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Cape Town - Sport24 readers have expressed concern that Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has gone 'Bok to the future' by picking too many players past their prime.
In naming his side for Saturday’s Test against the current Six Nations champions, Wales, Meyer has decided to hand Jaque Fourie his first Test for South Africa since the Rugby World Cup in 2011, while a combination of injury and non-availability means JP Pietersen is back for his first taste of international rugby this season.
“We’re very fortunate to have two world-class players in JP and Jaque available for selection and I wanted to get then into the action as soon as possible.”
“They bring a vast amount of experience to the team and it was clear from our training sessions thus far that they are in great form and ready for Test rugby,” said Meyer.
Together the backline boasts a total of 447 Springbok caps.
Some readers felt that Meyer was living in the past and that the Springbok coach was going for the safe and boring option, rather than experimenting with exciting new players that seemed to form part of the Springboks' new attacking philosophy during their recent Rugby Championship campaign.
This is what Sport24 readers had to say about the Springbok team:
"One thing Houwing points out to is the rustiness of JP and Jaque, I hope they'll have their game up because Wales will be bringing absolutely everything they've got, they've got some dangerous and high quality players to watch out for." - Stephen Trenam
"I think that the two Fouries and JP need to show that they are capable of handling the big time after their time in Japan." - Trav Grifiie
"Why Jdv is there is a mystery, one of the few glaring shortcomings in the team. F Steyn should be teaming up with his old pal Fourie in the midfield. Expect the ball not to get past no 12, mis tackles at 12." - Albertus Lombard
"Will HM ever realize that Willie le Roux is a playmaker which the All Blacks have so many off and that this is the reason why they no 1. With Morne Steyn everybody knows we are going to play behind the advantage line. It is going to be ugly rugby from the boks. Can't wait for HM to retire." - Elma Louw
"Only downfall is HM is trying to build this team with a grandpa and tortoise as the skipper." - Spring Bok
"All Blacks will still knock this team over with a smile on there faces." - Carl Wild
"Meyer just realised tht he is the worst coach ever,does'nt have a eye for talent thats why he is selecting jake white's players.(experience,experience)-boring." - Rosco Pienaar
"Hopefully the old boys are at there fiery best cause the Welsh are no pushover." - Slimshady GP
"Is Heyeneke reali th man for the job selecting players that played in 2011 last for th boks is realy building a team for 2015 I doubt it." - Ricardo Cornelius
"To me the backline looks a little like 2010-2011 backs, only youngster is Lambie, and that's not a good thing if your whole backline is like 26+... come on isn't the end year tour normally to test the youngsters? and let them have a run? not bring back all the players we all know is good in the Bok jersey..." - Shan Louscher
Heyneke has restored Jaque Fourie and JP Pietersen to the mix. (Gallo Images)
HAVE YOUR SAY: Does the Springbok backline look past its prime, or do they still have their best rugby ahead of them? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
In naming his side for Saturday’s Test against the current Six Nations champions, Wales, Meyer has decided to hand Jaque Fourie his first Test for South Africa since the Rugby World Cup in 2011, while a combination of injury and non-availability means JP Pietersen is back for his first taste of international rugby this season.
“We’re very fortunate to have two world-class players in JP and Jaque available for selection and I wanted to get then into the action as soon as possible.”
“They bring a vast amount of experience to the team and it was clear from our training sessions thus far that they are in great form and ready for Test rugby,” said Meyer.
Together the backline boasts a total of 447 Springbok caps.
Some readers felt that Meyer was living in the past and that the Springbok coach was going for the safe and boring option, rather than experimenting with exciting new players that seemed to form part of the Springboks' new attacking philosophy during their recent Rugby Championship campaign.
This is what Sport24 readers had to say about the Springbok team:
"One thing Houwing points out to is the rustiness of JP and Jaque, I hope they'll have their game up because Wales will be bringing absolutely everything they've got, they've got some dangerous and high quality players to watch out for." - Stephen Trenam
"I think that the two Fouries and JP need to show that they are capable of handling the big time after their time in Japan." - Trav Grifiie
"Why Jdv is there is a mystery, one of the few glaring shortcomings in the team. F Steyn should be teaming up with his old pal Fourie in the midfield. Expect the ball not to get past no 12, mis tackles at 12." - Albertus Lombard
"Will HM ever realize that Willie le Roux is a playmaker which the All Blacks have so many off and that this is the reason why they no 1. With Morne Steyn everybody knows we are going to play behind the advantage line. It is going to be ugly rugby from the boks. Can't wait for HM to retire." - Elma Louw
"Only downfall is HM is trying to build this team with a grandpa and tortoise as the skipper." - Spring Bok
"All Blacks will still knock this team over with a smile on there faces." - Carl Wild
"Meyer just realised tht he is the worst coach ever,does'nt have a eye for talent thats why he is selecting jake white's players.(experience,experience)-boring." - Rosco Pienaar
"Hopefully the old boys are at there fiery best cause the Welsh are no pushover." - Slimshady GP
"Is Heyeneke reali th man for the job selecting players that played in 2011 last for th boks is realy building a team for 2015 I doubt it." - Ricardo Cornelius
"To me the backline looks a little like 2010-2011 backs, only youngster is Lambie, and that's not a good thing if your whole backline is like 26+... come on isn't the end year tour normally to test the youngsters? and let them have a run? not bring back all the players we all know is good in the Bok jersey..." - Shan Louscher
Heyneke has restored Jaque Fourie and JP Pietersen to the mix. (Gallo Images)
HAVE YOUR SAY: Does the Springbok backline look past its prime, or do they still have their best rugby ahead of them? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
