The Springbok rugby run-on side to face England on Saturday at 16:30 SA Time (14:30 GMT) is unchanged from last weekend, with Pat Cilliers on the bench in place of CJ van der Linde and Elton Jantjies replacing Morné Steyn.
CJ van der Linde, who did not have a stellar game against Scotland and for that matter against Ireland, was injured during Monday’s practice and the decision was taken to send him home to South Africa.
Elton Jantjies has not had any game time on tour yet and it was to be expected that he would either start or be on the bench for the England Test, in light of the fact that it would be his only chance to showcase what he’s got in comparison to Patrick Lambie who has not set the world alight in the first two Tests of the tour. Elton Jantjies will be able to stake his place off the bench and the hope is that he is given sufficient game time, to be measured, under the same circumstances as Patrick Lambie.
The side is as follows:
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (Captain), 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Jaco Taute, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.
51 @ Peter J:
Dan Carter is the very best. Freddie a close 2nd right now. Then they both play a different style of game to what we have to play for the Boks.
49 @ Sharks_forever:
Marvelous if true…. but for that to have real effect, the ball needs to exit the rucks at lightning speed and the forwards off-runners must’nt be in the way of the flyhalf receiving the ball.
Spoke to my one friend just now, who’s come to visit me here at my office. He used to play flyhalf in his day and has the dubious distinction of only ever having played ONE game at flyhalf for the Golden Lions. Funnily enough he shares the opinion that Lambie is better suited to fullback and that he is tactically not as astute as he should be when the pressure is on and space at flyhalf is cut down drastically as at Test level.
However, if fast ball can be given by Pienaar to Lambie, space will naturally be more, there will be more time to make decisions which really count and more time to send the backline away or run effectively at the opposing flyhalf and inside centre channel.
Let’s hope, more than anything else that the approach is for more ball-in-hand rugby this Saturday and for goodness sakes I hope for much faster ball from Ruan Pienaar.
One bit of critisism my friend voices about Lambie is that his passing to his backline is too much directly to the body of the man next to him in stead of in front of him, so that he can run INTO the ball… I have not noticed it, and will look for it on Saturday.
Let’s all hope for a great win, brother.
@ Puma:
Read POst no 52 bro, just scroll a little up
63 @ Sharks_forever:
Comment No 49, you mean…
@ grootblousmile:
Interesting boet, I will watch for that.
Besides the fast ball, we still have a FB thata never hits the lines thus never creating an overlap, we have centers that dont like passing, so i still see many problem boet, this is one of the reasons i dont blame lambie, as i see so much wrwong from the team as a unit.
Of course if Kirchner does join the line, pienaar cleans out eh ball faster, centers pass and run into spaces?? could get interesting out there đ
@ grootblousmile:
Oops 49 ur right boet.
Scotland team to face Tonga announced, loads of changes:(sorry for long post here, not in position to put up an article on this, http://www.scottishrugby.org/content/view/3254/2/)
15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) 9 caps, 1 try, 5 points
14 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) 70 caps, 8 tries, 40 points
13 Max Evans (Castres) 31 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) 6 caps
11 Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby) 4 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
10 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) 12 caps, 2 tries, 11 conversions, 17 penalties, 83 points
9 Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) 2 caps, 1 try, 5 points
1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps
2 Scott Lawson (London Irish) 35 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors) 48 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
4 Richie Gray (Sale Sharks) 26 caps, 1 try, 5 points
5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) 46 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) 29 caps, 1 try, 5 points
7 Kelly Brown (Saracens) CAPTAIN 51 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) 8 caps
Substitutes
16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors) 38 caps, 1 try, 5 points
17 Kyle Traynor (Bristol Rugby) 3 caps
18 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby) 16 caps, 1 try, 5 points
19 Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) uncapped
20 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 40 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
21 Rory Lawson (Newcastle Falcons) 30 caps
22 Tom Heathcote (Bath Rugby) uncapped
23 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby) 37 caps, 1 try, 5 points
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France). Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland) and Marius Mitrea (Italy). TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales).
Another problem is the tight 5 not hitting rucks, this leaves us with slow ball all the time.
