Two new faces in the form of Siya Kolisi and Pat Cilliers make up a squad including 5 uncapped players – the others being JJ Engelbrecht, Elton Jantjies and Jano Vermaak. The full squad is:
Willem Alberts, The Sharks, 11 caps
Andries Bekker, DHL Western Province, 24 caps
Pat Cilliers, MTN Golden Lions, uncapped
Marcell Coetzee, The Sharks, 3 caps
Keegan Daniel, The Sharks, 3 caps
Jean de Villiers, DHL Western Province, 75 caps (captain)
Bismarck du Plessis, The Sharks, 45 caps
Jannie du Plessis, The Sharks, 33 caps
JJ Engelbrecht, Vodacom Blue Bulls, uncapped
Eben Etzebeth, DHL Western Province, 3 caps
Dean Greyling, Vodacom Blue Bulls, 2 caps
Bryan Habana, DHL Western Province, 77 caps
Francois Hougaard, Vodacom Blue Bulls, 18 caps
Elton Jantjies, MTN Golden Lions, uncapped
Zane Kirchner, Vodacom Blue Bulls, 15 caps
Siya Kolisi, DHL Western Province, uncapped
Juandré Kruger, Vodacom Blue Bulls, 3 caps
Patrick Lambie, The Sharks, 13 caps
Tendai Mtawarira, The Sharks, 35 caps
Lwazi Mvovo, The Sharks, 4 caps
Ruan Pienaar, Ulster, Northern Ireland, 54 caps
JP Pietersen, The Sharks 45 caps
Jacques Potgieter, Vodacom Blue Bulls, 1 cap
Chiliboy Ralepelle, Vodacom Blue Bulls, 21 caps
Pierre Spies, Vodacom Blue Bulls, 50 caps
Frans Steyn, The Sharks, 49 caps
Morné Steyn, Vodacom Blue Bulls,, 37 caps
Adriaan Strauss, Toyota FS Cheetahs, 12 caps
Flip van der Merwe, Vodacom Blue Bulls, 14 caps
Jano Vermaak, Vodacom Blue Bulls, uncapped.
Total caps: 647
Injured Boks not considered for selection were: Bjorn Basson, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brüssow, Bandise Maku, Coenie Oosthuizen, Jaco Taute, Johan Goosen and Duane Vermeulen
August 5th, 2012 at 14:00 SAST
Unfortunately, I have noticed that the level of discussion on this site has gone down over the last couple of months. The banter has gone, only to be replaced by a very ‘keo-esk’ style. Yes, GBS, you and Mallett are probably 100% right, I do have a clear lack of rugby knowhow. Discussions are clearly out of the question, and when it becomes a personal slanging match I lose interest. If I wanted that, I’d follow Keo, at least there, you know it is for real, they’re not slagging you off with one hand and stroking your dick with the other.
August 5th, 2012 at 14:06 SAST
My opinion:
Good looking squad, most of the players pick themselves.
There are one or 2 players who i would have not picked, as follows:
Zane Kirshner at 15. Pat Lambie would be my starting 15 and Gio would be my back up.
JJ Engelbrecht: I think hes done nothing to warrant being given national honors (yet) Juan De Jongh is a much better player at the moment IMO.
Dean Greyling: I cannot understand why he’s in a national team. He cannot scrum particularly well and is a huge penalty liability. Anyone befor him (probably Stephen Kitshoff for me, long term he is going to be a Springbok star).
I wouldn’t pick Grant, not in a million years. I do think Andries is the best 5 in SA though by a long way.
I think Pierre is the best 8 available at the moment.
My 10c
August 5th, 2012 at 15:24 SAST
Ah, some balanced views coming in…
52 @ Stormersboy:
Good points!
1. I’d also rather have had Gio before Kirchner… as backup to Lambie at fullback.
2. Agree regarding JJ Engelbrecht too, good player and has heaps of potential but at outside centre he comes off his defensive line too soon sometimes and is therefore a defensive liability at present.Juan de Jongh & Paul Jordaan unlucky to have missed selection.
3. Stephen Kitshoff had a great season, starting strongly but fading markably towards the end of a long Super Rugby season… maybe a bit long without proper recuperative rest for a 20-year old greenhorn, considering that he played the whole Junior World Championships too. Personally, he’d be a backup I’d consider for the Boks from next year only, he’s only 20 now. Pity Coenie Oosthuizen is injured, he’d have been in Dean Greyling’s place, can play both sides of the scrum too.
