Mank
Ted Thorn (20)
I dunno either. It should rather be Victor if he's fit, for obvious reasons.
I've never rated Matfield's ability to manage referees either. He looks too sulky most of the time.
I dunno either. It should rather be Victor if he's fit, for obvious reasons.
I've never rated Matfield's ability to manage referees either. He looks too sulky most of the time.
Lol. At least he was good enough to win 3 Super Rugby trophies as captain.
Fair point.
He can do this. Showed in the S15 with the Stormers.Can Vermeulen manage a referee, or at least keep on his good side?
Why is it the right thing?
Matfield a doubt for Boks
Newcastle - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer faces a new injury dilemma replacing captain Jean de Villiers for their key World Cup game against Scotland on Saturday.
De Villiers abruptly retired from international rugby after suffering a broken jaw against Samoa last week.
But because prime candidates to take over are among the walking wounded Meyer put back the announcement of his team to play Scotland by several hours until late Wednesday.
Veteran vice-captain and frontrunner Victor Matfield, 38, is struggling with a hamstring strain and must prove his fitness Wednesday. Scrumhalf Fourie du Preez (ribs) is also in doubt.
These and a number of other injuries forced the cancellation of Monday's training and the delay in the team announcement.
Other candidates include Duane Vermeulen, who only returned from a neck injury in the 46-6 rout of Samoa at Villa Park last week.
Flanker Francois Louw, hooker Adriaan Strauss and loose forward Schalk Burger, who captained the Boks against the All Blacks this year, could also get the nod.
There was little indication at Tuesday's practice session as to who will take the leadership. But South Africa must be certain to avoid a repeat of their shock loss when they take on the Scots at Newcastle United's St James Park.
The Springboks are also expected to bring back fiery hooker Bismarck du Plessis to the match day squad.
Meyer will name his team to face Scotland at 18:00 SA time on Wednesday.
Bok team should look like this:
Willie, Habs, Kriel, Ellende, JPP, Pollie, FdP, Vermeulen, Flo, Schalk (c), Etsebeth, Lood, JdP, Battleship, Beast.
That the best looking Bok team I have seen in along time. No excuses, Boks by 15. Why do I feel so anxious then......... Scots always give a good account for themselves against us.South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez (c), 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jan Serfontein
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez (c), 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jan Serfontein
As long as the SA players are prepared for the constant, ignorant booing by the Scottish supporters they will be fine.I wish I shared that optimism - but playing Scotland up near the border, you can be sure it will basically be a home game. And they know they can top the group by winning - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Then again, that was the case in 99 as well, and that didn't go too well for them.
Just don't have such a comfortable feeling about it.
As long as the SA players are prepared for the constant, ignorant booing by the Scottish supporters they will be fine.
As long as the SA players are prepared for the constant, ignorant booing by the Scottish supporters they will be fine.
I'll take FdP anyday before Matfield.Interesting though to pick a first-time captain in our biggest group game of the world cup. It doesn't really make sense to me.