@ Puma:
Thanks Puma, reason I asked was you mentioned we have 3 world class fhs, so I was wondering who you were comparing them to. I suppose in most comparisons we should just consider the ABs to be on a different level. If we only use the rest of the world I world I would probably agree with you, and they are all young guys, so maybe in a few years we might be able to include the ABs in the comparison, I certainly hope so. However I do take your point that the ABs play a different style of rugby, although I believe they are much more flexible in their game plan, they seem to be able to adapt to whatever the match requires
49 @ Sharks_forever:
Well we will have to wait and see if that happens. I think we will still play the same game plan for long periods in the first half, if we ahead we might then play a more attacking game. Another thing if they want Lambie to play well then he HAS to get more good ball and not bad ball. Once Ruan eventually gets the ball out of the ruck it just about always goes to a forward, would be nice to see Lambie recieve it sometimes and also if our Forwards are not dominating at the start we will not play with our backs it will be the same as the first half against Ireland. Also if we do eventually open it up there is still JEAN at inside centre. They should change that around by Juan playing there and Jean moving over to 13.
It all boils down to if our forwards do their job if we can open it up. Otherwise no matter how much you tell a fh he must get his backline going without good ball not even Carter will. If our forwards do their job then we will see some good rugby, that means Ruan HAS to play faster as well. Nice fast crisp passes to his FLYHALF not always the forwards or Jean.
Lambie never ever stands that deep who told him to stand like that last week? Have you seen him play like that? I have never.
We also need Zane to do his bit.
49 @ Sharks_forever:
Well we will have to wait and see if that happens. I think we will still play the same game plan for long periods in the first half, if we ahead we might then play a more attacking game. Another thing if they want Lambie to play well then he HAS to get more good ball and not bad ball. Once Ruan eventually gets the ball out of the ruck it just about always goes to a forward, would be nice to see Lambie recieve it sometimes and also if our Forwards are not dominating at the start we will not play with our backs it will be the same as the first half against Ireland. Also if we do eventually open it up there is still JEAN at inside centre. They should change that around by Juan playing there and Jean moving over to 13.
It all boils down to if our forwards do their job if we can open it up. Otherwise no matter how much you tell a fh he must get his backline going without good ball not even Carter will. If our forwards do their job then we will see some good rugby, that means Ruan HAS to play faster as well. Nice fast crisp passes to his FLYHALF not always the forwards or Jean.
Lambie never ever stands that deep who told him to stand like that last week? Have you seen him play like that? I have never.
We also need Zane to do his bit.
Too much for a team to learn and get right in one game I feel. Meyer will need time with next year trying this out.
meant = receive
Will this come up twice?
69 @ Peter J:
Sorry mate, picked up wrong there. Meant Carter and Freddie are the best right now in the world. Here I do rate Lambie, Goosen and Elton world class, well up and coming not there yet as those other two are, but they have huge potential to be brilliant, if left to play their style of rugby that is. None should become kicking fhs that would spoil it for them. They all play a similar style.
We will watch them next year for their franchises. That is where you will see them play their best.
69 @ Peter J:
Hello Baie Katte!
How’s things in your neck of the Woods?
Hopefully no farming strikes and toyi-toying in your area…
… only Puma & Tjarkie_Fornever’s Lambie-shagging and Sharks toyi-toying here on the blog! Hehehehe
For sure Pooms, much depends on the team as a whole, everything does not depend on Lambie or Pienaar or Strauss or whoever. they need to understand each other and each others intentions on the field,
If this is the play HM is moving towards? then we have to be patient, just like we expect patience re Lambie.
for me if JDV is not passing, move him to wing and bring in JPP to 13 and play JDJ at 12, that would help but you still need your 15 to hit the line, like i said before to create an overlap, to create more play. Also all backline players should look for work and know when to hist running lines.
Loose forwards at present hardly link with the backs, this again is another problem.
\
@ grootblousmile:
Hi gbs, nope all quiet here, at least until the 4th December when some new wage deal is supposed to come out so should be a nice weekend watching rugby
69 @ Peter J:
ABs play TOTAL rugby the reason their fhs can adapt and play the whole package. Here we need to do the same to stay with them at their level. We can’t just play this kick and chase game, it is just too limited. Also these 3 fhs play a different style at their franchises to what the Boks play. Boks game plan has to adapt to Total rugby. We do that I think we will dominate. Our game plan right now restricts us.
@ grootblousmile:
Hey someone has to keep the blog alive đ
76 @ Peter J:
Eishhh, I absolutely hate Industrial Action of any sorts, anywhere in the world!
Not good… if I had to run my businesses on those principles, I would have been out of it years and years ago…
75 @ Sharks_forever:
For now think it is a big ask to just go and play the attacking game, it will require like you say more than the fh to make it work. Meyer must work on it next year, we have 3 tests here against weak teams, well maybe not Samoa but the other two games he should work on it there. Watch how the Sharks got it right this year, as we did get it right towards the end when we had all injured players back.
