Heyneke Meyer’s first Bok squad does not come short of some controversy …
Willem Alberts
Bjorn Basson
Marcell Coetzee
Keegan Daniel
Jean de Villiers
Bismarck du Plessis
Jannie du Plessis
JJ Engelbrecht
Eben Etzebeth
Bryan Habana
Francois Hougaard
Elton Jantjies
Ryan Kankowski
Zane Kirchner
Juandré Kruger
Werner Kruger
Patrick Lambie
Tendai Mtawarira
Lwazi Mvovo
Wynand Olivier
Coenie Oosthuizen
Ruan Pienaar
JP Pietersen
Jacques Potgieter
Chiliboy Ralepelle
Pierre Spies
Frans Steyn
Morné Steyn
Adriaan Strauss
Flip van der Merwe
Franco van der Merwe
Jano Vermaak
Notable absentees:
Heinrich Brussow (below)
Siya Kolisi
Fourie Du Preez
Gio Aplon
Juan de Jongh
Joe Pietersen
Peter Grant
I didn’t think I’d be saying this of Meyer, but he is clearly a favouritist when it comes to Bulls players. JJ Engelbrecht and Kirchner ahead of Joe and Gio, or Juan dJ? Jacques Potgieter ahead of Kolisi or Brussouw? I can’t help but think that Bulls bulky, cumbersome forwards and Steyn’s up and unders, Habana chasing and kicking long range penalties is again going to be our game plan. I hope that this is only to secure the series, and the Boks will maybe embrace some more diversity in the Championship. For the Stormers to be top of the log and only have 3 Bok representatives is preposterous. Given, Schalk, Duane and Andries would have been shoe ins if fit. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE just don’t make Spies captain. JdeV the only rugby brain out there.
Here’s my squad, not that it matters to Mr Meyer.
Backs
Zane Kirchner (Bulls) – Joe Pietersen (Stormers)
JP Pietersen (Sharks)
JJ Engelbrecht (Bulls)
Jean de Villiers (Stormers)
Wynand Olivier (Bulls) – Robert Ebersohn (Cheetahs)
Francois Steyn (Racing Metro/FRA)
Bryan Habana (Stormers)
Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks)
Bjorn Basson (Bulls) – Gio Aplon (Stormers)
Morne Steyn (Bulls)
Patrick Lambie (Sharks)
Elton Jantjies (Golden Lions)
Francois Hougaard (Bulls)
Jano Vermaak (Bulls) – Piet van Zyl (Cheetahs)
Ruan Pienaar (Ulster/IRL) – Charl McLeod (Sharks)
Forwards
Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs)
Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)
Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls)
Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs) – Craig Burden (Sharks)
Jannie du Plessis (Sharks)
Werner Kruger (Bulls)
Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
Flip van der Merwe (Bulls)
Franco van der Merwe (Lions)
Juandre Kruger (Bulls)
Marcell Coetzee (Sharks)
Willem Alberts (Sharks)
Pierre Spies (Bulls)
Ryan Kankowski (Sharks) – Siya Kolisi (Stormers)
Keegan Daniel (Sharks)
Jacques Potgieter (Bulls) – Heinrich Brussouw (Cheetahs)
I was very disappointed that Meyer was also influenced by commentators who talked Etsebeth right into the Bok squad. That boy is going to cost the Boks a lot in penalties, he doesn’t tackle and hang around with his hands on hips – until the play gets close to the score line!! There are much better locks to choose from!! And Peter Grant is one of those steady, reliable guys that will never see the Bok team – why?
PG has a kicking % close on 90. MS struggling to hit 80%. You should choose your kicker first. Given, PG doesn’t have the distance, but with Frans S on your team who cares?