Heyneke: Unfair to throw Fourie in at the deep end
JOHANNESBURG: Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is edging ever closer to his dream XV that he will hope to keep intact to the World Cup in 2015.
With the biggest competition for the Boks this year starting at FNB Stadium this weekend, Meyer has stuck with the men he believes will bring success in the Rugby Championship and in all other Tests going forward. Continuity in selection is key for Meyer, with his side now very much settled and taking on the appearance of one that will play many Tests together.
There were no major surprises when Meyer named his side yesterday for the match against Argentina, with his first choice loose trio back together and the man who has succeeded Victor Matfield as the lineout kingpin, Juandré Kruger, also back in the fold.
Duane Vermeulen, who missed the June Tests with a knee injury, will team up with Willem Alberts and Francois Louw in the back row – a combination that dominated allcomers during the November tour of Europe and is set to be the one Meyer will look to develop in the build-up to the World Cup in two years’ time.
“Pierre Spies is a quality player and often gets criticised unfairly, but Duane brings something different to the team. He’s physical and strong at the breakdowns and he fulfils the role of a second openside flank (to Louw).
“He’s also good in the lineouts and I’m expecting a big performance from him. It’s good to have him back,” said Meyer yesterday.
Vermeulen said he was keen to turn out for the Boks again. “It’s tough being in and out of the side because of the injuries I’ve suffered, but my knees are holding up and I’m pumped up to play again,” said the No 8 recently.
“I’d like to now establish myself in the squad and work towards playing at the World Cup, but first things first, Argentina lie ahead of us.”
Kruger returns at No 5 lock in place of Flip van der Merwe, who started alongside Eben Etzebeth the last time the Boks were in action, against Samoa at the end of June.
“Flip got his chance at Loftus and I thought he was brilliant, but Juandré’s always been our number one in that position. Argentina are very good in the lineouts, a lot of their set plays come from the lineout, and I believe this is the best team to take them on.”
If there is a surprise in Meyer’s team it is that Fourie du Preez will play off the bench this weekend. The veteran World Cup winner, who now plies his trade in Japan, was recalled to the squad for the first time in two years, but Meyer again said “continuity” was the reason behind going for Ruan Pienaar at scrumhalf.
“It would be unfair on Fourie to throw him in at the deep end and expect a world-class performance,” said Meyer. “Fourie’s still in his off-season and hasn’t played much rugby so I felt the right thing to do was to ease him in. He’ll get gametime on Saturday and going forward, but Ruan has been our number one ... I opted for continuity in selection.”
Hooker Adriaan Strauss has now seemingly also bolted down the starting hooker position, with Bismarck du Plessis having to be happy with a spot among the replacements. “One doesn’t want to chop and change. We’ve won six games in a row and now want to take our game to the next level.”
Meanwhile, Bok flyhalf Morné Steyn said yesterday that it was good having experienced scrumhalf Du Preez back in the Bok squad.
“I’m looking forward to having Fourie back, we’ve played a lot together at the Bulls and with the Boks,” added Steyn, who added there was little to choose between Du Preez and Pienaar, who’s won the race to start for the Boks against Argentina this weekend.
“Ruan was good for us during the June series and we’re getting used to each other now. Both both Fourie and Ruan have an excellent service ... they really play the same type of game.”
One thing Steyn will be hoping for at FNB Stadium this weekend is an improved performance, from himself and the team, after their struggles against Argentina the last time the teams met.
While the Boks opened their 2012 Rugby Championship campaign with a decent win against Argentina in Cape Town, they struggled to a 16-16 draw in Mendoza a week later.
“We played the wrong gameplan in Mendoza. We tried a few new things that didn’t work and our kicking game wasn’t perfect. We played too much rugby in our own half. Now we’re focusing on ourselves and we will look to pin them back in their own half. Argentina are a quality side and they certainly bring something different to the competition,” Steyn said.
Referee Chris Pollock will be in charge of the Bok Test on Saturday.