Springbok Squad announcement

The naming of the Springbok squad has raised a number of eyebrows.  I think there are a number of fringe players who missed out and a number of inclusions who are extremely happy that they are there.  Before discussing the selected players in more detail, lets first stand still at the coach. 


Heineke Meyer is a coach who walked a long road with the Bulls.  He is the father of their current playing pattern and they understand his way of thinking.  It would therefore, rightly or wrongly, be expected that he would have the majority of his squad come from the Bulls.  I just hope that this does not mean we are also going to fall into the Bulls pattern for the Boks, as it can be beaten if defended correctly.  We have seen it happen in a couple of coaches before, where they form the bulk of their side from a single province/franchise and then basically take on that pattern of play.


Lets start with the detail discussion of the squad: (Name, team and number of test caps)

Fullbacks

Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 14)

Talented fullback, who never equalled the success he had at the Griquas, since moving to the Bulls.   His season has not been one of the best and he has been nothing more than a fair player.  Very lucky to be here.  Is versatile and can play wing and centre with ease.

Patrick Lambie (The Sharks, 11)

Young man who has shown us again and again what a great talent he is.  Is not only the best fullback in the country, but also must be a serious contender at no 10.  He can also slot in at centre if there is a crises.  Good running and attacking player, with an educated boot to knock over the kicks to the poles.  Young, exciting player who was never in any doubt for the squad.

Gio Aplon must be the unlucky player at fullback.  How is Kirchner selected and not him?  Only Heineke can tell us that.  Small player with a massive heart and very big BMT.  The problem is that Gio will probably not make a starting line-up and that is where the problem comes is.  Is he good enough to fill one of three spots on a bench?  Should, however, still be a better choice that Zane.

Wings

Bjorn Basson (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 6)

One of the best finishers in the business with blistering pace and excellent chaser of a ball.  Always a good back-up if one of the front line contenders gets injured

JJ Engelbrecht (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 0)

Played excellent rugby last year for the Stormers and Western Province on the wing and have been filling in at centre for the Bulls.  Is keeping Johan Sadie out of the Bulls team and that has got to mean something – not that the move to the Bulls has done anything for Sadie’s rugby – but I do not believe that this is his time at this level yet.  We have great wings and centres that have already played for the Springboks and is at any day at the same level as JJ.  A talent for the future.

Bryan Habana (DHL Western Province, 74)

Bryan has had a bad come-back after injury and has battled to find form.  He is, however, returning to his best form and with 80% form and 74 test matches he must be in the starting line-up.  He is a magical player that wins matches for you with his incredible acceleration and speed.

Lwazi Mvovo (The Sharks, 4)

This man deserves a place with yet another good season.  The problem is that I do not think he can make a starting line-up, but like Bjorn Basson he is an excellent back-up to have in a squad.  Strong and fast and an excellent defender.

JP Pietersen (The Sharks, 42)

I know that there are many people who do not like JP Pietersen, but he is as good as you get it.  He has a very good BMT and has proved that over and over at international level.  He is a speedster that looks like he is on a canter when he runs, but combined with his strength and great defence; he is also a must for a starting line-up.

The unlucky wing is probably Willie le Roux.  This Boland winger has played very well for the Cheetahs and has turned himself into a household name halfway through the season already.  Yes, he probably will not make the squad in the near future either, but I can promise you, he will not let you down.

Centres

Jean de Villiers (DHL Western Province, 72)

With 72 tests as centre and wing for South Africa, he is our most experienced midfielder.  A very good player and leader, with a little blotch against his name with some dismal defence.  Although a must for the midfield, I somehow always feal cheated by him.  I always feel as if I can still expect more from him.

Wynand Olivier (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 34)

It took many years for a Bok coach to realize that Wynand is nothing more than a very average centre when Jake White dropped him the first time.  Under Pieter de Villiers, the centre with the sticky hands fell totally out of favour, just for Heineke to praise him in the press and let him bounce right back into the squad!  I cannot think that this is only because of his Bulls connection.  Very lucky to be here.

Frans Steyn (The Sharks, 47)

Very talented lost son who has returned from the cold.  Franscois has always been one of the stars of SA rugby and I am so happy that the Sharks have secured his services for the next couple of seasons.  If he is fit, you make place for him anywhere in the team!

On top of the list of unlucky centres must be Juan de Jong.  Juan de Jong is a great centre in the old tradition that can run and step well and is a solid defender.  Has never let the Boks or the Stormers down.  Why is he not in the squad????  Choice between him and Wynand should have been obvious, but obviously I got it wrong!

Robert Ebersohn is one of the player whom I really feel for.  He is such a talented youngster and will unfortunately probably never reach the Bok team.  I am, however, confident that he can play in a test side and will not let you down.

