Springbok End of Year Tour - 2013...

[Devill]

Springbok coach is arguably the toughest coaching job in world sport.

You know I'm not a HM fan but he's is growing on me BIGTIME!! His passion for the sport is unbridled and he is getting the results! Yes, it hasn't always been pretty but a win is a win!

I know he is not everyone's cup of tea but that he is one of the most passionate coaches in the world across all sport codes, I am sure of.

Victory against the French is critical though. Finish the season off with another win and I would say its been a highly successful season for HM. A loss would tarnish it somewhat!!

I agree, if we lose it will turn a very good season into a slightly disappointing season, not being able to get the grand slam. IIRC we have lost our last four games against France in France.

Seven tries to zero in the last two tests. Do you know how many we have score thus far this season?

I see us putting 20 past them, at least. And their few points coming from penalties. We need to keep that try-scoring sheet clean. The longer we do that, the more influence we have on other teams' tactics against us, and the more predictable they become...

I hope so, but they showed that they are a much tougher nut to crack when they are playing in France and they get a bit of passion going.

 

[Devill]

Sorry that I don't compliment your liefling, don't have to. Problem?
That was a little ribbing directed at Gregory, like I have done before, don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong and it won't get bent out of shape. Problem?
You're really gonna sit there and say that Kirsten is better than Trevor, who had a pretty damn good season?

Seems that if anyone dares say anything about the Bulls, you jump on your pathetic little high horse and bleat and take it personal. Go play in traffic troll.

Ok.

Read this: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9817_9030320,00.html

Educate yourself a bit.

Ps the little ribbing was you having a brainfart but sure if you think anyone actually believes that you were just having a bit of fun... well then you are as lost at sea as you seem to think the "national selection panel" is.

 

[FoXtroT]

So the solution can't be Morne. Heyneke has to find a better fullback second option...

Frans Steyn

 

[Zyzzyva]

After a year of Jake working at the Saaks, Lambie will be seen as a world beater and Frans Steyn will be super fit and back to his old form. It'll make things interesting next year. Morne is going to find it a bit tough keeping his position, especially if Goosen stays injury free.

 

[Zyzzyva]

Louw cleared of serious injury!

Cape Town - Springbok flank Francois Louw has been cleared of serious injury and is expected to start against France in Paris on Saturday.

Louw was stretchered from the field in a neck brace four minutes before the end of South Africa’s 28-0 win over Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday.

According to the SA Rugbymag website, Louw underwent further tests and visited to a specialist who cleared him of serious injury.

Team doctor Craig Roberts said the Bath flank will be managed carefully at training this week, but he is likely join Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen in the starting back row.

Alberts is still nursing a sore shoulder from the Wales game two weeks ago but he is expected to play at the Stade de France on Saturday (kick-off 22:00 SA time).

The Boks will name their team on Wednesday.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SpringboksintheUK/Louw-cleared-of-serious-injury-20131119

 

[Devill]

Frans Steyn

And where would Willie fit in?

Frans Steyn will need to really give it a go but I still think he is a world class no. 12 who can play no 13 as well.
An inform Frans Steyn would surely keep JJ out of the team.

After a year of Jake working at the Saaks, Lambie will be seen as a world beater and Frans Steyn will be super fit and back to his old form. It'll make things interesting next year. Morne is going to find it a bit tough keeping his position, especially if Goosen stays injury free.

I also think if Goosen can stay injury free and Lambie gets another solid season behind him, Morne will have a very tough time hanging onto the no. 10 jersey.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Read this: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9817_9030320,00.html

Oh my goodness. The comments are so... reasonable and level-headed, and the people are so non-abrasive...

 

[DJ...]

Frans Steyn

That's actually a good option, because you play him at centre and if any injuries arise, he can move to fullback without an issue. Solves the injury concern for Willie...

 

[Devill]

Oh my goodness. The comments are so... reasonable and level-headed, and the people are so non-abrasive...

Read the article not the comments. I presume you are referring to the link and not in a deadpan way to this thread.

