Considering the result of the 1st Test and considering where SA stands in preparation for the Tri-Nations (and next year’s World Cup), what would constitute a “CLEVER” or “ASTUTE” Run-on Springbok Team for the 2nd Azuri Test.
To make this decision, one needs to look at a few things, namely:
- Where the shortcommings were in the 1st Test
- Where there is still doubt about the best player in a certain position, one needs to test one to three players out NOW.
- Where there is doubt about depth in positions, those need to be identified and players need to be tried there.
- Where a certain player’s match-fitness is in doubt those players need to get an extended run.
- In positions where players are starting in situations where they do not have considerable Bokke experience, they will require more experience.
- Selecting a Team with definate continuity requirements.
- Select Specialists in positions rather than Utility Players.
- Play more Southern South African players due to the fact that Test 2 is down at coastal level.
So exactly where were the shortcommings in Test No 1?
The effort was disjointed and I perceive that the team never really gelled as a unit, mostly ascribable to an unsettled midfield. So rectify Item No 1 by playing a settled MIDFIELD COMBINATION, that being Juan de Jongh and Jaque Fourie.
In addition it is time to try out the Ruan Pienaar (No 9) and Morné Steyn (No 10) together combination as a halfback pairing, we’ve seen what Ricky and Morné do together, time for change.
Play Schalk Burger, Francois Louw and Pierre Spies together as a combination to go forward to the Tri-Nations and get them combining like clockwork, balance in the backrow is of premium concern.
Who do we utilize where there is doubt who the best possible player in a specific position is?
The positions where we’re not sure, whether the best candidates are indeed already identified are: Hooker, Tighthead Prop, Scrumhalf, Inside Centre.
Hooker: I would start with Gary Botha at hooker with Tiaan Liebenberg on the bench and let them play a full half each.
Tighthead Prop: I would experiment with Werner Kruger on at Tighthead Prop with CJ van der Linde on the bench in case the experiment goes wrong and to cover an injured loosehead.
Scrumhalf: I would play Ruan Pienaar at his preferred position of scrumhalf, next to his Primary School mate Morné Steyn to see how they gel and what the backline look like when they provide ball to the rest of the backline, but I would put a scrumhalf on the bench in case of injury.
Inside Centre: I would play Juan de Jongh at inside centre for 1 half and either Jean de Villiers or Wynand Olivier for a full 2nd half, but with the best Flyhalf and Outside Centre available (Morné & Jaque), then see who fits in best and shapes best.
Testing depth in positions?
This actually goes hand in hand with the previous Item, where Tighthead Prop depth is tested and developed, using someone like Werner kruger, but maybe due to the more urgent nature of testing Inside Centres, I would hold back on rotating to another Outside Centre and only play Jaque Fourie there for this coming Test.
Match Fitness in doubt?
Typical examples are those of Bakkies Botha and the 2 half injured players, Schalk Burger and John Smit.
I would play Bakkies to get more match fitness at No 4 and have someone like Flip van der Merwe on the bench to develop depth in this position.
In addition, Schalk Burger should slot back into the familiar No 6 Flanker, but John Smit’s hamstring tear is of such a nature that he maybe needs an additional week’s rest…. as well as considering that hookers need to be tried as per Item 2.
Players starting without too much Springbok experience?
Zane Kirchner, Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Francois Louw and possibly Dewald Potgieter need more Bokke time, for confidence and for finding their exact niche within the team… continue playing them there, let them fine-tune their efforts and cement their places.
Continuity and combinations?
A team with tried and trusted combinations need to be selected to ensure a well balanced and effective team.
Specialist players in positions?
The facination with Utility Springboks MUST come to an end, I believe that a GOOD SPECIALIST is better than a VERY GOOD UTILITY PLAYER.
More Southern South Africans?
The Items above have really taken care of this fact already, alternatively this criteria is less important than the other selection criteria as detailed in the other Items above.
