best player in 2004 and consistently has been among the best in the game.

The Stormers lost by a point in Christchurch but Burger’s performance made a more significant point in the context of Springbok and South African rugby.

FROM SA Rugby

George Hook

Thanks very much, it would be great to see Burger playing for the Boks again.

Emperor1989

George Hook wrote: »

I've been very impressed with Coetzee so far. Haven't seen Matfield and Burger play yet, I take it Burger is playing well? How's Matfield been?

Coetzee is a fine player. A real energy bunny, flying around the park taking the ball or tackling. A lot of youthful exuberance. Its going to be a real headache for Meyer to pick the squad in terms of backrow. Possibly feel that Kolisi of the Stormer will be dropped.

Emperor1989

Desperate news for all Boks Fans.

Pieter Steph Du Toit out for the whole year with a acl injury. Just awful!!

George Hook

This was the year I assumed he was really going to break into the Boks squad. That's rough on him.

Emperor1989

Looks like Coenie Osty is out now the season with a slipped disk in his back.

2 terrible injuries to 2 new Springboks that have huge potential. Such a shame

Emperor1989

Huge derby tomorrow at Loftus between the Bulls and Sharks. I expect this to be brutally physical battle.

Two huge packs and Springbok duals all over the park

Matfield vs Everyone
Visser vs SP Marais
Steyn vs Serfontein
Pieterson vs Basson

should be the highlights especially the Steyn vs Sertontein battle that will more than likely determine the pecking order heading into this year tests.

Bridge93

Would I be wrong to rate SA pack as the best in the world? Going through the names to pick from I can't see any weaknesses. I've always thought on your a day a team could get after NZ a small bit up front but I just don't see that with South Africa.

Emperor1989

Bridge93 wrote: »

Would I be wrong to rate SA pack as the best in the world? Going through the names to pick from I can't see any weaknesses. I've always thought on your a day a team could get after NZ a small bit up front but I just don't see that with South Africa.

I would think the best packs in the world right now are England and South Africa. New Zealand always have a good pack but a dominant pack they do not, but as there backs are so lethal they are rarely going backwards and usually going forwards which is a huge help.

I feel NZ still has the best back row in the game but with McCaw on the way out there is great opportunity now for another team to step up. I have never been convinced about their tight 5 against a team like the Boks. The second rows are a outstanding partnership in normal test matches but have yet have them up em and the front row is vunerable!.

The problem for the Boks is that they have now lost Oosty and PSTD for the year and that is big negative heading into the world cup as prob starters come 2015. Matfield will be watched closely today he has improved a bundle since his first match and it looks like his choice to come back has been an inspired one as he will be playing against Wales injuries aside.

Emperor1989

Steyn playing annoyed after this brutal hit

CatFromHue

Steyn is big guy!

He looks alot bigger than the Aussie backs.

The Lost Sheep

Gert Smal new director of rugby of Western Province.

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/140331/Big_day_in_Stormers_history

Emperor1989

Great performance by some great Boks today.

Danni Roussow and Juan Smith were simply immense. Such a fantastic effort by 2 great players.

marc96

Looks like he spent his time off in the gym

Emperor1989

Sharks win again but disappointing for The Cheetahs and The Bulls who also lost.

Its been a very poor year for South African teams bar The Sharks. Its worrying.

Emperor1989

Some great features on Schalk Burger here folks.

Emperor1989

We are starting to build up now to the June Tests, a whole heap of injuries.

Its going to be fascinating to see how Meyer will pick his team. Looks like Etzebeth/Flo are definitely out.

Emperor1989

Looks like there may be some issues at number 10 now for June.

Steyn hasnt been very good in France and Goosen/Pollard/Lambie have done very little to hold down a place in the starting team.

.......watch this space.

Swiwi.

Emperor1989 wrote: »

Looks like there may be some issues at number 10 now for June.

Steyn hasnt been very good in France and Goosen/Pollard/Lambie have done very little to hold down a place in the starting team.

.......watch this space.

Ah yeah. You're back to having kicking 10s in SA again. Thought Goosen would fix that but he has stalled. We'll trade you a flyhalf for Bismarck please.

damianmcr

Isnt Lambie due back sooner than expected?

Emperor1989

Swiwi. wrote: »

Ah yeah. You're back to having kicking 10s in SA again. Thought Goosen would fix that but he has stalled. We'll trade you a flyhalf for Bismarck please.

One would hope Bismark is keeping something back as he hasn't carried the ball near as well as in previous years.

I like the look of Pollard, he looks to have something about him if he can keep fit.

Emperor1989

damianmcr wrote: »

Isnt Lambie due back sooner than expected?

Lambie had to nail this year at 10 to be considered for the Boks.

He has not done this unforuntely due to injury and I would see Frans Steyn starting ahead of him for the Boks if it comes to it.

Swiwi.

Emperor1989 wrote: »

Lambie had to nail this year at 10 to be considered for the Boks.

He has not done this unforuntely due to injury and I would see Frans Steyn starting ahead of him for the Boks if it comes to it.

The angels would weep. Did you see that Sharks v Brumbies game in the weekend :eek:

I virtually never switch off a game of rugby, but I could not face any more. Virtually the worst game I have ever seen, up there with some of the Italy v Scotland classics of the noughties. Just dire. And Steyn couldn't kick the goals to save himself which totally derailed the Sharks gameplan. Puke rugby.

But yes, usually he is pretty effective, and I won't be surprised to see him get a Springbok start. I suspect SA will struggle this year in the 4N, but come RWC time when all the expats hop back on board, and I still rate you favourites to lift the trophy.

