Springbok Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Molester Stallone II

former legend wrote: »

Sky Sports reporting that JDV could miss the World Cup with a dislocated kneecap.

I'd say there's no might about it, with his history of knee injuries I think we may never see him in a springbok jersey again

Emperor1989

Molester Stallone II wrote: »

I'd say there's no might about it, with his history of knee injuries I think we may never see him in a springbok jersey again

As i said yesterday the way the knee twisted it looked like there would be serious internal damage and they confirmed that this morning.

Career ending injury for me.

razorblunt

Emperor1989 wrote: »

As i said yesterday the way the knee twisted it looked like there would be serious internal damage and they confirmed that this morning.

Career ending injury for me.

One would think so, especially considering his age and the amount of years he would have had left anyway.

I had a similar injury that stopped me from playing, thankfully it was only the knee cap and medial ligaments that were done, but that took a hell of an effort to build the knee strength back up again.

Closest injury like this I've seen was the US basketballer who's knee collapsed after a runaway lay up, he had an extensive list of injuries to his knee in that.

Emperor1989

razorblunt wrote: »

One would think so, especially considering his age and the amount of years he would have had left anyway.

I had a similar injury that stopped me from playing, thankfully it was only the knee cap and medial ligaments that were done, but that took a hell of an effort to build the knee strength back up again.

Closest injury like this I've seen was the US basketballer who's knee collapsed after a runaway lay up, he had an extensive list of injuries to his knee in that.

A complete shame, new captain new number 12 needed and only 9 months to find one.

Jacque Fourie why did you retire this weekend?

case885

Emperor1989 wrote: »

A complete shame, new captain new number 12 needed and only 9 months to find one.

Jacque Fourie why did you retire this weekend?

Hows F steyn doing these days?

Jacovs

Emperor1989 wrote: »

A complete shame, new captain new number 12 needed and only 9 months to find one.

Jacque Fourie why did you retire this weekend?

From an article I was reading this morning:
"The Boks possibly surrendering both Fourie and De Villiers now for the World Cup means that a massive 178 appearances between them – rich experience if ever that existed – could be stripped from midfield plans."

case885 wrote: »

Hows F steyn doing these days?

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/Frans-Steyn-back-in-Bok-picture-20141201

Might well see him in the Bok jersey again next year.

RugbyLover123

I thought Steyn didn't want to be considered for selection because he disliked the environment?

Jacovs

Apparently de Villiers out for at least 8 months.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/Cloud-hangs-over-Jeans-RWC-hopes-20141201

marc96

Thor signed a 3 year contract with Toulon

Utah_Saint

marc96 wrote: »

Thor signed a 3 year contract with Toulon

Well there goes my hopes of him turning out in an Ulster shirt.....:)

Jacovs

What to do, what to do.

Which team would you back?

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Bok-exodus-Its-out-of-control-20150617

sydneybound

I very much agree with this comment in the article..

"The exodus is not far off crisis proportions, and you increasingly wonder how on earth the country will properly fill six franchises in next year’s expanded Super Rugby"

endabob1

You will always get a post RWC exodus from the NZ & SA as players decided to take a couple of years and make some cash overseas, I don't think there's any real issue in that. SARU should 100% restrict the Bok team to locally based players, no exceptions and it should be that you can't make a RWC squad unless you have played a full season in SA, so not flying in signing a short term contract to get around the rules....
My bigger concern is that players are leaving earlier and not getting capped at all and like Josh Strauss WP Nel in Scotland, Kockott & Spedding in France it's madness that these players are playing international rugby for other countries (Richardt Strauss & Robbie Diack too) If you add these to the list of SA capped players it's vast.

The effect of this is evident in Super Rugby. Already the Stormers qualified for the play-offs by virtue of winning he SA conference but in reality were only mid table in the combined log. I know there are other arguments about the format of the competition and how it suits some countries more than others and the competitiveness of the SA conference is more fierce than the Australian one.
The current situation clearly does not bode well for the future and with an extra franchise to fill next year, I think it will be a long time before we see another SA winner let alone the dominance that the Bulls had at one point and having 2 all SA finals in 4 years.

mogwai81

http://www.the42.ie/jaque-fourie-coming-out-of-retirement-2179031-Jun2015/

Emperor1989

I am currently travelling Central America which is the reason I have not been updating this blog.

Great to see Jessie Kriel getting a start with De Allendre in the center. Pulling my hair out that Malherbe is still being overlooked when he is clearly the stand out Tighthead in South Africa but the Warren Whitley selection is Meyer rewarding form for once rather than his favorite.

