Peter de Villiers announced the Springbok team to face Wales in Cardiff . Peter said that winning is not the first priority in this game. I hope that his attitude do not cheapen the Springbok jersey.
15 Frans Steyn,
14 Gio Aplon,
13 Jean de Villiers,
12 Butch James
11 Odwa Ndungane,
10 Ruan Pienaar,
9 Ricky Januarie,
8 Joe van Niekerk,
7 Dewald Potgieter,
6 Francois Louw,
5 Andries Bekker,
4 Danie Rossouw,
3 BJ Botha,
2 John Smit (c),
1 CJ vander Linde
Replacements:
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle,
17 Janie du Plessis,
18 Alistair Hargreaves,
19 Ryan Kankowski,
20 Meyer Bosman,
21 Juan de Jongh,
22 Bjorn Basson.
The Springbok selectors have announced a match 22 boasting a total of 531 test caps for the test against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, June 5. The starting XV for the one-off clash at the Millennium Stadium includes two new caps with one new selection on the bench.
The inclusion of newcomers Vodacom Stormers wing Gio Aplon and flanker Francois Louw in the run on XV and Vodacom Cheetahs wing Bjorn Basson on the bench is due recognition for their consistently good performances during the 2010 Vodacom Super 14 tournament.
Aplon, a Springbok in the Sevens code has been one of the stand-out backline players during the Super 14 and also offers an option at fullback. Louw has been crucial to the Stormers success at the breakdown this season combining his size with good technique to dominate in this area. Basson, who played for the Emerging Springboks against the British & Irish Lions in 2009, is rewarded for some strong performances for the Cheetahs during the last few rounds of the Super 14.
The squad was announced by Saru President Oregan Hoskins from Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
The starting XV includes six overseas-based Springboks — fullback Frans Steyn, centres Jean de Villiers and Butch James, number eight Joe van Niekerk and props BJ Botha and CJ van der Linde.
De Villiers, Botha and Van der Linde all featured in the Boks’ final test of 2009 against Ireland at Croke Park in November. Steyn last played for the Springboks in the Vodacom Tri-Nations decider in Hamilton last August while 2007 World Cup flyhalf James and Van Niekerk last represented South Africa in tests against Australia in August 2008.
Van der Linde will play at loosehead and Botha at tighthead with Bok captain John Smit at hooker, where he finished the 2009 season against Ireland.
The selection also sees Ruan Pienaar start his first test at flyhalf since the Tri-Nations clash with the All Blacks in Bloemfontein in July last year. Pienaar’s halfback partner Ricky Januarie, who has been a regular squad member over the past few years, will start his first test since the record win over England at Twickenham in London at the end of 2008.
Bulls’ flanker Dewald Potgieter, who earned his debut test cap from the bench against Ireland last year, gets his first test start at blindside flank with regular Juan Smith unavailable for personal reasons. The experienced lock pairing of Andries Bekker and Danie Rossouw also featured in last year’s final test against Ireland.
The bench includes six players who were part of the 2009 end-of-year tour to Europe — hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle, prop Jannie du Plessis, lock Alistair Hargreaves, flanker Dewald Potgieter and centres Meyer Bosman and Juan de Jongh.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said he was satisfied with the selection.
“We have had a few challenges with two of our sides in the Super 14 playoffs but we have still being able to assemble a very talented squad,” he said. “Nevertheless we have picked a few Bulls and Stormers players who we believe have earned their places through hard work and consistency.
“Gio and Francois, as well as Alistair and Bjorn impressed us during the Super 14 and it will be good for us to get a look at them at test level. I have also been impressed in recent weeks with Chiliboy Ralepelle’s form and work rate. Chili was part of the squad through last season but battled with a few injury setbacks. He looks fit and strong at the moment”.
De Villiers added that the six foreign-based players in the squad had an opportunity to show the selectors how they might feature in the Boks’ longer-term planning.
“All six of them are talented in their own right and four have them have played for the Boks in the last 12 months. Only Butch and Big Joe have not played since 2008 but they are both quality players who have been in good form for their clubs.
“Butch offers versatility in that he can play at flyhalf and he brings a physical edge to the defence, which we will need against Wales. Joe has been one of the top loose forwards in France for the past two seasons and in our discussions with him recently he has said he is raring to go. He is an athletic number eight who carries the ball well which complements the other two players in the back row”.
The Springbok coach said he expected a tough test in Cardiff.
“The Welsh are up for this one,” he said. “They have a strong squad with a few young guns who will be eager to prove themselves.
“With only a week to prepare for this test we are going to structure our training sessions very carefully to make sure that we focus our attentions on the right areas, with defence being one of the most critical. There is also the fact that this team has not played together before but we are not looking for excuses, we are accepting the challenge and it will be a great occasion,” De Villiers said.
