Picking Oosthuizen ahead of Redelinghuys at tighthead should hardly be deemed conservative, but given the Meyer pecking order, he is next in line, as are most selections this week against a side ranked 14th in the world, sadly.
Tank Lanning in his Sport24 column
The interesting thing to come out of yesterday’s Springbok team announcement was less about the actual match day 23, but more about coach Heyneke Meyer feeling the need to explain or justify the selections of Nizaam Carr and Julian Redelinghuys on the bench.
“Nizaam can cover all the positions in the back-row and his call-up is just-reward after a very good season. Julian has been superb for the Lions this season and he’s shown that he can scrum. Both of them are now familiar with our plays and structures and I’m looking forward to see what they can bring on Saturday”, said the Springbok coach.
No need coach. The rest of South Africa have been believers for a long time. The explanation should have been about why they are not starting, not justifying their existence on the bench. Along with reasons for the conservative selection in general.
As England and the All Blacks go heavily experimental against Samoa and Scotland respectively, so the Boks, playing a side ranked well below those two (Italy are 14th, Samoa 11th and Scotland 8th), make just the single experimental selection.
Given that Jannie du Plessis and Schalk Burger had to be replaced, the selections of both Coenie Oosthuizen and Oupa Mohoje are enforced, with both being “Next in line” picks based on the Meyer pecking order. Beast Mtawarira is rested so in comes next in line, Trevor Nyakane, in a deserved rotation that will not weaken the side.
Leaving the only truly experimental selection as that of Johan Goosen at fullback. And given that he was brought into the 36 man squad as a fullback, perhaps not even that pick can be deemed experimental. This as the 2nd best side in the world take on the 14th ranked side in the world.
A week or two back, Meyer mentioned his concern about being thought of as “Stupid and conservative” by South Africans back home. Stupid he is most certainly not, but it’s pretty damn difficult to argue against the conservative part, though.
Which is not all bad, and to be honest, a little bit woven into the fabric of South African sport. We tend toward sticking to what has worked, rather than pioneering new techniques at the bleeding edge of sporting evolution. Which has it’s advantages given that you let others make the errors before treading a more guaranteed path.
But it would have been quite fun to have seen Meyer buck the trend a little this weekend. Especially given that the sun will still come up on Sunday if an experimental Bok side were to go down to the Italians with side looking to build squad depth in a year before a World Cup.
The Boks lose JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana to their respective overseas clubs next week, so Meyer is no doubt waiting for the Wales game to give the likes of Lwazi Mvovo and Seabela Senatla a run, but getting them involved this week might have made more sense. Mvovo ahead of Habana in the run on XV, and given that JP can play fullback, Senatla ahead of Willie le Roux, who is carrying an injury, on the bench, would have been my call.
Also, we know what Oupa Mohoje can do, and given that it is yet to be game changing, if making the call to stick with Duane Vermeulen and Marcel Coetzee, this seems an ideal opportunity to start Carr and have Jaco Kriel on the bench.
Having a look at Damien de Allende at 13 would also not have been the worst call, and given that Goosen can play flyhalf, Jan Serfontein could have sat on the bench in place of Handre Pollard, which would have given both De Allende and Meyer some comfort.
Up front, I am nervous, but given the faith Meyer has placed in Oosthuizen, he had no other choice at tighthead. It’s now time for the Cheetahs loosehead to repay said faith. The Italian front row did not go too badly against the Bajada last weekend, and now we have the Cheetahs front row, not always dominant in the Currie Cup, let alone Super Rugby, taking on Martin Castrogiovanni and co. Squeaky bum time!
Introducing new blood to a squad is a tricky business and best done regularly, in different positions, so they get to play with experienced players. Or, en masse, but with the old hands on the bench to right any ship that tilts too far to Starboard. I am not sure Meyer has quite got this one right yet.
Springboks: 15 Johan Goosen, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Trevor Nyakane
Bench: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux
i think Mahoje needs game time. he has been good at defense and the line out. he needs to work on his offensive play and run in the wider channels. he also was introduced during a time when SA was playing the top teams (aus, nz, ireland) in the world, maybe a game like Italy would be good for his confidence and provide an oppertunity for him to improve his overall game.
agree that Carr should start, Duane should be given a break completely. with Kriel on the bench.
And even the Cheetahs don’t even play Coenie at tighthead.
Tank,
Is it true, as reported yesterday on Keo’s website (JON CARDINELLI), that Meyer said he won’t choose Coenie at 1 because of his neck injury? I quote:-
“On Wednesday, Meyer reminded reporters that Oosthuizen cannot be used as a loosehead prop because of his history of neck problems. Meyer said that the engagement on that side of the scrum puts Oosthuizen at risk of further injury. The Bok coach believes Oosthuizen’s career will be cut short if he switches back to loosehead.”
I am trying to understand Meyer’s logic. Do you think he is saying a loosehead relies on his neck more than a tighthead? If so, is that right? Perhaps because a loosehead binds ‘under’ the tighthead’s chest and his shove is directed upwards? Whereas a tighthead is more about strength and downward force? However, isn’t it the case that tightheads endure much more in the way of pounds per square inch pressure than looseheads?
I find Meyer admitting this at a press conference surprising for a few reasons: (i) It tells the world that Coenie has a weakness, which you can be damn sure they are going to try to exploit, sooner or later, whichever side he plays on. (ii) It means that superior tightheads like Dreyer and Redelinghuys must now be thinking that they have no chance of selection ever because an injured Coenie is being picked ahead of them, and they may as well p*ss off to play in France. (iii) Frankly, if Coenie does have this neck injury/weakness then sadly I am afraid it is going to rear it’s ugly head some time sooner or later (whichever side he plays), and carrying him in any Bok squad is a helluva risk, not only for SA rugby but for poor old Coenie himself. (iv) Jannie du P is ageing and pretty injury prone himself, so the need for solid tighthead backup is utterly imperative.
I stress I have nothing against Coenie, who at his best is a fine player and has had years of terrible luck with injury, but really Meyer’s logic seems to be a bit twisted here.
WELL SAID. AMEN.