The Bok team to take on England in the 3rd Test in PE on Saturday:
15 Gio Aplon, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jean de Villiers, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Bench: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Bjorn Basson
Given that there is no other centre in the squad (barring of course, Habana, Pietersen and Engelbrecht – who have all had a turn at 13 this year), the selection of Olivier was expected. But I still find it rather jarring given that the likes of Whitehead, Ebersohn and De Jongh (and Sadie) will be listening to the game on Ballz Radio! I just do not think Olivier can cut it at this level, and would rather have seen someone else given a go, even Engelbrecht if Meyer wanted to stick with only the initial squad members.
It’s also quite unbelievable that Potgieter will be getting a run for the Boks. Sure he has been quite effective for the Bulls, but a Springbok? That said, Meyer’s want for a big physical 7 makes sense, and if this is the best we have that fits the mould, then we need to run with it. Jean Deysel already has a Bok blazer though (Meyer says he does not want to cheapen it by handing them out willy nilly), and he will be braaiing with mates on Saturday evening …
Given the way the Boks are playing – much more ball in hand than I expected – and pre-supposing this Alberts free pack will still be able to subdue the English, Gio Aplon should be very effective from the back, and I see this as a very exciting selection.
Got to hope that Steyn lasts the full 80, because Elton Jantjies does not fill me with a lot of confidence on the bench. This while Peter Grant will be finishing his round of golf with mates on Saturday arvie …
It’s definitely the weakest of the three Bok sides we have seen this year, and a lot of these guys have seen too much rugby in recent times. With the series in the bag, and and the odd eye on the second phase of the Super 15, here’s hoping we do not see what happened to the Boks in the final Test against the Lions …
Pierre Spies will play in his 50th Test for South Africa, while the starting 15 boast a combined total of 464 Test caps – 299 to the backs and 165 to the forwards.
And in other Bok news, Jean de Villiers has been appointed as Springbok captain for the remainder of the 2012 season.
De Villiers was appointed the 54th Springbok captain before the international season started, but initially only for the Castle Incoming Tour against England. Meyer decided to hand the captaincy to the most experienced Springbok centre ever for the remaining nine Tests of the year.
“Jean had established himself as a brilliant leader and ambassador for the Springboks and South African rugby in the last two weeks,” said coach Heyneke Meyer.
I think Meyer has made a mistake by picking Potgieter at flank. This was a massive opportunity to Kolisi on the park in PE! And no Heineke it would not have cheapened the jersey….by playing W Olivier you have already done that!!!!!
Tank are you sure Chiliboy is on the bench?
It is Strauss. Apologies. Have made the change
Why not reshuffled the loosies with Daniel at 6, Coetzee at 7 with Spies at 8 and Kankowski on the bench? At the back I would’ve moved JdV to 12 with Habana coming in at 13 (or even JJ) with Mvovo at wing, Aplon at fullback and Joe Pietersen on the bench in place of Basson.
Just check that bench again, I’m pretty sure Adriaan Strauss got the nod ahead of Chilli again. But while checking that bench take note of Elton Jantjies! Great to finally have a Lion in the mix and with his impressive form the last two seasons he might receive just reward with a Springbok cap! I don’t agree with the Potgieter selection either, I think this will be a “flash in the pan” cap like the other Potgieter from the Bulls – Play once, never to be seen again (hopefully). Although I’m pretty sure the next test for SA will see the return of the incredible Schalk and probably Duane Vermeulen or who knows even the bearded one!
I thought Strauss was on the bench.
My bad. Apologies!
Well let’s see what happens! He (HM) did what he said is he wants and that was to win the series!! I know this is not the best team that there is to be picked and we all were not happy at the beginning of the series with the squad! But they did the job! So let’s all stand behind them again and support this team! I know they will again not disappoint us!!