Flyhalves

Elton Jantjies (MTN Golden Lions, 0)

This youngster deserves all the credit he gets.  He can run, kick and defend very well and has a very mature head on his young shoulders.  If he did not play for the Lions, but rather the Bulls or Stormers, he could have been our number one choice at flyhalf very easily.

Morné Steyn (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 34)

Morne Steyn is Mr Dependable.  There is nothing to get excited about his rugby, but he is one hell of a point scoring machine.  This is probably his last year as the Bok flyhalf as the young Johan Goosen – if he stays uninjured in future – will be the logical choice to take over.

The first unlucky person at flyhalf must be Peter Grant.  He plays some of the best rugby of his career at this stage and really deserves a chance.  Unfortunately Mr Dependable is the man in the job and with Lambie and other youngsters around; he is not likely to ever get true action in the green and gold.

Butch James is a must in any squad.  He may not be the number one in the country anymore, but he has proven for the Lions that he has a very calming influence on the rest of the players around him.  You may want to keep him around in the squad for crises and to help the youngsters.  Maybe not the right decision to leave him out.

Scrumhalves

Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 15)

Since the departure of Fourie du Preez, he is probable the best scrumhalf in the country.  I do still feel that he is still not playing up to his full potential at scrumhalf, so watch this space – he can only improve.

Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, Ireland, 51)

Experience must have given Ruan the nod.  He has just come off a great season for Ulster as his foot and general play was a huge part of their success.  If he is good enough to really still be a Bok is an open question.  Heineke must have thought of the versatility he brings to the team as his best position will always be on the bench.  I think he is too slow behind the scrum to be a test scrumhalf, yet the fact is that he can help out in any position in the backline in case of an emergency.  In the old days of tours, he would have been one of the first to ink in into the squad.  Now, he is very lucky to be given another life.

Jano Vermaak (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 0)

This is a shocker!  Jano Vermaak is a competent scrumhalf and I wonder how much his Blue Bull ties have to do with his selection.  Jano has two major problems.  Firstly, he always gives a step before passing the ball.  That gives the opposition just that split second more to move up on defence.  Secondly, he has a long history of penalties in crucial times in matches.  Yes, it may be my perception, but it is the first think that comes to mind when I hear his name.  I wonder why the Lions did not want him anymore…..

The Sharks scrumhalf, Charl McLeod, is in very good form and I think he can be very disappointed not to make the squad in place of Jano Vermaak.

Loose forwards

Willem Alberts (The Sharks, 9)

Any guy that can crack Schalk Burger’s rib in a tackle deserves respect.  I know that the Super rugby statistics shows that Willem is one of the players who actually miss the most tackles, but when he hits you, you know you are hit!  He makes such an impact through his ball carrying ability that you cannot ignore him.  Where Juan Smith played with a lot more poise, Alberts is direct and to the point.

Marcell Coetzee (The Sharks, 0)

One of the finds of the season!  This opensider made a huge impact on SA rugby when he appeared from nowhere in the Sharks team.  He is fast, strong and a very good ball-carrier.  Started off the bench and when the front line loose forwards in the Shark team got injured, he grabbed his chance.  Keeping players like Ryan Kankowski and  Jean Deysel out of the starting line-up tells you what calibre he is.  Thoroughly deserves his place.

Keegan Daniel (The Sharks, 1)

Probably the fastest and most hardworking loose forward in the country.  Keegan always plays his heart out and is a very disciplined player who cannot be ignored.  He has come up trumps against very good opposition.  I am very happy for him that he gets a chance in the squad.  Will he start a test is debateable, but he is a very competent replacement.

Ryan Kankowski (The Sharks, 19)

Fit and on form he is the best ball carrying No 8 in the country.  He has blistering pace off the back of the scrum and is a very dangerous runner that has all the tricks to beat his opponents.  I am, however, a little concerned as he has played very little rugby this year and also that fact that his previous test matches have not been good.  Is the step up a little steep for him?  Time will surely tell.

Jacques Potgieter (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 0)

Since he moved from the EP Kings to the Bulls, Jacques was outstanding.  I am happy for him that he made it to the squad and just hopes that he is fit after a lengthy layoff due to injury.  Before his injury he forced himself into the Bulls side after exploding a couple of times off the bench.  If he is fit, he deserves his place in the group.

Pierre Spies (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 47)

The captaincy of the Bulls has not done Pierre well.  Nick Mallet alluded to this as Pierre has been blowing hot and cold all season.  The injury to Duanne Vermeulen has probably saved Spies his test place, but he must pull up his socks.  He is a good ball carrier and has good pace, but he needs to play more in open spaces than just thundering into the opposition as he has been doing with the Bulls.  His is a very strong and quick loose forward and he needs to capitalize on that by attacking the open space more.  His experience will give him a tick behind his name, especially if Coetzee is one of the flanks.