4. I agree with you regarding Peter Grant.
5. Andries Langbek… well, if the coaches could get it out of him not to fark things up in midfield, at flyhalf position, on the wing…and rather concentrate on the work a lock has to do, then yes, he could be chosen… although he’s become injury prone too in addition to playing out of position.
6. Pierre Spies better buck up, he’ll soon be replaced by a few candidates if not careful, players like Duane Vermeulen (once he’s fully fit and has some needed game time under the belt), then at the Blue Bulls by CJ Stander and / or Arno Botha….
August 5th, 2012 at 15:35 SAST
48 @ Scrumdown:
Springboks have to now start moving away from the skop & chase game, evolve into a possession rugby team… that’s what modern rugby and the rules as they apply now dictates.
So yeah… we have to change with the times, and I’m a bit worried there, Heyneke is conservative and the gradual change might not be apparent enough for people to buy into his vision and style, but would rather willingly and sheepishly choose to shoot down what he’s trying to do… as we’ve seen already.
49 @ Cheetah4eva:
Must say I agree with you, might have been better to get young Piet van Zyl into the extended Bok squad in place of Jano…. and yes, you are right, Jano could not manage to command a starting spot in Super Rugby… so I would not have chosen him either.
In general…. some critisism which is fair and merits decent answers… that’s what I like, and have responded kindly to.
Some others, well quite frankly I’m afraid for their daily safety… going to the toilet, the wrong turd might get flushed down the crapper… honestly. You’d think they would pen down their 30 players and see sense, as they do it…. but admitting it is asking far too much!
August 5th, 2012 at 17:52 SAST
@ grootblousmile:Yes, I have been impressed by Paul Jordaan the last few games. He is really starting to show some great skills and pace. One for the future if he can keep this sort of form up for sure.
I agree with you on Coenie, he’s a very impressive player. He also gives away a few too many penalties but his play with ball in hand is incredible, and he’s a good scrummager. It is a pity that he’s injured as you say. What I like about Stephen is that he is great in the tight, almost never slips a tackle, doesn’t give any penalties away and is probably the best scrumming loosehead we’ve had an many a year, and one of the reasons for our good scrum showing for most of the year. One thing that Alistair C does tend to do unfortunately is play players into the ground and he’s a prime example of that. As you say he’s young.
I also think that Pierre isn’t in the form that he was in 2008-9 but with the injuries to guys like Vermeulen we just do not have anyone who is shouting for selection (other than Deon Fourie) at no 8 (Just kidding). I do like the look of Arno Botha though and I would have liked to have seen him get some game time this year at Super Rugby level.
If Bekker can stay injury free ( a bif if and one that I personally doubt) I beleive he can make a big contribution, it will be interesting to see how HM plays him, the whole “forwards in the backline” thing is a Stormers defensive ploy which works very well on defense as we’ve seen but totally strangles any real backline attacking impetus. It’s not the answer as we’ve now seen. Juandre is a more than able alternative at 5, i wouldn’t loose any sleep if he is picked at all.
For me the key forwards are Bismark, Alberts and Beast. They make a huge difference when they play, and are most consipuous by their absence so those guys are key for me. Siya/Coetzee are fairly close, Eben/Flip are both good, Juandre/Bekker etc etc.
I’m looking forward to the new challenges regardless, bring it on!
August 5th, 2012 at 18:09 SAST
55 @ Stormersboy:
Good stuff Stormersboy!
At least Heyneke Meyer has from today till 18 August with the Bokke squad now…. then it’s the first Argies Test to test and tweak things at Newlands – 18 August, then another week to work with the quad till the 2nd Argies Test, in Argentina -25 August….. and thereafter only do we play 2 other 2 BIG GUNS, with a nice 2 weeks preparation time (Wallabies first – 8 September, then the All Blacks – 15 September).
So, the schedule looks good, suits SA very well indeed.
Lots of positive things to achieve in this International Schedule!
26 out of the 30 Bokke in the Bok squad are from the 3 SA sides who made the Super Rugby play-off’s, not too shabby at all!
I also say, bring it on!
August 5th, 2012 at 18:12 SAST
@ Just For Kicks:
Howzit Kickers!
“….. I do have a lack of clear rugby knowhow…”????????
I don’t know where or whom that came from, and I may not know much about many things, but what I DO know from reading you here on RT and from our little get together recently, is that you know a great deal more by far about rugby than the average blogger, troller and kukprater on most of the rugby sites I frequent (except for keo maybe, because I don’t know the present ‘fundi’ there no more).