Last game for Bakkies Botha....one of my favorite ever players. A true enforcer and at the height of his powers with Matfield, Burger, Brussow and Juan Smith were outstanding against easily the best Lions team in a decade.

Vermulen is doubtful for the World Cup as is Alberts. So many holes that Meyer had four years to rectify and failed but I do understand he did not have Pollard, Kriel, De Allendere, Malherbe and Whitley to choose from.

This next 6 months will either confirm my suspicion all along that Meyer is completely out of his depth in bonding and developing the Springbok team or else it will confirm my other suspicion that he has been building towards the World Cup with a late explosion of new blood to complement the older 2007 team.

Emperor1989

Flip Van Der Merve has de selected himself from playing for the Springboks. I know he had a bad injury on his knee and is joining Clermont where I am sure he will shine next year but that is a worrying trend that he is willing to limit his international career.

I guess i understand but it leaves the Boks very thin on second rows and he is one of the best when he keeps his head.

Jacovs

Emperor1989 wrote: »

Flip Van Der Merve has de selected himself from playing for the Springboks. I know he had a bad injury on his knee and is joining Clermont where I am sure he will shine next year but that is a worrying trend that he is willing to limit his international career.

I guess i understand but it leaves the Boks very thin on second rows and he is one of the best when he keeps his head.

Source? Last I read was this article where he said he just wasnt picked and it sounds like he would like to be picked.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/Flip-Miscommunication-with-Boks-20150709

Emperor1989

Jacovs wrote: »

Source? Last I read was this article where he said he just wasnt picked and it sounds like he would like to be picked.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/Flip-Miscommunication-with-Boks-20150709

http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/flip-still-considering-bok-future

Article states he himself ruled himself out of contention.

flangemeistro

I've started a post about this already guys so pardon me for repeating myself but how are you all planning on watching the game tomorrow seeing that Sky aren't showing it?

Emperor1989

I missed the game live on Saturday however I did see the match on Youtube and I must admit I was rather impressed with what I saw.

I saw huge physicality being brought by Lood De Jager in particular and a magnificent performance by Schalk Burger at Number 8. Good stuff in the midfield by Kriel and a strong performance by the Du Plessis brothers. Meyer lost that game with his silly replacement strategy and the coaches decision making is a key issue as the World Cup moves closer.

Onto the All Blacks.....Henrich Brussow returns and what a turning point this could be for the Season. A superb fetcher but what he brings and what this pack is missing now with the Botha and Juan Smith both gone is a bit of mongrel and heart on the sleeve type play. He is likely to make a game changing turnover that will inspire his team and he will be the type of player to push and get physical with the opposition which I think South Africa has moved away from since the 2009 Lions.

On another point Willie Le Roux has been very poor as of late and Pollard is starting to stutter in his second season. He will need to improve a lot if he is to become a World Cup winner.

With a young second row and 10 12 13 axis....the l Back row coupled with the front row are going to really need to deliver a huge performance to take the pressure off these young guys. This is a huge test for the Springoboks....a win against the All Blacks is the catapult this team needs with so many players to return Steyn, Matfield, De Villers, Alberts, Vermulen, Coetzee, Du Preez to name a few.

Emperor1989

I am going to miss the game tomorrow. I will be bussing it to Panama City. I am really looking forward to see how this All Blacks team performs and how the Springboks bounce back from last week.

So many sub plots....Brussow is the man I would be keeping my eyes peeled for tomorrow. This is his chance, he has been treated terribly by Meyer but maybe his faith in God might reward him with a World Cup spot if he plays lights out tomorrow.

Kriel vs Smith
De Allendre vs Nonu
Brussow and Louw vs McCaw
Burger vs Read
Etzebeth vs Retallic
Bismark vs Coles
Pollard vs Sopoaga

Matchups all over the park. A mouthwatering Test Match in store...

Emperor1989

Sorry I havent being posting lately folks. My travels will end in the next few weeks so I will be able to post more often as the business stage of the competition starts.

Regarding where the Springboks are at this moment, it has been a poor year. Some terrible management calls and injury's to key players really have stifled the ability of the Springbok setup to gain any sort of momentum coming off the back of the Super XV season. Having said that, it doesn't particulary matter in a World Cup year as now is when it counts.

