So based on what has gone before in my previous posts today, this is the 28-man Springbok Squad I would pick to play the Lions:
Stefan Terblanche
Zane Kirchner
Francois Steyn
JP Pietersen
Bryan Habana
Jaque Fourie
Jean de Villiers
Adrian Jacobs
Wynand Olivier
Morne Steyn
Ruan Pienaar
Fourie du Preez
Jano Vermaak
Pierre Spies
Ryan Kankowski
Juan Smith
Heinrich Brussow
Deon Stegmann
Victor Matfield
Bakkies Botha
Andries Bekker
Danie Rossouw
Jannie du Plessis
John Smit
Bismarck du Plessis
Willie Wepener
Beast Mtawarira
Gurthro Steenkamp
And this would be my Test 22:
Stefan Terblanche
JP Pietersen
Jaque Fourie
Jean de Villiers
Bryan Habana
Morne Steyn
Fourie du Preez
Pierre Spies
Juan Smith
Heinrich Brussow
Victor Matfield
Bakkies Botha
John Smit
Bismarck du Plessis
Beast Mtawarira
Bench:
Francois Steyn
Ruan Pienaar
Jano Vermaak
Ryan Kankowski
Danie Rossouw
Jannie du Plessis
Willie Wepener
Pretty sure it will look nothing like Puff Divvie’s squad being announced tonight though. He would never drop Schalk Burger, and he will definitely not be selecting the likes of Willie Wepener, Stefan Terblanche or Deon Stegmann …
To be honest, I think Francois Steyn is quite lucky to make my squad, given his certain selfishness, but his versatility is sensational for the bench. Yes I know I will take abuse for dropping Schalk, but to add some fuel to the fire, I would have all of Jacques Botes, Luke Watson and Cobus Grobbelaar ahead of him given the season Burger has had. Also – I would certainly be playing an out and out fetcher like Brussouw or Stegmann against the Lions. The Boks need to get quick ball from the phase play they will set up, and perhaps more importantly, slow down the ball the Lions hope to get. And for that you need someone at one with the earth – a fetcher!
Also, apart from having a very ordinary season indeed, Burger actually does not play a fetching role anymore for the Stormers because Luke Watson does that from number 8 (yes, not one of Rassie’s finest moments). So realistically, if Div wants to play a fetcher, and I certainly would, Burger has to actually compete with Juan Smith (after getting past Duane Vermeulen in the Stormers) for the number 7 berth!
OK, all abusive comments below please … I have my rhino hide in place
Cheers,
Tank