So, just keep going the way you are, I rate your comments highly, and te moer met Mallett en die res!!!
Just my tuppence worth bro’.
Have a nice day.
By the way, I really enjoy Turkey’s input too, hehehehehe!
August 5th, 2012 at 18:22 SAST
@ grootblousmile:
Jisja, hoe lykkit bruvva?
Nou wag ons maar vir die Bokke.
Ek dink ons gaan gatskop vanjaar.
Ons soek net n Tommie Laubscher op vasskop en die regte kombinasie 8/9/10.
Maar kyk maar, teken Morne weer 20 punte in die toets aan dan is ons almal se bekke n ruk stil!
August 5th, 2012 at 18:31 SAST
58 @ Pietman:
Ten minste kan die Bulls spelers omtrent 4 weke “rus” van die stampe van lewendige games voor die 18 Augustus Argies Toets, die Stormers spelers 3 weke, die Sharks spelers 2 weke… en die paar outjies van die Lions, Cheetahs, Ulster & Fransie Sten nog langer as 4 weke, so die liggame behoort so effe te herstel het teen 18 Augustus.
Mens kon sien Morné Steyn het rus nodig gehad, miskien so ook Francois Hougaard… so ook paar Stormers spelers. Super Rugby was lank en hard.
Lambie het definitief 2 weke nodig om die spinnerakke uit sy kop te kry, die Sharks wat so gereis het, kan oor hulle vlugflouheid kom… neewat, dinge lyk nie te sleg nie!
August 5th, 2012 at 18:35 SAST
@ grootblousmile:
@54 Yes! No more ‘skop and chase’, please!!!!! Madness against the AB’s.
Alberts and co should charge at opposition with ball in hand, and not ball in the air…
August 5th, 2012 at 18:39 SAST
60 @ Pietman:
Ons HET die spelers, ons kort net ‘n klemverskuiwing in die wedstrydplan…. en die Sharks spelers is al gewoond aan die nuwe tipe spelpatroon… besitrugby, heg waarde aan die afbreekpunte, beskerm die bal, speel met goeie vaste fases (lynstane en skrums).
O, en gee ons ‘n geballanseerde spelpatroon, klem op beide verdediging EN aanval.
August 5th, 2012 at 19:27 SAST
@ grootblousmile:
Yeah looking forward to beating you on the ‘bru again!
@ Pietman: You beat me by 1. well done. I’ll try and return the favor next time!
August 5th, 2012 at 20:24 SAST
@ bdb:
Nee jou poepol die Bulls het net 7 uit 18 games gewen teen die Stormers. Dit is 7 gewen 10 VERLOOR en een gedraw. So gaan terug na daai hokkie in Maraba stad daar in Pretoria en vra daai antie wat die hoenders daar pluk jou skool geld terug want jy kan nie eers tot 20 tel met jou skoene aan nie.
Jy lewe te veel in die verlede. Maar jy vergeet dat julle die CB vir die volgende tien jaar in n ry wen om naby die WP te kom. So vreet jou eie kak op
Ba Doom Tis
August 5th, 2012 at 21:59 SAST
GBS, this is the house that you built. Its also your house to break down.
August 6th, 2012 at 00:19 SAST
@ Stormersboy
Right, you are on bro’, starting with the Currie Cup……laat waai!!
August 6th, 2012 at 11:22 SAST
51: jy is reg JFK, dit is seker omdat ‘n paar bitter keo manne hier begin skryf, sien post 63.
Spoony, jy kerm dat ek in die verlede lewe omdat ek na die 3 super titels van die Bulle verwys (en jou sensitiewe bitter hartjie teen die Bulle kan dit nie verdra nie?), maar jy skryf self:
“Maar jy vergeet dat julle die CB vir die volgende tien jaar in n ry wen om naby die WP te kom.”
So, jy mag wanneer dit jou pas die WP se baie CB titels in die verlede noem en geniet, maar ek mag nie verwys na die Bulle se 2 supertitels nie ?
Maak vrede met die verlede, goeie en slegte dinge (soos pres.Paul Kruger ons geleer het), en bou voort daarop !
Daarom, praat bietjie sense hier en met respek (banter is welkom), of kruip terug na jou hokkie daar in Keostad.