I believe the team will largely pick itself, the front 5 is easy to predict as is the backrow but with serious injuries to Alberts and Vermulen coming in I would imagine those guys may get a few more weeks rest. Du Preez needs game time with Pollard at 10. Back 3 pick themselves but what about the centers as De Villers has to be picked as Captain. The Springboks are in another Jon Smit type situation regarding there captain as the stand by is clearly better than the current captain of the team.

Lood De Jager could see a lot of game time with Etzebeth struggling with a tight hamstring at this stage.

For the first game we need to see the 9 10 axis bed down, we need to see some good intensity in the forwards and a good solid scrum. Those are the key points for me. Obivously Japan will pose no challenge and the Springboks do have a easy pool. They need to peak for 3 games....and really 2 if we are completely honest with ourselves.

Can they win it after the nightmarish preperation losing for the first time to Argentina.....possibly. What they need is leaders to stand up and be counted and this team is lacking them in Spades over the past few years. Is Burger a Catalyst.....or Vermulen or Etzebeth or Bismark or Kriel or Habana or Pollard or Du Preez.

The Players are there in my opinion as I have said for many years since the last world cup cycle. Its whether we find a 2015 Percy Montgomery to be the catalyst.

Emperor1989

South Africa

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Fourie du Preez, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 JP Pietersen

Mvovo get a deserved start. De Jager plays as predicted. Kriel and De Villers at 12 and 13.......looks like the no.1 center partnership now. Lambie at 10.......interesting to see how it goes.

Emperor1989

I could talk about Japan but I won't. What i will say is that for too long this team has lacked leadership and it was shown in abundance in that game.

I watched the game today and the Boks performed better, finally resorting to there traditional strengths and then expand in the second half as there greater set piece and physicality takes there toll on the opposition. I have mentioned numerous times before about the talent of Lood De Jager and he has been validating my opinion of him with barnstorming performances off the bench. Burger has been excellent in terms of industry but he losses a lot of ball at contact and he needs to tidy that part of his game up if the Boks are to progress as the competition goes on. A lot of injuries were sustained today and none more so than De Villers who looks to have injured his cheekbone. With Frans Steyn and Serfontein sitting at home.......and the performances of De Allendre...well I will just leave it at that.

Emperor1989

Jean De Villers out of the World Cup and also looks like Willem Alberts will be out too....


Serfortein back which is a big boost and gives good depth to the center division. Its an awfu thing to say but injuries have helped rather than hindered the Springboks over the past 24 hours.

Emperor1989

Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré 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 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 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.


vs Scotland. I am so happy with this team, its exactly what I would have picked except Brussow in for Louw. We now have the best lock tandem on the park with De Jager and Etzebeth. We have the best center partnership in South Africa. There really is no negatives to this team for me. Delighted to see Du Preez at 9 and he is right choice for captain. He is likely to dictate the forwards with Matfield sitting out and that can only be a good thing as at times the forwards can be a bit bone headed with the one off runners and getting turned over at the point of contact. Alberts makes the bench with Du Toit and that is definite impact to come off the bench.

This team is damn good....this team should put 20+ on the Scots. They are ready and hungry and the best players to represent the Springboks. Cannot wait.

RugbyLover123

Emperor1989 wrote: »

Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré 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 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 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.


vs Scotland. I am so happy with this team, its exactly what I would have picked except Brussow in for Louw. We now have the best lock tandem on the park with De Jager and Etzebeth. We have the best center partnership in South Africa. There really is no negatives to this team for me. Delighted to see Du Preez at 9 and he is right choice for captain. He is likely to dictate the forwards with Matfield sitting out and that can only be a good thing as at times the forwards can be a bit bone headed with the one off runners and getting turned over at the point of contact. Alberts makes the bench with Du Toit and that is definite impact to come off the bench.

This team is damn good....this team should put 20+ on the Scots. They are ready and hungry and the best players to represent the Springboks. Cannot wait.

is Brussow injured? Did he not get picked in the WC squad?

Emperor1989

RugbyLover123 wrote: »

is Brussow injured? Did he not get picked in the WC squad?

Ignored....he is fit as a fiddle. He may get the call soon as Alberts is clearly injured.

The Pheasant2

I must say SA have some serious depth at the flank...players like Coetzee and Brussouw would make nearly any other team easily enough

Emperor1989

The Pheasant2 wrote: »

I must say SA have some serious depth at the flank...players like Coetzee and Brussouw would make nearly any other team easily enough

Yeah Coetzee is very unfortunate with 2 bad leg injuries in the space of a month.