Share

Selection posers for Meyer

As Heyneke Meyer looks to the next Springbok outing against Argentina at Newlands on August 18, the first in the all new and desperately named Rugby Championship matches, has the England series given him answers or posed more questions? 

Rightfully happy with the series win, given that was his primary goal as the new Springbok coach, and no doubt relatively excited knowing that when this Bok side does play the kind of rugby they are capable of, they are good enough to beat any team in the world.

But, and there are a few but's,  he now faces several selection posers, and after only playing to their potential for around 30% of the tour (second half of the first Test and first half of the second Test), he now needs to build some consistency.

The latter should flow from the former, so a look at Meyer’s selection posers …

Tighthead: While Jannie du Plessis will not be making too many World XV’s, I think any questions surrounding whether he is the man for the Bok job can be put to bed. He is. It’s the back-up that is in question. Coenie Oosthuizen did look the part when called upon in the first Test, but that was only for a few scrums, and he is now recovering from a neck operation. Werner Kruger hit reverse gear in the scrums when brought on in the second and third Tests, and does not look like a long term option. While injury prone, CJ van der Linde is still a good bench option as he can definitely play both sides. The Cheetahs' WP Nel was starting to come into some form, but he is now heading overseas. Stocks are pretty thin at tighthead, and this has to concern Meyer.

Blindside flank: The Boks missed the rampaging Willem Alberts massively in Port Elizabeth, and while it was his first Test and he was coming back from injury, Jacques Potgieter does not look like an international player. The return of Jean Deysel or Schalk Burger will solve that problem, while Siya Kolisi will be pushing hard for a start come August.

Eighthman: The return of Duane Vermeulen from injury cannot come quickly enough. Pierre Spies showed glimpses of what he is capable of against England, but still seemed to go missing when it really counted – like when coming face to face against a brick outhouse like Thomas Waldrom.

Openside flank: Marcell Coetzee impressed me no end, and did very little wrong. But he seemed to be between games – not really a fetcher, and not really a massive ball carrier. And with Richie McCaw and David Pocock so prominent for the Kiwis and Aussies, it just makes sense to recall Heinrich Brussow as an out-and-out opensider. Just imagine a loose trio comprising Brussow, Alberts and Vermeulen! Coetzee would then be the perfect man for the bench.

Lock: With the Bok lineout showing a few creaks, and Andries Bekker making a return to Super Rugby, yet still suffering from a long term back injury, does Meyer bring him in at No 5 as head of the Bok lineout to replace the promising Juandre Kruger?

Scrumhalf: Francois Hougaard, barring the superlative first 45 minutes of the second Test, was sluggish with his service, and mostly shown up by Ruan Pienaar. Does Meyer make the switch? Hougaard is a proven impact player, and would be a massive asset on the bench.

Flyhalf: Morne Steyn, when on song with the boot, is a no brainer for the Meyer gameplan. However, Steyn kicking poorly out of hand and at poles is a real problem. Does he stick with him or go with a more attacking flyhalf like Peter Grant or Pat Lambie? I see value in both options but would not mind seeing one of the latter at the helm, perhaps getting the backline away a little better.

Centre: Skipper Jean de Villiers and Frans Steyn formed a fantastic combination, with the much maligned Wynand Olivier playing well in a poor side in PE. But with the hugely exciting Robert Ebersohn, Tim Whitehead, Jan Serfontein, Juan de Jongh, JJ Engelbrecht and even Johann Sadie when on form, available, is Wynand Olivier the man when one of De Villiers or Steyn is out of action?

Fullback: I think Pat Lambie confirmed that he is the man for the job, but if Meyer were to use him at flyhalf, the contenders would then be Zane Kirchner, Gio Aplon and Joe Pietersen. None would let Meyer down, but the Sharks man stands head and shoulders above the three.

It’s not all bad for, as most of these posers come as a result of the vast array of talent at his disposal, but after his first series at the helm, one gets the feeling that Meyer has created more questions than answers.

Tank is a former Western Province tighthead prop who now heads up Tankman Media, and sprouts forth on all things rugby on the Front Row Grunt

Disclaimer:
Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE