South Africa

Dylbull says...

@Jaystarr, all valid points, I think we differ in our opinion of Potgieter :)

He has battled a bit with injury, but I thought he has been outstanding for the bulls, that try he scored (can't remember against who?) was brilliant... reckon he could bash them up a bit and then bring on Daniel to exploit some tired bodies.

I have nothing against Daniel, I think he is a great player, so I'm happy either way.

I do think the physical presence of Alberts battered the english a bit, they may be able to handle a skilfful player more than a player smashing them all over the park, the english team don't seem to have an answer for pure monstrous physicality...

The backline you've just suggested sounds pretty smoking hot to me :)

Basson and Habana are the best kick chasers in SA, and will be exciting to see real speed all through the backline with Habana, Basson, Aplon and Pietersen.

I'm a bulls fan but I'm hoping he doesn't play Olivier!!!

Posted 09:56 19th June 2012

JayStarr says...

@ Dylbull: Why do we need a like-for-like replacement though? Daniel might not bring the physical presence that Alberts has, but he brings a lot of things that Alberts don't have - and he consistently had more of an impact on the games they played this year than Alberts did, playing in the same team...

Jacques Potgieter is a similar player to Alberts, but you can't say he is on the same level. So what is better? A similar player to Alberts, who is not as good, playing in his first test - or an experienced, settled player like Daniel who never shies away from the physical, but also out-wits and out-skills the best in NZ, SA and AUS week in, week out?

I think Keegan Daniel can deal with any physicality this English team can bring, but they won't be able to deal with his speed and skill and consistent tazmanian-devil-ness.

I know the new caps we handed out worked out well so far, but I don't think Jaques Potgieter is in the same league as Etzebeth and Coetzee. Juandré Kruger has been good in the line-outs, but he's been anonymous otherwise. I'm afraid that if we now add another new cap to the forwards, the wheels might just come off when the pressure is on (which it will be in this game with all the disruptions and England's new-found confidence). What happens if one of our props get injured early on and Werner Kruger has to come on again? Then we'll have 5 young, inexperienced players back-pedaling... That makes me far more nervous than Keegan Daniel being a few kg's lighter than Potgieter!

You're probably right about Hougaard though. Maybe just move Basson to 11? He's good under the high ball. Aplon at 15, JdV at 12 and Habana at 13.

And yes, I WAS neutral two weeks ago! But I was so relieved to see the Boks not playing 10-man rugby that I regained some respect for HM. However, if he starts Olivier and Potgieter this Saturday........

Posted 21:36 18th June 2012

JayStarr says...

@ everyone: I think we can forget about HM picking any players in the starting line-up who hasn't at least trained with the Boks in the last 2 weeks - so that means no players outside the Bok squad (or those he added in the meantime). That means no De Jongh, Grant, Mvovo, etc.

@ philipjfry: Lol - for once I agree with everything you say! I too would rather see Habana at 13, with JdV moving to 12 - as they played for the Stormers while JdJ was injured (and did very well) than seeing either Olivier or Engelbrecht in the starting line-up. I also think Keegan Daniel should come in at 6, with Coetzee moving over to 7 (he plays like a 7 anyway). And I too want Gio at 15 - and want to see you vomit in Olivier's eyes... lol

@ NHSaints: Agree! Just can't see HM bringing in Brussouw - even though I would also like to see him there. And Hougaard can play at 11 (better there than Basson), with Pienaar coming in at 9.

@ ben7 & Dingbat32: So you guys are willing to risk losing the test and hand out free caps just to give some new guys a run? The value of test experience isn't about getting a chance to put on the green jersey - and getting whipped by an international side who you would normally beat - it's about getting a chance to play in a test where you are surrounded by established players and learning from them how to WIN a test. Look at what happened when PdV followed your logic in the first two games of the Tri-nations last year - we had a team full of new, very talented players who got whipped and learned nothing.

@ Dylbull: At risk of repeating myself - look at what I said about Pienaar and Hougaard in my first post. Do you agree?

Posted 17:12 18th June 2012

Jeff says...

Really like watching Alberts play against England, he is really out there to hurt the pommies!! But I hear another bruiser is likely to play if Alberts is not fit, his name is Jacques Potgieter...the most physical player at the Bulls.

Must be really nice being a South African in english pubs right now, the Springboks are about to complete a 3 nil series victory over England, while a week ago the Baby Boks taught the much respected England u20 team a rugby lesson on how to score tries and sent them packing.

SH teams really looking impressive and I dont believe the gap is closing, regardless of the recent scores.

Probable Bok team for saturday;

1. Beast

2. Bismarck

3. JannieDup

4. Etzebeth

5. Kruger

6. Coetzee

7. Alberts/ Potgieter

8. Spies

9. Hougaard

10. Steyn

11. Habana

12. De Villers

13. Olivier

14. Pietersen

15. Joe Petersen( if Lambie is injured)

16. Chilliboy(he will get a chance)

17. Kruger

18. Flip

19. Daniels

20. Pienaar

21. Janjties

22. Basson/Aplon

This will again be a bridge too far for the english.

Posted 16:53 18th June 2012

Dylbull says...

My team for saturday, based on the available players

1. Beast 2. Bizmark 3. J Du Plessis 4. Etzebeth 5. F Van der Merwe 6. Coetzee 7. Potgieter 8. Spies 9. Hougaard 10. Steyn 11. Basson 12. De Villiers 13. Habana 14. Pietersen 15. Aplon

In the absence of Alberts we need a big ball carrying flank and Potgieter fits the mould. Don't want Olivier anywhere near a rugby ball so would prefer Habana at 13 or even engelbrecht. It's a pity De Jongh isn't in the squad.

Don't understand these people calling for Pienaar to be in ahead of Hougaard, Hougaard was impressive on saturday and he is the guy I would want when I backs are up against the wall, also he has that X-factor that could make the difference in a tight game, Pienaar is a fine player but he is no Hougaard.

Posted 15:12 18th June 2012

Dingbat32 says...

Series won convincingly. Now is the time to give some back up players a run out to see if they can stand the pace. Boks biggest weakness is that they dont foster the back up to their best players. This doesnt work when they play such a physical game as injuries are inevitable. In fact, pretty much as per ben7 side oother than seeing some other names in front and 2nd row.

Posted 12:53 18th June 2012

FISH says...

call up brussouw to fill the flank position, pity about frans....he had a heck of a game...for my money he is every bit as good as ~SBW

Posted 10:15 18th June 2012

philipjfry says...

Daniel on the flank would be the obvious replacement for Alberts, if selected he needs to up his game. Aplon in at full-back, I guess Olivier in the centres. One of Kankowski or Potgieter on the bench and Christmas is coming early for either JJ Engelbrecht or Jantjies unless HM is happy having two out-and-out wings on the bench in Mvovo and Basson. Personally, I'd rather see Habana or Pietersen in the centres. I have this unmet desire to vomit in Olivier's eyes.

Posted 09:00 18th June 2012

SaffaStormer says...

@ben7

Nice picks, my only change to that would be Peter Grant ahead of Jantjies.

Posted 07:59 18th June 2012