Having considered the above, If I were coach, I would select the following Springbok Team and Replacements:
15. Zane Kirchner
14. Gio Aplon
13. Jaque Fourie
12. Juan de Jongh / Jean de Villiers – each to play a full half
11. Bjorn Basson / Bryan Habana on bench, only to come on in case of injury
10. Morné Steyn
9. Ruan Pienaar / Ricky Januarie on bench only to come on in case of injury to Ruan or Morné (Ruan moving to flyhalf)
8. Pierre Spies
7. Francois Louw / Dewald Potgieter
6. Schalk Burger
5. Andries Bekker
4. Bakkies Botha / Flip van der Merwe
3. Werner Kruger / CJ van der Linde on bench for tighthead insurance or to cover loosehead injury
2. Gary Botha / Tiaan Liebenberg – each to play a full half
1. Gurthro Steenkamp
I suppose one covers all possibilities with this combination, have the necessary insurance and backup, do not play token players and only play in form performers from this season. One should learn valuable lessons from these experiments without sacrificing continuity and team dynamics.
What do YOU think… blast me with your wisdom… or lack thereof!
I would like to see WP Nel given a chance at 3.
I dont know what Peter did during the Super 14. Did he go to lala land? Why all this bloody experiments. O yes he went to NZ to study new coaching techniques.
I swear Graham Henry got hold of him and gave him a gift.
What gift?
It is obvious, the old Graham Henry coaching manual , that one he used to confuse himself who is the best in New Zealand. Remember how he picked his teams in 2007 during the World Cup.
Peter you are falling in that same trap , hell come on it is obvious how far Hargreaves is from the top, Bakkies, VD M , Danie Roussouw, are miles ahead of him. Bekker even out of position is better. Adriaan Fondse, ag man i can name 4 more.
1@ Loosehead:
As a Cheetahs supporter, ask yourself the following questions on your suggestion:
1. Was WP Nel an in form player in the Super 14, the whole season?
2. Does WP Nel deserve a spot above Werner Kruger who WAS IN FORM the whole season?
If so, then he’d be an option,fact is though the Cheetahs scrum battled in many games.
I thought a bit about the Free state front rows. Did they not go for a intensive conditioning program to bulk them up. Watch them come back next year. Gurthro did a lot of work last year and it is paying of this year.
Although i feel for Gary , Tiaan and Werner i wont use them a experimental players. Ag come on PdV know them , he must have seen what they are capable off. What is the point of playing them in a unsettled Bok experimental team, what can he learn from it.
The only thing that can happen is that they fail, not because they are not up to it but only the fact that they will play in a team like the one we saw in the 2nd half today.
Hoesit hoesit!
Long time no blog. Ja, maar ongelukkig is GBS nie die coach nie. So verwag maar nog sinnelose eksperimente.
6@ Hokaai:
Hello Hokaai, ek neem aan jy stem meestal saam met my analise en keuses?
5@ superBul:
Experimentation is only OK if it is CONTROLLED EXPERIMENTATION, within settled combinations.
In Gary and Werner’s case, in the front row combination in which they played the whole season.
In Tiaan Liebenberg’s case, next to the Premier Springbok loosehead (Gurthro) and in front of 2 Excelent Locks, one his Stormers Team mate from the Stormers, the other Bakkies, Premier No 4 Springbok lock… and in front of the probable Bokke Loosie pack for the Tri-Nations.
That is what I call CONTROLLED EXPERIMENTATION!
How else do you bring new Bokke through?
Vat Slotte in SA ons weet dat die top Paar Victor en Bakkies is. Danie het so goed gedoen die jaar dat hy vir Bakkies vervang het en ons soms gevra het Bakkies wie. Dan is daar boonop nog Flip vd Merwe hy was net uit omdat Bakkies en Danie ervare is , hy is net so goed. Fondse was baie goed vir die Stormers en kon as hy by die Bulle gebly het maklik die span gehaal het. Anton van Zyl het hom elke keer goed afgelos. Dan is daar nog Bekker wat die seisoen van sy lewe gehad het. Warom nog probeer rocket scientist speel weet nugter, probeer hy ons net afpis?
Ek kyk hom vandag daar in die afrigters hok, hy lyk soos iemand wat kritiek op homself getrek het en nou hardegat speel. Nee wag maar ons gaan nog lekker baklei oor sy spanne vir die 3 Nasies.
@ grootblousmile:
I agree in the principle. What if he plays CJ, Chilly and Werner. What can that prove.
I always said a team wont be affected too much if your star player is injured and replaced. Lets put it this way , say Victor is out but the rest of the team is settled. Even Hargreaves can do well then.
