A look at the weekend’s rugby happenings …
Super Rugby results:
Bulls 14 – 19 Stormers
Lions 38 – 28 Sharks report
Waratahs 12 – 33 Hurricanes
Blues 34 – 41 Chiefs
Rebels 19 – 27 Brumbies
Crusaders 51 – 18 Highlanders
Super Rugby log:
Chiefs – 58 points
Stormers – 54
Brumbies – 49
Crusaders – 51
Bulls – 49
Hurricanes – 45
Sharks – 45
Highlanders – 44
Reds – 44
Cheetahs- 36
Waratahs – 30
Rebels – 29
Force – 27
Lions – 20
Blues -19
Friendly:
Wales 30 – 21 Barbarians
Top14 semi finals:
Toulouse 24-15 Castres
Clermont 12-15 Toulon
Top14 final: Toulouse vs Toulon at the Stade de France on Saturday
WP SLA Club Rugby:
SK Walmers 23-12 Belhar
False Bay 34-28 Tygerberg
Selected school results:
Paarl Boys 80-5 Bishops
SACS 36-17 Rondebosch
Paul Roos 29-12 Wynberg
Grey High 22-9 Dale College
St. Andrews 31-18 Queens
Maritzburg 10-30 Kearsney
KES 17-20 Pretoria BH
St. Stithians 26-22 Jeppe
HTS Drostdy 13-10 Boland Landbou
New Zealand squad to take on Ireland:
Hookers: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu.
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Ben Tameifuna, Tony Woodcock.
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Samuel Whitelock, Ali Williams.
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Richie McCaw (C), Kieran Read, Adam Thomson , Victor Vito.
Scrum-halves: Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu.
Fly-halves: Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett.
Centres: Tamati Ellison, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams.
Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, Ben Smith, Julian Savea.
Australian team to play Scotland on Tuesday:
Luke Morahan (Queensland); Joe Tomane (ACT), Anthony Fainga’a (Queensland), Mike Harris (Queensland), Digby Ioane (Queensland); Berrick Barnes (NSW), Will Genia (Queensland); Scott Higginbotham (Queensland), David Pocock (Western Force, capt), Dave Dennis (NSW); Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), Sitaleki Timani (NSW); Dan Palmer (ACT), Stephen Moore (ACT), James Slipper (Queensland).
Bench: Saia Fainga’a (Queensland), Ben Alexander (ACT), Rob Simmons (Queensland), Michael Hooper (ACT), Nick Phipps (Melbourne), Pat McCabe (ACT), Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW).
The SA U20 side to play Ireland tonight at 18:45 at Coetzenberg:
15. Dillyn Leyds (Western Province), 14. Paul Jordaan (Sharks), 13. Pat Howard (Western Province), 12. Jan Serfontein (Blue Bulls), 11. Raymond Rhule (Free State), 10. Tony Jantjies (Blue Bulls), 9. Abrie Griesel (Blue Bulls), 8. Fabian Booysen (Golden Lions), 7. Wiaan Liebenberg (Blue Bulls, captain), 6. Shaun Adendorff (Blue Bulls), 5. Pieter Steph du Toit (Sharks), 4. Paul Willemse (Golden Lions), 3. Allan Dell (Sharks), 2. Mark Pretorius (Golden Lions) 1. Steven Kitshoff (Western Province)
Bench: 16. Jason Thomas (Blue Bulls), 17. Oliver Kebble (Western Province) , 18. Ruan Botha (Golden Lions), 19. Braam Steyn (Sharks), 20. Vian van der Watt (Golden Lions), 21. Handré Pollard (Western Province), 22. Tshotsho Mbovane (Western Province), 23. Maks van Dyk (Sharks)
The Springbok squad to take on England:
Backs: Zane Kirchner (Bulls), JP Pietersen (Sharks), JJ Engelbrecht (Bulls), Jean de Villiers (Stormers), Wynand Olivier (Bulls), Francois Steyn (Racing Metro), Bryan Habana (Stormers), Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks), Bjorn Basson (Bulls), Morne Steyn (Bulls), Patrick Lambie (Sharks), Elton Jantjies (Lions), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Jano Vermaak (Bulls), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster)
Forwards: Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs), 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), Keegan Daniel (Sharks), Jacques Potgieter (Bulls)
Six promising players have were also added to the above squad for the next three weeks. They are not eligible for selection but will train with the squad. They are: Frans Malherbe, Siya Kolisi , Arno Botha, CJ Stander, Piet van Zyl and Francois Venter.