There are three or even four players who could be a tad unlucky not to be in the group.  The first is Siya Kolisi.  He has been superb for the Stormers and in the match or two he missed, it was clearly visible.  The loss of Schalk Burger to injury was devastating for the Stormers, but Kolisi has played his heart out to fill that void.  

The second player is Heinrich Brussow.  He is a current Springbok and only due to his experience he probably should have been part of the squad.  The statistics have shown him not to be so effective this year and straight on form, I do not think he deserves a place in the starting line-up, but he is still not someone to forget.  

The third player I want to mention will probably not make a test side in his career, but he plays his heart out every week.  That player is the Lions captain, Josh Strauss.  I wish there was a place for him as he deserves a call-up, but unfortunately there are just so many good loose forwards that I cannot find place for him.

The final player I want to make a special note on, is the ex SA Schools captain, CJ Stander.  This is not his time yet, but he is another payer who has really grabbed the opportunity that presented itself at the Bulls with the injury to Deon Stegmann.  Watch this guy in the future.  i believe his best position is at number 8.

Locks

Eben Etzebeth (DHL Western Province, 0)

The gem that crawled through the cracks in Cape Town   At the beginning of the season no-one had heard of this youngster.  Then injury opened the door when Rynhardt Elstadt got injured and a new star was born.  The twenty year old grabbed the opportunity and is together with Juandré Kruger the locks of the season.  The injury to Andries Bekker may have cost Eszebeth a place I the starting linup, but this is a star which is going to shine very bright for us I future.  He really deserves this place in the squad.

Juandré Kruger (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 0)

The new Victor Matfield.  That is how the Bulls see this youngster.  He started this season with a bang when he got his opportunity and is another one of the very mobile locks we are so blessed to have in South Africa.  Another rising star of the future.

Flip van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 11)

If you want yellow cards, this is the man.  Flip is unfortunately a player who is slowly building a reputation as the new Bakkies Botha of SA rugby.  Not remembered for all the good things, but for the bad.  He is a touch lock, but like Bakkies, but his ill-discipline may cost the Boks at a crucial stage.  Heineke will probably select Flip and Juandré as a combination, but the former really needs to tighten up his discipline.  If he behaves, he is a definite starter for the Boks.

Franco van der Merwe (MTN Golden Lions, 0)

I am happy that Franco made the squad.  He is also one of the unsung heroes of the Lions team and is a very capable replacement.  I do not think he will under normal circumstances make a starting line-up, but he is a competent replacement at any time as a lock or flank.

The unlucky person here, who may have gotten a nod before Franco, is Rynhardt Elstadt.  This young lock is forced into the flank by a brilliant Eben Esabeth and a million loose forward injuries at the Stormers, but prior to his injury, he was an excellent lock partner to Andries Bekker.  He could have easily gotten the tick before Franco if he was still playing lock.  He does, however; also seem to have a slight discipline problem like Flip, but maybe that is the enforcer role we need in our pack.

Props

Jannie du Plessis (The Sharks, 30)

I don’t think there is any doubt about Jannie du Plessis’ place in the squad and he should be anchoring the test side at tighthead.

Werner Kruger (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 2)

A consistently good performer for the Bulls and more than adequate back-up for Dr Du Plessis as the anchor in the scrum.   No arguments about his capability and he deserves his place.

Tendai Mtawarira (The Sharks, 32)

A team without the Beast is unthinkable.  He is the most dynamic prop in South Africa that can scrum and run very well with the ball.  Out and out the best loosehead prop in South Africa.

Coenie Oosthuizen (Toyota FS Cheetahs, 0)

This is a talent for the future, but I do not believe that time is now.  This youngster needs to show a lot more maturity and improved technique before I will rate him as an international tight forward.  The day he grows up and stops the side-shows and concentrate on fixing the little issues in his scrummaging, he can become a force in world rugby.  He is young and can play both sides of the scrum, but is also by far the prop who gets penalized the most for illegal scrimmaging and seems to be more concerned about how he does the Campese goose-step than doing his work in the engine room.   A very lucky player to be here, but he follows on the back of other overrated props that represented South Africa, like Guthro Steenkamp,  Ollie le Roux and CJ vd Linde (funny that they all had there initiation into first class rugby in the Freestate).  The public like them for their acting and not rugby.  Under the correct guidance Coenie can be a star of the future.

Two players who must have come close to selection in the squad are Dean Greyling from the Bulls and Pat Cilliers of the Lions.  Dean is a good, hard and honest player who does a lot of the dirty work in the Bulls team and is very much part of the Bulls’ success.  The same with Pat Cilliers.  He did not get the chance to really step into the limelight at the Sharks as he had to compete with the Bok front row, but at the Lions he is really becoming a star.  I feel sorry for him that he did not get a chance in the squad.

