South Africa

spliffed says...

What kind of message does this send out to all the young players playing their hearts out in Super Rugby. The Boks went into the last world cup with quite a few players past their sell by date and now he wants to bring them back? WTF.. This series against England is a perfect opportunity to put out a young, dynamic Springbok team and form a foundation for the next four years or so. Sure the result matters to a degree but more importantly blooding a raft of new players who are the future. I think the result of this series is probably more important to England (beating a SH side is the be all and end all) .

This is not the new era I was hoping for..

Posted 00:15 28th April 2012

daibok says...

Bloemboy. I think it's too soon for Goosen. Should be Naas at 10 with Honibal as bench cover/development.

Posted 10:32 19th April 2012

letsgoboks says...

Theres enough experience available playing. No need to bring back the old boys.

JDV as captain and work from there. Lets start playing these brilliant guys we have at our disposal. Man for man, the new boys can take on any international team once they gel.

Posted 09:29 19th April 2012

Dingbat32 says...

I know Bakkies is unpopular in other countries, but didnt expect Bok fans to show lack of appreciation for his talents (which extend far beyond hitting and winding up opponents).

I think Meyer is right to look to blend experience with youth initially. Putting out a team with too little experience is a recipe for disaster.

genghis_j - "enforcer crap"? I am not talking about hitting people, I am talking about someone who will not take a backward step under any circumstances, will knock holes in rucks and mauls, will wind up the opponents, and will put his thick head in the way of any elbows/fists etc aimed at his team mates. I can only guess you have never played in the pack if you dont appreciate such a player. The best teams have them.

Posted 16:14 18th April 2012

melkdave says...

I can understand him exploring options ,but i feel mit would be a massive mistake to go with Matfield -Botha ect .Using some overseas players like S.Brits -R.Pineer-J.Muller -G.Steenmamp ect i can understand but the vast majority of players should be new talant imo.Ok so the preparation wont be perfect for the 1st test. NH teams have had this problem for years concerning the summer tests with them just flying in 7 days or so before a test match so getting just a few days prearation and then playing another a week later .When the SH teams have had 2-3 weeks together and played a warm up test .At least this year we are back to proper tours and teams will have time together,so the SH teams may recover if they lose the 1st test..Something NH teams never really had with it being 2 test tours in a week

Posted 15:46 18th April 2012

RuggaFan says...

I Agree. Stupid to focus on Beating England at all cost. Both countries are in a building phase. Forget about the outcome, focus on bringing in new talent and see how they hold up. Of course you also need experianced players in the team but we have plenty current players to chose from.

GO BOKKE!

Can't wait.

Posted 12:54 18th April 2012

bloemboy says...

I can see the team to play England: du Randt, John Smit, Balie Swart, Kobus Wiese, Victor Matfield, Rassie Erasmus, Schalk Burger, Morne du Plessis (c), Joost, Goosen(development placement), Habana, Gerber, Steyn, Paulse, Andre Joubert. "A nice blend of youth and experience"

Posted 12:44 18th April 2012

APV1 says...

What a shame. How are the Boks going to develop their young talent, if they don't get a look in. haven't they learned their lesson from the Smit saga? I think having VM as a "consultant" is a brilliant idea. he'll be great in camp and has so much knowledge to draw from. But he shouldn't be playing.

England did the same under MJ and look how we did. Under SL, we've got a new lease of life.

Posted 10:44 18th April 2012

Centre12 says...

Agree with most of the comments, although both teams are in a re-building phase if you will, its clear that SA still have lots of strength in depth and experience as well as some exciting players coming through and being at home as well, surely that must make them favorites, I would understand if it was the Lions going over but its still a very much new look England, he should take a leaf out of Lancaster's book and not out of Martin Johnson's.

Posted 09:23 18th April 2012

bloemboy says...

This is why I was a strong advocate for Naka Drotske as Springbok coach. Every season he has had to build a new young team due to the players being bought by the richer franchises. there can be no argument that Naka and Rassie Erasmus has done exceedingly well in this and has laid the foundation for many careers.

Crisis at Lock when Etzbeth, Bekker, Elstadt, van der Merwe and Sykes are all playing well. You also have Muller overseas who is still within a reasonable age (if I am not mistaken) to make the next World Cup. At halfback we have Hougaard, McLeod and van Zyl (and Sarel Pretorius) who would not be out of place at the highest level. I agree with including Steyn and possibly Fourie, though we have some excellent centres in de Villiers, de Jongh, Ebershon, Strauss, Whitehead, Taute and Engelbrecht. (I cannot bring myself to mention Olivier).

As far as Captain goes, de Villiers, Bekker, Bizmark, Juan Smith, Daniel and Spies have all got Super rugby experience and could fill the role well. Spies seems to have come into his own in the Captaincy role, though I would probably go with de Villiers. (or Coenie Oosthuisen so that we can have some interesting quotes from the press conferences)

I cannot think of a single position where we need to go back to the old heads.

If not now Mr Meyer, then when?

Posted 07:55 18th April 2012