JPP might not start, they still waiting on him until Friday. Has not trained yet so it could be Mvovo starting.
I am waiting for Super Rugby that is where I will enjoy watching rugby again….. đ
Okay cheers bro.
Cheers gbs and Peter. Catch up tomorrow.
78 @ Sharks_forever:
Just start talking proper rugby, that’s all… hehehehe
78 @ Sharks_forever:
Count on us Sharkies……………..
Interesting point Puma, why is it that the ABs are the only team that does play TOTAL rugby, is it that the rest dont have the players?, is it that the ABs know each other so well? is it coaching? Surely other coaches can watch replays of the AB games and see how successful they are and do the same? so why are they so unique.
By the way is it just me, or is the response time a bit slow today? Could be me out in the sticks I suppose?
80 @ Puma:
Cheers Oompie… watch after the knobbly knees!
OK guys nice chatting, time for a nice cold Windhoek draft I think, see you tomorrow.
83 @ Peter J:
Response time is slow today on all international web sites in SA, and our site is hosted in Texas, USA… must have something to do with our international Internet links… maybe one or more of the Submaring cable links giving hassles, resulting in a lag to SA due to all the traffic on the remaining links.
Hell, even ABSA’s Online Banking site was totally down till about 13:15 today, and that one is hosted IN SA.
85 @ Peter J:
Cheers Katte!
Evening all.
The team is one I can live with, even if I wouldn’t have gone for that 15.
Good for Lambie although I have always favored Elton in that position.
Front row cover obviously looks much better, I would have started with Heinke
I would have dropped Pienaar to the bench, possible on the plane to Ulster.
Hougaard at 9 and Mvovo on the wing, but the rest is good.
I would have toyed with bringing Pat at 12 at some stage, his defense is fine and I like his option taking, it would be very interesting to see if he can get the backline going a bit more.
WARNING!!! WARNING!!!! WARNING!!!! ITS A SETUP !!!1
“In my individual chat with Pat I told him he should play his natural game,” Meyer told the Beeld website.
“Pat has always been a guy who plays relatively flat on the gain line.
“I think he positioned himself a bit too deep in our previous two games – probably due to the conditions and with the plan to kick the ball into the corners behind the opponents.
“My message to him was that he should make a difference on attack, because it’s a natural gift he possesses. He has to get the backline going,” said Meyer.
I was of the Internet for 2 days, this is what i read a few days back
But the demands of Test rugby have always been slightly different, and it may well be too convenient, rather than actually accurate, to submit that he is significantly muzzled by the Bok game-day script.
The best flyhalves just have a way of making things happen, whether it is in keeping with the coachâs intentions or not – theirs is a spot on the park, after all, with as much potential as any other for taking the initiative, for instinctively âplaying the situationâ sometimes.
As much as anything else, you want the flyhalf to ooze confidence and authority, regardless of whether he sings from the same song-sheet in tactical terms as his team-mates or the off-field string-pullers.
With the Lambie of Dublin and Edinburgh, it has been hard to fathom exactly what his intentions, desires and – to those observers who may not yet be familiar with him – key strengths really are.
A little strangely and perplexingly (for it is not a known flaw of his?) Lambie hasnât yet exhibited the kind of body language at Bok flyhalf to suggest that he truly wants to be there … he has just looked more the callow, tentative foot-soldier than the decisive general so far on tour.
I would even go so far as to argue that, for all the trauma the Boks experienced as the game at FNB Stadium against the All Blacks wore on a few weeks ago, Elton Jantjies – playing the majority of that Castle Rugby Championship match, albeit off the bench – demonstrated greater willingness to try to genuinely take charge of the position than Lambie has against either Ireland or Scotland.
Jantjies is arguably an unlucky, conspicuously peripheral Bok tourist at present, although perhaps that is a topic for another day.
Even if it means a wicked deviation every now and then from the intended script, would it be asking too much of Lambie to grasp the nettle at Twickenham, to put an overdue, true personal stamp on proceedings?
If you manage to make good things happen, the coach – any coach – is highly likely to forgive any sudden bursts of initiative or intuition, isnât he?
An assertive, more assured personal game might keep Lambie in the inside lane for the Bok No 10 jersey at the outset of next yearâs Bok programme, whether Cheetahs phenomenon Johan Goosen is fit and firing again or not.
But another inconclusive showing in London runs the risk of seeing him tumble down the flyhalf pecking order in coach Meyerâs mind, possibly even to a point where it will be difficult to claw back from.
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