The nine uncapped players are Marcell Coetzee, Jacques Potgieter, Eben Etzebeth, Juandré Kruger, Franco van der Merwe, Elton Jantjies, JJ Engelbrecht, Coenie Oosthuizen and Jano Vermaak.
Initial comment on the Bok squad from Tank Lanning:
Containing only 3 players from the log leading Stormers, and 13 from the Bulls, who were beaten by the Stormers on Saturday evening, this squad certainly does not lack for controversy! For me the Notable absentees are: Heinrich Brussow, Siya Kolisi, Fourie Du Preez, Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Joe Pietersen, and Peter Grant
I know Heyneke Meyer to be obsessed with size, so it’s perhaps not that surprising to see the little Stormers backs missing out, but this is fairly extreme, and it’s now abundantly clear how he plans to play. Without Fourie du Preez, who apparently turned down Meyer’s captaincy offer due to insurance issues with his Japanese club, and the player not being confident enough to play for the Boks after his stint in the lowly Japanese league, it will be interesting to see who of Hougaard or Pienaar is selected to send those box kicks up for the brutes outside him to chase …
The coach had warned of his reticence to pick an out and out fetcher given the amount of penalties they tend to give away, but it’s the single steal that Brussow is capable of making that might win you a tight Test match, and I think it’s criminal for him not to be in this squad.
Wynand Olivier and Zane Kirchner are proven non-starters at international level. They just do not seem to be able to take that step, and to miss out on the excitement of the likes of Aplon, De Jongh, Pietersen, Rob Ebersohn or Tim Whitehead to see yet another coach try yet again to get these guys to perform at the top level is sad. But quite clearly, Meyer is not about excitement.
The obsession with size also explains the JJ Engelbrecht selection ahead of the above mentioned centres, and I suppose it is the coach’s prerogative to make this call, but it cannot be based on Super Rugby evidence.
To see a player like Jacques Potgieter selected ahead of Siya Kolisi also reinforces the “Safety first” mindset of the coach, and while Kolisi is still young, his performances to date have suggested that he is more than ready to play international rugby.
It’s Meyer’s first Bok squad announcement and he needs to be judged on performance, so it’s tough to be too critical, but it is abundantly clear that his will be a low risk defensive approach using players (and coaches) that he is familiar with.
And finally … SARU has agreed on a deal with SARPA that will see them spend R57,6m on contracting 30 Springboks and compensating provinces, and includes an agreement that includes the use of the players’ collective image rights.
If Vermeulen, Burger, Bekker were fit would they have made the squad do you think?
The school boy results, whats going on with Bishops? Are they that bad? And what accounts for the SACS turnaround in your opinion?
Hi Andre. Desperate year for Bishops. Always been of the opinion that school results go in cycles. Same coaches as last year, so no change on that front. Just dependant on on the intake of that year … But I think SACS and Wynberg have bothed put more focus on rugby and spent money on upskilling coaches …
JJ Engelbrecht, Kirchner &Flip Van der Merwe are very lucky to be in that squad, the latter gives away far to many penalties and is a collector of cards. Spies – the ghost No8 – you never see him. Jacques Potgieter was playing brilliant rugby up to his injury – not surprised at his inclusion. Kankowski – not sure what his value is except if there is a run of injuries – 3 runs yesterday resulted in dying with the ball 3 times. Glad for someone like Franco Van der Merwe, who I am sure will start as there is no other line out caller. Agree on W Olivier. Not surprised about Joe Pietersen or J de Jongh. IMO Adrian Strauss to captain this side. Not sure why people are so surprised at the majority of this squad – it is a typical HM collection of rugby players – one just has to go back and have a look at the type of player he used when coaching SWD – not much has changed. Anyway, I am looking forward to watching how things pan out over the next 4 years.