August 6th, 2012 at 11:24 SAST
66: jammer Bulle, 3 supertitels. Daar is al so baie, ek het vergeet om reg te tel
August 6th, 2012 at 14:49 SAST
Wow. The guys here are very passionate about who plays in the Springbok team.
Why did we think HM would make wholesale changes after the England series? He has a plan in mind, will pick the players he feels can play the gameplan. Don’t expect revolutionary changes to the game plan, but rather look for evolutionary and incremental changes to the plan. And those increments will be small. We will still play the kick chase, but expect it to be better executed. Possibly a touch more running, and maybe the odd grubber or chip kick. Remember HM is the man that coached the Bulls to a record 90+ score over the Reds. That cannot be because of a conservative game plan. And was he also not in charge of the Bulls when they scored 60+ against the Chiefs in a Super 14 final? That again is not conservative rugby. But do expext this type of rugby upfront. HM will coach the guys to play winning rugby.
The majority of bloggers were happy (some with reservations) to have HM appointed as coach. What has changed?
August 6th, 2012 at 15:20 SAST
68: ek sal ‘n antwoord probeer gee – en dan die houe vat !
‘n Klomp sharkies en stormers ondersteuners (nie almal nie!) is nou so dikbek en bitter omdat hul spanne ge-choke het (ek sou ook gewees het! hehe), en die beste ding om dan te doen is – kry ‘n scapegoat of iemand anders om jou teleurstelling oor uit te woed, en wie beter as die bok coach ?
Laat ek net dadelik byvoeg – my span het ook gechoke deur teen die Blues en Stormers te verloor op Loftus. Sharks het nie Saterdag gechoke nie, die laaste hekkie was net te hoog (hulle was ons beste span en die Stormers 2de beste), maar deur teen die Leeus en ‘n ander paar wedstryde te verloor wat hul moes gewen het, het hul al gechoke. Die Stormers het letterlik alles in hul guns gehad, maar ook verloor toe dit werklik saak maak.
Feite is, daar is eintlik net 2 plekke waaroor daar nou bohaai opgeskop word, en dit is 10 en 8, en nou is dit nog Bulle wat daar is, wat die saak nog meer emosioneel maak.
Hier is hoe ek die moontlike 15tal sien:
Lambie
JPP
JDV
FS
Habs
MS
FH
Spies
Alberts
Marcel
Juandre
Eben
Jannie
Bis
Beast
Deel die span in 3 groepe:
goud (kies hulself)
silwer (meeste saffas sal hul kies, nie almal nie, daar is ander spelers wat ook daar kan speel)
brons (spelers gelukkig om daar te wees)
Goud:
JPP
FS
Alberts
Eben
Beast
Bissie
Silwer:
Lambie (ander kies Zane, Joe, Ludik)
Habana (Basson, Mvovo, JJE)
JDV as 13 (de Jongh, JJE, Jordaan, JPP, WO weg)
Hougie (Pienaar, MCLeod, Piet, Jano)
Marcel (Brussow, Burger as hy reg is, Siya)
Juandre (Bekker, Franco)
Jannie (Coenie)
Brons:
Spies (Duanne is beseer, Kanko weg)
Morne (Jantjes, Grant, Goosen is beseer)
So, dit is werklik net 8 en 10 waaroor baie kerm en kla, en as jy kyk na beserings, spelers wat oorsee gaan speel het, ens. is daar nie veel beter nie.
Teen die tyd dat ons klaar Arg gespeel het, het Duanne dalk weer sy merk gemaak in die CB en kan terugkom vir die res van die RC, so ook Goosen.
Ontspan kêrels, super 15 is verby, nou is dit die Bokke !
En lekker provinsialisme in die CB !
August 6th, 2012 at 15:24 SAST
69: wou nog byvoeg, Pat het my baie beindruk, sal hom ook sterk oorweeg as vaskop, ten minste reserwe.
August 6th, 2012 at 16:09 SAST
Agree, BDB, Pat is very underrated, except in Lions rugby. However, we are used to Spies making thosestorming runs etc. Defences have just gotten too good for that, and I think he has learnt to get involved in the rucks and mauls. But he should be able to impose himself better at the collisions. No 10 is problematic. Can’t wait for Goosen to get back to fitness. He is the best FH we have, but MS has proven his worth in the past, and a bad series should not mean automatic relegation to the bench. Lambie and Jantjies offer different options to MS, and give us depth at no 10. But HM has chosen his squad for the next 2 tests, and he will tweak it a bit after the games against Argentina.