Hookers

Bismarck du Plessis (The Sharks, 42)

If you talk hookers, Bismarck’s name will come up.  He is a very strong and hard player which turns over a lot of ball.  He is now an experienced player that scares the hell out of his opponents due to his big and strong biceps.  He is, however, not a better scrummager than Adriaan Strauss or Chiliboy Ralepelle.  His form has also not been the best this season, but it would be unthinkable not to go into the test without him at number two.

Chiliboy Ralepelle (Vodacom Blue Bulls, 21)

Unfortunately Chiliboy in in the wrong generation.  This hooker is one of the most underestimated players in the country and under different circumstances he could have been the Boks’ captain.  Unfortunately his career coincides with greats like John Smith and Bismarck du Plessis and that will unfortunately never see Chillibiy reach the heights he deserves.  A very competent replacement.

Adriaan Strauss (Toyota FS Cheetahs, 9)

The hardest worker in SA rugby.  This man is Mr 100% all the time.  He is not as naturally talented as a Bismarck or Chilliboy, but he makes up with it through hard work and a lot of heart.  An inspirational leader, which can also very easily captain the Boks if required and he is the cement of the Cheetahs team.  Without his leadership and inspirational play, they always look very vulnerable. He is a more than competent substitution whenever required.

A special mention here is Tiaan Liebenberg.  He will probably not make any squad if there are no serious injuries, but he is also one of the hardest workers in SA rugby.  Very much like Adriaan Strauss.

That concludes my discussion on the first Springbok squad of 2012.  By now we know that Jean de Villiers has been selected as captain.  Good luck boys, I believe you will make us proud.

That's my opinion!

I am so tired of political correctness!

Many things have happened to me and the people around me in life and I get it.  I get it that there were atrocities in the past that needs to be fixed.  I get it that the playing fields need to be levelled.  I get it that it will take years until the imbalances of the past is fixed.  What I cannot get is this ugly thing called political correctness.

Unlike the word choice of the term and what I wrote in the previous paragraph, this word has nothing per se to do with politics.  It is a term used when someone says the “middle of the road” thing not to upset anyone else.  It is when decisions are taken as not to possibly offend someone.

I see it happening all around me every day.  There is not a better place to see the evidence than on television.  You have a program, where there are judges, then one is white, one is black, one probably coloured or Indian and one definitely a woman.  Why?  Not because they were the best choices, but rather because they were the politically correct choices.  At the end of day it does not really mean that these people were the best qualified people for the job, but rather only the “correct” choices.  Who cares about quality at the end of the day?

Don’t ever confuse this with affirmative action.  Oops no, we cannot say that anymore.  It is employment equity!  Why can we not call a spade a spade?  I understand the need for affirmative action, but let’s call it by name then.  Then we all know what is happening and why it happened.

Just take management structures in companies, sports teams, TV adds, etc.  We always hear that there are no quotas imposed on any of these, but they are expected to represent the demographics of the country.  Yet, they are all picked or elected straight on merit!  Excuse me?  What does that mean?  That is just giving affirmative action a nice name.  Let’s be honest with it!

I just love companies that advertise job vacancies and says straight next to the advert that it is an AA position!  They are honest and everyone knows what they want and there is no argument.  I hate it when you see a job vacancy that has a little clause at the bottom that reads: ‘All our appointments are made in line with the demographics of the country” or something stupid like that.  Great guys!  When I apply for a job, do I fall inside those lines?  If you have five white managers and you need a black one, don’t open the advert for all races and the cover yourself at the end of the day by saying you have to appoint a black manager as your structure needs to represent…you know the rest.  Why waste people’s time by not telling them openly what you are looking for?  Because you want to be politically correct!

Why can we not have people just speak the truth.  For example, the one that is always a highly debated point is the beloved Springbok Rugby team.  Nooo, there are no quotas.  Yet every time a new team is selected, someone complains.  Why don’t we just come straight out and say that we want to have a team that are made up of x black players, x white players and x coloured players.  Then everyone knows exactly where they stand.  That is straight affirmative action and none of this political correctness where we pussyfoot around the subject.

The problem is that people abused affirmative action by doing window dressing.  That it is why it became politically incorrect to call a spade a spade.  It is because of the negativity created through window dressing where people who were obviously not qualified are put into positions to make the numbers look right.  It is not something unique to any country in the world, it happens all over where minorities are protected or imbalances of past history are trying to be forced corrected.  That created this political correctness issue.  People do not want to hear the truth.

There is nothing wrong with affirmative action.  If a group of people were not given equal opportunities in the past to compete on a level playing field, the concept of affirmative action is implemented to try and fix the past mistakes.  It does, however, not mean that totally unqualified people should be moved into position or teams just because they suit the right profile.  Affirmative action was never about doing window dressing, by putting the right face in place, but rather about developing the right face!  The process wants companies/sports teams to develop the correct faces for the jobs.