That's actually a good option, because you play him at centre and if any injuries arise, he can move to fullback without an issue. Solves the injury concern for Willie...

Will you be playing Frans at 12 or 13? And who will get the thumbs down in the current squad?

 

[Zyzzyva]

Will you be playing Frans at 12 or 13? And who will get the thumbs down in the current squad?

Depends how much pace frans has once he loses his weight. But tbh the Jean factor kind of makes the decision.

 

[Devill]

Depends how much pace frans has once he loses his weight. But tbh the Jean factor kind of makes the decision.

As he was in 2007. Where will you play him and who will partner with him, also who is on the bench as cover?

 

[DJ...]

Will you be playing Frans at 12 or 13? And who will get the thumbs down in the current squad?

Straight swap for Jaque Fourie. Jean inside and Frans outside...

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Read the article not the comments. I presume you are referring to the link and not in a deadpan way to this thread.

I did. Differ with them on a few picks, but it's not bad.

The comments section just stood out for me, as most websites' comments sections are cesspits of fail and aids.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Straight swap for Jaque Fourie. Jean inside and Frans outside...

Also wouldn't mind this, tbh. He's quite a versatile and useful player to have. He just needs to pull his socks up.

 

[Zyzzyva]

As he was in 2007. Where will you play him and who will partner with him, also who is on the bench as cover?

Well he played 12 in 07 when Jean was injured. Jean is captain now so he can't be dropped. I never liked it when Jean switched to 13, so i guess the only option is Jean at 12 and frans at 13 with JJ as cover.

 

[DJ...]

Well he played 12 in 07 when Jean was injured. Jean is captain now so he can't be dropped. I never liked it when Jean switched to 13, so i guess the only option is Jean at 12 and frans at 13 with JJ as cover.

It's a good option, but Steyn would need to drop a few kilos for that to work. He won't have the space at 13 that he'd like to run full steam at the opposition backline so he'd need to be more nimble than he is now. Obviously he needs to protect his wingers and could do with the size when taking the ball into the tackle, but his current size is just a bit much imo...

 

[sand_man]

I reckon HM wants Jdv, Jacque Fourie, JJ and Jan Serfontein as his World Cup centres.

Maybe Frans Steyn at fullback or utility back. Centre I'm not so sure.

 

[Zyzzyva]

It's a good option, but Steyn would need to drop a few kilos for that to work. He won't have the space at 13 that he'd like to run full steam at the opposition backline so he'd need to be more nimble than he is now. Obviously he needs to protect his wingers and could do with the size when taking the ball into the tackle, but his current size is just a bit much imo...

Yeah exactly, that's why i mentioned the pace issue. Jake is extremely big on fitness and professionalism so i'm sure he will whip Frans into shape. There is just no way you can have a player like that on your books - who is no doubt expensive - lazing about.

Boot up the rear end is all he needs. Making 10's of million in France and winning a world cup before 23 went to his head a bit it seems.

 

[Zyzzyva]

I reckon HM wants Jdv, Jacque Fourie, JJ and Jan Serfontein as his World Cup centres.

Maybe Frans Steyn at fullback or utility back. Centre I'm not so sure.

I would think HM planned to use Frans primarily at fullback, but Willie has put a spanner in those plans.

 

[sand_man]

I would think HM planned to use Frans primarily at fullback, but Willie has put a spanner in those plans.

Willie is more suited to wing IMHO but Ja, it's nice to see HM has a few lucrative options available.

Frans offers one cover at 15, 12, 13, but as everyone has already pointed out, only if he is fit. He is a brute of a player, bloody monster and in the right form, a great asset.

Willie 15, 14

Zayne first choice though (like it or not I think HM will stick with him).

Our main issues are 10, 11 and 3...

Lambie developing nicely but we need a fully fit Goosen. Morne might find some form again soon. Can't write him off just yet but I reckon Lambie is one big performance away from cementing his place in the starting XV. Will be interesting to see if he starts against France and at 10....