Emperor1989

Swiwi. wrote: »

The angels would weep. Did you see that Sharks v Brumbies game in the weekend :eek:

I virtually never switch off a game of rugby, but I could not face any more. Virtually the worst game I have ever seen, up there with some of the Italy v Scotland classics of the noughties. Just dire. And Steyn couldn't kick the goals to save himself which totally derailed the Sharks gameplan. Puke rugby.

But yes, usually he is pretty effective, and I won't be surprised to see him get a Springbok start. I suspect SA will struggle this year in the 4N, but come RWC time when all the expats hop back on board, and I still rate you favourites to lift the trophy.

I forgot that Franocois Steyn is going to Japan which I believe rules him out of the whole 4N.

I be fairly certain he start Morne Steyn, I wonder will Bakkies be back as there is a lock crisis with injuries at the moment. Possibly stick Alberts in at 4 and add another Loosie maybe Burger/Smith?

Emperor1989

South Africa training squad:


Forwards: Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Cheetahs), Marcel van der Merwe (Bulls), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs), Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), Lood de Jager ( Cheetahs), Victor Matfield (Bulls), Flip van der Merwe (Bulls), Heinrich Brüssow (Cheetahs), Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Stormers), Willem Alberts (Sharks), Jacques du Plessis (Bulls), Teboho Mohoje (Cheetahs), Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), Schalk Burger (Stormers).


Backs: Fourie du Preez (Japan), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Johan Goosen (Cheetahs), Marnitz Boshoff (Lions), Jean de Villiers (Stormers), Damian De Allende ( Stormers), Jan Serfontein (Bulls), Juan de Jongh (Stormers), JJ Engelbrecht (Bulls), S'bura Sithole (Sharks), Frans Steyn (Sharks), Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks), Bjorn Basson (Bulls), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Cornal Hendricks (Cheetahs), Willie le Roux (Cheetahs).


English/French or Irish based player not eligble for selection.

Injured players
Scarra Ntubeni (foot), Chiliboy Ralepelle (knee), Frik Kirsten (neck), Pieter-Steph du Toit (knee), Franco van der Merwe (ankle), Arno Botha (knee), Pierre Spies (bicep), Louis Schreuder (hand), Pat Lambie (bicep), Gio Aplon (elbow) and Jaque Fourie, who could potentially miss the entire Test season because of an ankle injury.

damianmcr

English/French or Irish based player not eligble for selection.

Is this a new policy or a one off?

Emperor1989

damianmcr wrote: »

English/French or Irish based player not eligble for selection.

Is this a new policy or a one off?

Its not a policy, the camp is on this Sunday which meaning players are still with there respective european teams until end of European Cup and domestic leagues.

The squad for the test won't be named for a few weeks yet.

Emperor1989

Interesting squad.

9. Du Preez
10.????? Lambie/Steyn/Pollard
11. Habana
12. Frans Steyn
13. De Villers
14. Willie le Roux
15. Goosen

I think they need to accomadate Goosen at all costs. He has the ex factor.....Jan Serfontein JJ Englebrecht Jacque Fourie and JP Pieterson.

Its an incredibly group of players at Meyers disposal....he deserve a huge amount of credit but the Boks should be beaten by no one other than New Zealand.

Emperor1989

Also the Brussow pick is fantastic, love him or hate him he has a mongrel element to him a passionate Bok who shows his passion the pitch. Same with Burger and passionate guy who leaves every ounce on the pitch. Kolisi IMO is finished now going forward until after the world cup, he couldnt afford to play as bad as he had and with Burger and Smith back he has fell right down the pecking order.

Brussow to start against the World XV for me with Alberts at 8 and Burger at 6. Rumour also has it now that Andries Bekker will also be considered going forward too which gives more depth at lock.

Need to get more game time into those backup props....Malherbe did well in France last year and need a consistent run at tighthead should JDV get crocked. Also would like to see more the backup loosie's they need more game time....a lot more but Cooenie the heir apparant has missed the majority of the season with a neck injury and whether they are willing to risk him soon is open for debate.

I still think Bakkies Botha needs to be involved and we will see will he be come the 4N....he needs a rest after a long season but if there was ever a more inspirational character or hard nut to teach the young guns he is it. I can't underestimate the physicality he brings to a pack of forwards. The mongrel has been missing from the forwards they have got it back now in spades....time to utilise it!

.ak

Emperor1989 wrote: »

Interesting squad.

9. Du Preez
10.????? Lambie/Steyn/Pollard
11. Habana
12. Frans Steyn
13. De Villers
14. Willie le Roux
15. Goosen

I think they need to accomadate Goosen at all costs. He has the ex factor.....Jan Serfontein JJ Englebrecht Jacque Fourie and JP Pieterson.

Its an incredibly group of players at Meyers disposal....he deserve a huge amount of credit but the Boks should be beaten by no one other than New Zealand.

DV at 13 is a bit of an odd choice, no? Wouldn't strike me as having the acceleration required for the outside channel currently?

thomond2006

Brussow hasn't lived up to his early promise. He was one of the Boks' best players in the Lions series.

Emperor1989

.ak wrote: »

DV at 13 is a bit of an odd choice, no? Wouldn't strike me as having the acceleration required for the outside channel currently?

True not pacey but a fantastic leader for that backline to have. Its still quite inexpierenced.

He is still captain so I can't see him being dropped completely.....but with Matfield.......

Emperor1989

thomond2006 wrote: »

Brussow hasn't lived up to his early promise. He was one of the Boks' best players in the Lions series.

Been a bit unfortunate because of his size....he has never really been given a chance under Meyer. He is right back to his best form now....altho the Cheetahs got bulldozed by the Stomers just now.

thunderthing

Any chance of Lions 10, Boshoff, getting a game do ye think?"