In positions where we have no back up i understand some experimenting , but at lock. And i have said it many times, why would Victor at this stage give his trade secrets away to players other than true Blue Bulls? So what can Hargreaves learn?
Boys and Gals, I’ll read what you say later, have a wonderful Fathers Day tomorrow.
The weakest player in the national side is Gio Aplon. Against France he was 5 times non-existent on defence and yesterday 4 times. I will never believe that is good enough for an international player.
I have always been very critical of the “coach pick the team” approach. I strongly feel a panel represented by all the unions should pick 30 players and the coach must use only those. He may not be part of the panel, although he may make requests.
Then we always have the best players on merit (even with qoutas) and we will have none of this dumb favouratism. The coach can pick his 22 from the 30 and experiement as much as he want.
What better springbok trials can you invent than the S14?
I am tired of coaches wanting to prove everyone right. When ever did coaches get it right? Both White and de Villiers were more helped by injuries and forced selections than their player picking abilities.
grootblousmile wrote:
The big problem here is that we have the wrong 30 to start with! Sure Chilliboy played well Saturday, but surely Gary or Tiaan would have played even better?
14@ Hokaai:
Exactly, that’s why I suggest playing Gary Botha and Tiaan Liebenberg now against Italy to draw them into the Springbok fray!
@ dWeePer:
Don’t agree. Besides a totally below par performance from the whole team, Kirschner & Spies stands out as the biggest losers. Januarie not far behind either.
No football thread so will post this here.
GOOOOOOOOOOOO NEW ZEALAND.
NZ just scored against Italy. NZ 1 Italy zip at the moment.
1. CJ
2. Maku
3. BJ Botha
4. Bakkies Botha
5. A. Bekker
6. S. Burger
7. Flo
8. D. Potgieter
9. R. Pienaar
10. M. Steyn
11. Habana
12. J. de Villiers
13. J Fourie
14. G Aplon
15. Z. Kirchner
16. Chilliboy
17. Gurthro
18. Danie R
19. P.Spies
20. R. January
21. J de Jongh
22. W.Olivier
@ Bluebeard:
Ek like jou span.
Bench cover enige hick-up
Italy 1 – NZ 1
Match drawn.
Well done NZ, managing a draw against the defending world champs.
1 CJ vd Linde
2 G Botha
3 BJ Botha
4 B Botha
5 A Bekker
6 D Stegmann
7 D Potgieter
8 P Spies
9 R Pienaar
10 B James
11 G vd Heever
12 J de Jongh
13 J Fourie (c)
14 G Aplon
15 F Steyn (As kon)
16 T Liebenberg
17 W Kruger
18 F vd Merwe
19 F Louw
20 J Vermaak
21 M Steyn
22 J de Villiers
@ Die Blou Kuberruim Wandelaar:
En dan as almal lekker klaar uitgerus is (beserings in aggeneem), vir die Drie Nasies oor drie weke:
1 G Steenkamp
2 J Smit (c)
3 BJ Botha
4 B Botha
5 V Matfield
6 D Stegmann
7 S Burger (Aangesien Smith eers in Augustus reg sal wees)
8 P Spies
9 R Pienaar
10 M Steyn
11 B Habana
12 W Olivier
13 J Fourie
14 G vd Heever
15 F Steyn
R:
16 G Botha
17 W Kruger
18 D Rossouw
19 F Louw
20 F Hougaard
21 B James
22 J de Villiers
Beste wat ek mee kon opkom met al die beserings ens rus ens.
21, Die Blou Kuberruim Wandelaar.
Dit is tyd dat ouens die “wishful thinking” laat staan en realisties kyk na die groep waaruit die span saamgestel gaan word. PdV het sy groep bymekaar waarna hy wil kyk. Behalwe in geval van beserings sal daar nie nuwe name bygevoeg word voor na die Drienasies nie, en dan ook net waar werklik nodig. Net soos Jake White sy groep gehad het, het PdV syne. Dit is jammer vir sommiges, maar dit is feite. Op die oomblik vorm die volgende ouens in jou span ooglopend nie deel van die onmiddelike planne nie:
Gary Botha, Deon Stegmann, G van den Heever, F Steyn. T. Liebenberg, W. Hruger, J. Vermaak.
