The Springbok selectors recently named a 23 man squad for the opening Tri-Nation’s match to be played against the All Blacks in Bloemfontein this Saturday. As expected, they’ve gone with the core of the side that defeated the British & Irish Lions in the first two tests of the recent series.
In a return to common sense, Coach PdV (or Poedel Faker in Afrikaans) has dumped nine of the ‘experimental’ players he used in the 3rd Test loss. He’s also been told by his boss to pull his foken head in and refrain from making outlandish comments that embarrass all concerned. Ag, no man…you’re such a moegoe. He’s about as popular with the South African rugby public as Eugene Terre’Blanche at an ANC rally. And there’s unlikely to be another ‘Justice 4’ protest – Doc Craven would still be turning in his grave over that one.
Actually it’s just been Craven Week in South Africa where all the young schoolboy talent come together for their national championships, with the U18 competition being won by Western Province. After the recently touted league signing of some rugby kid from South Africa I wonder whether there’s any NRL talent scouts over there trawling for the Van der Merwe version of ‘Bomber’ Myles.
There were two surprises in the squad announcement, the first being the inclusion of the scrum doctor and Bismarck’s broe’, Jannie Du Plessis. The goed doctor replaces his Sharks teammate Deon Carstens covering John Smit at tighthead. This is du Plessis’s first call-up since playing in the England game at HQ in late 2008. The other surprise was the retention of Ricky Januarie. His recent form has been diabolical amongst claims that he’s been into the mielie meel and is overweight. In fact, his form is so bad that I’d even select Luke Burgess ahead of him. He’s obviously a quota player like Chiliboy. Chili can’t even get the No.1 guernsey at the Bulls, Derick Kuun has that sown up. I suppose that’s why so many blankes Jarpie players head overseas.
Bakkies is back after his unjust suspension and Andries Bekker is the bench lock after returning from a hamstring injury. Muller was not considered due to injury. Bekker is surprisingly mobile for someone so large at 2.07m and 120 kg. He was recently rated by commentator Murray Mexted as one of the future great locks – you know he’s kak then! Schalla the Skulk is of course out for another five weeks or so due to his eye catching performance in the 2nd Test.
It’ll be interesting to see who the midfield combination will be considering they were completely outplayed by the Lions centres in all three tests. The mail is that Jean de Villiers will miss out with Adi Jacobs and Jacque Fourie the apparent chosen ones. Jacobs has been carrying a shoulder injury for some time but hopefully that has improved. Wynand Olivier was one of those players whose Super 14 form was terrific but internationally he just hasn’t cut it and has been dropped.
The loose forward combo may not be cut and dried just yet. Juan Smith is a certainty for No. 6 after a barnstorming Lions series. Brussow will be 7 and will provide some stern competition at the breakdown for our friend Richie. I’m not sure whether Spies has done enough to retain the 8th man spot. He hasn’t quite lived up to his star billing and Kankowski threw down a strong challenge off the bench and will be in contention for a run-on guernsey.
A decent contest this weekend will be The Myth v Barney Smit. The Myth gave Le Fuse a lesson in front row play the other night. It was obviously a preconceived plan to collapse the scrum at every opportunity and let the ref go about his work pinging the well known weak link. It worked a treat but I don’t think Barney will fall for it. That Myth is some wily human.
It’s interesting that this match is being played at Bloemfontein. The last time the All Blacks played here was against Japan in the 1995 World Cup. They should feel at home because Bloem is the South African equivalent of Latho’s Hamilton. About the only excitement on a Saturday night is to drive around town in your bakkie in the hope of being carjacked at the robot.
This Springbok squad appear to be favourites to take out the Tri-Nations trophy after they recently turned back the rooinek tide. You’d expect a continuation of that successful game plan with plenty of ball in the air and a strong set piece to set up a decent platform for the backs. They are more competitive and physical at the breakdown than the Wallabies. The Bokke lineout is the best in the world and, as we saw the other night, the All Black’s are most vulnerable in this area.
The Springboks have come last in the previous three Tri-Nations tournaments. After the recent Lions series, they’re now quietly confident that they’re made of The Right Stuff and can see off both lots of moffie sheep-shaggers from downunder.
The Springbok squad is:
Forwards: Andries Bekker (Western Province), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Heinrich Brüssow (Free State Cheetahs), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), Victor Matfield (Blue Bulls), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Blue Bulls), Danie Rossouw (Blue Bulls), John Smit (Sharks), Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls).
Backs: Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Jaque Fourie (Lions), Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls), Adi Jacobs (Sharks), Ricky Januarie (Western Province), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Frans Steyn (Sharks), Morné Steyn (Blue Bulls).