Some bolters JJ being a big surprise.
Joe Pieterson andPeter Grant were never going to make it. Just not good enough.
Do you need Jaun de Jongh with Steyn and de Villiers in the mix. He is just not needed.
Gio Aplon looks like the size factor has curtailed his international future but realistivally he cannot put the wings Habana and JP out and Mvovo is a playerwho can take you forward so six on one and half a dozen of the other there.
Kolisi is good but not close to Marcell on performance this year. He will come into the side sooner than later.
Shocked to hear that Zane might start at 15 ahead of Lambie to keep the racial mix requirement.
Some things do not change.
GREAT Stormers win yesterday.
Stormers got out of jail on Saturday … Never had the ball, but incredible defence frustrated Bulls no end …
You make a good point re the actual starting XV Dave. All the debated selections (bar Brussow) are pretty much fringe selections …
To suggest that “But quite clearly, Meyer is not about excitement.” in not picking Stormer’s is a bit biased don’t you think? Even though the stormers are leading the SA conference, they are (after the lions’ performance against the sharks) tied for last place in the “Tries for” column. Averaging a dismal 1.7 tries per game.
So by not picking Stormers players, maybe “he is all about excitement”?
Pretty sure Ebersohn and Whitehead are not from the Stormers and I included those names in the same sentance …
It selecting Olivier & Kirshner that is really crazy – these 2 have proven that they are not up to test rugby.
A lot of Springbok fans have spent the last 4 years with their heads in their hands – now it’s clear that Meyer couldn’t even bear to watch!!
@Dave.. Kolisi not close to marcell on performance? Which games have you been watching bud?
Probibly the same ones as Heyneke
Too many over rated Bulls!!!
Zane, Wynand, JJ all very undeserved.
Just because you are big does not mean you are any good! Just ask Spies!
Kolisi very unlucky is probably with Coetzee the two best flanks in SA on form.
It is a farce that 13 Bulls and only 3 Stormers were selected.
Very unbalanced side.
But what did we expect from Heyneke “true blue” Meyer.
As a Stormer supporter all I can say is at least our players will be rested come S15 time!!!!
Please forward Kobus Wiese the photo of Jacques Potgieter so that he can get his facts right!! He is worse that red wine Bladen when it does to names… Kolisi very unlucky not to be in the team!
Yes there is some criticism on his selections and i am by no means a Bulls supporter. But i am a Bok supporter and lets be honest unlike PdV who capped almost every single player in SA. Meyer is selecting who he thinks will be best. Aplon is way too small he never does anything besides for running to score tries when there is no one infront of him. You need defence in the game you can not put someone in that is useless at that and Aplon is useless at defence (like a jack russell). Lets wait and see how the selected squad plays – then we can judge.
HM has ONE week to get ready for the first test, so he was always going to pick combinations and players who know how to play to his patterns. That said, I’m sure that when he has more time to work with the squad, we’ll see him introduce some of the others into the mix……
Don’t blame HM yet, if anything blame the ridiculous timing……
Agreed. As said in the post, we need to judge him on performance not selection, but have not had a performance yet …
A pleasant change to come on to a rugby website and read peoples opinions and disappointments without anyone getting into personal abuse – the absolute brainless abusive filth on other sites is – well what does one say. May this site not change.
Must agree with Gerhard – Tank, how on earth does Supersport select their commentators? – Wiese- goodness me, I’m not sure what is worse – he as a pundit or a player(the biggest oxygen thief to don a rugby jersey).
Heyneke Meyer – “Duane Vermeulen is a great player” – I really hope this transfers into green & gold once he is back from injury. I do think that the likes of Kitshoff, Malherbe etc will be in Meyer’s squads at some stage over the next 4 years.
Does anyone have the final Bulls/Stormers tackle count from the game? How does it compare to most tackles in a S15 match? Must surely be up there?