Hulle sal egter almal in aanmerking kom wanneer daar beserings is in hul onderskeie posisies. Tot dan moet ons by PdV se groep bly as ons sinvol wil kommunikeer oor span samestellings.
Die Drienasies span vir die eerste wedstryd teen Nieu Zeeland sal baie naby aan die volgende wees.
1. Gurthro Steenkamp.
2. John Smit
3. Jannie dP
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield
6. Schalk Burger
7. FLouw
8. P Spies
9. R.Januarie
10. M. Steyn
11. Habana
12. Jean dV
13. J. Fourie
14. G.Aplon
15. Z Kirchner
16. Chilliboy
17. CJ vd Linde
18. Danie Rossouw
19. D. Potgieter
20. R Pienaar
21. J de Jongh
22. B.James
23. A.Bekker
24. B Maku
25. W.Olivier
26. BJ Botha
Ek baseer bogenoemde span op wat ek glo PdV geleer het uit die afgelope paar wedstryde.
1. BJ Botha en Chilliboy saam werk nie- te klein voorry.
2. Bakkies Botha se fisieke impak is groter maar Danie R is die ideale impak slot. Bekker het homself ‘n bietjie in die voet geskiet met sy persoonlike dinge, maar hy sal daar wees in die wyer groep en aangaan WB toe.
3. B. James is ‘n meer veelsydige reserwe in die 22 as Wynand Olivier.
4. Schalk Burger klou aan sy posisie vas bloot op ervaring en die feit dat hy en FLouw langer saam speel, maar ek glo dat Potgieter en Rossouw moontlik as impak paar saam gebruik kan word. Hulle twee sal ook aangaan na die WB span. Afhangende van wat hierdie naweek in die was uitkom kan daar egter nog ‘n verandering of twee wees maar net insoverre dit die beginspan en reserwes aangaan.
Voeg by Fourie dP, JP Pietersen, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, enruil Ruan pienaar moontlik om met Francois Hougaard en ek dink dit is die groep van 39 vir die WB soos dinge NOU vir my lyk. Die CB kan dalk ‘n verrassing of twee oplewer, maar dit op sigself sal nogal ‘n verrassing wees.
25. 39 = 30
Wat my bekommer van Kuber is die groot hoeveelheis Springbok kleure wat weggegee word. Ek haat dit as hulle die trui cheap maak.
Onthou CR was al lankal in Bok visier, dat Maku nou n Bok is maak my sommer kriewelrig. Kyk dat CR n paar geleapfrog het kan ek verstaan, soos gese is hy al lank geoormerk vir groot dinge.
superBul 27. Is so, maar ek dink in die lange duur is dit die mindere van twee euwels.
In Smit het ons ‘n swaar groot sterk monder beweeglike haker wat sy springers goed vind en redelik aktief in die vastelos is.
In CR het ons ‘n kleiner haker wat dalk meer beweeglik is maar byvoorbeeld saam met BJ nie sal werk nie omdat hullr beide klein en kort is, al skrum Chilli goed. Sy ingooie in die lynstaan is ook verdag, maar kan aan gewerk word.
Maku is ‘n kombinasie van die twee en is groot genoeg dat jy hom met BJ kan gebruik.
In vergelyking met die ander aanspraakmakers is die gaping tussen laasgenoemde twee en hulle nie so beduidend soos byvoorbeeld tussen Victor Matfield en die naaste slot van kleur, heel waarskynlik Fudge Mabetha, nie. Dieselfde geld vir verskeie ander posisies. Wat ek hiermee probeer se is dat al is CR en Maku dalk vyfde of laer op die SA haker ranglys is hulle nog steeds van internasionale gehalte en staan hulle nie terug vir meeste internasionale hakers nie. Daarteenoor is daar tussen die beste transformasie kandidate in ander posisies en hul internasionale opposisie baie groter gapings in gehalte.
If ever i thought i knew something about soccer this global standing shows my knowledge
Global 43,336 / 64,463
@ Bluebeard:
Daai span van jou vroeer is goed verteenwoordig. Dink jy slaan spyker op die kop. Ons moet dit ongelukkig ook onthou. Verwag na die SWC weer n anslag van die politici.
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