Springboks vs Wales – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Saturday 5 June, 2010
15 Francois Steyn (Racing Metro) – 36 caps
14 Gio Aplon (Vodacom Stormers) – uncapped
13 Jean de Villiers (Munster) – 55 caps
12 Butch James (Bath) – 35 caps
11 Odwa Ndungane (Sharks) – 6 caps
10 Ruan Pienaar (Sharks) – 36 caps
9 Ricky Januarie (Vodacom Stormers) – 40 caps
8 Joe van Niekerk (Toulon) – 51 caps
7 Dewald Potgieter (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap
6 Francois Louw (Vodacom Stormers) – uncapped
5 Andries Bekker (Vodacom Stormers) – 21 caps
4 Danie Rossouw (Vodacom Bulls) – 46 caps
3 BJ Botha (Ulster) – 19 caps
2 John Smit (Sharks, Capt) – 93 caps
1 CJ van der Linde (Leinster) – 58 caps
Reserves:
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle (Vodacom Bulls) – 8 caps
17 Jannie du Plessis (Sharks) – 12 caps
18 Alistair Hargreaves (Sharks) – uncapped
19 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks) – 11 caps
20 Meyer Bosman (Vodacom Cheetahs) – 3 caps
21 Juan de Jongh (Vodacom Stormers) – uncapped
22 Bjorn Basson (Vodacom Cheetahs) – uncapped
I’ve heard alot of rumours that the Lions are going to buying a whole host of players,has there been anything confirmed about this.
I just hope we beat Wales because that Welsh coach makes me want to puke.
Seems like everyone is recovering from large hangovers today 🙂
I hope this is the final death knell for Frans Steyn, he only played about 5 games at 15 , the only place where he could hide in a brilliant Springbok squad.
I am fed up with the FS this FS that, he chose to drop the Sharks let him live there and eat his heart out. We have great experience at 15, real number 15,s. Joe and Zane can be bolstered by Lambie and Killian.
I go mad when everyone reckons he is the Springbok savior. He made more mistakes in his path to a place in the team, where he can hide.
Be honest and forget all the potential, the great kicks, the long kicks, he was charged down many times. There is absolute nothing wrong with the length of Morne Steyns kicks. Morne and Grant showed yesterday if you practice your kicking you can slot 58 meter kicks with a lot to spare.
Think for one moment what Zane did the past 2 years, he is growing into a Jouba, a Gysie Pienaar you name it. And he played many games at number 15. Same can be said about Joe Peterson.
superBul wrote:
Any one of the real fullbacks can kick a ball back 50 to 80 meters.
Super,how many positions has Morne Steyn played in,how many positions have those fullbacks played in,out of all our players since re admission he has been pushed from pillar to post the most. Then after becoming a Superstar he gets a crap contract offer from that Straeuli tit.. He won a World Cup at 20 and kicked a 60 metre kick in the final,surely you cant tell me he has nothing to offer,yes there are other options but they are journeymen compared to Frans.
36 @ Winston:
no point in arguing with you on this. The fact is those kicks was in range for Morne too, before that Morne nailed one from 53 meters not straight and under pressure. But like i said i know you will dispute it.
Now the real problem is do we want the best player in each position or this master of none type players. It is not Peter de Villiers fault FS is playing center now, for me the Bok team is not a place to experiment. Pick a player in his regular position.
36 @ Winston:
may i ask, why do you want Morne Steyn to play anywhere else?
@28 – Don’t really disagree with you much. Was trying to explain how i think Div sees things. Div obviously considers Ruan as flyhalf, so if you hold that opinion it makes sense to try him out there and give him as much time as possible. As for Beast, Div knows what he can do, but probably wants to see if CJ is still up to scratch … and maybe Beast’s passport is not ready 🙂 I am just looking at the selections in view of what we know of Div’s views not stating my personal picks, which would be similar to yours. Only difference would be i’d rather have De jong to partner JDV.
Also think that people make too much about Frans Steyn. He has an enormous boot and great bmt, but he makes as many mistakes as he does great things and i feel we have adequate replacements. He may be nice to have in the side, but is no Andre Joubert and while there is the policy of not picking overseas based players, he was fully aware of the consequences of his decision.
Another thing – superBul rocks !!!!!!!
Super,you are missing my point,what I’m getting at is that someone like Morne was given the chance to settle in one position.. Frans is no fly half but I guarantee you that he would be the best 12 or 15 in the country if he was left in one place. No,but good old Dick’s obsession reared its ugly head by playing players out of position instead of letting a player specialise,the guy played where he was put..
@ WilladieLeeu:
Hi Willa, goed om jou weer hier te sien. Iets moet gebeur by die lions en ek glo Grobbelaar moet eerste die trekpas kry. Hy kan die jongelinge niks van wen leer want hy het self nog nie dit ervaar nie.
Ek hoop dit gaan goed met jou en dat die leeus volgende jaar beter kan presteer.
41@ Winston:
Winston it is also the player that must stand up. Look i know if i get a chance to don the jersey i would play anywhere. But FS must for his own good make the right decisions, you cant butter your bread both sides.
Where is he playing now in Europe?
As far as I know he alternates between 10 and 12 Super but I always thought 12 and 15 were his best positions.. At 10 he is too slow and tries too many things. I agree with the overseas policy because it would result in too many guys going overseas but this is just something that is close to my heart..
Just a quick hi and bye.
Why are there Stormer players in this team? Also Danie from Bulls? Thought no-one playing in the semi of Bulls and Stormers was going to get selected?
See plenty more from Stormers and Bulls in this team. Crazy those players needed a rest. Louw, Bekker, Potties? PdV not keeping his word to rest those players. We might need them for the France game.
Anyhow cheers all just a quick hello here came to put in my bru picks. Having a great holiday.
Goooooooooooooooo Bulllllllllllllls
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